The Boy Who Wanted to Live

"Quoth the Raven 'Nevermore!'"

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.

:Edger Alan Poe:

Dumbledore opened his office door, surprised at which child had been tapping away this time. 

"Harry" Dumbledore said with surprise, not expecting him to show up. 

Harry walked in the office and began pacing, wearing down the carpet with his steps. 

"What can I do for you my boy?" Dumbledore asked. 

"What month is it?" Harry asked, suddenly stopping from his pacing and wiping his nose on his hand. 

"It's almost Christmas break," Dumbledore said his eyebrows furrowing. 

"No..." Harry whispered, falling into a chair and holding his head in his hands. 

"Is something the matter, my boy?" The old man asked, sitting beside his pupil. 

"I did it again." Harry said, muffling his voice in his hands "I skipped."

"Skipped?" Dumbledore said amused "Everyone skips class now and again, Harry it's nothing to worry about."

"No!" Harry said, jumping to his feet, "I skipped time! I don't remember anything! I don't remember anything after Halloween until today! I skipped!" 

Dumbledore watched as Harry pulled at his hair and felt that he could do nothing to help the lad. 

"Harry, please come sit down" he requested, surprised when Harry actually did what he asked. "The last thing you remember was just after Halloween you say?" 

"Yes," Harry said hiding his face in his hands again. 

"What usually happens on these 'skips' of yours? Do you know?" 

Dumbledore felt his throat tighten with empathy as Harry jerkily shook his head no. 

"Th-they say I hurt people." Harry's voice came through muffled by his hands. 

"Are you afraid you hurt someone, Harry?" 

"No." Harry said, wiping at his eyes. 

Dumbledore sighed with relief and smiled, until Harry looked at him. Harry's vibrant green eyes were circled with black and the tears dripping down his cheeks were also tinted an ashy black. Dumbledore took a small breath, not expecting this demonic look on the child. 

"No, I don't think I hurt someone," Harry repeated "I know I hurt someone."