The Boy Who Wanted to Live

Christmas

Harry sat up and stretched in bed. He looked around at the other boys in his room and was tempted to wake them up, but decided that they'd be happier if he let them sleep. Harry looked over at the window where several birds were tapping loudly. Harry stood up, wincing slightly at the cold floors and opened the window. Several owls with packages tied to their legs collapsed on Harry's bed from the cold and exhaustion. Harry tutted softly and pulled the blanket over their shivering bodies. He was determined to find a solution to the way the owls were treated in this school, even if he got in trouble doing it. Harry gently untied the packages from the legs of the owls, sighing at how some of them were heavier than the bird themselves. He looked at the names on the packages. Harry began to walk towards the door when another owl came into the window holding a paper bag. Harry gently took the bag from the owl's claw and looked at it. 

Merry Christmas, Freak

Was scrawled across the brown paper bag. Harry scrunched his nose in disgust and threw it on the desk, waving his wand over it casually. The bag caught on fire without Harry saying a word and turned into a pile of ashes. He turned to look at the other birds and untangled the chords from their legs, casually tossing a few crackers on the bed from the pile of food in his bedside table. The owls immediately dived towards it, fighting over who got the first cracker first. Harry looked over the names of the packages and thought about keeping them for himself. He decided against it, knowing he was being watched and carelessly threw each box at the owner's head. 

"Ow!" several boys shouted, sitting up and rubbing their bruised scalps. 

Harry rolled his eyes at their weakness and made his way downstairs, ignoring the few students who were talking about their Christmas presents. Harry smiled softly as a brown-haired girl caught his eye kneeling near the tree. Harry sat down on the armchair next to the tree. 

"Hello, Hannah." Harry greeted kindly. 

She looked up at him with wide, fearful eyes and Harry smiled. 

"Hello, Harry," she said softly. 

Harry gently pushed her hair out of her face and smiled more as she went pale and swallowed hard. 

"Did you get anything you liked?" He asked in a whisper, looking behind her at the tree. 

Hannah swallowed hard and nodded. Harry nodded and leaned back in the chair, pulling a strand of her hair with his fingers. She looked down at her hands and Harry pulled his hand away watching as she sighed softly in relief. 

"I asked you a question, Hannah," Harry said softly. 

"Yes," she replied, looking at her hands. 

"What did you get?" Harry asked smiling. 

She turned to her left and picked up a small box and handed it to him. Harry smirked at the familiar black box and opened it to pull out the dainty necklace infused with a single diamond pendant in the middle. He leaned forward and hooked it around her neck. She winced softly and he pulled back patting her head as he stood up. He turned and began to walk away. 

"Aren't you going to open your presents?" She asked, softly. 

Harry stopped and swallowed hard before turning to look at her. 

"Don't be silly, Hannah. I never get presents." He said, beginning to walk away. 

"You have a box here with your name on it," She said, her high pitched voice stopping him. 

Harry plastered a sweet smile on his lips and turned to face her. 

"Alright, Hannah," he said sweetly, though still unbelieving "Show me this box of yours" 

Hannah went on her hands and knees, shifting a few other boxes before pulling out a small box that had Harry's name on it. She pulled it out and Harry returned to her side, sitting beside her. He pulled the box over, it grows in size from his touch until it was big enough for him to sit inside of it was it empty. Harry slowly opened the box that reads "H. Potter" on the side and watched his friend with suspicion. The first thing on top of the box was a black leather book with Harry's name inscribed in gold on the front. Harry picked up the bible-like book, flipping through the pages with interest. Every page was blank, except the first one which had neat script across the front. 

Harry,

Use this well for it will help you with your problem. 

Albus Dumbledore

 It was simple and to the point but Harry preferred it that way. He intended to rip out the page anyway if he ever decided to use the journal. So it was better than he had fewer pages to rip out. He rolled his eyes in aggravation and tossed the book behind him, not caring where it landed. Hannah jumped at the bang emitted from the book hitting the tiled floor echoed through the room. Harry gently pulled out a book entitled; Holloween, the downfall of you-know-who. A white card fell from inside the cover and fluttered to the floor. Harry gently picked it up, his eyes misting over as he read the green ink. On the back of the card was a photo of a man with black hair dancing with a woman with green eyes. Harry swallowed hard and felt Hannah shift behind him. He stood up and ran towards his room, ignoring whatever else remained in the box of presents. 

"Harry!" Hannah called after him with concern, the echo of a door slamming the only thing to acknowledge her call.