The Boy Who Wanted to Live

Be cautious

Harry sighed and moved his sore shoulder around trying to lessen the pain. Hannah smiled at Harry and kept rambling on about some boy- who's name she would not give- and the way his hair glistened in the sun. Harry rolled his eyes at the girl and patted her head gently.
"When are you going to tell me who this mystery person is," Harry asked with a small smile "I fear I'm beginning to lose you pet,"
Hannah blushed at the tease and smiled up at Harry.
"Okay I know I have been going on and on about him," she admitted twirling her fingers in her hair, "but he's so perfect how could you not?"
"It's not Todd is it?" Harry asked with a grimace "I don't think I could stand two girls fawning over him,"
Harry was referring to his best friend Hermione Granger who had in the last few weeks taken up a new hobby that included droning on about the Hufflepuff Prefect to Harry for hours at a time. He looked up at the chubby teenager who was dozing off across the room and shivered in soft disgust.
"I swear if I have to hear about how perfect his teeth are or the color of his eyes or-" it's not Todd," Hannah cut off with a smile.
"Oh thank god," Harry sighed, "don't get me wrong, I like Todd. I just don't like hearing about how perfect he is all the time,"
Hannah smiled and turned to look at Harry from where she sat at his feet. He stopped petting her hair and looked in her brown eyes for a long time, a soft smile on his mouth. His eyes flitted to her mouth and down her neck. Suddenly his eyes grew cold and the smile fell from his mouth.
"What's wrong?" Hannah asked softly.
"Where is your necklace?" Harry asked coldly "The one I got you for Christmas where is it,"
"I took it off," Hannah said softly digging through her pocket for the chain.
"I told you never to take it off," Harry barked at her making her flinch slightly.
"I'm sorry Harry," she said with a small whimper.
Harry held his hand out and sat tense as the chain fell into his palm. He lifted her hair and latched the chain around her neck, relaxing with a smile as the diamond fell into the hallow part of her chest between her collar bones. She swallowed hard and looked down at her lap.
"I am sorry Harry," she said softly "I won't remove it again,"
Harry smiled and fixed her hair, gently placing the light strands in place over her shoulder.
"It is okay, Hannah," he said petting her head, "so who is the boy"
A first year around Harry's age stepped in front of them with a nervous frown.
"Err," he said softly "I am sorry to interrupt, Harry, but Headmaster Dumbledore asked me to retrieve you for him,"
Harry looked at the boy coldly for a moment before fixating a smile on his face.
"Of course, Charles," he responded with a nod, "Thank you."
Hannah tensed slightly as Harry's hand grabbed the side of her neck, his mouth gently touched the top of her hair.
"I will return shortly, Hannah," he said politely, "Don't wait up for me,"
Hannah nodded and watched Harry leave the room. The second the door closed, Hannah felt the couch shift behind her. She turned to look up at Ernie, the blonde threw up his nose and sneered.
"Don't wait for me, Hannah. Stay here Hannah. Wear your necklace, Hannah." He said in a posh voice, "Honestly that Potter treats you like a house elf,"
Hannah giggled and got up to sit on the couch.
"No, more like a poodle," she laughed as well.
"I don't know why you allow him to treat you like that," Ernie said with disapproval.
"Oh he doesn't mean any harm by it," Hannah smiled "plus I kind of like it," she added "makes me feel safe and wanted,"
"Oh he wants you all right," Ernie replied with a roll of his eyes.
"Harry's not like that," Hannah said with a shake of her head.
"Oh no of course not," Ernie replied "He only leads you around like a dog for everyone to see,"
Hannah frowned slightly feeling unease in her stomach at his words.
"Something is wrong with that Potter, you mark my words," he said "I can feel it,"
Ernie looked at the blonde girl and sat up with interest.
"If you were my girl I would follow you around like your own pet, not the other way around," he admitted, "I would let you lead like the woman you are, not try to cage you,"
Hannah frowned and looked down. Ernie lifted her chin lightly and stared into her chocolate eyes with wonder for a few seconds before pulling back and swallowing hard.
"I'm sorry, ms. Abbot," he said with a broken voice, "I seem to have forgotten my place,"
Hannah smiled at the boy with a roll of her eyes.
"You know you don't have to be all proper with me, Ernie," she said "I won't tell your mother if you are too forward like Beatrice would,"
Ernie blushed at the insinuation and turned his head away from the girl.
"I should go," he said softly "I do not wish to burden your time any longer, but please remember what I said,"
Hannah frowned and watched Ernie stand and straighten his robes to perfection. He turned to her and bowed slightly.
"Do be cautious of Harry Potter,"