(MAJOR REWRITE/COMPLETE) Harry Potter triumphed over Lord Voldemort in their final battle, but peace was short-lived. Though Voldemort was defeated, Harry felt a deep, withering wound inside-his life was still in danger. As a surviving Horcrux, Harr...
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The summer sun cast a warm, golden hue over the grounds of Hogwarts, illuminating the castle that had been a sanctuary for so many. The Black Lake shimmered under the bright blue sky, its surface like a mirror reflecting the beauty of nature surrounding it. It was a serene backdrop, a dramatic contrast to the chaos and despair that had engulfed this place for far too long. But that tranquillity felt somehow estranged to Harry Potter, who stood there, gazing out at the lake, lost in thought.
He breathed in deeply, the scent of wildflowers and fresh air invigorating him. Yet, beneath all the beauty, a nagging sensation rested in his chest. For a fleeting moment, pain tightened its grip around his heart, a reminder that not everything was as peaceful as it appeared. The feeling vanished as quickly as it had come, leaving only a lingering discomfort that he couldn't shake off. It had happened twice that day, but he pushed it aside, wrapping himself in the veil of denial that had become so familiar.
"Harry!" A familiar voice pierced through his thoughts, and he turned to see Ginny Weasley, her hair shimmering like copper in the sun, walking across the grass towards him. She wore a bright smile, one that often lit up the darkest corners of his world. Yet today, that smile seemed to falter as she drew closer and caught sight of his troubled expression.
"What's wrong?" she asked, concern etching its way onto her features.
"Nothing," he replied hastily, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Just taking in the view, you know?"
Ginny narrowed her eyes, unconvinced. She had known him far too long to be fooled by a smile that masked worry. "You've been 'taking in the view' for quite a while. It's not like you to stand alone like this. You should be enjoying the summer with everyone else."
"Everyone else..." His voice trailed off as he scanned the grounds, where students and friends were gathered, laughing and sharing stories of their newfound freedom. But here he was, once again caught in a swirling tempest of thoughts. "They've won a war, Gin. Can't they just enjoy that?"
Ginny took a step closer, her expression softening in concern. "You deserve to enjoy it too, Harry. Let it go, just for today."
But it wasn't easy. Harry felt a weight settling over him, compounding his worry. Why did he keep experiencing that strange pain in his chest? Why did the air seem heavier now, even amid joyous laughter? The idea of seeking help twisted in his mind; both Hermione and Madame Pomfrey had already endured so much during the war with Voldemort. He couldn't bear adding to their burdens.
Fear tightened around his heart as he considered visiting the library to scour through medical texts. But there was still debris scattered throughout the once-grand structure. The last thing he wanted to do was rehash old wounds.
Ginny stepped into the space beside him, her presence comforting yet insistent. "I saw you jump at dinner yesterday, Harry. You're not yourself. Is there something you didn't tell me? Something that's weighing on you? You can talk to me. I'm here..." Her voice trailed off, a quiet understanding lingering in the air.
