Harry Potter

The sun dipped low behind the ancient towers of Hogwarts, casting long shadows across the grounds. The chill of the evening air mingled with the distant laughter of students, echoing from the Great Hall. Harry Potter leaned against the rough stone of the castle, his dark hair tousled, his green eyes glinting with mischief. He wore a casual black hoodie, a stark contrast to his usual robes, and a pair of dark jeans that hugged him just right.
“Oi, Harry! Are you coming in or what?” Ron Weasley called from the entrance, his face aglow with the warmth of the hall. Behind him, Hermione Granger was shaking her head, her curls bouncing as she crossed her arms.
“Yeah, mate, don’t leave us out here with the ghosts!” she chimed in, a teasing note in her voice.
Harry smirked, tilting his head. “Ghosts? I thought you loved hanging around with the Bloody Baron.”
“Only when he isn’t trying to stab me,” Ron shot back, a grin breaking through his mock annoyance.
“Besides, I’ve got to finish that essay for McGonagall,” Hermione added, her brow furrowing as she glanced at Harry, an unspoken challenge in her gaze. “And you know she’ll have our heads if we’re late.”
“Fine, fine. I’m coming,” Harry said, pushing off the wall. But just before he stepped inside, he paused, a soft humming escaping his lips, a tune that made the air feel electric.
“What’s that?” Ron asked, eyes narrowing in suspicion.
“Just something I picked up,” Harry said, a nonchalant shrug accompanying his words. “You know, Muggle stuff.”
“More like Muggle nonsense,” Ron scoffed, but his expression was playful.
As they entered the Great Hall, the atmosphere shifted. The long tables glistened with food, laughter mixing with the clinking of goblets. Harry’s gaze swept across the room, landing on Severus Snape at the staff table, a dark silhouette against the bright backdrop. The Potions Master’s eyes met Harry’s, a flicker of something unspoken passing between them.
“Look who’s got a crush!” Ron teased, elbowing Hermione, who rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide a smile.
“Shut it,” Harry said, heat creeping up his neck. “It’s not like that.”
“Right,” Ron said, raising an eyebrow. “Because the way he looks at you like he wants to devour you is totally normal.”
“Jealous?” Hermione asked with a sly smile.
“Me? Never.” Ron feigned innocence, but the grin betrayed him.
Harry felt the warmth of the hall wrap around him, but his thoughts drifted to the world outside— the Muggle world. The one where he wasn’t just Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived. Instead, he was a shadow, a wealthy enigma who could bend the rules to his will, and he loved every minute of it.
“Hey, are you even listening?” Ron’s voice cut through his reverie.
“Of course,” Harry replied, his attention snapping back to his friends. “What did you say?”
“About the match on Saturday,” Ron said, his excitement palpable. “You’ve got to show up!”
“Yeah, I’ll be there,” Harry said, but his thoughts were elsewhere, focused on the life he was building beyond these walls. “Just... don’t expect me to sit in the stands.”
“Why not?” Hermione asked, tilting her head. “Don’t you want to cheer us on?”
“Cheering is overrated,” Harry replied, smirking. “I prefer to watch from the shadows.”
“Sounds like you’ve been hanging around Snape too much,” Ron laughed, raising a goblet in mock salute.
“Speaking of shadows,” Hermione said, her tone shifting. “What’s going on with Dumbledore? He’s been acting strange lately.”
Harry’s expression darkened. “I don’t trust him. Not since I found out what he’s really been up to.”
“Like what?” Ron leaned in, intrigued.
“Manipulating everyone. The Order, the students, even you two,” Harry said quietly. “He thinks he’s untouchable.”
“Like Voldemort?” Ron’s eyes widened. “You think he’s that bad?”
“Worse,” Harry replied, his voice steady. “Dumbledore plays a long game. He uses people like chess pieces.”
“What do we do?” Hermione asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Gather information. We need to know what he’s planning,” Harry said, determination hardening his features. “And we need to keep an eye on the Malfoys.”
“Why them?” Ron asked, skeptical.
“Because Tom Riddle is back,” Harry said, his tone grave. “And if he’s playing his cards right with Lucius, we’re going to need to watch our backs.”
“Great,” Ron muttered, sinking back in his seat. “Just what we need—more drama.”
“Not just drama,” Harry said, leaning forward. “Real danger. The kind that could tear us apart.”
“Like a bloody Quidditch match gone wrong,” Ron muttered, but Harry could see the concern in his eyes.
“Exactly,” Harry said, locking eyes with Hermione. “We can’t let Dumbledore’s schemes put anyone at risk. Not this time.”
The hall hummed with life around them, but Harry felt the weight of their conversation settle like a stone in his stomach. He glanced at Severus again, who was now watching them with an intensity that made Harry’s heart race.
“Right,” Hermione said, her voice firm. “We’ll figure this out. Together.”
“Together,” Ron echoed, but the uncertainty lingered.
As the evening wore on, Harry found himself lost in thought. He wanted a life beyond Hogwarts—a family, a home. He envisioned children running through the house, laughter echoing off the walls. But first, there were battles to fight, and he needed Severus by his side.
“Harry?” Ron’s voice broke through his thoughts again. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” Harry said, forcing a smile. “Just thinking about the future.”
“Future?” Ron scoffed. “You mean the one where you marry Snape and have a horde of kids?”
“Maybe,” Harry replied, the corners of his mouth twitching. “Or maybe I just want a quiet life away from all... this.”
“Good luck with that,” Ron said, shaking his head. “But hey, if you’re marrying Snape, I want a front-row seat at the wedding.”
“I’ll make sure you’re the best man,” Harry teased, but his mind was already racing ahead, considering the implications of a life shared with Severus.
The laughter and chatter faded into a low hum as Harry pondered the complexities of his world—both magical and Muggle. He could feel the weight of his choices pressing down on him, the stakes higher than ever. The path ahead was fraught with peril, but he was ready to embrace it, ready to fight for the life he envisioned.
“Just you wait,” he murmured to himself, glancing at Severus once more. “Everything is about to change.”