The Locket

I was staring at the plate of pancakes, I wasn't hungry, I hadn't felt like eating anything since Sirius died, how could I? He died because of me, because I can't listen, I can't stop and think before I do something. I can't tell the difference between fiction and reality, and my worst enemy can enter my head at any moment and uncover all my thoughts. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Hermione's worried gaze, but I didn't have the strength to pretend that everything is okey. I don't want to worry my friends, but the truth is that it would be best if they left me, it's not good for them to know me, the only thing our friendship will bring them is pain and fear, and Voldemort's unnecessary attention. My whole environment is in even greater danger just because I'm around. I lifted my head and slowly looked around, Ron and Hermione were arguing about something again, it was already a daily occurrence for them, but I didn't pay attention to it, my eyes quickly scanned the Slytherin table, he was gone again. Malfoy is up to something and I know it, he's been acting strange, he looked weird, Hermione says I'm starting to get obsessed, but I know Malfoy, Voldemort is back and everyone knows it, the Malfoy family is serving him, which is no secret either, they're up to something and I need to find out what. My friends don't understand it, but I have something to occupy my mind, something useful, Malfoy and Dumbeldore is what I'm going to focus on, find out what Malfoy is up to, and help Dumbeldor with what he needs me for. I'm weak, recent events have clearly shown that, and I can't be if I want to win in the end. The door to the Great Hall opened, and I quickly looked in that direction, but they were just some first-year students, they must have gotten lost. My heart, which started beating faster, returned to its normal pace again, yeah... And then there's this. This feeling.. I don't remember at what point Malfoy started to be attractive to me, and at what point I realized what that meant, but I think it was around the fourth year, but back then we were just rivals, he hated me for breathing and I was secretly long for him, and now? Now we're on opposite sides, he literally hates me, and I have to forget what I'm feeling, get rid of that feeling, it's just a crush, a physical attraction, I'm sixteen after all, hormones are buzzing. and he's probably planning how to kill me anyway, after all, that's what His Lord is after.
-Harry? - Hermione's voice snapped me out of my reverie, I looked in her direction distracted, her brow furrowed - You did it again, you drifted away. We know it's hard for you, but Harry, you can't close yourself off to us, we're your friends and we’re al...
- I know - I interrupted, probably a little too loud, so I lowered my voice - I know, Hermione, but there's nothing you can do—I could see she wanted to say something, but I didn't feel like her lecturing me again about my behavior—I'll have to deal with that myself. Give me some time - I gave her a sluggish smile and went back to staring at the plates, I heard her sigh, but I think she realized there was no point in talking to me.
I didn't want to treat them like that, but I needed a break, a peace. I felt like everyone expected me to be someone I'm not, the chosen one, the golden boy, when in fact I'm a powerless teenager who has to pretend to be grown up and strong.
- Ronald, have you done your potions homework yet?
- Yyy well I, yy
- Don't say you haven't even started, after all, the deadline is tomorrow, I didn't know which topic to choose, so I chose two, I don't understand how you can.. I smiled under my breath, Hermione's rants were even funny when they weren't directed at you, Ron's red face just confirmed it.
- Well, Harry and I happen to..
- Don't get me involved, I've done my homework – the betrayed expression on my friend's face made me feel even better, I didn't understand my mood swings, but I guess I could also blame it on my age.
- You meant you and your half-blood prince had done the job - he looked at me triumphantly, yes he won the battle, I just waited for Hermione's full attention to be on me again, I didn't understand why she had such a problem with that book.
- Harry, we've already talked about it, you should give this book back,"; Hermione didn't even try to hide her displeasure, she looked at me expectantly as if she expected me to give her the book back and it would be over.
- I don't know why you're picking on me so much, thanks to this book I liked this subject, I have much better grades.
- But it changes the recipes of the potions, we don't know who created that book - Hermione lowered her voice - what if it was someone from You Know Who?
- Hermione, I beg you, let's not get paranoid - I clenched my hands, the mere mention of him evoked memories, Sirius's death, my despair and rage, I was ready to kill then, but I couldn't. I was too weak, how am I going to fight Voldemort when I'm in such a mess? How many more people will die because of me?
- Harry, Harry… Can you hear me? - Hermione gently grabbed my fistful hand – I'm sorry - she looked at me with concern, as if she could read my mind – I shouldn't mention him now, you're right, I think I'm exaggerating a bit, it's just that the whole action with the book seems suspicious to me, but it doesn't change the fact that I have no right to tell you what to do – she squeezed my hand one last time and smiled gently, I smiled back this time sincerely.
- I'm sorry, just lately.. I'm not well, as you can see - Hermione and Ron looked at me with understanding - what happened. I don't.. I'm sorry, but I can't talk about it yet. That book and the other stuff—I wasn't going to mention Malfoy, but I didn't have to, Hermione raised her eyebrows slightly, and Ron just shrugged—they let me forget for a moment—it wasn't much, but it was still the first time I'd ever brought up the subject.
Hermione wanted me to open up, to speak out about my problems, but I wasn't ready for that, I didn't have the courage to do that, I was afraid of the consequences, as if saying some words out loud would make them real. And yet they were already true, Voldemort messed with my head and put everyone in danger, and Sirius died. I felt like I was running out of air, I'd had panic attacks before, but never around people.
- Harry, take it easy, breathe deeply, don't think about it anymore - Hermione smiled reassuringly at me - let's talk about something else, okay? - I focused on my breathing, where I was and the voices around me - Okay, any topic you'd be interested in… how are your preparations for Quidditch going, Ronald? - I laughed softly, you could literally see on my friend's face how much she didn't want to talk about it, sport is not the right subject for the smartest witch.
- I'm hopeless, I'm terribly stressed about it, I don't think I'm in shape - I switched off, Ron didn't believe in himself and I was in a bad position because of his bid for the team, I was a captain on the one hand and a friend on the other, I knew Ron wouldn't hold it against me if I didn't pick him, but I would feel bad about it myself - what do you say, Harry?
- Hmm? - They've caught me not listening too many times to let it show that they're even a little surprised.
- I was asking if you would train with me today? - I didn't want to point out that I do it every day, so I just nodded - Great, I was thinking we'd rehearse today…
It was then that I felt, a strange energy, as if all the air had been sucked out of the room, I stood up, quickly pulling out my wand and looking around for a potential threat.
- Harry, what…? - Hermione was interrupted by a loud crack, all voices stopped, three children appeared at the entrance, out of nowhere, as if they had teleported, but that was impossible in the castle grounds.
I held my wand tightly watching the newcomers, they looked harmless, a little girl with red hair and two older boys, one blond, although from this distance the hair looked almost white, it reminded me dangerously of Malfoy and the tallest of the three brunette, it was with him that I made eye contact, he stared at me with consternation mixed with horror which took my breath away for a moment, I had a bad feeling. The momentary silence in the hall was broken by the murmur of conversations, I turned to the teachers' table, Dumbeldore leaned forward a little, as if intrigued, the rest of the teachers watched the whole event with interest, sometimes I had the impression that they were only in this school for decoration. After all, is this a normal reaction to the appearance of strangers in a castle that is protected by the most powerful spells there is?
My gaze returned to the strangers, they slowly moved towards me, but it was the brunet, who I thought was the oldest, walking in front, his hands slightly raised, as if blocking the way of his companions, although it looked more like a defensive gesture. As they approached me I started to look at them, a blond man whose hair resembled Malfoy looked at me in surprise, he almost opened his mouth in surprise, the girl looked around uncertainly, but with curiosity that only children who don't really understand what is going on can have, only after a while her eyes rested on me, She tilted her head and her eyebrows furrowed slightly, I had the impression that she had sped up a little they were already three meters away from me.

- Fat.. - She didn't finish, the oldest boy quickly covered her mouth, but some part of me knew what she was trying to say and it chilled me.
When the three of them stood in front of me, I had no more doubts. All I heard was Hermione's loud sigh, she must have seen the same thing I did.
I saw a part of myself in each of the children, the eldest was probably the most like me, the same jawline, the same hair, but his eyes were blue, they reminded me of someone, but I couldn't say who. A boy with blond hair, he had my nose and wore glasses that were the same as mine, but his eyes were like a mixture of blue and green. The little girl, on the other hand, had my eyes, her long red hair fell in waves down her back, I didn't have too many pictures, but I was sure she looked like my mother. I sat down, they were my children, but how? Of course, I wanted to have children one day, but given what was happening, I slowly stopped believing that I would live to see it. I glanced at Ron, he couldn't hide his shock, his mouth was gaping and his eyes were wandering all three of them as if he was scanning them.

- Shut your mouth Ronald - Hermione's voice echoed through the room, where there was a deathly silence again, everyone seemed to be waiting with bated breath for the events to unfold, thanks to Merlin for my friend's calmness and composure - and now let's start with the most important thing: who are you and how did you get here?
- We were ..
- Hush - the eldest of the boys quickly silenced his brother - my name is Scorpius, and this is my brother James and my sister Lily - the boy breathed, glancing at me hesitantly – we're just as surprised as you are, we don't know how it happened, but from what I've noticed, we had to travel back in time somehow, so I don't want to give too much away. I think you get the idea.
- Why can't you? You come here out of nowhere, and you look like... how..
- Ronald! I guess it's logical, they're probably from the future, so really anything they say here can change their reality - Hermione explained in a calm tone when I was far from it.
- As for our appearance, there's no denying it, we're your children - Scorpius looked at me uncertainly, I gave him a sluggish smile, I couldn't afford more.
- But how? - The boy raised his eyebrows questioningly - I mean, who is your mother?
- Harry, I think it's obvious - I looked at Hermione surprised - especially for you - she looked at me meaningfully, I had no idea what she meant, but before I could ask, the door to the Great Hall opened.
Malfoy stood in the doorway surprised, all heads turned in his direction, when he probably wanted to enter unnoticed.
- Daddi – Lily started to run towards him, luckily Scorpius managed to catch her
- Lily no, that's not the daddy you know - he whispered to her, but I managed to hear it, what the hell..?

I looked at Hermione, but she just shrugged
- The resemblance is striking - as if that explains it all, but now that I've heard it, I've actually seen a bit of Malfoy in the children as well.
He's a boy. Hermione - I hissed through my teeth - he can't be their mom.
- Harry, are you gay? Why didn't you tell me?
- Not now Ron, that's the least important thing right now.
- With Malfoy, Harry? - That question sounded like a moan.
- He's not their mom, Harry, he's their father - Hermione looked at me like I was the one who'd lost my mind.
- But how? – I asked this question again – men can't have children with other man, adoption? No, you’re look to much like us. Surrogate? I don't know how it works, but it has to be it, right? - Scorpius said no.
- What have you done Potter again? - I didn't even notice when Malfoy came up to us, he didn't look his best, the dark circles under his eyes got bigger, his clothes hung on him, the only thing that stay the same is a grimace on his face and a voice filled with contempt remained.
- It's not me this time - I blurted out, now that he stood next to them, I could see it clearly. Scorpius had exactly the same eyes as Malfoy, James had the same hair, and Lili had the same face shape, he wouldn't deny them even if he tried.
- Of course, some kid is running towards me shouting daddy, and the other two are stopping them, they're all standing next to you and it has nothing to do with you, not to mention that they look like.. - Malfoy paused as if he had just looked at the children, his eyes widened in shock - I'll ask again, and now I'm hoping for an honest answer from you, Potter, what's going on here?
- Hermione - I groaned, it's a dream, it must be a dream.
- These are your children who have somehow moved here from the future - I was sure Malfoy would ignore her, but he shifted his shocked gaze to her.
- But how?
- I'd like to know too - I murmured
- With Malfory, Harry? - Ron must have been in some kind of shock
- We're boys Granger, as far as I know, two men can't have children together, and they're obviously like us. Is this some kind of Muggle trick? - I think it was the first time that the word 'Muggle' doesn’t sounded like an insult from his lips, but I didn't have time to think about it, I just looked at my friend expectantly.
- No, it has nothing to do with Muggles - Hermione hesitated - there's a legend that... that with enough power and great true love, two men are able to father a child, there are no confirmed cases of such a thing, but apparently..
- You've got to be kidding me
- Of course.. legend... Who could it go to if not Harry Potter, right? There is no more suitable person, as if I had little on.. - I didn't even notice that I started screaming.
- I think it would be better if we moved this conversation to a more secluded place—if I hadn't been so nervous, I probably would have been scared, I didn't notice at what point the headmaster came up to us - Harry, Mr. Malfoy and the three of you are welcome to my office.
- With Malfoy, Harry? Seriously?