Chapter 8
Snow.
That was the only word Harry could say about November at Hogwarts.
It hung thickly to the roof tiles and fell in soft little flakes, landing prettily on the students eyelashes and hair. Between classes, the boys would go outside and see who could catch the most snowflakes on their tongues. They had to start wearing chunky scarfs, winter robes and even needed to look more clearly at where they walked, not wanting to get their feet stuck in ice puddles that pranksters charmed to freeze over unsuspecting feet.
Harry had always loved Winter. Summer was for quidditch, Spring was for hiking with Padfoot and dad, Autumn was for snuggling with mum and Moony and Winter was for even more quidditch. Summer may be more preferable, but in Winter Harry just wanted to be warm all the time so he played quidditch harder and more frequently. Luckily, they got a two week Christmas Break which Harry would be spending with his family.
What Harry also loved about Winter was December, which automatically meant Christmas and New Years. Wormtail and Mum made a feast big enough to feet an army and Harry always got more presents than he needed. Mary would come down from Jamaica where she was studying voodoo and normally bring her new partner; Marlene, dad, Sirius and Pete would do their annual Jingle Bell Rock performance and it was the one time a year Ron got to stay over as much as he wanted without either of their parents batting an eyelid.
Maybe it will change this year, Harry thought sadly.
The boys still hadn’t spoken, even though Harry and Hermione got along perfectly, Ron could barely meet his eyes. Neville had made an attempt to talk to Harry in charms when they were appointed as partners to practice ‘Spongify’, the softening spell. The boys had started to have a lovely conversation when Ron called Neville over harshly and whispered something in his ear, Neville had returned sheepishly and didn’t talk to Harry for the rest of the lesson.
“It’s not fair!” Harry cried to his mum and dad during a mirror call session. “I haven’t done anything wrong.”
“We’ll get Molly to talk to him, love. You’re just boys, you’ll sort this out.” His mum said softly.
“If all goes wrong, invite your Slytherin pals over, we’d love to meet them.” His dad encouraged.
Harry hesitated. “You really want to meet them?”
Lily visibly knocked shoulders with her husband. “Of course we do! I would love to meet the boys who are living with my darling Prince Charming.”
Harry groaned. “Please don’t call me that, mum.”
His dad grinned cheekily. “Alright then, Bambi, Prongslet, Hazza, Bazza, fawn.”
“Not the deer names again!”
“Haz, you know we won’t stop that even if we tried.”
“I know.”
“You love it.” His dad winked.
“No!”
“Yeah you do.”
“No I don’t!”
“You totally do.”
“Shut up, dad!” Harry groaned.
Lily smiled with pity. “Maybe try talking to him.”
“You don’t think I’ve tried?”
“Try harder. Sometimes you need to push his boundaries until he sucks up his negative energy and has the guts to talk to you!”
Harry and James looked at Lily with surprise.
“You good, dear?” James asked slowly.
“I’m wonderful, doe.” She replied.
Harry made vomit sounds. “Get a room.”
“We’ve had the whole house to ourselves, pick a room-“
“Shut up, dad!” Harry groaned, his cheeks reddening.
His parents had laughed and Harry ended the call after sympathetic ‘goodbyes’ and ‘I love you’’s. He was so grateful his dad was talking to him again, life was so much easier with a father on your side.
It was the next charms class that Harry decided to ‘force’ Ron to talk to him. Professor Flitwick was choosing partners and Harry purposely chose the spot right next to Ron so they were made to work together. Ron glared at Harry after their names were called but Harry only grinned happily.
“I know what you’re up to.” Ron growled.
“Do you?” Harry grinned again.
Ron rolled his eyes and went back to his textbook, eyes flicking over the text.
“You know,” Harry started, putting his chin on one of his palms, “I had dream when I was younger that we slept on the roof of The Burrow. I think I told you about it, remember?”
“Nope.” Ron replied sharply, popping the ‘p’.
“Well then, guess I’ll have to tell you about it!” Harry exclaimed merrily, Ron visibly stiffened his shoulders. “We were 8 and I remember us getting pillows and blankets to bring up to the roof-“
“I remember, please shut up and read the book!” Ron snapped.
“You sure?” Harry sang. “I haven’t said the cool bit yet.”
“I don’t really care.”
Harry hummed. “But it’s so cool.”
“Don’t. Care.”
“I haven’t even said it yet.”
Ron didn’t reply but flipped to the next page so harshly that the corner of the paper broke off.
“Bloody hell.” He muttered.
“Wanna borrow mine?” Harry offered enthusiastically, holding out his textbook.
Ron eyed the book like it was poisonous. “I- no.”
Harry tilted his head. “I know, what?”
“UGH!” Ron enraged. “Just shut the fuck up and leave me alone, Harry!”
Harry flinched back, surprised by the loud swear word. “I’m sorry-“
“Leave me alone.” Ron grumbled before running quickly out the room.
Everyone was staring at Harry. Professor Flitwick squeaked in concern and jumped down from his footstool of books.
“Is Mr Weasley alright, Mr Potter?” He asked.
Harry cleared his throat, “he’s fine, can I go get him?”
“Yes, yes, be quick, we still have much to get through!”
Harry walked out of the classroom to see the end of a students robes turn right. He jogged to catch up and saw Ron speed walk in a huff, swinging his arms in exaggeration.
“Hey Ronald! Slow down!” Harry yelled, catching up quickly.
“Did you not hear me, Potter?” Ron spat, not meeting his eyes.
“Of course I heard you, I’m not deaf, I’ve just chosen to ignore you.”
“You may not be deaf, but you are annoying.”
Harry giggled and nudged Ron with his elbow. Ron jagged sideways and held onto the sore spot.
“I wanted to talk to you.” Harry muttered after a moments of silence.
Ron huffed. “Figured.”
“I know you’re not happy with me being a Slytherin and all that.” He started awkwardly, staring at the ground. “But I thought we could at least still be friends.”
“We can’t be friends anymore.” Ron stated.
Harry looked up so quickly he was sure he cracked his neck. “What! Have we lost 11 years of friendship because I’m in Voldemort's house?”
“Shhh! What have I told you about saying his name out loud?” Ron scolded. “And yes.”
“And yes.” Harry mocked. “I don’t approve of this.”
“Me neither.” Ron tensed.
Harry stopped walking. “What do you mean, me neither?”
Ron looked around before coming closer to Harry so he could whisper.
“It’s mum.”
Harry frowned. “Molly? She loves me, what are you on about?”
Ron gulped loudly. “She told me that if you got into Slytherin then I can’t be friends with you anymore.”
“You’re lying.”
“Am not! I don’t care if you’re a Slytherin.”
“Then why can’t we be friends?”
“‘Because mum said!”
“Since when have you listened to her?”
“She’s terrifying.” Ron stated as if that was a reasonable excuse. Harry ticked his tongue.
“Your mum isn’t here.”
“Percy is! And Fred! And George!”
“They won’t rat on you!” Harry yelled, he then took a deep breathe and met Rons eyes. “Why is your mum really not letting us be friends?”
Rons shoulders sagged and his defensive face fell. “I don’t know.”
Harry frowned, feeling very hurt. “Do you even want to be my friend?”
“I do,” Ron sighed, sounding exhausted, “but mum-“
“You’re a coward!” Harry interrupted.
Ron crossed his arms. “Am not!”
“Then be my friend again.”
“I can’t do that.”
Harry scoffed harshly. “A true friend would not be choosing what their mum says over a friendship.”
“You don’t understand! She made me promise-“
“We made a promise!” Harry yelled. “When we were younger, to stay friends forever. Is that not important anymore?”
Ron sighed. “We were children.”
“We still are children, or has being sorted into Gryffindor made you suddenly older?”
“Leave me alone, Harry.”
Harry wiped away the tears falling down his cheeks. “Alright then.” Then stalked off to the classroom. Not answering any of his friends when they asked if he was okay.
——
…I had a hard time being in a different house from my brother. He was always so heroic when we were young and I looked up to him so much, he was a true Gryffindor, truly the brightest star in the sky.
And I was average. I wasn’t special or extra talented like everyone else in my family, I hid behind Sirius whenever our parents were mad at us and watched as they physically abused him. It was awful. But I learnt something whilst I was in Slytherin house, that you can’t surround yourself with weak people. I was outcasted for a little while between first and second year after my peers discovered my inability to defend myself, so I made myself stronger, I learnt the words they said, I learnt the way they spoke and dressed and walked.
What I’m trying to tell you, is that you need to learn who you want to be surrounded by. Those are the people who will influence and support you the most throughout your schooling and even afterwards, they will most likely be your dorm mates but as you’ve written before, it’s 100% okay to have friends in other Houses. Just don’t tell them everything, you know what I mean ;)
Be careful and don’t surround yourself with people who’ll drag you down. This is a new time for you, Harry. You’re more capable and powerful than you know.
Regulus
——
“Forget him! I don’t need him in my life!” Harry suddenly said one night in his dorm.
It had been freezing all day. Snowflakes fell thickly from the sky and the grounds were covered up to seven inches in snow. Herbology was postponed and everyone was prohibited from going outside. Harry had to take out his emergency wool gloves, his fingers were that cold.
Now, after hours of freezing themselves, the students were allowed to rest in the warmth of their dormitories. The fireplace was storming, letting off much needed heat and basking the room in a soft glow. The moment dinner was over, the dorm mates decidedly agreed to get into soft pyjamas and finish Crabbe’s chocolates collection from Halloween.
“What are you talking about, Harry?” Blaise asked, digging through the almost empty box of caramels.
“Weasel, of course.”
“Oh sorry, forgot that was still an issue.”
Harry rolled his eyes at his friends enthusiasm, or lack of. “I’m was just saying how I don’t need his whiny arse ruining my life. I’m over him.”
“That’s what my sister said before running back to her boyfriend.” Goyle added unhelpfully.
Harry glared at his friends and crossed his arms. “No has takes me seriously!”
“We are taking you seriously,” Draco said kindly, “it’s just we don’t think you’ll do it.”
“Do what?”
“Cut him out of your life.”
“He doesn’t want me in his life, I can easily cut him out of mine.”
Draco only hummed.
“None of you are invited to place over Christmas break!” Harry said shortly.
“What about quidditch?” Draco spattered.
Harry raised an eyebrow. “Only friends who support me get to play quidditch.”
“Good lord, you are ridiculous.” Blaise sighed.
“I believe you’ll do it, Harry.” Goyle stated loyally.
“Thanks, Gregory.”
Draco got off his bed and wrapped an arm around Harry’s shoulders. “I believe in you too, it was sooner than later that that Weasel leaves our lives.”
“Blood traitors. And the parents can barely afford to look after themselves, mind having seven children!” Blaise added. Harry fought the urge to defend the people that was like a second family to him but he stopped himself, this was a new light, a new time for Harry to move forward from the past and let go of everyone who won’t be an asset.
Instead, he snorted approvingly like Draco did. “Couldn’t agree more.”