I want him
Harry Potter was an unfortunate child, prophesied to destroy the most evil dark wizard of his time. The child was born 31 July to Lily and James Potter, two prominent members of the resistance against Lord Voldemort, Order of the Phoenix. They were informed by Albus Dumbledore, their leader, that their child alongside another, matched a prophecy that foretold of Lord Voldemort’s defeat at the hands of one of the children. Unfortunately, the prophecy, or at least some of it, managed to reach Lord Voldemort’s ears so the Potters and Longbottoms were forced into hiding.
18 months after Harry’s birth, the family was celebrating Halloween together when the tragedy struck. The Potters were betrayed by a friend and Voldemort found them. The evil man attacked, forcing Lily to flee upstairs with Harry while James tried to defend them. Sadly, James was killed easily and Voldemort wasted no time following Lily. The woman stood between the man and her crying son. “Move woman!”
“No! Please..take me, take me!” She begged tearfully.
“I said move! You do not have to die!” Voldemort spoke menacingly, not meaning any of his words. Lily persist and the man lost patience. He spoke the words, “Avada Kedavra!” And green light hit the mother, killing her. Harry cried loudly as he witnessed the scene. The evil man pointed his wand at the babe and smirked, before repeating the killing curse. This time however, the spell recoiled, hitting its master. Voldemort was defeated that night, all thanks to Lily Potter, sacrificing herself for her boy. At least, that’s what appeared to happen.
Later that night, Sirius Black arrived at the Potter’s to find the horrible scene. He went up to find a tearful Harry with a prominent scar on his forehead. The man picked up his godson and went down the stairs, hoping to drop the child off, somewhere safe while he hunted the traitor. However, as Sirius left the house, he found another Order member, Hagrid. “Good evening Sirius, is that Harry?” The half-giant asked warily.
“Yes Hagrid, I must take him someplace safe,” the wizard replied.
“I’m afraid Albus Dumbledore gave me very specific instructions regarding Harry. I must deliver him myself,” the older man replied. Sirius hesitated for a moment, then figured that if Albus took care of Harry, then the boy was safe.
“Alright Hagrid, take him and take my bike so you’d travel faster,” Sirius said as he gestured toward the blue motorbike. The half giant nodded and scooped Harry from his godfather before taking the vehicle and flying away with both. Sirius turned his focus onto another, Peter Pettigrew. He went to find the man, making the biggest mistake of his life.
Meanwhile, Harry was dropped off by Hagrid, Albus and Minerva at his aunt’s house. Albus rang the bell, before leaving the sleeping babe on the doorstep with a letter explaining the events of the night. Petunia and Vernon Dursley were in bed at the time, reading their respective literature. At the sound of the bell, they jumped in alarm, noting the late hour. The two rushed downstairs. Petunia hid behind her husband as he opened the door. The two stood there for a moment in confusion. No one was at the door. Then, their gazed dropped to the floor and both gasped.
“Vernon!” Petunia cried as she rushed to the sleeping babe. She picked him up and winced at the inflamed scar on his forehead. The poor thing, she thought as she took the letter.
“Who is it Pet? Why have they dropped the babe here?” The man asked worriedly. Petunia handed the letter to her husband and Vernon quickly opened it, reading its contents aloud.
“Dear Mr and Mrs Dursley,
I regret to inform you that Lily and James Potter, have been murdered tonight at the hands of Lord Voldemort….”
Petunia gasped and tears welled up in her eyes. It was a miracle that her gasp hadn’t woken up Harry or her sleeping Dudley. Vernon gritted his teeth as he continued to read. The letter explained the significance of Harry’s survival and what’s required of them. How Petunia’s blood would keep him safe. The aunt shook as tears rolled down her face. Vernon too had a few tears as he grieved his in-laws. The couple spent the night in despair at the loss.
Petunia was a clever woman and she decided that Harry should know the truth, no matter what that Albus Dumbledore said. The boy was far too sharp and perceptive for his age anyway, lying would only cause distrust in him. So, when Harry came to her at the age of 4 asking why his surname was different to his brothers and theirs, Petunia explained their real relationship. Harry was of course curious toward his biological parents and why they left him, that was trickier to explain. “A bad man took them away Harry. I’m so sorry. But they wanted you here and because we’re family, we keep you safe,” she’d said.
The child understood the situation as best he could but the older he got, the more information he required. So, slowly Petunia would feed Harry information regarding his heritage and this included knowledge on magic. The child was bewildered at the gift of magic and he grew more curious toward it. Harry would be seen practicing spells and reading his parents’ books on magic. Something Petunia and Vernon had to ask Albus Dumbledore to provide after Harry’s 8th birthday. The headmaster was reluctant at first but the muggles insisted and he saw no actual reason to forbid them from having their family’s belongings.
As the years went on, the Dursleys continued to treat Harry as a member. Vernon spoiled both his boys while Petunia tried her best to instil morals in them, similar to how her parents raised her and Lily. Soon, it was Harry’s time to receive a Hogwarts letter and it came two weeks following Dudley’s birthday. Harry had been picking the mail and flipping through it when the shiny, red stamp caught his eye. He turned the letter and saw the address: To Harry Potter, second room on the first floor. Harry yelled excitedly as he ran back to the kitchen, waving the letter in hand.
“It’s here! It’s here!”
“Already?” Petunia asked as Harry offered the letter, jumping up and down excitedly. The woman looked it over and confirmed. “Oh my, we must take you to Diagon Alley tomorrow then, it’s better to pick these supplies early, so we’d avoid the crowds,” she stated firmly. The boy didn’t care as he grinned proudly.
“I can’t believe you’re going away Harry,” Dudley said and pouted. The two cousins were as thick as brothers and Harry too felt disappointment at the thought of separating.
“Oh D, we can always write,” Harry reassured as he hugged his cousin.
“Well then, the house will be empty without either of you in it,” Vernon commented solemnly. Petunia smiled sombrely at her husband, their boys had grown up so fast. But there was one thing remaining.
A week prior to Harry’s departure, Petunia sat him down during a private time. “Harry, there is something you must know before you leave,” she whispered tensely, her hands clutched together. Harry tensed up and furrowed his brows worryingly.
“What is it, mother? Is it something to do with Voldemort?” Petunia took a sharp breath in and her lips wobbled as tears welled up. She hated this, she hated it even more than when Lily told her.
“Yes my dear. You must know, Albus Dumbledore wasn’t aware that your mother told me this, so you mustn’t mention it either,” she said. Harry grew more nervous and fidgeted. “Before you were born, both your parents were informed by him, that you and another boy were fit for a prophecy, foretelling of Voldemort’s demise. And that’s why your parents were targeted, what’s worse, is that Voldemort had chosen you and so, it’s likely that the prophecy is now officially in your name,” Petunia explained as best she could.
Harry was shocked and he felt bile rise in his throat. Was he the reason his parents died? No! That was a terrible thing to think. Harry was a mere babe when all this took place. It was Voldemort’s own choices that lead to Lily and James’s deaths. Harry was hungry for revenge and he’d get it, even if his aunt hated the idea. But Harry knew better, he never told her of his intentions. “Harry, say something,” the woman asked fearfully.
The boy swallowed the bile and replied, “don’t worry mother, Albus Dumbledore will be none the wiser and I shall keep out of trouble.”
Harry found himself at the Hogwarts Express, a week later, waving goodbye to his family. He sat down with a book of Herbology in hand and minded his own business. The train moved and a few minutes later, there was a knock on the compartment door. Harry lifted his head up to find a fidgeting boy with straight hair and small eyes. “E-excuse me, may I sit here please?” The boy asked politely.
“Of course, be my guest,” Harry replied instantly. The other smiled and hopped in.
“I’m Neville by the way, Neville Longbottom,” the boy introduced with an outstretched hand.
Harry shook it, “and I’m Harry, Harry Potter.” The other gasped. “Please don’t be alarmed, I’m not that special.”
“Not that special? Y-you…you defeated you-know-who,” Neville whispered the last part in fear.
“I really didn’t. It was my mother that kept me safe,” Harry explained nonchalantly. Neville seemed taken a back and very unsure whether Harry was joking or not. The green-eyed boy decided to not elaborate and fell silent, going back to his book. Neville took the hint and pulled out a book of his own. Both boys spent the ride in comfortable silent, only speaking when the trolley lady came with snacks and when a red headed boy asked if they’d seen his rat.
When the train arrived in Hogsmeade, the first years including Harry, were led to an assortment of boats by a huge Lake. Hagrid, the half-giant and Hogwarts’s gatekeeper, instructed the children to ride the boats to the castle. Of course, the boats magically moved and the children all stared in fascination as they spotted the giant castle on the cliff. Harry’s heart beat loudly in his chest, excitement threatening to overwhelm him. He’d dreamed of coming to this school and once it was finally happening.
Once on shore, the Deputy Headmistress took the first years into the castle and led them down the corridor to the front of large double doors. “Please wait here, while we prepare for you,” the woman said as she headed inside. The first years began muttering among themselves in excitement and fear.
“I hear, Harry Potter is joining us this year,” a blonde boy announced loudly at the front of the crowd. The children stopped speaking and their gazes flickered along the crown, searching for Harry. The boy in question chose to hide behind a taller boy and lowered his head, so that his scar remained invisible. Harry wasn’t one for show and had no intention of making a scene or attracting more attention than necessary. The blonde clearly had ulterior motives to this but Harry wanted no part in any of it. Thankfully, he was rescued by the return of Minerva.
“We’re ready for you,” she said and the doors opened wide. The children gasped as they were welcomed into the Great Hall, where all the houses and staff had their meals. There were five separate tables. Four placed horizontally across the room, filled with students. The fifth was at the far right of the room, placed diagonally to face the four tables. The staff sat on their with the headmaster at the centre. There was on oddity in the room. At the centre of the staff table, was a stool with a very raggedy hat on it. Minerva led the students to the front of the Hall and pulled out a long piece of parchment.
As she did so, the hat came to life and began singing a song. Harry and the rest of the first years were intrigued. Apparently that was how Hogwarts sorted its students, a charmed Hat belonging to Godric Gryffindor. Once the hat finished it’s performance, McGongall called on the students one by one, and they all sat down with the hat on and got sorted. Some took longer than others but once it was Harry’s turn things were different. “Potter, Harry,” Minerva called. Everyone went silent and stiff. Harry gulped as he made his way to the stool, picking up the hat, sitting on the stool and placing the piece of fabric on his head.
“Why hello young one,” the hat greeted enthusiastically.
“You’re in my head,” Harry commented in fascination.
“Why of course. Now, where shall we place you?” The hat hummed questioningly. “Ah, yes yes. Things are quite difficult for you. You’ve got great talent, a hunger for knowledge, willingness to work, inspiringly cunning and great courage. Oh yes but where to put you?”
“Gryffindor, I want to be in Gryffindor,” Harry chanted in his mind. He’d wished to be close to his parents and their house was the best way to do so.
“Ah, I see. I believe you’ll do well in…GRYFFINDOR!” Harry sighed in relief, taking off the hat and heading to join his housemates. He was received warmly with claps and handshakes. Neville Longbottom was already at the table and he smiled kindly at his new friend.
As things settled and everyone took a seat, the headmaster stood up to say a few words. When he finished, the tables were filled with delicious looking food. Harry’s mouth watered and he slowly filled his plate. He missed his mother’s cooking but Hogwarts had recipes from Helga Hufflepuff, so they must be delicious. This was confirmed as Harry took a bite of a steak and kidney pie, exploding with flavour. The boy hummed at the taste and relished it. After a few bites, Harry felt a strong gaze on him so he lifted his head.
The striking green eyes made contact with deep brown ones. Harry gasped as the most enchanting creature stared back at him. The man was none other than Severus Snape, Lily’s ex-best friend and youngest potion’s master in a century. The man was glaring at Harry intensely. The boy gulped as he felt his cheeks flush from the attention. According to mother, Snape was their neighbour and had a terrible home life. He befriended Lily and Petunia, describing the Wizarding world to them.
He’d been sorted into Slytherin while Lily went to Gryffindor and their relationship became strained. Later, Severus got involved with the wrong crowd and he and Lily broke off their friendship. Lily always regretted not pushing harder to keep Severus but the world wasn’t fair, especially since James had been a little mean to Severus at school. Harry wasn’t happy to learn of his father’s behaviour but hoped to clear things with his mum’s old friend.
However, Harry hadn’t counted on finding Severus this attractive. He wanted the man very badly. He wished to marry him as soon as possible. The only problem was, Severus’s glare indicated his dislike of him, which the boy couldn’t blame Snape for as he looked like James. It was going to be a challenge to convince Severus that Harry wasn’t his father but the boy was more than ready for it. Now that he’s seen Severus, he desired him and wouldn’t settle for anyone else.