No one ever noticed Harry really, they saw the saviour of the wizarding world and the boy who lived but they couldn't look past that. They couldn't see the boy who only wanted to be loved, the boy who'd been starved of love, touch and affection. The boy who'd been raped. The boy who was broken beyond repair. So no one was worried when Harry did not appear in the great hall on Halloween. Many didn't even realise it was the anniversary of his parents murders. And many who did, thought he didn't care. Just like the rest of the wizarding world.
"Professor! Professor Mcgonagal, a student, is dead!” a distraught first year cried, bursting through the great hall mimicking Quirrell only a few years prior. Halloween evenings had not been peaceful since the entrance of one Harry James Potter. The poor first year had tears streaming down his pale face, “Harry Potter is dead!” The words seemed to spring life back into the great hall.
Everyone was shocked, was this first year lying? Had Sirius Black returned to kill Harry Potter, was Harry telling the truth and Voldemort was alive and had finally killed the Potter heir.
Dumbledore silently stood, Umbridge following quietly, and approached the young boy. He quietly patted the young man's arms, and whispered to him. “Where did you see Mr Potter?” he said so quietly only the first year could hear him. “Astronomy tower,” The first year sniffled. Dumbledore nodded, “Head over to Professor Sprout, i’ll investigate what’s happened.” The older wizard falsified a calm look on his face as he called out to the rest of the school. “There is no need to panic, we will retrieve Mr Potter, and see that the boy is fine. Can the prefects please ensure their house makes it back to the common rooms, the teachers will assist you bar Professors’ Umbridge, Snape and Mcgongal will be coming with me along with Madam Pomphrey. Harry Potter will be fine.”
After the students left the hall the teachers made their way hurriedly to the astronomy tower, Umbridge muttering along the way 'Potter's newest popularity scheme, faking dead’ and Snape couldn’t help agree with her. He hated Harry Potter, the pampered prince of Gryffindor. Who strutted around the castle as if he owned the place, who couldn't be bothered to read his course books before entering his classroom and who represented everything Severus Snape hated. And although Snape was no fan of Umbridge, seeing someone finally put Potter in his place was wonderful.
Albus, who was leading the group of teachers to show his authority, was worried. Harry potter was a fragile boy, he had seen the signs of abuse early on in the child and although he shouldn't have. He used it to his advantage. Harry was amazed by the wizarding world and by being abused by muggles he wanted to be able to save it. Only over the years he saw the boy's health and social skills decline rapidly, he knew he should have helped the boy but with the resurrection of Voldemort, and his connection with Harry, it seemed prudent to avoid the grieving boy. It didn’t help that the boy had a huge smear campaign relayed against him by the ministry and other students.
The scene they walked into was not what they expected. When the student had said Harry Potter was dead they all believed there had been some kind of attack. But this wasn't an attack, Harry was slumped peacefully against the wall, a bottle of the most potent poison next to him, and a letter clutched in his cold pale hands. Harry Potter was indeed dead, He had killed himself.
Poppy raced forward using a diagnostic spell, and crying out loud. “He’s dead.” For a moment no one knew what to say, what did they say in times like this. Silent tears fell down Minerva’s and Poppy’s faces as they looked at the small child. Every person in that room had failed Harry.
Umbridge grabbed the letter out of harry’s hand hastily and read it aloud:
To whoever finds me,
I’m truly sorry that you have had to find me, but there aren't many places at this school that first years don't typically dwell and I'm praying to the deities that a teacher will be the one to find me. I’m writing this after I have taken the poison, so no backing out. I guess you’re wondering why I have done this. But it really shouldn't be hard to guess. 14 years ago this very day I should've died alongside my parents and I wish I had.
Growing up I was reminded everyday that I am a freak really helped ingrain that society had no care for me. And being ridiculed everyday at Hogwarts 3 separate times helped me show you people can’t be trusted. The wizarding world praised my name for not being murdered in a home invasion and would never let me forget the worst day of my life.
To Professor Dumbledore, as you were the one to place me with my very welcoming and lovely family, Vernon and Petunia dursley, i feel you should only know the extent of their love. From age 3 I did most of the house chores, including laundry, ironing, cooking and taking care of Dudley. If my work that day had not been satisfactory then they would punish me. Varying to a frying pan to the back of the head or being chained in the basement whilst being lashed with a belt. When i was 5 my uncle chained my up in the basement, ripped off my clothes and raped me.
Dolores paused, her voice was tight and for a moment the rest of the staff saw the first sign of humanity in the woman as she looked down at the tear stained paper left behind by an abused and betrayed young man.
He never stopped.
Hogwarts was a dream, the first home i had ever known and the first time i was allowed regular meals and wasn’t constantly tortured. But when the students learned I spoke parseltongue they ridiculed me, when i was put in the triwizard tournament i was ridiculed, when i said Voldemort had returned i was ridiculed.
I’m so tired of trying to find someone that actually cares for me. I have left my memories of that night. Of Voldemort’s return and only hope you win the war.
I’m sorry Fred, George. I love you both so goddamn much but I can't take the fear or pain anymore and I don't see a way out. I’m feeling really sleepy now, so I say good luck and goodbye.
Harry James Potter
The letter was published in the daily prophet the day after Harry’s death, issued with a formal apology to the boy even if he’d never see it.
The memories Harry had left were given to the DMLE which confirmed once and for all that Voldemort had indeed been resurrected. When the news broke about Voldemort the world wanted to turn to Harry Potter to defeat him once again, only to remember the man was dead. Which meant Voldemort's attacks doubled knowing Potter was no longer a problem.
Thousands of muggles were slaughtered, which led to the breaking of the statute, and the muggles declaring war on the wizards. Using their advanced weapons to erase thousands of witches, wizards and magical creatures alike. Fred and George watched as their world was being destroyed, and felt numb. All they did was pray they would meet Harry in the afterlife.