Chapter 2
By the time Harry's detention came round later that day, he was exhausted. Anyone who really looked at him could tell (though no one ever took the time to, all they wanted to see was his "famous" scar). His eyes had deep bags underneath them, and his face was extremely pale. Whenever Harry sat down he hunched in on himself, and it looked as if he was always holding the weight of the world on his shoulders (he was, the whole wizarding world was relying on him).
Most of his friends in Gryffindor shot him looks of concern whenever they saw him, while other people (including Ron) just shot him glares, muttering under their breath that Harry just wanted attention. Hell, even some Slytherins were shooting him concerned glances, including a certain Draco Malfoy. Harry's robes were also visibly falling off his frail, thin form. Harry had started waking up extra early so he could avoid having the other Gryffindors see him.
He wondered what they would see, the supposed boy who lived who wasn't even strong enough to defend himself against muggles?
Or a small weak beaten boy?
Harry bet it would be the first one.
Throughout the day, all the teachers gave Harry loads upon loads of homework. Harry sighed in defeat, there was no way he could get all that done, especially with Snape's detention in the way. He guessed he would just have to ask Hermione for some help with assignments.
He did feel kind of bad, he knew Hermione also had loads of assignments, but surely she could spare some time to help him a little bit. Generally, he would go to Ron for help, but judging on how Ron has been acting, he figured that wouldn't be a great idea.
Harry checked his watch, he had 15 minutes before he had to be at the dungeons for Snape's detention. He wondered why Snape hated him so much. Yeah, sure, Harry knew that his dad (although at this point after seeing what he did to Snape, Harry almost didn't want to call him that) had bullied Snape when they were in Hogwarts, but how hard was it to look at Harry and see that his name wasn't James Potter. Nor was it Lily Evans.
In the eyes of one person, he just wanted to be Harry. Not the "Boy Who Lived," not the "Golden Boy," just Harry. Was it really too much to ask? Harry figured he should stop that train of thought before he ends up doing something he regrets.
It really was frustrating to Harry, having a scar. It really just reminded him that everyone was expecting him to kill someone.
People who he never even met were relying on him to indirectly save their families, their loved ones. It also served as a constant reminder that Harry killed his parents. Yeah, sure, people would say that his parents sacrificed themselves for him, and he should be grateful that they loved him so much.
The real question Harry always asked himself was, would they have died if he hadn't lived in the first place?
Harry rolled his eyes, that train of thought would get him to the same place he was currently regarding Sirius' death, which was a whole other conversation to be had. Speaking of Sirius, how was Re-Lupin doing?
Harry figured he lost the right of calling Lupin by his first name when he killed Lupins best friend.
Checking the time, Harry started making his way down to the dungeons. As he was walking, he could feel his heart fill with a certain kind of dread. He vaguely wondered if he misbehaved more, would Snape pull out a belt? Harry hoped not, his back couldn't handle another beating so soon. But he did doubt that Snape would do that kind of thing in front of Draco. Hopefully, Snape wouldn't stoop to the level Uncle Vernon did.
Draco had been acting...polite, nice, one could even say friendly! Harry didn't quite understand what brought about this change, but he wasn't complaining. Truthfully, Harry sort of wanted to become better friends with Draco after second year, but was too afraid to because of what Ron thought.
Harry figured it was too late now anyway, who would want to be friends with (according to the daily prophet) a crazy person, a liar, (supposedly) the second dark lord, a weak freak who couldn't even stand up to his muggle relatives.
As Harry made his way through the hallways, he was abruptly brought out of thought by almost walking into Snape's door (which was quite large and scary, if he said so himself).
Taking a deep breath, Harry knocked.