Disclaimer: I don't and never will own Harry Potter (sigh)

Albus Severus Potter was a lot like his father. He was placed in Gryffindor house with almost all of his cousin's, he had untidy dark hair and green eyes, and he had his father's and his grandfather's mischievous side. There were a few differences, Albus had flecks of auburn and red in his hair from his mother, and he had her kindness and her reasoning, Albus did not need glasses, and of course, he had no lightning bolt scar.

But there was one big difference that Albus thought to be true as he was growing up. You see, Albus and his siblings had been told the exciting and thrilling stories of the second wizarding war, and all the frightening but brave things his father and mother and their friends had done for the wizarding world. He had also been told about the tragedy of lives lost (his uncle Fred especially) and the relief of lives saved. Albus wanted to be like his father, brave and strong, and as he aged he almost felt he had to be. But when Albus joined Hogwarts, and despite being sorted into Gryffindor, he thought himself the opposite of brave. He thought himself weak, pathetic, sometimes not his father's son, alone, lost, a disappointment.

Albus had always been more reserved and quiet than his daring and bold brother James, who was somewhat an idle in Hogwarts (Albus watched many girls and boys trail after him because they wanted to be his friend or they just down right fancied him). Albus had never managed to be quite as witty and clever as his sister Lily, and envied her bright aura. Albus had thought himself average, plain, and he struggled to make any friends in his year, his only true friends were his family. Some Slytherins started to pick on him in his first year, calling him Potter and whispering horrible comments in his ears in the corridors: "You're a feeble excuse of a wizard" " You're so scrawny, and stupid" He didn't know why they did it, but in the end he started to believe them, and he felt he deserved it for being so weak and not facing them like a true Gryffindor would.

That's when the panic attacks started

He had his first one halfway through his first year, in a packed corridor at break. Luckily he'd been walking with James and one of his friends. One of his Slytherin bullies Jeffrey Rowell, walked behind him and shoved him on the shoulder. Albus tensed and asked through the corner of his mouth so not to attract James' attention "what the hell do you want now". Rowell raised his eyebrows and said in a threatening voice "Don't be so feisty, or you'll regret it when I catch you alone in a corridor one day" Albus swallowed thickly but remained as calm as he could, then Rowell said "I shoved you because you deserve it, to remind you how pathetic you are, and because you're shaped like a stick, I thought you might snap if I applied too much pressure, I'd love to see you break" Albus' heart rate shot up, Rowell had started making more and more threats of violence towards him. Albus wanted his brother to notice Rowell but they were in too deep of a conversation about quidditch. Rowell grasped the back of Albus' neck, he felt the fat cold hand trap hairs on the back of his head, it was an iron grip. Albus didn't dare walk forwards a step, and Rowell whispered "I could easily break your neck right now"

That was it. Just as James spun round wondering where Albus had gone, Albus' breath hitched in his throat and he started to hyperventilate. His fingers tingled and his heart almost burst out of his chest it was going so fast. Albus clasped a hand to his fuzzy and sweaty head and whimpered a little. He felt Rowell's hand leave his neck and saw James' figure coming towards him. "Albus what's wrong? Can you hear me Al? Al?" Albus couldn't answer and his breathing got more rapid and desperate, he thought he was going to die. He felt himself being lead down a much emptier corridor, breathing got a little bit easier. James sat him down on one the window ledges and knelt so he was at Albus' level. Albus felt James gently put his hands on his shoulders and Albus looked up to meet his eyes. James looked worried and almost frightened, his brows were slanted and his eyes said worry. The air was getting easier to breathe now and Albus felt his heart slow down a little, but his hands still shook. "It's ok Albus. You're ok now. Deep breaths" James' voice was getting through to

Albus now and Albus did a long exhale. The worst was over now.

After a minute James asked in a cautious but gentle voice "Albus, what caused you to have a panic attack? You don't have to talk about it right now" he added quickly. Albus realised Rowell must have just escaped James' notice, and decided he didn't need to be burdened with that information. "I don't know, I think it was just the packed corridor maybe" Albus said quietly, "I'm sorry James"

James looked confused "What on earth for Al? You couldn't help it, there's no need to say sorry" Albus sniffed and stifled the lump in his throat. "I know, but I just feel weak, I feel like I've embarrassed you" James immediately protested, "That's silly Al, of course you're not weak! And you haven't embarrassed me, please don't beat yourself up" Albus felt a little better, but he still felt like he'd been an embarrassment to James. "Do you need to see Madam Pomfrey for anything or are you ok?" Asked James.

"No I'm ok now, thanks James"

"Anytime little bro, let's go" James said whilst he ruffled Albus' hair playfully. Albus didn't know it, but James was worried for Albus, he really didn't want his little brother to be hiding something.

After his first one, Albus had a few more in the rest of his first year and his second year, but thankfully he'd got into the routine of running before anyone could notice he was having one, if there was anyone around. The Slytherin Rowell and his pals still bullied Albus, which made it worse, but the worst they'd done physically was trip him up in a corridor, which had the consequence of another panic attack. Albus was feeling weaker and weaker, but he had no idea how much worse it would become in his fourth year.

I'm really sorry if this is rubbish, reviews would be nice but if you find it terrible please don't be horrid