46 - Equal

Severus watches Longbottom stumble through his first Potions lesson, a clumsy boy who seems scared by Severus's mere sight.

Potter wasn't the child in the prophecy, Severus is certain by now. He was marked by the Dark Lord, but that is all. He's anything but his equal. It has to be Longbottom, marked equal simply by being functional.

Severus is glad about it. He doesn't know how he'd have coped with having Potter here.

At the end of the lesson, he knows that he will regret it, but he'll do whatever is necessary.

"Class dismissed," he says. "Longbottom, stay behind."

.-.-.-.

47 - Offering

Neville doesn't dare look at Snape. He must have made some awful mistake, having to stay behind right at his first day at school.

"Longbottom," Snape says stiffly, and Neville can't help wincing. "If you ever find yourself with problems you don't wish to discuss with your grandmother or Professor McGonagall, I want you to know that I'll be there to help."

Stunned, Neville stares at his teacher. "But…why?"

Snape looks uncomfortable, staying silent for a while.

"Everybody should have someone to rely on," he finally says.

Neville isn't sure he understands, but it sounds good. He risks a smile.

.-.-.-.

48 - Stupid

Harry doesn't know that he's thirteen; he doesn't do well with numbers. What he does know is that he's just as old as Dudley. Lately, though, he's been noticing things that confuse him.

Dudley can read and write, just like Mum, or Remus. Dudley can tie his shoes alone; he doesn't need nappies at night, and there are so many things he understands that Harry doesn't.

Harry's friends at school are more like himself, but most people aren't. Some look at him strangely or say mean things. He doesn't understand all of them, but he knows the meaning of "stupid".

.-.-.-.

49 - Sleepless

Dudley can't sleep. Tonight, Harry asked him some questions, and he didn't have answers. He's angry that Harry should have to ask them, but now that it happened, he'll have to talk to their parents.

Dudley switches on the light and watches Harry sleep for a while. The tears have dried away from his cheeks, but he's still looking troubled.

Wrapping his arms around him, Dudley wishes he could do more, that he could protect Harry better. But he can't stop the looks and comments, and he can't stop Harry from thinking.

"You're not stupid. They are. So, so much."

.-.-.-.

50 - Explanations

"You're not stupid." Speaking the word alone makes Petunia physically unwell. "You can't do some things others can. It's called 'disabled'. It's nothing bad."

"Why do they say it?"

"Because they don't like people being different. Maybe they're scared," she tries, but she can see that Harry doesn't understand.

"My friends at school are different from me. But I'm not scared of them."

Sighing, she pulls up his bedcovers. "That makes you smarter than most others."

"I don't understand that," Harry whispers. She can hear his frustration, and it makes her heart clench. For him, nothing will be like before.