Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.
Challenges listed at the bottom.
Word Count: 381
Just A Little Bit Of Love
The astronomy tower was empty, as Harry had hoped it would be. He dropped his backpack to the floor and sat down beside it, pulling his legs up to his chest as he leant back against the wall.
At least here, it was quiet.
At least here, he didn't have to watch Ron and Hermione be sweet together.
It wasn't that he wasn't happy for them, because he really was. He just… he wanted that. He wanted someone to look at him the way they looked at one another.
Was it wrong to want love?
Harry didn't think so.
It wasn't even that people didn't show interest in him, because they did. He just… he never knew when to trust it. There were entirely too many people who wanted him only because he was the 'Man-Who-Won.' A stupid moniker if he ever heard one.
What had he won?
Loneliness? Paranoia?
Harry sighed to himself and pulled his wand from his pocket. It was a struggle to think of something happy, but on his third attempt he managed to conjure Prongs.
The patronus deer trotted happily around the Astronomy tower for a while and then approached Harry, nuzzling against his neck. Though Harry couldn't technically feel it, a warmth spread through him, like an acknowledgement that he wasn't alone.
For a moment, Harry was just a boy with his deer, not the hero of the wizarding world, or the destroyer of monsters or… or whatever the wizarding world was calling him today.
Prongs made Harry feel a strong sense of love. He wondered if that was part of the magic, or if it really was the embodiment of his dad, like he'd liked to believe when he was thirteen and fighting the Dementors for the first time.
Even now, it was a nice thing to believe in.
It made Harry think that love was still possible for him. Maybe when he left Hogwarts, when people began to forget that he'd been the one to land the final blow on Voldemort, he'd be able to find someone who saw him.
Just Harry.
Until then… until then at least he had this. This spot of privacy, where he could summon Prongs and feel just that little bit of happiness, acceptance, and most importantly, love.
Written for:
The Fabulous World of Comics: 24. Word: Monster
Showtime: (animal) Deer - patronus and animagus allowed
Mini Golf Mania: Hole 8: Astronomy Tower
Murder Mystery: Where: Astronomy Tower
Game Of Life: Backpack/Shoulder bag
Geek Pride: Phantom of the Opera: Write about someone who craves love/compassion
Say It With Flowers: Carnation (red): Astronomy Tower