Chapter Nine

Boredom, Broom's and Bullies

Harry's P.O.V

I had been in the hospital wing for a week. I had been poked and prodded, forced to drink disgusting potions. Now I wanted out. My friends came to see me every day. Bringing me my homework and books from the library to help with my boredom. My cousin Dudley really lifted my spirits when he walked in three days ago.

I remember waiting all day for my Dad…it feels weird thinking that…. My mind telling me he wasn't coming back. That I was a freak. And who would want a freak for a son?

At 9:30 pm on the dot, was when his black robes came swirling around the privacy screen. "Good evening Harry." He smiled. "I have a surprise for you."

Dad moved to the side and there stood Dudley. Wearing his crisp Gryffindor robes.

I rubbed my eyes, not believing them. "Dudley?" I cried.

My big cousin walked over, tears pouring down his face "Hey, Harry-bear".

I smiled at my nickname. "Hello"

He looked me up and down. "You look ten times better than two days ago." He sniffled.

My tears fell freely. "I thought you weren't coming…" he sat on my bed. "but you here. I feel better…it doesn't hurt so much anymore…" I trailed off." he held me softly.

My Big cousin stayed with me all night.

Dudley is making friends quickly just like me. Every night we would have Dudley, Draco, Vincent, Gregory, Blaise, Pansy, Theo, Daphne, Tracey, Hermione, and Neville Longbottom. Another, Gryffindor to our group.

When they would leave I would be on my own. The boredom would kick in. I tried sleeping, didn't work, I had finished all my homework and the extra credit questions. I tried reading. Nothing would help. The more I stayed in this bed more I could think. I had finally decided that this was all an elaborate prank.

I wanted to get up and walk around the halls of this mysterious castle. I want to explore its secrets. The castle was calling for me. I could feel it.

A week and a half in the infirmary. I was about to lose my mind. I had woken up at 6:30 am. I just lay in bed, dad would probably be getting ready for the day now.

Madam Poppy. That only I could call her, but only on our own. came out of her office. "Harry," she said softly "are you awake?"

I sighed "Yes Madam Poppy". poppy knew how bored I was

She walked over with a bathroom kit and school robes. "How about you go for a bath and get ready for breakfast in the great hall."

I almost jumped out of bed. Taking the bath stuff and my robes I hurried into the bathroom.

By the time I was bathed and dressed and collected my stuff. It was 7:30 am. I said goodbye and thank you to poppy and left quickly. I heard poppy laughing to herself as I left.

I walked carefully down the stairs to the great hall the majestic doors swung open. As I walked in. I saw my dad at the head-table looking miserable. His eyes lit up on the sight of me walking in.

I walked down the hall becoming aware. The Slytherins sitting up. My group of friends seeing me walk over. Out my finger to my lip. I sat at the Gryffindor table. Next to Hermione who was emerged in a book. Dudley looked at me confused but very happy to see me.

I sat next to Hermione no the wiser I was there. "so what are you reading Hermione".

Hermione's head whipped up so fast, I'm surprised she didn't get whiplash. "harry!" she cried out happily. The book flopping on the table with a thud. She wrapped her arms around me. "You're here! Can you come back to class? Have you had any breakfast? Oh, I am reading The Great Witches and Wizards of the ages. It is most fascinating. Do you want to read it after I have finished it?" Hermione was so excited, as she was babbling questions at me.

I couldn't help but laugh. "yes I am here, yes I am coming to class, no I haven't had breakfast. And yes I do wish to read it." I answered her questions. I Left for the Slytherin table.

Sitting down I got many welcome backs and we have missed you from my Slytherin friends. We ate together happily.

We finished our meal and left for my first ever class.

Charms.

We walked to Professor Flitwick's class.

The room became filled with children.

The little professor wandered over to his podium using books to stand on so the children could see him. "good morning class" the little professor said cheerily. "today is our practice of the wingardium leviosa spell." the little recapped on the spell. I think it was for my benefit. "let us begin!"

I took out my wand clearing my mind. I concentrating on my magic. With a flick and swish of my wand.

Nothing happened

I was about to try again when something caught my eye. The Gryffindor tables were now floating in the air with the students still unaware that they were being lifted into the air.

Professor almost fell from his podium at the sight.

I dropped my wand in shock.

The tables fell with a thud. Jolting the students into the situation. "class dismissed." he jumped from his podium, running over "Mr potter would you come with me?"

I gulped and nodded. Had I done something wrong?

The tiny professor and I, walked quickly, through the halls. We got to a statue of a golden eagle.

The professor whispered something. Giggling to himself. Was he in on the prank too?

We entered the headmaster's office. My knees felt like they would give out at any second.

The headmaster smiled at professor Flitwick. "is there a problem?"

The little professor was bouncing up and down. "nothing is the problem!" he looked up at me. "Harry, could you show the headmaster what you did in my class?

I nodded doing the same thing as before. I cleared my mind and consecrated the power into my wand. Swish and flick.

The headmaster's office was now floating in the air.

I canceled the spell the items returning to their spot.

The two wizards were now staring at me. "I'm sorry" I apologized.

The two wizards stared still "whatever for harry?"

I shrugged slightly. "usually if people stare at me I've done something wrong".

The little professor looked confused by my statement. "You're not in trouble my child," he thought for a second "20 points to Slytherin for the excellent control of your magic.

I went to my study group, All my friends and my cousin. Hannah and Susan joined from Hufflepuff. Padma Patil from Ravenclaw and her sister Parvati from Gryffindor. All asked if they could join.

Hermione poked my arm softly "What happened this morning?" she asked.

I shrugged. "I just did what he said but instead of the feather floating your tables did…" I trailed off my voiceless then a whisper, "Professor Flitwick said something because I control my magic in my hands when I use my wand it intensifies." I looked down. "why can't I just be normal?"

Dudley put his hand on mine. "because you are special Harry."

I shook my head and buried my head into my book. Not seeing the faces of my very concerned friends.

The weeks passed by.

I threw myself into my studies, I hardly went to the study group. I had found a quiet place so I could just breathe. A place away from staring eyes and Ron. He has made it his personal mission to bully me. Dad and Dudley didn't know. No one did. Not till the events of our first flying lesson.

I was sat in the courtyard reading out of a potions book. Madam Hooch was setting up for our lesson. The court staring filling up. I put my book away. And walked over to the other Slytherins. We picked our brooms I was just about to grab one and Ron snatched it up inches from my fingers.

"Hey!" Draco said trying to follow Ron.

I put my hand on his chest. "Leave it Draco" I picked up the last broom it looked wonky.

We stood in two lines our brooms on the floor, next to us. Madam hooch instructed us what to do.

I followed her instruction. I reached my hand above the broom. "Up!" I demanded. The broom flew straight up into my hand…cool…

We carried on with the lesson. That when the broom Neville was using started going higher and higher. Madam hooch pleaded with Neville to come back. He started panicking. He fell off the boom lading right on his wrist. Crunch.

Madam hooch Neville up. "nobody is to go into the air until I return, or you will be out of this school quicker than you can say Quidditch!" saying it before she hurried off.

Ron was being obnoxiously loud. "Hey look dean, Slongbottom dropped this when he fell on his fat ass." he picked up Neville's remembrance ball throwing up and catching it.

I stormed over I'd never been so angry with another person. "Give. It. Back. Weasley." I demanded.

He laughed at me "you know I might put it on the roof for Slongbottom to find". Ron mounted his broom flying up.

I did the same… the last thing I heard was "Harry! don't!" from multiple of my friends.

I shot off into the sky following Ron. "Give it here Weasley!"

He sneered. "you want it. Go get it." He threw it hard and fast away from us both.

I shot after it.

Severus P.O.V

I was on the way to Minerva's office. I need to know if any of Gryffindore's knew what was wrong with harry. He seemed so lethargic. I couldn't understand why? Had I done something wrong?

I knocked on the door and walked in, just as an object came hurling towards the window. The object dropped inches away from smashing. Unusual… then a much larger one came hurling toward it and did the same what caught my eyes tho was the Slytherin green robes, the jet black hair. Harry…

Minerva and I who and witnessed the who scene ran out of her office. Down the back way. We had just got into the courtyard. Harry was going fast. Noway his going to be able to stop. His finger almost touching the ground he catches the ball.

"HARRY! POTTER!" I boomed the big smile on his face diapering. I saw the fear in his eyes. He gulped and walked over to me. Shaking with fear.