12. Hit by an object

Green broke through the tangled mess of black that was Harry's hair. In the hazy tint of the room, he became aware at his lack of glasses. Waving his hand to the sides, he felt his knuckles push over boxes.

A small hill of candies fell on the unexpected figure of Harry Potter, lo how the vanquisher of the Dark Lord had fallen. It was his delight to hear a soft ring of laughter enter his ears.

"I believe this is yours", the steady voice offered towards him.

Resting his hands in the feminine grasp a tad longer than necessary, he retrieved his round framed glasses. Once his vision was returned, he looked upon the slim form of the pale lady. She sat on a simple chair beside his bed.

"Thank you", he said gratefully. Rare were the times that Harry could find security in one older than he. Unlike those of the wizarding world, he had the distinct feeling that the pale lady didn't need his presence or aid. She was there for mostly company.

"In the wizarding world for a year and already you're making waves." She brushed the stray bits of his wild hair to get a better look at his eyes.

Harry found it difficult to look at her directly. It made him feel awfully small and shy.

She released his hair and allowed it to take its natural messiness.

Harry clutched the sheets covering his legs and muttered, "I didn't want any of this."

"I think we both know that's not important. Life doesn't seek to appease those that reside in it. Every action has a consequence, no matter the intention. But let's move from that. I want to congratulate you on your victory against Voldemort and his follower."

Her words made him flush in embarrassment. Pure praise was still a difficult thing for him to swallow. Still, it made him happier than anything for her to be impressed by anything he did. The pale lady had to have done far more amazing things than he could even fathom.

A light flick hit his forehead, she spoke with a lightly scolding voice, "None of that. One should take praise with grace. It was impressive what you've done. Even weakened, Voldemort isn't a light matter."

She leaned in and held the sides of his face. Black pupils met green as Harry found it quite difficult to breathe. "Be proud of yourself Harry. There is no need to undermine your achievements, understand?"

Harry nodded in acceptance. Even after she removed her hands, he couldn't keep the goofy grin off his face.

"Do you know why Voldemort was like that?" Harry asked. He noticed that the pale lady had been fiddling with a marble for a while. The color was sickly like pus and staring at it made him sick. It felt like absolutely wrongness had been stuffed into a sphere and left to fester. Before she answered, he saw her crush the marble. An almost inaudible scream had left the orb at its demise.

"One thing you must understand Harry is that magic isn't a cure all. There are restrictions and guidelines set for a reason. Voldemort knew this and walked all over them. Magic is patient and always comes to collect. That form of his is the price he paid for an unnatural life."

Young as he was, Harry knew what he was hearing was rare wisdom. Pondering her words carefully, he came to a conclusion, "Are you implying that magic is alive?"

She clapped in excitement, "Yes, Harry. Just like anything else kindness is returned with kindness. Now, brave hero, for your valiant efforts in slaying the foul wizard, what gift do you desire?"

A reward? The idea was still a touch foreign to him. Harry thought carefully and came to him. Coughing into his hand and trying to hold a detached look he answered, "May I have a hug?"

It was quiet in the room as the pale lady shook with softer laughter. As she noticed the boy's disheartened expression, she comforted him, "Little one, I'm not making fun of you. It's just that with all your thinking I didn't believe it would be something so simple. You know, I could've given you anything."

Despite her teasing words, she didn't deny him the hug. Her arms wrapped softly over his small frame and he felt security and comfort within her embrace. Even as he rested his head on her chest, it all hit him. A swelling of emotion seeped against his will.

"He took them all away, for nothing. My parents, my family, I'll never know them. And it's all my fault. He wanted me", he choked out. All the rage at Voldemort had left him and all that remained with a sorrowful nostalgia of what could have been.

She brushed his dark locks as she rubbed little circles into his back. "I know it's difficult, but you can't take the blame for all that. Circumstances are sometimes out of your control. You must pull strength from within yourself to see the truth. It's terrifying isn't it? The thought that no matter what you did, the results would've been the same."

To his regret, she removed him from her embrace. Slowly tracing the skin beneath his eyes, she wiped his tears and spoken comfortingly, "You should leave the past as it is and learn to move on. Don't let your parents' death define you. The wizarding world already does that for you, instead take the chance to mold your own path. Not all things are within your control, but the choice is still yours. What do you want to do?"

Young Harry seemed flustered by the question. All of his life, his choices had been others. Recently, he learned that even his stay with his awful relatives was decided by others. He spent his day working by virtue of his relatives. Even the Hogwarts was selected because his parents had gone there. But then, he had chosen his house, his friends, and opposing Voldemort. Easily, his greatest choice was continuing to know the pale lady.

She was utterly complex and bit mad for him. Every time he felt he understood just a little, she made him aware how much depth she truly wielded. Harry was almost convinced that she was a tad older than she looked, or very mature. Then again, he knew very few her age.

Still that had been the only live long commitment he'd ever made. What would he do with his life? What was available and what was he good at? Never had he truly thought of such things. Making it through the day had been his main concerns. Panic rushed through the boy's veins.

"Forgive me, Harry. I didn't mean to rush you. You're young so there's much time for you decide. It was meant to be food for thought. Whatever you choose, I know it'll be marvelous. But don't focus on that, just do what makes you happy. That's all I ask."

Harry shot her a small relived smile for her efforts. But it did reassure him about the gift he wanted to create for her. The stone in his pocket would do well in that endeavor.

The pale lady coughed politely to grasp his attention. As per usual, he tended to lose focus around her. "I must be going now, Harry. But I'll see you soon. A bit of advice though, if you want to use your wand in the non-magical world, make sure to use the gloves I gave you. Good day."

And just like that she was gone. But Harry felt a lot better than when the conversation had started.