Disclaimer: All by myself, don't want to be all by myself, anymore. Can you tell I'm tired?

Alone

By: MegTao

Harry had spent most of his life alone in a cupboard the Dursley's had called his room where the darkness (and the random spider) had been his only companion. Unlike the rest of the world, the dark did not judge you. It did not expect you to be a great wizard or to save the entire world from evil. The darkness just was. It was a comforting feeling.

Unconsciously Harry stroked Hedwig's soft feathers. He had real friends now. Ron, Hermione, and all the other Gryffindors had accepted him and now they were so much more than friends, they were his family. Yet, he could not help but feel like he was still different, the odd man out. Was it his future to be surrounded by people and still feel absolutely alone?

He felt like he was drowning in a lake of expectations. Wherever he looked he could see the shadows of his past, but could not make out their faces or their voices. Unwillingly the questions flooded his mind, rushing over the carefully built barriers.

Why had his parents left him? Why had then not fought harder to stay with him? Had they not loved him? Was it impossible for people to love him?

As if sensing his moroseness, Hedwig ruffled her feathers and, with a soft hoot, flew off into the night sky. Harry sighed and watched her until she disappeared. He watched her fade away just like all of his hopes and dreams.

The darkness was his one true friend; unlike everyone else, it would never leave him.

A/N: Nnnnn... Yeah, that was just a little angsty, wasn't it? Review anyway please.

MegTao