I'm sitting in Arithmancy, trying to concentrate on Professor Vector's diagram of one of the newer theories of numerological ward identification when Harry brushes up against my legs. He's under the table, doodling with some crayons the 'nice teacher lady' had given him on some of my spare parchment. I couldn't very well leave him to fend off Susan in the Room of Requirement by himself, could I? I can't think properly, so I allow myself to peek under my desk to check on him.

'Harry, are you alright?' I whisper, trying not to disturb the class.
'Uh huh.' Harry mumbles, concentrating on finishing his latest masterpiece.

He thinks he can ignore me, eh? Well, let's see how he likes this.

'Try to keep it down, 'kay? There are lots of people trying to do school.'
'Sowwy.' Harry says quietly, putting the crayons down and pulling the picture close.

Harry understands why he has to behave. I explained to him that I was still at school, and he'd immediately become serious and promised to be on his best behaviour, and that he wouldn't disturb her. He didn't use those exact words, of course. But he was quite sweet about it. I hate that those Dursley monsters ruined nursery and primary school for him.

Professor Vector's looking at me and I try to smile, grimacing. She stops lecturing and comes over, before dropping to a squat. 'Harry?' she says warmly.
'Sorry Miss. I didn't mean to be a bur-'
'Can I see your drawing? Only, it looks really good from here.'

Harry hands it to her with a bright smile, the entire class watching as she stuck it on the board. He's beaming with pride, and looks up to me from under the table for some kind of assurance. I smile back, and he pulls more of my parchment towards him to start another picture. Most of the class is giving Harry odd looks from their seats - but he hardly notices. Professor Vector has been really accommodating, and I'm grateful, but I hope we're not spoiling Harry too much. He's been acting out recently - Madame Pomfrey warned me that as he gets comfortable with me he'll test the limits. Just before, Harry had purposely pushed my ink over, and it flooded my desk. But then, he'd started crying in apology and I had to swallow my absolute rage - no one messes with my notes - to console him.

At the end of the lesson, Harry insists he carries my Arithmancy textbook, and he snatches it from the top of my pile. Harry always did that, so it makes some sense that he'd want to now.

'Harry, I'll have to carry you, there are lots of people outside and I don't want to lose you or let you get trampled.' I tell him as I sling my bag over my shoulder.
'But 'Mione...' he protests, stamping one of his little feet. 'I can be careful.'
'Nu uh. No way.' I say, grabbing him before I can run away. He squirms in my arms, fussing in an effort to get back down.

I wanted to give my thanks to Professor Vector, but she's already gone for lunch. We're the last ones to leave the room. And... There they are. Daphne and Susan are stood outside, like they can smell an opportunity to steal Harry from me. It frustrates me to no end - how long did they even know him? But being as starved of love as he was, Harry can't help but relish the attention.

Susan rushes forward when they're not even out of the door, whisking the boy out of my compromised hold. 'How's my little sweetie?' she cooed, Harry giggling as she played with his hair.
'He's been fussy.' I told them, trying to smooth his hair where Susan had ruffled it.
'Maybe he needs a nap?' Daphne suggested, her voice softening as Harry realised what she was saying.
'No! Play!' Harry said, looking at me hopefully.

Thankfully he's still a bit small, so it's not hard for Susan to keep her grip on him. He really needs a nap. I chose to be merciful.

'It's lunch time, so first we'll feed you, and then you have to go to bed.' I tell him, and he relents. Daphne doesn't look too pleased, but pulls him out of Susan's hands to give him some cuddles.

Harry loves lunchtime. He likes getting to eat adult food, particularly after being starved of any for so long. I always make sure to feed him myself, or he won't eat properly. He only ate the crusts off of bread, and he'd reach to steal the odd bone or core to scrounge off of. I still can't believe that Harry had ever been in conditions like that. I feed him as I eat, and he tried to chew for as long as I do before he swallows. At least he's picked up some of my better manners - Daphne has this fancy dining criteria that she'd been trained to use since birth, whereas Susan had no qualms in being a little messy. She always reasoned that messes could be vanished in seconds with magic, but I encourage Harry not to. We'll see how long that lasts.

We're in the Great Hall when Harry climbs up onto my lap, as is the set up for when we eat. Holding him steady with my arm I ask, 'So what do you want today? I think we should start off with some of these greens-'
'Can I...'
'Yes, Harry? You can ask me.'
'Can I have that? Please?' He asks, pointing at a chicken pasty by Daphne's elbow.
'Of course. But I'll have to cut it into smaller pieces.' I tell him, summoning it over.

I cut it into bite-sized pieces, skewer them onto a fork, and hold them just in front of his face so he can bite them off. He thinks it's fun but it's actually quite easy and convenient, so I'm not going to stop. In a little while he picks up his drink, and I pause to let him take a break. He's looking around as he holds his cup with both his hands, and that's when he sees her.

'Mummy! Mummy mummy mummy!'

He practically leaps off of my lap, and runs right past both Susan and Daphne. What? Who the- oh. Oh. He's run off to Ginny. That's... oh dear. I feel annoyed that Harry still doesn't appreciate what I'm trying to do for him, but I can't fault his logic on this one. Lily had red hair, and so does Ginny. Lily was pretty, and, I'll grudgingly admit Ginny is too. Ginny looks down at the boy hugging her legs, and then looks at everyone in the hall, who're now watching with interest. Then, she looks at me. I don't move, or say anything - neither do Daphne or Susan; we're all too shocked. How I forgot to factor Ginny into the equation, I'll never know.

Looking down, and trying to kneel, as Harry is babbling 'Mummy' over and over, she tries 'Harry, I'm not your mummy. I'm Ginny, remember?'

Harry doesn't hear her, and if anything his happiness intensifies.

But that's when Draco Malfoy walked in.

'Potter,' he drawls, causing the boy to pause and peer around Ginny's shins, 'you're mother is dead. Gone. Finished. So shut up, important people are trying to eat here.'

The entire hall is quiet, and Harry looks at Ginny again, before turning and running back to me. I was a little frozen, but now I'm clinging to Harry as he sobs as quietly as he can. The entire Gryffindor table is giving death glares at Malfoy, and a resounding smack tells me that Ginny's teaching him a lesson. That absolute arsehole! There's a small scream from by the doors, and I smile into Harry's neck as I bob him up and down, trying to comfort him. At least he remembered to come to me - had Susan have picked him up first...

His sobbing lessening, he cries desperately 'I want my mummy.'
My heart breaks a little more, and I hug him more tightly. 'I know. I'm sorry, but I'm the best you've got.'
He rubs his head on my shoulder until he's comfortable, and manages to settle amid the chaos of the Great Hall. He closes his eyes, breathes in my scent, and whispers 'Love you.'

On a small footnote, I'd like to ask if anyone had an idea for a scene they'd like to see? I'm happy to write it, and then I'll update more often. Is there anyone you'd like to see introduced? I think I've got an idea for Luna - that'll be next. But yeah. Cheers.

Mr. Baratheon97