Memories
"Hey," Harry murmured, not looking up from the fire. He had heard them arguing, and Hermione had run off crying, probably joining Ginny in their room.
"Do you think I was wrong?" Ron asked, and Harry sighed, taking a mouthful of butterbeer. Harry didn't know what to say, because, honestly, he had no idea what was right or wrong anymore.
"When do you think the others will be back?" Harry asked, and Ron snorted.
"Not 'til tomorrow. With Bill, Charlie and Tonks here, I think the rest will be enjoying their freedom," Ron muttered, grabbing Harry's bottle and taking a swig.
The boys heard hesitant steps, and they turned to see their girls looking into the room, their cheeks damp, "We're sorry."
Ron bowed his head, chuckling, "I thought I was 'posed to be saying sorry."
Hermione laughed, swiping at her cheeks. She shook her head, biting her lip, "No. I don't think you have anything to be sorry for."
Harry was drawn back to reality by the bell, and Harry gathered his bag and headed to Glee, ignoring Kurt's complaints at being left behind. Harry just wanted the day to be over; Brittany had gone around the glee club throughout the day asking who their hero was when they were little. Harry had managed to evade the question, but spending an hour in the same room as her almost guaranteed that she'd get an answer.
Entering the choir room, Harry found only three others there, and Brittany was one of them. Harry inwardly sighed and sat down, not making eye contact. He saw that Mercedes went to greet him, but she changed her mind and didn't say a word.
"Hey, Harry?" Brittany began, and Harry couldn't help himself but to turn to her, her eyes questioning, "Who was your hero when you were little?"
Although Harry had no idea why she was asking, he couldn't help himself but be honest with her, "I didn't have one."
Harry watched Mercedes shift uncomfortably in her seat, and he saw Santana look at him curiously like he was an insect under inspection. The Latina's eyes narrowed at him, "You're lying. Everyone had a hero when growing up. Someone who saved you from the monsters under the bed, or someone who killed the spider that was in the bathtub. That person was your hero, and you know it."
It was only the second or third time Santana had ever spoken to him, so she had no idea that he really didn't have one.
"Yeah, well I didn't have one. There were no monsters under the bed, and there were no spiders to kill."
Most of the kids had trailed in the short amount of time, and they were only waiting on Mr. Schue, Finn and Artie.
Mercedes kept her eyes fixed on the front, refusing to turn and look at Harry, her guilt overwhelming her. She wasn't shocked at Harry's response, but it hurt a little; what kid didn't look up to someone?
Kurt was a little put out at being ignored or day, but he couldn't take his eyes off the boy before him, shocked at what he was hearing. Didn't Harry have a hero? What world did he live in? He may have come from a war zone, but wouldn't that mean that he'd have a hero to look up to?
"Oh, come on! Everyone had a hero. Whether it was a character on a TV show, or one of their parents, they still had a hero," Santana was still talking, not understanding how Harry never looked up to anyone. Brittany was trying to get her to accept the answer, but to no avail.
"He's his own hero."
The voice was tiny, and all eyes shot to Mercedes, including Harry's. His mouth went dry, and Mercedes finally met his gaze, an apology already on his lips.
"You can't be-" Puck cut Santana off with a firm 'shut up, Santana', his eyes never moving.
Harry shut his eyes, knowing they'd find out now. They had to; there was no way to protect him from reality. He found himself nodding, giving Mercedes permission to tell them who he was.
"He is The-Boy-Who-Lived," Mercedes said, her voice shaky. Harry wasn't sure what the reaction was going to be, but it wasn't the one he expected. Santana promptly laughed, not believing a word of it, but the others looked at Harry, a mixture of pity and awe on their faces.
Harry couldn't bear to be in the same room at the group in that moment, and he found himself standing to leave the room. Kurt caught his arm, standing with him, and on impulse, Harry punched him, his eyes desperately searching for an exit.
As he came to his senses, he ran out the room, shoving past Finn and Mr. Schue as they finally arrived.
Harry found himself in the auditorium, holding the guitar that had been left on the floor.
"I hurt myself today
To see if I still feel
I focus on the pain
The only thing that's real"
The words were painfully familiar, and with his back to the chairs, he could pretend, just for a moment, that he was alone. Mr. Schue and Santana had followed him, Santana's guilt radiating from her, more than Mercedes' had all day.
"The needle tears a hole
The old familiar sting
Try to kill it all away
But I remember everything"
His shoulders shook with the exertion of standing and Harry gingerly sat down on the stage floor, his fingers still playing the tune.
Santana made her way to the stage, climbing up. She then walked to him and sat down, listening to his voice.
"What have I become
My sweetest friend
Everyone I know goes away
In the end"
Santana reached for him and stopped the music he was playing. She took his hand, and led him off the stage, not saying a word. She sat him down on one of the chairs, and softly kissed his forehead, her eyes closed.
She then walked away, and got back on the stage, and headed backstage, where everyone else had gathered.
"Okay, this is the deal. He's a hurt child and he wants – no, he needs us, more than we've ever needed anyone in our lives. So, we are going to sing for him."
Everyone nodded their affirmative at Santana's mini speech, the song already decided. The music was set up, and they were ready for their sudden, unexpected performance.
They all stepped onto the stage and into their positions, the music starting. Mercedes looked over at Harry, who was sat beside Mr. Schue, and she saw the tear tracks on his cheeks, his red nose, and his puffy eyes.
"I'm sorry," She found herself murmuring, barely loud enough to hear it herself, but it was there.
"Oh why you look so sad
The tears are in your eyes
Come on and come to me now
Don't be ashamed to cry
Let me see you through
Cause I've seen the dark side too"
Harry looked up, sharply. His eyes were fixed on Kurt, who kept his voice soft and comforting. There was shock written all over Harry's face, his eyes wide. They were singing for him.
No one had ever done anything like that before; well, except one other time, and it set off a fresh wave of tears, but this time, it was different.
"When the night falls on you
You don't know what to do
Nothing you confess
Could make me love you less"
That part was sung by Mercedes, her voice sincere. He had told her his life story, almost, and it didn't change anything. He was still as precious, maybe more, as he was when they first met.
When she first saw Harry, something about him drew her in. It wasn't the mystery or the beauty in him, she just felt drawn to him. She knew he was special, and she knew he needed someone to love him, but she had no idea why.
Now she does.
"I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you"
The chorus kicked in, and all voices united, some a little shaky. They wanted to express that they loved him no matter what. He had taken a few lives; so what. He had saved the whole of the United Kingdom, and perhaps most of Europe. He was a Hero over there, but not to the Glee Club.
He didn't choose to be a hero, and he never would. He was made that way by chance and fate, but it wasn't his choice.
"So if you're mad get mad
Don't hold it all inside
Come on and talk to me now"
Brittany sang the first half of the verse, making eye contact with Harry. He managed a watery smile at her, but not much else. They had no idea that memories were flooding to him, thinking back to when Ginny sang that song to him after a nightmare, holding him close.
"Hey, what you got to hide
I get angry too
Well I'm a lot like you"
Santana sang the second half and everyone had to bite back a smile. Everyone knew Santana was angry 50 percent of the time, and the other 50 percent, she was being a judgmental bitch, but that didn't matter now.
Finn and Rachel took over then, singing the next verse together, their hands interlinked, "When you're standing at the crossroads
And don't know which path to choose
Let me come along
Cause even if you're wrong"
Harry was scrubbing at his cheeks, sniffling lightly. He had never felt so loved at once. He knew he was loved, but no one, except Ginny, ever made him feel loved. He couldn't even recall how it felt until that moment, and Harry knew he had a new favorite memory.
As the final chorus kicked in, he rested his head on his teacher's shoulder, tired from his emotions. He felt an arm wrap around him, and Harry found himself snuggling in, embracing the warmth of being loved.
"I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
Take me in into you darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you
Oh I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you"
As the song finished, Harry closed his eyes, and smiled a true smile, his heart no longer hurting.
"Thank you."