Songs Used:
So Cold - Ben Cocks
Should've Known Better
Harry sat down, his fingers sliding over the keys. It wasn't something he often did, but at that moment, he just wanted to play.
He could see Will in his office, probably grading the pop quizzes they had done in Spanish, and Harry felt safe.
Although he couldn't read music, it didn't affect his ability to play, and the internet was a great thing; he could search up the music and have it translated if he needed it to, so it was okay.
However, he knew this song by heart, and didn't need any help, and could play it without a second thought.
He began playing, his mind filled with images of Hermione, and of Ginny, and of the letter he had received that morning from Andromeda Tonks. He didn't particularly like the woman, but now he hated her.
Dear Mr Potter,
I regret to inform you that although the war is over, your duties as our saviour are not. I appreciate you have lost loved ones in this war, but they weren't yours to love. They were not your real family, and you shouldn't be acting as if they were.
You have a duty to make sure everyone in the UK is safe in this mess you created. I know Dora spoke highly of you, but it doesn't mean I like you. You need to come back to England and help.
Just so you know, Dora had a little boy 4 days before she died in battle. If you hadn't called for her, there wouldn't be another orphaned child. His name is Theodore Harrison Weasley.
Ms Andromeda Tonks
The letter had been short, and it had hit Harry hard. Tonks had a little boy with Charlie, and they named him after Harry.
It wasn't a bad thing, but Harry didn't want that child to live in his shadow. Not that it would matter now; Harry knew a summons when he saw one, and he knew Andromeda wanted him to take on the child, as it was his fault that Theodore was an orphan.
However, he'd put it off for as long as possible. He knew he would hate the child, just for existing, but he couldn't be his uncle. He wouldn't allow himself to be.
"Oh, you can't hear me cry
See my dreams all die
From where you're standing
On your own."
The words were so familiar that they came without a thought. He never even considered about who may be listening, or who could walk past. The emotion in his was bubbling forth, and even though he wouldn't normally pick that song to sing, it was what he was singing.
"It's so quiet here
And I feel so cold
This house no longer
Feels like home."
The words made him think of the last time he stepped foot in Hogwarts, the way that the place he once called come wasn't home no more. All sense of magic and safety had gone, and he didn't think it could ever be replaced.
He didn't look up from the piano, so he never noticed the three women in the doorway, having stopped when they heard the sound of music.
Sue had originally wanted to tell him to shut up, but she found herself drawn in by the boy's voice, the emotion capturing her heart in a way that reminded her of her youth, the way her mother made her feel due to the neglect of her sister.
Emma had intended to speak to Will, but stopped to listen to the unfamiliar boy. Of course, she knew who he was; Will had spoken to her about him, expressing his worries and concerns for him. She had assured him that she'd try to speak to him, but so far, the mysterious boy had evaded her. But now, watching him, she knew he needed more help than she could give.
Shannon had been walking past, aiming to go home, but she had seen the two women in the doorway, and her curiosity got the better of her; so she joined them, and realised they were watching the boy with black hair and green eyes that had captured the hearts and attention of the whole of Glee Club.
"Oh, when you told me you'd leave
I felt like I couldn't breathe
My aching body fell to the floor
Then I called you at home
You said that you weren't alone"
The words were familiar to the group of women, and Will had finally noticed the three in the doorway. As he opened his door, he let in the sound of Harry's voice, and he was captured like the women were, like Harry had put a spell on them.
"I should've known better
Now it hurts much more."
With the two lines, the music faltered, and Harry could sing no more. His chin almost touched his chest as his head dropped, sobs wracking his small body. The spell was broken, but the effects lingered.
Will wanted to run over and pull the teen into his arms, but he knew it wasn't appropriate in front of his colleagues, and he knew Harry really wouldn't appreciate it.
It didn't matter, though, because Shannon had already stepped in, and she was knelt beside the boy, rubbing soothing circles on his back. Sue was glaring at Will, knowing the child was his responsibility and Emma…
Emma had frozen in the doorway, her eyes wide. She had no idea what to do, and she didn't know how to help.
All teachers had read Harry's file to prepare for his arrival, and they all knew of his background. He was a war child; it was all he knew, and now it had been taken from him, he had no idea what to do.
And now he was grieving for the ones he had lost.
Harry hadn't really grieved for anyone. That had been taken away by training, and he was taught to not feel. It didn't work completely, and now everything was building up, and he just needed someone to hold him.
He thought back to what Mad-Eye said once, just after the guard had taken him to Grimmauld Place. He had taken Harry aside after dinner and sat him down. Mad-Eye wasn't one to be kind or gentle, but that was what his words were.
"Don't take all this blame onto yourself. We should have seen it coming, so don't you dare, no matter what happens, turn into me."
The words echoed around in Harry's head, and it was the only thing that kept him going on some days. He didn't want to turn into Mad-Eye Moody; old, bitter and cranky, but it was very difficult not to.
AN: Okay, yes, I have made Andromeda a bitch, but I need her to be a bitch for the story to head the way I want it to. Sorry. Please Review.