Harry truly felt guilty, but at that moment, it appeared suitable. Because how dare she assume? How dare she try to control him? At that moment, he hadn't seen a friend trying to be friendly. Harry saw someone manipulating him.
Afterward, he realized he was an asshole, as she said. Harry sort of regrets sending her away, the thought of a warm Christmas with a family is tempting. He knows though it was good, he didn't go. Harry had things to do that he'd been stalling on.
"You taste stressed..." Commented Rio, Harry hadn't spent much time with the snake recently. As the weather started to get cold, Rio had to stay warm as he was cold-blooded, so often the snake wasn't in Harry's sight. School as well didn't leave much time for Harry to converse with him.
Harry looked at his bed where Rio was buddled up in a blanket charmed just for him, his eyes were droopy, but they still had some good humor in them. Harry immediately felt terrible about another thing; he'd been ignoring Rio far too much lately.
"I am..." Harry admitted, and if he was honest, he was scared too. The snake sighed, his eyes closing, but Harry knew he wasn't sleeping.
"What troubles you now?" The snake asked, but he sounded disinterested. Harry didn't think Rio was trying to be rude. Rio was just always indifferent about human affairs. If anything, the snake asked to help Harry or to be polite.
"Just realizing I've got a lot to do..." Harry said simply, sitting down on his bed.
"Oh, same old?" Harry laughed without any mirth, same old indeed.
"Yeah, it's going to be the same problem till I've solved it." Harry wished someone else could solve it for him though, he just wanted to be lazy for once.
"That's unfortunate." Harry smiled; he forgot about Rio's banter. He missed it.
"Tell me about it..." Harry groaned; it was nighttime now, and Harry knows he should be getting to bed, but he just doesn't want to. Then again, he doesn't want to do a lot of things he had no choice in.
"No... There's something else that's the matter." Harry peered at Rio, confused and wondering what he was talking about.
"What?" He was too curious to not know.
"You taste more than just weary. You taste like regret, sadness, and loneliness." Harry shivered; Rio was spot on in a way that creeped him out. Could he sense all that just from just his tongue? That was a bit eerie.
"If I'm honest, I feel bad for not chatting with you recently. You're my only friend..." The snake just shook his head.
"It's not a big deal; I haven't made a big effort either. And we both know I'm not your only friend anymore..." Rio grinned knowingly, but Harry gave him a look.
"No, I think you're my only friend once more." Rio eyed him, clearly wanting to ask Harry what he meant. But a weariness hit Harry, one that made him so tired. He snuggled into his own blanket; the heavy warmth made his eyelids sag.
"Goodnight, Rio..." The snake hmphed, Harry knew he'd have questions to answer once he woke, but for now, he'd sleep. Hopefully, he'd sleep without dreams.
Not a night without dreams as Harry had hoped, no he'd be plagued with a horrible nightmare. He woke up either way too late or way too early. He was drenched in sweat, his heart still racing from the violent nightmare.
Even as his head cleared, this vivid horror of it didn't. He'd been looking at that mirror. He had seen Xira by his side; they had been much older. The details were blurry to him now, but he did remember it shattering. He was alone, and his reflection turned into something awful.
Dark and nasty, it was worse than Voldemort. It took over him, turning him into something vile. Harry shuddered now, fearing that. That was precisely what he was terrified of when Olivander gave him his wand, the darkness the old man spoke of.
Harry knew he wasn't going back to sleep, he checked the old clock, and it read four A.M. Harry sighed. If he was up, he might as well study. As soon as breakfast was available, he'd eat then head into that room. Yeah, he wasn't ready, but he doubted he'd ever be.
The time ticked by so slowly. Harry was sure at times it completely stopped, indeed it had to be time already? It felt as if a day had passed, and yet the clock still reads the same time. Harry tried to focus; he knew if he kept his mind off, the time would pass much faster.
Finally, the clock reached seven A.M. Harry changed out of his pajamas into Dudley's worn clothes, not even bothering to comb his hair. As expected, when Harry entered the dining room, very few children had remained behind.
A few Hufflepuffs, a dozen Ravenclaws, five Gryffindor's, and only one other Slytherin. Harry paid no mind to any of them though, his eyes were entirely focused on the food on the table. Some oatmeal and an apple looked good.
He was shoveling down the food with a spoon, burning his tongue. Harry didn't care about manners; he had big things planned today. He glanced up when he heard an owl swooping in, a snowy white owl. Harry knew who it was immediately, Hedwig.
She stopped in front of his bowl, her head tilting inquisitively. Her large amber eyes were fixed on him; in her beak was a little box. Harry knew then who she must belong to; she was Xira's, what a coincidence.
Harry pet her cautiously, but she nuzzled against his hand. He smiled and took the parcel from her, and stared at the neatly wrapped item. He tried to unwrap it without damaging it too much. Inside he first saw a letter, a book, and a friendship bracelet.
As he thought, in bright red, Xira's name was written right on the front of the letter. He opened it; a long note was in it. He pulled the parchment out completely. Serious black ink he wasn't used to Xira using was on it. Xira liked to use pretty bright colors usually.
Harry gulped, wondering if the letter was going to be her yelling at him or something. But as Harry started to read it, his worry faded, and his feeling of shame increased.
'I know we haven't known each other long, but already you mean a lot to me. I've never really had a friend that I could consider close, so you might be my first real friend. You made me feel less alone in this big school. Thanks so much for that Harry, I hope you have the best Christmas.'
Harry folded the letter in half and tucked it into his pocket. He's already felt enough remorse for his actions for one day. The past was gone now, and Harry knew he couldn't afford to dwell on it any longer.
The book Xira gave him made him smile, though, to Harry, it wasn't as meaningful as that letter, but he put the letter down to observe the bracelet. It was green and gold; the colors complimented each other well.
It seemed to be strings woven intricately together by Xira herself. There was a little silver snake on it as well as a blue magpie. Harry put in on without hesitation; it was a little loose on his thin wrist but otherwise it was perfect.
Harry thanked the white owl for her delivery, stroking her below her neck like she enjoyed. He watched her fly off, a bittersweet on his face. He went to his room after to put the book from Xira on the bed. Rio moved aside so he wouldn't be crushed.
"What did you mean earlier?" Rio asked Harry curiously, peeking out from his blanket at Harry.
"What are you talking about?" Harry had been trying to leave, but now he stared at the snake with a puzzled expression. Rio sighed and rolled his slitted eyes, annoyed at Harry's forgetfulness.
"Yesterday, you said I was your only friend again. Why'd you say that?" Harry didn't feel like talking about it to the snake but felt maybe he deserved an explanation.
"I fought with Xira recently, is all, and I feel like things will be cold between us, but I think my statement yesterday was a little dramatic." Surely, she can't hate him that much if she still sends a present to him.
"Harry, your always dramatic." Rio snickered, and Harry shot him an annoyed look.
"Hah, so funny! You're a whole comedian..." Harry said blandly, turning back around to leave.
"But seriously, don't worry too much over it. I doubt you two will permanently fall out. There's just something about you two that seems inseparable." Harry had to agree with the snake's comment; there was something that just seemed connected.
"Thanks..." Harry honestly appreciated Rio's attempt at comforting him.
"Any time, brother, please don't die in there." His tone tried to be light, but Harry knew the snake really meant it. Harry turned back around to look him in the face.
"I'll try my best, Rio..." The snake nodded, simply accepting Harry's words, and he snuggled back into the warmth of the blanket. Harry smiled fondly at him, then turned to walk out. Harry had to believe this would all go smoothly.
Heh so yeah nothing really happened in this chapter, but I'm sorry! I just realized Rio was getting put in a corner after I fought so hard for his existence...I couldn't let him down...At least it's on time? Welp I hope you enjoyed and I do promise next chapie will have stuff happening.
-Lemon Nugget
