Harry had always suffered from severe sleep problems. From a young age, he could rarely sleep peacefully, often waking up repeatedly or getting trapped in nightmares, or sometimes not being able to sleep at all. He tossed and turned in bed, restless and unable to find sleep. The lingering effects of the excruciating Crucio Curse were more pronounced in the silent depths of the night, and the pain in his body required him to exert great effort to stifle any groans. Making noise would only invite protests from his roommates, and at the moment, it wasn't convenient for him to use magic for soundproofing.

Previously, Harry had injured his magic core while saving James Potter, and using magic recklessly before his injuries fully healed could be fatal. Considering that the curse his father had placed on him to prevent self-harm was still in effect, he now knew that using magic would jeopardize his life, so he had no way of using magic without reason in an attempt to seek death.

Curled up, Harry endured the aftereffects of the Cruciatus Curse in the gaps between one nightmare and another, and he struggled not to cry out. He truly didn't know why he should still be alive. As a person like him, with how much blood on his hands, what qualifications did he have to live? Harry curled up even tighter, feeling cold sweat trickle down his scar. That scar... it was the mark left by that person.

Harry clearly knew he was a monster, and he felt that initiating this war was a wicked act. He had felt remorse the first time he killed someone, but over the years, he still obeyed that person's commands. Since the age of five, Harry had carefully watched his moods, dedicating his entire life to pleasing him. That person even severed all communication between Harry and the outside world; he was the entire world of young Harry. This attempt to please, perhaps it was for the sake of survival, or maybe because Harry also longed for a home, or perhaps it was love. Now even Harry himself couldn't explain it clearly anymore. Perhaps demons were just so seductive?

In reality, Harry himself was also a demon. Who's to say otherwise? The Dark Prince, the right-hand man of the Dark Lord, the number one wanted criminal of the Ministry of Magic, a ruthless killer. That's how Jess's story described him. So why was he still alive? A creature like him shouldn't exist in the first place. In truth, his father must hate him... Harry thought bitterly. Otherwise, why not let him die and instead subject him to this torment?

When it became too difficult to fall asleep, he would simply get up and go to the common room to read. Academics could temporarily shift his focus, something he had discovered many years ago.

The life in middle school was also colorful.

On this day, the local television station came to the school to select middle school students aged 15-17 to participate in a reality show puzzle game. It was said that the script and props were carefully planned, incorporating elements such as escape rooms and real-life CS, making it exciting. The entire game would be broadcasted live on television, and the winners would receive generous cash prizes. The students were enthusiastic about signing up.

The school reserved one spot and invited the top-scoring student in the exams to participate in the game, hoping to showcase the school's excellent teaching quality in some way. Harry, who was ranked first in the grade, initially didn't want to go. However, Mr. Cotton persuaded him, saying that it would be good for him to take his mind off things. Eventually, Harry decided to sign up, knowing that there was a cash prize that he could use to repay the hospital expenses from his previous failed suicide attempt. He didn't want to owe anyone anything.

However, nobody could have anticipated that this puzzle game would encounter terrorists, putting all the participants in real danger. The terrorist had set up bombs and threatened lives, seemingly just for fun.

Harry couldn't help but grumble in his heart. Why did this world always have such chaotic, evil, and insane individuals?

Everyone was in a state of panic, except for the former Dark Prince, who saw it as a minor situation. Harry was grateful that he had come because even in the worst-case scenario, he could use magic to save everyone. However, if he could avoid using magic, he preferred not to, especially since there were cameras capturing the entire event for live television broadcast. So, he decided to follow the game script for now.

The game had already been underway for a while when a classmate complained, "What's up with that bookworm? Why is he nowhere to be found?"

The so-called top student of their year, Harry Vance, seemed to have disappeared after questioning everyone for clues.

"He's always been eccentric, often keeping to himself. Let's just ignore him," Oscar reassured the classmate who spoke up. With his tall stature, muscular build, and confident demeanor, Oscar was already the king of their class and now became the leader of the group. "Besides, don't you think he looks weak? He'll probably be cannon fodder in this kind of situation. Let's just hope he doesn't slow us down."

Oscar, who enjoyed fitness, always looked down on Harry's frailty and even gave him the nickname "Sweet girl."

"So, should we head to the main hall next?" Romancia, Oscar's girlfriend, asked, admiringly gazing at the boy giving orders.

"Yes! Let's go. All the clues we've found so far point in that direction. There must be something there," Oscar decided decisively.

Shortly after, Harry passed by this group of people who were currently engaged in a heated debate about whether to go to the main hall.

"The main hall? You'd better not go," Harry casually advised as he walked by.

"Sweet girl, don't butt in. We're doing important stuff here," Oscar clearly had no intention of listening to him.

"...," Harry shrugged indifferently. It was obvious that he didn't care about this group of youngsters going to offer themselves as sacrifices. Harry had no plans to team up with them nor did he rely on them to accomplish anything. As long as one person cleared the game, everyone would be saved, and having Harry himself was enough. He would lead everyone out.

Well, he was indeed not accustomed to working in a team to complete tasks. He had never collaborated with Death Eaters before, and even if his father assigned him difficult missions, he always went alone and completed them perfectly.

So, they simply passed by each other.

"Harry! How did you know we shouldn't go to the main hall?" Oscar called out, stopping him during their next encounter.

"And we were just ambushed by NPCs earlier, losing a few teammates..." another classmate added in frustration. Of course, Oscar's leadership was being questioned. Jennifer, who never accepted him as their leader, was even less forgiving. She believed she would be a more suitable leader.

"Because obviously, at that time, the cultists were having a meeting there," Harry casually replied as he passed by. It was an easy deduction to make.

"Cultists? What cultists?" Jennifer latched onto the keyword.

"...Don't you all understand this story yet? The villains are a cult organization, and this place is one of their bases. Our mission is to uncover the truth and stop them," Harry explained briefly.

"Is that so?" Romancia looked at Oscar, who was clearly still confused.

"It seems like you're quite useful after all," Oscar tried to regain his composure. "Why don't you join us in exploring?"

"No," Harry flatly refused. He genuinely didn't like working with others.

However, this group of classmates was now cautious and apprehensive after their recent losses. They realized that Harry was someone they could rely on, and they were determined not to let go of this opportunity. They insisted on following Harry no matter what. In the end, Harry couldn't resist and reluctantly agreed, saying, "Fine, but you must listen to me."

The teens eagerly agreed.

With Harry leading the way, their exploration progressed rapidly. They were no longer wandering aimlessly like before.

"Somebody must be guarding. Let's clear the area first," Harry pushed a button on the gun he held, loading it with a crisp click. He was no longer unfamiliar with firearms, as if he had been holding a gun for a lifetime. The sternness he had acquired from the battlefield even startled Oscar.

The study was located under the stairs, and there was an NPC cult member standing at the door. The group hid around the corner of the stairs, and Harry took aim from a distance. With precise accuracy, he shot the receiver device of the laser signal on the NPC's clothing. The NPC's clothing vibrated at the chest, realizing he had been shot in a vital area, and dutifully lay down.

"So, what's going on exactly?" Jennifer finally grew tired of blindly following orders after they obediently ran around and acquired various strange items without any explanation. Harry only provided instructions for the next step but never explained anything. While their progress was smooth, everyone was increasingly confused.

"Yeah, Harry, what do you know? Explain the plot to us," Oscar also asked.

"Sure," Harry realized he had been neglecting to explain things and it was unfriendly of him. So, they found an empty room and sat together. He carefully explained the current information he knew about the story. With this, everyone understood the cause and effect of the story and began to offer suggestions and ideas.

However, there were still a few clues they couldn't make sense of, and the classmates began to feel anxious. "We're not going to die here, are we?"

"Don't worry, I won't let any of you die," Harry assured them with confidence.

In times of anxiety, a firm and unwavering "don't worry" had a magical effect, providing everyone with a sense of security and alleviating their fears.

"Harry is reliable," Jennifer exclaimed in admiration.

"So, what do we do next? Should we go and fight the villains? We have a whole box of ammunition that we found earlier!" Oscar eagerly suggested. Teenage boys always had an endless desire for action and excitement.

"Wait, we still need to investigate these few clues thoroughly," Harry attempted to stop him.

"Just go for it. What kind of man hides behind? We have a whole box of ammunition!" Oscar refused to accept Harry's reasoning.

"Oh please," Jennifer raised an eyebrow. Sometimes she could be a bit sharp. "Listening to you, as if it's the manly thing to do, but it would probably result in more deaths. I'm more inclined to support Sweet girl's judgment."

However, fifteen minutes later...

"Die, you bunch of cultists!" Oscar yelled as he sprayed gunfire with a machine gun. Harry couldn't stop him this time. Oscar finally understood the cause and effect, feeling confident in his actions. He believed they should charge in and take out this group of NPCs. That would solve everything, right?

But this impulsive action deviated from Harry's plan and completely disrupted it. It exposed the group's whereabouts and progress, putting them all in danger. As a result, the villains had a contingency plan, and they were chased by a group of NPCs, barely managing to escape. One classmate took a fatal bullet for Harry, and before leaving, the introverted and shy boy said, "Your life is more important than mine. You are everyone's hope."

Harry was momentarily at a loss for words.

After everyone was temporarily safe, Harry spoke coldly, "The prerequisite for teamwork is to listen to me. If you can't do that, we don't need to be a team." He didn't want to lead them in the first place.

"Did you all forget that the terrorists planted bombs? The success or failure of the game affects everyone's lives. Such behavior absolutely cannot be allowed," Harry said, aiming his gun at Oscar's signal receiver on his chest for a moment. He contemplated shooting to remove the troublemaker from the team, at least to avoid betraying their teammates. That would be true salvation. In this game, being shot and killed wasn't real death, but a problematic teammate could cause their game to fail and actually lead to everyone's demise. Which was more significant?

The usually boisterous Oscar seemed to be frightened, frozen and afraid to move.

However, Harry then thought of the Dark Lord. That's how his father treated disobedient subordinates.

No, this wasn't right. Almost like an electric shock, Harry immediately lowered his gun. Just the thought alone triggered his intense PTSD.

Instead, Harry made Oscar promise that he would never do such a thing again.

Although Oscar was impulsive, he wasn't stubborn. He realized the magnitude of the damage caused by his actions. He sincerely apologized and vowed never to repeat it. Finally, he weakly said, "Harry... do you know that sometimes... you can be a bit intimidating?"

"...," Harry sighed. "I'm truly sorry. I didn't mean to be like that."

"Harry, your arm is scratched, and you're bleeding," Jennifer said.

"?" Harry touched it with his hand and saw the redness on his fingertips, only then realizing that he had been injured in the chaos. "Oh, I didn't notice. It's nothing," he said nonchalantly.

"How could you not notice? Doesn't it hurt?" Jennifer felt puzzled.

"It doesn't hurt," Harry brushed off the question.

In the end, it was Harry who, with his intelligence, resolved the crisis with the help of everyone.

Afterward, the classmates who successfully signed up for the game and escaped became like heroes, eagerly discussing the replay with the rest of the class. Meanwhile, Harry slipped away on his own, as socially anxious as ever.

That night, Harry had a rare difficulty falling asleep but dreamed of himself saying, "Problematic teammates should be eliminated, so they don't harm others. You will all obey me." Then he pulled the trigger, and the gun went off, with Oscar's warm blood splattering on Harry's face.

And once again, he woke up from the dream countless times.

Harry wondered if, in the end, Oscar still refused to cooperate, would he actually shoot him and eliminate him from the game? It would be for the good of everyone.

But... wasn't that what his father did to disobedient individuals? Harry felt a chill run down his spine, then he couldn't fall back asleep.

A/N: It's a chapter about school daily life, Don't worry, we will back to wizarding world in the next chapter.

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