Betrayals, Truths and Family
Chapter 17: A Son is Attacked
School had started two weeks ago, and other than the odd argument with his ex-classmates, Harry thought he was doing rather okay, all things considered. He had only had one panic attack in the last two weeks, and though there were a lot of emotions, especially after the arguments, he was surviving. Pushing through.
His new classmates were great about everything. They were supporting him, helping him with things he didn't quite understand, standing up for him during the arguments, and so much more. They were making him feel welcome, and at home.
It was somewhat overwhelming as, as much as he hated to admit it, he had never truly felt at home in Gryffindor. There was way too much pressure on him in that House. And they didn't really welcome him for the most part, just demanded things from him.
In Hufflepuff though, they were welcoming, and they didn't demand anything. And it was weird. Different. Overwhelming, and yet amazing.
Spending time with his dad and Draco was also amazing. Along with the twins and Neville, and everyone else he had managed to gather into his circle of friends, from all Houses. And many of the teachers were being supportive also. Though there were a few who were… hard to work with.
He tried not to dwell on that though and focussed on his work instead.
He was actually on his way to the library to meet some of his actual friends and have a little study session. A proper one where he didn't have to put up with Ron's complaining and Hermione's nagging, and horrible comments about how shit he was at everything, and how she would help, and go over his essays for him.
But no… he couldn't dwell on that anymore. He needed to focus on trying to remain calm, and on moving on from that… right?
He was just turning a corner when an arm wrapped around his waist from behind, tight, a hand going over his mouth as well, muffling his cries of surprise and fear as he was dragged backwards into an empty classroom, the door being slammed shut by Hermione.
Fear was gripping him as tightly as the arm around his waist that he was sure was bruising him. At least, it was until he was thrown to the floor hard enough for his head to bounce off the stone, his sight going blurry slightly as pain flooded his head.
Though he could definitely see ginger hair, and others he thought to be the Gryffindors who had been using him.
He tried to breathe, to remain as calm as possible, but he was far too scared to do so.
And in far too much pain as he was kicked over and over by different shoe covered feet.
He could hear them all shouting at him, but by no means could he understand what they were saying. His mind was too clouded, his head too painful. And the rest of his body was far too painful also.
A bang was heard, but by that point he had stopped caring about anything, more pain stopped coming his way though as his attackers started shouting in panic. And he heard a familiar voice he thought might be his dad, though he couldn't hear what was being said.
He could barely breathe.
It hurt too much.
He saw a black body kneel next to him and he felt gentle hands on his head, and he thought he heard his dad calling his name, too. But he couldn't focus on it. Or the bright blue light he saw appear next to his dad, and then disappear.
All he could focus on was the pain, and the betrayals, and everything else.
Why did everything hurt so much?
Everything.
He couldn't move.
He couldn't see much of anything.
He thought, maybe, he could feel blood in various places.
But his thoughts were far too muddled, and blurry, and… nothing, for him to really know anything, or think much.
It hurt to think.
It hurt to breathe.
It hurt to be.
He thought he could hear Ron shouting some nasty things, though he only really thought they were nasty based on the tone of his voice, not because he could actually hear what was being said.
His dad shouted right back. Clearly angry, and panicked. But again, Harry couldn't understand him. Though he really wanted to be able to.
He wanted to hear his dad say that it was all going to be alright. That he was okay. That he would be safe.
But he couldn't hear it, even though he was sure his dad was saying those kinds of things.
And it hurt.
He wanted to hear his daddy. To be held in his arms and feel it.
He wanted to be safe.
He didn't want to be in pain.
Was that so much to ask?
Was that…
Merlin, he was so tired.
He couldn't breathe.
He couldn't breathe.
He couldn't…
Dad…
Hiya, how are you all?
I hope you enjoyed the short chapter. I was going to include Sev's POV also, however I then figured that that would make a whole chapter on it's own and so you can wait until next time for that, haha.
Anywho, I posted an essay/petition where I (un)officially explain why I think I should be cast as my favourite character, Severus Snape, in the new HBO series, despite the fact that I am a woman. It would mean a lot if you went and read it, but no pressure. It isn't going to lead to anything, unless, by some miracle, it goes viral, but it was fun to write. It is on my AO3, Maraudering-Paige. Feel free to go and check it out.
Also, I am working on some Spotify playlists for my fanfics, so if you can think of any songs you think work with the stories as they are so far, or where you think they are going, or songs that give you the vibes you get from the stories, then please do let me know and I will give them a listen, then potentially add them to the playlists. If you would like to go and give them a listen as they are now then you can find me on Spotify under the name Maraudering_Paige. They aren't that long at the moment, but we are making progress and I will continue adding to them the more music I listen to and when I have the time to do so. But still, if you can think of any relevant songs then do let me know.
I have a Facebook group called Maraudering_Paige which you are all welcome to join if you would like to and are able to. It is where we can talk about Harry Potter, fanfics, life, share memes and more. It is also where I have somewhat of an update schedule for my fics and will be keeping you up to date on what I am working on, in regards to fanfics, original works, and more things. So if you are interested in joining then I am more than happy to accept you all.
I also now have a TikTok and an Instagram for my fanfic writing escapades. The username is maraudering_paige on both of them so feel free to follow me, and we shall see how often and what kinds of content I can post when I can. But it is another way for me to keep you all up to date if you don't have Facebook and such, and for me to spread the word about other things I am working on and things I want to do and such. So yeah, feel free to join me on those if you are able.
And finally, if you like poems, then I write them and I have started a where you can read 1 or more poems every month depending on how many I have the time to post. You also get access to information about my original books I am working on before anyone else. And you get your name listed in the acknowledgements section of any book I publish whilst you are a Patron. For £2.22 a month. If you would like to join me over there and read some rants I call poems, and get updates on original work, then you may. My username over there is Paige_Makepeace. No pressure, by the way, you certainly do not have to if you can't or don't want to. I understand. I just thought it would be a cool thing to try. Any money made from this will go towards helping me write and publish the original novels I am working on. Including the one I am hoping to publish first which is a slow-burn, witchy, bisexual/lesbian enemies to lovers book. You will also be able to read the first draft of the first chapter of my book, so, if you are interested in doing that then feel free to go and subscribe if you want to.
If there are any other platforms you think I should join you all on then let me know and I will have a think.
I hope you are having an amazing day!
Kind regards,
Paige xx