Harry Potter climbed the moving staircases to the Gryffindor Dormitory, For the first time in his life he wished that he was sorted into Slytherin House. His legs felt like lead, and all the colors around him seemed muted, He could hear his deep breathing, but, he kept on climbing. He reached his portrait door, the Fat Lady seemed to be missing- probably off somewhere celebrating. He reached his room and looked at his four-poster bed, wanting desperately to sleep.
"Kreacher", whispered.
With a pop, his house elf appeared. He was wearing a pillow case and a locket was dangling on his neck.
"Master Harry Potter, how can Kreacher serve you?", Kreacher croaked. His big beady eyes, which used to wear an expression of disdain for him, had a softness to them now.
"Can you bring me my nightclothes", he spoke to him slowly, as I was taking off my dirty clothes. "I will also require a glass of water with some soup. Take your time, while I go for a bath"
"Kreacher can do that Master", he heard a faint pop in the background while entering the bathroom.
The hot water from the showers worked wonders on his tense muscles. He closed his eyes and leaned his forehead on the wall, the water washing away all the grime and dirt. He dried himself with a towel that had appeared on the hook, probably courtesy of the little guy.
He exited the bathroom in a towel, knowing he wouldn't have any company in the dorm. All the other guys are probably celebrating the victory with their families, Hermione will be with the Weasleys supporting her 'boyfriend' and his family.
He sat on his bed and slowly started to eat the soup. The chicken soup was piping hot and felt divine. The heat traveled through his body, energizing his sore muscles and wetting his sore throat. Hours of dodging spells, spell-casting, and year-long malnutrition hit him. After finishing the bowl, he took a big gulp of water, finishing the whole jug.
His eyelids felt heavy, and all of the small cuts and bruises that he didn't even know, were throbbing with pain now. He changed into clean pajamas and called for Kreacher.
"If anyone comes looking for me, tell them I am sleeping here. Please don't allow anyone to disturb my sleep", I ordered him, as my body succumbed to a deep sleep.
Harry woke up slowly, it felt so good to lie on a bed he had been sleeping on for the past 7 years. He didn't open his eyes but just got into a more comfortable position. He took a deep breath, it felt like he was breathing freely for the first time. A great burden has been lifted from his shoulders, and finally, he is going to be free from all his undue obligations, Oh he knows that there is still a lot to be done. But finally, it would not be because of something that he can't control, it would be because of his own choice.
The meddling headmaster's death was an unfortunate one, like all the adults he had met in his life, he had conflicting feelings regarding him. From a strategic point and the future good of Wizarding Britain, the various choices he made were individually excellent. But the keyword to be focused on is 'individually', leaving him with Dursleys so he won't be arrogant. It seems like a good enough reason, but it was actually to make him malleable such that any goodwill done to him later on will feel compounded to him.
Sealing his parents will lead to the illegal incarceration of Sirius, It doesn't matter if it might have helped save an innocent man or that he might not have known what was in the will, all that matters is that no one could have access to Harry Potter.
He could think of multiple instances of similar kind, but on the flip side, the headmaster was the bulwark against the flood that was all wrong in the Wizarding Society. He was the only one who was actively responding to threats that were present because of the Death Eaters and their precious master, It was easy to see all of his efforts crumbling instantly upon his death.
On the other side of the chess board, was Lord Voldemort. Tom Riddle was undoubtedly a brilliant wizard, with an uncanny grasp of magic, but his obsession was his undoing. Of course, the prophecy was the final nail in the coffin and the obvious culprit for his unhealthy interest in Harry.
He could feel his magic flowing freely around him, his mind felt clear, the extreme emotions were all but gone now. If just one Horcrux could do this to him, he could imagine that splitting his soul into 7 pieces had shredded whatever made Tom Riddle brilliant. Lord Voldemort was but a wisp of brilliance that was once Tom Riddle.
Was it a wonder that his life had never been his own, Both chess masters gave their sole focus to a single pawn, which was brought onto the board forcibly by a prophecy.
And finally, he was free from the shackles that chained him to a mould. A shape that he was forced to conform to because he didn't even know of these shackles until yesterday.
His mind felt sharp, his magic felt powerful and he was finally free. The relief brought tears to his eyes, he cried silently into the pillow. The tears washed away all the negative emotions that had accumulated inside him.
After crying his eyes out, he opened his eyes. He could see the ceiling with a clarity that was absent even while he was required to wear his glasses. The Horcrux had damaged not just his psyche and magic, but also his body fitness. He couldn't help cursing Tom Riddle in his mind, he felt it would not be the last time he would do this. Who fucking shears his soul such that, it shattered upon receiving a powerful spell.
Taking a deep breath and clearing his mind of all the distractions, Occlumency he thought distractedly. He realized he was employing Occlumency as easily as just thinking about it.
He began to plan his immediate future; he could easily deduce how the next few months are going to play out.
He smiled for the first time in weeks and began to analyze his future actions. If anyone had been around his bed, they would have felt goosebumps. The air felt heavy because of his magical aura, a pressure was felt by everything around him in a radius. His eyes were sparkling, Magic was welcoming one of its precious progeny back.