Chapter 353: Harry's Sorrow
Chapter 353: Harry’s Sorrow
Two weeks had already passed since the start of the summer holidays.
Harry’s life back at the Dursleys’ remained unchanged.
No matter how many events had transpired in the Wizarding World, how thrilling his experiences at that castle had been, returning to Privet Drive felt like stepping into a completely different world.
Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon couldn’t care less about his adventures, and they certainly wouldn’t allow Harry to draw out that "little stick" in front of them.
They were all aware that Harry couldn’t use magic outside of school, so despite the fear Vernon had after the Aunt Marge incident, he still felt he had enough control over Harry.
At that moment, Harry was lying on the grass in the garden to avoid his aunt and uncle's scolding, pretending not to be at home.
Lying there wasn’t particularly comfortable; it couldn’t compare to the living room sofa. But as long as he didn’t have to endure their shrill shouting, Harry was willing to lie even in the mud.
Inside the house, Uncle Vernon’s voice was loud as he watched the news. Harry could faintly hear something about Spanish baggage handlers striking over dissatisfaction with their benefits, along with Vernon’s unique bellow.
"If it were me, I’d give them the right to enjoy naps for life!" he growled viciously, clearly not genuinely concerned about the baggage handlers.
Harry’s attention, of course, wasn’t on Vernon.
He was lying on his back, looking up at the sky, a blade of grass in his mouth, reflecting on the events at Hogwarts.
Now everyone in the Wizarding World knew that Voldemort had returned, but it had been two weeks since that incident, and there had been no sign of him.
But the lack of activity was normal.
It was said that Professor Forrest had injured him severely, and he was most likely hiding somewhere, carefully nursing his wounds.
In Harry’s mind, he could already picture the noseless man raging, waving his wand, and using the Cruciatus Curse to vent his anger on his followers.
At the same time, Harry felt a lingering sense of fear.
If Sherlock hadn’t taken his place, it would have been the real Harry who was taken away.
He didn’t even want to think about what he could have done if he had faced Voldemort directly.
Everyone knew the prophecy that said he was the only one who could defeat Voldemort, but Harry had never felt anything special about himself.
The only reason he survived Voldemort’s Killing Curse as a child was because his mother had sacrificed her life for him.
Each time someone praised his scar, Harry felt a pang of sorrow.
They all thought it was a symbol of his glory, a testament to his victory.
Only Harry knew that it was, in fact, a proof of his mother’s death.
He chewed the grass, the bitter sap mixing with his saliva as he swallowed, mirroring his current mood.
As if sensing something, a ghostly figure appeared beside him. Harry turned his head to see Lily, her soul, looking at him with a gentle smile.
"It’s still daytime, Mom. Professor Forrest said it’s best for you to come out at night", Harry said worriedly.
Lily knelt beside Harry, using her hands, which could not touch anything, to gently stroke Harry's black hair.
"The tree shade blocks the sunlight, so there shouldn't be any big problems", she said softly. "I can sense that you're not feeling well, Harry."
Harry blinked, trying to hide his thoughts.
"It's nothing, I'm just thinking about some random things."
"Is it because that person has returned?"
Harry fell silent. Lily was his mother, and as a mother, she rarely missed what her son was thinking.
"You'll be fifteen in a few days. You're not quite an adult yet, but you're certainly a big kid. It's normal to have your own worries, but when you encounter problems you can't solve, don't hide them. You can ask people who are older and wiser for advice. That's how people grow. No one is without troubles."
Lily's voice was gentle, barely audible over the loud television Uncle Vernon had turned on. Only Harry, who was right beside her, could hear her.
Harry no longer tried to hide his thoughts and spoke in a low voice.
"I'm actually thinking, if Voldemort wants to catch me, what if someone dies because of me?"
"If I had been the one to lift the trophy with Cedric that day, I wouldn't have been able to save my own life, and Cedric would have died too."
"And you and Dad, if it weren't for me, you wouldn't have died either."
Lily's gaze softened with concern.
Harry was no longer a child. He thought about many things, and the more he thought, the more he blamed himself.
All the misfortune he faced stemmed from that prophecy, and the prophecy's origin was him.
"Harry, no one thinks the way you do", Lily said seriously. "Neither I nor James ever felt we died for someone else."
"We were fighting against evil, to defeat that person. It was a belief we all chose and upheld. Not just us, but Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Dumbledore, the Weasley family, and even your Professor Forrest, they all strive and contribute for this belief."
"You, too, are carrying on the legacy of your father and me, fighting against evil. So don't think you are irreplaceable. No one is indispensable, and don't blame yourself for things that aren't your fault."
"If you want to protect the people around you, you need to gain more knowledge, learn, and work hard. You need the ability to protect them. That way, no matter the outcome, you won't blame or regret yourself."
"After all, if you've done your best, no one will criticize you, and you'll be able to look yourself in the eye without guilt."
Harry spat out the grass he had been chewing. He wasn't someone who wallowed in self-pity. His bad mood was occasional, and Lily's words lifted his spirits.
"You're right, Mom. Lying here won't change anything. Even during the summer, I need to work hard. Professor Forrest and Professor Shilke live nearby, so I should go to them for advice!"
He stood up from the grass, looking like he was ready to go find Sherlock to discuss magic studies. However, he stopped just as he was about to leave Privet Drive.
Dudley, who had been out with his friends, happened to return at that moment.
(End of Chapter)
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