Harry managed to keep from flinching at the reminder, with some difficulty, and took a deep breath. "You don't want me to fight for you."
"No, because you are a child. You have done enough fighting in your life. You should have been able to depend on adults to protect you, but you could not because of your ridiculous Muggle guardians and your ridiculous professors. We would like you to stay safe, Henry, and to stay out of this war."
Harry closed his eyes, feeling tears spring to them. Mother promptly moved over to the couch he sat on and drew him close, smoothing her hands over his hair. Harry huddled against her and wished…
He wished he could just say yes. The thought of being taken care of, of having parents who were real parents, still seemed like a miracle to him sometimes. He wanted to sit back and let them do it.
But he also knew that they hadn't found all the Horcruxes yet, and hadn't stopped Voldemort yet. Hell, Voldemort had just returned to a new body. One of his first priorities would probably be killing Father, because he would hate Father for being a traitor.
Harry couldn't sit back and let them take all the risks. He had even let Draco take a risk for him with Black, because he was the one who had cast the spell and Harry was the one who had stood there like a frightened rabbit.
He had to do better than that. Maybe he should hope that he had inherited their parents' violence, because sooner or later, he would have to fight back.
"I wish I could," he whispered.
"But your hero complex won't let you?"
Harry flinched from the lacerating tone in Father's voice. He felt Mother shift slightly, and thought she would say something about it, too, but she said simply, "Lucius, leave the room, now."
There was a pause, and then Father strode out. Harry sighed and leaned harder against Mother. "I'm sorry if I disappointed him," he whispered.
"He is angry about the situation, not about you," Mother said, and spread her fingers around the shell of Harry's ear. He sank a little more into her. "But his anger is still not something you need right now."
They sat like that, and Harry cuddled closer, and thought there was one thing better than parents who protected him against all the troubles of the world. That was parents who respected his decisions, and protected him against themselves when necessary.
I'm so sorry. I should have believed you.
That was what Hermione's letter had said, but Harry still wasn't prepared to step into the middle of the Gryffindor common room and have Hermione say in a clear, carrying voice, "I'm sorry, Harry."
Harry halted, and blinked. He glanced at Ron, and saw from Ron's wide eyes that he hadn't thought Hermione would do this, either. He kind of jerked his head back at her, and Harry turned and faced her.
But he understood when he saw her red cheeks and the way her eyes fastened on the floor. She had had confrontations with him in public and might have contributed to people thinking he was a blood purist in public, so she was going to make her apology in public, too.
Harry thought about telling her that he didn't need her to. But maybe part of him did, because he just nodded and asked, "Why?"
"Because that professor was your kidnapper. And the people I thought had your best interests at heart didn't. You were right about Adley, and you were right about Dumbledore." More than one person murmured or stared when she said that, but Hermione had told Harry about confronting Dumbledore in the Great Hall, so he knew why they weren't that surprised. "I have no idea what they were playing at. But you deserve better than that."
Hermione lifted her head and dashed away a tear with one hand. But she stood there and kept speaking, a true Gryffindor. "I'm sorry, Harry. For what they did, and how they contributed to it."
Ron nudged him in the back, and Harry realized that he was standing there and gaping at Hermione like an idiot. Ron must be afraid that their friendship was never going to be repaired if he didn't go talk to Hermione now.
"I accept your apology," Harry said, and stepped forwards with his hand out for her to shake.
Hermione launched herself at him in a hug instead, and Harry managed to keep himself from flinching. He hugged her back, and some people laughed and some people burst into applause, led by Fred and George. Hermione laughed wetly against Harry's neck, and he let himself smile.
"Maybe I don't deserve it," Hermione whispered. "But thank you for forgiving me."
Harry held her back, and smiled, and smiled harder as he noticed the relieved look on Ron's face, and imagined what Draco would say.
....
Do you want to read ahead by more than 60 exciting premium chapters?
Then join my p*atreon right now.
Link: p*atreon.com/Sonic_Spectre (Remove the *)
Free members can unlock upto 2 chapters.