From his seat in the stands, Sean had seen it all.
Honestly, Harry's explosive reaction had taken him by surprise, but a slow, genuine smile soon spread across his face. This was exactly what he had hoped for. He preferred this version of Harry—a boy who stood up for himself rather than constantly compromising to accommodate others.
Down on the pitch, Colin Creevey stared at the shattered remains of his camera. He looked up at Harry, his mouth opening and closing silently, unable to form words. Finally, with tears welling in his eyes, he turned and fled.
As he watched Colin's retreating figure, Harry's anger began to cool, replaced by a familiar, unwelcome pang of guilt. He was, at his core, a kind person. And while Colin's constant picture-taking was an irritation second only to Lockhart's insufferable presence, the raw satisfaction of destroying the camera now felt tainted.
He shoved the wand back into Lockhart's limp hand. Supported by Wood and Ron, Harry left the Quidditch pitch and made his way to the hospital wing.
Sean got up and returned to Hogwarts Castle with Blaise. After spending a short while in the library, trying and failing to focus on a book, he decided to check on Harry.
When he arrived at the hospital wing, it was just as he'd expected. The ward was quiet and sterile, the Gryffindor team having long since departed. Even Ron and Hermione had gone, leaving Harry alone in his bed. Without Lockhart's meddling, Madam Pomfrey's Skele-Gro Potion would have his arm fully healed in a day or two.
He knocked softly on the door before stepping inside.
At the sight of Sean, Harry immediately tried to sit up.
"Easy there," Sean said, moving quickly to his bedside. He helped Harry lean against the headboard, fluffing the pillow behind him. "How are you feeling?"
Harry glanced down at the arm resting in its sling. "It's alright," he said. "Nothing too serious. I took the potion Madam Pomfrey gave me. She said, I'll be good as new in a day or two."
"How did it taste?" Sean asked with a curious smirk.
Harry shot a furtive look toward the door, making sure the matron wasn't nearby before leaning in and whispering, "Honestly? I think Madam Pomfrey is brilliant at everything, but her potions… the taste might be worse than something the old bat would brew."
Sean chuckled. "You say that like you've actually tried one of Professor Snape's potions. For all you know, his are even worse."
"That's a terrifying thought," Harry laughed, the sound a bit weak.
His smile faded, and Sean's expression grew more serious. "I saw what happened on the pitch earlier."
A shadow of guilt immediately crossed Harry's face. "With Lockhart, I don't feel bad. I knew he'd just make things worse. But for Colin…" He hesitated, a faint blush rising on his cheeks. "I know he's just… well, a bit of a fan."
He glanced at Sean, relieved to see no hint of mockery, and cleared his throat. "I know that's why he's always taking pictures. But I really can't stand it, and I've told him so many times. Today, with my arm and Lockhart being… him… I just got so angry. I was impulsive."
Sean studied Harry's green eyes, which were filled with a sincere confusion. He knew Harry was looking for his guidance. After a moment of thought, he spoke. "From my perspective, Harry, you weren't in the wrong. But my opinion doesn't have to be yours. Based on what you're feeling now, I think there's a way you can handle the aftermath."
"The aftermath? What do you mean?"
"Do you have any money, Harry?"
The question caught Harry off guard. He blinked, then nodded. "Yeah. How much do you need, Sean?"
Remembering the Potter vault at Gringotts, Sean shook his head. "It's not for me. What I mean is, since you feel guilty, you should buy Colin a new camera. Enclose a letter with it, explaining your true feelings about him constantly photographing you. Be honest. I think that will not only make up for the camera you destroyed but will also make Colin think twice before pointing a lens at you again. What do you think?"
"Right!" Harry's expression brightened considerably. "That could actually work. As soon as my arm is better, I'll owl order a new one from Diagon Alley."
Sean nodded, a satisfied smile returning. "One more thing, Harry. In the letter, you must not apologize. You did nothing wrong. Lockhart and Colin were the ones who crossed a line. The new camera is compensation, a gesture you're making out of consideration for his admiration. If you apologize, you undermine your own actions, and the whole gesture will be wasted. Understand?"
Harry nodded, his expression resolute. "I understand. I'll remember."
"Good. Now, let's talk about something more pleasant. Next week's Potions class…"
At the mention of Potions, Harry's face immediately soured, which made Sean laugh. A moment later, Harry was laughing along with him.
The two chatted for a long time until Madam Pomfrey finally appeared to shoo Sean out, insisting her patient needed to rest.
As Sean left, a flicker of movement in the shadows outside the hospital wing went unnoticed. Dobby, the Malfoy family house-elf, slipped from his hiding place and crept silently into Harry's ward.
By the time Gryffindor's next match against Ravenclaw came around, Harry was fully recovered. Though he didn't catch the Snitch this time, he played brilliantly, successfully blocking the Ravenclaw Seeker at every turn and securing a decisive victory for his team.
As the triumphant Gryffindors poured into the Great Hall to celebrate, an owl swooped in, dropping a package in front of a very dejected-looking Colin Creevey.
Surprised, Colin opened it. His eyes lit up at the sight of a brand-new, top-of-the-line camera. After fiddling with it excitedly for a moment, he noticed the letter tucked inside. As he read, his expression shifted from joy to deep understanding.
A moment later, he was running over to Harry, holding the camera and the letter. He thanked him profusely, stammering apologies for his own behavior. At that moment, Colin's hero worship transformed into something deeper: true, unwavering loyalty.
[Chapter Complete]
***
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