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Rescued by Tails: Chapter 9: Embers of Change
🕑 Added 2025-03-05 07:08:52 +0000 UTCHarry’s POV:
He stirs in the softness of dawn, mind drifting in a hazy realm between dreams and waking. A faint, pale glow filters through his window, tracing gentle patterns across the blankets that tangle around his legs. He inhales, catching the warmth of Tails’s home: a hint of fresh bread from last night’s baking, the lingering whiff of woodsmoke from the heater. Normally, that welcoming hush calms him. But today—like so many days since discovering the unsettling patch of golden fur—his very first waking thought is fear.
For a moment, his breath catches, heart throbbing in time with the quiet beats of the house. He lifts the sleeve of his shirt, pulse jumping. The bandages he wrapped so carefully before bed are still in place, neat and secure. With slow, steady hands, he peels them back, pulse drumming a steady staccato against his ribcage. The memory of how the fur felt last time—soft, foreign, so reminiscent of Tails’s gentle bristles—twists his stomach in knots. He steels himself, expecting the worst, but…
It hasn’t grown. The patch of fur remains the same small shape near his elbow, no bigger than it was yesterday, or the day before. Relief wells up in his chest, so sudden it almost makes him dizzy. It hasn’t disappeared, but at least it hasn’t spread. His nightmares had insisted it would, that it’d devour his humanity. Yet for now, it stays small, quiet, almost harmless. He brushes the fur gently with his fingertips, half expecting a jolt of pain or some magical surge. There’s nothing. Only a faint tickle.
He exhales, breath trembling. “Thank goodness,” he whispers, as though speaking too loudly might trigger another transformation. For a moment, the relief is so profound he wants to laugh or cry. Perhaps he’s simply stuck with this strange patch, and that’s all. Perhaps it won’t turn him into a fox or reveal him as a freak. Perhaps…
A knock at his door startles him. He hurriedly rewraps the bandages, tugging down his sleeve. Tails’s voice drifts through the wooden panel, hushed but warm.
“Kit? Breakfast is ready.”
He darts a final glance at his arm. “Coming!” he calls, heart still pounding.
Tails’s POV:
She hovers outside Harry’s bedroom, listening for his soft footsteps. When she hears him rummaging inside, she lets out a low sigh of relief. For weeks now, she’s sensed a tension in him—something he doesn’t share, something that pricks the edges of his smiles. She wonders if it’s nightmares, or a lingering fear from the plane’s odd behavior in the workshop. She wants to press him for answers, but each time she tries, his face shutters like a door slamming shut.
So instead, she does what she knows best: she nurtures. She cooks his favorite breakfasts, she offers quiet words of reassurance, and she keeps an eye on him during the night, especially when he wakes from bad dreams. If he isn’t ready to talk, she refuses to push him.
“Morning, buddy,” she greets softly as he emerges. His hair is still messy from sleep, big green eyes blinking.
“Mornin’,” he mumbles, voice rasping with the last threads of slumber.
They walk together to the kitchen. Sonia is already seated at the small table, nibbling a roll and scrolling through some mechanical schematics. Tails sets a plate in front of Harry—scrambled eggs, toast, a side of sliced fruit. She pretends not to notice how he keeps his sleeves tugged low over his wrists, or how his gaze darts anywhere but her face.
Sonia’s eyes flick up, a half-smirk on her lips. “Eat up, slowpoke,” she jokes, tapping the schematic. “Tails and I have some errands later, so you’ll have to survive without us for a bit.”
Harry scrunches his nose in playful annoyance, though the corner of his mouth lifts. “I’m not that slow…”
He picks up a piece of toast and takes a large bite to prove his point, cheeks puffing slightly. Tails and Sonia share a knowing grin. Whatever’s weighing on him, at least in this moment, it seems overshadowed by the comforting normalcy of breakfast.
Harry’s POV:
The next few days pass in a strangely comforting blur. Each morning, Harry wakes up, checks his arm, and confirms that the fur remains small—no new growth, no fresh changes. Bit by bit, relief seeps in, like melting snow giving way to the gentle warmth of spring. And with that relief comes a renewed sense of normalcy. He can actually enjoy daily life without the constant dread of morphing into something else.
He notices it in small things:
At breakfast, Tails teases him about how he always picks the raisins out of his oatmeal. Instead of clamming up with anxiety, he laughs and flicks one at her (earning a mock-scandalized gasp from Sonia).
At school, he no longer flinches when classmates brush against him in crowded hallways. He catches Jace in a hug when the boy nearly trips, and Lilly squeals, “Oh, protective Harry!” with a playful grin. He smiles back, no longer weighed down by the secret.
In Miss Meadow’s class, he reads aloud with only minimal stuttering. The teacher’s gentle corrections don’t feel like condemnation but guidance. And when she hands him a math quiz with a bright red B+ at the top, pride thrums in his chest.
One afternoon, as Miss Meadow announces the end of class, she gently places her hand on his desk. “You’re really improving, Harry,” she says, voice low to avoid embarrassing him in front of others. “I’m proud of how far you’ve come.”
He can only nod shyly, words tangled in gratitude.
After dismissal, Jace, Lilly, and Sarah coax him to join them at the café. The moment they walk through the wooden doors, the familiar scent of warm cider and fresh pastries envelops him. They slide into a booth by the window, giggling about random gossip from class—who forgot homework, who brought the weirdest lunch. Sarah nudges his shoulder, passing him a small menu.
“Pick something sweet,” she suggests with a wink. “We deserve a treat.”
He hesitates, scanning the options, recalling times in the Dursleys’ house when sweets were forbidden or teased in front of him. But now, no one here looks ready to deny him. He chooses a cinnamon pastry, smiling with quiet excitement. As they wait, he glances out the window, watching a few older Mobians pass by. Some wave when they notice the group. He finds himself waving back, feeling a warm flutter. He’s not invisible here. He’s recognized, even liked.
When the pastries arrive, conversation bounces from the upcoming library event to the new teacher in the next classroom. Harry, sipping his cider, has a strange realization: he’s… happy. Not the fleeting relief of escaping punishment, but genuine contentment. A sense that he truly belongs, that he’s just another kid enjoying an afternoon snack with friends.
Tails’s POV:
She stands behind the workshop table, sorting gears and widgets into labeled trays. The whir of a small generator hums in the background. Yet her mind isn’t fully on the mechanical tasks. Instead, it lingers on the subtle changes in Harry. He’s smiling more, yes. Laughing more. But there’s still a guarded flicker in his eyes sometimes, as if he’s bracing for some hidden shoe to drop.
Sonia steps in, depositing a coil of wiring on a cluttered shelf. “He’s definitely come a long way,” she says, as though reading Tails’s thoughts.
Tails sighs, tapping a small screwdriver against her palm. “He has. But something’s still bothering him.”
Sonia leans against the bench, crossing her arms. “He’ll talk when he’s ready, you know. Pushing might make him clam up more.”
A wry smile curves Tails’s muzzle. “I know. It’s just… I’m worried. I keep thinking about that night in the workshop, the tools flying everywhere. His nightmares.”
“Kid’s got baggage,” Sonia murmurs, eyes softening. “But look at how he’s thriving. We’ll stay watchful, but maybe let him enjoy this calm.”
Tails exhales, tension easing from her shoulders. “You’re right,” she concedes softly. “He deserves a bit of peace.”
Harry’s POV:
It’s early April when he realizes something surprising: the patch of fur, for all his fears, has become almost routine. Each morning, he checks. Still the same. Not gone, but not bigger. Over time, it even feels less foreign—a part of him he can’t quite explain, but not actively threatening. The bandages help him hide it, and no one seems suspicious.
He’s devouring a thick fantasy novel from the library—an epic about knights and dragons—and thoroughly enjoying it. On a cool afternoon, he sprawls under a tree in the schoolyard, the leaves just starting to bud above him, the sun slanting through in gentle rays. Lilly plops down next to him, offering a playful grin.
“Whatcha reading?”
He shows her the cover, smiling shyly. “It’s about a kid who finds out he’s got magic.”
She wrinkles her nose, half-laughing. “Sounds like you, minus the knight stuff.”
He flushes a bit, shutting the book with a quiet snap. “Maybe,” he admits, heart fluttering at the all-too-true nature of her statement.
Aurora saunters over, hands tucked behind her back. “Mind if I join?”
Lilly pats the grass, so Aurora sits, quills glinting silver in the sunlight. She regards Harry with kind eyes. “You look calmer these days. Are your nightmares getting better?”
His stomach gives a lurch—she’s always so perceptive. But he musters a shrug. “Yeah… a bit.”
She nods, as if satisfied, then changes the subject to a new library program that encourages kids to read more advanced texts. They chat about it, leaning into the dappled shade. Harry occasionally glances at the bandage peeking from under his sleeve, but the breeze is mild, and the conversation flows easily.
His confidence swells day by day. He helps Ivory carry heavy boxes of supplies for Miss Meadow’s next class project. The tall echidna ruffles his hair, smirking. “You’re stronger than you look, shrimp.” Instead of flinching, he laughs. Selene remains more distant, a watchful presence on the school rooftop or at the edge of the courtyard. Sometimes she descends, offers a cryptic one-liner, then vanishes again. “Quit doubting your strength,” she’ll say, eyes gleaming with silent knowledge. He wonders if she senses the same magic Aurora does, but her hints remain maddeningly vague.
Tails’s POV:
It’s mid-April, and Tails stands in the front yard, watching Harry race across the clearing with Jace in a game that involves chasing each other with foam sticks. She can’t help but smile at how free he looks—hair flopping, laughter echoing. She leans an elbow on the fence, remembering the frail, silent child who once hid behind her tails, terrified of every unknown. Now he’s bounding around, bright-eyed, as if the world has finally given him permission to be a child.
Sonia wanders over, glancing at the scene. “Look at him go,” she murmurs softly.
Tails hums in agreement. “He’s come so far.”
Their conversation drifts to practical matters: repairs needed in the workshop, potential commissions from out-of-town clients. But Tails’s gaze keeps sliding back to Harry. A piece of her wonders if the chaos that flared in the workshop was just a freak incident or if something bigger looms. For now, though, she decides to let him have this peace. She hopes he knows she’s always there, waiting for him to share his burdens.
Harry’s POV:
April blurs into May. School remains a bastion of routine and growth. Miss Meadow announces a small field trip to the local Mobian Forest Reserve—a short, three-day outing for hands-on learning about flora and fauna. The moment Harry hears the announcement, excitement buzzes under his skin. He’s never truly gone on an overnight trip with friends. The idea of sleeping under stars with Jace, Lilly, Sarah, and others stirs a giddy sense of wonder in him.
He scrupulously packs his bag at Tails’s suggestion: warm clothes, a flashlight, extra socks, a small notebook to jot observations. The only snag is his hidden fur. He packs spare bandages, ensuring no one will see it if they share a tent. He tries not to let the secret overshadow his anticipation.
On the day they depart, Tails walks him to the meeting point near the school. The children climb into a roomy, hovering transport designed by Tails and Sonia for group travel. Harry’s heart thunders with excitement. He waves at Tails through the window as the transport hums to life. She waves back, pride and warmth evident in her eyes. He mouths “I’ll be fine,” and she nods.
The forest reserve is everything he hoped for. Towering trees laced with fresh leaves, a gentle breeze carrying the scent of wild blossoms, the sun playing peek-a-boo through the canopy. Over the first day, he joins his classmates in identifying plants, learning how the local Mobian ecosystem thrives. Ivory, with a determined glint in her eyes, helps carry heavier tents, while Aurora effortlessly floats small stones out of the way with her psychic abilities, grinning when Harry’s jaw drops in awe.
At night, Miss Meadow allows them to gather around a safe, enclosed campfire. The flickering firelight paints their faces with dancing shadows. Harry finds himself seated between Ivory and Aurora, nibbling on roasted nuts. The conversation drifts to hopes and dreams.
“Do you ever wonder where you’re meant to be?” Aurora asks softly, eyes reflecting the embers’ glow.
Harry traces a circle in the dirt with a stick, thinking of how aimless he felt back on Earth. But here… “I used to. A lot,” he admits. “But maybe I already found it.”
Ivory snorts in affectionate disbelief. “That was fast.” Then she eyes him. “But if that’s how you feel, good. The more certain you are about your place, the better you’ll handle anything else that comes your way.”
He smiles at her blunt encouragement. The fire cracks, sending sparks skyward. He glimpses other kids chatting, Jace telling a silly ghost story, Sarah giggling behind her hand. For a moment, everything feels golden—like the fur on his arm, but without the darkness of fear.
They spend the next day hiking, journaling about bird sightings, giggling over lunches in small clearing spots. On the final night, Miss Meadow organizes stargazing. Harry tilts his head back, breath hitching at the endless expanse overhead. Countless stars shimmer, reminding him of how wide the universe is. He can’t help but wonder if somewhere, out there, his parents watch him. The thought no longer stings as sharply. Instead, it feels like a gentle presence, a quiet sense that he’s not alone.
Returning home from the field trip, he’s flushed with new memories and a sense of belonging so profound it scares him a bit. Tails greets him with a quick hug, scanning his face for any sign of distress. He only beams, launching into tales of how Ivory freaked out over a spider in her tent, or how Aurora used her psychic powers to retrieve a lost shoe from a steep bank. Tails listens with unfeigned delight, her tails swishing in a calm, protective rhythm behind her.
Tails’s POV:
It’s nearing the end of May, and she sits on the porch in the late afternoon sun, fiddling with a small gadget in her lap. She glances up when Harry trudges into view. He looks tired but content. She waves, and he picks up his pace, crossing the short distance. “How was school?” she asks, offering him a quick pat on the back as he slumps onto the step beside her. He flashes a grin. “Good. We talked about world geography today. I got a B+ on the quiz!” Her muzzle curves in a proud smile. “I’m so proud of you,” she says sincerely. “Remember how scared you were of math and geography at first?” He nods, cheeks pink. “Yeah. Miss Meadow’s a great teacher.” His voice carries a tranquil confidence that warms Tails’s heart. The child who once cowered from simple tasks is blossoming, day by day, into someone unafraid to try. Yet she senses a slight tension in his posture, that fleeting shadow that’s never fully vanished. She sets aside the gadget, letting a soft sigh escape her lips. “You know,” she begins gently, “if something’s on your mind, you can always—” He interrupts with a quick nod. “I know, Mama. And… I’m okay. Really.” A flicker of worry crosses her face, but she forces a gentle smile. “All right.” She ruffles his hair. “Go wash up. Dinner’s soon.”
Harry’s POV:
The truth is, each time Tails offers that invitation, he itches to confess. He wants to lift his sleeve, to show her the patch of fur, to beg her to say it’s okay. But the words never form. Every time he imagines her reaction—fear, concern, pity—his throat locks up. He’s happy. He’s stable. The fur isn’t growing. If he says nothing, maybe it’ll stay that way. Maybe he can keep living this dream.
Late May creeps forward. He helps Tails in the workshop some evenings, passing her tools or sorting screws by size. She hums as she works, occasionally shooting him fond glances. The plane sits quiet, as though it slumbers, no more chaotic outbursts since that night of swirling magic. Harry suspects it’s waiting, but for what, he cannot guess. He doesn’t dare ask it, or the voice that once lulled him in the cockpit. The hush soothes him, for now.
On May 31st, Harry experiences a jolt of longing to be normal. He watches Lilly, Jace, and Aurora messing around in the courtyard, each so at ease in their own bodies, no secrets or hidden bandages. Guilt twists in him, but he must keep the charade. Ivory calls him over, pushing a sweet pastry into his hand with a stern, “Eat. You’re too scrawny.” He laughs, ignoring the pang in his chest, wishing he could be as open as they are.
The nightmares remain sporadic, but not as vicious. Sometimes he wakes with a gasp, half-certain the fur has spread to his entire arm. But each dawn shows him the same small patch, no bigger than a coin. He tries to be grateful that it’s paused, that he hasn’t lost control. Still, a sliver of fear gnaws at him—like an ember waiting for the right spark to blaze again.
On June 1st, Miss Meadow announces a school assembly to celebrate the students’ progress before summer break begins. She mentions awarding small certificates to kids who’ve shown notable improvements. Harry’s stomach flips. He suspects Miss Meadow might call his name, and the idea both thrills and terrifies him. He’s not used to the spotlight being kind.
June 2nd arrives. The assembly is set in the school’s modest auditorium, rows of chairs lined up for the children and parents. Tails attends, slipping into a seat near the front with a wave to Harry. Sonia stands in the back, arms folded, a proud grin at the ready. Miss Meadow calls out names, awarding “most improved in reading,” “best attendance,” “excellence in math,” and so on. Applause rings out each time.
Then Miss Meadow’s gentle voice resonates: “Harry Potter, for remarkable progress in mathematics and reading comprehension.”
He stiffens in his seat, blood rushing in his ears. Classmates nudge him encouragingly—Jace nearly shoves him off the bench. Swallowing thickly, he stands and walks to the front. Applause engulfs him—polite, welcoming, so different from the bitter laughter or scorn he once knew. Tails’s face glows with pride. He wonders if she’s tearing up behind that broad smile.
Miss Meadow hands him a small certificate. “Well done, Harry,” she says softly, her eyes shining. “Keep going.”
He blushes fiercely, mumbling a thank you as applause washes over him. For a fleeting instant, the fur patch, the magic surges, the nightmares—none of that matters. He’s recognized, he’s valued, just like any other child.
After the assembly, Tails kneels beside him, ruffling his hair. “I’m so proud!” she exclaims, voice brimming with maternal warmth. “We should celebrate with ice cream or something.”
Sonia claps him on the back, teasing, “Better not get a big head, kiddo.”
He laughs, cheeks hot. The swirl of acceptance lifts him up, making him forget the bandages under his sleeve.
Sonia’s POV:
She trails a few steps behind Tails and Harry as they walk home from the assembly. Harry bounces lightly with each step, certificate clutched in his hands. She notices how he glances at Tails, eyes full of adoration and relief. She also notes the faint tension still lurking around his shoulders. She’s no empath, but she can sense something unresolved.
Still, she’s content to see him shining. Tails, too, seems buoyed by his triumph. They chatter about random details—what kind of dessert they might share, how the assembly turned out, which classmates got which awards. Sonia remains mostly quiet, letting them savor the moment. Her mind drifts to the memory of that chaotic night in the workshop, wondering if the plane might stir again. So far, it’s been calm. She hopes it stays that way for Harry’s sake.
Harry’s POV:
The days slip into early June. In the hush of each morning, he checks his arm. The same patch, no new growth. He breathes easier with each confirmation. He starts to imagine a future where maybe it never expands, where the fur remains a secret only he knows. That prospect, strangely enough, brings him comfort.
One evening, just after dinner, he sits on the porch steps. The fading sunlight casts long shadows across the yard. Tails emerges from the house, carrying two mugs of tea. She settles next to him, offering one mug with a gentle smile. They sip in companionable silence, listening to the wind rustle the leaves overhead.
She clears her throat after a while, gaze fixed on the horizon. “Kit,” she says softly, “I know… things haven’t been easy for you. I just want you to remember, you can talk to me. About anything.”
He feels her gaze flick sideways, but he keeps his eyes on the mug. The steam warms his cheeks, or maybe that’s just his nerves. “I know,” he repeats, swallowing.
“Are you—” She hesitates, searching for the right words. “Are you worried about something? The nightmares? Something else?”
He almost tells her then. Almost. The words tighten in his throat: I have fur on my arm, I don’t know why, and I’m terrified. But an image flashes—Tails’s face twisting in shock, a slight recoil in her posture. He can’t bear the thought.
So he musters a smile, sets the mug aside, and leans against her arm. “I’m okay,” he whispers, hating the lie. “I’m just tired sometimes.”
Her expression dims, disappointment hidden behind patient acceptance. She drapes a tail around him, letting it rest lightly on his back. “All right,” she says, voice subdued. “Whenever you’re ready, kit. I’m here.”
POV Switch: Classmates (Jace and Lilly)
They watch Harry from across the courtyard one spring afternoon, noticing how he rubs at his arm sometimes and seems distant, even when laughing at jokes. Jace nudges Lilly.
“Think he’s all right?” Jace whispers, pushing his glasses up his snout.
Lilly shrugs, a crease forming between her brows. “He says he’s fine. But… I don’t know. He’s gotten better in school, but sometimes I catch him staring off, like he’s waiting for something bad to happen.”
They recall how fragile Harry was when he first arrived—the bruises, the wary eyes. They’ve seen him grow strong, open up, forge deeper friendships. But a shadow remains.
“He’ll talk if he wants,” Jace says, trying to sound casual but feeling a knot of worry. “We can’t force him.”
Lilly nods, sighing softly. “Yeah. We just gotta be there for him, right?”
Harry’s POV:
The last day of school before summer break arrives with a swirl of excitement. Children buzz with talk of the coming warm season, families planning trips or festivals. Harry collects his things from his locker, smiling at the notion of having a real vacation. Perhaps Tails will teach him more about flying, or they’ll travel to see distant parts of Mobius.
A small pang hits him as he thinks about the plane—how quiet it’s been, how uncertain he is of the connection they share. But he pushes the thought aside, letting the holiday mood carry him. He says goodbye to classmates, promising to meet up for fun activities. Ivory flicks his forehead lightly, telling him, “Stay outta trouble,” while Aurora quietly wishes him peaceful dreams. Selene even inclines her head in a subtle show of… approval? He’s never quite sure with her.
Tails stands by the school gates, a proud, maternal figure welcoming him to a new chapter of rest and exploration. The summer sun filters through her golden fur, making her look radiant. He runs up, grin broad. She kneels to meet him.
“Ready for some time off?” she asks, ruffling his hair.
He nods vigorously, laughter bubbling up. “Definitely.”
That evening, June 4th, he’s in his bedroom, stowing away the last of his school supplies, the early twilight painting the walls in soft purple hues. Through the window, he glimpses Tails in the yard, talking animatedly with Sonia. Their voices carry a confident lilt, muffled by distance. He sets down a notebook and slides onto his bed, leaning back against the pillows.
His gaze drifts to his sleeve. With a shaky breath, he peels it back once more, revealing the bandages. Slowly, carefully, he unwinds them, exposing the patch of fur. In the fading light, it catches a subtle gleam, each golden strand a silent reminder of the secrets he carries.
He runs a fingertip over it. Still no growth, still no changes. Relief wars with lingering dread. The question still churns: why is it there at all? He shuts his eyes, recalling Tails’s unconditional warmth, Sonia’s protective banter, his friends’ unwavering acceptance. A part of him longs to trust them all with this truth. But the fear of rejection, of seeing them flinch or recoil, holds him back like an unbreakable chain.
A knock on his door startles him. Panicked, he fumbles to rewrap the bandages. “C-come in,” he calls, heart racing.
Tails peeks inside, eyes soft with quiet affection. “Just checking on you before bed.” She hovers by the threshold. “You good?”
He forces a smile, ignoring how the bandages pull taut on his arm. “Yeah. Just… reading soon.”
She nods, shifting from foot to foot. He senses there’s more she wants to say. Finally, she sighs. “All right, kit. Sleep well.” Then she steps back, letting the door gently close.
He exhales, pressing a trembling hand over the bandage. Guilt and gratitude swirl in his chest. He’s grateful for her love, but guilty for withholding the truth. Yet the alternative looms in his mind: heartbreak if she can’t handle what he’s turning into, or might turn into.
Lightning flashes of old memories jar him—shouts of “Freak!” “Unnatural!”—and he flinches at the memory. No. He can’t risk it. Not when he finally has a home, a family, a sense of normalcy. If the fur remains small, if it never spreads, maybe no one has to know. Maybe he can live in this fragile peace forever.
He slides down under the blankets, letting the day’s warmth fill his tired bones. Staring at the ceiling, he listens to Tails’s footsteps recede. The hush of night nestles around him like a soft cloak. His eyes slip shut, mind drifting through the comforting images of school triumphs, meadow picnics with friends, Tails’s unwavering presence.
But even in that swirl of comfort, the fur itches beneath the bandage, a silent reminder of the secret he carries alone. For all the love he’s found, fear still smolders in the corners of his heart—an ember that refuses to be snuffed out. And as he drifts into a restless sleep, he clings to hope that, someday, he might gather the courage to share this burden, trusting that love will stand firm even against the strangest changes.
Still, for now, the fur remains hidden. The nightmares lurk in the distance, subdued but not banished. The plane sleeps quietly in the workshop, unresponsive. And the hush of the summer night wraps around Harry like a promise that things might be all right… if he can just keep his secret a little longer.
In that final moment before consciousness slips away, he allows a single glimmer of optimism: perhaps Tails wouldn’t push him away. Perhaps Sonia would stand by him. Maybe his friends would accept him, no matter what. Even as the dread lingers, the possibility of trust sparks a tender warmth in his chest.
For now, the fur remained hidden beneath the bandages, the fear locked behind closed lips. But for the first time, Harry thought… maybe he wouldn’t have to carry it alone forever.
