How to Save a Life

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.


Harry's eyes were fixed on the table in front of him as he tried desperately to avoid the penetrating stare that was currently burning a hole in the top of his head.

“Mr Potter!”

Harry wore a mulish look on his face but made no attempt to reply. Inside he was angry, furious even and he was struggling to reign in his temper. Just lately it seemed easily provoked and Harry did not want to unleash it on those close to him.

He had had no peace since those blasted Hogwarts letters arrived. When he had calmly declared his intention of not returning you would have though he declared a desire to become the next Dark Lord! He wasn’t thinking straight apparently, he was confused and didn’t know what he was saying.

For 3 days straight the Weasley’s (and Hermione intermittently) had worked on him. Alternating between calm understanding, relentless nagging and on Ron’s part – outright anger! All to no avail as on this issue Harry would not be moved.

Finally in desperation Molly Weasley had called in the ‘big guns’. This was why Harry now found himself seated across the kitchen table from a determined looking Minerva Mc Gonagall.

“Tell me Harry” she asked gently.

“What will you do instead? I though you wished to become an Auror but you must know you cannot do that without completing your schooling?”

It was all Harry could do to manage a shrug at this question. In truth he had no clue what he wanted to do. The decision not to return to school had been a knee jerk reaction to the shock he had felt on receipt of the letter. Left to his own devices Harry was sure he would have reversed it by now. But something in the way everyone had been so quick to condemn his choice had made him dig his heels in.

Without looking up he spoke bitterly.

“How is it Professor that I could be trusted with the fate of the Wizarding world but that I am considered incapable of knowing what is best for me?”

He heard a gasp and saw Hermione staring wide eyed in shock at him. Mr Weasley stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Harry we’re not trying to suggest that you are incapable in anyway. It’s just that you have been through so much recently and forced to grow up so quickly. We just want you to have the chance to enjoy being young.”

Looking round the table he struggled to suppress a guilty stab that shot through him as he took in the concerned faces of Mr & Mrs Weasley. He knew that they only wanted what was best for him but Harry felt like he had lived his entire life for other people and he was determined to live according to his own wants now. Problem was he didn’t really know what he wanted.

Harry realised that his Professor was speaking to him so he turned his eyes to her and listened.

“Harry, I realise that this last year has been very difficult for you. But you have to move forward and I believe returning to school will help you do this. We’ve had a very promising response from your classmates so far, some from most surprising quarters.”

This caught Harry’s attention:

“Slytherins?” he questioned.

Mc Gonagall nodded apprehensively, not sure if this news would firm Harry’s resolve to stay away.

A sudden thought struck Harry and it escaped his lips before he had time to process it fully.

“What about Malfoy? Will he be allowed to return?”

Seeing his teacher’s hesitation he gave a bitter chuckle.

“Don’t worry I’m not after revenge or anything.”

Then after a moments reflection he added

“Besides, I think Malfoy has already paid a high price for his ‘crimes’

Professor Mc Gonagall looked thoughtfully at Harry for a moment before speaking.

“Yes, Mr Malfoy will be returning. I received an Owl from his mother yesterday.”

Harry nodded and slowly pushed his chair away from the table. Making eye contact with his teacher, he held out his hand.

“Thank you for coming to see me Professor but if you will excuse me I need some time to think this over. I promise you I will let you know as soon as I have reached a decision”

Harry retreated upstairs to his room. As he was walking across the landing he noticed that the door to George’s room was open and he could see the red haired boy sitting on his bed with his head in his hands.

He gave a gentle tap to the door and entered slowly. George looked up and gave Harry a small smile.

“Alright mate? Are they still going on at you about school?”

Harry nodded and gave him a wry grin.

“Everyone cares so much about what I do next but I just can’t seem to care myself.”

George nodded in agreement,

“Hey, if you do decide not to go back you could always come and help me out in the shop. Although I reckon mum will have a fit at me encouraging you!”

“You’re reopening the shop? That’s good, right?”

“Yeah, I know it won’t be easy but it won’t get any easier the longer I put it off. I figured that it’s what Fred would want, don’t you think?”

George looked almost pleadingly at Harry as if begging him to tell him he was doing the right thing. Harry reached out and placed his hand on George’s arm to reassure him.

“You know, I think it’s exactly what he would want. He would want you to move on with your life.”

Harry paused here before adding,

“Sorry that sounded so crap but you get what I mean don’t you?”

“Yeah mate I know. It’s hard for anyone to know what to say right now. Mum and Dad mean well you know? They just want what’s best for you.”

“I know, I’ve never doubted that. It’s just that after this last year I can’t imagine going back to school and taking lessons like nothing has happened. And it’s Hogwarts! I always thought of that place as home, felt safe there and now everything’s fucked up. All my life I’ve been different, special and not always in a good way. Now it’s all over I just want to be normal, to be able to get on with my life without everyone wanting something from me. I just don’t see how that can happen if I go back there. I don’t know if I can take the stares and the gossip anymore.”

Harry looked at George and let out a deep sigh

“Sorry got a bit deep on you there for a moment!”

George wrapped an arm around his friend and pulled him into a hug.

“It’s ok Harry. It’s perfectly normal to feel that way, though I hate to be the one to break it to you but I doubt very much if your adoring public will be leaving you alone anytime soon. You’d probably be better off at Hogwarts, at least Mc Gonagall will keep the worst of the vultures away!”

Harry pulled back from the embrace and smiled at the red head.

“Thanks George, you know just how to make me feel better !!”

George laughed at that and clapped him on the shoulder.

“Anytime mate. Next time you feel like crap you know where to come!”

He paused here and looked speculatively at the dark haired boy

“So you’re gonna go back then ?”

“You know, I think I am!”

George pulled him into another quick hug

“Good on you. Now you best go and put Mum out of her misery!”

Harry laughed again and stood to walk to the door still able to feel the warmth of Georges arms round him. He stopped at the door and turned round

“Thanks for that, it helped! Sorry to dump my problems on you”

He ducked quickly to avoid a pair of balled up socks that were thrown in his direction.

“Don’t worry about, I’m just glad I could help.” George replied sincerely.