3:41am. A dark figure stood in the corner of the dorm, looking down upon their beds. Out of the gap in the curtains, Harry could see it's eyes stare with an empty longing for murder. It's red eyes stared into Harry's bright green iris'. It's hand reached out towards him, Harry couldn't move. His mind screamed for him to run but his limbs would not comply. His eyes were open and tears were streaming down the sides of his face, falling onto his ears then into the tangled mess of his hair. His legs were buried under the covers of his duvet, but his arms were bare. One lay under his head and the other laid palm up on the left side on his bed.
3:47am. The figure started stumbling towards him at a frighteningly slow pace, despite the fear coursing through his veins and arteries, Harry couldn't move a muscle.
3:48am. Suddenly his finger twitched, and the figure growled menacingly as it backed away into the shadows. The world went black. Colours were blurry, sounds were muffled, touches were painful like needles, smells were enhanced, the tastes that sat upon his tongue were dry. All reminding him of how he woke up in St. Mungos. Minus the sweat that drenched his forehead and pillow. Every touch around him made his skin tingle and every noise that came from the lake dwelling creatures due to being in the dungeons made Harry's ears bleed. Although, the fact of knowing he wasn't the only trapped creature made him calm slightly.
Thank god the silence charms had held up. Harry's breathing was enough to wake up the whole school, he was pretty sure he was about to pass out from how hard he was breathing. But of course this was normal to wake up like this due to his Nightmare Disorder and sleep paralysis.
It didn't take much thinking to know that the dark figure was to represent Vernon, I mean who else could it be. Voldemort had a different glow to his eyes when he had sleep paralysis and nightmares. Most of the death eaters he had previously feared had no longer become a threat to Harry's mental stability, in fact; he related to them in some ways.
Vernon's eyes were so well carved into his brain that he could never forget the look of insanity that throbbed in his pupils each day. Like a star exploding from afar, happening all the time but not always noticeable until you really focus on it.
3:53am. The feeling of unconsciousness quickly took over his mind as he thought too deeply into a distant reality.
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6:14am. Harry's mind wakes him up in a rushed blur, the memories of his nightmare seep into the sides of his vision. Quick and flashing images of blood and glass on the floor blind Harry's view on reality. Sounds of screaming and shouting deafen him, leaving a continuous ringing in his ears, the sound again, making his ears bleed. This was normal of course, but with other people in close proximity made the nerves in his body spike up to unhealthy levels.
6:24am. Breathing was calm and even, sounds were dull and soft, sight was slightly blurry from him not having his glasses on. Speaking of which, he reached to pull the curtains then grabbed his glasses whilst sighing. Oh how he wished to let his glamour free and be free of his glasses, contacts were always an option but he never had time. He'll just have to bite down the urge to snap his own neck and carry on with his days.
6:35am. Harry had returned from the showers, boxers on and his shirt unbuttoned, showing his scarred chest. He had forgotten his trousers in his trunk so he had to suffer with cold legs for a while. Draco was up and sitting on the edge of his bed, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. "Alright Hades?" He asked sleepily. Harry nodded and fell back onto his bed, relishing the feeling of soft duvet against his bare skin.
Draco chuckled and headed for the showers as the other boys began to wake.
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8:11am. Most students were still half asleep but that was common for the first day of the school year. Although, the Slytherins kept up their reputation as the cold and emotionless house, even Harry. They all had empty and cold expressions, talking between each other about lessons and how they didn't actually sleep at all that night.
Most Gryffindors (also including former Gryffindors) glared at Harry, especially Granger, Weasley and Weaslette, when they thought he couldn't see. Harry just rolled his eyes and subtly got Draco's attention and signed out; 'Does every fucking Gryffindor just assume I'm blind now that I'm mute?' Draco kept his expressionless face as did Harry and answered him.
"Basically, yes. They are all fucking ignorant, although the Weasley twins are keeping it normal and acting as they usually would." Harry nodded, he didn't expect the twins to start glaring at him when they could distract others from glaring. After all, they could as well be bloody Slytherins, even Ravenclaws in some ways.
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All four houses stood out in the hallway waiting for Snape to let them into the classroom. The lions were, of course, talking and laughing loudly while the Slytherins leaned against the wall softly talking. Harry however was glaring the most venomous glare possible towards Weasley and Hermione, he could see them whispering to each other and he knew it was about him. If it wasn't for his control on his magic, the whole corridor would've felt his rage.
Once they were all in, Snape began to talk in his monotone voice. "As you have most likely noticed, you are all in the same potions class, the reason is that professor Umbridge has decided that everyone should be learning the same thing all at the same pace. Yes, yes. Groan all you want but I cannot change the rules and neither can you." Snape turned his back for a second to grab his wand, but in that simple second he felt something hit his back. A paper plane, the class was silent and everyone had a calm face, despite a specific Hufflepuff looking quite constipated. "Mr Weasley, as I would like to hear your story on how it wasn't you who propelled the parchment towards me, you do look as if your head is soon to explode." Ron's red face deepened in colour as the whole class turned towards him. "10 points from Hufflepuff. You have been in my class for 4 whole years, so I suggest that you mature and prepare for your O.W.L.s"
"But sir, it wasn't me it was Harry. He threw it at you, not me." Ron's voice sounded innocent, but the slight smirk on his face gave the performance away, if it was even working in the first place.
Snape turned away once more, rolling his eyes at the pathetic boy's attempt to get the golden boy in trouble.
The lesson went by slower than anyone would have wanted, due to all the written work. Funny thing is that whenever Hermione would try to answer a question, Snape would ignore her. Luckily, Snape didn't pick on Harry otherwise it would end with an awkward staring contest.
As everyone packed up, eager to escape the damp and cold atmosphere, Snape announced the homework and that they'll be working on Amortentia next lesson. Once they were given permission, everyone rushed to get to transfiguration; as they didn't want McGonagall to have they arses on a platter.
Transfiguration mainly consisted of going back on the previous years' spells. Harry focused on projecting the spells in his mind and watching the end of his glamoured wand light up briefly.
Lunch arrived quickly and everyone was so glad for the pause in between classes, Harry however traveled to the dorms after telling Draco. After all, he didn't need to eat, and this would further push the idea that Harry was too distraught and ashamed to be in Slytherin. That was far from the truth but oh well, whatever would make the opposition weaker.
The common room was silent, only for a few minutes. Some 6th and 7th year snake entered, eyeing Harry carefully as he sat on the leather sofa with a dark magic book in his lap, it was glamoured to look like a transfiguration book because of dark magic having such a negative reputation.
"So you think you can just waltz in here as if you rule the house eh?" A deep and intimidating voice echoed in the room. Clearly it was directed at him but he didn't even bat an eyelash at their presence. He knew they were going to test him on what his status in the house was, he knew he was going to be high. And he was damn well going to fucking earn it by his actions, not by who he is supposed to be. "Oi! I'm talking to you Potter!" Flashes of Vernon's voice reciting the same words echoed in his head, yet the only sign of discomfort was his clenched right fist, but it was under the book cover.
"Don't ignore me! You think you're better than us?" Harry lifted his head and the group of boys and girls flinched slightly at the menace shown in his eyes.
Only a few seconds after the group's reaction did Draco, Pansy, Blaise, Crabbe, Goyle and a few others walk in. They stopped at the side of the common room, leaning against the wall and witnessing the interaction in silence from afar, it wasn't their business to intervene until one had yielded.
"Oh! So you can hear us. Thought you were deaf as well as dumb." Harry just stared at them and closed his book, leaning back against the sofa whilst placing his book on the table beside him. His legs were crossed and had his arms folded, an intimidating and stoic expression stained his features. The group of 5th years to the side shivered at the intensity of his magic projecting off of the boy. The older group felt surrounded despite being in the open and the leader, Zach, spoke with a smirk.
"Well, let's not stand here all day. I'm sure you know why we're here talking to you, no?" Harry raised an eyebrow and nodded, his expression not wavering in the slightest. "Right. So we can begin the test" Zach's face darkened and his smirk deepened. Harry only stood up with his head held up high as he saw more students enter after hearing the news of a inner house dual. His stance was strong and tensed, but his face was relaxed.
Harry's eyes sparked like a toxic green fire, his whole body pulsed with pure magic and his face held true danger.
"Let's begin then..."