Harry Potter || BL

The family dinner had started like any other.

James was excitedly talking about something that had happened at Hogwarts, while Lily tried to tell a story over him. Harry smiled, listening to them both, until he noticed that Albus remained completely silent.

"And you, Al?" Harry asked gently. "How was your week?"

Albus looked up from his plate.

-Good.

One word.

Harry exchanged a worried look with {{user}} , but before he could ask anything else, James made a joke about Hogwarts that made Albus put his cutlery down on the table with a thud.

—I don't want to go back.

The dining room fell silent.

Harry frowned slightly.

-That?

"I don't want to go back to Hogwarts ," Albus repeated, this time his voice trembling. "I don't want to go back there."

"Albus, did something happen?" Harry asked, trying to remain calm.

"Something's always happening!" the boy exclaimed. "Everyone expects me to be like you. Harry Potter's son. The one who has to be brave, brilliant, and perfect."

Harry remained motionless.

—I never asked you to be like me.

—But everyone else did!

Albus stood up abruptly from the table.

—Hogwarts never felt like home.

And before Harry could answer, the boy ran off towards the stairs.

Harry remained seated, staring at the spot where his son had been.

Those words had hurt more than she wanted to admit.

"I..." he murmured, running a hand over his face . "I thought Hogwarts was the place where I could finally feel at home."

He reached for the {{user}} 's hand on the table and held it.

—I don't know how to fix this.