Building tension

The world was wrong. It was as if someone had upset a precariously balanced scale, throwing the whole world into a heart-wrenching disarray. Tensions, like hidden serpents in grass, uncoiled between Muggles and wizards, spreading fear and suspicion. In the heart of this chaotic whirlwind stood Harry Potter, the orphaned child of Prophecy who had become the beacon of hope for the wizarding world.

It all began a month ago with the abrupt and inexplicable closure of Hogwarts. To an outsider, it might've seemed like an administrative decision. But the parents of the students knew something terrible had invigorated this drastic measure.

It was one of the first signs of an irrevocable change that had disrupted the harmony between magic and non-magic entities. While the wizarding community reeled at the loss of their beloved school, a far more devastating blow shattered them.

The Weasleys, the family that had stood shoulder to shoulder with Dumbledore during the darkest times, were almost entirely wiped out. An unknown wizard, power-mad and deranged, had waged war against the light.

But nothing could prepare them for the cataclysm that followed. The anti-Muggle wards fell. The protective spells that had safeguarded their world shattered on a global scale.

They were now exposed and vulnerable - their magic, their secrets, their existence all bare before a world that had spent ages wallowing in unknowing ignorance. Harry, now in Unwilling isolation, was rocked by these swift tides of misfortune. Where moments of peace had lingered before, there was only turmoil now.

His eyes flicked towards his reflection as he rose from the toilet, unable to escape his own reality. An unnerving snake tattoo encircled his left eye, its stark details highlighted with unsettling clarity against the pallor of his face.

Just like all magical beings, he too woke up with a birthmark when the wards fell, an indelible emblem of an irreparable cataclysm. Unbeknownst to them, the magical shields that surrounded their world had been draining their magic.

With the fall of the wards, they tasted the full extent of their power for the first time, a bitter-sweet revelation that came with a tinge of agony - the gnawing revelation of how they had been shackled all along.

In the mirror, Harry gazed at his reflection grimly. His emerald eyes, once burning with the fire of retaliation, looked worn out. Yet, he could see resilience flickering on the edges of those familiar green orbs.

Brushing his teeth Harry left the bathroom and moved down the stairs silently. He pondered on how the muggles started treating the wizards. At first they seemed to be amazed at what they could do.

But old habits started to rear its ugly head. People calling for the "death to the aliens" The Dursleys were apart if this 'Club' if you could call it one.

The days after that were hell. Aunt Petunia tried placing makeup to cover his scar. It just burned the makeup off leaving a horrible smell behind.

Fortunately he was going to visit Ron and Hermoine very soon. He wanted to comfort Ron but he was stuck here at this hell hole. After what's now being called the collision. His magic started growing a personality. It snapped out at the Dursleys in uncontrolled waves of anger. It felt like Harry would drown if he didn't get a hold of it 'pull back the reins' if you will.

*

Harry got off the bus that dropped him off a street away from Eden's Orphanage somewhere located in downtown London. Instead of placing him to the closest orphanage he was placed in one that sat close to where his friends live. The hope was that the parents would be more willing to let their kids go if it wasn't too out of the way.

The entrance to Eden's Orphanage was an imposing stone structure. It was located at the end of a narrow cobblestone road, flanked on either side by tall hedges. The windows were lined with iron bars, giving the building an ominous feel.

Inside, the halls were lined with polished oak floors, and the rooms were furnished with comfortable beds and cozy rugs. A library took up a large portion of the ground floor, housing an extensive collection of books, which were carefully cataloged and maintained by the staff.

While Eden's was an imposing and intimidating structure from the outside, the inside was warm and welcoming. There was an inviting lounge with a roaring fireplace, and a kitchen filled with delicious aromas from the hearty meals prepared daily.

Going up stairs Harry was led by Madam Vixen the one who would take care of his papers. The dark green carpet did a good job at absorbing sound. With his destination up ahead, Harry was guided to Ron's room.

Upon reaching the door they were greeted by Ron sitting up on his bed. He looked at the two curiously before realizing who was with the lady. Harry and Ron meet eye to eye both starting off with their own greeting.

The conversation soon lulled into a comfortable silence with Harry not wanting to bring up the incident to soon. But it seemed that Ron was thinking the same thing with his eye contact refusing to stay fixed at harry for too long.

The air in the room was thick and charged. The boys seemed to be navigating their conversation with an almost palpable unease, avoiding eye contact and dancing around the truth of their situation.

Harry decided to break the silence with the question that had been weighing on his mind, "Ron how are you?" Harry said softly, his eyes drifting away from his friends. "You were there when your parents died. It couldn't have been easy on you."

Ron snorted, a sharp and unexpected sound in the delicate balance that had formed in the room. "How do I feel? Well, if I were to give my honest assessment. It's shit! Not everything has been sunshine and rainbows. In fact things are shit now. Who is going to protect me now? You? Dumbledore?"

" I had to burn their bodies, Harry. Burn the bodies of my family. Who does that? You know what the worst part about it was? Their clothes are fine. Even my Fathers' Watch was alright. And with their dead bodies gone I have the only things I can hold dear in this shit world!"

Ron cried, his face wet with tears. They were rolling in silent rivers down his freckled face, pooling at the edge of his chin, their shimmering translucency a testament to their vulnerability and their heartbreak. He could hear his voice faltering, a raw, guttural sob wrenched from the depth of his soul.

Harry approached Ron slowly, carefully, with the deference and reverence due one whose grief ran deep and heavy. The gap between them closed. He embraced Ron in a warm hug. He was as fragile and brittle as an autumn leaf.

"Ron, whatever happened was not your fault. You've suffered enough as is. The best thing we can do is get stronger and stay alive,"

Harry said softly, his arms tightening protectively around Ron's back. "Perhaps you would want to get your mind off things? We could go out and hang out of course only if you want to"! Harry rushed the last part of his sentence.

Ron sniffs a little bit "Sure mate why not."

Harry was all grins " We are going out today, My treat. "

-

3:45 pm

After getting ready Harry and Ron walked into town, their mood was somber. After the bus had dropped them off in town, it took them some walking before they eventually found themselves in the middle of a bustling mall.

Shops lined either side of the busy walkway, colorful signs hanging above their entrances, advertising sales and other special promotions. People hustle and bustle around them, talking animatedly to each other as they carry shopping bags filled with items from various stores.

The pair's mood was immediately darkened as they witnessed a group of loud people in khaki pants and matching shirts walk towards them. Harry and Ron glanced at each other uneasily as the group neared them.

One of the men stepped forward, his face twisted in disgust as he looked Harry up and down. "What are you doing here? This is a normal place, not a freak show! Go back where you came from!"

Another man chimed in, pointing a finger at Harry, "You weirdos don't belong here! Why don't you go back to your own kind?"

Ron growled, "We have as much right to be here as you do! Just because we're different doesn't make us freaks!"

But the men just laughed, taunting him with cruel words and sharp jabs that hit like arrows straight to the heart. Harry clenched his fists, fighting back tears as he felt the sting of rejection and pain welling up inside him.

He turned to leave, his head down, his shoulders hunched against the world. But Ron was furious, his eyes blazing as he pushed back at the men with equal fury. "You think you can push us around? Well, you're wrong! I'll never give in to the Rampant retardism of you people!"

Appalled at Ron's words, Harry tried grabbing Ron to pull him back from starting something he can't finish. Only for the redhead to shake him off.

"Ron what are you doing? You can't fight these guys! There's too many of them!" Harry yelled, desperately trying to reason with him.

But it seemed that Ron wasn't listening, his anger consuming him as he continued to hurl insults at the group. "You're nothing but a bunch of cowards! Come on then, let's see how tough you really are!"

As if emboldened by his words, the men stepped forward, their faces twisted with rage as they advanced on Ron with raised fists. Harry watched in horror as the first punch landed, sending Ron staggering backward into him.

Hitting the ground his head started to spin. He could hear people screaming and yelling. He could feel himself being picked up and dragged and slammed back on the floor. And it was this pain that pulled Harry out of his stupor.

" Stop! STOP IT! Don't you realize what you're doing?" Harry cried out, struggling to get back on his feet as another blow landed on Ron's body.

"His words fall on deaf ears as the men continue their assault, landing blow after blow on Ron. He staggers backward, trying to fend off the relentless attacks, but their sheer numbers overwhelm him. Kicks and punches rain down on him until he collapses, bloodied and battered, on the unforgiving pavement."

Then a tall teen walked into the restaurant. He had short black hair in a neat style. He seemed the clear picture perfect of normality except one thing: his eyes were a scarlet red. The boy seemed to stare directly at them, a faint smile playing across his lips as he slowly approached the group.

"Gentlemen," his voice was low and commanding, cutting through the din of the crowd like a knife. "I believe you've done enough."

The men turned towards the newcomer, their eyes flashing with contempt as they took in his appearance. With a wave of his hand the man who had slammed Harry down head blew up like a balloon. Harry's mouth just opened; he just died instantly, not even a single warning. One second he was alive the next moment his body laid on the floor right next to harry.

Ron's mind went blank at the sight. It was like an explosion. His vision blurred, his ears ringing, as he struggled to comprehend what had just happened. He turned to look at the man, his eyes wide with shock and fear.

"Who are you?" he asked breathlessly, his heart racing wildly in his chest.

"Tut tut ron i can't believe you already forgot me".

Ron looked up at him with horror dawning on his face. He slowly started to crawl away from him, only stopping when his back hit the wall.

"It's you... the man who killed my family. Are you after me now? Ready to finish the job?"