HP: The Magical Gamer [Chapter 138: Salt on Wound! ] (Patreon)

Lily stiffened as she received his mild glare. How she wished she could go back and not ask this question. 

She would have given anything to revert back to the earlier innocent awkward moment where she could tease him about his blunder instead of feeling like a disappointment.

"I did. Remus, Sirius, Alice and Proserpina knew too. I showed them the letter." She confessed, making his eyes widen in horror.

"Why? Why would you do that? Don't you know that my involvement is meant to be kept hidden?" He asked, aghast.

"They don't know about you. I lied and made it look like Voldemort was interested in you by himself without any provocation. They don't know about your special powers."

"That was still a stupid move, mum. Now, Dumbledore will keep an eye on me. He will be suspicious about me, he will think that I must be different somehow for the Dark Lord himself to get interested in me. You just kicked me right into the spotlight. What happens if he connects the dots and realises that the 12 year old prodigal student is also the serial killer child Red Grim?" Harry grumbled, rubbing his forehead.

Lily herself was taken aback, apparently not having thought that far. "I just wanted to help you. I thought your fight would be easier if the veteran fighters themselves faced the Dark Lord. I didn't want you to fight him all alone. I didn't want you to fight him at all. I wasn't prepared to risk you. But it seems it was all futile since Voldemort never showed up. I am sorry for being a bother."

Seeing the defeated and self-deprecating look in her eyes, Harry's heart ached and went out for her. He sighed, getting up onto the bed and sitting in front of her cross-legged.

"Voldemort came though."

Her head snapped at him. "How? Dumbledore would have notified me."

"Voldemort apparated directly into the Chamber of Secrets which is so far down that even Hogwarts' wards don't reach there. But don't worry, I will raise a ward around the chamber to prevent future security risks." Harry informed her solemnly.

She instantly was onto him, kneeling before him and fussing over him, checking if he was alright.

"I am absolutely fine, mum. Not a single scratch. I kicked his arse and destroyed his vessel in mere minutes." He reassured her, grabbing her hands and squeezing them.

After that, he quickly gave her a brief summary about his confrontation with the Dark Lord.

"I am strong, mum. I really don't need your help in this."

That was apparently the wrong thing to say.

She slumped down on her knees, resting her chin atop his shoulder and holding him in her arms. 

"I know, Harry. Believe me, I know that. It feels so bad being a redundant figure in the family."

"What are you talking about? You are not redundant." Harry quickly said, pulling back and shooting her an incredulous look.

"Fine. Tell me one thing you need me for. You and Iris are so capable and independent that you don't even need me anymore." Lily smiled mirthlessly, running her fingers through his hair.

"You really are stupid, mum." Harry groaned, not thrilled about getting the responsibility of cheering up his depressed mum.

"You are cruelly rubbing salt on the wounds now."

"We still need you. Iris and I will keep needing you. And even after decades when we are grown up, we still will keep wanting you. It's not about need, it's about want. I want you in my life forever. How hard is it to believe that?" Harry responded, rolling his eyes at the stupid situation. How had he ended up in a position where he needed to give a pep talk to his mum?

"Then why don't you let me accompany you on your quests? Why are you not helping me to grow powerful like you did with Iris?"

"Isn't it obvious? Because I don't want you on the battlefield. Haven't you had enough fighting after the last war? I thought I would let you retire and enjoy your peace since you must hate all the killing and murdering. Also, because you are my only trump card. If somehow something happens to me, only you have the power to bring me back." Harry explained patiently, holding her hands in his and giving her an earnest look.

Lily couldn't find any holes in his logic and didn't feel as if he was sugarcoating it to make her feel better.

"I see. I am sorry for involving others without consulting you. I hope it won't cause any major problems." She smiled sheepishly, cupping his face and placing a kiss on his head, feeling a lot better. And also like a moron, in hindsight.

"It's fine. We will just need to be more careful. And now I can also probably use this to my advantage. I have realised that I am depending too much on my system skills and ignoring my hereditary magic. I would like to seriously get trained in fighting during the summer vacation. Do you think Uncle Remus, Padfoot, Aunt Alice and Aunt Proserpina will accept my request to get tutored by them?"

Lily immediately piped up. "They will do that or they will face my ire. It is a smart decision. Sirius is great with curses. Proserpina is a master in elemental magic. Alice was only a step below your father in her skills with transfiguration. And Remus is versatile, being a jack of all trades. You will learn many things from them."

"Right. I also wouldn't say no to getting daily practice with you. I have heard rumours about Crimson Witch from the older students. I would like to see it for myself." Harry added thoughtfully.

She offered him a loving smile. "Done. Anything else?"

"Nope."

"Are you going then?" She questioned reluctantly, wanting him to remain a little longer.

"I have a couple of hours if you want me to stay." offered Harry.

Lily's eyes glowed happily and she pulled him into her arms, taking him with her as they fell back on the bed.

"Good. Now let's sleep."