HP: The Magical Gamer [Chapter 41: Understimate!] (Patreon)

"Bold of you to assume that I will need your help. Still, thank you." Henry smiled back genuinely. Harry just rolled his eyes at the younger boy.

They were too different even when their names matched. Where he was humble and shy, Henry was arrogant and brash.

Even their faces had only a few similarities. And he definitely remembered he wasn't so tall or cute when he himself was 11 years old. It was a little annoying. The differences between them.

The different lives they led. He constantly had to suppress his envy at the thought of Henry having a family while he didn't.

Although that didn't weaken the strange bond between them. Nothing could. In a way, Henry was Harry's only blood family other than his aunt, even if he was from another world. 

That way, he could be considered his little brother. And while Harry hadn't missed the sarcasm when Henry called him brother, it still made his heart flutter in joy.

Family was all that he ever wanted. And now he had one. Harry would cherish Henry for the short time he was here.

A wayward Harry Potter jumping into his world from a parallel world and getting sorted into Slytherin. Miracles did happen. He was thankful for that. It was needed in these tense times. 

And he wasn't arrogant enough to think he and his friends could have escaped the Ministry without the help of Henry's sudden appearance. 

He knew in his heart that Henry had saved him from losing people, he had saved him from mourning someone's death. Harry would forever be grateful for that.

Now only if another miracle happened and Voldemort could go off himself. Harry's life would become a lot easier and manageable. It would be too convenient and anticlimactic but he wouldn't complain. 

He longed for a year at Hogwarts where he wasn't put in fatal situations. He longed to be free from the clutches of fate.

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Henry was with Daphne and Tracey as they strolled through the corridors in the evening. Their classes had ended and it was still an hour and half before the dinner. 

Instead of sitting in the unfriendly atmosphere of their common room, the three had elected to roam in the castle.

Only if it was a carefree, aimless stroll. He wouldn't have minded just walking besides his pretty friends. It would have been enjoyable if nothing else. Alas, it was not.

"Any reason why we are walking through an isolated section of the castle?" Henry asked warily. Daphne and Tracey were on his right side, whispering amongst themselves.

"Yes. I am giving a convenient opportunity to Draxin's friends to ambush us. This way we will be ready and meet them at our own convenience. I know they will try for revenge after last night. 

I have sent their friend to the infirmary for weeks after all. They are easy to predict like that. It's better they do that now instead of sometime later when we can be caught with our knickers down." Daphne smirked confidently. Henry shot her a dirty look. He was surprised that Tracey didn't scold her for the crude edited phrase.

"What if they come in large numbers? Will you two be able to handle them?" Henry queried in an askance manner. 

His mood was worsening. Daphne just chuckled at his question. Usually, he would find her laugh melodic and pleasing but right now it only got on his nerves.

"Don't underestimate us, Mr. Green. Tracey and I together can take care of half a dozen brats without breaking a sweat."

"What if they number a dozen or more? What will you do then?" He scrunched his face in annoyance. He chanced a look at Tracey who was pale and shaking. She smiled at him nervously when she felt his gaze on her. This was crazy. This was stupid.

"Did you even ask if Tracey wanted to be a part of this? You can't just drag her here dammit! What if something happens to her? Will you be able to live with yourself after that?" Henry stifled an urge to scream. 

He could take care of himself. He could even take care of his new friends, but Daphne's action reminded him uncomfortably of the night where he led his sister to her death. He had been supremely confident in his supremacy then, just like Daphne was now.

"Calm down, Henry. You are making a big deal out of this. There will hardly be 3-4 boys. Draxin doesn't have many friends. And yes, I asked Tracey, she came by her own choice. Don't you understand, we care about you. If we don't do anything now, something will happen to you. I can't let that come to pass. We have to scare them thoroughly so they don't try anything. We have fuck them before they fuck us." Daphne hissed angrily.

Henry's face softened slightly. Daphne too was nervous. He could see that now. She wasn't doing this for fun. She wanted to protect him. How could he reveal that he didn't need any protection? 

How could he tell her that he was never in danger? At least not from these school kids? Instead of thinking more about his dilemma, he grabbed her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Why? Why are you trying so hard to protect me? I don't want to be rude but we only know each other for what? A single day? We only met yesterday on the train. It doesn't make any sense." His voice was full of confusion as he stared at her.

The trio had stopped in the middle of the corridor.

Daphne worked her mouth, looking at him, thinking of what to say. Tracey was quiet, looking around them, keeping an eye out for trouble.