HP: The Magical Gamer [Chapter 42: Bonus!] (Patreon)

"You remind me of someone who needed help. Fortunately, that person had a good friend who aided her in the bleak times. I want to be that friend to you. I want to help you in your time of need since you are all alone here at Hogwarts. Is this feeling that strange or hard to understand? I like you, Henry.”

“I like you very much. Isn't that enough reason to keep you safe and happy? You don't need years to become someone's friend. It's just a connection that you need, not time, to create a bond. Like it or not, I am your friend now. We already have a deep bond."

She expounded thoughtfully, a mystic smile playing on her lips. He didn't miss the small smile on Tracey's face.

"Fine! But I reserve the right to say 'told you so' if this goes tits up." Henry pouted and looked away, not wanting them to see the blush on his cheeks or the dampness in his eyes.

Tracey smacked him lightly on the head for using 'tits up' while Daphne giggled proudly for corrupting him.

He understood the meaning of her words, he realised how much she cared for him. It was gratifying if a little odd.

So gratifying. It also wasn't rocket science to conclude that she had talked about herself and Tracey in this story. He guessed why there was a strong bond between the two girls.

Their connection had survived grief and tragedy, making it far stronger than before. They not only loved one another, but were totally dependent on each other in their time of weakness.

They were each other's immovable rock. A constant in a tumbling waterfall.

"I am hearing footsteps from both sides of the hallway." Tracey warned suddenly, breaking him out of his reverie. He stiffened and prepared himself.

Their eyes widened when they were quickly surrounded by twenty students, ten on either side. There was no space to escape.

All the members of the group wore white masks and black cloaks.

Henry let out a long sigh. It seems his time of respite was over. His time for joy was gone. He looked at the terrified faces of the two girls. His friends had bitten off more than they could chew, all because they wanted to protect him.

"Why are there so many?" Daphne murmured unbelievingly, her fingers tightly curled around her wand though she didn't point it at anyone. It was hard choosing a single target among so many.

"I told you so." Henry chuckled mirthlessly.

"Not the right time, Henry. Yes! Turn into a cat and escape. Ask the Professors for help. Go away, save yourself." Daphne whispered helplessly.

Henry blandly looked at her. She was absolutely wrong in the head if she believed he would do that, if he would abandon her after her sweet confession.

Before he could retort, a single boy stepped forward from the left side. Tracey remained alert, facing the right side while Henry and Daphne turned around to face the boy.

"Hand the boy over, Miss Greengrass. We are going to take him to our Lord. He will decide if the boy has any worth or not. And we aren't in the mood to play your games like last night. Either give him to us or die by his side. I don't think it will be nice for your parents to see their remaining daughter die." His muffled voice rang through the corridor.

Henry frowned at the realisation. Where was Astoria in this world? He hadn't seen or heard of her since he came into this world. He dearly hoped that she wasn't dead or something.

Even though he didn't know the Astoria of this world, the thought of her being dead made him all queasy and anxious.

"I don't understand, Nott. Yes, Nott. I can identify you. You smell like shite even from afar and under a robe and mask. Why are you so set on taking him away though? If you have this much following, why don't you just kidnap Harry Potter instead of him?... Ah, I see.

"You are bloody cowards. You are choosing the easier target, you are scums who want to be proud, who want to gloat for leading an 11 year old kid to his death. Pathetic. And you call yourself a member of an ancient family. Listen carefully, Nott, this attack will have consequences. I will burn away your family's name from history if you proceed forwards." Daphne said calmly, twirling her wand, keeping her face emotionless while her eyes shone with hatred.

Tracey behind them wasn't able to stop her trembling or keep her calm, but she at least was brave enough to not run away. He would give her that.

"You are choosing death then." Nott announced, ignoring her taunts and threats. "I will again give you a chance to rethink it. If you don't change your decision, I won't be able to stop my friends from giving you a slow humiliating death. You know what will happen to you, don't you? You will wither away as a plaything before you get the comfort of death. Same will happen to your mother and your best friend Tracey. Why are you so eager for that? Just step away, it is that easy. Just give us the boy and remain safe and untouched."

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Henry was tiredly leaning against the wall, knowing what he had to do. The earlier quest alert had seen to that.

[QUEST:

– Kill all the 20 junior Death Eaters in front of you.

REWARD:

– 5000 XP

– Two connected Bracelets ]

[Bonus Objective:

– Turn them into Undeads]

[Bonus Reward:

– Skill [Army of the Dead] ]

Instead of indifference for thinking of killing them, he felt a little guilt for what he was going to do. He knew death now.

He knew how ugly and tragic it could be. He knew that standing around him were mere children who hadn't yet matured into adults.