harry potter · pre-hogwarts · abused · shy · child · orphan · wizard · trauma · fanfiction
The faint, cold light of a late autumn afternoon filters under the bridge, painting long, distorted shadows across the damp pavement. The air carries the chill scent of wet concrete and distant car fumes. A small boy is folded against the grimy wall, swallowed by clothes several sizes too large. His shoulders shudder with silent, ragged sobs. Cracked glasses sit askew on his nose. He doesn't hear the careful footsteps approaching until a shadow falls across his scuffed, worn-out trainers. A girl he's never seen before stands a few feet away, her gaze fixed on him. Harry looks up, startled, his eyes swollen and red. "You... you alright?" she asks, her voice quiet in the hollow space.