The Boy-Who-Lived.

Wherever I go, that's what I hear. People are whispering behind my back, satisfied with the thought that I can't hear them. That I won't judge them. Is this the kind of people I'm supposed to save? People that judge me, not for what I'm supposed to do, but for who I am?

Apparently, the Daily Prophet found out that I prefer men over women. And all of sudden, the whole wizarding world goes berserk. Their precious Boy who Lived wants to be with a man? Apparently, this is even worse than Voldemort and his evil plans. The judgment of people can sometimes be so stupid. Why should they care about who I am? I'm my own person; I get to decide what feels right for me, don't I?

But that's just it. They don't see me as a person. They see me as an object, a weapon. A weapon that will stand up for them, help them in dark times.

That's the question. Would I help them? After everything they've done to me? They sold me to the newspapers, completely disrespecting my private life. Are they worth saving? I don't think so. If they feel that way about me, then fine, they can rescue themselves. It'll be fun to see them try, since I am the only one that can defeat Voldemort. Thanks to that stupid prophesy, one of us has to kill the other. If you ask me, I just want it to be over. I'm tired. Tired of everything.

I want nothing more than to be me. To be the real Harry Potter, and not the Boy who Lived. I want to live. But obviously, I'm not supposed to. I overheard Snape and Dumbledore talk the other day, about future events that were concerning me. My eyes still sting with unshed tears as I think back to that dreadful moment.

"Don't worry, Severus. Soon, all the horcruxes are destroyed, and our world will finally have peace. It's just a matter of time. However, there's one thing I need you to do for me."

"What is it this time? Haven't I done enough? I'm sick and tired of this, Albus, about the face that you're just using me as a pawn in your wicked game."

"It's not a game, Severus, you know as well as I that this is very serious. The request I have for you is quite big, and I think that you're the right man for the job."

"What is it then?"

"I want you to kill Harry Potter."

I almost fell over in shock. Dumbledore wants me dead? But why? What have I done? I tried to remain quiet and keep listening, however I wanted nothing more than to run away and hide.

"You want me to kill the Boy who Lived? I thought that was the Dark Lord's job."

"Yes, yes, I know that Voldemort is the one destined to do it, but I've recently discovered something quite disturbing. It appears that Harry is one of his horcruxes."

This time, I actually did fall over. I was a horcrux? But how could I be? It was impossible? Snape seemed to be in the same state as me.

"A… a horcrux? This is serious things, Albus, are you absolutely certain?"

"I'm afraid so, Severus. Harry contains a piece of Voldemort's soul. I believe it happened that night when he tried to kill him, sixteen years ago. As long as Harry lives, Voldemort will."

"So you want to kill the Saviour? Don't you realize the danger in that, Albus?"

"It won't be any more danger when Voldemort is gone. Our world will finally be free from him."

"So you're willing to sacrifice the live of a mere child?"

"To achieve peace, scarifies must be made."

"And why do you want me to do it? Why not do your own dirty work?"

"It's not really that hard, Severus. And when you're done, put his body in the Forbidden Forest, or throw it in the lake. Just make it seem like an accident. No one will ever know what happened."

No one but me. By now, I almost threw up the dinner I had before. It's funny how life can change so dramatically, and so fast. In one moment, I was the Saviour of the Wizarding world. In another, I'm the dead Saviour of the Wizarding world. How could Dumbledore do this to me?

I didn't stay for to hear the rest of the conversation. I couldn't. I turned around and ran. Out of the castle, and into the forest. I didn't stop until I almost collapsed in exhaustion.

And here's where I am now. Sitting by a tree in the Forbidden Forest, crying. I feel so alone. So betrayed. What am I supposed to do know?

"Any sign of him, Severus?"

"No, Albus, we've searched through the entire castle. Potter is nowhere to be found."

Dumbledore sighed and sat down in his chair in his office. Where could the boy have gone? Had he run away? Why?

"Perhaps he overheard our little conversation?" Snape suggested. "Did you put up a silencing charm?"

"I did not, now I realize I should have. We must find him, Severus! That boy is the key to find peace. He must die!"

Snape raised an eyebrow and left the room. Albus Dumbledore was not the same man as before. The real one would never sacrifice the life of a child, even it that child was Potter. And the nerve to ask him to kill the brat! Sure, he disliked him, but not so much that he would kill him. No, Dumbledore sure had changed.

When the tears finally had stopped pouring down his cheeks, Harry got up from his place by the tree. He realized it would be dark soon, and to be in the forest after dark- not a very good idea. It was a good thing he had his invisibility cloak with him.

I wonder how far this forest goes, he thought as he started to walk, and what's on the other side. It's a pity I can't disapparate yet.

It was true. He would turn seventeen in three weeks and two days.
Okay, so I'll just have to find a hiding place, one where Dumbledore, Snape and Voldemort can't find me. Easier said than done.

"How can you eat when your best friend is missing?" Hermione said and hit Ron on the arm.

"Ow, stop it! And besides, it's not as if he'll turn up if I stop. And I don't want to starve. And Dumbledore forbid us to go look for him. He and the other teachers are doing that."

"If you were the one missing, wouldn't you want me and Harry to go and search for you?"

"Well, I, err…"

"That's what I thought. And you call yourself his friend. You should be ashamed, Ronald Weasley! If your mother were here, she'd say the same thing."

"All right, all right, I'm sorry! Besides, you know that whenever Harry disappears, he doesn't want to be found. Where do you suggest we go look?"

"Let's start with the Room of Requirement."

Harry wasn't there. Nor in any other room in the castle. Now Hermione and Ron had gone from worried to scared.

"What if something's happened to him? What if he's been kidnapped and tortured?"

"You're not helping, Hermione!" Ron said and leaned against a wall. Harry was really gone. Where are you, mate?

He had walked for hours. He was practically sleepwalking. I have to sleep. I can't go on like this for much longer. He lay down by tree, made sure that the cloak covered every last inch of him, then fell asleep.

When he woke up, it was dawn. He yawned and stretched. His body ached all over after spending the night on the forest floor. He wished he'd brought some food with him; he was starting to get hungry. Maybe I can find some berries or something. He hadn't been searching for long when he heard voices. Was it Dumbledore? Snape? It wasn't either of them, but a couple of Death Eaters. Are they looking for me, too?

"Any sign of him?" One of them asked.

"Not yet. But he has a invisibility cloak. He could be anywhere. Why, he could be right here, beside us, and we wouldn't even know!"

By now, Harry was shaking like a leaf. The Death Eater didn't know how right he had. I can't move, they'll hear me. I just have to remain completely still. Please, go away! Please, please, please!

"Come on, we won't find him here. Why would that brat hide in the big, scary forest anyway?"

You're a brat.

Harry didn't move until he couldn't see, or hear the Death Eaters anymore. He took a deep breath and leaned against a tree. That was a close one. I REALLY need to find a hiding place!

He began to walk once again, but now, he was more careful. He didn't want to alert any more Death Eaters of his location, and besides, he was too weak to fight them. He needed food.

Finally! He'd reached the end of the forest. He was now walking in a field, filled with sunflowers. He had found some berries, but it wasn't enough to still his hunger. His hope returned when he spotted a little cottage, almost hidden from sight. There was smoke from the chimney, and Harry couldn't be happier. He almost ran down to the gate, and walked up to the door. I hope that whoever lives here is nice. I could use some sympathy right now.

He knocked and took a few steps back, taking in the surroundings while he waited. He heard footsteps coming from inside and saw the door handle being pushed down. He opened his mouth and was just about to say his errand, when he saw who had opened the door.

It couldn't be.

"Harry Potter. What a surprise."

"I could say the same to you, Voldemort."