Back at Hogwarts, Harry, confined to the temporary wing at Hogwarts, was growing restless. The past few days had been horrible for Harry. Being constantly under watch by adults at all times, Harry could not find any way to sneak out of the room and roam around Hogwarts Castle.
Hogwarts was something that had fascinated his dreams in his past life and being inside it and not exploring it was a kind of torture. But there was nothing he could do since he was still a child and the adults never allowed him out of their sight.
Another problem he had was constantly maintaining his childlike demeanor in front of the adults. Around his parents, Sirius, and other adults, Harry had to constantly remind himself to act his physical age, suppressing the maturity and knowledge that came from his past life.
He did not want them to suspect anything and since he was under their sights at every waking moment, he had to act all the time. This continuous charade was wearing him thin. He longed for the privacy of a new home, where he could drop the facade and be himself, at least in solitude.
Today was a surprisingly free time for him since most of the adults had gone to Gringotts for the will reading. Madam Pomfrey was busy with some things and did not pay much attention to him so he could do anything he wanted to just without leaving the room.
This was much better than the past few days but still not ideal. The pristine white sheets, the antiseptic smell, and the constant hum of Madam Pomfrey's footsteps were beginning to grate on his nerves. He tried to sneak out once, but the matronly healer caught him in the act, her eyes sharp and reproving.
"Mr. Potter," she scolded, "I've looked after more children than you can count, and believe me, none of their antics ever got past me. You'll stay put until I say otherwise."
Harry tried to sneak out a few more times, taking it as a personal challenge against Madam Pomfrey's watchful eyes. But each attempt was thwarted, and with a mix of frustration and amusement, he finally gave up.
Resigned to his fate, Harry turned his attention to Charles, who lay beside him, looking at his older brother and the matron in blissful ignorance. Charles, over a year old, was at that delightful age where he could babble a few legible words and toddle around, making him an engaging and somewhat entertaining companion for Harry.
As Harry engaged in playful antics with Charles, his fingers inadvertently brushed against the distinct, wand-shaped scar on Charles's forehead. The scar's design strikingly resembled Dumbledore's Elder Wand, a detail that piqued Harry's curiosity and intrigue. The scar, rather than fading away, had remained prominent on Charles's forehead, defying the typical healing patterns known in the wizarding world.
Harry knew that in the realm of magic, scars from mundane accidents usually healed quickly, vanishing under the skilled hands of a healer. But this scar, borne from falling debris that night and not from the killing curse, seemed to mysteriously defy conventional magical healing. Harry could not help but wonder why since he knew for sure that the scar did not house a part of Voldemort's soul and was just a normal injury.
Letting his thoughts wander, Harry realized that the scar if not healed was going to become a symbol of Charles's miraculous survival like Harry's lightning bolt scar in the canon.
Despite Harry's efforts to shift the narrative towards their grandmother's heroics in protecting Charles, he understood that his younger brother was fated for fame. The boy's survival of the Killing Curse would forever label him as 'The Boy Who Lived,' marking him as a figure of immense interest and curiosity in the wizarding world.
Harry pondered the implications of such fame. Would it act as a shield, protecting Charles from the remnants of the Death Eaters, given that their master had been defeated by their grandmother? Or, conversely, would it make Charles an even more prominent target for those who sought to revive or avenge the fallen dark forces?
With their parents alive and playing an active role in their lives, Charles's exposure to the public was inevitable. His frequent appearances would undoubtedly fuel his burgeoning celebrity status. Harry could almost visualize the fan clubs and adulation that would form around his younger brother.
However, Harry harbored a hope – with their parents' guidance and influence, perhaps they could prevent the proliferation of sensationalized 'Boy-Who-Lived' stories and merchandise.
The idea of Charles being turned into a fictional character for profit, his true nature overshadowed by exaggerated tales and commercial exploitation, was something Harry desperately wished to avoid. He feared such fame could transform Charles into a narcissistic, spoiled child, lost in the illusions of grandeur.
Harry, for his part, had never sought the limelight. In his past life, he had preferred a more secluded existence, content in his own social circle, away from the prying eyes of the world. The idea of being thrust into the center of attention was overwhelming, almost suffocating. Yet, with the unfolding events and the looming fame of his brother, Harry realized that a quiet, unobtrusive life might no longer be an option for him.
As Harry continued to play with Charles, a part of him worried about the potential complications Charles's fame might bring into his own life. Their familial resemblance might grow more pronounced with age, possibly leading to confusion or mistaken identity. Harry could foresee situations where he resembling Charles, might be recognized as 'The Boy Who Lived,' attracting unwanted attention and possibly endangering his life.
Navigating the path ahead, fraught with the complexities of fame and destiny, Harry resolved to protect both himself and his brother. He was determined to shoulder the burdens and trials that lay ahead, ensuring that Charles could experience a normal childhood, free from the trappings of narcissism and unwarranted adoration.
Harry's protective instincts were firmly in place, ready to face whatever the future might hold, to safeguard the innocence and well-being of his younger brother, Charles. He just hoped nothing unexpected happened that would completely alter his plans and beliefs.