Chapter Text
Harry was taught, from a young age, that he was going to be the Savior of the wizarding world.
With this came expectations of how he should act to truly represent all that a savior should be.
It was because of this that Harry, from when he first set foot into Hogwarts at the meager age of eleven, learned how to smile.
When Harry found out that Grindelwald did not only want to defeat him but kill him, they said Harry should bear it with grace and a smile. Not everyone was lucky to be chosen by the prophecy. Not everyone was fortunate enough to be The Savior.
When all of the wizarding world held its breath to find out if he was as smart as his dead mother and as athletically talented as his late father, Harry was told to work as hard as he could so no one would be disappointed. And to smile. Always smile even if it was hard. Especially when it was hard.
When Harry presented as an omega at sixteen, he was expected uphold proper omega values. An omega was gentle and delicate, and always smiled.
So Harry did as he was told and never let anyone in.
Not Ron. Not Hermione. And... not even... him.
Harry has never let him see Harry sad or cry.
He was unshakable Harry Potter. Destined savior of the Wizarding World.
When he finally defeated Grindelwald, Harry finally felt like he was free.
Not from the threat of Grindelwald but from everything that was expected of him.
Bu then the ministry passes The Act of Unity .
A law that orders omegas and alphas to wed and mate to ensure that witches and wizards live on. Too many had died during the war. This was going to ensure that what they fought for would actually matter.
Harry, a fresh graduate of Hogwarts, was being ordered by the ministry to find an alpha husband to mate with to lead as an example.
Saving the world wasn’t enough for them.
Now they wanted all his life too.
Before Harry knows what he's doing, he's rushing to find... him.
He doesn't seek out Ron or Hermione though they were probably on their way to see Harry.
No, Harry finds himself wanting to see him instead.
Tom. His friend.
They haven't talked for over a year since... that day.
But Harry, despite avoiding the alpha for a long time, starts running.
It felt strangely reminiscent of when Harry was in the battlefield. Harry had just found out that Tom sided with Grindelwald.
Harry had run then. Run as fast as he could away from the alpha, feeling completely betrayed that one person he… he always believed would be on his side no matter what.
Now, he was running again. But this time, it was towards Tom.
Harry reasons to himself that even the ministry had pardoned Tom. It had been a closed hearing of all of his supposed crimes. The alpha came out without so much of a scratch. No one knew what happened in that room. Only knew that one of Grindelwald's most high ranking Death Eaters was freed from all his crimes.
Most of the Order of the Phoenix had cautioned Harry from talking to Tom again, even after he was pardoned. It wouldn't be ideal, they said. For Harry to be fraternizing with someone who was in Grindewald's inner circle.
But even the law had forgiven Tom.
That's what Harry says as he tries to find the alpha, tears he's never cried before falling off his cheeks.
For now, he will forget everything.
He needed Tom. His friend. The one person who could calm him down after intense training sessions with Dumbledore and Snape. The one person who could make him fall asleep after a nightmare.
Harry was going to forget for now.
Harry was going to be selfish for once in his life.