Chapter Text
Harry sat there, head in his hands as he let out a sigh of frustration. He had been struggling with his maths homework for weeks. And not even just the homework, in the class as well. He hated maths, he just didn’t get it. It didn’t click and he couldn’t be bothered anymore. He dropped his pencil down on the page of messy formulas and with a quick hand action, he swiped his calculator across his desk until it crashed onto the floor breaking the silence in the room.
“Harry, come on,” he heard his mum reprimand from across the other side of the room. “There’s no need to act like that”. Anne started walking across from the other side of the kitchen. As she got close to Harry, she knelt down and picked up the calculator from the floor. She placed it back down on Harry’s desk, giving Harry a firm look.
Harry sighed again, “I hate this,” he mumbled. “Like, come on, when am I ever going to need to know this crap in real life. It’s so stupid and pointless”.
Anne’s face softened, “Darling I know, but you need to pass maths to get into university.” She tried to reason, “Just concentrate for these next few weeks until your exam and then you’ll not have to look at it again”.
Harry slowly looked up from his papers, making eye contact with his mum, “That’s if I even pass”, he huffed. “Honestly I’m done with this shit and I don’t even care.”
Anne’s face went stern, “Harry, enough.” She warned, “Watch your language, and your attitude please.”
Harry looked back down at his papers again, “I know” he sighed. “Sorry mum, I’m just frustrated” he mumbled quietly.
Anne put her hand on the back of Harry’s head, slowly brushing her fingers through his hair like she did when he was a kid.
“It’s only a couple of weeks to go, Harry”, she tried to comfort him. “How about we get you a tutor?”
Harry’s head shot up quickly this time. “A tutor!?” He whined, “No not again, that was so pointless last time. It made it worse!”he complained.
Anne furrowed her brows slightly, “It wasn’t really a question Harry,” she warned gently.
Harry huffed again, sinking his face into his crossed arms on the table, “This is such a waste of time..” he mumbled into his arms.
Anne ran her fingers back through Harry’s hair again, “Harry, we will get you a different tutor. A good tutor. Someone who is going to help you to understand how to do these”, Anne explained as she pointed to the formulas scribbled out on the piece of paper.
Harry moved his head slightly to the side, glancing one eye up at his mum, almost trying to plead with her.
Anne sighed, looking back at him, “Harry, I’ve decided, you’re getting a tutor for these last few weeks.” She spoke firmly.
Harry groaned, “Fiiiiinnnee…” he whined as he sat himself up properly in his chair, pushing the chair back from the table allowing himself to stand up.
“But if they’re anything like the last one it will only be one lesson.” He said, trying to gain some control of the situation.
Anne just smiled and patted him on the small of his back. “Right Harry,” she started, “I think it’s time you went to bed. It’s almost 11pm and you’re up early tomorrow”.
Harry sighed, “Yeah, I guess”, he agreed. “My head hurts too”, he complained.
Anne continued to smile, “Nothing a little rest won’t help. Now up you go.” She said, gesturing to the stairs.
Harry went to make his way up, but before he could, he felt a soft grab on his arm as Anne pulled him in for a hug. He felt himself soften as his mum held him in a tight embrace.
“Don’t worry sweetheart, it will all be fine,” she encouraged him.
Harry gently pulled away and looked up towards Anne, “I know. Thanks mum”, he said quietly as he slowly turned and made his way towards the stairs.
He wasn’t looking forward to the next few weeks, but as always, he knew his mum was right.