The Lupine Path
Prologue
Harry felt his heart lift slightly as his only friend at 4 Privet Drive; Hedwig soared in through the open window. To his great relief she looked to be carrying the food parcels he had written away for three days ago.
Over the past two weeks Vernon had constantly been beating and starving the young wizard. Harry felt ashamed even admitting he had asked for the slightest bit of help as he felt he should be able to stand up to Vernon him self.
Feeling disgusted with him self Harry surveyed his latest scars. The worst was a deep slash running from his shoulder, diagonally across his chest.
The front door slammed open, snapping Harry out of his thoughts. Moving as rapidly as his weakened state would allow, Harry relieved Hedwig of her parcel and made sure she left instantly. The only reason Vernon hadn't done away with her was because he didn't want any of Harry's freakish friends showing up unannounced and seeing the state he was in.
The door to Harry's room (if one would call the stained white walls and single mattress a room) flung open and Harry's uncle stormed open looking more furious then he had in days. Before the teenager had a chance to scramble back Vernon's ham sized fist slammed into Harry's nose, "This is all your fault, boy," he snarled, shoving his face up close to Harry's.
"What's all my fault," Harry asked, trying to keep his cool without wrinkling his nose. Vernon's breath stunk of alcohol.
If possible Vernon's huge face went even redder, "Don't play dumb with me boy. You know very well you made my company go bankrupt."
Harry locked his cat-green eyes into Vernon's light blue and said, without the faintest tremor, "Your crazy. I haven't been allowed to leave the house since I got here."
"If you don't like the way I run this family you can get out of my house."
"Gladly", said Harry coldly, "you take my things out and I'd love to leave."
Vernon twisted the boy's arm behind his back and marched him downstairs with the same amount of sympathy he would have shown a stray flea-infested cat.
When Vernon reached the cupboard under the stairs he had to struggle to get his sausage-like fingers around the key and get it in to the lock. Once he succeeded he unceremoniously shoved Harry's trunk into his chest, and pushed him out the door. As he slammed it he called, "And don't you ever darken my doorstep again boy."