"Get up, you freak! You were supposed to have breakfast ready 5 minutes ago!" Aunt Petunia yelled, banging on the door to his small bedroom. Harry silently groaned. This would definitely get him a beating. He sat up, wincing from the pain from his ribs, and shoved his glasses on. Then he got up and walked in the kitchen.
"You boy! Think you could just sleep in today, huh? No food for a week!" Uncle Vernon yelled, his face a dark shade of red. Dudley snickered in the corner.
Harry got to work making the bacon and waffles. He just needed to get through a few more days, and then he will be going to the Weasley's to spend the last couple of days before heading back to Hogwarts for his 6th year. Harry set the plates on the table and tried to sneak away to the bedroom before Uncle Vernon could finish his food and continue his hobby of beating Harry for things, he had little control over.
Bills were expensive? Apparently, Harry used to much water will getting a shower. An owl came by with a letter? Unacceptable. They ran out of bacon? Harry didn't tell them that they were running low. It was never ending.
He was almost out the door when Uncle Vernon yelled.
"What do you think your doing boy? Get back here, you have chores to do."
Harry reluctantly walked back into the kitchen.
"I want you to mow the lawn and have the entire house clean by this evening. I don't want a speck of dirt to be seen. Everything has to be perfect for Dudley's birthday tomorrow." Uncle Vernon said.
"Yes, sir," Harry said. As Harry walked by to go outside, Uncle Vernon stood up and grabbed him by the arm. He punched Harry in the face and threw him up against the wall. When Harry slid to the floor, Vernon gave him a kick for good measure. Harry didn't make a sound, he knew if he did, he would be punished even worse.
"That's for the late breakfast."
Harry hauled himself up, his ribs flaring up in pain. Then he turned and walked out the door, starting the chores for the day.
***
Harry waited until everyone was asleep before creeping his way to the cupboard, he lived in only 5 years ago. He picked at the lock with a hairpin he had found on the ground near Aunt Petunia's bedroom. He worked at it until he heard a soft click, and the door swung open. He grabbed his charms book, some parchment, and a quill. He still needed to finish the 3-foot-long essay that was due when they returned.
He started to sneak silently back to his room when he tripped on the stair and his charms book fell with a loud Bang to the ground. Harry stood, frozen, as he heard footsteps come from Uncle Vernon's bedroom. Harry snapped out of it, picked up his Charms book, and rushed up the stairs. If only he could get there before Uncle Vernon saw him out of bed. He was just a few feet away from his bedroom door when Uncle Vernon came bursting down the hallway. When he saw Harry, an evil glint appeared in his eyes and he grabbed Harry by the shirt.
"Trying to fool me, huh? Thought you could do magic while we were asleep? I think you need to learn a lesson."
Uncle Vernon dragged Harry into his room and shoved him to the floor. He left and then returned with a belt. All Harry felt was the leather digging into his back. Over and over. Harry had to bite his lip to the point where it was bleeding, because if he cried out it would make everything so much worse. When Uncle Vernon seemed satisfied, he went to kicking Harry instead. He stopped when Harry heard a loud crack and he doubled over in pain, Harry curled up into a ball. How was he going to explain this to the Weasleys? They couldn't know. Uncle Vernon left, and Harry laid on the ground, barely breathing and in excruciating pain. Harry watched as the blood collected around him and he fell into a state of unconsciousness.
Harry woke the next day unable to move.
The Weasleys are picking me up tomorrow, I have to do something. They can't know. Harry thought.
He laid there for a minute, thinking when an idea came to mind.
A glamour! That's it.
Harry knew it was possible to conjure a glamour without the use of his wand, so he would not get expelled for using magic outside of school. Harry concentrated until the bruises on his torso and back slowly started to fade away. He made it look like he weighed a bit more. When Harry was satisfied, he stopped. Holding the glamour until the wounds were healed might take a lot of strength, but he needed to push through it. He let the glamour disappearing, saving his strength until the Weasley's came.
Uncle Vernon entered the room and stared in disgust at the pool of blood that surrounded Harry.
"Clean that up boy, NOW!"
Harry pulled himself up with a groan. Then he grabbed a towel and slowly cleaned up to mess. Harry wondered what everyone would do if they knew he was abused.
What if they already know? Harry pushed the thought away, not wanting it to be true.
Harry looked at the paper with all of the chores he had to complete for the day. He sighed at the never-ending list. It was going to be a long day.
