Harry was used to it by now. The ache he felt both physical and emotional, especially here, in this cramped, dark, and all too familiar room. Knees pulled to his chest so his fifteen year old body could fit, ignoring the vibrating pain blooming from his chest and back spreading like vines of a flower. He vaguely remembers the last meal he ate...it was burnt...and wasn't enough to be a meal...but it's probably all his body could consume at this point. If it wasn't for his baggy clothes one would be able to tell he was starved.
He wasn't just in pain, he was angry, and conflicted. He, after having to watch a classmate die and then being tortured by said killer, was carted a few days later to his loving home. With absolutely no word of any sort on what was going on. So here he was after another punishment, curled on a cot, in a small and dark cupboard for having failed to finish mowing before the whale returned from wherever he went.
He was angry for a few reasons. With the headmaster for having no tact when it came to what had happened and just announcing to...practically all of Britain...well by now he's probably has or has tried. Then he was angry with diggory's father who outright blamed him and tried having him arrested. But what really angered him, and was part of his conflicting thoughts, was how no one in the hospital wing came to his defense except for Snape. Who was able to make a convincing case based on his age and grades proving that he was a mediocre wizard or maybe worse. He was surprised, grateful, irrirritated, and embarrassed by the man.Then lastly how his best friends had both in their special ways berated him but to onlookers it looked like two friends who were just worried and frustrated with what happened.
As Harry's mind falters into darkness miles away an old goat just smiled peacefully at a few of his magical instruments. One may ask, what was so important about them? Well, they all monitored one particular person on different areas, and the particular one he was happy with, monitors Harry Potters health. Currently it told the man that he was starved, and starting to fight off the beginning of an infection. Two weeks until Hogwarts opened, and the brat was finally in need of saving and was probably submissive for once, ready to be commanded. Witb that in mind he summons a few of his devoted followers and sent them to the brat.
As Harry wakes up he's dragged out of the cupboard, but instead of the usual straight to work, he's dragged upstairs. Which causes his heart to leap into his throat, and he can feel one of his panic attacks wanting to take control while his uncle bruises his arm even more. After he's thrown into the smallest room, he looks at his uncle blankly, while said man looked at him in digust, and hatred.
"You're lucky boy! You'll be staying up here until we get back but mark my words," here he menacingly steps towards harry, both hands clutching his already buckled belt, "you do anything! Anything freaky and you will regret it! Do I make myself clear freak?"
In a meak and monotone voice Harry says, "Yes, Uncle Vernon."
His uncle stays there glaring for what felt like hours before he left locking the door. After that he heard the normal hustle and bustle from from the Dursleys before four car doors slammed shut and a car roared to life. Once they were gone it was lkke a spell was undone and he could finally breathe. Standing up he looks around and finds his trunk at the foot of his bed still locked and Hedwig's empty cage.
He should've known something was up when his uncle didn't immediately take his stuff and lock them in the cupboard. However the nice thing is he'll jave something to occupy himself with, but he does miss Hedwig. Although he may miss her it was for the best, if his uncle had his way, he would've been forced to watch as he killed her. Going to his trunk he opens it to find, surprisingly, everything intact and untouched. Including his wand, which he grabs immediately and pockets. Looking around he's anle to find two potions he nicked from the hospital wing.
A pain relief potion and nutritional potion, after downing them quickly he sighs in relief. The aches have faded away and now he can move around better. Going to his bedroom door he tries it and finds it wasn't a hoax when he heard clicks of several locks. Desperately wishing to get out while collapsing onto his bed, he hears several clicks making him jump up, and then look at the window in fear. He waited with baited breath but when he was certain no one was coming he immediately went to the bathroom.
While in the bathroom he takes notice of his appearance and remembers how long it's been since an actual shower. Going to his trunk he grabs a change of clothes and goes to shower. Once actually cleaned up he brushes teeth andand then settles on his bed. In his opinion that was all worth whatever punishment he gets. He realizes thah he could go and eat but quickly stomps on that idea. After third year he quickly learned from his punishments about food, they by far, were terrifying and the most painful.
As he lay there brooding he hears a crush from downstairs, and quickly sits up. Listening he can hear whispering and movement. It wasn't the Dursleys. Standing up he taps a specific corner of his trunk shrinking it, and puts it his pocket while keeping an eye on the door. With his wand pointed he watches as his doors opened and standing there were Mad-eye, Lupin, and Mr.Weasley. Followed by two witches and a wizard he didn't recognize. When Remus steps forward he steps back causing them tk frown, and stop any advancement.
Without lowering his wand he asks Lupin, "What creature sat in the corner the first time I visited Remus Lupin's office in Hogwarts?"
Everyone was deathly quiet watching the two of them.
Quietly Lupin replies, "A Grindylow."
Harry then turns his attention to Mr. Weasley, and asks about the first time they meet eachother. Getting a satisfying answer he then turns toto Mad-eye and ask, "And you, when did we first see eachother?"
gruffly Mad-eye answers, "when Albus Dumbledore found me in my own trunk! Now lets get a move on!"
When Mad-eye made to leave Harry calls out, "wait!" Halting everyone.
Mad-eye looks back at him, he flicks his eye to the three newcomers, "How do I know I can trust them?"
Mad-eye barks a laugh, and then not so surprisingly shouts "CONSTANT VIGILANCE!!" causing everyone to flinch but him.
Harry just accepts it and follows behind, retrieving his broom from the cramped cupboard. He was surprised when his uncle didn't destroy it but then he was upset when the fat whale gleefully said, "it'd make a fine broom to sweep with."
Following the others outside, they mount their brooms, after Harry's briefed on what was going on. He passively follows them ignoring the girl with pink-bubblegum hair. Soon they land, and it's dark out, across from a brick building. From the parks gate, Mad-eye hands him a paper and says, "read it, memorize it." After doing so he looks up and watches as the building slides aside adding another addition to it Grimuald 12.
Following the others he enters and before he can do a thing, he's being crushed and suffocated by bushy hair. Followed by a slap on the back, making him bite down a wince, and then greeted by Molly in her usual fashion like Hermoine.
"Harry dear! Just in time for supper-"
he cuts her off and politely says, "Sorry Mrs.weasley but I've already eaten, and I'm just tired."
"Are you sure, dear? You look to thin." She replies with concern.
But looking in her eyes he didn't feel like dhe was sincere, thinking to himself if your so worried where were you when the whale was hurting me.
Smiling he nods, and before she can do anything a strong and familiar voice calls his name from behind. Moving aside, he sees Sirius. Who wasn't looking like a wanted man anymore, smiling a little wider and walks up to his godfather and hugs him. Wrapping an arm around his shoulder, Sirius tells Molly he'll show Harry to his room. If Harry had looked back he would've seen her red in the face, and glaring at her son and him not sharing.
