Full TITLE: Family: A Word I Never Knew (Till I Met You)
DISCLAIMER: Yes, I own Harry Potter and everything that goes with it. That's why I'm writing here i.e FANfiction.
PROLOGUE
Streamers and balloons lined the walls of 4, Privet Drive. One of it's occupants by the name of Dudley Dursley had just turned 7 years old, and his parents, Vernon and Petunia Dursley, were making sure he had a birthday to remember. Of course, considering that they made sure he had a birthday to 'remember' every year, Dudley remembered no such thing, and only expected something better every year.
"You're a big boy now, Diddy," said his mother affectionately; tousling his hair after all the guests had left.
"Then where is my car?!" he demanded, blue eyes glistening with anticipation as he expected his wishes to be immediately granted.
Vernon Dursley laughed heartily at his son's request. "In good time, son. In good time. But… for now, this car will have to do."
As Vernon went to fetch his son's latest present, (for he had anticipated this request) a young boy of the same family watched from the stairway.
He was dressed in a red, paint splattered shirt and maroon shorts that were held together tightly by an old belt. This young boy seemed to be an irritant in the otherwise picture perfect family.
His name was Harry Potter, and he too, would be turning seven years old soon. He knew this only because his teacher, Miss Perry, had asked them all to draw and write about themselves. At the time, Harry had not known his birth date, or his proper age. He had dutifully asked his aunt for help, only to be yelled at and assigned to mopping the spotless floor. However, she did yell his age, birth date and even the name of his parents. It had been worth it.
A loud horn was sounded, followed by an excited yell. Harry was startled to see a large tank, the ones they used in the war movies Uncle Vernon liked to watch. It was an upgrade from Dudley's last year's red bicycle, which now lay bent in the back. The tank was an army green, and was on the precipice of the front door. All the three Dursleys were now outside the house, admiring it.
Not for the first time that day, Harry felt a familiar pang. In a month, it would be his birthday, but Harry was intelligent enough to know not to expect any such extravagance. Harry was also intelligent enough to know not to expect even an acknowledgement.
Sounds of a motor being revved up echoed through the hallway, and then the tank began to move away from the doorway and into the yard. With a sigh, Harry moved towards the hall, where remnants of a party he had not been invited to were clear. Seeing the food left lying around made Harry hungry. As he dutifully put the paper cups and plates into a big waste bag, his eyes caught on a small paper plate in the corner. On it was a piece of Dudley's birthday cake, hardly untouched.
He took it carefully, cut the fork through its fudge-like tenderness, and spooned himself a mouth. It was the best thing he had ever tasted. Harry had never really eaten a proper cake like this one, and before he knew it, he was down to the last two forkfuls.
"Just WHAT do you think you're doing, boy?!" said Uncle Vernon suddenly.
Harry froze, caught in the act. "It…it...no one wanted it, sir."
"How dare you! Like a thief, stealing food! People will think we don't feed you! You greedy, ungrateful boy!"
" Vernon, whatever is the matter?" came Aunt Petunia's hushed voice, closing the door behind her. "The neighbors will hear."
"Sorry, Petunia. But this ungrateful—"
"I was only trying to not waste food," cut in Harry, who by now had stuffed the plate into the waste bag.
"Don't you dare be cheeky with me, boy! Get to your room!"
Harry set down the waste paper bag and silently entered his room. He knew the worse was still to come, when they would spank him and make him do more chores.
He wanted his friend, Spider. There were many spiders in his room, but Spider was the best of them all. Spider had a small white line around his back, and was slightly bigger than the rest of them.
He was sorry about Uncle Vernon, he really was. And Aunt Petunia had always praised Dudley on never wasting food. And Harry had been really hungry. So why did they get so angry with him?
The thing was, they were always angry at him.
A/N: Please take several moment to review. We don't get paid, after all XD (Weekly Updates).