A small boy no older than five woke up from the shouts coming from the living room. Harry Potter, or 'boy' as his uncle liked to call him, poked his head out his cupboard. He hadn't heard anyone open the door. But his uncle was definitely yelling at someone.
"No you can not see the boy!" Harry's Uncle Vernon yelled. "You left him on our door step you have no reason to check up on him EVER!" Vernon roared, his face turning a deep shade of purple. The man that he was talking to had a long gray beard, with half-moon spectacles. He looked like some one out of a dream Harry had once had. Something about a motorbike flying them- him and a woman. But that was only a simple dream he had. Nothing more.
"I really must insist we see the lad. Just for a check up," the man said calmly. 'I should warn him about Uncle Vernon's temper.' Harry thought to himself. Vernon had a wild temper, definitely towards Harry, and anything that was nice to him. 'And they have to be talking about me. Uncle Vernon never calls Dudley 'boy' no. only me.' Harry walked out of his cupboard and stood next to the door.
"No! When we took him in we promised ourselves we would put a stop to all this funny business! Leave my house, the boy is asleep!" The old man shook his head, but did not move.
The man took a deep breath and went on. "Mr. Dursley. I must see Harry. Strange things have been going on. I just need to see if he's all right." He placed his hands behind his back waiting for a reply. Harry walked in the room.
He was small for his age. With a black mop for hair that was never tamed and was never cut, unless by himself. "Uncle Vernon?" Harry asked timidly. His uncle Vernon spun on him his hand raised but stopped him self from hitting his nephew remembering (that) the man (was watching them) that was asking about him. Harry stood his ground; he had a feeling that while this old man was here his uncle wouldn't hurt him. Vernon gripped Harry's right shoulder hard. Harry clamped his mouth shut over the yelp of pain that wanted to come out. He looked at the ground.
"Here he is," Uncle Vernon hissed through his teeth. He shoved Harry forward towards the man.
The man bent down on one knee to be closer to eye level to him. "Hello Harry. I'm Albus Dumbledore. I know it's late and you must be tired. I was just wondering have you been feeling alright." The man called Albus was dresses in robes. Harry just nodded.
"I'm fine sir. I had a cold a few weeks ago but I got it at school. And I'm all better now. How are you feeling, sir?" Harry now looked up into the kind blue eyes of the man, who smiled.
"I'm quiet fine thank you, Harry. You have very nice manners." The man smiled and got to his feet. 'No he can't leave!' Harry's mind screamed. He didn't want this kind man to leave.
"You must be thirsty. Have some water. Would you like something to eat?" Harry asked quickly leaving the room and running into the kitchen. He poured two cups of water and got out a plate and put cookies on it. He walked back into the living room balancing a tray, and gave his Uncle Vernon a cookie and a glass of water, then Albus. Vernon liked to get served first.
"Thank you Harry." He took a sip of his water and a bite out of his cookie. "Are you not going to have any?" Harry looked at Uncle Vernon, who was staring at the cookie.
"No. I'm not hungry. I had a big dinner." Harry lied. He didn't even get any dinner. He had gotten a higher grade than Dudley, so he didn't get any. Dudley on the other had got to have cake for getting a C; Harry had gotten an A. Also he wasn't allowed to have cookies; he could make them but not have any. They were for the family, not for Harry.
Vernon glared at the old man. He was abnormal. He didn't belong in his house. "Boy. Harry" Vernon spit out like a bad word, "It's late, you should go back to sleep. Big day tomorrow we'll be doing a lot of things." Harry felt a shiver run down his back at the way his uncle had said 'things'.
"Yes Uncle Vernon. Nice to meet you sir, good night. Good night." He put the tray on the table. Harry took one last glance at the man and left to his cupboard. That night Harry had very odd dreams.
Albus Dumbledore knocked on the door of a one-roomed cottage, of a Remus Lupin. The door swung open "Albus. What a surprise to see- you what brings you here?" Remus chattered letting Albus in. "Would you like tea or something?" Remus offered.
"What? Oh no thank you. Actually I just had some from Harry."
Remus dropped the newspaper he was holding. "Is. Is he okay? He's what five now isn't he? How are those muggles treating him?" Remus shot the questions out at Albus like wild fire. Dumbledore held up his hand gesturing for him to stop.
"I don't know really. His Uncle Vernon really didn't want me to see him. Harry came out on his own accord and was a bit too polite. Do you really expect a five year old to offer you something to eat and drink right after you meet them?" Albus asked with a look of skepticism. "Most adults don't even do that."
Remus nodded his head; that was peculiar. He himself rarely did that, then again he didn't even have many visitors anyway so what did it matter?
"Okay. He was polite. at age five. Was there anything else wrong? I mean, there's nothing wrong with being polite, is there?" Remus asked. Dumbledore shook his head.
"No there isn't. It just seemed that Vernon was hiding something about Harry. I was wondering if you could possibly go over there in a couple of weeks just to check up on him. Just in case," Albus suggested. Remus looked horror struck.
He shook his head. "Me! I can't. What if they remember me? What should I ask? I couldn't Albus!" Remus' mind reeled; he couldn't go. He had no idea how to act around Harry.
"Now Remus I know what you're thinking. It is either you or I'll send Severus." Remus' head shot up.
"No! No, not Snape. I'll go. You don't have to ask Snape. Two weeks good? Yes, perfect, well I have to get ready to go somewhere. If you'll excuse me." Remus said hurriedly opening the front door for Albus.
Me go check on Harry? What have I gotten my self into? Remus thought. He'd think about it later. Right know he was late to go to town to get some things before the next full moon.
The next day at the Dursley's residence Harry Potter was dragged out of his cupboard by his uncle. Bleary-eyed Harry tried to look around. He didn't have his glasses on, and everything was fuzzy. His scalp hurt where his uncle was dragging him by his hair.
Not good. I didn't do anything Harry thought to himself. I was polite last night. The pain that spread through his mid section, winding him, interrupted Harry's thoughts. He rolled him self into a ball as more kicks were aimed at him, curling his hand over his head he let silent tears roll down his face. Lots of pain. I wish the man from last night were here. Harry though. Harry's Uncle Vernon gripped his arm yanking him to his feet.
"What were you thinking? Why did you come out last night?" Uncle Vernon yelled at Harry, who stared at the floor. Vernon smacked him in the face.
Harry's voice was smaller than usual, covered in fear and pain; "I." He stammered working on getting air into his deprived lungs. "I heard you talking about me. I thought I was helping.. It hurts." Harry moaned falling to his knees. His uncle letting him drop. The boy just laid there. He didn't know where he was, all he knew was that it was not good. and it hurt. More tears rolled down his face quietly.
"Vernon! What did you do to the boy?" His horse-faced aunt screeched at the blood on her carpet. "That carpet is new! Put him in his cupboard." Harry was again roughly taken a hold of and was dragged back to his cupboard and shoved in.
The last thing little Harry heard was "Don't you dare think of coming out of there till we let you out!" Uncle Vernon roared and walked away. He left Harry to be consumed by the pain.
That same thing happened again and again over the next weeks. Harry now had many bruises and cuts over him. The littlest thing Harry would do wrong he would be kicked or whacked. Harry had taken to covering his head or having his head go to his stomach when any one raised a hand or said something mean towards him. He was turning six years old and he was scared of the people he lived with.
He had odder dreams since his Uncle had started hitting him. He kept having dreams that he was talking to a man, Sirius Black, was his name. He talked a bit because the man always was so nice. It was all in his head though; nobody was ever nice to him.
'I'm sorry! I'm innocent!' A man yelled Harry twitched in his sleep.
'Excuse me?' Harry asked. The man fell off his cot.
'Yes excuse me! Why are you in my head?'
'Sir you're in my head.'
'Okay. who are you? And why are you talking to me?'
'Sir I'm Harry Potter.' The man's eyes flew open, waking up he sat up. he could hear that name over and over again in his head. I'm Harry Potter.
Harry woke up also. Something about that dream was so real. Like he some how knew that person in his dreams. If only he was real, he thought to himself. It had been three days since he was allowed out of his cupboard. His Aunt Petunia had given him a bucket for his disposal.
"Boy! Get out here right now!" Vernon yelled from the kitchen. Harry got up and stumbled out of the cupboard into the kitchen.brightness. Harry blinked and looked up at his Uncle.
"Yes Uncle Vernon?" Harry asked
Uncle Vernon read his paper as his nephew waited patiently for an answer. "You will be spending the day with Mrs. Figg today. Don't you dare cause any trouble for her."
Harry nodded. He didn't mind Ms. Figg. She was nice, and he could play with her cats. Vernon put down his paper. "Well what are you waiting for? Your Aunt's waiting for you in the drive, get a move on." He raised his foot, Harry ran out the door straight into the car away from Uncle Vernon.
Aunt Petunia floored it; they were down the street in a matter of seconds. "Out!" Petunia screeched and walked up to the door. Arabella Figg answered the door. "I'm terribly sorry, but could you watch Harry for the day? We just got invited to a very important party and we can't bring Harry with us. could you watch him please?" Aunt Petunia asked, as Harry stood at the bottom step off to the side.
"What oh. yes, that's no problem at all. What time will you be picking him up?" Mrs. Figg asked, smiling at Harry.
"Is ten p.m. too late? I really am terribly sorry." Petunia was very good at getting people to do what she wanted. Ms. Figg nodded. "Well, go on Harry. Have a good day," She said through gritted teeth. Harry watched her drive away. There was no party; they just wanted to get rid of him for the day.
Harry walked up to Ms. Fig who was staring at him oddly. "Hello Mrs. Figg. How have you been?" He smiled at her.
She shook her head letting him in. "I've been fine Harry. What about you? You don't look that great. Would you like something to eat? I have some crackers that you might like." Mrs. Figg walked into the kitchen leaving Harry in the hallway. She had black graying hair, soft but stern features.
Harry followed her into the kitchen. The first thing he noticed was the dirty dishes, and he started on them at once. Mrs. Figg just stared. "I'm fine. I just got in a few fights at school that's all." He put a bowl in the dish rack followed by a couple cups and plates.
'Odd.' Mrs. Fig thought. It's the summer. And he's not going to summer school at all. She let it drop.
Mrs. Figg stopped Harry when he started drying the dishes and putting them away. "Harry, isn't today your birthday?" Harry counted on his fingers. His face brightening, he nodded.
"Yes. Yes I think it is, July 30th. Yep today I'm six. Thanks for remembering, I would have forgotten." Mrs. Figg shook her head.
"Leave the dishes. Let's go play a game. I think I might have some special cookies for you," She smiled getting a box of cookies off the counter and led the way into the sitting room.
"Arabella!" A man yelled through the house making Harry and Mrs. Figg jump. "I really need to talk to you! I was supposed to go to his house four weeks ago. Arabella are you here?" The man yelled falling down onto the couch.
"Remus what on earth are you doing here?" Arabella yelled back. Harry walked off to the side. He knew what would happen if he walked in uninvited, so he waited. Arabella walked in and stared at Remus Lupin, he was a shabby looking man; and oddly enough he was wearing robes.
"Arabella what if something happened to him! I was supposed to check up on him!" Remus went on. "Harry. He's six now. I was supposed to check up on him. What if Snape did? That would have been awful." Arabella held up her hand. "What?"
She smiled wickedly. "Why don't you ask him?" Remus looked at her oddly. "Harry. Come in here please. I want you to meet a friend of mine." Harry walked cautiously into the room. Remus leaned back farther into the couch, hopefully being hidden. "Harry this is Remus Lupin. Remus this is Harry Potter." Harry held out his hand to the man to shake but didn't take it, he withdrew his hand.
"Nice to meet you sir, would you like something to drink or eat? You look tired." Harry stopped as the man started to cry. "I. I..I'm sorry. did I say something to offend you sir?" Harry panicked. What if the Dursley's found out he made a grown man cry? Harry backed up and ran to the bathroom to get some tissues for the man.
He came back to find the man hyperventilating. Harry handed him the tissues. He walked into the kitchen poured two cups of water and went back out handed one to Ms. Figg and one to Remus, who drank it immediately. Ms. Fig was laughing quietly. "Do you need something else sir? I'm really sorry. I didn't meant to." Remus cut him off.
"What! No. No Harry you didn't offend me. it's just that. I knew your parents before they were killed and, just seeing you, you look just like James and you have Lily's eyes." He finished. Harry was relieved.
" We were just going to have some cookies. You can have mine," Harry offered. "I don't need them, they'd cheer you up better." Remus shook his head.
"No thank you." Lupin smiled.
'That smile?'
A young man smiled and opened the door for a woman, with bright hair carrying a baby in her arms.
"Harry! Harry Potter" Another young man came bounding through the door, getting a crazed look in his eyes when he saw the baby; Harry. "Alright Lily, Padfoot. Come on lemme hold him." The woman handed the baby over.
Padfoot, a built man with long shoulder length black hair blew raspberry's on the baby's stomach, making Harry squeal with joy.
"Come on Lily, Sirius'll start getting pissy if we watch him. James is waiting down stairs. We need to go to Diagon Alley," the man who held the door said, re-opening it.
The woman, Lilly laughed. "But he's so cute when he's playing with Harry." The man nodded his head in agreement. "Okay well fine lets go Remus." The woman walked out the door, followed closely by a younger Remus.
Harry opened his eyes; he was still at Arabella's house in the guest bedroom where he usually took his naps. "Harry, you're awake. Are you feeling all right?" Arabella asked walking into the room followed by an anxious looking Remus. Harry nodded in response.
"Moony?" Harry questioned. Remus nodded his head dumbly. "You are Moony aren't you?" Remus nodded his head again.
"Yes how did you know?" He sat down at the foot of the bed that Harry was laying on.
Harry shrugged. "I just dreamed that a lady called Lily, with red hair carried me into a room and I think you opened the door for her smiling. And then a man ran in. You called him Padfoot. He had shoulder length black hair you called and the lady called him Sirius, I think. And then you said that you both had to go to." Harry paused trying to remember the name. "I can't remember where but you had to go somewhere. And you had to go with a man named James. Then I woke up." Remus looked shocked.
"Yes. I remember. but I have to go . things to do.. Happy Birthday Harry. Good day," Remus left the room quickly.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Figg I didn't mean for him to go." Mrs. Figg smiled.
"That's all right. Remus was just so happy to see you. He was very close to you and your parents a while ago. He loves you very much. Even though you don't know him," Mrs. Figg explained. Harry nodded his head. "You had quite a fall down stairs. How's your head?" Arabella felt Harry's head in a couple of spots. When it hurt Harry only shut his eyes.
"I'm sorry, we were going to play games. Did you play with Mr. Lupin?" Harry asked looking at his lap.
"No. How many fingers am I holding?" Arabella held up three fingers. Harry looked at them for a minute.
"Uh. six." He answered. Arabella shook her head.
"Harry truthfully tell me, are you feeling all right?" She watched closely for Harry's response. His right hand curled around his stomach.
Shaking his head he replied; "No, Mrs. Figg I don't feel good. I'm hungry and my head really hurts and everything is spinning a little bit." He laid back into his pillows.
"What did you have for breakfast?" She asked, Harry closed his eyes.
"I didn't get any."
"What did you have for dinner last night?"
"I didn't have any."
Arabella paused, "When was the last time you ate?" Harry's fingers twitched silently counting.
" Um. four days not counting today."