Harry Potter began to pack his belongings into his trunk; it was time to return to Hogwarts tomorrow, finally. He sighed in relief. This dreadful summer was soon to be over. Harry picked up a school book from the floor of his bedroom, and then suddenly dropped it. Harry's hand immediately went to his side as he breathed in a sharp pain, surly his rib was broken, his may even be punctured as well.

The fact that Harry was in mourning of the recent death of his godfather meant nothing to his abusive uncle. This injury was the tip of the iceberg of his summer's tormenting endures. Uncle Vernon had frequently used physical abuse as a punishment all throughout the years of Harry's growth, but this summer it took a turn for the worse.

Before it was just a sharp slap, or a quick whip from his uncle's the belt with threats of more punishment. This year the threats turned to actions, abusive actions. Harry was injured the majority of the summer, he frequently sustained major bodily grievances, from broken bones to heavy bruises.

"Potter!"

A voice called from downstairs, his aunt's voice. Harry quickly opened his bedroom room and dashed downstairs, to not keep her waiting in the hope that she wouldn't give her husband a bad report on Harry's half.

"The lawn, it looks like a disaster. You must mow it, pluck weeds, and then put a layer of fertilizer on it." Aunt Petunia glared at her dreadful nephew, "and if I don't see it being up to my standards, no dinner, and no ride to the station tomorrow."

Harry nodded and began to walk near the door.

"And if I don't like your results… I'm sure my husband will be equally as disappointed…"

Harry felt a shiver of fear as he mumbled, "yes, ma'am," and stepped outside into the hot England sun. It was a scorching summer day; Harry already had sweat dripping from his brow before he even began his work.

Harry groaned as the pain in his side became unbearable as he yanked the chain to start the lawn mower.

"One more day, just one more day and I can return to my real home."

Soon the lawn was perfectly mowed. Clean cut, horizontal lines were newly spread across the vibrant green lawn. Harry hoped his perfection would satisfy his relatives as he began to kneel down and slowly puck every weed from the root.

Throbbing pain stung through Harry's side, into his lung as he gasped sharp painful breaths. Harry mentally assured himself that this was all going to be done soon. One more day and he would be returning to Hogwarts.

Harry was soon spreading the last of the lawn fertilizer; exhausted and dehydrated he had finished the lawn. He looked at his work, Harry couldn't find a flaw, but however, his uncle's satisfaction would be another story.

Harry went inside quietly, unsure if his uncle was home or not. He went to the sink and poured himself a glass of whatever that he instantly gulped down. He heard a door open and then slam shut. Harry quietly rinsed out his glass and returned it to the cupboard, shutting the door just before his uncle boomed through the house.

"Potter!"

"No!" Harry's mind buzzed, "what could I have possibly done?"

Uncle Vernon marched up to Harry, his face redden with anger, "I put a house over your head, clothes on your back, food in your stomach, and this is how you repay us!"

Harry didn't have the slightest clue of what Vernon was talking about, "sir, I'm sorry. Whatever I did." Harry stammered.

"You don't even know what you did? Are you blind, boy? You may be a freak, but you still have eyes! Can you not see the mud you tracked in on the kitchen floor?" Uncle Vernon shouted.

Harry's heart sank; he saw a smudge of a footprint leading by the door. Devastated, Harry looked at his uncle, knowing what was coming next.

A/N: Short again, but I'm just getting into this… Reviews make all the difference in my updating speed…