Darkly Dreaming
Summary
After many years of abuse, Harry is jaded. But upon receiving his Hogwarts letter, Harry is enchanted with both the dark grace of the Slytherins, and the enduring bravery of the Gryffindors. Which will he choose? Dark!Harry.
Chapter Two
Harry woke up with a sense of dread in the pit of his stomach, twisting like a bag of anxious worms. It was days like this when Harry knew he should hide in the cupboard, curled away from Uncle Vernon's fury. Only the fear of getting belted for trying to "dodge chores" made him cautiously exit his dark cupboard, his eyes wandering warily through the halls, looking for the familiar shape of a great big whale.
He went to the kitchen and started to cook a huge, oily, unhealthy breakfast – just the way the Dursleys preferred it. The first mistake of the day was trying to serve Uncle Vernon bacon straight from the sizzling frying pan. The hot piece of bacon dropped from his spatula and landed on his lap. Uncle Vernon leapt up with a yell and backhanded Harry across the face, overlapping his bruise from yesterday.
Harry bit back a cry and fought to keep the pan steady in his hands. After catching his breath, Harry continued to serve breakfast, and then sat down. He tentatively reached out for a piece of toast, and seeing that no one was going to object, he quickly snatched it and dropped it onto his plate. He always tried to eat healthier food than the Dursleys, and always ate less than them, because he feared he would grow to their colossal size. He was skinny and light, which he preferred. He could run further and longer than his Uncle, if he ever wanted to.
"Get the post, boy." Uncle Vernon snapped, without looking up from his newspaper.
Harry took one last nibble before slipping away from the kitchen and into the hallway. There was a stack of letters by the doorway. Usually Harry didn't look through them, assuming there was nothing for him (why would anyone send post to him?) and just dutifully delivered them straight to Uncle Vernon. But from beneath the pile of letters, Harry caught a glimpse of color. Harry could see the corner of a green envelope. How unusual. Harry looked over his shoulder to make sure no one was looking, and then quickly pulled the letter out. He glanced at the front and was surprised to find his name. To Mr. Harry Potter. The Cupboard under the Stairs.
Harry's jaw dropped. The cupboard under the stairs. Who were these people? How did they know he slept underneath the stairs? Harry shivered at the thought of Uncle Vernon finding out that someone knowing about Harry's "room". He would instantly blame Harry for sprouting nonsense to adults, when Harry knew perfectly well never to tell anyone anything.
Making a quick decision, Harry folded the envelope in half and stuffed in into his oversized pocket.
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Up Next: What's Hogwarts?
