Petunia came back one day from shopping. Vernon and Dudley were in front of the telly, as per usual. She set down her bags and called, "Boy! Get out here,"
Harry rushed out. Petunia felt he heart shuddered at the sight of him. He had been crying. The little four year old quickly wiped his face. Vernon and Dudley had both drilled it into his mind not to cry in front of them. Petunia never said a word about it though, so Harry felt a bit more at ease.
"Yes, Aunt Petunia?" Harry said in his cute four year old voice.
Oh god, those eyes again! "Help me put this away boy!" Petunia snapped despite herself. She blamed it on those stupid eyes that reminded her of that stupid girl.
"Yes, Aunt Petunia," Harry mumbled, grabbing some items and putting them away.
"Boy!" Vernon shouted from the living room.
Harry looked at Petunia for permission. She just nodded then proceeded to ignore him. She turned just to see Harry walk out. Like a slave, doing to his maters bidding. Petunia found nothing funny in that like she pretended to when Vernon said that. This was messed up! A four year old should not be working like a slave.
Harry came back and mumbled something before proceeding to make two large sandwiches for the two male Dursleys. His stomach gave a loud growl and she looked towards Petunia, worried. He was glad he had not been heard.
He rushed beck to the living room and gave the two fat walruses, in his opinion, their sandwiches. He was so hungry! Aunt Petunia had been gone and Uncle Vernon had forgotten to feed him.
He went back to help Petunia. She was putting away a large tub of ice cream. Harry's stomach growled again, but she ignored it.
Harry punched his own stomach. Why couldn't he get it right? Freaks don't deserve lunch especially when they did something freaky. He grabbed the next item and was about to put it away when Petunia grabbed his hand.
She gasped out loud. His hand was burnt. She bent down to examine it while Harry tried to snatch it away, "Who did this?" She whispered.
"Uncle Vernon," he sniveled.
"Why?" Petunia snapped.
"'Cause I was bein' a freak," Harry answered.
Petunia sighed. "Did he give you lunch?"
Harry shook his head. Petunia sighed again. The boy had had no breakfast because he was being "punished" according to Vernon for "not doing his chores". Petunia got up and got some medicine to help heal the burn. Then, she gave Harry leftovers.
"Take this to your cupboard and don't show Vernon," Petunia whispered.
Harry looked at her with wide eyes-those shocking green eyes- and almost cried. This was the nicest thing his Aunt had even done for him. "Thank you!"
Petunia nodded stiffly before going back to work. She hated the boy, but seeing Vernon do that to him was wrong. She knew she was lying to herself though. She did not hate the boy. She couldn't.
Five year old Harry was in so much trouble. He didn't know what happened. He was a lot more stupid then Dudley, yet somehow he had gotten a better grade than him. He had really wanted to please Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon. Maybe then they'd like him.
But the, Dudley told him, "You're in so much trouble! You cheated!"
"No I didn't!" Harry protested.
"Of course you did! How else did you get a better grade then me?" Dudley shouted.
"Because I'm smarter than you!" Harry blurted out before he could stop himself.
Dudley gasped then glared. Finally, he smirked. "You wait till I tell mum and dad!"
Harry got scared at that point. But he quickly rushed it aside and rushed home.
"Uncle Vernon! Aunt Petunia! Look! Look!" Naïve little Harry called out.
"You ungrateful Freak! Shut up!" Vernon shouted.
"Dad, dad! Look, Potter cheated!" Dudley screamed running in.
"You did what!?" Vernon shouted at the cowering boy.
"I didn't! I swear!" Harry pleaded.
"So you're calling my boy a liar now?!" Vernon was turning red.
"No, no..."
The slap echoed through the house loudly, "Shut up you sniveling Freak!"
Vernon pounded Harry, again and again. Dudley was laughing gleefully in the background, not knowing that this was something bad. Vernon was taking of his belt now and Harry was sobbing.
"Vernon, what..." Petunia walked in. He saw the belt and yelled, "Vernon, what are you doing!"
"Teaching the boy a lesson," Vernon said gruffly.
"No!" Petunia quickly though of an excuse, "What will the neighbours think?"
Vernon lowered his belt, thinking. Finally, he nodded and turned to leave, Dudley following along.
Petunia bent down next to Harry. "Are you okay?"
Harry started sobbing again. Petunia was at loss as to what to do. Finally, he pulled Harry close and just let him sob. This being the first time that Harry ever felt affection, Harry froze.
"Why was Vernon hurting you?" Petunia asked once Harry calmed down.
"I wanted to show him this, but Dudley said I had cheated," Harry help up his work where he was gotten the best in his grade. A perfect score. Just like his mother.
"Did you cheat?" Petunia asked.
Harry vigorously shook his head before gasping. Vernon had managed to land a hit on Harry's head.
Petunia's heart cringed. She had not only let Harry down, but her own son too. Dudley was a bully and a liar. Harry was neglected and had never felt love. She was such a horrible woman, just like everyone else had said in her childhood. No wonder everyone payed more attention to Lily. Lily would never hurt a child and she would have been a great mother.
"Go to sleep, you'll need the rest. No chores for today," Petunia said harshly.
Harry nodded gratefully. He had already started dozing. He tried to stand up, but promptly fell over. Petunia caught him before he hit the ground.
Harry was carried to his cupboard. He was almost unconscious. Petunia saw no harm in what she was about to say next.
Just before Harry lost conscious completely, Harry heard Petunia say, "Well done Harry. You have your mothers brains,"
For once in his life, Harry had a night filled with good dreams.