Kaizen by Aralyn Rider

Prologue

Laying on his stomach, little 9-year-old Harry lifted his hand and turned it slightly, eyes leveling with a small spider currently accompanying him in the confines of his dusty cupboard. A deep breath in and a silent one out, the boy attempted to ignore the painful lurching in his stomach, reminding him that it had been at least two days since he had been given more than a bit of crust to eat. At least his Uncle would be leaving this morning to his job at the drill factory. If he yelled at enough people today, then perhaps Harry would be allowed some supper.

Just as his mind had passed over this idea, there was two thundering thumps from his Uncle pounding on his cupboard door with his fist, "Boy! Get your lazy ass out of bed now! Do you expect me to starve before going to work?"

Harry resisted the urge to roll his eyes, as he didn't think there was any chance of his Uncle starving anytime soon, but stood and through on the baggy hand me down sweats he had been given, "No Uncle," he said as he left his room, "sorry uncle."

The Large man huffed, "As you should be. Breakfast. Coffee. Now. And you'll get no breakfast for your lazy disregard for my health."

Harry looked to the floor, "Yes Uncle."

Grabbing the crate he used to reach the stove, Harry stepped up and began to cook the ham and bacon, fried up the potato's, hopped down and began the toast and started brewing the coffee. While he did all of this, he did his very best to keep quiet and make as little mess as possible.

Though he was busy bustling away he did not miss the whispered conversation behind him.

"Vernon love…don't you think he should have a little crust to get him through his chores. He will be gardening today. We don't want the neighbors suspecting anything should he fall faint," his aunt suggested, making sure her words were careful.

The fat man grunted, "Alright pet. I suppose your right. He can have the toast crusts and a glass of water."

Harry was silently grateful to his Aunt. He knew she didn't like the way his uncle treated him, and she often did what she could when the man wasn't around.

As he finished up the breakfast, he carefully delivered three plates each to his aunt, uncle and cousin, along with coffee to his aunt and uncle and chocolate milk to his cousin. When the task had been completed, he set upon doing the dishes and wiping up the counters from what little mess he had made.

Harry then began clearing the now emptied dishes from the table, when his hand bumped his cousins' glass of chocolate milk and spilled the small amount of drink left, over Dudley's lap. Instantly Dudley stood up and looked at the wet spot on his leg.

His uncle smirked, "Well, what are you waiting for. Get him Dudder's."

Dudley gave him a subtle apologetic look before he punched Harry in the shoulder, as gently as he could without his father noticing, and proceeded to hit him, while Harry tried to escape up the stairs. As they reached the top of the stairs, Dudley grabbed Harrys wrist and pulled him into his second bedroom before whispering, "sorry bout that. Here," his cousin shoved a piece of bacon and slice of toast at Harry, "eat it quickly before he sees you"

Dudley kicked his door for effect, "That will teach you, yah freak!" he yelled before running back downstairs to brag that he taught the "freak" a lesson.

Mean while Harry gratefully ate the bacon and toast, happy to have some food in his belly. The beating had been more than worth it.

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After his uncle had left for work his aunt smiled at him carefully and let him sit down for a bowl of soup and a cup of juice, "Eat up, and then you can spend the day in the garden." Vernon had been home the last two days so she hadn't been able to get the child much food. She hoped she would be able to make it up to him at least a little bit by allowing him to spend the day outside. He seemed to enjoy his time in the garden.

Harry finished up his soup and drank his juice smiling happily at his full stomach for the first time in days, "thank you," he said as he cleaned up his dishes.

Harry headed outside to work on the garden, Dudley in toe, "I really am sorry about earlier."

The small boy shrugged, "Its okay. Thank you for the bacon. And sorry I spilled the milk on you."

Dudley laughed, "spilled milk, right?"

The boys chuckled before Harry kneeled to start weeding the garden, while Dudley sat cross legged to talk to Harry and keep him company.

They talk and joked around, like boys will do for a few hours, Petunia stopping outside now and then to make sure they were drinking enough water in the mid-summer heat.

Everything seemed to be going nice and normal, Harry enjoying one of the rare days where he could just be outside having fun. He liked the gardens. The smells were nice, and it was refreshing compared to being stuck inside his cupboard.

Of course, all good things must come to an end. Dudley had just started explaining why Tonka was the best toy truck, when out of the bushes a very large brown and black patterned snake head peered out at the two boys. Dudley crawled back, attempting to scream but apparently unable. Harry was startled, but if he were honest, the snake wasn't nearly as scary as when his uncle got out the belt.

The snakes tongue wiggled out of its mouth and then back again, ~ You smell like my massster. ~

Harry tilted his head curiously, ~ Why would I smell like your master? ~

Dudley watched Harry and the snake with wide eyes, "WOAH!"

Harry look at Dudley, "What?" the child asked confused.

Dudley gestured between Harry and the snake as though it was obvious, "You just talked to that snake…"

Harry nodded, "Well, Yah. She says I smell like her master." Harry was confused.

Dudley gaped even further, "You understand it?"

Harry bit his lip, "Yes…She spoke plain English!"

Dudley shook his head, "Uh no she didn't Harry. She was making hissing noises. Like a snake. And you hissed back."

At this moment the large snake cut in, ~ Calm down child. You are a speaker. The language you speak is call 'Parstletongue.' This is the language of snakes. I understand English as my master also spoke both English and Parstletongue. ~

Harry went wide eyed, "that's so cool!" Harry then relayed the snake's explanation to his cousin.

Dudley grinned, "Awesome! What does she want?"

The snake continued after Dudley asked his question, ~ I need you to take this Journal and keep it safe. It belonged to my master. Since you smell like him, I think he would want you to have it. The rat man tried to destroy it. Help me keep it safe hatchlings. ~

Harry took the journal the snake had held tightly in her coils and looked it over, Dudley peering over his shoulder. Harry read the inscription, "Tom Marvolvo riddle. Was that your master?"

The snake seemed to nod, ~ It was. Will you keep it for me? ~

Harry looked at Dudley, "She wants us to keep it safe."

Dudley shrugged, "I can help. Ill keep it in my second bedroom when father is home, and you can keep it when hes gone."

The boys nodded to each other in agreeance. "We'll do it!" said Harry.

The snake seemed pleased by the response, ~ Good. I am Nagini. I am off to search for my master. He will collect the book when he is well. ~

The boys introduced them selves and the snake left them once again alone in the garden, Harry holding onto the journal that seemed to tingle beneath his fingers.

Petunia poked her head out, "are you boys doing okay?"

Harry and Dudley looked at one another, "yes mum" "yes aunt petunia" they both said quickly in unison.

The woman looked at them suspiciously before shaking her head and going back inside.

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Later that evening as Vernon returned home, Harry had just finished cooking supper, with the secret help of his Aunt and Cousin and had managed to have everything placed on the table as his uncle entered the kitchen.

His aunt greeted him with a kiss but that didn't deter the venom in his eyes. "Incompetent idiots," the man growled. The man continued complaining about how one of his employees had broken some sort of very expensive machine before rounding on Harry, "This is your fault!" Vernon growled, "If you hadn't been so reckless this morning I wouldn't have been distracted, and I would have never put Johnson on mechanics!"

The large angry man started tumbling towards Harry, Harry already knowing what was coming, fear creeping into his stomach.

Petunia placed a hand on his shoulders, panicking silently inside, "Shouldn't you have some supper first dear?"

Vernon shoved her hand away continuing forward grabbing the boy by the hair.

Dudley's voice squeaked out nervously, "Dad…do you think maybe…"

His father cut him off instantly, venomously glaring at his own wife and son, "If either of you have anything more to say, you'll be next."

He paused waiting for them to say anything. When they both stared at him, fear in their eyes, He nodded at his victory, before dragging the child upstairs.

Petunia pulled Dudley into her arms and covered his ears, cringing at each tell tale smack of the belt and each cry and whimper of her young nephew. She may not have cared much for her sister, but her nephew didn't deserve this. Her stomach filled with bile, trying to think of a way to get him out of this place.

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That night Harry sat up in his cupboard, wincing at each wrong movement. He wouldn't be sleeping tonight, unable to get comfortable with the gashes and bruises now covering his weak and frail body. He jumped when he heard a creek, and his door opened slowly. He relaxed when the face of his cousin peek through, "shh... it's just me."

Dudley slipped quietly into the cupboard with a first aid kit and the journal in his hands. Sitting on the bed next to Harry, Dudley whimpered at the sight of his cousin, "I'm so sorry…I wanted to stop him…" Dudley's voice held every bit of his regret and he carefully helped clean Harrys cuts and apply antibiotics to all of the open lashes on Harry's back and chest.

Harry sighed at the cool sting of the medicine gratefully, "Its okay. He would have hit you too. It's not your fault,"

Once Harry's wounds were addressed, the boys sat back on the bed and looked at the journal. Harry pulled a pen out of a crevice in his bed and opened it up, "this tom person wont mind if we use a page or two…Can you show me more of your homework?"

Dudley nodded, "Yeah okay. We did times 2 tables today. First write 2X2. Then make two dots two times."

Harry did as he was instructed.

Dudley continued, "2X2 is the same as two dots, two times. How many dots are there?"

Harry counted the dots, "4…Oh! Okay, so 2x2 is 4 because there are two sets of two?"

Dudley grinned, "right!"

Dudley was just about to give the next math problem to Harry when Harry stopped him in his tracks pointing at the book.

"Look!" he cried, "It's all gone!"

Dudley looked at the book, "Where did it go?" the boy whispered in exasperation.

Two seconds later numbers seemed to appear from the pages out of nowhere. In place of Harry's math problem was a new one, Now try 2X4.

Harry and Dudley both gaped openly at the book, but out of curiosity, Harry did the math problem. He drew two dots four times in a row and counted them before writing to the journal, 2x4=8

Again, his ink seemed to disappear, and someone else's handwriting appeared, Well done. What is your name young one?

Dudley nudged Harry, urging him to reply. Harry gave him a look back that said, 'I'm getting there'.

I'm Harry Potter, and my cousin who Is helping me is Dudley. Who are you? How did you get in the book?

There was a pause and for a second Harry and Dudley thought maybe they had imagined the strange book person, before the reply finally appeared, my name is Tom Marvolvo Riddle, but you can call me Marvolvo. And we will just say I did some bad things because I was scared, so now I'm stuck in here as punishment. How did you get this journal child?

Harry and Dudley both looked at each other as they realized this must be Nagini's master, A big snake gave it to me. She said to keep it safe from the rat man. Harry replied.

The next response was almost instantaneous, are one of you bleeding Harry?

Harry put his hand to his shoulder realizing one the gashes had started bleeding again. He was so excited by the talking book he hadn't realized it had dripped on the page.

Sorry, yes I am. I accidentally got blood on your book didn't I? Harry felt bad. He didn't want to mess up the nice mans stuff.

The journal seemed to hum loudly, it's fine Harry. You can't damage this book…At least not easily. Why are you bleeding?

Harry bit his lip nervously, not sure if he should say. Dudley poked him "who is the BOOK going to tell?" his cousin put emphasis on the word 'Book.'

Harry shrugged, not finding an argument to this he replied my uncle. He was mad when he got home. It's always my fault when something bad happens.

The boys couldn't be sure, but it seemed to get about 10 degrees colder in the room and the journal appeared to be shaking. The boys got nervous.

Does your uncle do this often Harry? I can be rid of him for you if you desire it.

Harry thought about this. He didn't like his uncle. And he DID wish his uncle would vanish sometimes. But then he thought about his Aunt and Cousin. He didn't want to make them sad if their husband and father disappeared. His thoughts were cut off by his cousin, "Can he actually get rid of him?" Dudley seemed excited by the thought.

Harry looked at his cousin curiously, "Do you want him gone?"

Dudley's face became stone, A frightening look on a 9-year-old child one might add, "He hits you. He threatens me and mom. I'm scared for all of us Harry. Especially you. Ask this Marvolvo if he is serious. We could all be safe if he was gone."

Harry hesitated but did as he was told, can you really make him go away?

There was another pause as what the boys assumed was the time it took the man to write his response, I can, but I need you both to pay very close attention. If I make him go away, he will be gone for good. He will be dead. Do you understand this? I hate be so blunt but I don't want you to be surprised when it happens. I will need Dudley to stay in your room and keep his hands over his ears. And Harry, I will need you to keep your eyes shut. Do you understand. DO NOT OPEN THEM. I will make sure you can't hear anything. I will give you both a minute to think about it.

Dudley and Harry Paled. The word 'dead' standing out in the paragraph before them. Did they want Vernon dead?

Harry looked at Dudley, "I don't know Dudley. I don't like him…but to kill him?"

Dudley looked down, "I don't like it either Harry…but I care about you more than I care about him. If him dying means all of us can be safe…" he paused before swallowing hard, "I'm in."

"This is your dad though!" Harry stated not wanting to cause that kind of grief for his cousin.

His cousin shook his head in disagreement, "He quit being my father when he hit you and threatened mom."

Harry sighed but nodded slowly, "are you sure?"

Dudley grabbed the book and pen responding himself, what do we need to do?

The book responded almost eagerly; I just need Dudley to stay here. Remember cover your eyes and ears. Harry, shut your eyes and relax. I will do the rest.

The boys looked doubtful, but Dudley closed his eyes and clasped his hands over his ears, while Harry closed his eyes tightly.

There was a warm rush through out the room and suddenly Harry felt his body go limp, as though he was in a dream where your looking at yourself from above. A voice sounded in his head, "I have no body. I need to use yours child. Close your eyes. Now."

Marvolvo may be a right prick, but he wasn't about to allow two 9-year-olds to watch or hear this man murdered before them. Situating himself in the child's body he allowed himself to look through the boy's eyes. He left the tiny cupboard, which only fueled his readiness to kill this man, and began down the hall. He stopped looking into a mirror, getting a good look at the child he was protecting.

Standing before him was a short boy in rags, beaten and bruised. Far to thin for his age. He smirked as he realized his eyes had taken place of the child's, as Harry's eyes were closed. In place of emerald green, were a pair of deep brown eyes mixed with flecks of red, shining with power, even reduced to that of a soul fragment.

"Where does your uncle sleep?" He asked the boy within his mind, "It's the first room on the left. Please be careful. My aunt is in there. Don't hurt her."

Marvolvo nodded, "Don't worry child. I will be diligent." And the man in the child's body continued up the stairs reaching the door of the child's abuser. The man didn't care who the child was. He didn't tolerate child abuse. Particularly when that child abuse befell that of magical blood.

Making sure to create a sound barrier between his mind and the child to ensure Harry wouldn't be able to hear what was about to take place, he turned the door handle and entered the dark room. He looked at the bed with two sleeping forms. One thin and lanky, and the other large and rotund. The thin one stirred sitting up slightly, "Harry?" She whispered quietly glancing at her husband with concern, glad to see him still snoring.

The Harry turned Marvolvo put a finger to his lips, gesturing for her silence. She looked at him, a mix of fear and concern, taking notice of the change in his eyes. She could only think of her sister at this moment. He walked to her slowly before taking his hand and gesturing for her to close her eyes, then taking her hands in his and placing them over her ears. She obediently kept them there.

He then stepped away and looked at the fat man laying still sleeping. How he wanted to torture this man. To see him endure the pain he had inflicted on this family tenfold. But he did not have that kind of time, nor power. He sighed before grabbing the man's hair and placing a hand over the man's mouth. The fat bastard's eyes flew open struggling unsuccessfully against Marvolvo's grip. Obvious hatred and confusing stared into brown eyes as Vernon saw only his nephew above him.

Marvolvo grinned, "I'm sure you don't think you will be leaving here alive. No. See on my better days I would have seen you skinned alive and tortured for months before I would have granted you the mercy of death. But today is not a better day. So, know that you will leave this earth to live an eternity of damnation in hell, and let the devil finish the deed in my stead." And with that Marvolvo cast a silent cutting curse, slitting the man's throat. He watched in glee as the man spluttered in pain, blood filling his throat, quickly bleeding out and losing his last breath. He looked down at his handy work with satisfaction before waving his hand and disposing of the body, ridding the bed of blood.

Harry could hardly believe that it had already been two years since these events had unfolded. He looked over to his cousin, now a bit taller and more thinned out than before, and his aunt standing in the kitchen whistling as she baked and smiled. While sometimes the guilt of his uncle's death crept up on him, the happiness of his family reminded him that it was all worth it in the end.