Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the characters, if I owned Harry Potter i won't be here now!
Warning(s): Nice Snape! Molly, Ginny and Dumvledore bashing! Mention of child abuse! The story turned out to be darker than I expected it to be so...you've warned!
P.S. I know I said I would delete this story, and I DID delete but after having many people (I won't mention who, let's just say freinds and some friends I've made through )
Enjoy! :)
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Harry stared at the people standing in front of him. He never thought that he would see them again - spare Dudley. When he had gotten his Hogwarts letter, the first thing he thought of was that he wouldn't have to put up with Dudley and his gang anymore… that he wouldn't have to put up with the 'Harry hunting' thing. But now…
The sneers on their faces didn't help. He had this creeping suspicion… that they were planning something. Whether it was 'Harry hunting' or something else, he knew he wouldn't like it.
"Dudles why don't you and your friends go and eat. When you finish, you can do whatever you want", Petunia cajoled her son.
Vernon came out of the kitchen. Harry wasn't really quite sure when he even entered the house. He supposed some time when he was busy staring at the lot he never expected to see together again.
"We're going to the restaurant for lunch."
Cheers met the announcement. Harry didn't need anyone to tell him that he wasn't part of "we".
Over the years he had grown accustomed to being singled out. He wouldn't deny that it had hurt in the beginning, but as time went by he grew used to it. His sixth birthday was the first ti-
"When I get back you'll pay for it", his uncle snapped pulling him out of his thoughts. With that he left, locking the door behind him.
Sighing Harry took the 'afternoon chores' list and read it quickly. It was basically the same chores he had done earlier that day. He put the food back into the refrigerator and went up to Dudley's second room.
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Harry Potter woke up at the sound of a car pulling off. Guessing that the Dursleys were back, Harry quickly went down the stairs two by two and slipped into his cupboard. Bumping his head against the top of the door for the second time that day, I will really need time to get used to this, he gave out a slight wince. The sound of footsteps pulled him out of his thoughts. Merlin it felt like an earth quake, he mused.
A rough hand pulled him out of his thoughts.
"BOY", his uncle shouted as he pulled him out of the cupboard none too gently, "YOU EMBARRASSED US IN FRONT MY DUDLEY'S FRIENDS! ISN'T IT ENOUGH THAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH YOUR FREAKINESS AT HOME?! DO YOU NEED TO EMBARRASS US IN FRONT OF PEOPLE TOO?! MY DUDELY LOST HIS FRIENDS BECAUSE OF YOU! AFTER THEY SAW WHAT FOOD -IF YOU CAN CALL IT FOOD- WE INVITED THEM FOR THEY WOULDN'T EVEN LET US DRIVE THEM HOME! THEY WENT RUNNING TO THEIR PARENTS COMPLAINING ABOUT US! NOW, THEIR PARENTS WOULDN'T LET THEM GO OUT WITH MY DUDELY NOR TALK TO HIM! NOT ONLY THAT YOU DIDN'T COOK LUNCH, BUT ON BREAKFAST YOU WERE ACTING LIKE YOU DIDN'T KNOW THAT MY DUDELY WAS ON DIET! WE HAD TO GO TO A RESTAURANT FOR BREAKFAST AND FOR LUNCH! ISN'T THE MONEY THAT WE ARE WASTING ON YOU ENOUGH?! WE HAD TO BUY YOU SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR SIX YEARS, NOT MENTION THE SIX YEARS BEFORE SCHOOL WICH EQUALS...equals...equals-", Harry would've found his uncle not knowing the sum of six and six funny, if it wasn't for the seriousness of the situation.
"Twelve Vernon dear", came from his aunt.
"Never mind ", he growled.
"Petunia, Dudley. Out of the room… I have some issues that I need to solve with this...this...thing", hissed Vernon.
To say he was scared out of his wits would be a severe understatement. NEVER In his twelve- almost thirteen years- of living with the Dursleys had he seen his uncle this... mad, for a lack of other word.
Not that Harry can see his fault.
Firstly, never did is uncle mention that his whale of a son was on a diet. Secondly, no one said anything about Dudley's gang coming over. How on earth was he supposed to know? And since when did the Dursleys spent money on him? All he ever got were Dudley's hand-me-downs.
A sharp sound and a stinging back.
Harry gasped in surprise the first time the belt landed on his backside. As it landed again...and again...and again... silent tears escaped escape from his eyes.
"YOU ABNORMAL FREAK! WASTE OF SPACE! WASTE OF TIME! WASTE OF MONEY! ALL YOU EVER DO IS HANG AROUND! YOU NEVER DO WHAT WE ASK YOU TO DO! YOU SHOULD BE THANKFUL THAT WE TOOK YOU IN!"
Harry was having a hard time trying not to snap at his uncle. Honestly, since when did he just hang around? He wasn't even able to live his childhood. All he ever did was clean, clean, clean, clean, cook, cook, so on and so forth. Basically he was their house-elf.
He couldn't help but scream as the belt landed on his buttocks. The fading cloth of his trousers didn't do anything to lessen the blow.
Just then, a beautiful black owl flew into the room with a letter tied around its leg.
The creature might have been his blessing in disguise, as the older man ceased the beating.
"Boy", he hissed, "I don't want to see any owls here. Do you understand? You will not write to any of your friends."
"But they'll get worried", Harry countered
After a moment of what seemed to be an internal debate, "Fine. But I will be checking EVERY SINGLE LETTER?"
"Y-yes sir", afraid of what would come out if he protested for more. "Can I read the letter now?"
"Me first", his uncle snarled.
Vernon untied the letter harshly, scaring the poor bird. Harry watched as his uncle's eyes widen in horror. He's gone white as sheet. Then suddenly, he looked angry and his face twisted into an expression Harry couldn't quite place.
After what seemed to be ages, his uncle handed the letter back to him.
Taking it from Vernon with shaky hands, he took in the slightly crumpled state of the letter.
Harry,
I am writing this from my hiding place. I can't tell you where, in case the letter gets intercepted. Trust me, I want nothing more than to tell you where I'm hiding. It's boring here. There is nothing to do, and a hipogriff isn't exactly what you can call a "civil company". Not that I am complaining… It's certainly better than being back in Azkaban, or getting the dementor's kiss. Moony can't come here. It's rather far and it would look suspicious if he dropped here often. He did visit. Twice.
The other day Dumbledore contacted us, saying that the ministry is getting suspicious and is now tracking his every move. It's all my fault.
I found this owl by the way. He didn't exactly belong to anyone. I mean obviously, he belonged to someone before. Whoever he belonged to… they certainly lost him months ago, because when I found him he was already half-dead. He had a broken leg and a broken wing.
Anyway, enough about me. How are you? I hope you're okay.
Harry please tell me that they (you're aunt and uncle) are treating you well. I can't imagine why you so eagerly accepted my offer to live with me- a complete stranger. At first, I was so happy that it slipped my mind. Would you're friend- Ron (Is his name?) - agree to live with a stranger if he is being treated well at home?
Don't tell me that the reason for your outright agreement is the fact that I am your godfather… It doesn't change the fact that you barely know me, and that they raised you.
Please reply soon as you can.
Also, would you like to hear stories about your father? I do have plenty…
With love,
Padfoot
P.S.
I'm calling you "Pronglet"… it was what we called you when you were a toddler.
A smile crept across his somber features. The letter is short, hurried and rambling… but it fills him with a certain degree of warmth.
Harry looked up to his uncle, only to find him glaring daggers at him.
"WHO IS THAT?" demanded Vernon.
He did seriously consider telling his uncle about Sirius. Maybe… just MAYBE, things would be better.
Dkc"My Godfather."
"Beg pardon?"
"MY GODFATHER."
"You don't have a godfather. And if you really do have one, then he would have taken you in after your parents died. Ha! Now you have to admit that you are a freak even the freaks don't want you!"
"Sirius DOES want me! He DID try to take me in after my parents died! When I met him at the end end of the year, he offered a house- A HOME! He is a good man. He escaped the most feared wizard prison and saved me from the man who sold away my parents!"
His uncle's face flared red a thousand intensities. "Don't expect me to let you answer the letter, or any letters for that matter. I do not want to see any owls in my completely normal home", his words dripped with venom.
He was shocked by the sudden diversion of the older man's reply. Maybe… just MAYBE, he had won against his uncle. He didn't let his apprehension show though.
"They're going to get worried", he countered with a weaker tone. He hoped that his uncle would bite it.
Luck seemed to be on his side for now. His uncle bowed his head and put his hand on his second chin (…or third chin? It was hard to tell.) in a thoughtful way.
If his uncle would agree to let him answer the letter, then he would try to send hints to Sirius about the abuse. Please, beautiful Merlin, let him agree… Please let him say yes…
Please... please... please... please...
"Okay."
"Huh?"
"I'll let you reply to the letters but I'll read them ALL."
"Yes", he began happily. Then suddenly he remembered Hedwig. Now or never.
"Where is Hedwig?" He mentally cursed himself for sounding so weak. His voice, barely more than a whisper.
The sneer on his Vernon's face was enough to confirm his doubts. The hope he had once was fully pulverized into nothingness with the older man's next words;
"Let's just say... she'll never be seen again."
He fell on his knees.
No… no… No..! No..! No..! No… no… no… no...
NO!
Hedwig... she... she…
He couldn't even think clearly.
Not Hedwig…
Not his owl…
Not his best friend…
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Harry Potter woke up with a start.
As he got out of the cupboard, he couldn't help but notice the dried tears on his face. He tried to remember the reason behind his tears… Then…
Merlin!
What was he thinking?! He told about Sirius! Oh… now the Dursleys are going to call the police… who will obviously report to the ministry… who would-
He shook all thoughts away. There should be none of that.
And he got over his day.
Harry was worried about Ron and Hermonie.
Three days of holiday had passed and still, there were no letters from them.
Then, as if on cue, a familiar owl flew into the window and landed on the counter in front of him. Still a bit shocked, Harry untied the letter from the owl's leg.
He recognized the owl. It was Ron's.
Sirius gave it to him as an apology for his rat. It's the same owl Sirius used to send him his Hogsmead permission slip. He wondered if Ron had named it already.
Glad his uncle wasn't here, he took the letter eagerly.
He opened the letter slowly.
It read:
Harry,
How are you? We're fine here… Hermione came yesterday night. Mum and dad have been talking Dumbledore into letting go you come over, but for some reason he's been so bold about it. It seems he is, in no way, going to bulge.
Hope the Muggles are treating you well. If not, then give us a word and you'll be out before you know it. Bloody Dumbledore… He kept on insisting that you are safe there. HONESTLY. You're not happy there.
Moving on, have you heard from Sirius? Is he okay? Yesterday, I overheard from mum and dad that nobody had seen "hair nor hide" of him.
We'll get you out of there before the world cup.
Dumbledore's permission or none, you are not missing the world cup. It is a once a lifetime chance!
Have you finished your homework yet? I'm halfway done.
It's not like I've got a choice… Hermione's been forcing me.
Best wishes,
Ron
Smiling, he folded the letter then tucked inside his back pocket… only to have his wrist crushed. Looking up, he saw the angry face of his uncle.
"What. Is. this?" his uncle partially hissed.
"A-A-A letter"
A slap.
"Haven't I told you I'll read every single letter you'll receive and send?"
"I-I-I-I… yes you did", he answered, bowing his head.
What's wrong with you potter? He mentally scolded himself. Since when do you bow you're head in shame? And in front of your uncle of all people!
It's because I know what's coming, came his reply.
Reply?
He's gone bonkers.
Potter, you've gone mad.
No, I have not! He urged.
He didn't have enough time to dwell on his thoughts, for his uncle's voice cut through them with startling intensity.
"Then why didn't you show this to me?"
Deciding to stand up for himself, he countered;
"They are MY letters. MY privacy. You don't have the right to read them."
"You don't tell me what I do and don't do boy."
Without a warning his uncle snatched the letter out of his hand and read it. When he finished he looked like he would explode any second- face purple, eyes wide and probably ready to pop out of their sockets.
"What did you tell these freaks about us?" Vernon snapped. "First your godfather and now, this?!"
Apparently his uncle wasn't excepting an answer- something he was thankful for. Harry didn't know how to respond.
"Can I reply to the letters?" He surprised himself for asking.
"Yes. Our agreement stands. Still, I'm going to read them- both of them."
Harry was really happy that his uncle let him reply to the letters.
Still, there's this creeping discontent that his uncle was going to read them. Any hope to tell Sirius bout the abuse vanished. How could he? When his uncle was going to be reading his mail. But he knew he ought to be happy that he, at least, got to write back at all.
Harry looked at the letter he wrote to his godfather happily.
Padfoot,
Happy you're okay, wherever you are. I am sorry to hear that professor Lupin is being watched by the ministry; hope he is okay.
And what's wrong with a hipgroff for company? I will choose him without giving a second thought.
The Durselys are treating me well. I'm quite happy with them.
I agreed to live with you because you knew my parents- for who they truly were. They wouldn't have trusted you if you are not to be trusted. And yes, also because you are my godfather… though you seem discontented with that reason.
Oh, and before I forget, yes I'd love to hear stories about my father!
Best,
Pronglet
He just hoped that Sirius would pick up the hints. He hoped Uncle Vernon wouldn't.
He decided that the faster he send it the better.
Sirius's owl was still waiting. He felt guilty for keeping him overnight without any owl treats, so on his way he grabbed some toast. He had no idea where his trunk was.
Tying the letter to the black owl's keg (after Vernon approved of it), he whispered to him to be careful and to deliver it quickly. He couldn't be happier that his uncle was THAT thick headed. The hints were far too obvious that he feared even his uncle's thick head would pick it up but just for once, luck seemed to be on his side.
With that, he went to write a reply to Ron.
Ron, Hermione,
I'm alright here.
I don't think they forgot the flying car from summer, so they are treating me well. Sirius is okay. How are ou? The twins? Ginny? Percy? Mr. Weasley? Mrs. Weasley?
Hope you're okay guys. I'll let you know if they are not treat me well. I'm eager to see how you'll come this time.
I'm looking forward for the world cup!
Best
Harry
Smiling, he handed the letter to his uncle. After a once over from the difficult man, Harry tied it to Ron's owl. He watched her fly until she was nowhere to be seen.
He then turned to leave, only to come face to face with a once-more-angry-looking Vernon Dursley.
TBC
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Author's note: Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Sorry for the lateness I know I promised that it won't take me more than two weeks, I finished the chapter in a week and a half but until it got read by both betas it took some time. I'll try to finish it earlier next saw 'Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them"? It was fantastic. If anyone wants the link tell me. Guys, do you have any ideas for Sirius's and Ron's owls? Cuz, for Ron I don't want to take the name in the canon. Oh, and I almost forgot, a couple of days ago I ran into a website called ' .com'. The site is amazing it's like you're going to Hogwarts! If you have an account there please tell me your name on the website (if you wish) and if you don't have an acoount then go make a one it's super easy and the site is bloody amazing! There I'm able to create a group, and I want to make a group there for us cuz sometimes I feel like I want to tell you something but I don't want to post an author's note. If you're okay with the site and the idea of the group I'd also ftake your suggestions for the name of the group. Oh, and I also have decided that here will be a good Snape but will take time to warm up for Harry and Dumbldore bashing, still not sure about Molly though.
PLEASE REVIEW! Last time i barley got any reviews! Thanks to who reviewed. And from now on, the reviews will replied to, but not the flames. Don't forgot to answer the questions I asked! Love ya!