A/N: I really appreciate everyone who has been reading my story and reviewing! I would love to know what you think so please leave a review. :) Also, I have a little bit of extra time since school hasn't picked up yet and I'm off tonight so I thought I would get an update to you guys. This one is really long, so hopefully it will satisfiy y'all. :) Please review!

This chapter will contain child abuse. If this triggers any kind of issue for you please do not read the next chapter. If you know anyone who is being abused, please let the proper authorities know. You can help them by calling 1-800-4-A-CHILD. (In the US.) If you are a minor who is experiencing abuse or knows someone who is abused then please tell a trusted adult. You may be saving a life.

Disclaimer: I am not JKR and do not own Harry Potter or any affiliated characters or any part of the Harry Potter Universe. I'm just borrowing her world to nurse my writing ability.

Chapter 4

More then a few weeks later, Harry carefully made his way down the stairs to cook breakfast for his family. Harry had endured a week under his relatives and they still hadn't broken his resolve to show them no emotion. Harry was proud of this accomplishment, knowing that if he could keep the pain that he had suffered at Vernon's hand from showing then he could do anything.

Today though, Harry was feeling weaker then ever. The last few week had been a nightmare for Harry, everyday the list of chores had grown longer and every passing day Harry had been given less and less to eat. On top of that, if there were any complaints about his work ethic or how well he was doing the chores he would have to deal with Vernon's wrath, which was becoming more and more violent with each passing day.

Harry stopped in front of the kitchen, listening for any movement in the kitchen. He was hoping he could sneak some breakfast before his relatives came downstairs. Fortunately he heard no one and made his way into the kitchen. Harry quickly made himself a few pieces of toast and wolfed them down quickly, so that he wouldn't be caught. Afterwards, he poured himself a small glass of milk. He needed something to keep his strength up and this was the only way he could get something to eat.

Fortunately there was still no movement upstairs. At this point, Harry quickly went back into the hallway to listen for his family. Thankfully he heard nothing. This boosted Harry's spirits quite a bit, since he knew that if his Uncle Vernon or Dudley had been awake he would definitely hear them.

Harry knelt down by the cupboard under the stairs and began picking the lock. Harry needed some things out of his trunk. Fortunately he had been able to write letters to the Order, by sneaking a pieces of muggle paper and a pen from Dudley's room. He had sent Hedwig off and told her to stay with his friends until he had had to send another letter.

As Harry opened his trunk he grabbed a few things he needed, a few of his books, parchment, a quill, and ink. Harry wrapped these things up in some of his ragged clothing that had been provided by the Dursley's. He needed to start some of his holiday homework, more then anything Harry needed something to occupy the stretches of time he was locked into his room. After he had everything he needed, Harry closed the cupboard and quickly made his way upstairs.

Just as he reached his room, Harry saw Petunia standing on the landing. She had raised her eyebrows at him.

"Boy, just what are you doing?" she said quietly.

Harry who had been expecting yelling looked up at her fearfully, "Aunt Petunia, I was just-"

Harry stopped as Petunia reached forward and thrust him forcefully into his room. Right at that moment, Harry heard Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia's door open.

"Is the boy giving you grief, Petunia?" Vernon asked her. Harry could hear his Uncle Vernon's temper starting to rise.

"Of course not Vernon, I would have called you if he was," She responded sweetly, "I was just making sure he knew I was fixing breakfast for my wonderful men this morning. I certainly didn't want him to come down and ruin everything."

At this, Harry sagged against his door. Both surprised and grateful that Petunia hadn't ratted him out. This was really out of character so Harry scrambled to hide his things.

"Well, then why was he out of his room? I told him not to leave it last night," Uncle Vernon said a little taken aback by his wife's response.

"I was just letting him use the restroom. I wouldn't want him soiling the sheets," Petunia said disgustedly, "Come on dear, I'll get breakfast started and deal with the boy later."

Harry heard his Aunt and Uncle's footsteps descend the stairs. He took a deep breath and let it out. His heart still hammering hard in his chest. He had almost been caught and what that would mean Harry didn't want to imagine. Harry sat on the edge of his bed, putting his head in his hands. Harry had almost lost control, totally ruining his promise to himself to keep calm.

He was also very much surprised by his Aunt's behavior, why would she save him from his Uncle's wrath. She had never done so before, not even when he was seven years old and -

At the moment he started to think about the past, he heard a soft hoot from his window. He looked up to see his Snowy Owl. Harry grinned, grateful that his owl was back, at least for a little while he would have some sort of companionship.

Harry got up and retrieved the owl treats he had hastily grabbed from his trunk. He gave a few to Hedwig while untying the letters.

"Hey Hedwig, glad to see you are back," Harry said quietly as he fed her the treats, "Did you have a safe flight, girl?"

Hedwig looked at Harry inquisitively before hooting softly and lightly nudging Harry's fingers. Harry laughed and stroked her feathers.

"How was everyone?" Harry asked her as he stroked her. "I bet everyone is having loads of fun without me." Harry finished sadly. Hedwig hooted again before playfully nipping his fingers. Reminding him not to dwell on things he couldn't change. Harry carefully moved away from Hedwig and moved to his letters. The first of which, was from Hermione.

Dear Harry,

How are you doing? I do hope the muggles are treating you alright.

Right now I am on vacation in Australia with my parents, and they are absolutely smitten with this place...

Harry smiled sadly. Glad that his friend was having such a good holiday, away from the darkness that was plaguing the wizarding world. Harry wished he had a family that was happy he was alive. Harry started writing his letter,

Dear Hermione,

My summer is going dreadfully. The muggles are being worse then ever-

Harry stopped writing, reconsidering sharing with Hermione exactly what was happening. He didn't want to put her in danger and ruin her vacation. So instead he lied. He told her that his summer was going well enough, considering his relatives and all. Harry wrote a similar letter to Ron and the Order before allowing Hedwig to take them.

Harry sat back, wondering why on earth he couldn't tell his friends what was going on. Harry just couldn't bring himself to ruin their holidays by putting themselves at risk for him. Right now, Harry was feeling more lonely then ever. Not only was he alone, but he couldn't tell the people he knew cared about him what was going on.

Harry sit back on his bed, feeling sorry for himself. Before long, his pity turned to anger. Why couldn't he for once be strong. It was only one summer with Uncle Vernon, one summer. If he survived ten years, he could survive one summer in order to keep his friends safe.

With that Harry pushed himself off his bed and began pacing his room. Willing his Aunt Petunia to assign him chores so he could get his mind off of how horrible he felt.

Just as this thought came to him, his Aunt opened his bedroom door, "Well boy, get started on your chores, I haven't got all day to wait for you to finish them," she said angrily.

"Yes, ma'am," Harry said indifferently.

He quietly followed his Aunt Petunia downstairs, retrieved his new, longer list, and began his chores. Around midday, Harry had finished the inside chores and started outside to complete his outdoor ones. As he entered the kitchen Petunia had swiftly grabbed his arm, pulling him close to her.

"Boy, don't let me catch you near that cupboard, do you understand?" She said quietly.

Harry, who was more then a little shocked at his Aunts words, pulled away from her angrily. "Why do you care?" he spat at her, feeling more and more angry by the second.

"Because I would rather not have to clean you up after your Uncle Vernon was finished with you," Petunia said with a hint of venom in her voice.

"And since when have you ever helped me after VERNON finished with me," Harry answered with just as much venom. His thoughts turning to the times in his youth when his Uncle had succeded in beating Harry senseless.

Petunia paled tremendously before taking a step away from her nephew.

Harry took a step forward, "That's right, Petunia, you never cared about what happened to me. If you wanted to get me in trouble then you would have. As it is, you didn't and while I'm grateful for whatever stopped you from telling him, but I'm not going to take any pity from you, I've survived long enough with out it."

Petunia, who was still pale, looked as if she gained some of herself back, "I am warning you, Harry, for your own good. You may want my help in this." As she said this she turned and took a plate of food out of the microwave. "I would suggest you finish this quickly, since I know Dudley will be up soon. With that she marched out of the kitchen, snapping the door shut as she went.

Harry took another deep breath, knowing he had once again broken his promise to himself. Damn it, why can't I just keep my anger under control. The more Harry thought about it, the more angry he became.

Even though he was angry, Harry ate his food hungrily. While he didn't want to take his Aunt's pity, Harry knew that he should eat, because he wasn't sure when his next meal would be. After he finished the plate, he slowly rose to rinse his plate before putting it into his Aunt's muggle dishwasher.

Harry went out the backdoor, feeling full. He started on his chores, feeling a little bit of gratitude for his Aunt.

Harry through himself into his work, trying not to dwell on the questions that were bubbling in his mind. Why did Petunia care now? Why was she helping him? And more importantly, what did his Aunt Petunias warning mean?

At the back of the garden, Severus Snape sat watching Potter as he plucked tiny blades of grass out of his Aunt's garden.

He yawned quietly, he had once again been asked by Dumbledore to come and watch the Potter brat. And of course, he had seen Potter's aunt basically serve him breakfast after their minor altercation in the kitchen. Severus wondered what it had been about. Potter had probably done something to make his Aunt angry. At least she had still given him breakfast, if it had been him, Potter would be doing his chores on an empty stomach.

Severus became more alert as Harry had gotten up and was now heading towards Snape's hiding place. As the brat walked over, Severus wondered if Harry could see him. He quickly renewed his disillusionment charm and shift the invisibility cloak to better hid him, then he moved backwards to the garden wall.

As Potter came closer, he noticed that something seemed amiss about the boy. Severus, an expert spy for the order couldn't put his finger on what was amiss. The boy just seemed off, but seeing no indication that something was wrong, Severus shrugged it off, deciding to think about it at a later time, if at all.

Severus watched Potter pull a muggle lawnmower out of the shed and attempt to crank it up. He couldn't help buy chuckle as the boy struggled with the mower, obviously not having the strength to get it started.

As Potter struggled, he noticed a few boys pouring out of the Dursley house. He realized instantly, Petunia's son, who looked bigger then any student he had ever seen at Hogwarts. With him, were what could be assumed were his friends.

Dudley's friends instantly noticed Potter and made their way over to him. Snape wondered if the boys were friends with Harry also.

As soon as he thought that however, he had to eat his words as the boys grabbed Harry from behind, holding his arms behind his back. Harry, had first reached for his wand, Severus noted, before realizing his attackers were his cousins muggle friends.

At that point, Harry began to struggle against the boys grip, but it was no use, the other boy was forcing Harry onto his knees. After a brief struggle, the boys had an even better grip on the boy, Severus could hear their taunting from where he as standing at the edge of the wall.

"Well, well well, if it isn't criminal Pott-head," a skinny rat-faced boy said.

Dudley, laughed and smiled as Harry's face went from angry to furious, "What's the matter freak, did Piers hit a nerve?"

"In your dreams, Dudley," Harry answered sarcastically, as he said this he began to struggle fiercely.

Dudley answered serenely, "Really, why don't we tell Piers about your nightmares, how you cry for Cedric and Sirius in your sleep. Do you miss your boyfriends that much Potter?"

Harry stopped struggling as the boys laughed at him.

"I think its time we started a good old-fashioned game of Harry Hunting, you up for it Dudley?" Piers asked after he finished laughing at Potter.

In response, Dudley punched Harry hard in the mouth, busting his cousins lip. "Not very strong now, are you Potter?"

Severus was watching furiously, how dare this muggle bully Harry. Something was definitely not right with this picture. Severus had imagined Harry and Dudley to at least be friends. Instead he found that Dudley was just a bully. For some reason, Harry wasn't crying out and was instead kneeling quietly on the ground as each of the bullies reigned punches down on him.

Severus realized with a jolt, that Potter was used to this treatment. Knowing there was little he could do, Severus summoned his house-elf, asking her to discreetly leave bruise-balm and dreamless sleep in the boys room. No one deserved that kind of treatment, even if it was the son of the man who had similarly bullied him.

Severus looked up, noticing movement in the window of number 4. He saw Petunia, shaking her head at the scene in front of her. For a moment, he felt anger at this woman, who allowed her fat son to beat up on his cousin. In a flash, he realized that something was different about the woman standing at the window, something in her had changed. Once again, Severus felt as if he couldn't quite place what was wrong with her. Although now, Severus might could understand why Potter seemed off. The boy had been walking a more gingerly, no doubt, because of the treatment of his cousin.

Severus sighed heavily, as he watched the boys get tired of hitting Potter. After the boys left him, Potter struggled to stand. After he managed it, he heavily leaned against the lawnmower, trying to catch his breath.

From where he stood, he could see the bruises forming around Harry's eyes and even worse, the blood dripping from his mouth. Severus wandlessly tried some healing magic. Although it was a weak spell, it managed to stop the bleeding. Harry didn't seem to notice though, as he was still breathing heavily.

Harry was gasping for air, that wouldn't seem to come. Harry knew he should have been paying more attention to his surroundings and since he hadn't, his cousin had gotten the better of him.

Harry swayed slightly as he let go of the lawnmower. Mowing the lawn was the last of the chores he had been expecting to do. But now that he was injured, he knew that it would be hell trying to get it dne in time for his Uncle to be home from work.

Harry had overheard a conversation between Dudley and Petunia earlier in the week, about how Vernon, in an attempt to spend more time with Dudley, would be taking a few half days from work.

Unfortunately for Harry, today was one of the days that Vernon would be home early. Harry briefly wondered what time it was, before hastily trying to get the mower started. Maybe Vernon wouldn't be as angry if Harry was still working when he got home.

Over and over Harry pulled the cord on the lawnmower and he still couldn't get the damn thing started.

"Damn it," Harry said loudly, wincing as his lips parted, "Just start, please."

Somehow, on his next try Harry managed to get the mower started. Harry began mowing the lawn, as quickly as his bruised and tired body would let him. He just had to finish before Vernon came home. He had to.

Unfortunately, just as Harry was three quarters of the way done, his Uncle came out the backdoor looking furious.

"BOY, I told your ungrateful ass, to have these chores finished before I got home," Vernon said loudly as he made his way towards Harry, who was about to begin mowing the patch of grass closest to the backwall.

At Uncle Vernon's call, Harry couldn't help but jump, as he did, his already puce-colored Uncle made it over to where he was standing.

"WELL, WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY FOR YOURSELF BOY, WHY AREN'T THESE CHORES COMPLETED?" Vernon roared at Harry.

Harry who had stopped mowing, looked angrily up at Vernon, "Well, maybe you should teach your son to keep his hands off of others and your damn lawn would be mowed by now." Harry said, realizing after he said it that he was definitely in for it.

Vernon, if it was possible had just turned a darker shade of purple, grabbed Harry by the hair and lifted him so that he was level with Vernon's face, shaking with rage he said, "DON'T YOU EVER INSULT MY DUDLEY THAT WAY. YOU WILL NEVER BE HALF OF WHAT MY BOY IS."

Harry who was too angry to feel scared, answered with, "Your right, I'll never be half as big as Dudley, but I think we both know who to blame for that,"

As he said this, Vernon furiously shook Harry by the hair before throwing him into the garden wall. Harry hit the wall so hard, that you could hear the crack of his bones as the landed.

Harry shakily got to his feet, leaning heavily on the wall, he looked fearfully at his Uncle, who at this point was making his way towards where Harry had landed.

"You listen here boy, I don't need your cheek, in fact, you deserve every punishment that you get. Don't think I don't know that your Aunt is beginning to feel sorry for you. She pities you because you lead such a horrid existence," Vernon began vilely, "Don't ever forget your place, if you can't remember then I'll be glad to teach you."

Vernon reached out to grab Harry by the hair, but was surprised when instead he was face-to-face with a black-haired man.

"I don't think you will be touching, Mr Potter, again tonight," the greasy-haired man said.

Harry, who had been close to passing out when his Uncle came at him again, really fainted at the sight of his hated-potions professor protecting him from his Uncle.

As Harry hit the ground beneath him, Vernon began sputtering his surprise at the wizard before him, "I am sorry sir, but you have no idea what the boy puts us through," Vernon began, hoping he could talk some sense into the stern man in front of him.

"I do believe I have seen enough," Snape answered, before pointing his wand at the vile muggle man before him, "Bring me Potters things before I change my mind about hexing you."

As the fat muggle retreated into the house, Severus turned around to survey the damage done to the boy.

"Its always you, isn't it Potter," he muttered as he began preparations to move the injured boy.