I do not own Harry Potter.
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It was two in the afternoon when the doorbell rang at Number four, Privet Drive.
Dudley was sat staring at the TV, he was clearly not going to move any time soon.
Vernon was sat beside Dudley, as they watched Boxing together.
Harry was locked in his cupboard, since the Durleys thought since Harry kept on coming back, they were going to try harder to get him to leave and downgraded him from Dudley second bedroom to back to the cupboard under the stairs.
The only one, close to their door and could actually get to it was Petunia who was in the kitchen, cooking up several large Apple pies for her family for an afternoon snack.
"Useless boy" Petunia said, not hearing the sound of small feet going immediately to the door, it didn't matter to her that she had been the one to lock Harry in his Cupboard three days ago and only let him out to go toilet, she gave him food through a cat flat and she couldn't be bothered, or want to open the door to the cupboard, just to let the freak out to answer the door.
Petunia smiled at her husband and son, her perfect family which her sister and her freakishness will never have, because it was her who lived when Lily had everything, it was her who survived, she turned around and walked towards the door and unlocked it.
Whatever she was expecting to meet, it was certainly not, three men dressed in expensive black suits in front of her, two of them were bulky and wore black glasses, they both had shaved heads and looked to be body guards.
However, the middle man is what really got her attention.
It took a moment for her to recognise the face that she was staring into.
It was the same face of the man, she had long thought dead and had seen countless times beside her sister.
The same face that stared back at her when she stared at that Freak.
James Potter.
"Ma'am" The man said, starting off polite despite how he despised this woman.
"May, I please come inside?"
Petunia meant to slam the door in his face, she didn't know how he survived but she wasn't having another freak step into her home.
The door was stopped by a foot.
Ch 6: The Art of Manipulation.
Petunia stared in shocked at the foot stopping the door from slamming shut.
"Ma'am" The man said, making her look at him. "Don't you think it's quite rude to slam the door in somebody's face?"
Petunia found her voice again and sneered. "I didn't know how you survived but I'm not letting anymore of your kind step a foot into my home. Why won't you freaks leave normal decent, people like me and my family alone!?"
Yes, 'normal' and 'decent' indeed. Steelcold thought, wanting to snort, clearly the woman was suffering from her own delusions and said. "Freaks? Have you perhaps mistaken me for my brother? I don't know who you think I am but I don't think it would be wise to make me wait outside. After all what would the neighbours think?"
And Petunia paused, realising just how many people were outside, clearly the man's looks, bodyguard and the expensive looking black car was attracting attention and it was gathering a crowd, and to her horror, the streets own gossip woman were out, clearly impressed with the car, it was the kind that was rear to see even in the upper middle class and it spoke volumes of your finical status if you owned one.
Petunia know she couldn't turn the man away now, not when so many people were out and watching her or she would face serious backlash in the eyes of neighbourhood as a whole and said. "Fine, come in and closed the door" she gritted out, she hated being forced to let him inside her perfectly normal home.
Steelcold followed after the horse face women while his bodyguards followed behind him, one of them closed the door when they were all inside.
He made sure to look at each and every family photo he came across, he wasn't at all surprised to see that there was no proof of a fourth member of the family, each frame showed just three people not four.
It angered him seeing no sign, that his nephew even lived here and had a sneaky suspicion that Harry was back in his cupboard, out of sight and probably injured and skinnier than when he had seen him last.
"Petunia, who is it?" Vernon asked, not expecting to get his answer seconds later, in the form of a man in a black expensive suit, who's face, he hadn't seen ever since that night at the restaurant decades ago.
"YOU!" He roared, getting up, his face going a nice shade of purple making Dudley snap out of his trance and look up to see what enraged his father so much.
Dudley mouth dropped at the sight of a man who looked like a much older version of Harry but without the striking green eyes.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE, FREAK!?" Vernon growled, his face going an interesting shade of red and Steelcold couldn't help but look at him like his very existence amused him. "YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD! LEAVE NOW! AND DON'T COME BACK! LEAVE MY FAMILY ALONE AND TAKE YOUR FREAKISH SON WITH YOU!"
And Steelcold had to hold his bodyguards back, stopping them from harming the foolishly man who let his mouth speak first before his brain.
Vernon shout was so loud that Harry who busy in his cupboard, writing a letter to his friends, paused.
"GET OUT!" Vernon yelled. "GET OUT! LEAVE MY FAMILY ALONE! YOUR KIND ISN'T WELCOME HERE!"
And Dudley looked proud of his father until he saw one of the giant man, turn his way and cowered even though he couldn't see the man's eyes.
There was a silence after Vernon 'little' rant and Steelcold said.
"Are you finished Mr Durley?"
Shocking them all.
"Did it feel good to finally rant out some frustration?" Steelcold said, "Did it feel good to release some of that anger that you had stored up?"
And Vernon, Petunia and Dudley, face was absolutely hilarious.
"Good" Steelcold said, smiling. "Now than, let me introduce myself formally. Mr name is Steelcold and I have never been or will be a wizard or what you like to call a 'Freak'" spinning the truth to their liking.
All the Durleys continued to look at him stumped.
"If you're talking about 'freakish', then you must mean my twin brother James Potter." Steelcold said, he had already sent a silent prayer to his dead birth parents and anyone who he would offend, here today, before he left. "Unlike my twin brother, I was not born with magic and I was raised in a proper home. Away from the 'Freaks', like you like to put it. I was raised to be a proper member of society" crafting a web of lies within the truth.
And Vernon was shocked, anyone with half a brain could see, that this was clearly a different man than the one he had met years before.
Could this man, really be a normal person just like him? And for the first time, since he first laid eyes on the man, he really took in the man appearance.
The man was dressed in an Alexander Amosu Vanquish II Bespoke, a suit that had his jaw dropping at the fineness that he could see in the suits fabric, it was much posher, than anything he owned and there was no hideous round glasses framing the man face and on his wrist was a solid gold Rolex watch.
Clearly this man was dressed to impress and impressed Vernon was.
It was nothing like that scruffy, terrible look that he had been subject to years before, this man reeked of money and power.
A mix he know, all too well when facing his own boss and know from years of experience, that it would do good to get on the man good side, who knows what kind of doors the man could open up for him.
Before everyone eyes, his character did a complete one eighty.
"Sorry about that" Vernon said, with a lumpy smile on his face while his son and wife looked at him like he had grown two head. "I don't know what came over me"
Was Vernon kissing, my uncle ass? Harry could help but think, he know all too well that tone of voice as he pressed his ear against the door to ears drop, having been shocked to hear the sound of his Uncle's voice.
What was his Uncle doing here?
"No problem" Steelcold said, smiling. "I have seen many interesting reactions to my face ever since, I've arrived in Britain. However, I do prefer to think of myself as Russian than Britain, since I have little to no memory of being born British"
And Vernon was shocked that this man was Russian, his English was really good, no wonder the man was so well dressed, all the man playing Russian roles on television were always so well dressed and said. "Vernon. Vernon Durley" getting out his fat hand for the man to shake.
"Steelcold" Steelcold said, taking the hand and turning to Dudley and said. "And this must be Dudley, my nephew and I got to say, you look very much like your dad. So very strong and muscular; your parents must be very proud of your achievements that you no doubt have."
And Harry wanted to snort, they both know that 'strong and muscular' was another word for them to say 'Fat' when it concerns the Durleys and what achievements?
Dudley beamed at the praise and Petunia beamed, finally someone was recognising her baby for who he was.
This man was okay in her book.
"So Mr Steelcold" Vernon said, liking this man, more every minute. "Surely you didn't come here to have a family reunion?"
"Your right Mr Durley" Steelcold said, knowing this was where the conversation would go I south. "I've come here for one Harry Potter, my other nephew"
And Harry couldn't have glued his ears, even more to the door.
His Uncle had come to get him?
Was this a dream?
But before Vernon could show his disapproval, Petunia beat him too it.
"Harry Potter?" Petunia said, "There is no Harry Potter here" she screeched.
"Really?" Steelcold said, looking at his two body guards with a puzzled expression. "I was under the impression that my nephew currently lived here, was the address wrong?" before saying. "Then we must leave and find the right address. Thank you for your help, I don't know what I would have done with if I had given this money to the wrong people."
"What money?" Vernon injected, stopping him in his tracks since he heard the golden word 'money'.
And Steelcold thought, Hook, Line and Sinker and put on a confused face.
"The money, that I intend to give to people who are in charge of my Nephew so that I can obtain ownership of him." Steelcold said.
"Wait!" Vernon said, stopping him in his tracks. "How much are we talking about?" he just had to know.
Steelcold eyebrow rose and said. "Well I do believe one million pounds Is enough for the boy. Any more and I would have to have more guys around to carry it" and Vernon and the rest of his family were all suddenly aware of the big black suitcase that one of his body guards carried, how did they miss it? "Of course, this is just a small sum towards the real payment" he said, casually like a million was nothing to him which was true now.
Vernon eyes shone with greed and he wasn't the only one, much to his disgust.
"And since you told me, I got the wrong house. I will be on my-"He began, making his way to the front door.
"IT'S THE RIGHT HOUSE!" Vernon shouted, quickly stopping him in his tracks.
"But didn't your wife just say?" Steelcold said, turning around and Harry was in awed at how easily the man was stringing the Durleys along.
"Surely, Petunia was just mistaken, right?" Vernon said, turning to his wife who nodded and Steelcold was amazed that her head didn't fall off her neck.
"Right" Petunia said, quickly "I was just confused."
"Really?" Steelcold said, "in that case" coming back, much to all the Durleys relief and said. "May I see the boy?"
And all eyes turned to Petunia who had the key to the cupboard.
Him and the bodyguards were shocked, when the woman went to the cupboard under the stairs and unlocked several locks on it before going inside, moments later, she appeared, dragging a very skinny and thin looking boy out of the cupboard by his ear, there was a bruise on the right side of his neck and he looked so weak that the wind could know him down.
She seemed to have forgotten that she was manhandling, Steelcold own nephew instead of the 'Freak'.
"my god." One of his bodyguards said, shocked by the boy state.
"Be grateful brat, that your uncle is here to take you" Petunia spat out, not knowing she was being filmed.
"Watch him. The boy is a trouble maker" Vernon couldn't help but say. "Ever since he was left at my doorstep, he has been a burden to my family for years. We gave him food, clothes and roof of his head and how does he repay us?"
"Yes, Mr Durley" Steelcold said, prompting the man. "How does he repay you, a fine member of society? From what I heard, Harry is an angel" stroking the man's ego, in hopes that he would tell him more and it was working.
It was pathetic how easily Vernon fell into the trap.
"Angel?" Vernon snorted while the rest of the Durleys looked amused. "The boy is menace!"
And Harry suddenly found the floor very interesting.
"He's a freak!" Dudley imputed in, while his parents gave him looks of pride, not seeing how the two big men were giving them all looks of disgust.
"That's right" Petunia said, "A freak should be away from normal people. We tried to beat the freakishness out of him"
"Beat the Freakishness?" Steelcold said, prompting the Durleys to elaborate and dig their own graves further.
"You know, beat him" Vernon said, "He's a very lazy boy so you will have to beat him before he gets his butt into gear. If he ever does his freakishness, then he needs to be punished. That's the only way his kind can ever learn. His parents were drunkards who died in a car crash, you know. They were good for nothing and scum" forgetting that one of the 'scums', were was exactly his brother and continued to say. "They were both freaks. It's a shame that you can't pick your family sometime"
Indeed. Both Harry and Steelcold thought at the same time.
"If he ever gets out of line than don't be afraid to punish him" Vernon went on to say. "Just last week, he broke Dudley brand new game boy and even had the cheeks to back. He was ever stealing food from my own son. I had to whip him a couple of times to get him to admit it. My boy is angel compared to this boy, he never done anything bad and always keeps out of trouble"
And Harry wanted to roll his eyes but didn't dare, surely his uncle wasn't believing this.
"You mentioned punishments" Steelcold said, "What kind of punishment do you, normal do to discipline this child?" taking a seat.
"You know the usual" Vernon said, really going at it. "Beat him or whip him with a belt if he doesn't get any of his chores done, lock him in the cupboard for days on end when he tries to ask for more food, ungrateful freak or hurts Dudley. You have to beat his freakishness out of him, it builds character. I know Petunia whacks him with a hot frying pan when he doesn't do the cooking right. My son even participates sometimes in the freaks punishment. Tell him about Harry hunting, son."
And Harry was in awe, the Durleys were being easily manipulated into revealing everything, none of them saw the manipulation right in front of their eyes.
"Harry Hunting?" Steelcold said, turning to the boy who, he was unfortunate enough to have as his other nephew.
Dudley chest puffed up with pride and said, "Yep, Harry hunting. It's my version of cat and mouse. Harry is the mouse and me and my gang are the cat. We chase Harry and if he's caught we beat him up."
"And how many times do you play 'Harry Hunting'? It sounds like a fascinating game" Steelcold said, wondering how many people would be willing to come forward and testify about Dudley and his gang.
"I think it normally, seven or eight times a week" Dudley said, with glee before he said. "To build character of course" he didn't want the man thinking he was anything but what he portrayed.
It was a bit too late for that now.
And Steelcold could just feel his bodyguards disgust towards these people.
To think such vile people existed.
"If you want the boy to be normal, you have to take my advice and beat the freakishness out of him." Vernon said, like he was some wise man who was really an idiot, unknowingly signing his own arrest warrant. "That's the only way, he will ever learn." Looking proud.
"Is that so…" Steelcold said, before saying in a casual manner. "So shall we sign the paper, now? To hand over full guardianship to me? Of course, this should be kept strictly hush hush, so that one of those 'Freaks' don't try to cheat you out of your well earned money"
"True" Vernon said, this man was speaking his language and he liked that.
Harry could only look on in disbelief as his Uncle got out guardianship papers and handed it over to the Durleys who were more than happy to sign over their rights with a look of greed in their eyes.
His Uncle was doing the one thing; nobody else did.
He was getting him away from this place.
For that he would follow the man to hell and back, anywhere was better than here.
"There" Vernon said, having signed everything and was looking at the black brief case with no small amount of greed.
"Thank you" Steelcold said, looking over everything and then one of his bodyguards placed the briefcase on the table and Vernon immediately attacked it, wanting to open it and catch a glimpse of the money, he was promised.
But it remained shut.
"Did I forget to tell you?" Steelcold said, getting confused looks from the pair. "The briefcase has a timer on it. The moment, my guardianship is made official, is the moment, this briefcase opens. Surely you know how we rich men are, always wanting to make sure, our money is worth?"
"U-Ur right" Vernon said, cursing the man for the delay in his money, since he, like his wife planned to cash it in today.
"Now Harry" Steelcold said, turning to his nephew. "Pack all your clothes and anything, you wish to take with you. Where leaving"
The word 'Leaving' was like sweeting music to his ears.
Harry tried not to seem too eager, as he went to his cupboard and began to pack with excitement.
But along with excitement, came rage.
He was angry that it wasn't Siruis, his own godfather who ended up freeing from the Durleys, instead, it the man who he didn't know existed up to a month ago and had only been in Britain for mere days, it was funny, his Uncle had accomplished more than his own friends and adopted family ever had within a few days, in the years, he had known them.
"Is that it?" Steelcold said, disgusted to see Harry hadn't changed into better clothes and was still wearing cast off that obviously belonged to Dudley, that had holes in it and Hedwig looked thin, he was sure her currently weight wasn't healthy at all.
"No matter" He said, getting up to leave. "Follow me to the car" and Harry was more than happy to follow.
Finally, he was away from the Durleys, he know full well that Dumbledore would try to drag him back but he got the feeling that his Uncle wouldn't give him up so easily, which made him feel special.
The walked out of the door and into fresh air, the door to the very expensive looking car opened and he followed his Uncle into the car, never in his life did he think, a car could have such comfortable seats until he sat door.
"Sweets?" His uncle said, and Harry didn't know where the bowl of sweets had come from but he hadn't eaten in days and didn't protest.
And Harry got the feeling that his life had just taken a turn for the better.
A week later, one red faced Petunia and one purple faced Vernon stared an angrily at the letter that had been left inside the suitcase, instead of the money they had been promised.
In their hands was a letter telling them to prepare a defence because Steelcold was taking them to court, the charges for exactly what they were being charged with was not stated.
Along with a little something to make sure, they kept their mouths shut about their coming trail.
The following morning, the whole house was awoken by Petunia scream.
"Petunia?" Vernon said, alarmed, in his hand was a shot gun, ready to shoot the intruder, he found his wife in the kitchen.
Petunia was frozen stiff in fear.
"Petunia, what is it?" Vernon asked, coming over and followed her life of sight, his eyes landed on what she was looking and couldn't help but say.
"HOLY SHIT!" he stumbled back, his gun long forgotten.
Because there near the gas cooker...
Was a bloody hand.
And scene!
Next chapter, several people all over the world, find a nice little letter from Gingotts in their mail box and Dumbledore arrives too late, to find that Harry has already left the Durleys. Review/ Fav and follow!