Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters and most of the settings in this story. The honour belongs solely to JK Rowling. I suspect that I do not even own half of the plot, as this has been influenced by the numerous fanfics I've read.
Author's Note: I can't believe the amount of reviews I'm getting. 91 last time I checked. Although I know it's not about the number of reviews but the quality of the writing, it's still a buzz to see so many. I was hoping for maybe 40 for the whole story but it looks like I'll get over 100. Thanks guys.
The reason I thought Harry was a little out of character last chapter because as xSnapeLoverx mentioned I thought Harry was a little cowardly. He doesn't put up with these insults anymore, not since POA I believe, when he blew up his Aunt. But he did have a reason for putting up with it in this story though, I guess.
A couple of people mentioned Snape's cloak in their review. I literally laughed out loud when I read this. I cannot believe I missed that! Snape was in muggle clothes, he had to be. The Dursleys would certainly notice something as abnormal as that. Anyway I fixed up the error. There's no need to reread, I've just erased 'cloak billowing' from the end of the last sentence, so Snape's non-existent cloak no longer billows as he walks out of the Dursley's home.
About the letters, sorry, it's just a plot device so that the Dursleys would find out who Snape is. I might reveal the contents in Harry's letter, but they aren't hugely important to the story.
Hendiadys very correctly called me on my use of Occlumency/Legilimency. I'm trying to stay cannon as much as possible in all details of the story, except this one. Legilimency in the books has been described as being extremely complicated. The way I'm portraying it is basically simple mind-reading and I know that's not the way it's supposed to be. Legilimency isn't meant to be a big part of this story; its only purpose being to impose upon Harry the importance of learning Occlumency. I only use it once more in Chapter 11 and that's just for some humour.
Katie: I'm sorry if I implied that physical abuse is worse than emotional abuse or neglect. I really don't believe this for a second. When I had Snape say, 'It could always be worse,' Snape was channelling his own experiences. As he was growing up he was always excusing his parents, ie, 'it's not that bad; they really do love me; it could always be worse'. I didn't mean to compare Snape's and Harry's abuse directly. But rather, the abuse (whether physical or emotional), could always be worse. Is this the right thing for Snape to say or feel? Certainly not. But I don't consider Snape to be wise. Powerful and intelligent, yes, but definitely not wise. Snape still has a lot of growing up to do. As for Snape joining in on the 'belittle Harry' game, well he does this at Hogwarts, so I don't think Snape has any concerns about emotionally abusing Harry.
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Chapter 10: Revelations
It took a good five minutes before Uncle Vernon had calmed down enough to speak. Purple faced, Uncle Vernon turned to Harry. "Explain yourself!" He spoke very quietly, vein throbbing in his temple.
Harry's previous intrigue about the clash between Snape and Uncle Vernon turned to dread. He knew Uncle Vernon would not let Harry continue with his lessons. The entire summer had been a waste. Harry couldn't see any way out of this.
Not waiting for an answer, Uncle Vernon continued. "Who was that man? How does he know you, and what was this talk about lessons!"
"Well, Uncle Vernon, you see, he was …" Harry mumbled, trying to think quickly on his feet but failing miserably.
"Well!" Uncle Vernon's patience was wearing thin.
Throwing caution to the wind, and not being able to come up with a convincing cover story, Harry told him. "That was Professor Snape. He's my potions teacher at Hogwarts, and he's been tutoring me in potions over summer so I can improve my grade."
The Dursley's cringed every time Harry said something relating to that other world.
Uncle Vernon took a few moments to digest this information.
"School teacher?"
"Yes."
"At … that place?"
"Hogwarts. Yes."
"And he's been tutoring you?"
"Yes."
Uncle Vernon's eyes flashed briefly with delight. "I can't say I'm surprised to hear you're failing …"
"I'm not failing!" Harry shouted.
Uncle Vernon sneered "Then why do you need tutoring, boy!"
Again, Harry decided to go with honesty. "So I can be an Auror. They need top grades."
"What in God's name is an Auror?" Uncle Vernon blurted, but then thought better of it. "No, don't tell me, I don't want to know."
Harry stared at Uncle Vernon and decided right then, that he was not going to let anybody ruin his chances of becoming an Auror. Not Snape and especially not Uncle Vernon.
But Uncle Vernon had other ideas. "I forbid you to continue. You know I don't want that, that, abnormality being flaunted around my house!"
"You can't do that! I won't allow it. I need to finish. There are only a couple more days. I promise we'll keep it quiet." Although Harry knew pleading would do no good, he had to try. The alternative, being forced to quit his dream of being an Auror, was just too horrendous to contemplate.
"Absolutely not!" Uncle Vernon snarled.
Uncle Vernon and Harry were joined in an eye lock. Neither was willing to back down. After a while, Uncle Vernon seemed to think of something.
"If you haven't been working, where have you been getting the money to pay for the board and those clothes?" Uncle Vernon questioned Harry suspiciously.
Harry gaped. The last thing he wanted was for Uncle Vernon to find out about all the galleons he has in Gringotts.
"Well?" Uncle Vernon added impatiently.
Harry said the first lie that came to him. "My friend Hermione lent it to me. I have to pay her back later."
But Uncle Vernon wasn't buying it. "Don't lie to me boy! Where did you get that money! Did you steal it? I always knew you'd end up a criminal! I have a good mind to take you to the police right now!"
"I didn't steal anything!" Harry shouted truthfully, but to no avail.
Uncle Vernon bared his teeth. "You will tell me the truth boy! Or you will never come back to this house again!"
Harry's anger broke. After fifteen years of torment, he had had enough.
"You think I'm a criminal? Dudley's the criminal! Out every night vandalising public property and picking fights with 11 year-olds. Have you told them about Mark Evans yet, Dudley?" Dudley paled at the thought of Mark Evans, but didn't say a word.
"Don't you dare accuse Dudley -" Uncle Vernon started as Aunt Petunia put a protective arm around Dudley, but Harry wasn't going to be deterred from finally, after fifteen years, having his say.
"It's none of your business where the money came from!"
"While you are living under my roof, boy-" Uncle Vernon started to threaten, but again Harry, in a rage, continued on over the top of his uncle.
"Fine, I'll go! I've always wanted to go! You've always treated me like I'm lower than dirt, pampering your pig of a son while I get nothing. Well guess what? I am better than all of you!" Harry shouted, boiling with rage, fifteen years of anger and resentment flowing out of him.
"I'm a wizard, Uncle Vernon, and I'm sick of hiding it, or feeling like a freak because of it! I'm not strange, or abnormal. I am not a freak. I'm a bloody wizard! And in one year I won't have the underage magic restrictions holding me back, so you'd better watch it!"
And Harry ran out of the dining room, up the stairs, into his room and immediately started packing his trunk. Uncle Vernon followed him, however, and he grabbed Harry by the arm.
"You ungrateful swine – "
"Let go of me!"
Harry tried to get out of Uncle Vernon's grasp but couldn't. He was holding on too strong. Harry saw his wand on the dresser, out of reach. He gave Uncle Vernon one swift kick in the shins. Uncle Vernon howled in pain and but did not let go. In fact, Uncle Vernon's grip became even stronger. Harry, this time, shouted out in pain. He knew he was going to have one hell of a bruise later on, but right now he was more worried of Uncle Vernon breaking his arm.
"HOW DARE YOU THREATEN US!!!" Harry kicked and punched with his free arm, but it did no good. Uncle Vernon was in too much of a rage to notice, and with his large bulk he was just too strong for a wandless Harry.
Just when Harry thought that his arm was about to break, Uncle Vernon suddenly flew across the room, and his back landed against the bookshelves, smashing them. A few dozen of Dudley's never-been-opened books landed on top of Uncle Vernon's head.
Dazed, but still very much conscious, Uncle Vernon stared at Harry in shock.
Harry dived for his wand, and then turned back to Uncle Vernon, pointing his wand at him.
"Get out!"
Still whimpering from pain, Uncle Vernon said, "You won't use that. You'll get expelled from that school of yours."
"I've used magic before and gotten away with it, and I'll get away with it this time, if you force me to use it. Now get out of here!" Harry shouted.
Uncle Vernon, seeing that Harry was serious, bolted from the room as fast as he could (which considering his many injuries from being slammed against the bookcase, was not very fast at all), but not before having the last word. "I'm going, but don't you even think about coming back here!"
As Uncle Vernon slammed Harry's door behind him, Harry continued to pack his trunk in a daze. All the times Harry used wandless magic in the past, he could feel the magic inside him. This was not the case this time. Whatever just happened to Uncle Vernon, it was not because of him. Someone was in the room. Harry diligently swept the room for any sign that someone had been there, but unless this person could transfigure themselves into a look-alike of one of Dudley's old broken possessions, he was very much gone. There was no sign of life in the room.
This had been a very strange summer. Firstly, Uncle Vernon agreed without any trouble to let Harry do the job. Then a book appears on his bed from a mystery helper. And now, someone or something just saved him from Uncle Vernon. All throughout summer, there has been someone here, watching him. Harry could not stop wondering who this person could be. Could it be Dumbledore? Was Dumbledore here, in Surrey, helping Harry over this summer? Harry thought it more likely that it was one of the members of the Order, tailing Harry like they did last year. But who?
When Harry finished packing his trunk, his thoughts directed to his current predicament. He had to leave the Dursleys, but where would he go? He needed to find a place where he could continue his lessons and take his test which was in a couple of days. There was only one place he could go, and he didn't like it one bit.
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R&R