Harry Potter: The Adventure Begins
Author Note: Hi guys, welcome all who have taken time out to give my story a chance. This is my 1st story ever let alone a fanfic. Harry Potter has been part of my life since I was 8. I want to emphasize that the movies are still to this day my favorite and wouldn't change them for the world. But like everyone, I had some hopes and wishes for the story and characters that I now want to share with you all.
So, this is my version of the whole saga. Harry is a broken soul who craves loneliness. I know this is very brief but don't want to spoil it for you except let you know that his relationship or lack thereof with all the characters from the book is very different, as are the events that occur.
This is Part 1 of a Trilogy. I hope you stick around for the whole ride and hopefully you find 10 percent of the enjoyment reading it as I do bringing it to you.
Also want to give a shoutout to my Beta-reader: bren97122
CHAPTER 1: What Could Have Been
St. Grogory's Primary School, Little Whinging, Surrey
Caroline Roemmele wore a small frown on her face as she walked briskly down the hallway. It was lunch time, and she didn't like being disturbed during her break. As principal, her schedule was always busy and didn't offer her much free time outside breaks.
She lived by 2 rules: punctuality and discipline. She made sure that the whole school knew it (including the staff).
Her heels made a tapping sound as she turned the corner and continued on her way. Even her walk oozed confidence and purpose. Students in the corridor stopped talking all together as they saw her coming down the hallway. But it wasn't out of fear, but respect. Her bad mood melted a little at this. This is what she's most proud of. Helping the young minds of today learn the value of respect and discipline. Caroline nodded to them as she walked by. The chatter started back once she made a turn.
She opened the door to the sick bay. There was a 10-year-old bespectacled boy (about to turn 11 in a month) with raven-black hair sitting in a corner chair. He was playing with a penny. Rolling it between his fingers with practiced ease. He had his eyes closed and head tilted back.
Caroline heaved a sigh. She should have known. Just then, the school nurse Emily Richards came out of a First-Aid room.
"Oh, principal, you're here! I wasn't expecting you till after lunch" she said with shock evident in her voice.
"I was informed it was urgent" she replied walking in to stand next to her.
"I'm afraid it is," Emily said, gesturing to the principal to follow her. "There's been a fight between Mr. Potter and Mr. Lucas.
Caroline followed her into the First-Aid room. There sitting on a bed holding his left arm was a boy with blonde hair. He was the same age as the boy sitting in the chair but a lot bigger. He had tear stains over his cheeks.
"Hi Philip," she said, bending down and touching his hand. She saw a large blue mark on his forearm.
"The bruise. It should be red. It shouldn't turn blue until tomorrow" Caroline said, astonished.
"I know." the nurse replied. "But the thing that worries me is that the bruise came from just a grip. And that too a grip of a 10-year-old boy." she said.
Shock was evident on the principal's face as she once again looked at the bruise. She looked up at the boy's face who was still sniffling.
"Is that true, Philip"? she asked looking at him.
Philip nodded as more tears leaked from his eyes.
A look of sadness came over her face. She touched his shoulder.
"Everything will be fine. You'll be back playing with your friends in no time," she said, smiling at him.
She patted his shoulder before standing up and walking over to the nurse.
"His parents have been told, I presume," she said in a low voice.
"Yes," Emily began, nodding her head, "they should be here soon. I have also notified Mr. Potter's guardians. His uncle wasn't very happy about it. In fact, he dismissed it completely until I told him the severity of the situation and told him that it was mandatory."
Principal Roemmele nodded. She briefly looked over her shoulder at Philip before facing the nurse again.
"Could you keep him company until his parents arrive? I'm going to talk to Mr. Potter," she said.
"Sure," replied Emily.
Caroline walked out of the room. She watched the boy for a couple of seconds before walking and sitting opposite him. His eyes were closed and he was still playing with the coin. She looked closely and was fascinated with the ease he was twining the coin between his fingers. She came out of her stupor when his movement stopped. She looked up at and a pair of green eyes were looking right back at her.
His face was devoid of all emotion except underlying boredom.
Caroline cleared her throat before speaking.
"Mr. Potter, I hope you know the seriousness of the situation. But before going any further, I would like to hear what you have to say yourself."
Harry Potter didn't want to be here. In fact, he didn't want to be in this school. He hated this place. Just like he hated where he lived. He wanted to run away and leave this all behind. But he couldn't. After all, he was just a boy. An ordinary 10-year-old boy with a stupid scar of a lightning bolt etched onto his forehead. As if he didn't have enough problems already. This scar was one of the reasons he got picked on. They all thought him as some kind of freak.
He looked out the window into the bright blue sky. He hated the sun. Bright and hopeful. It always contrasted with how he felt. He turned back to face the principal who was patiently waiting for him to respond.
"He said bad things about my parents, so I hurt him," said Harry neutrally. He saw a look of understanding dawn on her face.
Caroline's heart went out to him. He was looking so fragile. Putting on a brave facade to not let anyone show just how scared he was. She knew that this would have been the case. Harry never hurt anyone. He was a quiet student who was always by himself. She also knew that some kids, particularly, his cousin Dudley and his friends, gave him a hard time. Philip was part of Dudley's group. She wasn't oblivious. She knew what would have happened. It's not like this is the first time.
"Harry, we talked about this, remember? You can't let your anger take control of your actions," she said.
Harry just kept looking at his lap.
"How about this. For your punishment you have to spend one hour with me after school. Hmm. That's okay with you?" she asked, giving him a small smile.
Harry looked at her knowing he was getting off easily. He nodded his head quickly.
"Good. Now, tell me what happened. Philip has a bruise on his arm. Did you hit him with something?" she asked.
Harry shook his head.
"No, he was trying to punch me but I caught a hold of his arm and held on tightly. He started screaming after that" he said.
Caroline's brow furrowed in confusion as she tried to understand how a grip from a 10-year-old boy can leave a bruise like that. But before she could question him further, the door opened with force as a man and a woman barged in.
The man's eyes landed on Caroline. She stood up and walked toward them.
"Mr. and Mrs. Lucas," she greeted them.
They both nodded in return.
"What happened? We were informed that our son was injured," said the man.
Harry watched as she took them into the sick bay room. After a couple of minutes they came out with Philip holding his mother's hand. Harry envied him. He had no one he could hold hands with.
As they walked past him, Philip's father glared at Harry. Caroline came and stood next to him, putting her hand on his shoulder.
"C'mon Harry, let's get you to class," she said.
Harry stood up and they started walking. As they got close to the door, it was wrenched open and a big, burly-looking man wearing a suit stomped in. He had a huge scowl on his face. His eyes landed on Harry.
"You!" he yelled stomping toward Harry.
Mrs. Roemelle came forward to stand in between them.
"Mr. Dursley, please keep your voice down," she said politely, but with a firmness to her voice.
Mr. Dursley looked up at her and instantly his demeanour changed.
"Oh, Principal Roemelle, how wonderful to see you," he began while putting on a fake smile.
"I hope my nephew hasn't caused too much trouble," he continued, giving Harry who was peeking behind the Principal a dirty look. It didn't go unnoticed by Caroline.
"It's all been cleared Mr. Dursley. Although I wanted to talk to you about Harry's detention" she said.
Mr. Dursley's mouth twitched at the corners.
"Mr. Potter will be staying one hour after school every day till the holidays. So, I wanted to ask you if you would like your son Dudley to stay behind as well so you can pick them both together. It will be less hassle for you when..." she was cut off by Mr Dursley.
"No. My wife will pick Dudley up on my time like always" he replied loftily.
He then shifted his gaze towards Harry.
"As for him, you can keep him as long as you want," he said with a shadow of a smirk.
Caroline bristled at his tone when addressing Harry. It's as if he didn't care at all for the boy.
"Very well, Mr. Dursley. Thanks again for coming." she said. She then looked toward Harry and smiled at him.
"C'mon Harry, let's get you to class" she said, and they walked past Mr. Dursley.
Harry saw out of the corner of his eye Mr. Dursley smirking down at him.
The week went by much better than Harry thought. He had two less hours to spend at where he lived. He didn't like to call it home.
No, I'll never call it home, he thought as he waited for Principal Roemelle. Today was his last day before summer holidays and just like every day since his detention, the principal had been driving him home. On his first day of detention, she found him sitting in the playground nearly an hour after she relieved him. When she asked him what he was still doing here, he told her that his uncle will pick him up around six. She got a dark look on her face before she told him that she will drop him off.
Since then, she's been dropping him off every day. Harry had never thought he would say this, but she is the only person he trusts and has grown fond of. She actually talked to him and listened when he was saying something and not just brush it off as if it means nothing like his relatives.
Harry found out she is particularly fond of sweets. Chocolates in particular. He showed her some of his drawings, which he has never shown to anyone before.
"Ready, Harry?" Principal Roemelle inquired,coming into her office.
Harry came out his musings and nodded to her. He picked up his backpack and started following her.
No 4 Privet Dr, Little Whinging, Surrey
The car stopped right in front of the driveway. Principal Roemelle looked at Harry after turning off the engine.
"Well, here you are Harry. You now have two months of holidays to look forward to" she said, smiling.
"Yeah," replied Harry dejectedly while inwardly thinking 'If only you knew.'
"C'mon, cheer up. You never know what the future may hold for you" she said.
Harry nodded before opening the door and getting out. He walked around the car to stand next to her side.
"Thank you" he said meekly before dashing off to get in the house.
He missed the look of sympathy that washed over Caroline's face as he opened the door before hastily closing it. He heard the sound of TV coming from the living room.
"Boy!" Uncle Vernon yelled. Harry sighed before walking into the living room and saw his Uncle and Aunt sitting on the sofa with Dudley sitting on a leather recliner watching a movie.
"Yes?" said Harry coldly.
"Fetch me some brandy." he growled without turning to face him.
"Get it yourself!" said Harry angrily.
Vernon turned his neck in a flash to face him. His face so red, a tomato would pale in comparison. Harry waited for the onslaught he knew would be coming.
"What did you say, you little-" Vernon howled as he quickly tried to get up from his place. Petunia's hand on his shoulder, however, stopped him.
"Let it be darling," she said to him before glaring at Harry.
"Go to your room now," she ordered, "there will be no food for you tonight and don't come out before you learn some manners" she finished before turning to calm her husband.
Harry walked out through the kitchen and stopped at a cupboard under the stairs. He wrenched it open before smashing it closed. He threw his bag on the single bed that used to fit him a couple of years ago but now he had to curl his legs to sleep peacefully. He kicked the bed in anger as hot tears pooled in his eyes. He threw himself on the bed as silent sobs started to wreck his body. He opened his eyes after some time and looked around. There was nothing special about this dump except drawings pasted on the walls on all sides. They varied from mythical creatures to roadblocks. They were all colourless, but it wasn't by choice. Harry never got any colours from his aunt or uncle no matter how many times he asked them. Their response was the same every time: "Money doesn't grow on trees, boy, and even if it did, we wouldn't waste it on you."
After changing his clothes, Harry was lying on his back, feet dangling, looking up at the wall. He was staring at a drawing he made a couple of years ago. He would spend every night staring at it before he went to sleep. It was a drawing of a man and a woman standing on either side of a boy. They both had their hands on his shoulder.
Harry had never seen his parents, but in his mind that's how he pictured them. Or at least how he wanted them to be. Not the drunken fools they were. He hated his parents. He hated them with every fibre of his being. For leaving him. He blamed them for everything. If it weren't for them, he wouldn't have to live in this dump with his horrid relatives who treated him no better than trash.
After a while his eyes started to droop before sleep finally overtook him and he dreamt of what could have been.
A/N: So guys what did you think. This is just the beginning. Please leave a review and I promise you I will respond to each and every one of them. Thanks