Chapter 2: Tell the Truth
The escape of the Brazilian boa constrictor was a memory that Leo held onto dearly for the remainder of the time he and Harry were locked in the cupboard. Any time he heard Dudley thumping down the stairs and passing in front of the cupboard door, he would often let out a loud hiss. The first time he had done this, Dudley had been startled so badly that he fell back into one of the accent tables in the hall, knocking over one of Aunt Petunia's vases. When the boy's mother came to see what all the commotion was about, he immediately blamed Leo. Leo, of course, claimed he had nothing to do with it, considering he and Harry were currently locked in the cupboard. Unfortunately, their Aunt didn't buy it, and their punishment was extended. Harry didn't talk to him for the remainder of their time spent there.
By the time they were allowed out of their cupboard again, the summer holidays had started and Dudley had already 'lost' his new video camera, crashed his remote-control airplane, and, first time out on his racing bike, knocked down old Mrs. Figg as she crossed Privet Drive on her crutches. That last one peeved Leo more than he could express. Mrs. Figg is a nice old lady who's never done anything to anyone, and then Dudley comes along, runs her over, and doesn't even get punished for it! Leo grumbled, glaring at the rotund boy. He was slowly starting to realize that justice was virtually absent in the Dursley household. Which only meant one thing: he'd have to take justice into his own hands.
One night, he snuck into Dudley's room, knowing that nothing could awaken the boy now that he was passed out asleep. He logged onto the boy's computer, snickering quietly to himself as he went onto various... shall we say, 'illicit' websites that his parents – nor anyone's parents – would never approve of him being on. Leo wasn't too interested in the content being found on the search history, he was more interested in the various viruses that latched itself onto the computer from visiting said websites. Let's see you play your games now, fatarse. Leo gave an evil laugh inside his head.
Unfortunately, what he failed to take into account was the effect his deeds would have on Harry. With the loss of video games to play, Dudley fell back on an old habit: Harry Hunting. This prompted Leo to drag Harry out of the house every chance he got, trying to rectify the mistake he had made and apologizing profusely. Thankfully, Harry seemed to understand that he didn't mean for it to happen, and even laughed a bit at Leo's prank.
The two spent as much time as possible out of the house, wandering around and thinking about the end of the holidays, where Harry, at least, could see a tiny ray of hope. When September came, the two would be going off to secondary school and, for the first time in their life, they wouldn't be with Dudley. Dudley had been accepted at Uncle Vernon's old private school, Smeltings. Piers Polkiss was going there too. Harry and Leo, on the other hand, were going to Stonewall High, the local public school.
What Harry didn't know was that Leo had no intention of going to Stonewall High – nor any sort of inclination to remain at the Dursleys for much longer. He'd thought about it long and hard, and decided that his life would be much better if he left the Dursleys behind. He wasn't entirely sure where he would go, but he did have some idea of what he would do: he would find his father.
The idea had occurred to him one night whilst he and Harry were in the cupboard: both of Harry's parents were dead, but Leo's father wasn't. There was still someone out there who had legal rights to him and – considering he was his Uncle by marriage – Harry. If Leo found him, he could convince him to take some responsibility and get him and Harry out of Privet Drive and away from the Dursleys. Once he hit eleven, Leo was leaving and not coming back until he found a home for himself and Harry.
He had considered bringing Harry along but had no idea how long he'd be out on the streets searching. He didn't think Harry would be able to survive that sort of lifestyle. Harry deserved more than following his cousin on some sort of hopeless adventure. Spending hungry nights on the street, no shelter, no baths... no. That was not the life Harry James Potter deserved. He would be safer and somewhat taken care of at the Dursleys whilst Leo risked his life and health to find them a better life.
There was a horrible smell in the kitchen the next morning when Harry and Leo went in for breakfast. It seemed to be coming from a large metal tub in the sink. Harry went to have a look. The tub was full of what looked like dirty rags swimming in gray water.
"What's this?" he asked Aunt Petunia. Her lips tightened as they always did if they dared to ask a question.
"Your new school uniform," she said.
Harry looked in the bowl again.
"Oh," he said, "I didn't realize it had to be so wet."
Leo snickered.
"Don't be stupid," snapped Aunt Petunia. "I'm dyeing some of Dudley's old things grey for you. It'll look just like everyone else's when I've finished."
Leo seriously doubted this. Harry was rather thin and short for his age, whereas Dudley was the complete opposite. Whatever Harry would be forced to wear would just hang off of him, sort of like a toddler trying on its parent's shirt. Once more, Leo found himself frustrated at the Dursley's insatiable need to treat their own family like complete garbage. You'll get what's coming to you one of these days. Leo vowed, glaring at his aunt while her back was turned.
At that moment, Dudley and Uncle Vernon came in, both with wrinkled noses because of the smell from Harry's new uniform. Uncle Vernon opened his newspaper as usual and Dudley banged his Smelting stick, which he carried everywhere, on the table. Leo was half-tempted to take that stick and shove it so far up Dudley's -
They heard the click of the mail slot and flop of letters on the doormat.
"Get the mail, Dudley," said Uncle Vernon from behind his paper.
"Make Harry and Leo get it."
"You two, get the mail."
"Make Dudley get it," Harry said.
"Poke him with your Smelting stick, Dudley."
Harry dodged the Smelting stick and went to get the mail, with Leo not far behind him. Four things lay on the doormat: a postcard from Uncle Vernon's sister Marge, who was vacationing on the Isle of Wight, a brown envelope that looked like a bill, and — a letter each for Harry and Leo.
Leo picked up his own letter and stared at it, his heart swelling with hope. Perhaps it was from his father? Maybe he hadn't abandoned him? Maybe he was off in the military and had just gotten back from being deployed? Maybe he was held captive for years and had only just now escaped? Regardless, Leo knew the letter was for him because it read:
Mr. L. Black
The Cupboard under the Stairs
4 Privet Drive
Little Whinging
Surrey
The envelope was thick and heavy, made of yellowish parchment, and the address was written in emerald-green ink. There was no stamp. Turning the envelope over, his hand trembling with excitement, Leo saw a purple wax seal bearing a coat of arms; a lion, an eagle, a badger, and a snake surrounding a large letter H. Is this the family coat of arms? Leo pondered, glancing over to see Harry's was just like his.
At that moment, Uncle Vernon barked for them to hurry up. They both wandered back in the direction of the kitchen. Leo, however, never made it there. He turned, diving into the cupboard and opening up the letter eagerly. He quickly discovered that it wasn't from his father, but that wasn't what pissed him off. It was the contents of the letter itself.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Black,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
Leo read and reread the letter multiple times, ignoring the yelling going on in the kitchen near him. He took out the other bit of parchment included with it, looking over the list of things he'd need and assuring himself that this was, indeed, not a prank. He heard scuffling outside his door, prompting him to open his door and exit the cupboard. Sitting in front of the now-closed kitchen door were Harry and Dudley, who looked as though they had been in a scuffle.
Noticing Leo's stormy expression, Harry made the decision not to approach him. Dudley, however, was not so smart. He reached over to snatch the letter dangling from Leo's left hand and didn't see the punch coming until it was too late. Blood spurted from his nose as he fell back with a cry, clutching his nose. Leo marched past him, briefly pausing at the door and raising a foot to kick it open. When it flung open, Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia looked at him in surprise, which quickly turned to horror when they saw that Leo was clutching the same envelope that they held in their hands.
"You lying bastards," Leo began in a deadly calm voice. "Is anything you told us true? Is anything you said about mine and Harry's parents true?"
"Leo, what're you talking about?" Harry inquired, his curiosity overwhelming his mild sense of fear for the moment.
Leo spared him a glance before glaring at his aunt and uncle and demanding in a sharp tone, "Give Harry his letter. Now."
"See here, boy," Uncle Vernon began, his anger at being ordered around by a ten-year-old knocking him out of his stupor. "I don't know what sort of hogwash has gotten into your head, but you damn well -"
"I said NOW!" Leo shouted.
The light bulbs in the kitchen exploded, and the glass windows cracked. The Dursleys and Harry looked surprised and fearful at this. Tentatively, Aunt Petunia took the letter from her husband's beefy fingers and walked over to hand it to Harry, who took it somewhat apprehensively. The boy slowly opened the envelope, hands shaking as he took the letter out. He read through it, a confused expression on his face as he looked up at his aunt.
"Is it true?" Harry asked. "Are-are we really -?"
"Yes," Aunt Petunia replied in a snippy tone.
"You knew?" said Harry. "You knew that we're - we're wizards?"
"Knew!" shrieked Aunt Petunia suddenly. "Knew! Of course, we knew! How could you two not be, my dratted sisters being what they were? Oh, they got letters just like that and disappeared off to that - that school - and came home every vacation with their pockets full of frog spawn, turning teacups into rats. I was the only one who saw them for what they were – a couple of freaks -"
"Shut up!" Leo snarled. "Don't insult our mothers in front of us! You have no right!" He took a deep breath. "What really happened to our parents?"
"I haven't a clue where your father is, but the rest went and got themselves blown up," Petunia sniffed.
Harry had gone very white. As soon as he found his voice he said, "Blown up? You told us they died in a car crash!"
"Harry," Leo said in a soft tone. "Pack your things, we're leaving."
"What?" Harry questioned in a bewildered tone.
"There's a rucksack in fatso and horse-face's closet. Grab it and fill it with as much food, clothes, and money as you can find," Leo instructed. "We're going to find my dad and the home we deserve."
"Listen, boy, you have no right to take our -" Vernon began.
Leo threw a glare at him, and Vernon suddenly found himself incapable of speaking. Every time he tried, his throat would close up and he'd struggle for air. Eventually, he gave up and allowed Harry to leave the room and do as his cousin had asked. Leo remained in the doorway to the kitchen, making sure the Dursleys didn't make any sudden movements.
Harry soon returned, brushing past the Dursleys to raid the kitchen for their non-perishables before moving to stand beside Leo. The blonde walked backward slowly, stopping at the cupboard and reaching inside to grab a rucksack that he had been covertly packing all summer. He stuffed his letter inside before grabbing Harry by the wrist and marching them both out the door. Before they left, Leo gave one last look at the Dursleys before flipping them off and slamming the door behind them.
A/N:
A huge thank you to all the people who have read/reviewed/favorited the story thus far! I'm having quite a lovely time writing it, and I hope that you enjoy partaking in Leo's wild ride as much as he is!
Cheers,
Nile