Summary: In a fit of fear, Harry Potter disappears from his abusive aunt and uncle's nearing his seventh birthday and lands hundreds of years in the past. Eventual Rowena Ravenclaw/Harry Potter

PROLOGUE: ESCAPADE

Escapade - an act or incident involving excitement, daring or adventure

Harry James Potter was born the thirty-first of July which was far too close to his cousin, Dudley's birthday if you asked him. Dudley Vernon Dursley, the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Dursley of Privet Four was born July 19th and was the apple of the elder Dursley's eye while Harry was the dark secret they hid in their hallway cupboard.

In fact, the only time the residents of Surrey actually saw the boy was when he was hard at work in Mrs. Dursley's garden or at school. Nobody truly knew Harry Potter and so they believed the lies that Mrs. Dursley. His homeroom teacher hated Harry because of these lies, believing him to be a liar, thief and a general troublemaker, never knowing the amount of pain he was subjected to behind doors.

Harry's only comfort was his cupboard. Inside was a single cot, half destroyed books and toys from Dudley's second bedroom that Harry had snuck out under his family's nose and many, many spiders. His most treasured possession had been a stuffed stag that he'd had since he could remember but Prongs was gone now. Aunt Petunia had destroyed it long ago during one of her fits.

It was Prongs that Harry recalled during this time, crouched on the ground and desperately trying to crawl to his cupboard as his Uncle Vernon continued the verbal abuse.

"Pathetic, stupid boy," Vernon spit, his face turning the normal puce to a deep purple color. A vein even popped out on his forehead. "Can't you do anything right?" Spittle hit Harry's forehead and he stopped crawling, curling into a ball to protect himself from Vernon's hard kicks.

"Vernon, honey, maybe that's enough," Petunia finally said. Harry's tear-filled eyes opened and squinted at her and Dudley. Her hands were rubbing together nervously while her fat, whale-like child watched his father eagerly.

"Again, Daddy, again!" Dudley squealed, much like the little piggy he was. A little sob escaped Harry's mouth.

Before Harry squeezed his eyes shut again, he saw a cruel smile gleam on Vernon's lips. He couldn't exactly remember what he'd done. Perhaps Dudley's birthday dinner wasn't cooked right, or the house and garden weren't exactly what Petunia liked, or it could've even been that Vernon had had a bad day at work. There were a million different things that could have set off the angry, heavy-set man and Harry wasn't sure which one it was, but it didn't matter. In Harry's mind, he could see it. Vernon wouldn't stop till Harry was dead, bleeding out on the polished kitchen tile.

For the first time in his life, Harry James Potter was truly fearful of Vernon Dursley.

Make it stop, Harry begged anyone, PLEASE. His heart seemed to beat out of his chest, warmth filling the spot. It felt like warm liquid going through his veins until his blood felt like fire. Another kick made a loud crack and Harry wouldn't be surprised if Vernon had broken a rib or two in his anger.

"Vernon, stop!" He heard Petunia squeal. "The boy - he's doing something!"

"Freak!" Vernon shouted. The kicking stopped but Harry didn't. In his mind, he saw something strange. It was a forest, dark and foreboding. He could smell the trees, taste the morning dew on his tongue, hear the chirping of birds.

Harry cracked his eyes open and saw one last look on Vernon's face, a look of fear, before everything turned black, unaware of what he was doing, or what the effect on the wizarding world it would have.

In the darkness, Harry heard things. Crashes, banging and then quiet voices.

"Is he awake?"

"Not yet."

"The boy's been abused, love. His magic barely saved him."

"Mummy, is he awake yet?"

"No, dear."

"You have to wake up."

"Can't you wake up yet?"

"Wake up!"

And in the darkness, Harry James Potter awoke.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Short first chapter but I promise that the next chapters will be longer. Don't forget to favorite, follow and review! I love hearing from you guys.