Chapter 3: The Betrayal
As Harry woke for the second time in the Infirmary, he wondered where everyone was. No one had come to visit him and the customary get well gifts were curiously absent from the nightstand. Even Madame Pomphrey seemed to be avoiding him.
He decided to brave the day and world without Sirius. As he swung his legs over the edge of the mattress, he glimpsed the doors to the Infirmary. They were open. This was strange because Madame Pomphrey always keeps them closed incase someone is sick and possible contagious. He could hear whispered voices drifting in from the open door. His curiosity peaked, he decided that if people wanted to have a conversation without silencing charms, then what was the harm in seeing what they were speaking about.
As he drifted closer he could hear scattered words. Harry…..Sirius….didn't want…can't anymore. He crept closer. They were talking about him. This must be his friends who were going to stop by and visit him. A small bloomed onto his face as excitement overtook him. They really did care. Of course they wouldn't leave him alone now that Sirius was gone.
Fully prepared to throw the door open and tackle the perpetrator in a hug, he caught himself when the tone turned sour.
"I can't believe stupid Harry Potter hasn't caught on by now. How much longer do you think we need to keep pretending?" A familiar Weasley exclaimed.
Hermione's unmistakable disappointed sigh followed.
"You know what Headmaster Dumbledore said, Ron. We have to steer Harry and keep him on the Light side." She replied.
"I know. I know." Groaned Ron. "But I'm so tired of pretending to like the rich little princess. I can't wait until Dumbledore's plan finished him off."
"Headmaster Dumbledore, Ron! And yes I admit, it has been tiring but we are being compensated. Why don't we go in and see Harry? We can't have him thinking that we've abandoned him, now can we?" Hermione lectured.
With a sigh footsteps were heard getting closer to the door. Wide-eyed, Harry sprung away from the door and made a mad dash to the bathroom.
He waited a minute and opened the door with a towel wrapped around him.
"Feeling better mate?" Ron asked.
Harry smiled slightly and nodded. If he opened his mouth to speak, he didn't know if he could control himself. If they weren't really his friends, the who was? Or were all of his friends harboring the same dislike for him that his supposed best friends did.
Hermione nodded sadly. "I know it must be hard Harry now that Sirius is gone, but you shouldn't let his death be in vain. He fought for the light and we should honor his memory."
Anger overtook him. How dare she act like she knows what he is feeling. She's never lost anyone close to her like he had.
"No! You don't understand. Sirius was my only chance at a family. He was meant to raise and take care of me!" Harry screamed.
"Harry, don't be so selfish. The Dursleys are your family too. You didn't lose everyone." She rolled her eyes while chiding him.
Harry sighed. There was no use in arguing with her. Once she was fixed upon an idea, there was no changing her mind. He turned and began to dress. While he did, the three sat in silence.
Once he was finished, he pivoted and strode to the Great Hall. After so long asleep he was starving. Granted it wasn't as bad as the summer, but soon he would be returning to the Dursleys and he needed to eat while he could.
Entering the great Hall, he decided to eat by himself. He couldn't take anymore betrayal. He ate quickly. This was the last day of school and the carriages would be taking them to the train soon. He needed to pack and find Hedwig before he left.
.
.
.
Once he exited the train after commandeering a compartment to himself, he perused the surrounding people for the familiar large form of his beloved uncle.
Ah there he is, large as always. Some things never change.
"Come here boy! I've already wasted enough time on you as it is" Vernon thundered.
Harry jolted into awareness and scurried closer. As they walked to the car, Harry tuned out Vernon's threats. Now that his godfather was gone, there was nothing holding Vernon back from doing as he wanted to him. With a depressed sign, he resigned himself to a summer of hell.
Once they arrived at the house, Harry was immediately shoved into the cupboard under the stairs. His old bedroom but he was now much too big to comfortably fit inside. He waited hours until the door was finally opened again.
Vernon reached in and grabbed Harry by the hair. Dragging him out, he shoved him against the nearest wall and yelled obscenities in his face. With his hand around his throat, he began shaking his slight frame while elevating him inches above the ground.
Harry's hands scrambled for purchase on the wall. His airway was slowly being constricted and he was beginning to panic as spots entered into his vision. Vernon pulled his fist back and punch his several times in succession in the stomach. With each punch, Harry felt the breath being knocked out of him. Once he thought he was going to either pass out or die from lack of oxygen, Vernon released him. He crumpled to the floor and saw through blurry eyes as he ambled up the stairs and disappeared into his shared bedroom with Aunt Petunia.
Little did he know that he projected his terror through his link shared with Voldemort. As the Dark Lord watched, rage overtook him. He was reminded of a childhood similar to his own, complete with disgusting muggles who delighted in the pain they could bestow onto them.
Red eyes narrowed as he plotted ways to get Harry away from his ever so loving family. All these years, he was believed to have been treated like a prince. Obviously, this was false.
In his rage he called Severus.
