Chapter 4
Painful Memories
A/N:
*************BEWARE****************
I said there would be violence, and there is violence in this chapter... More to come.... Don't read if you can't handle it...
*****~~~~~*****
Harry looked at professor Snape, shocked.
"...Professor?"
Snape looked at Harry, rather bored.
"Potter, get in the car. Don't waste my time"
What did he mean? Or rather what in the name of Merlin was he doing here?
"What are you doing here Sir?"
Professor Snape looked at Harry, but this time he was angry.
"You haven't received the letter, have you Potter?"
Harry thought about that for a second. The letter? Which letter was Snape referring to? Well, Snape had asked if Harry had received the letter when Harry had asked him what he was doing here. That was probably Snape's way of saying "If you had received the letter, you would know." So the letter was probably referring to Snape's presence there. That kind of letter, Harry hadn't received.
"No, Sir."
Snape was pissed at that. He mumbled something about having the decency of sending letters in time and saving him the trouble of explaining everything to Potter.
"Get in the car. I'll explain on the way."
Harry nodded and started putting his trunk in the back of the car. Right then, a tawny owl landed on the top of the car. Snape took the letter from it and the owl flew away. Snape looked at the letter and turned to Harry looking relieved a great deal.
"It's for you Potter. This is the letter you were supposed to receive before I came here"
Harry took the letter and said "Thank you Sir" With that they both got in the car. Harry opened the letter and read:
Dear Harry,
I have received a letter from Dumbledore. I know you were supposed to spend the summer at the Weasley's, but it turns out Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had to leave on an important errand for a couple of days with Charlie, Bill and Percy.
Fred, George, Ron and Ginny are at a friend's house until their parents return. As the Dursley's are going on vacation, you need somewhere to stay until the Weasley's are back. So Professor Dumbledore, Remus and I have agreed the best place for you to stay in was Remus's house. As you know, I am there too.
Remus has a lot of work these days, so he couldn't come. I would have preferred coming there myself, but as I can't, we had to find someone else. I'm sorry to say that Severus Snape will be the one to bring you here. I tried everything, but he was the only one available at the time. He will come at the time the Weasley's were supposed to come. I sincerely hope the ride won't be too painful.
See you soon,
Snuffles.
Harry inwardly grinned at Sirius's hate towards Snape. Snape was driving the car silently. The car was much like the Knight's Bus, which was a good thing, since Snape really couldn't drive. (A/N: you know, the car popped in and out of places, didn't bump into anything since everything magically got out of the way and all... I couldn't explain that in a literary way...) Harry sat quietly in his seat, thinking about his past few weeks at the Dursley's. He didn't enjoy the memories, but couldn't help thinking about them.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * * * * * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
(A/N: This is supposed to be in italic, but I still haven't figured out why every time I write in italic and post it, it appears in ff.net as normal text... If someone could tell me in his or her review how to fix it, I would be very grateful...)
Harry came into the house after having spent 2 hours in the garden, cutting grass, planting flowers and the like, as his Uncle had asked him. It wasn't only raining outside, it was thunder and lightning and Harry was soaking wet. But he knew he had to finish his job if he wanted dinner. Even though it was after 6 in the afternoon and the sun had set, they had told him to work in the garden. He could barely see what he was doing in the dusk, and the rain didn't help either. His uncle came out of the living room and looked at Harry.
"What do you think you're doing?" he roared, "Didn't I tell you to finish your job before coming in?"
Harry looked up at Uncle Vernon defiantly. "I *did* finish my job," he answered.
Uncle Vernon smacked Harry on the face with the back of his hand. Hard. Harry fell to the floor, not believing what was happening. He looked at his Uncle, shocked. His uncle hadn't beaten him up since he was eleven -since he had started at Hogwarts. Harry was shocked that his uncle might start beating him up again. But he didn't want his uncle to know that. He got up easily and stated, "I'm not lying."
Uncle Vernon's eyes were now tiny slits and Harry could barely see his eyes. But he knew that look. It was screaming: "I hate you, I despise you". Harry was sure his own eyes held the same expression.
"Don't you talk to me that way, boy!" his uncle roared, and he hit him on the face once again. Harry was smacked against the wall and he fell on the floor headfirst. He had never known Uncle Vernon to be so strong. His glasses were broken and he took them off. He started laughing and got up from the floor. Amazingly, he still could see without a problem. He looked at his uncle and said: "Well, if you don't believe me, go and look for yourself. I assure you I have done everything you have asked me to." His uncle was getting more and more angry. "I told you not to speak to me like that!" he roared, making another move to hit his nephew. But this time, Harry was quicker. He grabbed his uncle's arm and looked in his eyes.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Uncle Vernon. If anyone found out what you're doing, you'd get in trouble."
But his uncle didn't seem scared by this threat. Harry let go of him and walked up the stairs to his bedroom. He knew his uncle wouldn't hesitate in hitting him again. He was trying to push Harry to his limit. If Harry got really angry, he would do magic. He would lose control and curse his uncle. And that would get him expelled from Hogwarts. That was his uncle's plan, and Harry knew he had to control himself no matter what. This time Fudge would use any excuse to cause problem. He wouldn't excuse Harry, not now that he thought he was a liar. And Fudge knew Harry was a Parseltongue. He probably thought Harry was a dark wizard. He would use any excuse to get Harry expelled.
Harry lied down on his bed. He was a little confused. On the one hand, his uncle seemed to be scared of doing anything that would get him in trouble with Harry's Godfather. At least he had been scared the previous year. But on the other hand, he had hit Harry. He seemed to not realize how angry Sirius would be he found out. Harry thought about that. *When* he found out? Would Harry even tell him? *If* he found out, rather... Harry didn't really feel like telling Sirius about this. It would sound as if he were asking for help. He wasn't a baby. He could take care of himself. He didn't want to run to Sirius's side and act like a crybaby. He had dueled against Voldemort. He had endured the Cruciatous Curse. He could handle his uncle. Suddenly, Harry realized that he was not only angry and vengeful because of his uncle's act. He was also ashamed. He was ashamed that man had hit him. And with a jolt of fury, he realized why his uncle acted this way. It was such a simple thing!
-Devilish, yet simple. Harry was indeed ashamed of being hit. And as such, he would never admit to anybody what had happened. He knew he would never admit it. But the worse of all was that hi uncle knew it too. That's why he wasn't scared of hitting him. He knew Harry would never talk. And Harry hated to admit it but he was right. His uncle had cornered him.
Harry remained there, thinking. He didn't feel like eating at all. He wanted to sleep. But he couldn't do that either. His aunt yelled at him to come down and clean all the mud he had brought inside.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * * * * * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
That was in the first week of the holidays. Since then everything had gotten worse. His uncle managed to have at least 3 arguments a week with him, and he would get beaten up every time. In the beginning, the first two weeks, things didn't get out of hand too much. Uncle Vernon would hit Harry in the face, and Harry would manage to stay on his feet. He decided he didn't want to fall on the floor after the first time, and he didn't fall. At the end of the second week, however, his uncle had been really pissed.
Harry looked at Snape who was still driving silently. He seemed to be lost in his thoughts too. Harry looked out of the window and thought back to the end of the second week.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Flashback~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
(A/N: I suppose I don't need to write "flashback" for you to understand, but I feel better knowing it's clear. Oh well... I won't write it anymore. I guess it is useless)
Harry got up that morning on the 15^th July feeling really apprehensive. He didn't want to see the Dursleys. He had had enough of his uncle's bullying him like that. He didn't think he could endure another day like that without losing control. But he had to control himself. He wouldn't let anything get him expelled from Hogwarts. Especially not his uncle.
Harry got down the stairs to get to the kitchen and have breakfast. But at the door of the kitchen, he found his uncle waiting for him.
"Where do you think you're going, boy?" his uncle asked. Harry thought for a moment, wondering if it was wise to answer. His uncle would use any excuse to hit him. He decided that staying silent was more dangerous so he answered "I was going to breakfast, sir." His uncle smiled evilly at him. "Oh you were, weren't you? And I suppose you thought you could eat with us, didn't you?" Harry looked up at his uncle. He didn't answer. "DIDN"T YOU?!" his uncle bellowed. Harry winced, "No sir. Of course not" he said. But his uncle wasn't satisfied yet. Harry was giving him the right answers, and if he kept on like that, Uncle Vernon wouldn't have any reason to hit him. And that didn't please him at all. He was looking for a reason to hit Harry, and he would find one. "You are supposed to come down here before any of us and prepare breakfast. Then you leave and let us eat. When we're finished, you clean the kitchen and you may eat anything that is left. Is that understood?" Harry
looked at his uncle murderously. In a barely audible voice, he said "Yes, Sir." He had a feeling that if he allowed his voice to rise any higher, he would scream all his hatred. But his uncle took advantage of this. "IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?" he bellowed, as though he hadn't heard Harry's answer. Harry winced and said: "yes sir." But his uncle wasn't about to give up. "Don't talk to me like that." he said. "Like what?" Harry asked, not understanding what he had done wrong this time. He had talked normally; there had been nothing wrong with his tone. But then he realized he had made a mistake. He had fallen straight into his uncle's trap. Harry flinched. His uncle smiled a triumphant smile and then roared: "Don't talk back to me!" while raising his hand to hit Harry. Harry took a step back. It was out of instinct, but it was a mistake. Now his uncle was really pissed off "DON'T BACK AWAY FROM ME!" he yelled just before hitting Harry. Harry fell to the ground but didn't have time
to get up because his uncle kept on hitting him. Or rather... kicking him. Uncle Vernon started kicking Harry while bellowing all kinds of insults at him and his parents. Harry was rolling on the floor because of the strength of his uncle's kicks. His uncle kicked him all the way to the stairs. There he kicked him some more and Harry felt as though his back, which had been against the bottom stair, would break any minute. But his Uncle stopped kicking him. "Get up," he said sternly. Harry did as he was told, only to be punched in the face this time. His uncle had punched him in the eye, and Harry fell on the stairs. Satisfied, his uncle left.
Harry went back to his room, swearing he would get his revenge. He sent Hedwig to Ron, with an envelope containing his glasses and a note telling him he had got into yet another fight with Dudley, and asking if he could get Bill or Charlie to repair it and put an Unbreakable Charm on it (without telling his parents: he didn't want them to worry). This was the 3^rd time he was sending his glasses to Ron and he had only just thought about using the Unbreakable Charm.
After having sent Hedwig, he lied down on his bed, anger and hatred flooding over him. He took out a Charms Book and started reading and learning every charm and theory of by heart. It was his only way of staying sane. His only solaces were his books.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * * * * * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
(a/n: I'll be back with more soon. I'm sorry this chapter is short... please review if you read, and tell me how to make my text appear in italic...
Schrijfventje: Thank you so much for your review!!!! It was so nice!! It really made me happy! Thank you!
WillowCC: Thank you Thank you thank you!!!!! You came back to read more!!!! This made me so happy!!!! Well, here... I wrote more!)
Please review! Say anything you want! Anything! Just so I know what people who read think... Even if it's a single word................... ok so don't review! See if I care! :P (well, I do actually, but I'm not desperate for reviews.... It would just be nice... but of course, you don't have to be nice... j/k j/k )
Painful Memories
A/N:
*************BEWARE****************
I said there would be violence, and there is violence in this chapter... More to come.... Don't read if you can't handle it...
*****~~~~~*****
Harry looked at professor Snape, shocked.
"...Professor?"
Snape looked at Harry, rather bored.
"Potter, get in the car. Don't waste my time"
What did he mean? Or rather what in the name of Merlin was he doing here?
"What are you doing here Sir?"
Professor Snape looked at Harry, but this time he was angry.
"You haven't received the letter, have you Potter?"
Harry thought about that for a second. The letter? Which letter was Snape referring to? Well, Snape had asked if Harry had received the letter when Harry had asked him what he was doing here. That was probably Snape's way of saying "If you had received the letter, you would know." So the letter was probably referring to Snape's presence there. That kind of letter, Harry hadn't received.
"No, Sir."
Snape was pissed at that. He mumbled something about having the decency of sending letters in time and saving him the trouble of explaining everything to Potter.
"Get in the car. I'll explain on the way."
Harry nodded and started putting his trunk in the back of the car. Right then, a tawny owl landed on the top of the car. Snape took the letter from it and the owl flew away. Snape looked at the letter and turned to Harry looking relieved a great deal.
"It's for you Potter. This is the letter you were supposed to receive before I came here"
Harry took the letter and said "Thank you Sir" With that they both got in the car. Harry opened the letter and read:
Dear Harry,
I have received a letter from Dumbledore. I know you were supposed to spend the summer at the Weasley's, but it turns out Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had to leave on an important errand for a couple of days with Charlie, Bill and Percy.
Fred, George, Ron and Ginny are at a friend's house until their parents return. As the Dursley's are going on vacation, you need somewhere to stay until the Weasley's are back. So Professor Dumbledore, Remus and I have agreed the best place for you to stay in was Remus's house. As you know, I am there too.
Remus has a lot of work these days, so he couldn't come. I would have preferred coming there myself, but as I can't, we had to find someone else. I'm sorry to say that Severus Snape will be the one to bring you here. I tried everything, but he was the only one available at the time. He will come at the time the Weasley's were supposed to come. I sincerely hope the ride won't be too painful.
See you soon,
Snuffles.
Harry inwardly grinned at Sirius's hate towards Snape. Snape was driving the car silently. The car was much like the Knight's Bus, which was a good thing, since Snape really couldn't drive. (A/N: you know, the car popped in and out of places, didn't bump into anything since everything magically got out of the way and all... I couldn't explain that in a literary way...) Harry sat quietly in his seat, thinking about his past few weeks at the Dursley's. He didn't enjoy the memories, but couldn't help thinking about them.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * * * * * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
(A/N: This is supposed to be in italic, but I still haven't figured out why every time I write in italic and post it, it appears in ff.net as normal text... If someone could tell me in his or her review how to fix it, I would be very grateful...)
Harry came into the house after having spent 2 hours in the garden, cutting grass, planting flowers and the like, as his Uncle had asked him. It wasn't only raining outside, it was thunder and lightning and Harry was soaking wet. But he knew he had to finish his job if he wanted dinner. Even though it was after 6 in the afternoon and the sun had set, they had told him to work in the garden. He could barely see what he was doing in the dusk, and the rain didn't help either. His uncle came out of the living room and looked at Harry.
"What do you think you're doing?" he roared, "Didn't I tell you to finish your job before coming in?"
Harry looked up at Uncle Vernon defiantly. "I *did* finish my job," he answered.
Uncle Vernon smacked Harry on the face with the back of his hand. Hard. Harry fell to the floor, not believing what was happening. He looked at his Uncle, shocked. His uncle hadn't beaten him up since he was eleven -since he had started at Hogwarts. Harry was shocked that his uncle might start beating him up again. But he didn't want his uncle to know that. He got up easily and stated, "I'm not lying."
Uncle Vernon's eyes were now tiny slits and Harry could barely see his eyes. But he knew that look. It was screaming: "I hate you, I despise you". Harry was sure his own eyes held the same expression.
"Don't you talk to me that way, boy!" his uncle roared, and he hit him on the face once again. Harry was smacked against the wall and he fell on the floor headfirst. He had never known Uncle Vernon to be so strong. His glasses were broken and he took them off. He started laughing and got up from the floor. Amazingly, he still could see without a problem. He looked at his uncle and said: "Well, if you don't believe me, go and look for yourself. I assure you I have done everything you have asked me to." His uncle was getting more and more angry. "I told you not to speak to me like that!" he roared, making another move to hit his nephew. But this time, Harry was quicker. He grabbed his uncle's arm and looked in his eyes.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Uncle Vernon. If anyone found out what you're doing, you'd get in trouble."
But his uncle didn't seem scared by this threat. Harry let go of him and walked up the stairs to his bedroom. He knew his uncle wouldn't hesitate in hitting him again. He was trying to push Harry to his limit. If Harry got really angry, he would do magic. He would lose control and curse his uncle. And that would get him expelled from Hogwarts. That was his uncle's plan, and Harry knew he had to control himself no matter what. This time Fudge would use any excuse to cause problem. He wouldn't excuse Harry, not now that he thought he was a liar. And Fudge knew Harry was a Parseltongue. He probably thought Harry was a dark wizard. He would use any excuse to get Harry expelled.
Harry lied down on his bed. He was a little confused. On the one hand, his uncle seemed to be scared of doing anything that would get him in trouble with Harry's Godfather. At least he had been scared the previous year. But on the other hand, he had hit Harry. He seemed to not realize how angry Sirius would be he found out. Harry thought about that. *When* he found out? Would Harry even tell him? *If* he found out, rather... Harry didn't really feel like telling Sirius about this. It would sound as if he were asking for help. He wasn't a baby. He could take care of himself. He didn't want to run to Sirius's side and act like a crybaby. He had dueled against Voldemort. He had endured the Cruciatous Curse. He could handle his uncle. Suddenly, Harry realized that he was not only angry and vengeful because of his uncle's act. He was also ashamed. He was ashamed that man had hit him. And with a jolt of fury, he realized why his uncle acted this way. It was such a simple thing!
-Devilish, yet simple. Harry was indeed ashamed of being hit. And as such, he would never admit to anybody what had happened. He knew he would never admit it. But the worse of all was that hi uncle knew it too. That's why he wasn't scared of hitting him. He knew Harry would never talk. And Harry hated to admit it but he was right. His uncle had cornered him.
Harry remained there, thinking. He didn't feel like eating at all. He wanted to sleep. But he couldn't do that either. His aunt yelled at him to come down and clean all the mud he had brought inside.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * * * * * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
That was in the first week of the holidays. Since then everything had gotten worse. His uncle managed to have at least 3 arguments a week with him, and he would get beaten up every time. In the beginning, the first two weeks, things didn't get out of hand too much. Uncle Vernon would hit Harry in the face, and Harry would manage to stay on his feet. He decided he didn't want to fall on the floor after the first time, and he didn't fall. At the end of the second week, however, his uncle had been really pissed.
Harry looked at Snape who was still driving silently. He seemed to be lost in his thoughts too. Harry looked out of the window and thought back to the end of the second week.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Flashback~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
(A/N: I suppose I don't need to write "flashback" for you to understand, but I feel better knowing it's clear. Oh well... I won't write it anymore. I guess it is useless)
Harry got up that morning on the 15^th July feeling really apprehensive. He didn't want to see the Dursleys. He had had enough of his uncle's bullying him like that. He didn't think he could endure another day like that without losing control. But he had to control himself. He wouldn't let anything get him expelled from Hogwarts. Especially not his uncle.
Harry got down the stairs to get to the kitchen and have breakfast. But at the door of the kitchen, he found his uncle waiting for him.
"Where do you think you're going, boy?" his uncle asked. Harry thought for a moment, wondering if it was wise to answer. His uncle would use any excuse to hit him. He decided that staying silent was more dangerous so he answered "I was going to breakfast, sir." His uncle smiled evilly at him. "Oh you were, weren't you? And I suppose you thought you could eat with us, didn't you?" Harry looked up at his uncle. He didn't answer. "DIDN"T YOU?!" his uncle bellowed. Harry winced, "No sir. Of course not" he said. But his uncle wasn't satisfied yet. Harry was giving him the right answers, and if he kept on like that, Uncle Vernon wouldn't have any reason to hit him. And that didn't please him at all. He was looking for a reason to hit Harry, and he would find one. "You are supposed to come down here before any of us and prepare breakfast. Then you leave and let us eat. When we're finished, you clean the kitchen and you may eat anything that is left. Is that understood?" Harry
looked at his uncle murderously. In a barely audible voice, he said "Yes, Sir." He had a feeling that if he allowed his voice to rise any higher, he would scream all his hatred. But his uncle took advantage of this. "IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?" he bellowed, as though he hadn't heard Harry's answer. Harry winced and said: "yes sir." But his uncle wasn't about to give up. "Don't talk to me like that." he said. "Like what?" Harry asked, not understanding what he had done wrong this time. He had talked normally; there had been nothing wrong with his tone. But then he realized he had made a mistake. He had fallen straight into his uncle's trap. Harry flinched. His uncle smiled a triumphant smile and then roared: "Don't talk back to me!" while raising his hand to hit Harry. Harry took a step back. It was out of instinct, but it was a mistake. Now his uncle was really pissed off "DON'T BACK AWAY FROM ME!" he yelled just before hitting Harry. Harry fell to the ground but didn't have time
to get up because his uncle kept on hitting him. Or rather... kicking him. Uncle Vernon started kicking Harry while bellowing all kinds of insults at him and his parents. Harry was rolling on the floor because of the strength of his uncle's kicks. His uncle kicked him all the way to the stairs. There he kicked him some more and Harry felt as though his back, which had been against the bottom stair, would break any minute. But his Uncle stopped kicking him. "Get up," he said sternly. Harry did as he was told, only to be punched in the face this time. His uncle had punched him in the eye, and Harry fell on the stairs. Satisfied, his uncle left.
Harry went back to his room, swearing he would get his revenge. He sent Hedwig to Ron, with an envelope containing his glasses and a note telling him he had got into yet another fight with Dudley, and asking if he could get Bill or Charlie to repair it and put an Unbreakable Charm on it (without telling his parents: he didn't want them to worry). This was the 3^rd time he was sending his glasses to Ron and he had only just thought about using the Unbreakable Charm.
After having sent Hedwig, he lied down on his bed, anger and hatred flooding over him. He took out a Charms Book and started reading and learning every charm and theory of by heart. It was his only way of staying sane. His only solaces were his books.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * * * * * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
(a/n: I'll be back with more soon. I'm sorry this chapter is short... please review if you read, and tell me how to make my text appear in italic...
Schrijfventje: Thank you so much for your review!!!! It was so nice!! It really made me happy! Thank you!
WillowCC: Thank you Thank you thank you!!!!! You came back to read more!!!! This made me so happy!!!! Well, here... I wrote more!)
Please review! Say anything you want! Anything! Just so I know what people who read think... Even if it's a single word................... ok so don't review! See if I care! :P (well, I do actually, but I'm not desperate for reviews.... It would just be nice... but of course, you don't have to be nice... j/k j/k )