Title: Revelations and Their Consequences
Summary: Harry faces choices he must make and some made already. Can the friendship of a small boy show him what life can offer and how precious it is?
A/N Hey y'all! Ready for the next chappie? Cause if not I can take it off… J/K this chapter is longer than the last one. By the way someone remind me next time to divide it up as I write it…
Harry awoke near dawn to Jimmy licking his face.
"Thanks boy." He said groggily. He went and filled a cup with water for the Crup adding the potion Ron had given him. He then gave Jimmy the pill and the dog was surprisingly compliant. He was dressed by the time Aunt Petunia rapped on his door and he went downstairs. He could feel Jimmy close by his leg. He reached down to pet the dog as he opened the refrigerator.
He started the bacon and toast. The Dursleys had given up on Dudley's diet and gotten a special tailor for Dudley's clothes, that didn't matter now anyway since Dudley was back at Smeltings. Harry placed Vernon's paper by his chair and was horrified when it began to levitate. It took him not a moment to realize what was going on before yanking it from his dog's mouth.
"No Jim!"
"Talking to yourself boy?" Vernon chortled snatching the paper from Harry's hand and lowering his heavy bottom into his chair. He was always waiting for the point not unlike his sister to prove that Harry was insane.
"Er no sir." Harry whistled quietly and heard the dogs' toenails follow him to the stove. He scrambled some eggs dropping a bit on the floor and watching it instantly disappear He placed the rest of them on the table. He sat down and took only the food he knew he was allowed. One piece of bacon and a slice of toast was all he got for breakfast. When no one was looking he slipped some bacon to Jimmy. Vernon put down his paper as Petunia sat down.
"Seems strange without Dudley." Petunia nodded neither of them acknowledging the one boy that still sat with them. "Are we ready for tonight's gala?" he glared at Harry now. The Dursleys were having a party tonight inviting people from Vernon's firm and the neighborhood. It was to be the social and financial event of the month and even old Mrs. Figg was invited. Harry as their servant was required to well… serve.
"Yessir." He looked at his Uncle's bulbous face and his only comfort was Jimmy who was settled on his feet.
"And what is the main rule for this evening boy?" Harry put a blank look on his face as he recited what they had been over every morning since Harry had announced he wasn't going to Hogwarts and could serve at the event.
"Don't say a word to anyone or look anyone in the face." Especially if you've given me a black eye by then. Vernon smiled cruelly.
"Or what will happen?" Harry held in what he wanted to say. Or I'll curse you and fly my Firebolt to my real home.
"Or you'll beat me to within an inch of my life and I'll wish I was never born."
"Correct boy!" and at that there was a great commotion. Hedwig was tapping at the window. "That RUDDY OWL." Before Harry knew it the fist had collided with his jaw. Harry fell out of his chair and onto the floor his hand on his face. Vernon loomed over him. "Well boy what do you have to say for yourself?"
"She's just coming back from taking the letter to tell them I'm not coming back. That's all." Vernon kicked him.
"Up boy!" Harry stood and Vernon glared at him. "Go wait out back. I'll be right there." He swiveled on his heels and went upstairs. Harry felt Jimmy near his leg. Petunia had disappeared suddenly as she always did when Vernon started to hit Harry.
"Go upstairs Jim. He's gone to get the belt. Go boy!" he heard the Crup scamper off and Harry ran outside. His mouth was still bleeding and he put a hand to it to apply pressure. Vernon was back within minutes and the whipping began Harry gritted his teeth. His eyes wanted to cry but he wouldn't let them. Not until he was alone. This time he hit him more than he ever had. The hits were slow at first then harder until they began to penetrate his skin. Old scars reopened first before new cuts began.
Harry tried to remain standing but blow after blow sent him to his knees. He was reminded of the days when slaves had been owned all over Europe and felt as if those days had not ended especially for Harry James Potter. The pain became more and more intense no doubt what the man was hoping for.
He was reduced to lying on the porch boards. After about five minutes Vernon stopped and Harry looked up. Vernon had taken off his work jacket and he pulled Harry up and leaned him against the side of the house. Before the boy knew what had happened Vernon began to hit him. The blows came hard and rapid. It was over soon but it hurt more than he could even comprehend. When Vernon released him Harry slunk to the ground moaning. He curled himself up in the fetal position his breath ragged.
"That boy will teach you to talk back to me and never to have contact with those freaks; after all you see where that gets you." Harry was left gasping on the ground. In the distance he heard Vernon's car leave. He just lay there unable to move. He heard footsteps he recognized as Petunia's high heels. She would come to clean him up as she always did. The only reason he suspected she would ever like him.
"Well he really out did himself didn't he?" he detected a bit of sympathy in her voice but couldn't dwell on anything but the pain. She took his elbow and he gasped with the pain. "C'mon thatta boy." She murmured. This was a side of his aunt he only saw after Vernon's beatings. She led him through the house to the largest bathroom and sat him on the rug not complaining about how he was bleeding on her carpet as she used to after Dudley beat him up five years ago when they were young children.
She got the basket of bandages she reserved for this out of a cabinet. She sat down next to him and began to work.
"Lie down on your stomach." He complied as an obedient young child would in too much pain to do anything else. She started to bandage his back. "Okay this might hurt." He sucked in a breath as she gently closed his wounds. She sat him up and wrapped a bandage around his lower body to soak up any excess blood. She them did some work on his arms and legs but his right arm was swollen. She felt it tenderly and he bit his lower lip.
"Oh dear I hope this isn't broken." Harry was able to talk again as some of the pain subsided.
"I don't think it is. I broke it a few years ago and it doesn't feel like that." She looked at him curiously.
"Did you? Well I concur. I never told you this but I went through some nurses' training before Dudley was born." Harry was a bit shocked but said nothing. "It looks sprained. I'll wrap it with an ace bandage." She did so and some of that pain subsided. "There we are. Go to your room. You're resting until the party tonight." Her face softened. "I'm sorry but there's no way Vernon will let you out of it." She looked at him a bit and said quietly, "If it hurts child it is okay to cry. I'm not Vernon I won't hit you for it." Petunia became serious again. "I'll be up with a pill for you in a bit."
Harry stared at her and after her words let the tears he had been holding back fall down his cheeks. She placed an arm around him for a minute and then drew back. "You'll be okay. Go on I'll be there."
He nodded and limped slowly to his room. Jimmy's pill had worn off so Harry quickly hid him under the covers. Harry slid in himself having to move a bit to not be in pain.
Petunia returned and helped him sit to swallow the pill.
"Thank you Aunt Petunia." She sat on the edge of his bed just missing Jimmy.
"You're welcome Harry." She almost never called him Harry preferring boy. "I know that we've never exactly gotten along. And I know Vernon and I haven't treated you as well as Dudley, but no child should have to go through that. And don't think I also don't know all you go through at school. Vernon doesn't care but you are my flesh and blood." Harry's jaw dropped (a bit painfully).
"Well… Thank you Aunt Petunia." She smoothed his hair back.
"Your welcome again. I know why you're not going to your school but you are safer there." He turned.
"I am maybe but others aren't."
"Well then… you need to rest. Go to sleep for a while and I'll help you dress for tonight." He nodded sleepily and closed his eyes. She gently removed his glasses and left. He slept grateful to the aunt he never used to like.
He slept longer than he had in a long time. His body seemed to know he needed to heal and his subconscious mercifully refrained from giving him nightmares. Instead he had blissful dreams he didn't want to wake from. Dreams of his friends and of Hogwarts. Of the times he was so happy and nothing bothered him, and dreams, which were probably memories of his parents.
He was awakened long before he wanted to by Petunia who was gently shaking him.
"Come on Harry you need to wake up." He moaned and slowly opened his eyes. "There we go. You need to be ready by the time Vernon comes home. Your dog better not be a problem by the way." Dog? Did she- how did she-
"How'd you know?" she smiled a rare occurrence.
"Well Rip Van Winkle all animals must be let out no matter how long their masters sleep." He sat up and hung his head.
"I'll send him to one of my friends."
"Don't be silly he's okay. I don't mind that much. We've gotten to know each other today. And I think you'll go to Hogwarts soon enough."
"I won't."
"Okay. Well then you need to get up." He got out of bed and she helped him stand. "We've got an old suit of Dudley's for you." She read the look on his face. "It's tailored." She gave him a look reminiscent of the Aunt Petunia he knew. She helped him into the suit, and buttoned it for him.
"Thank you Aunt Petunia." She said nothing but led him downstairs. She thrust some hors d'ourves at him and had him set them on a plate he knew this was so Vernon would think he'd worked all day. When he arrived there was much hustle and bustle and ordering around of Harry before the guests arrived. Harry was to take coats and serve hors d'ourves. He was pushed to his station near the door when the doorbell rang. The first guest was Mrs. Figg.
"Hello Harry dear." He took her coat not saying a word. "Ah got you under orders does he?" Harry nodded slightly before the next guest arrived. He had his hands full for the next half hour or so before the guest's arrival became less heavy. The coats seemed to weigh more with each one he took to the closet that they had turned his cupboard into.
When all the guests had arrived Petunia tracked him down.
"Are you alright?" he nodded. She handed him a plate and he began to wander around. His leg hurt with each step and his head began to ache. Even the wounds on his back stung. He wished Aunt Petunia had had the time to give him another pill. He had to rest as he went from room to room and he started watching the clock. The party was to end at ten and it wasn't quite nine.
He came to Mrs. Figg and she stopped him.
"Well this is some event isn't it? I haven't been to such a party in years and years I tell you." He nodded politely but Mrs. Figgs form was beginning to sway and get blurry. He began to sweat but he fought it all. "Harry? Harry?" Mrs. Figg had seen all he was going through. He tried to reply but it wouldn't come before he passed out.
When he came to he had to blink several times before he could focus.
"He's coming too… Harry, Harry, come on wake up Harry." He blinked more and saw Aunt Petunia and Mrs. Figg above him. He was in the kitchen and they were alone.
"Oh I'm sorry Harry but there was no way Vernon would allow me to let you rest tonight. Now though I don't think he'd notice. You'll be okay but you need to rest." He sat up and the room spun. Both women supported him and Mrs. Figg thrust a cup into his hands. It was warm and looked like a tea.
"Drink it Harry it'll help." He obeyed. He took a sip and suddenly became very sleepy. He quickly drained the mug. His eyelids suddenly began to droop. Aunt Petunia and Mrs. Figg began to speak but his mind seemed to be going slowly and he couldn't make out what they were saying.
He stood and nearly fell over. His limbs were heavy and hard to move. Everything seemed to be in slow motion. Petunia took his arm as he began to fall over and gently steadied him. She led him out of the kitchen and unnoticed by the crowd up the stairs. He leaned on the banister to support himself.
He didn't know why he was suddenly so tired but he couldn't think about it. He had to concentrate all his energy on putting one foot above the other. He went down the hall and Petunia took him to his room. Petunia set him on his bed and he almost fell backward. She sat him up and helped him into his pajamas. As she undid his shoes (he tried but his fingers felt like sausages) Jimmy leaned up against him.
"Lo Jim." Harry slurred. Petunia laid him on the bed and he was asleep before his eyes shut.
A/N well whaddya think? Well c'mon tell me! Oh yeah you're not with me… well here's an idea! Review!