Disclaimer:  I don't own the Harry Potter characters.

A/N:  Hi all.  I am extremely sorry for the wait!  But you will all be glad to know, or those of you who ever read these author notes, that the roomies have moved out.  So, hopefully, I will be able to update more frequently!  YEAH!  Well, anyways, I am still having issues with my wrist.  I seriously think it is carpal tunnel.  Or whatever it's called.  It hurts!  Okay, I'll shut up now.  Here is the next chapter!

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The blinding sunlight streaming through the window and hitting him directly in the face was the only reason he woke up that morning.  Otherwise, he would have slept blissfully through the agonizing pain that was still ripping through his body.  Below his right shoulder blade to be precise.  His uncle had only graciously removed the burner when he had stopped screaming.  He refused to give into the madman that called himself his uncle.

Thankfully, his uncle had gone to bed shortly after his 'lesson', as he so lovingly called it.  After painstakingly turning his head to the left he was able to see the clock.  6:30 p.m.  Wonderful.  He had slept the day away.  He was actually surprised his uncle hadn't come in before now.  He assumed Vernon must want to rest for what lay ahead.  At least it was a beautiful day.  A beautiful day to escape.  But how exactly he was going to accomplish said task was beyond him.  He was still tied, uncomfortably, down to his bed, hand and foot.  To put it mildly, he was screwed, royally.  His only hope would be for his uncle to untie him for some odd reason that he couldn't possibly fathom.  He was under the impression that he was going to die tied to this bed. 

However, luck seemed to be upon him on this sunny day.  Or not.  

Vernon Dursley sluggishly opened his nephew's bedroom door and trudged across to the bed.  "Sleep well?" he asked sarcastically upon realizing he was awake.

"Of course." Harry bit back. 

Vernon looked on the verge of smacking the boy, but then seemed to change his mind.  A light smile formed on his lips before he reached down and untied Harry from the bedposts.  "I've got another little lesson planned for you today, you little git.  Now get up!" 

Harry was forced up from the bed by his hair and then dropped on the floor.  The sudden movement had jarred his burnt back, and he flinched as his uncle picked him up off the floor.  "Move, I've got things I need to do today."  he said menacingly.  Harry was then shoved out of the bedroom and down the stairs.  He thought he had heard a muffled yell, but then thought he was hearing things.  He dimly wondered where Dudley was.

As he was literally thrown into the garage he wondered what was going on.  Was his uncle going to take him somewhere?  He decided to voice his question.

"Um, uncle, are you going to take me somewhere?"  he hadn't noticed his uncle unlocking the trunk of his car.  If he had, he would have made a dash for it. 

"No rides for you, boy.  Oh no, you're going to have a little lie in."  said Vernon.

Harry looked up confused, from his spot on the garage floor.  When he saw what his uncle was pointing at, he recoiled in fear.  The mere thought of being trapped in the trunk brought back terrible memories.  He suddenly saw flashes of the inside of a coffin.  He shrunk back towards the door, but his uncle had already placed his hand on his shoulder.  

"Up you go." he said, hauling Harry to his feet.  In his daze, Harry wasn't thinking of fighting back, but of the coffin only he could see.  But the closer he got the trunk of Vernon's car, the more hysterical he became.  It was then that he started fighting back.  And with a vengeance.  Harry's left arm came flying out of nowhere, and struck his uncle directly in the eye. 

In his absolute shock, he staggered backwards and hit the wall.  A pile of tools, that he was certain he had never used in his entire life, came tumbling down upon him.  At that moment, he looked upon his nephew with nothing but sheer murderous rage.  'That boy is going to regret the day he was born.' he muttered to himself, while shakily getting to his feet.  Harry, meanwhile, was leaning against the car, reliving his time in the coffin. 

Vernon Dursley advanced on his nephew.  In a last fit of rage, he hit him hard in the shoulder with a hammer that had just recently fallen on him.  Harry was finally brought out of his waking nightmare by a searing pain that had suddenly shot through his shoulder.  He looked down at himself and noticed that his shoulder looked oddly out of place.  'That's not right.' he thought to himself.

He felt himself getting roughly picked up and then thrown down again into something dark and hard.  He realized he was looking up at his uncle as if from a distance.  The trunk.  He saw his uncle smile in a devious way before the lid was slammed shut.

Harry screamed.

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Ron was sitting, staring off into space at the kitchen table, while the others around him were shoving their faces full of food.  It had been a long day, full of Christmas shopping, decorating, and wrapping.  The youngest boy of the Weasley clan had never felt so tired.  He was lazily scooping a spoonful of hot chili into his mouth when the first sensation hit him.  He suddenly 'knew' that Harry was in danger.  He didn't know why, but he wasn't about to doubt his senses.  As his spoon clattered into his nearly empty bowl, he attracted the attention of his family.

"Ron, are you okay?" his mother asked.  He noticed that everyone was now looking at him with concern in their eyes.  He didn't think they would believe him if he just up and said that Harry was in danger.  He was pretty sure they would think something was wrong with him.

"I'm fine, the chili just burnt my mouth." he explained, taking a deep drink of milk. 

"If you say so." said Fred, giving his twin a knowing look.  They were probably the closest family members to Ron.  They knew something was wrong.  Ron knew something.  They both made a mental note to speak with him that evening, after supper.

As soon as the table had been cleared and every dish washed, Ron sat sprawled on his bed.  He was currently plotting how to get out of the house without getting caught when the door swung slowly open. 

"Hello little brother." said George, entering before Fred, who was bringing up the rear.  "What's really going on?" 

Ron had to give it to them; they sure didn't waste time on pleasantries.  Nothing like getting straight to the point. 

"Alright, but the only reason I'm telling you this is because I'm under extreme duress."  he said, knowing his brothers wouldn't let him out until he told them everything.

"Sure." said Fred.  "We're listening." he said, very seriously. 

After Ron related his fear to his older brothers, they immediately began to scheme their own plot on how to get out of the house. 

"Okay, it's as simple as this:  I don't know if you're right on this or not, but I know you believe it to be true.  Knowing our little friend, he probably is in some kind of danger." A slight glimmer of anger passed through his eyes before going back to normal.  "So, we have to at least check on him.  There's no telling what that lard ass could be doing to him.  Now, as always, we wait for mum and the others to fall asleep.  I suggest we go by Floo Powder.  Dad said the Dursley's fireplace is still on the Floo network, so there's no problem there.  We just have to be extremely careful.  And quiet."  George ended his little pep talk, as it was, and the plan was made.  Now they just had to wait.

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The overwhelming fear seemed to encompass him and paralyze him.  He hadn't moved an inch since the trunk's lid was shut.  His eyes still remained completely clamped shut, and he was singing, very loudly, a muggle song he had recently heard on the radio.  His panic increased, and his singing was now more a loud bellow than anything else.  The only lyrics he knew of the song were the chorus, which he kept repeating over and over again.  "And I want a moment to be real, want to touch things I don't feel, want to hold on, and feel I belong, and how can the world want me to change, they're the ones that stay the same, they can't see me, but I'm still here."  The first time he heard it, he decided this song could be his motto.  If his mind was working, the thought would have occurred to him to call for his social worker.  But, his fear wouldn't allow it.

As he lay there, screaming said song at the top of his lungs, the thing he unconsciously feared came to pass.  He felt it.  Something was rustling down by his feet.  He kicked with all his might, making the 'thing' hiss in anger.  The pain in his back was making itself known, loud and clear.  He had rubbed his back on the carpet that he was lying on.  He briefly wondered why his uncle would have the trunk of his car carpeted; before fear became the all present feeling once again.  The dream he had had was at the forefront of his mind.  This was exactly like his dream.   The only problem now was this was reality.  There was no waking up from this one.  He tried to curl into a ball, only to yell out when his shoulder and the trunk bottom came into contact.  Moving, apparently, wasn't much of an option.  The 'thing' at his feet was now in motion again.  Harry flinched when it touched his leg.  "This isn't happening." he said to himself. 

"Of course it is, dear."

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The sun had set at least three hours ago and three red heads were standing on the last three steps, peering into the darkened living room.  They listened tentatively for anyone who might stir, before actually entering the living room.

"Okay, let's get this over with before mum wakes up and kills us all." said Ron, grabbing a jar from the mantle.  He dipped his hand in, scooped out a handful of Floo powder, and stepped into the fireplace.  "Remember, you have to be very quiet."  When the twins nodded, he proceeded.  "Vernon Dursley's house!' he yelled, but in a whisper. 

Ron tumbled out of the fireplace, and had to catch himself from hitting the coffee table, which was placed directly in front of it.  "Someone did that on purpose." he said heatedly.  He quickly pushed it out of the way as George, followed closely by Fred, fell out of the fireplace.  "Narrow miss, it was.  That stupid muggle put a coffee table right in front of the blasted fireplace.  Probably trying to break someone's leg."

"Hurry, let's check his room, make sure he's safe, and then get the heck out of here." mumbled George, already climbing the stairs.  He knew one of the stairs creaked, but for the life of him, he couldn't remember which one.  And as luck certainly did not have it, he put all his weight on the creaky stair.  He thought he could have awoken the dead with the sound it made.

"Uh oh!" he moaned.

"Who's down there?!"

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She had just started to doze off when she heard a loud creaking noise.  Thinking that it was Vernon, up for a late night snack, she began to doze again.  The only problem was that now Vernon was yelling and making a ruckus.  Someone was in the house!  Had they come early?  She could only hope.  She began pounding on the door with renewed vigor.  Petunia Dursley was more than ready to get the hell out of this closet, and find a baseball bat.  She couldn't wait to bash that man in the head.

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Harry's head shot up in complete and utter surprise.  'It talks.'

"Of course I talk."

"Whoa, wait, I didn't even say anything!" he yelled, trying extremely hard to edge away from whatever was at his feet.  His fear of enclosed spaces was making it extremely difficult for him to breathe. 

"I think someone's been hit entirely too many times in the head." the voice seemed to be tipped with concern.

Curiosity got the better of him and he sat up, as much as he could, and looked down at his feet.  "You have got to be kidding me."

"I'm not a joke." he said, as he crawled up towards Harry's head. 

Harry was more than surprised when his mirror crawled up and sat on his chest.  It seemed the golden mirror had somehow sprouted legs and the glass was contorted into the shape of two eyes and a mouth.

"I'm designed to get to where you are, Mr. Potter.  And, unless I'm terribly mistaken, you are in need of my assistance." 

"Yes, I am."

"I gathered as much." he said, his golden eyes looking at the bruised body beneath him.  "What do you say, let's get out of here?"

"Okay…" he paused, "Did you hear that?"

"I can only guess you are referring to the infernal racket coming from inside the house?  It seems someone else has come to your rescue, as well." 

"Can you get me out of this trunk?" he asked, fearing for whoever was in the house with his uncle.

"Of course, I can." he said, sitting perfectly still.

"Well, what are you waiting for?"

The mirror looked at the boy incredulously.   "You have to ask." he said.

"Oh.  Why didn't you just say so?"

"Why didn't you know?"

"Dumbledore didn't feel the need to tell me that, I guess."

"I, young sir, am going to have a very long talk with that man, but let's get you out of here first."

"Release me from the trunk." he said, while touching the mirror's face.  At once, the trunk popped open, and he wasted no time in getting out.  He took a deep breath of air.  He thought his lungs were going to burst while he had been trapped inside.  The shouting from inside the house broke him from his reverie.  "Ron?"  Could it be?

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A/N:  I'm sorry to leave it here, but at least it's not that much of a cliff hanger.  But I've been typing forever it seems, and my wrist is starting to kill me.  Time for a break.  Sorry!  Hopefully, and if I get a whole lot of reviews, I'll update in the next few days!

To Whom It May Concern:  I know me too.  On the fairy tale thing.  Vernon is a F****** bastard.  I'm glad you liked it!  Ah!  You think I'm a clever writer.  How sweet!  I'm sorry you killed off Draco.  Was it a good story?  And I'm your fav!  Nifty.

Lei Dumbledore:  So, it gave you chills did it?  Good, it did me too.  And I was writing it.  It's hard to write that stuff.  I'm really happy that you liked that chapter.  Hopefully this one was just as good.  Sorry your roomies were evil too.  Mine are almost gone.  Few more thing to pack, and then they're gone.  YEAH!

Hermione Eveningfall:  I understand you not agreeing with the abuse.  I don't condone it by any means.  It just has a thing to do with strengthening his character.  I'd kick his ass too.

Cartooned:  Insane ruler of the world?  Here's the more for you!

Jordan:  The social worker doesn't know yet.  But she will eventually.  Sorry it took so long!

Saya-Sato:  Evil, yes, I know.  Great, I was hoping I wasn't going overboard or anything.   It's a horrible thing, abuse is.  The mirror was found, as you now know.  I didn't want Harry to be unloved by all the Dursley's.  Glad you liked it.

Sailor Sol:  I know, it's very sad.  Well, at least I know I made an impact.  I meant for it to be sad.  Cool.  Favorites lists are always good.

Autumn Breeze:  So, I'm a perfect Harry torturer.  That's nice.  Sorry for the worst ending yet.  But I tried to make this one less horrible.  Did I succeed?

Mixed Up Again:  Because I'm mean and deranged.  Petunia is very nice in this story.  Dudley's somewhere around there.  I'm sorry to be so cruel.  Hamsters are nice.  We had one in my classroom at work.  We don't have it anymore, though.  He left us.  Who doesn't hate exams???  I hope you did well!

BlackUnicorn:  I can't believe it either.  Here's the update for you!

Dream:  Spooky?  Yeah, it kind of was, wasn't it?  Updated!

Crab Apple Fairy:  What's so bad about it?  It's not dumb.  I don't think so at least.  Of course, if she read some of the stuff that is on here, I could possibly understand.  But some stories are honestly good.  Ah!  She yelled at you?  What story did you recommend?  Cool, I was hoping I threw someone off with Petunia for like two seconds.  Death threats, they're what I live for.  Oh, okay.  (On the gondor thing)

Interesting.

AmyPotter13:  Sorry for only adding suspense.  But it's not a good story without suspense!  You know you love it!

LisaRose:  Don't I know that it happens in real life.  Everyone around me is getting abuse, I swear to something other than HIM.  I'm just venting.  Revenge is coming up soon.  Makes me wish a certain few people I know would drop off the face of the universe.  Always appreciate your parents.  He'll get his, (Vernon) I mean.  It's going to be fun.  Single White Female movie!!!!!!!  Mother of goodness.  That is psycho.

CCChute81:  Here's the next chapter.  Glad you liked it.

Iniysa:  I know, I am mean.  Here's the next chapter.  Hope you like it too!

Arizosa:  It took me a minute to realize you weren't bitching me out!  When I first looked at your review I was like, holy crap, what did I do???  Then I realized you were talking to Vernon, right, right, right??????  Just checking.  Glad you liked it.  Sorry it was short, hopefully this one was longer.  I completely agree with all you said.  Don't worry, Vernon's gonna get his!

Tiger Lily:  Of course I won't kill him!  I've already done it like ten times.  He'll live and all that nifty jazz.  I don't like it when he dies either.

Agnei Smith:  I did update!  Cool for me!  Don't die!  I need you to review! Oh, and cool, because you've read all my stories.  That makes me happy! I'm sorry I was cruel!  It's okay that you updated again.  By all means, update a lot.

Inigma:  He's having freaked out issues, so he doesn't call Indra.  Dudley's somewhere around there.  He's just not in it yet.  Um, sorry about the issues with the ffic.net.  That sucks.  I hurried, kind of, well not really at all, but I tried!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Melissa Lupin:  worse than voldie?  Can anyone be worse than him?  I'll take that as a weird complement.  Here's the next chapter!

Saki:  You know, I had forgotten I put Dursley in the second story!!!!!!!  Sorry I killed harry!  I have something special planned for Vernon!  I'm very happy you like my story.  Keep reviewing, that's fine with me. 

Gabriella:  Yes, Vernon is a piece of crap and so on.  Thanks!

JaimeyKay:  Crap going on?  Hmmm…hope that goes away.  I don't think you reviewed, but that's okay.  Glad you liked that chapter.  Evil Vernon, yes.  Sorry, I was slow!  Yes, I saw like three lines, did you see anymore from the next book? I can't wait for it to come out.  I will read it in a day, even if it is longer than the last book!  Maybe not a day, but I'll sure as heck try.

Weird:  Why, thank you!!!!!!!!!!

Lucy-Liza:  Wow, you reviewed like every chapter!  That's great.  I'm glad you liked it.  Here is the next chapter for you.  It was you, actually, who got my butt in gear.  Cool, I've made you laugh, and cry, and all that stuff.  So, do you understand everything now, since you read the other stories?  I hope so.  If not, just ask, and I shall tell you in the next chapter!

Tara:  He'll be fine, eventually.  He didn't think about it.  His aunt was in the room and he was confused.

Taisa Ayase:  That's okay.  Pity is understandable.  Glad you liked it though.

Mercedes:  Calvary, in smaller form, has arrived!

VB:  Godly voice has slightly inspired me!  Therefore, I wrote!  Plus another one helped me as well.  Have you checked everyday?  Sorry it took me so long!  Ah, creepy music!

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Finally!  That took me forever to write.  I'm writing this to be stupid!  And, my wrist hurts!