Unicorn Child
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Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot- and the unicorns!!!
A/N: Well, here it is, the first chapter of 'Unicorn Child'! (after the prologue). Thank you to all those wonderful people who reviewed!!!
~*~
Chapter 1
Never again
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"BOY!"Someone was pounding on the door. Harry groaned and sat up slowly. He had been sleeping peacefully in his cupboard under the stairs until his aunt's shrill voice had woken him just a few seconds ago.
"BOY! Are you up yet? Stop lazing about and cook our breakfast! I want everything to be perfect for my Duddykins today!"
Harry sighed. Of course, he had almost forgotten. Today was Halloween, October 31st 1984. After some endless nagging and violent temper tantrums Harry's cousin, Dudley Dursley, had finally managed to convince his mother to let him go out in the evening with some of his friends to do some "trick-or-treating".
Of course he, Harry, was to remain in the house, but then again this was no surprise. The Dursleys never let Harry have any fun, and playing "trick-or- treat" did sound like great fun in Harry's ears.
Harry was brought out of his reverie by his aunt shrieking and pounding on the door of the cupboard again. "I'm up, I'm up!" he called quickly.
"About time!" his aunt snapped and left him alone.
Harry groped around in the darkness of his cupboard for his clothes. Finding them and brushing a few stray spiders off them he quickly stood up on his cot and put them on. After three years (ever since his parents had died in a car crash) of living in a tiny broom cupboard at his horrible relatives', the Dursleys, Harry was used to both spiders and getting dressed in the dark.
It was moments like this when Harry was glad that he didn't have to wear glasses: He would probably break them during the night or spend ages looking for them in the mornings.
Harry finished getting dressed in Dudley's huge hand-me-downs and stepped out of his cupboard. He had to squint heavily for a minute before his eyes had adjusted to the light.
When the room had finally slipped into focus, Harry closed the door of 'his' cupboard and headed for the kitchens. His aunt threw him a thoroughly disgusted look when he entered the room and then resumed her favourite activity: Spying on the neighbours.
Harry had gotten used to those glances and usually ignored them. He walked over to the stove and proceeded to cook bacon, scrambled eggs and prepare toast. As he waited for the bacon to actually start frying, Harry's mind slipped back to the dream he had had before his aunt had woken him...
------------------FLASHBACK---------------------------
Harry was sitting on a huge flying motorbike. Behind him there was a giant man whose beard was tickling Harry's forehead.
Harry was laughing and giggling and clapping his hands, and the giant was smiling down on him gently, though there was sadness in his eyes.
They were flying over a huge town and Harry's eyes widened when he noticed just how far up they were...
------------------END FLASHBACK-------------------
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?"
Harry's head snapped up, his eyes wide open. His aunt and uncle were towering over him, glaring at him with such hatred that Harry feared for a moment that they were about to kill him. "W....what?" he stuttered, scared.
"YOU'RE BURNING OUR BACON!" Harry winced. He wished his uncle wouldn't shout so loudly. Harry looked at the frying pan and almost groaned. Uncle Vernon was right. He had been so lost in his thoughts that he hadn't even noticed the burnt smell- the bacon was almost black.
Slowly, filled with dread, Harry turned around so he was facing the Dursleys again. Harry noticed that Dudley had come into the kitchen, he was snickering stupidly. Harry knew that Dudley loved watching Harry being told off.
A large hand grabbed the back of his neck, and Harry was hauled roughly back to his cupboard. The hand threw him in, and finally Harry had a chance to look at his uncle's face. It was an ugly shade of red, and Harry immediately shrank back, scared.
"You will stay in here for a week- and you won't get any food for today. That'll teach you to burn my family's food, you disgusting little piece of filth!"
And with that, uncle Vernon slammed the cupboard door shut. Harry heard the key turn in its lock- then silence.
Harry was left alone in the dark, stuffy and tiny space he had slept in for the past three years. The unfairness and injustice of his punishment and life in general then hit Harry and he curled up on his cot into a little ball, and being the scared, lonely, unhappy, neglected four-year-old he was, Harry started to cry quietly, so nobody would hear.
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A few hours later in the nearby forest
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Serenity sighed deeply as she stared into the water of the lake. One week. It had been one week and yet it still hurt as if it had been yesterday.....
Serenity shook her beautiful head angrily. There was no use dwelling in the past. No use trying to change things that had already happened. And yet.....
Serenity leaned forwards slightly and touched the surface of the lake with her brilliant white horn. She watched as the water rippled, watched as her perfect mirror image was blurred.
She heard a stick snap behind her but did not turn around. She knew that it was probably one of the other unicorns that had followed her. She wasn't in danger. No forest animal would dare to harm a unicorn, and humans didn't come here. Serenity didn't know why, they just didn't.
She felt something soft brush against her cheek and turned slightly- she had been right. It was Stardust, her eight year old son.
Stardust nuzzled Serenity again. *Mother, please come back. The others miss you.* Serenity sighed again and turned back to look at the lake. The water was once again smooth, as though it had never been disturbed. For a moment, Serenity hated the water for being so indifferent and stomped her hoof angrily. Water splashed, and at least for a second, the water had lost its smoothness. Serenity stared at it in childish satisfaction.
Stardust had been watching this quietly, now he tried to approach his mother again. *I know it still hurts. We all miss Starlight.*
At this Serenity's shoulders slumped. Starlight had been her one year old daughter. For a unicorn, that is still very young. Starlight had been a wonderful unicorn, many of the elders had put their hope in her. She had been wild, free, happy and careless- a little too careless. Only a week ago, there had been a violent thunderstorm, and Starlight, thinking it was a great adventure, had snuck off and eventually been hit by a falling tree.
The group of unicorns had only found her body two days later. Starlight's death had come as a huge shock to the group. Unicorns were rare, especially in this part of England, and the loss of a young one meant the loss of hope for the unicorns' future.
Eventually, everyone had been able to move on- everyone but Serenity. She missed her daughter sorely and hadn't even eaten since the thunderstorm.
Stardust, seeing that his mother wasn't going to listen to him, snorted angrily and reared up. Finally Serenity turned to him.
*You have to stop wallowing in self-pity! I know you miss her, we all do, but you've got to move on! You're wasting away in front of our eyes, and you don't even realize it!*
Stardust softened his tone a bit and lowered his gaze on the ground.
*Please, mother. We need you! We can't afford to lose you, too*
Serenity stared at her grown-up son. He was right. She had been mourning for long enough. For a few seconds she felt ashamed at having been so selfish. The others needed her, her son needed her, and all she had done the past few days was 'wallowing in her self-pity', as Stardust had called it!
Serenity straightened, and nodded to Stardust.
*You're right, Stardust. I'm sorry I haven't been there for you.*
With one last glance at the (smooth) lake, Serenity turned around gracefully and started to walk back to her group.
Serenity turned her head upwards and looked at the sky. Millions of stars were twinkling down upon her, and Serenity had to smile. Maybe Starlight was now one of those stars up there? Maybe she was watching her mother?
At that moment, a falling star shot across the dark sky.
Serenity's smile broadened. Her daughter would always be with her, she could feel it, somewhere deep down in her heart.
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Back at the Dursleys
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Harry woke up with a start. For a moment he was completely disoriented and didn't know where he was at all. It was pitch black in his cupboard. There was no light shining in through the gap in the door, so Harry knew it had to be night.
Harry rubbed his eyes. They felt dry and itchy- a reminder that he had cried himself to sleep. Harry remembered his punishment and as if on cue, his stomach growled loudly. Harry was starving, which was not really astonishing, considering that he hadn't had anything to eat since dinner the day before.
The house was completely silent, almost eerily so. Had the Dursleys gone to bed? What time was it? As if sensing his thoughts, the clock in the hallway chimed. One..... Two..... Three..... Harry counted eleven times.
Harry wondered what he was supposed to do now. He didn't feel like going back to sleep , and there was no way for to get out of the cupboard- it was still locked. It was too dark to read his fairytale book.....
Harry finally settled for counting. One..... Two..... Three..... Four..... Five..... It was dead boring, but really Harry didn't know what else to do. 103..... 104..... 105..... 106..... 107.....
Harry never got any further.
'BOOM!'
Harry nearly jumped out of his skin and let out a muffled gasp.
'Bang!' 'Bang!'
The Dursleys had apparently heard the commotion and thrown open their doors and were currently stomping down the stairs.
'CRASH!'
This time Harry was sure that he had heard wood splinter. A moment of silence. Then-
"I demand that you leave my house at once! I'm warning you, I'm armed!" Harry heard his uncle below. Somehow, Harry had the feeling that this hadn't been the right thing to say. His suspicions were confirmed when Harry heard the most horrible sound he had ever heard in his entire life: High, cold, evil laughter. It sent shivers down Harry's spine and he could almost sense the spiders scuttling around frantically. Somehow, Harry had an odd sense of déjà vu.
Finally, the laughter stopped and Harry heard the horrible voice say: "I don't like insolent muggles like you, Dursley..... say goodbye to your precious family! Avada Kedavra!"
A flash of green light was visible through the gap under the cupboard door and Harry heard his aunt and Dudley scream.
Whatever had happened out there, Harry could tell that it wasn't good. He pressed himself into the corner of the cupboard, shaking with fear. Then, he could hear the horrible man speak again.
"Now, woman....." the voice hissed, "Where is the boy?"
Harry froze. Dudley was out there. So this.....man.....was looking for him? Harry?
"B....boy?" Aunt Petunia's voice quivered with fear. "D....do you mean P....Potter?"
"Yesssss, dumb woman!" the man hissed angrily. "Now where is he?"
Harry, if possible, retreated further into his corner. That man was really looking for him. Never in his life could Harry remember having felt this scared before. Harry listened to his aunt giving him away with dread. Footsteps approached the cupboard, a key was turned in the lock, then the cupboard door was yanked open and Harry stared apprehensively up at- and there was no other way to describe it- his worst nightmare.
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Should I leave you hanging here? *ducks flying tomatoes* hehe..... Just kidding guys..... Whoa calm down..... #POV change#
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Voldemort smirked down at the little boy crouched in the corner of the cupboard. He looked scared half to death and apprehensive.
Abruptly, Voldemort turned away from the child and faced the woman and her fat whale of a son again. "Very well. I am no longer in need of your..... services. Avada Kedavra Maximus!"
A flash of brilliant green light left Voldemort's wand, split in two and hit both Dudley and Aunt Petunia. They fell to the floor with a sickening thud. Harry gasped in shock and stared at the still figures of the Dursleys in disbelief. They couldn't be.... Dead? The word sounded horrible, even in Harry's mind, but something told him that indeed his only remaining family had just been killed by that snake-like man in front of him.
Slowly, Harry looked up at the man. He felt numb with shock and disbelief, and at the same time frozen with fear.
Voldemort frowned down at the boy. He didn't want to kill him while he was cowering in a corner of a broom cupboard. "Come out here, boy."
Harry, visibly shaking, complied.
Voldemort smirked. "You don't know how long I have waited for this day to come, Potter..... why, you probably don't even remember me. My name is Lord Voldemort."
Somehow, that name sent shivers down Harry's spine. Voldemort watched Harry's reaction to his name with a satisfied smirk. Then, he continued.
"In case you didn't know, Potter, I had the great pleasure of killing your parents three years ago. They were a thorn in my side, Potter, a big thorn....."
Harry had paled. His face was now a sickly pale colour. "But.....m....my parents died in a car crash!" he managed to get out.
Voldemort stared at Harry for a moment, in disbelief. Then, a deep scowl crossed his face. "Did those muggles tell you that?" Harry nodded meekly. Voldemort's scowl deepened. "They lied, Potter. I killed your parents because they were two of my biggest enemies..... Dumbledore's allies."
Harry stared at Voldemort in shock. It couldn't be. How could this man have killed Harry's parents? Harry was breathing heavily, feeling horribly upset and alone.
Voldemort suddenly realized that Harry probably didn't even know about witchcraft and wizardry. And then he sensed his chance. If the boy was truly oblivious..... if he really didn't know about him and the magical world..... maybe he could get him onto his side? Potter was, though very young, undoubtedly powerful. Voldemort smirked to himself and decided to give it a try.
He made sure to keep his face absolutely expressionless and kneeled down so he was facing the child. Then, he took his wand and held it out to Harry, making sure it was just out of the boy's reach. In an almost friendly tone he asked:
"Do you know what this is, child?"
Harry shook his head, frightened.
Voldemort nodded in satisfaction. He had been right.
"This, boy," he continued, "is a wand. Wizards like you and me use it to do magic. You know what magic is, don't you?"
Harry nodded, completely awestruck. "You....I'm a wizard? But I thought..... Uncle Vernon always said there's no such thing as magic....."
Voldemort could feel his impatience growing and was about to snap at the boy, but stopped himself just in time. Potter was a small child after all. "Like I told you before, your aunt and uncle were lying to you. Think, Harry. Have you never made anything happen when you were angry or scared?"
Harry thought for a minute. Of course, lots of glass had exploded when he had been particularly angry.... Sometimes there was even a storm outside.... And there was that time when Dudley had flown across the room just as he was about to hit Harry..... but was this magic? Really magic? Had his aunt and uncle been lying to him all his life? However, Voldemort was eyeing Harry impatiently, so Harry nodded, slowly. "That....that was magic? And..... if it is true, then why are you telling me this?"
Voldemort nodded, satisfied. "Well, Harry. You see, I could use another companion. I won't lie to you, Harry, you are very powerful, and I have good use for you. Together we could be unbeatable, together we could rule the world, together we could show everyone! I can give you anything you want Harry, friends, money, your own house, just name it and I will give it to you! I could train you, Harry, and in only a few years we would be the most powerful wizards ever! Join me, Harry!"
Harry stumbled back in shock. There was an insane glow in Voldemort's eyes, which frightened Harry beyond belief. Then suddenly, Harry felt anger welling up inside him, anger like he had never felt before. He took another step backwards, his back was now pressed against the wall, and hissed:
"You monster! You come in here and kill the only family I have left, and you claim that you have killed my parents, and now you expect me to join you? You monster! You evil, disgusting thing!"
Voldemort drew in a sharp breath and stood back up. His ugly red eyes were narrowed dangerously and he was gritting his disgusting yellow teeth.
"So," he said, in a very low voice, "you have decided to defy me like those fools, your parents, did. I don't like people who defy me, Potter. I offered you a place in my ranks that I've never offered to anyone before. Since you declined, you leave me with no choice. Say goodbye, Harry Potter!"
Harry pressed himself against the wall in fear. He watched, as if in slow motion, as Voldemort raised his wand and pointed it straight at Harry's forehead. Harry knew that he was going to die now. Voldemort would use the strange green light magic he had done to the Dursleys on him. There was no way that he, Harry, would survive this.
Then, as if through a haze, Harry heard Voldemort say those fatal words: "Avada Kedavra!"
Harry saw the green light rushing towards him. Time had slowed down. He felt it connect with his forehead, knew that all was over now and closed his eyes..... everything was cold..... so cold..... he was falling...... deeper...... and deeper.....
"AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
With tremendous effort Harry opened his eyes. Voldemort! Where had he gone? Who had screamed?
Then, Harry noticed the most peculiar thing was happening right in front of him. It was Voldemort who had screamed. Now he was just standing there. Harry noticed that Voldemort's face was getting redder and redder by the second, he looked as if he was about to explode, then-
"AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!"
Voldemort screamed again, and right before Harry's eyes he shattered into a million pieces. Harry gasped in shock, both at Voldemort and at the fact that the ground was starting to shake. Cracks formed on the walls around him, dust and bricks fell down from the ceiling, the house was caving in!
Harry ran, blinded by all the dust and rubble. He stumbled, fell, got up again, was hit by stones and wood, but he had to go on, had to get out-
And then he finally reached the front door and threw himself out into the garden, just as the walls behind him gave him and house number four collapsed completely.
Harry curled himself into a little ball on the grass and protected his head with his arms. The noise seemed to go on forever, the earth was shaking, shards of glass and other materials were raining down on Harry. After what seemed like and eternity, everything stopped. The silence seemed unnatural. Harry slowly raised his head from the ground.
The sight that met his eyes was one of destruction and terror. Where only seconds before a house had been, there was now only a ruin with piles of rubble. Harry got up cautiously and started to walk towards the ruin hesitantly.
Here and there, he spotted some pieces of furniture, and there, where the hallway had been, a huge piece of wood had come down, blocking the other rubble from falling onto the three still bodies beneath it.
Harry stared at the dead bodies of his only remaining family. They looked scared, even in death.
Suddenly, the whole impact of what had just happened hit Harry. They were dead. The Dursleys were dead! Voldemort had killed them! Harry, though he had never liked the Dursleys, was now completely alone on the world.
Harry started to shake, feeling cold and empty inside. Never in his life had he felt so lost and alone before.
Faintly, Harry could hear sirens coming closer. The police was arriving, and probably the firemen, too. Harry didn't want to face those people. Harry didn't trust them anymore. He didn't trust anyone anymore, what little trust he had had in humans had been destroyed together with his family not ten minutes ago.
Harry stood abruptly, and quickly made his way out of the garden. He walked at a brisk pace, through the park and in the direction of the nearby forest. Harry hesitated when he reached the tree line. He turned around once more and looked back at the remains of #4 Privet Drive.
The policemen had arrived. They were running around frantically, taking pictures and shouting to each other.
But Harry had made up his mind. He would go and live in the forest. He never wanted to have anything to do with other human-beings again.
A small, crystalline tear ran down Harry's cheek, before he turned around abruptly and stepped into the forest.
Had one of the men at the house looked up at this very moment, they might have seen a small, battered boy vanishing into the forest. But none of them looked up, and so Harry Potter disappeared from the human world, and it would be many years until they ever saw or heard of him again.
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A/N: End of chapter one! Phew! What do you think? PLEASE REVIEW!!!
See ya,
Felinity ^_^
~*~
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot- and the unicorns!!!
A/N: Well, here it is, the first chapter of 'Unicorn Child'! (after the prologue). Thank you to all those wonderful people who reviewed!!!
~*~
Chapter 1
Never again
~*~
"BOY!"Someone was pounding on the door. Harry groaned and sat up slowly. He had been sleeping peacefully in his cupboard under the stairs until his aunt's shrill voice had woken him just a few seconds ago.
"BOY! Are you up yet? Stop lazing about and cook our breakfast! I want everything to be perfect for my Duddykins today!"
Harry sighed. Of course, he had almost forgotten. Today was Halloween, October 31st 1984. After some endless nagging and violent temper tantrums Harry's cousin, Dudley Dursley, had finally managed to convince his mother to let him go out in the evening with some of his friends to do some "trick-or-treating".
Of course he, Harry, was to remain in the house, but then again this was no surprise. The Dursleys never let Harry have any fun, and playing "trick-or- treat" did sound like great fun in Harry's ears.
Harry was brought out of his reverie by his aunt shrieking and pounding on the door of the cupboard again. "I'm up, I'm up!" he called quickly.
"About time!" his aunt snapped and left him alone.
Harry groped around in the darkness of his cupboard for his clothes. Finding them and brushing a few stray spiders off them he quickly stood up on his cot and put them on. After three years (ever since his parents had died in a car crash) of living in a tiny broom cupboard at his horrible relatives', the Dursleys, Harry was used to both spiders and getting dressed in the dark.
It was moments like this when Harry was glad that he didn't have to wear glasses: He would probably break them during the night or spend ages looking for them in the mornings.
Harry finished getting dressed in Dudley's huge hand-me-downs and stepped out of his cupboard. He had to squint heavily for a minute before his eyes had adjusted to the light.
When the room had finally slipped into focus, Harry closed the door of 'his' cupboard and headed for the kitchens. His aunt threw him a thoroughly disgusted look when he entered the room and then resumed her favourite activity: Spying on the neighbours.
Harry had gotten used to those glances and usually ignored them. He walked over to the stove and proceeded to cook bacon, scrambled eggs and prepare toast. As he waited for the bacon to actually start frying, Harry's mind slipped back to the dream he had had before his aunt had woken him...
------------------FLASHBACK---------------------------
Harry was sitting on a huge flying motorbike. Behind him there was a giant man whose beard was tickling Harry's forehead.
Harry was laughing and giggling and clapping his hands, and the giant was smiling down on him gently, though there was sadness in his eyes.
They were flying over a huge town and Harry's eyes widened when he noticed just how far up they were...
------------------END FLASHBACK-------------------
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?"
Harry's head snapped up, his eyes wide open. His aunt and uncle were towering over him, glaring at him with such hatred that Harry feared for a moment that they were about to kill him. "W....what?" he stuttered, scared.
"YOU'RE BURNING OUR BACON!" Harry winced. He wished his uncle wouldn't shout so loudly. Harry looked at the frying pan and almost groaned. Uncle Vernon was right. He had been so lost in his thoughts that he hadn't even noticed the burnt smell- the bacon was almost black.
Slowly, filled with dread, Harry turned around so he was facing the Dursleys again. Harry noticed that Dudley had come into the kitchen, he was snickering stupidly. Harry knew that Dudley loved watching Harry being told off.
A large hand grabbed the back of his neck, and Harry was hauled roughly back to his cupboard. The hand threw him in, and finally Harry had a chance to look at his uncle's face. It was an ugly shade of red, and Harry immediately shrank back, scared.
"You will stay in here for a week- and you won't get any food for today. That'll teach you to burn my family's food, you disgusting little piece of filth!"
And with that, uncle Vernon slammed the cupboard door shut. Harry heard the key turn in its lock- then silence.
Harry was left alone in the dark, stuffy and tiny space he had slept in for the past three years. The unfairness and injustice of his punishment and life in general then hit Harry and he curled up on his cot into a little ball, and being the scared, lonely, unhappy, neglected four-year-old he was, Harry started to cry quietly, so nobody would hear.
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A few hours later in the nearby forest
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Serenity sighed deeply as she stared into the water of the lake. One week. It had been one week and yet it still hurt as if it had been yesterday.....
Serenity shook her beautiful head angrily. There was no use dwelling in the past. No use trying to change things that had already happened. And yet.....
Serenity leaned forwards slightly and touched the surface of the lake with her brilliant white horn. She watched as the water rippled, watched as her perfect mirror image was blurred.
She heard a stick snap behind her but did not turn around. She knew that it was probably one of the other unicorns that had followed her. She wasn't in danger. No forest animal would dare to harm a unicorn, and humans didn't come here. Serenity didn't know why, they just didn't.
She felt something soft brush against her cheek and turned slightly- she had been right. It was Stardust, her eight year old son.
Stardust nuzzled Serenity again. *Mother, please come back. The others miss you.* Serenity sighed again and turned back to look at the lake. The water was once again smooth, as though it had never been disturbed. For a moment, Serenity hated the water for being so indifferent and stomped her hoof angrily. Water splashed, and at least for a second, the water had lost its smoothness. Serenity stared at it in childish satisfaction.
Stardust had been watching this quietly, now he tried to approach his mother again. *I know it still hurts. We all miss Starlight.*
At this Serenity's shoulders slumped. Starlight had been her one year old daughter. For a unicorn, that is still very young. Starlight had been a wonderful unicorn, many of the elders had put their hope in her. She had been wild, free, happy and careless- a little too careless. Only a week ago, there had been a violent thunderstorm, and Starlight, thinking it was a great adventure, had snuck off and eventually been hit by a falling tree.
The group of unicorns had only found her body two days later. Starlight's death had come as a huge shock to the group. Unicorns were rare, especially in this part of England, and the loss of a young one meant the loss of hope for the unicorns' future.
Eventually, everyone had been able to move on- everyone but Serenity. She missed her daughter sorely and hadn't even eaten since the thunderstorm.
Stardust, seeing that his mother wasn't going to listen to him, snorted angrily and reared up. Finally Serenity turned to him.
*You have to stop wallowing in self-pity! I know you miss her, we all do, but you've got to move on! You're wasting away in front of our eyes, and you don't even realize it!*
Stardust softened his tone a bit and lowered his gaze on the ground.
*Please, mother. We need you! We can't afford to lose you, too*
Serenity stared at her grown-up son. He was right. She had been mourning for long enough. For a few seconds she felt ashamed at having been so selfish. The others needed her, her son needed her, and all she had done the past few days was 'wallowing in her self-pity', as Stardust had called it!
Serenity straightened, and nodded to Stardust.
*You're right, Stardust. I'm sorry I haven't been there for you.*
With one last glance at the (smooth) lake, Serenity turned around gracefully and started to walk back to her group.
Serenity turned her head upwards and looked at the sky. Millions of stars were twinkling down upon her, and Serenity had to smile. Maybe Starlight was now one of those stars up there? Maybe she was watching her mother?
At that moment, a falling star shot across the dark sky.
Serenity's smile broadened. Her daughter would always be with her, she could feel it, somewhere deep down in her heart.
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Back at the Dursleys
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Harry woke up with a start. For a moment he was completely disoriented and didn't know where he was at all. It was pitch black in his cupboard. There was no light shining in through the gap in the door, so Harry knew it had to be night.
Harry rubbed his eyes. They felt dry and itchy- a reminder that he had cried himself to sleep. Harry remembered his punishment and as if on cue, his stomach growled loudly. Harry was starving, which was not really astonishing, considering that he hadn't had anything to eat since dinner the day before.
The house was completely silent, almost eerily so. Had the Dursleys gone to bed? What time was it? As if sensing his thoughts, the clock in the hallway chimed. One..... Two..... Three..... Harry counted eleven times.
Harry wondered what he was supposed to do now. He didn't feel like going back to sleep , and there was no way for to get out of the cupboard- it was still locked. It was too dark to read his fairytale book.....
Harry finally settled for counting. One..... Two..... Three..... Four..... Five..... It was dead boring, but really Harry didn't know what else to do. 103..... 104..... 105..... 106..... 107.....
Harry never got any further.
'BOOM!'
Harry nearly jumped out of his skin and let out a muffled gasp.
'Bang!' 'Bang!'
The Dursleys had apparently heard the commotion and thrown open their doors and were currently stomping down the stairs.
'CRASH!'
This time Harry was sure that he had heard wood splinter. A moment of silence. Then-
"I demand that you leave my house at once! I'm warning you, I'm armed!" Harry heard his uncle below. Somehow, Harry had the feeling that this hadn't been the right thing to say. His suspicions were confirmed when Harry heard the most horrible sound he had ever heard in his entire life: High, cold, evil laughter. It sent shivers down Harry's spine and he could almost sense the spiders scuttling around frantically. Somehow, Harry had an odd sense of déjà vu.
Finally, the laughter stopped and Harry heard the horrible voice say: "I don't like insolent muggles like you, Dursley..... say goodbye to your precious family! Avada Kedavra!"
A flash of green light was visible through the gap under the cupboard door and Harry heard his aunt and Dudley scream.
Whatever had happened out there, Harry could tell that it wasn't good. He pressed himself into the corner of the cupboard, shaking with fear. Then, he could hear the horrible man speak again.
"Now, woman....." the voice hissed, "Where is the boy?"
Harry froze. Dudley was out there. So this.....man.....was looking for him? Harry?
"B....boy?" Aunt Petunia's voice quivered with fear. "D....do you mean P....Potter?"
"Yesssss, dumb woman!" the man hissed angrily. "Now where is he?"
Harry, if possible, retreated further into his corner. That man was really looking for him. Never in his life could Harry remember having felt this scared before. Harry listened to his aunt giving him away with dread. Footsteps approached the cupboard, a key was turned in the lock, then the cupboard door was yanked open and Harry stared apprehensively up at- and there was no other way to describe it- his worst nightmare.
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Should I leave you hanging here? *ducks flying tomatoes* hehe..... Just kidding guys..... Whoa calm down..... #POV change#
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Voldemort smirked down at the little boy crouched in the corner of the cupboard. He looked scared half to death and apprehensive.
Abruptly, Voldemort turned away from the child and faced the woman and her fat whale of a son again. "Very well. I am no longer in need of your..... services. Avada Kedavra Maximus!"
A flash of brilliant green light left Voldemort's wand, split in two and hit both Dudley and Aunt Petunia. They fell to the floor with a sickening thud. Harry gasped in shock and stared at the still figures of the Dursleys in disbelief. They couldn't be.... Dead? The word sounded horrible, even in Harry's mind, but something told him that indeed his only remaining family had just been killed by that snake-like man in front of him.
Slowly, Harry looked up at the man. He felt numb with shock and disbelief, and at the same time frozen with fear.
Voldemort frowned down at the boy. He didn't want to kill him while he was cowering in a corner of a broom cupboard. "Come out here, boy."
Harry, visibly shaking, complied.
Voldemort smirked. "You don't know how long I have waited for this day to come, Potter..... why, you probably don't even remember me. My name is Lord Voldemort."
Somehow, that name sent shivers down Harry's spine. Voldemort watched Harry's reaction to his name with a satisfied smirk. Then, he continued.
"In case you didn't know, Potter, I had the great pleasure of killing your parents three years ago. They were a thorn in my side, Potter, a big thorn....."
Harry had paled. His face was now a sickly pale colour. "But.....m....my parents died in a car crash!" he managed to get out.
Voldemort stared at Harry for a moment, in disbelief. Then, a deep scowl crossed his face. "Did those muggles tell you that?" Harry nodded meekly. Voldemort's scowl deepened. "They lied, Potter. I killed your parents because they were two of my biggest enemies..... Dumbledore's allies."
Harry stared at Voldemort in shock. It couldn't be. How could this man have killed Harry's parents? Harry was breathing heavily, feeling horribly upset and alone.
Voldemort suddenly realized that Harry probably didn't even know about witchcraft and wizardry. And then he sensed his chance. If the boy was truly oblivious..... if he really didn't know about him and the magical world..... maybe he could get him onto his side? Potter was, though very young, undoubtedly powerful. Voldemort smirked to himself and decided to give it a try.
He made sure to keep his face absolutely expressionless and kneeled down so he was facing the child. Then, he took his wand and held it out to Harry, making sure it was just out of the boy's reach. In an almost friendly tone he asked:
"Do you know what this is, child?"
Harry shook his head, frightened.
Voldemort nodded in satisfaction. He had been right.
"This, boy," he continued, "is a wand. Wizards like you and me use it to do magic. You know what magic is, don't you?"
Harry nodded, completely awestruck. "You....I'm a wizard? But I thought..... Uncle Vernon always said there's no such thing as magic....."
Voldemort could feel his impatience growing and was about to snap at the boy, but stopped himself just in time. Potter was a small child after all. "Like I told you before, your aunt and uncle were lying to you. Think, Harry. Have you never made anything happen when you were angry or scared?"
Harry thought for a minute. Of course, lots of glass had exploded when he had been particularly angry.... Sometimes there was even a storm outside.... And there was that time when Dudley had flown across the room just as he was about to hit Harry..... but was this magic? Really magic? Had his aunt and uncle been lying to him all his life? However, Voldemort was eyeing Harry impatiently, so Harry nodded, slowly. "That....that was magic? And..... if it is true, then why are you telling me this?"
Voldemort nodded, satisfied. "Well, Harry. You see, I could use another companion. I won't lie to you, Harry, you are very powerful, and I have good use for you. Together we could be unbeatable, together we could rule the world, together we could show everyone! I can give you anything you want Harry, friends, money, your own house, just name it and I will give it to you! I could train you, Harry, and in only a few years we would be the most powerful wizards ever! Join me, Harry!"
Harry stumbled back in shock. There was an insane glow in Voldemort's eyes, which frightened Harry beyond belief. Then suddenly, Harry felt anger welling up inside him, anger like he had never felt before. He took another step backwards, his back was now pressed against the wall, and hissed:
"You monster! You come in here and kill the only family I have left, and you claim that you have killed my parents, and now you expect me to join you? You monster! You evil, disgusting thing!"
Voldemort drew in a sharp breath and stood back up. His ugly red eyes were narrowed dangerously and he was gritting his disgusting yellow teeth.
"So," he said, in a very low voice, "you have decided to defy me like those fools, your parents, did. I don't like people who defy me, Potter. I offered you a place in my ranks that I've never offered to anyone before. Since you declined, you leave me with no choice. Say goodbye, Harry Potter!"
Harry pressed himself against the wall in fear. He watched, as if in slow motion, as Voldemort raised his wand and pointed it straight at Harry's forehead. Harry knew that he was going to die now. Voldemort would use the strange green light magic he had done to the Dursleys on him. There was no way that he, Harry, would survive this.
Then, as if through a haze, Harry heard Voldemort say those fatal words: "Avada Kedavra!"
Harry saw the green light rushing towards him. Time had slowed down. He felt it connect with his forehead, knew that all was over now and closed his eyes..... everything was cold..... so cold..... he was falling...... deeper...... and deeper.....
"AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
With tremendous effort Harry opened his eyes. Voldemort! Where had he gone? Who had screamed?
Then, Harry noticed the most peculiar thing was happening right in front of him. It was Voldemort who had screamed. Now he was just standing there. Harry noticed that Voldemort's face was getting redder and redder by the second, he looked as if he was about to explode, then-
"AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!"
Voldemort screamed again, and right before Harry's eyes he shattered into a million pieces. Harry gasped in shock, both at Voldemort and at the fact that the ground was starting to shake. Cracks formed on the walls around him, dust and bricks fell down from the ceiling, the house was caving in!
Harry ran, blinded by all the dust and rubble. He stumbled, fell, got up again, was hit by stones and wood, but he had to go on, had to get out-
And then he finally reached the front door and threw himself out into the garden, just as the walls behind him gave him and house number four collapsed completely.
Harry curled himself into a little ball on the grass and protected his head with his arms. The noise seemed to go on forever, the earth was shaking, shards of glass and other materials were raining down on Harry. After what seemed like and eternity, everything stopped. The silence seemed unnatural. Harry slowly raised his head from the ground.
The sight that met his eyes was one of destruction and terror. Where only seconds before a house had been, there was now only a ruin with piles of rubble. Harry got up cautiously and started to walk towards the ruin hesitantly.
Here and there, he spotted some pieces of furniture, and there, where the hallway had been, a huge piece of wood had come down, blocking the other rubble from falling onto the three still bodies beneath it.
Harry stared at the dead bodies of his only remaining family. They looked scared, even in death.
Suddenly, the whole impact of what had just happened hit Harry. They were dead. The Dursleys were dead! Voldemort had killed them! Harry, though he had never liked the Dursleys, was now completely alone on the world.
Harry started to shake, feeling cold and empty inside. Never in his life had he felt so lost and alone before.
Faintly, Harry could hear sirens coming closer. The police was arriving, and probably the firemen, too. Harry didn't want to face those people. Harry didn't trust them anymore. He didn't trust anyone anymore, what little trust he had had in humans had been destroyed together with his family not ten minutes ago.
Harry stood abruptly, and quickly made his way out of the garden. He walked at a brisk pace, through the park and in the direction of the nearby forest. Harry hesitated when he reached the tree line. He turned around once more and looked back at the remains of #4 Privet Drive.
The policemen had arrived. They were running around frantically, taking pictures and shouting to each other.
But Harry had made up his mind. He would go and live in the forest. He never wanted to have anything to do with other human-beings again.
A small, crystalline tear ran down Harry's cheek, before he turned around abruptly and stepped into the forest.
Had one of the men at the house looked up at this very moment, they might have seen a small, battered boy vanishing into the forest. But none of them looked up, and so Harry Potter disappeared from the human world, and it would be many years until they ever saw or heard of him again.
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A/N: End of chapter one! Phew! What do you think? PLEASE REVIEW!!!
See ya,
Felinity ^_^