Chapter 2: A Comforting Hand
Hey guys wow! Thanks for all the reviews. I'll try to update as often as I can so check about twice every week or so. You'll eventually know when and how Harry began cutting himself but not just yet. All right enough blather. On with the fic!
Another Empty Compartment.
"Harry, now slashing furiously at his skin, was fuming. How could he just up and kiss me when I'm in obvious distress? He saw me broken, no one can see me that way everyone's relying on my strength. No, no Uncle Vernon, no please not tonight. Random depressive thoughts ran rampant through his mind.
Flashback
Eight year old Harry Potter was cooking breakfast for his cousin, Dudley and his Uncle,Vernon. As with every other meal short young Harry prepared he was constantly burning his small hands on the stove, but he couldn't, wouldn't cry out. No, that would make Uncle Vernon angry, and he didn't want Uncle Vernon angry. If he was happy Uncle Vernon wouldn't be so rough the next time he played the ram rod game. Harry didn't like the ramrod game. It hurt a lot and most times he bled. He didn't mean to get blood all over the sheets on his bed, but he just couldn't keep himself from bleeding.
Sometimes he'd even pass out. That made Uncle Vernon even angrier, but he couldn't help it. It just hurt too much and then he couldn't breath 'cause Uncle Vernon said he couldn't scream and the only way he could keep from screaming was by holding his breath.
"Done with those eggs yet boy," Vernon bellowed from the couch.
"Yes Uncle Vernon," Harry stuttered.
"Sit boy," Vernon commanded. Not wishing to be beaten on this day Harry sat.
Summarily Vernon's hands began to wander. First, he touched the young boy's inner thigh stroking it in a slow deliberate motion. Harry hated it when his Uncle did this. It made him feel dirty. He wished his Uncle would stop so he could go potty. He'd had to go since he woke up, but he didn't say anything, cause if he did things would go harder for him.
"Come on ya little slut let's go. Your Aunt will be home in an hour and god knows I need a good romp before she gets here," Vernon said as of commenting on the weather.
"Yes Uncle Vernon," Harry sighed, bracing himself for what he knees would soon be coming again.
Can you hear me? Outside this place? My heart is broken, pride displaced. I bleed, I bleed and no one sees. Outside and in my blood is draining. I wish to die, I wish to die. So sick and tired of this life. If you can hear set me, free. A sharp stab of pain. I'm bleeding again. Harry fell into darkness.
End Flashback
-Slash…slash..slash-silence. Harry's precious red bloodstained the carpet of the empty compartment. H no longer had the strength or mental capacity to slice his skin. Violent yet silent sobs racked his small frame and as always when he fell into fits of severe emotional anguish, the memories came…
Stupid little whore you soiled my sheets! No, no! please don't kill my baby AVADA KEDAVERA, fork tongued traitor, kill the spare; Sirius Sirius he fell through the veil. So close yet so far if only he could, Harry no! he's gone there's nothing you can do now it's over.
"Harry,Harry! Harry," blearily he opened his eyes to find none other than Remus Lupin standing in front of him. "Oh, Harry why? Why have you done this to yourself? There's blood every where. Harry I'm so sorry.. I …,"Lupin broke down into silent sobs.
I'm so sorry James. I wasn't there for the boy. He's in pain and I wasn't there.
What? Remus, crying? Because of m…me. A worthless little slut barely worth his notice."Remus…Remus don't cry please don't cry," Harry whispered.
Suddenly two warm arms wrapped around him. His first instinct was to run. No, Uncle Vernon no! please, hah! What's this? Pouring his healing energies into the boy Remus healed the cuts on Harry's flesh.
"Shhh…Harry you can cry out loud now. No one'll hear you I promise." Lupin counseled the shaking young man in his arms. At first silence, then a small whimper almost imperceptible rose for the tormented boy. The whimper grew to a wail then to an anguished cry of despair. Through it all Lupin held him, gently patting his back and rubbing his shoulders, all the while siphoning healing energies trough Harry's small and delicate frame. Eventually Harry fell into a deep sleep.
That's it Harry, rest. We'll talk about what's happened to you later. Lupin thought holding the small boy close to his chest, protecting him in the way his father was never allowed to.
"Drake? Draco, Hello," Pansy prodded lightly kicking the young Vampire with her foot. Suddenly Draco sat up.
"Where'd he go? I didn't mean to scare him. Damn he's a good kisser. Where'd he ever learn a thing like that,"Draco spouted.
"Uh, nice to have you conscious again. Details please," Pansy asked.
"Details," Draco questioned.
"You passed out cold on the floor? No Harry? What do you think I am stupid," Pansy further inquired.
"Oh yeah that well I kinda sorta kissed him and he kind of kissed me back then he got mad for no reason and nailed me in the sweets prattling on about how I hated him and he hated me. You know the worst just had to happen," Draco drawled.
"And the floor,"
"Harry kicks really hard," Draco winced.
"Ah, I see is there something you're not telling me," Pansy asked.
"What makes you say that Panse," Draco replied using her nickname to throw her off scent.
"Well it seems to me that even Harry Potter would have to have more of a reason to kick you than just for a wayward kiss.," Pansy reasoned.
"There are other things, but that's up to Harry to tell in his own way and in his own time," Draco answered.
"Harry, Harry wake up we're at school now," Lupin gently shook him from his easy slumber.
"Huh? Wha?.. Oh, I'm so sorry I didn't mean to j…"Harry fumbled.
"Shhh… Harry its okay. You're obviously deeply troubled about something. Don't worry I'm not going to ask about it. Just know that if you need to talk I'm here. I love ya kiddo," Remus said ruffling his hair.
"Thanks Lupin. That really means a lot to me," Harry replied.
"Anytime Harry, anytime," Remus answered enveloping him in a secure hug.
Now I must set my mask to the world. I cannot show weakness. Everyone is relying on my strength. Squaring his shoulders, Harry walked out of the empty compartment and to the warm reality of his friends.
