Paradise Found

Chapter One

Return to Captivity

It had been almost a whole two weeks since term ended and Harry hadn't really begun his summer term homework. He'd stared at the Transfiguration text until his vision had blurred and a headache had pinpointed his left temple. He'd also managed to start a few half hearted lines in Charms, but had soon lost interest in that as well. With a frustrated sigh, he threw down his quill a third, maybe eleventh time.

Nothing seemed to hold his interest any more! Raking a hand through his messy black hair, he rubbed his face and tried to find some semblance of interest. Nothing. Glancing over the paragraph he had just written, he snorted.

Yes, the greasy, black hearted git will most certainly like this latest piece of work from the quill of Potter, his mind snarled.

Pushing the essay away, he stood up and stretched. What he really need was a good go on his broom, a short, burst of speed, the adrenaline pumping through him. The blood rushing through his veins as he reached new heights and speeds. Not this, slow steady pumping. Not homework, not three letters a week, not reading, not staring at the walls, not the Dursleys, Dumbledore, and certainly not Voldemort!

Opening his window he took a deep breath of the warm, heady summer air. Hedwig was still out and about, doing owlish things and he was starting to get stir crazy. He could almost feel the energy inside of him, waiting to be unleashed.

Struck by an idea, he recapped his bottle of ink and put all of his homework and writing supplies away. Putting on one of his cousin's dirty old rags he checked his reflection in the bathroom mirror and scowled. Yes, he was all set.

Downstairs, he told his aunt he was going out for a walk and after her curt nod and cold look, he had his too-large trainers on, and was soon out the door. Shutting the door behind him, Harry considered the idea of making a run for it. A second later, he tossed the idea away and started a slow, steady amble away from Number Four, Privet Drive. It probably wouldn't be the wisest course of action to attract the attention of whomever was watching over him; Harry was certain he was being watched again.

Harry paused at the end of the driveway to tug his pants higher around his waist, only to growl with frustration when they slipped low around his hips. Passing number six, eight, ten, and twelve the Boy-Who-Lived continued to amble down Privet Drive, when the sound of a bike bell and the whir of spinning wheels came up behind him. Turning around, he saw a small boy with brown hair and squinty eyes pedaling full force at him. As the small boy sped past him, Harry caught sight of three individuals not far down the lane, each on their own bikes and smirking at each other.

"Hey, Big Dud! Is that your cousin?" Piers had an ugly smile on his face that repulsed Harry, but the look of dawning horror on Dudley's was enough to make up for it.

"Afternoon, Dudley!" Harry called cheerfully, fully enjoying the way his fat lard of a cousin paled and his pedaling rate decreased considerably.

"Come on, guys, let's go back around the other way. That Evans snot won't come back by this way again today. Let's go." By the end, Dudley was almost crying with desperation. His forehead was shining with sweat, and his thick blonde hair was matted to his skull.

"Ah come on, Big Dud, remember the old days?" Piers adopted what might be considered a 'reflecting' persona, his face slightly dreamy, eyes far away with sadistic glee. "How's about a round of Harry Hunting? You, know." Piers glanced back at Harry, who had not yet moved from his place in the middle of the sidewalk. "For good ol' times' sake."

"Nah, come on, guys, Mark'll be half way to Bristol by now, we'll miss him if we don't hurry!" Dudley was oozing desperation now, his piggy little eyes darting from Harry to Piers so fast Harry was sure he would further exert himself in the process.

But when Piers ignored Dudley's pleas, Harry's mirth soon died away. Glancing around uneasily, he watched Pier's malicious approach on his new bike. When he was four meters away, Harry groaned to himself. The Order would have to put Mundungus Fletcher on duty today, wouldn't they? Coming to terms that no one was about to pop out of thin air and rescue him, Harry sighed, pulled up his sagging pants and began sprinting.

He wasn't sure how long he had been running, but after diving into the yards of several people and changing directions several times, he came to a halting stop and rested with his hand on his knees. Taking a few deep breaths, giving his heart a chance to catch up to his body (he was sure he left it seven blocks back on Mimosa Ave.), Harry took a few moments to figure out what road he was on before looking toward a direction he recognized.

Heading up Primrose lane, he walked passed the park and to the more residential part of town, right up to the old zoo where he had first gone when he was eleven years old. It was still open, though notably more run down; the animals having lost their intrigue, and the paint having already begun to fade and rust. After a Basilisk it was hard to feel the same amazement for a seven year old tiger named 'Barney'.

Still, Harry managed to smuggle himself in, completely forgetting to think of how his guard was supposed to sneak in; Harry was sure they'd find a way. They were wizards after all. Walking from animal to animal, Harry felt sorry for each beast he passed. They were made to be wild, free creatures, yet here they were, each in their own gilded cage. Sure their necessities were looked after, but could painted walls and timed feedings really replace the habitat they were designed for? Harry grimaced. Was it what he was designed for?

Taking a stroll into the Reptile Room, he almost immediately went to the large glass encasement where he had first spoken to a snake and subsequently set it free. But there were no new reptiles here. Instead, the second half the building which had obviously been added onto was converted to a rehabilitation center for animals that were originally bred in captivity and had been let go, but later on were taken from the wild. Harry snorted at the information board. Good luck with that bright idea, he thought snidely. Those animals were going to either die or go insane with the reinstated walls.

"Let's get you back home, Potter. Now!" a low, furious voice hissed in his ear, the dull familiar clunking sending Harry rolling his eyes in exasperation.

"How'd you find me?" asked Harry, turning around to lean against the thick, heavy glass and watch his rescuer behind narrowed eyes.

"Follow me, you're not safe out in the open like this." Mad Eye's revolving ice-blue eye seemed to be doing double duty as it spun in every direction rapidly.

"Any one else come with you?" asked Harry as he followed Moody through the zoo and small child's theme park. At the entrance he noted several people right away that cocked their heads around to watch him, a few following. Mad Eye had deposited a small bowler hat on his revolving eye but the sound of squelching flesh could still be heard. Trying not to be nauseated, Harry walked resolutely on, the thudding of Mad Eye's leg setting a rhythm for him to keep pace with.

Soon enough, the pair made it back to Privet Drive and Harry felt a wave of humiliation as he was escorted to the door, left to stand by patiently aside as Moody banged on the door with his pegged leg. The door opened, revealing a flustered Petunia, her thin lips practically vanishing when she recognized who had been the source of noise. Her hazel eyes narrowed with fury, her white fists clenching unsteadily at her sides.

"Yes?" she hissed in what she must've thought was a menacing tone. Harry thought she sounded mad, but couldn't hold a candle to Snape.

"I'm here to return Mr. Potter, Dursley," Moody's gravel like voice seemed to growl and Petunia whitened when he lifted his bowler just ever so slightly. "Take care not to lose him again." With that, the electric blue eye was again covered and the intimidating auror stepped away from the houses, ambling down the sidewalk stiffly. With the sound of Mad-Eye's wooden leg scraping eerily down the empty street, Petunia opened the door wider, walking away equally stiff, allowing Harry to enter and shut the door behind him. When he arrived in the kitchen he noted Dudley and Vernon were still not home; Vernon probably working late, and Dudley probably working late as well. If one correlated bullying with working, that is.

Petunia was just setting a stack of three plates and one smaller dish on the table when her squinty eyes glared up at his entrance. Glancing over him critically, her mouth puckered like she had tasted something sour. "Well, what are you waiting for? Get over there." Instantly she was a fire breathing Lady of the House, demanding and ordering like when he was younger. Twenty minutes later, as Harry finished glazing the ham, he heard Vernon's car pull up and quickly finished the last touches on setting the table.

Dinner was an unusual affair. Vernon had apparently received a promotion to working directly under the head bloke. Harry wasn't really paying attention. Dudley still hadn't returned and despite reason that fought valiantly for control Harry felt uneasy. No matter what Harry might've thought of him, Dudley had always managed to be home in time for supper and the idea that Dudley of all people was missing a meal was more than unsettling. Finishing his meal, he excused himself and went for a walk.

The streets of Surrey at night were nothing special to behold. Rubbish had gathered on the streets, the park was rustic and creaking. Shadows fell everywhere as a consequence of large trees and houses. Shivering, the bespectacled boy made his way to Dudley's usual haunts, his frown deepening when each one came up empty. On a whim he walked past Piers' home but the view of the dining room from a large window offered no massive Dudley.

Becoming even more disturbed, Harry began to scour the park and surrounding back yards. An hour later, Harry was forced to admit defeat. Making his way down the walk, he turned at the screeching of wheels and could only watch dumbly as Dudley came careening down the walk in a shiny red car. Blinking rapidly at the bright lights, he waited by the door, trying not to smile at how ridiculous Dudley appeared in such a small car.

Parked, Dudley abandoned his new mode of transportation and walked toward Harry with a smirk. "Evening, Potty. Like the car? Too bad you'll never have anything as nice." The insulting tone had lost its malice since summer before fifth year but to humor him Harry looked at his feet.

When they both were inside, Dudley went straight to the kitchen and Harry went up stairs- the sound of Petunia's fawning already grating on his ears and nerves. Closing the door behind him, he spotted a crisp white sheet of paper on the desk and sighed. Dipping a rather poor looking quill in ink, he scratched out his note:

Remus,

I'm doing fine. Summer's been better than last year. My relatives are doing well. Homework has been slow; when are we getting OWL results? Hope everything is alright,

Give my regards,

H.J.P

Blowing on the ink gently, he summoned Hedwig from her perch and gave her the letter. "Be careful girl, you know where to take it." Throwing open his window, he watched her soar away enviously, rubbing his forehead at the slight headache he'd acquired searching for Darling Duddikins.

Flicking the light off, he fell onto his bed, the cot protesting loudly as he watched an insect circle lazy around the room before finally settling on the ceiling. Removing his glasses, he rubbed his face viscously and wished in vain he was a normal boy more or less like Dudley.

Two weeks later Dudley was dead.

Next: Chapter 2 -Poison of the Soul

"Get in." Snape's voice was as black and cold as his disposition. Complying, Harry stepped aside for his most hated teacher and bolted the door behind him. Snape's black eyes swept over the interior of the Dursley's home and for a moment looked as if he might be sick.

A/N: Special Thanks to by new Beta Lilpadfoot17!