A/N: I'm so sorry it has taken me this long to post this chapter, but time
has been a luxury that has not been on my side lately and unfortunately my
ff has taken the brunt of it. As you may have noticed, I decided to make
Harry grow up faster than I had originally planned, and if you read very
carefully you will notice that there are some things that happen as he
grows that are written in the second chapter of The Sorcerer's Stone. This
chapter just brings us closer to the Hogwarts years so it's not going to be
long when Sixth Year starts and we can focus on what happens to Harry after
OotP. I hope you enjoy this chapter and I hope to have the next chapter
soon.
~~**~~**~~**
Disclaimer: HP characters and places do not belong to me but to JK Rowling, only some parts of the plot are original.
~~**~~**~~**
Chapter 3 ~ Hard Times
The magical government was in disarray during the year after Voldemort's disappearance. Everybody was still wary of what had happened on that fateful night on Halloween. The Ministry's Aurors were still patrolling the streets hoping not to encounter the dark being that had terrorized their world for fifteen years.
They didn't find him, instead, they encountered a large number of his followers, the Death Eaters, and various battles broke out where some were killed and others apprehended.
Mr. Bartimus Crouch was extremely busy on the months following the death of the Potters. All the different Ministry Departments were put under his charge to help with the apprehension and trial of the prisoners.
The old Minister who had once been such a close friend of the Potters had now been replaced by a conservative woman, Millicent Bagnold. Many changes were created in the departments, the Department of Mysteries was closed to all except for those working in it. Knowledge that had once reported to all departments was now classified. Everybody was wary of everybody specially since many were Ministry workers were found to have given information to the Death Eaters and You-Know-Who.
There was confusion in the Ministry. Many claimed to have done things without meaning to. The Inperius, Cruciatus and Avedra Kadevra Curses had been used indiscriminately by the Death Eaters. Now, the Ministry knew that some had acted under control of the Death Eaters and had been innocent of their actions but who had been controlled and who had done it by their own free will? Nobody knew how to see the difference.
"The idea that a Malfoy acted under the Imperius Curse is unbelievable." Mr. Weasley said to his wife one night. "Don't know what old Crouch was thinking letting him go. I wager Malfoy had some hold on him."
"Now, now dear. He might be telling the truth." Said Mrs. Weasley even though she agreed with her husband.
"Humph!" Scoffed Mr. Weasley. "The day that lot doesn't join a crazed dark wizard is the day I become Minister of Magic. That family is known for their bigotry. The whole family is and their connections are rotten to the core. It is a surprise that some are not as bad."
"Now dear, we are connected to them as well." Said Mrs. Weasley.
"Not very closely connected, I'm happy to say. To be part of that family is not something I would be proud of." Mr. Weasley exclaimed.
Mrs. Weasley nodded as she tried to feed her little girl. "Ginny has started to talk, dear. You should've been here." She exclaimed with excitement as she grinned down to her daughter.
"Already? The boys took longer to learn how to talk." Mr. Weasley seemed surprised.
"It's different with girls dear. All children are different in some way." Mrs. Weasley explained.
The room was full of children playing around the floor. A two year old was happily playing with his older brother and his rat. The twins were being entertained in a corner, playing with a board game. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley looked around the room, looking pleased with themselves. Two of their children were now attending Hogwarts and their family was now complete with the birth of their daughter. They looked at each other and smiled. Life couldn't be any better.
~~**~~**~~**
The Daily Prophet was full of the latest news from the courts, where everyday a Death Eater or one of their supporters was presented for trial. The whole magical community read avidly every piece of news. People were still scared and kept a close eye on their neighbors. But in the muggle world, everything seemed normal and nobody knew how closely they had all come to total destruction.
The Dursleys went through their days as they normally did. Nobody discussed the reason why their nephew now lived with them. That he was there was disturbing enough. But they knew that one day he would ask, and they were prepared for that day.
The days passed and things were getting settled in the Ministry of Magic. Only the discovery of Crouch's son in the company of Death Eaters, and the charges pressed against them, brought days of turmoil and confusion. His story was closely followed by the whole community, his trial was attended by everybody who could get inside, while many waited outside hoping to hear the news of the outcome as soon as it was over. Their attack on Frank Longbottom and his wife was vicious and unpardonable. The Longbottoms were well-known Aurors in the community, their permanent convalescence caused by the attack created an uproar within the Magical World. The conviction and imprisonment in Azkaban of those charged in the attack were wildly discussed in the magical world. Mr. Crouch's popularity plunged alarmingly after his denouncement of his son in plain view of a large audience at the trial. His character and that of his son was widely attacked and the trials took second place to more important matters.
Everybody was trying to build back their lives without the dark cloud that had been hanging over them for so long.
But the one person whom they all discussed was no longer part of their world. The name of Harry Potter became part of history. Books were written and historians discussed him at great length. The magical world read of him avidly hoping to learn more of the child that had saved them from Lord Voldemort. They had been prevented from meeting him, but they couldn't be stopped from speculating what had become of him.
But Harry Potter didn't know how special he was. Time passed and he grew up with his aunt and uncle, and a spoiled cousin who obviously didn't care much for him. The only person he thought tolerated him more than his family was the old lady who took care of him when the others went out. Mrs. Figg was an old lady who lived in nearby Wisteria Walk. She lived with a household full of cats and Harry was expected to help with their care every time he was left with her. Those were times Harry didn't look forward to.
Nursery School was no better than being at home in Privet Drive. Dudley made sure kids grew wary of being near Harry. Dudley teased, hit and made life terrible for Harry and kids didn't want to be next in line by being friends of Harry Potter, as a young boy learned early in the school year. Harry could be seen playing by himself in the playground as other kids played in groups playing ball or running around the schoolyard. The teachers had become concerned and had talked to the Dursleys about the problem. Nothing happened, it just made Dudley more difficult in school and Harry more silent. Teachers were dumbfounded, what could they possibly do to make Harry more sociable in school?
Life with the Dursleys became more difficult as he grew older. During the first years with the Dursleys Harry was just ignored. He was locked in the smaller bedroom and kept there the whole day. But as he grew old enough to do things he was expected to help with the cleaning, the gardening and finally, the cooking. He was moved from the bedroom to the small cupboard under the stairs, that way he was nearer the kitchen when Petunia wanted help with the cleaning. He didn't mind doing things around the house, it was something to do when he didn't have anything else to do, but the jeering and gloating of his cousin watching him struggle with a mop or a broom that were too big for him to handle, or laughing when boiling water almost fell on Harry's head when he was helping to prepare dinner made him dread the times when his aunt wanted him to do some cleaning. And the cupboard had become a source of fright to a small four year old.
Things didn't become easy when they had company. Specially, when Aunt Marge (Vernon's sister) came to visit.
It was late spring and Dudley's fifth birthday was coming upon them. As they did every year, Vernon and Petunia were planning a party. But this time, it would be special, Aunt Marge was coming to stay with them.
"At what time is she arriving?" Asked Petunia while she served breakfast.
"At noon. I don't know why the trains can't arrive at a more opportune time, at this rate, we're going to miss lunch." Grumbled Vernon.
"I'll have it waiting for you dear." Said Petunia happily as she put a plate full of bacon and eggs in front of Dudley.
Vernon grunted as he continued eating behind a newspaper held high before him.
"Here, eat." Commanded Petunia as she put a small plate in front of Harry. Only one egg and a strip of bacon rested upon it.
Harry didn't say anything he just ate hungrily. He had learned very early on that it was best not to complain or say anything, even if he didn't agree with something. Just as long as he stayed quiet and did what he was told, everything would be fine and he wouldn't be punished.
"How is the party shaping up?" Asked Vernon as he put aside his newspaper.
"Oh, it's coming along perfectly, this will certainly be the party of the season." Exclaimed Petunia happily as she hugged Dudley.
"Mum!" Grumbled Dudley as he fussed in her arms.
"He'll have the best party in the neighborhood." Petunia said.
"What about him?" Vernon nodded toward Harry, who had his head firmly down and didn't look around him as he ate.
"He'll have to attend. Many of the neighbors have mentioned that they'll bring their children to play with both." Petunia pursed her lips with aversion.
"Just as long as no weird things happen." Snapped Vernon.
Harry really didn't understand why his Uncle Vernon kept saying that about him. He wasn't aware that any weird things happened around the house, unless you mentioned the fact that his hair was always wild no matter what they did to it. But that wasn't his fault, it just grew that way. But for three years he had heard the same complaint.
"Better get going, I want to be at the station early enough to receive her." Grunted Vernon as he left his chair.
"Bye dear, don't forget to pass by the store in your way home to buy the ice cream." Said Petunia to his retreating back.
"Won't forget." Yelled Vernon back.
Harry continued eating as his cousin wailed for more food. He knew it was a special day, and for the first time in his life he would attend a birthday party. He hadn't been allowed to attend any of Dudley's birthday parties before. On previous years he had spent the day with Mrs. Figg, looking at pictures of all her cats and grooming the dozen cats living currently with her.
He dusted and cleaned the floors while his Aunt Petunia worked in the dishes for the party. Dudley was in his bedroom playing with the new toys that had been given to him that morning.
By noon, the house looked sparkling clean. The trays of food waited in the refrigerator and lunch was waiting on the table. Dudley was already eating a plateful in the kitchen, while Harry beat the dust of the pillows from the couch.
He was just putting the pillows back in the living room when the front door opened and Vernon and his sister walked in.
"Where is my angel, where is my nephew?" Aunt Marge's booming voice could be heard throughout the house.
"Here I am." Piped Dudley appearing in the kitchen doorway.
"Ah, you are growing so fast. He takes after you Vernon." Aunt Marge looked pleased at what she saw.
Vernon puffed his chest out. "Of course he does Marge, he is a Dursley through and through."
"Indeed." Said Petunia coming into the entrance hall after Dudley, who was being tightly hugged by his aunt.
"Petunia dear, you look well." Said Marge letting go of Dudley, to his immense relief, and turned to hug and kiss her sister-in-law.
"You boy, come and say hello to your Aunt Marge." Ordered Vernon as he noticed Harry standing by the entrance to the living room.
"Hello, Aunt Marge." Said Harry promptly.
"Humph! You still here boy? Don't know why you kept him Vernon, an orphanage would've been better." Marge said pushing Harry aside and making her way to the living room.
"We've discussed this Marge, you know our reasons, it would've looked bad of us to send him away when everybody knew of his existence." Vernon said.
"You're right of course, but don't be surprised if he ends up being a hooligan just like his father." Snorted Marge.
"Hopefully we might beat it out of him." Said Vernon sagely. "Would you like some whiskey Marge? I just got an imported French Whiskey I'm sure you are going to like."
"Oh, go on. It will settle the dust in my mouth. Really, the food in trains could be better, I told the ticket man so. If one is expected to pay for food, it should be worth it. Only a little plate of salad and a small portion of meat, what is that supposed to feed?" She complained while Vernon served two glasses of whiskey one for himself and another for his sister.
"Things are falling apart in this country. One cannot find a good sized portion anywhere. But don't worry, Petunia has lunch prepared for us." Vernon said as he passed a glass to Marge.
"Good, I'm starving." Marge said and drank the whiskey in one gulp. "Should get the luggage to the bedroom."
"I'll take it, you go ahead to the kitchen." Offered Vernon.
Marge happily left things to her brother and walked into the kitchen.
She found Dudley sitting in his seat with a large plate in front of him. Harry was putting the plates and utensils around the table.
"At least he makes himself useful." Grunted Marge as Harry carried a platter of potatoes to the table.
Petunia didn't say anything but glared at Harry as if daring him to break any of her platters.
Vernon soon joined them and everybody sat around the table as plates started to go around and everybody served themselves.
Afternoon was soon upon them and Petunia left Harry cleaning the dishes while she, Vernon and Marge decorated and made things ready for the party. The children would be arriving soon and everything should look perfect when the doorbell rings.
Petunia was excited as the balloons and ribbons were in place. Everything looked festive and perfect to celebrate her son's fifth birthday.
Half an hour later, Dudley had been dressed in a new suit bought for the occasion and Petunia, Vernon and Marge sat happily in the living room waiting for the first guests to arrive. Harry had been left on his own devices in the kitchen where he happily grabbed small pieces of food from the platters that had been placed in the table waiting for the visitors.
The doorbell rang. Soon the house was filled with childish giggles and screams. The adults sat around the living room looking at their children with indulgent glances as they ran around the room. When there were enough children, the games began.
They played peg the nose to the clown. A large face of a clown was pasted on one of the walls and the children were blindfolded and one by one they tried to peg the nose to the clown. None came close to it but Harry, something that didn't make Vernon and Petunia happy.
Then there was a show, the clown Vernon had hired had arrived when the children were trying to peg the nose on the clown poster.
The children oohed and aahed as the clown did his tricks and made balloon animals at the request of all the children.
Then they played musical chairs. Marge sat close by to keep an eye on the children, but every time Harry came in front of her she would stick out her cane and try to trip him. He barely stayed in the game long enough because of her. He eventually fell and was taken out of the game. He didn't complain but sat in one corner rubbing the pain from his shins.
Food was served after the game. Everybody ate enthusiastically until the cake was brought out and then served with ice cream.
The time came to open the presents that had been brought by the guests. Dudley ripped the paper energetically from every box and showed off everything that had been given to him.
Harry couldn't help but notice the difference between his cousin's birthday celebration and his own. The previous year nobody had bothered to tell him it was his birthday until he was left in Mrs. Figg house when his aunt and uncle took Dudley to see a movie he wanted to see. If Mrs. Figg hadn't given him a muffin with a candle and wished him happy birthday, he wouldn't had known it was his birthday at all.
He was saddened by the thought and wished that somewhere, there was a person thinking of him.
~~**~~**~~**
Sirius sat on the pallet in his cell. The constant sound of the moans and screams of the other occupants in the nearby cells were heard through the prison. The dismal sight of the dementors patrolling the cells made the oppressing atmosphere settle heavily over the inmates of Azkaban.
The crazed laugh of a woman nearby reached Sirius. "Shut it Bellatrix!" He yelled. It only made the woman laugh louder.
Sirius gnashed his teeth in exasperation. He didn't mind the moans of the screams of the others, but somehow, he found Bellatrix's laugh irritating.
Finally, the laughing stopped and Sirius relaxed. He often thought that the only thing that would make him go mad in Azkaban was Bellatrix's laughter. It was the only thing that unnerved him where the Dementors didn't.
He lay on the pallet, planning his revenge on Peter. There was nothing he could do now. Harry was safe; that was all that mattered.
The tension that had settled over his body drained slowly. Minutes later, a dog lay on the pallet where Sirius had once lain.
~~**~~**~~**
"How can you possibly allow the Dursleys to take that money? They are not using it for Harry's well-being you may be sure that they are lining their own pockets with that money." Remus exclaimed to Mr. Nikolei.
"Mr. Lupin, you know what the will says. They must be paid the 10,000 pounds monthly. I have told you so for the past three years." Mr. Nikolei said calmly.
"But you have done nothing to keep them away from that money. That's stealing, it is." Remus said.
"Mr. Lupin, you must know that the money it's the only reason they are keeping the child. Professor Dumbledore has repeatedly told you that Young Harry can only be safe as long as he remains with the Dursleys. If that money was not given to them, they would have certainly placed him in an orphanage and that would've placed him in danger." Mr. Nikolei explained.
"For how long will this continue?" Asked Remus with resignation.
"Until Young Harry is ready to learn of his inheritance." Said Mr. Nikolei.
"That could well be until he finishes school, that is still years from now." Groaned Remus.
"It is. But the withdrawl of the money doesn't influence the Potter inheritance at all. Mr. Potter made provisions for that and the money is taken out not from the estate itself but from a separate account Mr. Potter opened for that purpose." Mr. Nikolei responded.
"James certainly thought of every contingency. That was James all right, always thinking ahead." Remus smiled. "But I still don't like it. I know the Dursleys are not using that money for Harry's benefit."
"Be that as it may, the will was very explicit. Young Harry's guardian will receive 10,000 pounds until the day Young Harry leaves the household. It doesn't say that it has to be used for all of Young Harry's expenses only that it must be used for the care of the child. As far as we are concerned, the fact that they have taken him in and are providing food, housing and clothing, they are fulfilling their part of the bargain. We cannot renege on the money now. Not unless they actually put him out of their house and as you know, they are greedy enough not to want the money from stop coming." Mr. Nikolei said.
"You are right of course, that money will keep them from throwing Harry out of their home. But I can't stop from feeling that they are the wrong people to care for him." Sighed Remus.
"We all have our reservations Mr. Lupin. I agree with you, I don't believe the Durlesys are the right people to care for Young Harry, but Dumbledore must know what he is doing giving guardianship to them. I am not one of you, my knowledge of spells and charms is rather limited but he assures me that Young Harry is safe as long as he stays with his aunt." Mr. Nikolei said.
"Yes. He has told me the same thing. I do not know much of this spell he speaks of, it's rather ancient magic and that has gone out of practice, that's why nobody has heard much of it. Only scholars and historians know of it of course, and Dumbledore is one of the topmost scholars of ancient magic." Remus said. "Ancient magic is rather strong and difficult to control, that's why it isn't practiced anymore. Only a few can perform it and only after long years of study and meditation."
"It sounds strong indeed, if can keep Young Harry safe from these Dark Wizards I've heard about." Mr. Nikolei sounded impressed.
"It certainly is. I will leave you Mr. Nikolei, I have other plans for this afternoon." Said Remus and after saying his goodbyes left the study of the solicitor.
Mr. Nikolei sighed. He understood perfectly the emotions that ran through Remus. He himself was not happy with providing that money to the Dursleys, he knew that it would not be used for the reason it was intended for and that Harry would lack many things in that household. But he also believed what he had told Remus. He believed it was the money that kept Harry safe in the Dursley household. As long as that money was sent to them, they would think carefully before sending Harry away from their house. And Harry needed to remain with them. He didn't know much about magic, as he had told Remus, in fact he didn't know it existed until James and Lily Potter had hired him to be one of the trustees of the Potter Estate. They had explained to him everything about Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic, he had to work with both after all to keep the estate intact. It had been hard for him to believe in what he thought were fairy tales, but the earnest character of both James and Lily Potter had convinced him that they were telling the truth. It was too bad that Fate had cut short their acquaintance, he would've loved to learn more of the hidden world that he and others like him didn't know existed.
~~**~~**~~**
Mrs. Figg kept a close eye on Harry Potter. As he grew older, she knew that sooner or later the magical side of him would make an appearance. She hadn't seen him do any sort of magic yet, not since he had been left with the Dursleys. She wondered if the environment didn't have anything to do with it. She knew that when he was an infant with his parents he had shown clear signs of magical powers, but when he was taken from the magical world and left in the muggle world that magical side of him seemed to have gone dormant.
"Are you sure he is safe?" Remus asked for the third time as he stood by the window looking out from Mrs. Figg sitting room.
Mrs. Figg sighed with exasperation. "How many times do I have to tell you? Yes, he is safe. Growing up rather nicely, no thanks to those dolts."
Remus smiled and turned back to sit on the one chair that wasn't inhabited by cats. "Why do you have to keep so many cats?" Complained Remus as dusted cat hair from his robes.
"They give Mr. Tibbs and Minerva a nice cover. The neighbors are used to my cats running around and they can keep an eye on the Dursleys without complaints." Mrs. Figg said as she stroke the fur of a sleepy cat that had settled on her lap.
"What about you? Don't you get bored here?" Remus said looking around the room with curiosity. There was nothing in sight that could show her magical ancestry. No magical pictures, no radio playing the WWN, nothing that would give up her cover.
"Not much change from my own life to that of a muggle." Mrs. Figg shrugged. "Although I do miss my radio soaps."
Remus laughed. "Only you would miss the soaps. You might want to check that telly thing, I've heard the muggles have their own programming that can be quite interesting." He smiled.
"I've seen it." Scoffed Mrs. Figg. "It's not the same thing."
"When is he coming?" Remus asked suddenly.
Mrs. Figg glanced at the old grandfather clock in a corner of the room. "He said he was coming to have lunch. He should be here any minute now. Hogwarts is closed for the summer, Dumbledore has more time to come for reports."
Remus nodded and looked down at the cats playing around the room.
A pop sounded in the kitchen. A second later, Dumbledore appeared in the doorway.
"Glad to see you could join us Mr. Lupin." He said.
~~**~~**~~**
Harry was now seven years old and life at the Durleys was as hard as it had ever been. School was not better, he didn't have any friends, as kids were afraid to talk of him because of Dudley. But he didn't care, it was preferable to make himself inconspicuous in school, it was the only way Dudley wouldn't bother him. It was enough that he had to live with him, he didn't want to deal with his cousin in school as well.
But all his precautions weren't always enough.
It was the beginning of spring and Dudley's birthday was fast approaching, that made Dudley more impossible than usual as he bullied everybody in school to come to his party with presents.
On this sunny day, Dudley and his gang were laughing as they pushed a small boy among themselves.
Harry was watching from a distance, feeling sorry for the small boy and hoping that a teacher would notice. But there didn't seem to be any teacher around and the small boy had started whimpering with fright.
"What, don't you want to play with us anymore?" Dudley jeered. The others laughed.
Harry had had enough.
"Leave him alone!" He yelled.
Dudley and the others turned angrily to see who had yelled at him. Their victim looked pleadingly at Harry and made his escape when he noticed that the others were occupied glaring at Harry.
"What is to you?" Asked one of the boys in the gang.
"Wanna take his place." Piers, Dudley's best friend, sneered.
The others chuckled with amusement.
Dudley smiled nastily at Harry. "Maybe he does want to take his place." He said.
Harry looked at Dudley's nasty expression. "Uh-oh!" He whispered before turning and running away from the gang.
"Get him!" He heard Dudley yell to the others before heavy footsteps followed him.
He ran through the whole schoolyard. Dudley and his gang followed him everywhere. Children stopped playing to look at the chase. Some looked fearful, others laughed and cheered as the gang ran through them.
Harry turned toward the kitchens, he knew there were several trash cans there and he could easily hide among them. He had a far lead on Dudley and his friend he had time to hide.
He jumped over the trash cans, but instead of falling behind them, he found himself sitting by the chimney above the kitchen's roof.
"What the-?" He looked around. How did he get up here? He asked himself.
"You are in trouble now!" Yelled Dudley cheerfully.
Harry turned to see down at his cousin and saw several children below looking at him in surprise and behind them an angry teacher was coming toward the building.
"Harry Potter! You better get down from there this instant." She yelled.
"How am I supposed to that?" He whispered as he looked around, hoping to find a ladder of some sort. He couldn't see any.
Dudley and his friends were laughing. The other children were looking up in surprise and the teacher was yelling in anger.
"Oh boy!" He whispered. He was in trouble indeed.
It took an hour to get Harry down from the roof. Break was over and the children had long gone back to class, except Harry of course. The teacher had sent for the Headmistress and the caretaker. The caretaker returned with a ladder, long enough to reach the roof, and climbed steadily to help Harry down.
The Headmistress waited at the bottom, she had sent the teacher to class.
Once Harry was safely down, she pounced on him.
"What in heavens were you thinking climbing up to the roof?" She yelled.
"I didn't, I mean, I did but I didn't mean to." Harry said.
"Humph!" She snorted with disbelief.
"It's true, I swear. I meant to hide behind the trashcans but somehow I ended up on the roof. I don't know how it happened, maybe the wind got me in mid jump?" Harry said.
"Do you really think I would swallow that nonsense? Are you saying that by some sort of magic you ended up in the roof? Honestly, do you think I'm stupid?" The headmistress raged.
Harry looked down at his shoes. He really was in trouble now.
~~**~~**~~**
The Dursleys weren't too happy with Harry that evening. The Headmistress had sent a scathing letter with Dudley about Harry climbing up the school buildings. Dudley was ecstatic.
"I will not have it I tell you! This is unacceptable." Uncle Vernon roared.
Aunt Petunia stood by the stove, with her lips pursed and her arms crossed glaring at Harry. Dudley was sitting in his customary chair in the table waiting for dinner. Harry was standing in the middle of the room.
He didn't say anything, he knew that it would only make Uncle Vernon more angry.
"Climbing buildings! What do you think you were doing?" Uncle Vernon was pacing, his face was mottled with anger.
"I didn't mean to do it." Harry whispered. It was better than the others didn't hear him because Uncle Vernon continued with his pacing and roaring.
"This is nonsense, I will not accept nonsense in this house. Go to your cupboard, and don't you dare to get out until you are told to do so." He ordered.
Harry walked slowly out of the kitchen to the cupboard under the stairs. He wasn't frightened by it. He was used to it. He had been living in the cupboard for some years now and being locked in the cupboard wasn't new. He knew that the others will eat and wouldn't bother to bring him anything, all he had to do is keep silent and wait for midnight to fall. He would leave his cupboard then and get something to it.
That was the only way to survive with the Dursleys, be silent and wait.
But he couldn't help wishing that there was someone out there that could take him away to a more loving place.
~~**~~**~~**
The days passed and Harry stayed in his cupboard. But he didn't stay long enough to miss Dudley's birthday.
As usual, the house was full of celebration. Large gifts were placed in the table waiting to be opened by an eager Dudley and a large meal was being prepared for him and his family.
"Keep an eye on the pan, don't burn the food." Aunt Petunia snapped when Harry entered the kitchen.
Harry nodded and stood in front of the stove, stirring the contents within the pan.
"Oh, my baby, Duddykins, my love. Happy Birthday!" Aunt Petunia exclaimed when Dudley walked into the kitchen.
"Ooh, presents." Dudley exclaimed, his eyes were wide open looking at all the packages on top of the table.
There was a chuckle from the door. It was Uncle Vernon. "Happy Birthday son!"
"Oh, we're going to have a wonderful day." Aunt Petunia exclaimed, clasping her hands with excitement.
"Can I take Piers?" Vernon asked excitedly.
"Of course dear, anything you want, it is your special day." Aunt Petunia said.
Dudley smiled and sneered at Harry as he finally noticed him in front of the stove. "I'm hungry!" He exclaimed.
"Hurry up boy!" Uncle Vernon yelled.
"Be careful with it." Aunt Petunia growled.
Harry filled the platters carefully before moving them to the table. There were platters of bacon, eggs, sausages, ham, bread and a pot of warm coffee and another with tea.
He took his place in silence and ate while his cousin and uncle piled their plates. Aunt Petunia always ate daintily from her plate, a large napkin in her lap.
Harry shook his head, he had a very weird family, he thought.
Breakfast was eaten in a hurry, as Dudley wanted to open his gifts. Harry had to take the empty platters out of the way as soon as breakfast was over. He didn't return to the table as each gift was opened and exclaimed over. He washed the dishes instead, he knew he wasn't welcomed, and watching his cousin open his gifts only made him think of the ones he didn't get on his own birthday, even if his family bothered to remember.
He heard the paper ripping and Dudley's squeals of happiness as the gifts were opened, Harry just tried to keep the sounds out of his mind. It did no good to wish his cousin to share his things with him.
Finally, all the gifts were opened and Dudley and Uncle Vernon had taken them to Dudley's room.
"Come dear, put your coat on." Aunt Petunia told Dudley after he returned to the kitchen.
"We'll pass for Piers after we leave him with Mrs. Figgs." Said Vernon nodding to Harry.
Harry sighed. Of course, Mrs. Figg, how could he have forgotten?
It was not a happy day for Harry. While Dudley and his family went to the theater and to eat at an expensive restaurant, Harry had to help Mrs. Figg to care for her cats. Later in the day they sat on a couch while Mrs. Figg showed him pictures of all the cats she had ever had. Harry was bored.
There was a cat that Harry thought acted strange. A tabby with strange markings around the eyes. The cat stood silently in one corner and followed him around the house, it made no noises, nor did it played as the other cats did.
He happily left when the Durleys passed to pick him up.
Mrs. Figg saw the car disappear around the corner from her window. "They are gone." She said.
"Oh, I'm must be getting older if staying in my Animagus form is making all the muscles in my body ache." A woman exclaimed from one corner of the room.
Mrs. Figg turned to smile at the older lady that was sitting in one of her couches.
"That poor boy, how could he stand it? If you had said the name of one more cat I was going to scratch you." The woman exclaimed.
Mrs. Figg laughed. "If I make his visits tolerable, Minerva, then he won't be allowed to come back. Those Dursleys are torture loving people."
"I don't know what Dumbledore was thinking, leaving him with those people. He doesn't know anything about our world." Professor McGonagall exclaimed.
"Really sad, him growing up without knowing anything of the legacy of his parents." Mrs. Figg shook her head sadly.
"'Tis good he doesn't know. Can't you imagine what those muggles would do if they could get their hands on the Potter inheritance?" Professor McGonagall asked.
Mrs. Figg kept silent. Everybody knew the size of the Potter inheritance. The lands, the money, everything was of great value, and the thought of little Harry Potter growing up without knowledge of what his parents had left behind brought sadness to all of those who had known the Potters and the love they had for their family and those who worked their land.
~~**~~**~~**
Professor McGonagall and Mrs. Figg were not the only ones who worried about Harry not knowing of his inheritance.
Those living in the Manor, taking care of the properties that now belonged to him were also worried that Master Harry didn't know about the land.
"What did Dumbledore say, Nigel?" Asked Mrs. Nichols, the Manor's housekeeper, as her brother, Mr. Rogers the butler, returned from his annual trip to Hogwarts.
"The same Alice. Master Harry is not ready to come home." Roberts sighed.
"Oh dear, I had so hope to see him." Mrs. Nichols said.
"I know Alice. But we must wait. Professor Dumbledore says that as long as there are unidentified Death Eaters free, Master Harry is not safe and must stay with the Dursleys." Roberts explained.
"Humph! Those people know nothing about us, about our world. What are they going to teach him? Nothing. You remember what happened with Mistress Lily." Mrs. Nichols exclaimed.
"I remember, but there is nothing to do for the moment, he will return, eventually." Said Roberts.
Behind the door, a pair of large, bat-like ears listened carefully to what was being said by the housekeeper and the butler.
The large ears and the shoulders dropped at the thought that Master Harry was not returning home.
"Master Harry needs his Minnie." The small house elf sighed. Large crystal tears ran down her wrinkled face as she slowly made her way down to the kitchens.
~~**~~**~~**
Sirius lay on the dirty pallet in his cell, trying to keep out the moans and screams coming from the other cells.
There was only one thing that made him forget of where he was, and that was Harry.
"He is eight now." He whispered. "Three more years until he goes to Hogwarts. James would be proud."
The thought of James brought anger to his heart and made him remember Peter. He growled in anger at the thought of Peter safe and alive somewhere in the magical world where he could easily harm Harry.
"You'll pay for what you did Peter. Don't think that you are safe." He whispered.
Slowly, the sounds of Azkaban started to penetrate his thoughts. He groaned and closed his eyes, trying again to keep them out. He didn't want to remember that he was in Azkaban.
~~**~~**~~**
The years passed and Harry continued to grow. Unknown to him and to the Dursleys, they were being watched. Mrs. Figg kept constant vigilance on Privet Drive. Dumbledore sent somebody once a week to collect the reports from Mrs. Figg.
They were taking precautions, to keep Harry safe. Dumbledore had sworn to James and Lily that he would keep Harry safe, and he planned to keep his promise.
Harry awoke early one morning. He hoped that he could stay in his cupboard, this was not a day he was looking forward to. Aunt Marge was coming to visit. Dudley's birthday was coming up and she wanted to be here for that special day.
Harry groaned. The thought of Aunt Marge's visit didn't bring joy to his heart. He just knew she was going to do or say something to make him feel inferior to the rest of the family. He snorted, she should know by now that her brother took care of that every single day.
He hoped there were other choices open to him. Other family members that he could visit or go to when things got bad at the Dursleys's. But there were none. Neither Aunt Petunia nor Uncle Vernon made any mention of his family. They never talked about his father's family and he knew that on his mother's side only Aunt Petunia was left.
He didn't like the thought that there was nobody else in the world that cared for him. Not that he could say that the Dursleys cared much for him.
He often wondered why the Dursleys even bothered to keep him. He knew that he had left in their care when his parents were killed in an accident when he was only one year old. It was a story that he heard once he was old enough to understand. But now he wondered why he was here. It was clear to him that the Dursleys didn't want him to be there. Painfully clear. So, why keep him at all? They could have easily taken him to an orphanage. Aunt Marge kept saying that often enough. They could have given him for adoption or given him to another family. There were many things they could've done, instead, they kept him. But why?
He sighed with exasperation. It wasn't the first time he thought about his situation. There were nights, when he was sent to his cupboard without dinner and stayed up for hours thinking about his life and the reason he was here, that he thought about every single aspect of his life. He knew that that Dursleys didn't want him there, and if he was honest, he didn't want to be there.
He was suddenly woken from his thoughts. He could hear his aunt moving above him. He heard her coming down the steps. She would soon be knocking on his door.
"Get up, you!" He heard his aunt yell.
"I'm awake." He said.
"Come and make breakfast, everything should be ready for Marge's visit." Aunt Petunia said as she walked to the kitchen.
Harry sighed. He stood from his small bed and dressed quickly. He didn't want Aunt Petunia to come and scream at him some more for taking long. He pried spiders from his shoes and socks. Finally, he opened the door and followed his aunt into the kitchen.
Aunt Petunia was waiting for him next to the stove.
"Stir the eggs and keep an eye on the sausage." She snapped at him.
Harry nodded and went to stand in front of the stove. The eggs and sausages sizzled in the large pans.
"Morning, my dear." Uncle Vernon said as he came into the kitchen. He carried the newspaper in one hand and the mail in the other. "Dudley up yet?"
"He should be down soon, he enjoys schools so much, the poor darling." Said Aunt Petunia.
Harry shook his head silently.
"I've sent the application to Smeltings. We should hear later this year about his acceptance." Uncle Vernon said with pride.
Smeltings was a private school Uncle Vernon had attended when he was a child. Both Harry and Dudley were about to start their last year in their current school. Harry, of course, would attend Stonewall High, the local public school. The Dursleys saw no need for him to get the education that Dudley required.
"Oh, my dear Duddykins, he is growing so fast." Aunt Petunia dried the small tears off her eyes with a white handkerchief.
Harry heard his cousin walking down the stairs. He walked slowly into the kitchen.
"Morning, son." Said Uncle Vernon as Aunt Petunia hugged Dudley and kissed his cheek.
"Morning." Mumbled Dudley.
Harry knew that Dudley was thinking of the math test they would have that morning.
"By the time you return home from school, son, Aunt Marge will be here." Uncle Vernon announced happily.
"Too bad I won't be here to welcome her." Said Dudley carefully, glancing sideways at his father.
Harry snorted. He was happy that they would be at school instead of greeting Aunt Marge.
"Marge would certainly enjoy seeing you first thing." Aunt Petunia said thoughtfully.
"Oh, no mum. I have a test today, it would not be right to miss it." Dudley said with feigned concern.
"That's nothing son, we know you are the best in the class, that test would be only a waste of time." Uncle Vernon exclaimed.
"Marge would like to spend time with you, it's not often that she can get away to come and visit." Aunt Petunia said decisively.
"But mum, the test!" Dudley said.
"Of no import. You'll stay home today to greet Aunt Marge." Said Uncle Vernon.
Harry smiled at his plate. Today seemed to be looking up for him. A whole day in school without Dudley it would be so peaceful.
"You boy!" Uncle Vernon turned to Harry. "You'll stay and help your Aunt to get the house ready for my sister. You hear?"
"Yes Uncle Vernon." Harry said with resignation, he had looked forward to a day by himself at school, now it seemed that it wasn't to be.
"I'm leaving my dear. I'm only going to the office to meet with a very important client and then I'll go to the station to get Marge. We'll be here late in the afternoon." Uncle Vernon said as he put his newspaper aside and started to rise from the table.
"Have a good day, dear." Said Aunt Petunia as she turned her cheek for her husband's kiss.
"Take care of your mother, son. Aunt Marge will be here soon enough." Uncle Vernon ruffled Dudley's hair.
He didn't say another word to Harry, didn't even looked his way, before he walked out of the kitchen. Minutes later they heard the front door close behind him and then the sound of the car pulling from the driveway reached them.
"Ok, Duddykins, go and play while we clean." Aunt Petunia said to Dudley once the plates where empty. Dudley quickly left his chair and went to the sitting room to watch TV. "You, get the wax and the vacuum, I want every carpet clean and every floor sparkling." She said turning to Harry.
Harry sighed. He had wanted so much to go to school.
Noon had passed. Luncheon had been served and the house was now sparkling clean. Aunt Petunia seemed happy by their efforts and Dudley continued to seat in front of the television.
Harry was waiting in his cupboard.
Uncle Vernon had given them a call to tell them that he was at the station and Aunt Marge's train would arrive any minute.
Harry was exhausted. He had spent hours cleaning the carpets. Aunt Petunia had decided that vacuuming wasn't enough they needed to be washed as well. Hours spent the whole morning on his knees. First, he washed every carpet in the house and then he waxed every tile in the kitchen, and every board in the sitting room.
It was tiring work, he thought, but not as tiring as spending time with Aunt Marge. Aunt Marge wasn't really his aunt, and she was no blood relation of his. She was Uncle Vernon's sister, and from the beginning she had made it quite clear that she didn't consider him part of the family, that he didn't belong.
It was hard living with the Dursleys, but it was harder still when Aunt Marge came to visit. She enjoyed telling him that he was lucky her precious brother had kept him, he could have left him in an orphanage, she said, that he belonged there. Usually, Harry just tried not to listen to her. It was a litany he had heard all his life.
The sound of a car pulling up in front of the house was heard.
"Dudley, my dear, your father is here!" Aunt Petunia yelled from the kitchen. She knocked hard on the cupboard's door. "Get out, you! Aunt Marge is here."
Harry sighed with resignation. "Coming!"
Aunt Petunia was standing by the door, Dudley by her side. Harry walked slowly to join them as the door opened and Uncle Vernon walked in.
"Marge is here!" He exclaimed as he put the luggage aside.
"Petunia, my dear, you look great." Aunt Marge exclaimed and kissed Aunt Petunia's bony cheek.
"So do you, Marge. It has been a long time." Aunt Petunia said.
"Well, you know how it is. My darlings need constant supervision, it's not enough to just give them food and keep them in the kennels. Raising dogs is hard work." Aunt Marge explained. She carried her favorite dog, Ripper, underneath her arm.
"I understand, that's what makes your visits such a joy to us." Aunt Petunia said.
"And there is my little gentleman!" She exclaimed as she turned to look at Dudley. "Will you look at yourself! You are growing up so fast. Soon, you will be just like your father." She hugged Dudley tight against her.
Harry could see Dudley's face full of horror above Aunt Marge's shoulder. But he knew that he would never let his parents or his aunt know about how he felt about such things. He made sure that he acted the perfect gentleman in front of his family, it allowed him to get away with his bullying at school and in the neighborhood.
Aunt Marge let go of Dudley and looked at Harry. "You still here? Humph!" She snorted her distaste. Ripper growled, but to Harry's relief, Aunt Marge turned from him without another word and walked into the sitting room.
"Take the luggage upstairs." Ordered Uncle Vernon before following his sister and wife, who was asking Aunt Marge if she wanted refreshments.
"Yes Uncle Vernon." Said Harry as he grasped the handle of the suitcase.
Dudley sneered and followed his parents into the sitting room.
Harry sighed with relief. He didn't mind not joining them at the moment and getting the luggage to the guest room instead.
It took him a few minutes to get the luggage to the guest room. He tried to spend as much time as he could getting the luggage upstairs, he wasn't looking forward to joining the rest of the family in the sitting room, as he knew he was expected to do. He knew the moment Aunt Marge saw him, she would start with her usual litany about everything that was wrong with him. But it didn't take him long to finish and he slowly made his way to the sitting room.
Uncle Vernon was standing by the fireplace, talking about his important meeting that morning. Aunt Petunia was sitting in her favorite chair by the window, a cup of tea cradled in her hands. Aunt Marge was sitting in the couch beside Aunt Petunia's chair with Dudley at her side and a bag of candy in his lap. Obviously, a gift from Aunt Marge. Both, Aunt Marge and Uncle Vernon had a glass of whisky in their hands.
Harry walked slowly into the room. Nobody paid him any attention as he sat in a small chair by the door.
Uncle Vernon finally stopped his story, and to Harry's dismay, Aunt Marge could now turn her attention to him.
"Humph! Not grown much, have you. Family must be short." She said.
Harry didn't say anything. There was nothing for him to say, he didn't know what his family was like. He had never seen a picture of neither of his parents, for all he knew both could be short. It really didn't matter to him.
Dudley sneered at Harry, he enjoyed Aunt Marge's visits. One, he would get gifts and money every time she visited. Two, Harry always got in trouble when she was with them. And Dudley always enjoyed watching Aunt Marge ripping at Harry.
"Bad blood, that's what it is. It always shows." Aunt Marge was saying. Aunt Petunia was nodding and Uncle Vernon was smiling at his sister.
"Indeed. Don't know much about them, of course, but it does shows in him." Uncle Vernon said.
"Probably nothing to know. People like that don't like proper people to know about them. Try to pass off as ordinary folks and hide their bad blood." Aunt Marge exclaimed.
Harry tried to keep all her words from his mind. He didn't like what she said, didn't matter that he knew nothing about his family, but it still made him angry. But he also knew that there was nothing for him but to allow them to have their say, he didn't want to be punished. All he had to do is just sit there and think of other things, they would finish soon enough.
"Lucky, that's what he is. If he had been left in my doorstep, I would have taken him straight to the village orphanage." Aunt Marge exclaimed. "No need for me to spend any of my money on him. You are too good-hearted Vernon. Nobody expected you to take him in. No gain on it."
Uncle Vernon only nodded but didn't say anything, the thought of the check that had arrived that morning kept him from saying anything.
Aunt Petunia only glared at Harry behind her cup as if daring him to contradict them.
Harry kept silent.
"Well, no matter. Anything to eat Petunia? Food in the train was horrible." Said Aunt Marge turning to Aunt Petunia.
"Of course, Marge. I have food prepared for you, I knew that the food in the train would not be any good." Aunt Petunia said with disgust.
"Would you like to refresh yourself before going to the kitchen, Marge?" Asked Uncle Vernon.
"No need. I'm rested now." Said Aunt Marge as she patted Ripper, who had been in her lap the whole time. "No time like the present, I always say." She put Ripper down on the floor and she walked out of the room behind Aunt Petunia and followed by Uncle Vernon and Dudley.
Harry stayed in his seat for a moment longer before standing from his chair. He started to follow them, but before he crossed the door a loud whine came from his feet, he turned to see Ripper growling at him, his tail underneath one of his feet.
"Oh, sorry." Harry said as he looked warily down at the dog.
Ripper continued to growl at him. Harry moved away but the dog followed him and made to bite him.
Harry run out of the room, the dog followed right behind him. Harry tried to run from Ripper, but he followed him wherever he went. Dudley stood by the kitchen door, laughing, while Aunt Marge ignored what was going on and Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon didn't bother to say anything except to yell at Harry to be quiet.
Harry ran out of the house, the dog continued to follow. The only way to be out of reach from the dog was the high limbs of the tree in the yard. Harry run to it and climbed the tree. The dog stayed by the trunk growling up to him and barking.
Harry could see Dudley laughing behind the window, Aunt Marge stood behind him sneering. Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon were not in sight, but Harry knew that they wouldn't help him.
He decided to stay in the tree, surely, he thought, Ripper would get tired soon enough and leave him alone.
By the end of the afternoon, Harry had been in the tree for hours and the dog was still growling and barking underneath him.
It wasn't until after midnight, after neighbors had complained about the noise Ripper was making, that Aunt Marge called Ripper to order and Harry was finally able to leave the tree.
He stumbled into his cupboard tired and depressed. How long, he wondered, could he stay with the Dursleys until he could leave? He didn't want to be there anymore. There had to be something better for him.
~~**~~**~~**
A/N: There you go, I hope you like it. I'm starting on the next chapter, hopefully I can get more time to work on this story and can get the next chapter posted soon. Thank you all for reviewing, I enjoy knowing how much you like the story. Enjoy and Review!
~~**~~**~~**
Disclaimer: HP characters and places do not belong to me but to JK Rowling, only some parts of the plot are original.
~~**~~**~~**
Chapter 3 ~ Hard Times
The magical government was in disarray during the year after Voldemort's disappearance. Everybody was still wary of what had happened on that fateful night on Halloween. The Ministry's Aurors were still patrolling the streets hoping not to encounter the dark being that had terrorized their world for fifteen years.
They didn't find him, instead, they encountered a large number of his followers, the Death Eaters, and various battles broke out where some were killed and others apprehended.
Mr. Bartimus Crouch was extremely busy on the months following the death of the Potters. All the different Ministry Departments were put under his charge to help with the apprehension and trial of the prisoners.
The old Minister who had once been such a close friend of the Potters had now been replaced by a conservative woman, Millicent Bagnold. Many changes were created in the departments, the Department of Mysteries was closed to all except for those working in it. Knowledge that had once reported to all departments was now classified. Everybody was wary of everybody specially since many were Ministry workers were found to have given information to the Death Eaters and You-Know-Who.
There was confusion in the Ministry. Many claimed to have done things without meaning to. The Inperius, Cruciatus and Avedra Kadevra Curses had been used indiscriminately by the Death Eaters. Now, the Ministry knew that some had acted under control of the Death Eaters and had been innocent of their actions but who had been controlled and who had done it by their own free will? Nobody knew how to see the difference.
"The idea that a Malfoy acted under the Imperius Curse is unbelievable." Mr. Weasley said to his wife one night. "Don't know what old Crouch was thinking letting him go. I wager Malfoy had some hold on him."
"Now, now dear. He might be telling the truth." Said Mrs. Weasley even though she agreed with her husband.
"Humph!" Scoffed Mr. Weasley. "The day that lot doesn't join a crazed dark wizard is the day I become Minister of Magic. That family is known for their bigotry. The whole family is and their connections are rotten to the core. It is a surprise that some are not as bad."
"Now dear, we are connected to them as well." Said Mrs. Weasley.
"Not very closely connected, I'm happy to say. To be part of that family is not something I would be proud of." Mr. Weasley exclaimed.
Mrs. Weasley nodded as she tried to feed her little girl. "Ginny has started to talk, dear. You should've been here." She exclaimed with excitement as she grinned down to her daughter.
"Already? The boys took longer to learn how to talk." Mr. Weasley seemed surprised.
"It's different with girls dear. All children are different in some way." Mrs. Weasley explained.
The room was full of children playing around the floor. A two year old was happily playing with his older brother and his rat. The twins were being entertained in a corner, playing with a board game. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley looked around the room, looking pleased with themselves. Two of their children were now attending Hogwarts and their family was now complete with the birth of their daughter. They looked at each other and smiled. Life couldn't be any better.
~~**~~**~~**
The Daily Prophet was full of the latest news from the courts, where everyday a Death Eater or one of their supporters was presented for trial. The whole magical community read avidly every piece of news. People were still scared and kept a close eye on their neighbors. But in the muggle world, everything seemed normal and nobody knew how closely they had all come to total destruction.
The Dursleys went through their days as they normally did. Nobody discussed the reason why their nephew now lived with them. That he was there was disturbing enough. But they knew that one day he would ask, and they were prepared for that day.
The days passed and things were getting settled in the Ministry of Magic. Only the discovery of Crouch's son in the company of Death Eaters, and the charges pressed against them, brought days of turmoil and confusion. His story was closely followed by the whole community, his trial was attended by everybody who could get inside, while many waited outside hoping to hear the news of the outcome as soon as it was over. Their attack on Frank Longbottom and his wife was vicious and unpardonable. The Longbottoms were well-known Aurors in the community, their permanent convalescence caused by the attack created an uproar within the Magical World. The conviction and imprisonment in Azkaban of those charged in the attack were wildly discussed in the magical world. Mr. Crouch's popularity plunged alarmingly after his denouncement of his son in plain view of a large audience at the trial. His character and that of his son was widely attacked and the trials took second place to more important matters.
Everybody was trying to build back their lives without the dark cloud that had been hanging over them for so long.
But the one person whom they all discussed was no longer part of their world. The name of Harry Potter became part of history. Books were written and historians discussed him at great length. The magical world read of him avidly hoping to learn more of the child that had saved them from Lord Voldemort. They had been prevented from meeting him, but they couldn't be stopped from speculating what had become of him.
But Harry Potter didn't know how special he was. Time passed and he grew up with his aunt and uncle, and a spoiled cousin who obviously didn't care much for him. The only person he thought tolerated him more than his family was the old lady who took care of him when the others went out. Mrs. Figg was an old lady who lived in nearby Wisteria Walk. She lived with a household full of cats and Harry was expected to help with their care every time he was left with her. Those were times Harry didn't look forward to.
Nursery School was no better than being at home in Privet Drive. Dudley made sure kids grew wary of being near Harry. Dudley teased, hit and made life terrible for Harry and kids didn't want to be next in line by being friends of Harry Potter, as a young boy learned early in the school year. Harry could be seen playing by himself in the playground as other kids played in groups playing ball or running around the schoolyard. The teachers had become concerned and had talked to the Dursleys about the problem. Nothing happened, it just made Dudley more difficult in school and Harry more silent. Teachers were dumbfounded, what could they possibly do to make Harry more sociable in school?
Life with the Dursleys became more difficult as he grew older. During the first years with the Dursleys Harry was just ignored. He was locked in the smaller bedroom and kept there the whole day. But as he grew old enough to do things he was expected to help with the cleaning, the gardening and finally, the cooking. He was moved from the bedroom to the small cupboard under the stairs, that way he was nearer the kitchen when Petunia wanted help with the cleaning. He didn't mind doing things around the house, it was something to do when he didn't have anything else to do, but the jeering and gloating of his cousin watching him struggle with a mop or a broom that were too big for him to handle, or laughing when boiling water almost fell on Harry's head when he was helping to prepare dinner made him dread the times when his aunt wanted him to do some cleaning. And the cupboard had become a source of fright to a small four year old.
Things didn't become easy when they had company. Specially, when Aunt Marge (Vernon's sister) came to visit.
It was late spring and Dudley's fifth birthday was coming upon them. As they did every year, Vernon and Petunia were planning a party. But this time, it would be special, Aunt Marge was coming to stay with them.
"At what time is she arriving?" Asked Petunia while she served breakfast.
"At noon. I don't know why the trains can't arrive at a more opportune time, at this rate, we're going to miss lunch." Grumbled Vernon.
"I'll have it waiting for you dear." Said Petunia happily as she put a plate full of bacon and eggs in front of Dudley.
Vernon grunted as he continued eating behind a newspaper held high before him.
"Here, eat." Commanded Petunia as she put a small plate in front of Harry. Only one egg and a strip of bacon rested upon it.
Harry didn't say anything he just ate hungrily. He had learned very early on that it was best not to complain or say anything, even if he didn't agree with something. Just as long as he stayed quiet and did what he was told, everything would be fine and he wouldn't be punished.
"How is the party shaping up?" Asked Vernon as he put aside his newspaper.
"Oh, it's coming along perfectly, this will certainly be the party of the season." Exclaimed Petunia happily as she hugged Dudley.
"Mum!" Grumbled Dudley as he fussed in her arms.
"He'll have the best party in the neighborhood." Petunia said.
"What about him?" Vernon nodded toward Harry, who had his head firmly down and didn't look around him as he ate.
"He'll have to attend. Many of the neighbors have mentioned that they'll bring their children to play with both." Petunia pursed her lips with aversion.
"Just as long as no weird things happen." Snapped Vernon.
Harry really didn't understand why his Uncle Vernon kept saying that about him. He wasn't aware that any weird things happened around the house, unless you mentioned the fact that his hair was always wild no matter what they did to it. But that wasn't his fault, it just grew that way. But for three years he had heard the same complaint.
"Better get going, I want to be at the station early enough to receive her." Grunted Vernon as he left his chair.
"Bye dear, don't forget to pass by the store in your way home to buy the ice cream." Said Petunia to his retreating back.
"Won't forget." Yelled Vernon back.
Harry continued eating as his cousin wailed for more food. He knew it was a special day, and for the first time in his life he would attend a birthday party. He hadn't been allowed to attend any of Dudley's birthday parties before. On previous years he had spent the day with Mrs. Figg, looking at pictures of all her cats and grooming the dozen cats living currently with her.
He dusted and cleaned the floors while his Aunt Petunia worked in the dishes for the party. Dudley was in his bedroom playing with the new toys that had been given to him that morning.
By noon, the house looked sparkling clean. The trays of food waited in the refrigerator and lunch was waiting on the table. Dudley was already eating a plateful in the kitchen, while Harry beat the dust of the pillows from the couch.
He was just putting the pillows back in the living room when the front door opened and Vernon and his sister walked in.
"Where is my angel, where is my nephew?" Aunt Marge's booming voice could be heard throughout the house.
"Here I am." Piped Dudley appearing in the kitchen doorway.
"Ah, you are growing so fast. He takes after you Vernon." Aunt Marge looked pleased at what she saw.
Vernon puffed his chest out. "Of course he does Marge, he is a Dursley through and through."
"Indeed." Said Petunia coming into the entrance hall after Dudley, who was being tightly hugged by his aunt.
"Petunia dear, you look well." Said Marge letting go of Dudley, to his immense relief, and turned to hug and kiss her sister-in-law.
"You boy, come and say hello to your Aunt Marge." Ordered Vernon as he noticed Harry standing by the entrance to the living room.
"Hello, Aunt Marge." Said Harry promptly.
"Humph! You still here boy? Don't know why you kept him Vernon, an orphanage would've been better." Marge said pushing Harry aside and making her way to the living room.
"We've discussed this Marge, you know our reasons, it would've looked bad of us to send him away when everybody knew of his existence." Vernon said.
"You're right of course, but don't be surprised if he ends up being a hooligan just like his father." Snorted Marge.
"Hopefully we might beat it out of him." Said Vernon sagely. "Would you like some whiskey Marge? I just got an imported French Whiskey I'm sure you are going to like."
"Oh, go on. It will settle the dust in my mouth. Really, the food in trains could be better, I told the ticket man so. If one is expected to pay for food, it should be worth it. Only a little plate of salad and a small portion of meat, what is that supposed to feed?" She complained while Vernon served two glasses of whiskey one for himself and another for his sister.
"Things are falling apart in this country. One cannot find a good sized portion anywhere. But don't worry, Petunia has lunch prepared for us." Vernon said as he passed a glass to Marge.
"Good, I'm starving." Marge said and drank the whiskey in one gulp. "Should get the luggage to the bedroom."
"I'll take it, you go ahead to the kitchen." Offered Vernon.
Marge happily left things to her brother and walked into the kitchen.
She found Dudley sitting in his seat with a large plate in front of him. Harry was putting the plates and utensils around the table.
"At least he makes himself useful." Grunted Marge as Harry carried a platter of potatoes to the table.
Petunia didn't say anything but glared at Harry as if daring him to break any of her platters.
Vernon soon joined them and everybody sat around the table as plates started to go around and everybody served themselves.
Afternoon was soon upon them and Petunia left Harry cleaning the dishes while she, Vernon and Marge decorated and made things ready for the party. The children would be arriving soon and everything should look perfect when the doorbell rings.
Petunia was excited as the balloons and ribbons were in place. Everything looked festive and perfect to celebrate her son's fifth birthday.
Half an hour later, Dudley had been dressed in a new suit bought for the occasion and Petunia, Vernon and Marge sat happily in the living room waiting for the first guests to arrive. Harry had been left on his own devices in the kitchen where he happily grabbed small pieces of food from the platters that had been placed in the table waiting for the visitors.
The doorbell rang. Soon the house was filled with childish giggles and screams. The adults sat around the living room looking at their children with indulgent glances as they ran around the room. When there were enough children, the games began.
They played peg the nose to the clown. A large face of a clown was pasted on one of the walls and the children were blindfolded and one by one they tried to peg the nose to the clown. None came close to it but Harry, something that didn't make Vernon and Petunia happy.
Then there was a show, the clown Vernon had hired had arrived when the children were trying to peg the nose on the clown poster.
The children oohed and aahed as the clown did his tricks and made balloon animals at the request of all the children.
Then they played musical chairs. Marge sat close by to keep an eye on the children, but every time Harry came in front of her she would stick out her cane and try to trip him. He barely stayed in the game long enough because of her. He eventually fell and was taken out of the game. He didn't complain but sat in one corner rubbing the pain from his shins.
Food was served after the game. Everybody ate enthusiastically until the cake was brought out and then served with ice cream.
The time came to open the presents that had been brought by the guests. Dudley ripped the paper energetically from every box and showed off everything that had been given to him.
Harry couldn't help but notice the difference between his cousin's birthday celebration and his own. The previous year nobody had bothered to tell him it was his birthday until he was left in Mrs. Figg house when his aunt and uncle took Dudley to see a movie he wanted to see. If Mrs. Figg hadn't given him a muffin with a candle and wished him happy birthday, he wouldn't had known it was his birthday at all.
He was saddened by the thought and wished that somewhere, there was a person thinking of him.
~~**~~**~~**
Sirius sat on the pallet in his cell. The constant sound of the moans and screams of the other occupants in the nearby cells were heard through the prison. The dismal sight of the dementors patrolling the cells made the oppressing atmosphere settle heavily over the inmates of Azkaban.
The crazed laugh of a woman nearby reached Sirius. "Shut it Bellatrix!" He yelled. It only made the woman laugh louder.
Sirius gnashed his teeth in exasperation. He didn't mind the moans of the screams of the others, but somehow, he found Bellatrix's laugh irritating.
Finally, the laughing stopped and Sirius relaxed. He often thought that the only thing that would make him go mad in Azkaban was Bellatrix's laughter. It was the only thing that unnerved him where the Dementors didn't.
He lay on the pallet, planning his revenge on Peter. There was nothing he could do now. Harry was safe; that was all that mattered.
The tension that had settled over his body drained slowly. Minutes later, a dog lay on the pallet where Sirius had once lain.
~~**~~**~~**
"How can you possibly allow the Dursleys to take that money? They are not using it for Harry's well-being you may be sure that they are lining their own pockets with that money." Remus exclaimed to Mr. Nikolei.
"Mr. Lupin, you know what the will says. They must be paid the 10,000 pounds monthly. I have told you so for the past three years." Mr. Nikolei said calmly.
"But you have done nothing to keep them away from that money. That's stealing, it is." Remus said.
"Mr. Lupin, you must know that the money it's the only reason they are keeping the child. Professor Dumbledore has repeatedly told you that Young Harry can only be safe as long as he remains with the Dursleys. If that money was not given to them, they would have certainly placed him in an orphanage and that would've placed him in danger." Mr. Nikolei explained.
"For how long will this continue?" Asked Remus with resignation.
"Until Young Harry is ready to learn of his inheritance." Said Mr. Nikolei.
"That could well be until he finishes school, that is still years from now." Groaned Remus.
"It is. But the withdrawl of the money doesn't influence the Potter inheritance at all. Mr. Potter made provisions for that and the money is taken out not from the estate itself but from a separate account Mr. Potter opened for that purpose." Mr. Nikolei responded.
"James certainly thought of every contingency. That was James all right, always thinking ahead." Remus smiled. "But I still don't like it. I know the Dursleys are not using that money for Harry's benefit."
"Be that as it may, the will was very explicit. Young Harry's guardian will receive 10,000 pounds until the day Young Harry leaves the household. It doesn't say that it has to be used for all of Young Harry's expenses only that it must be used for the care of the child. As far as we are concerned, the fact that they have taken him in and are providing food, housing and clothing, they are fulfilling their part of the bargain. We cannot renege on the money now. Not unless they actually put him out of their house and as you know, they are greedy enough not to want the money from stop coming." Mr. Nikolei said.
"You are right of course, that money will keep them from throwing Harry out of their home. But I can't stop from feeling that they are the wrong people to care for him." Sighed Remus.
"We all have our reservations Mr. Lupin. I agree with you, I don't believe the Durlesys are the right people to care for Young Harry, but Dumbledore must know what he is doing giving guardianship to them. I am not one of you, my knowledge of spells and charms is rather limited but he assures me that Young Harry is safe as long as he stays with his aunt." Mr. Nikolei said.
"Yes. He has told me the same thing. I do not know much of this spell he speaks of, it's rather ancient magic and that has gone out of practice, that's why nobody has heard much of it. Only scholars and historians know of it of course, and Dumbledore is one of the topmost scholars of ancient magic." Remus said. "Ancient magic is rather strong and difficult to control, that's why it isn't practiced anymore. Only a few can perform it and only after long years of study and meditation."
"It sounds strong indeed, if can keep Young Harry safe from these Dark Wizards I've heard about." Mr. Nikolei sounded impressed.
"It certainly is. I will leave you Mr. Nikolei, I have other plans for this afternoon." Said Remus and after saying his goodbyes left the study of the solicitor.
Mr. Nikolei sighed. He understood perfectly the emotions that ran through Remus. He himself was not happy with providing that money to the Dursleys, he knew that it would not be used for the reason it was intended for and that Harry would lack many things in that household. But he also believed what he had told Remus. He believed it was the money that kept Harry safe in the Dursley household. As long as that money was sent to them, they would think carefully before sending Harry away from their house. And Harry needed to remain with them. He didn't know much about magic, as he had told Remus, in fact he didn't know it existed until James and Lily Potter had hired him to be one of the trustees of the Potter Estate. They had explained to him everything about Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic, he had to work with both after all to keep the estate intact. It had been hard for him to believe in what he thought were fairy tales, but the earnest character of both James and Lily Potter had convinced him that they were telling the truth. It was too bad that Fate had cut short their acquaintance, he would've loved to learn more of the hidden world that he and others like him didn't know existed.
~~**~~**~~**
Mrs. Figg kept a close eye on Harry Potter. As he grew older, she knew that sooner or later the magical side of him would make an appearance. She hadn't seen him do any sort of magic yet, not since he had been left with the Dursleys. She wondered if the environment didn't have anything to do with it. She knew that when he was an infant with his parents he had shown clear signs of magical powers, but when he was taken from the magical world and left in the muggle world that magical side of him seemed to have gone dormant.
"Are you sure he is safe?" Remus asked for the third time as he stood by the window looking out from Mrs. Figg sitting room.
Mrs. Figg sighed with exasperation. "How many times do I have to tell you? Yes, he is safe. Growing up rather nicely, no thanks to those dolts."
Remus smiled and turned back to sit on the one chair that wasn't inhabited by cats. "Why do you have to keep so many cats?" Complained Remus as dusted cat hair from his robes.
"They give Mr. Tibbs and Minerva a nice cover. The neighbors are used to my cats running around and they can keep an eye on the Dursleys without complaints." Mrs. Figg said as she stroke the fur of a sleepy cat that had settled on her lap.
"What about you? Don't you get bored here?" Remus said looking around the room with curiosity. There was nothing in sight that could show her magical ancestry. No magical pictures, no radio playing the WWN, nothing that would give up her cover.
"Not much change from my own life to that of a muggle." Mrs. Figg shrugged. "Although I do miss my radio soaps."
Remus laughed. "Only you would miss the soaps. You might want to check that telly thing, I've heard the muggles have their own programming that can be quite interesting." He smiled.
"I've seen it." Scoffed Mrs. Figg. "It's not the same thing."
"When is he coming?" Remus asked suddenly.
Mrs. Figg glanced at the old grandfather clock in a corner of the room. "He said he was coming to have lunch. He should be here any minute now. Hogwarts is closed for the summer, Dumbledore has more time to come for reports."
Remus nodded and looked down at the cats playing around the room.
A pop sounded in the kitchen. A second later, Dumbledore appeared in the doorway.
"Glad to see you could join us Mr. Lupin." He said.
~~**~~**~~**
Harry was now seven years old and life at the Durleys was as hard as it had ever been. School was not better, he didn't have any friends, as kids were afraid to talk of him because of Dudley. But he didn't care, it was preferable to make himself inconspicuous in school, it was the only way Dudley wouldn't bother him. It was enough that he had to live with him, he didn't want to deal with his cousin in school as well.
But all his precautions weren't always enough.
It was the beginning of spring and Dudley's birthday was fast approaching, that made Dudley more impossible than usual as he bullied everybody in school to come to his party with presents.
On this sunny day, Dudley and his gang were laughing as they pushed a small boy among themselves.
Harry was watching from a distance, feeling sorry for the small boy and hoping that a teacher would notice. But there didn't seem to be any teacher around and the small boy had started whimpering with fright.
"What, don't you want to play with us anymore?" Dudley jeered. The others laughed.
Harry had had enough.
"Leave him alone!" He yelled.
Dudley and the others turned angrily to see who had yelled at him. Their victim looked pleadingly at Harry and made his escape when he noticed that the others were occupied glaring at Harry.
"What is to you?" Asked one of the boys in the gang.
"Wanna take his place." Piers, Dudley's best friend, sneered.
The others chuckled with amusement.
Dudley smiled nastily at Harry. "Maybe he does want to take his place." He said.
Harry looked at Dudley's nasty expression. "Uh-oh!" He whispered before turning and running away from the gang.
"Get him!" He heard Dudley yell to the others before heavy footsteps followed him.
He ran through the whole schoolyard. Dudley and his gang followed him everywhere. Children stopped playing to look at the chase. Some looked fearful, others laughed and cheered as the gang ran through them.
Harry turned toward the kitchens, he knew there were several trash cans there and he could easily hide among them. He had a far lead on Dudley and his friend he had time to hide.
He jumped over the trash cans, but instead of falling behind them, he found himself sitting by the chimney above the kitchen's roof.
"What the-?" He looked around. How did he get up here? He asked himself.
"You are in trouble now!" Yelled Dudley cheerfully.
Harry turned to see down at his cousin and saw several children below looking at him in surprise and behind them an angry teacher was coming toward the building.
"Harry Potter! You better get down from there this instant." She yelled.
"How am I supposed to that?" He whispered as he looked around, hoping to find a ladder of some sort. He couldn't see any.
Dudley and his friends were laughing. The other children were looking up in surprise and the teacher was yelling in anger.
"Oh boy!" He whispered. He was in trouble indeed.
It took an hour to get Harry down from the roof. Break was over and the children had long gone back to class, except Harry of course. The teacher had sent for the Headmistress and the caretaker. The caretaker returned with a ladder, long enough to reach the roof, and climbed steadily to help Harry down.
The Headmistress waited at the bottom, she had sent the teacher to class.
Once Harry was safely down, she pounced on him.
"What in heavens were you thinking climbing up to the roof?" She yelled.
"I didn't, I mean, I did but I didn't mean to." Harry said.
"Humph!" She snorted with disbelief.
"It's true, I swear. I meant to hide behind the trashcans but somehow I ended up on the roof. I don't know how it happened, maybe the wind got me in mid jump?" Harry said.
"Do you really think I would swallow that nonsense? Are you saying that by some sort of magic you ended up in the roof? Honestly, do you think I'm stupid?" The headmistress raged.
Harry looked down at his shoes. He really was in trouble now.
~~**~~**~~**
The Dursleys weren't too happy with Harry that evening. The Headmistress had sent a scathing letter with Dudley about Harry climbing up the school buildings. Dudley was ecstatic.
"I will not have it I tell you! This is unacceptable." Uncle Vernon roared.
Aunt Petunia stood by the stove, with her lips pursed and her arms crossed glaring at Harry. Dudley was sitting in his customary chair in the table waiting for dinner. Harry was standing in the middle of the room.
He didn't say anything, he knew that it would only make Uncle Vernon more angry.
"Climbing buildings! What do you think you were doing?" Uncle Vernon was pacing, his face was mottled with anger.
"I didn't mean to do it." Harry whispered. It was better than the others didn't hear him because Uncle Vernon continued with his pacing and roaring.
"This is nonsense, I will not accept nonsense in this house. Go to your cupboard, and don't you dare to get out until you are told to do so." He ordered.
Harry walked slowly out of the kitchen to the cupboard under the stairs. He wasn't frightened by it. He was used to it. He had been living in the cupboard for some years now and being locked in the cupboard wasn't new. He knew that the others will eat and wouldn't bother to bring him anything, all he had to do is keep silent and wait for midnight to fall. He would leave his cupboard then and get something to it.
That was the only way to survive with the Dursleys, be silent and wait.
But he couldn't help wishing that there was someone out there that could take him away to a more loving place.
~~**~~**~~**
The days passed and Harry stayed in his cupboard. But he didn't stay long enough to miss Dudley's birthday.
As usual, the house was full of celebration. Large gifts were placed in the table waiting to be opened by an eager Dudley and a large meal was being prepared for him and his family.
"Keep an eye on the pan, don't burn the food." Aunt Petunia snapped when Harry entered the kitchen.
Harry nodded and stood in front of the stove, stirring the contents within the pan.
"Oh, my baby, Duddykins, my love. Happy Birthday!" Aunt Petunia exclaimed when Dudley walked into the kitchen.
"Ooh, presents." Dudley exclaimed, his eyes were wide open looking at all the packages on top of the table.
There was a chuckle from the door. It was Uncle Vernon. "Happy Birthday son!"
"Oh, we're going to have a wonderful day." Aunt Petunia exclaimed, clasping her hands with excitement.
"Can I take Piers?" Vernon asked excitedly.
"Of course dear, anything you want, it is your special day." Aunt Petunia said.
Dudley smiled and sneered at Harry as he finally noticed him in front of the stove. "I'm hungry!" He exclaimed.
"Hurry up boy!" Uncle Vernon yelled.
"Be careful with it." Aunt Petunia growled.
Harry filled the platters carefully before moving them to the table. There were platters of bacon, eggs, sausages, ham, bread and a pot of warm coffee and another with tea.
He took his place in silence and ate while his cousin and uncle piled their plates. Aunt Petunia always ate daintily from her plate, a large napkin in her lap.
Harry shook his head, he had a very weird family, he thought.
Breakfast was eaten in a hurry, as Dudley wanted to open his gifts. Harry had to take the empty platters out of the way as soon as breakfast was over. He didn't return to the table as each gift was opened and exclaimed over. He washed the dishes instead, he knew he wasn't welcomed, and watching his cousin open his gifts only made him think of the ones he didn't get on his own birthday, even if his family bothered to remember.
He heard the paper ripping and Dudley's squeals of happiness as the gifts were opened, Harry just tried to keep the sounds out of his mind. It did no good to wish his cousin to share his things with him.
Finally, all the gifts were opened and Dudley and Uncle Vernon had taken them to Dudley's room.
"Come dear, put your coat on." Aunt Petunia told Dudley after he returned to the kitchen.
"We'll pass for Piers after we leave him with Mrs. Figgs." Said Vernon nodding to Harry.
Harry sighed. Of course, Mrs. Figg, how could he have forgotten?
It was not a happy day for Harry. While Dudley and his family went to the theater and to eat at an expensive restaurant, Harry had to help Mrs. Figg to care for her cats. Later in the day they sat on a couch while Mrs. Figg showed him pictures of all the cats she had ever had. Harry was bored.
There was a cat that Harry thought acted strange. A tabby with strange markings around the eyes. The cat stood silently in one corner and followed him around the house, it made no noises, nor did it played as the other cats did.
He happily left when the Durleys passed to pick him up.
Mrs. Figg saw the car disappear around the corner from her window. "They are gone." She said.
"Oh, I'm must be getting older if staying in my Animagus form is making all the muscles in my body ache." A woman exclaimed from one corner of the room.
Mrs. Figg turned to smile at the older lady that was sitting in one of her couches.
"That poor boy, how could he stand it? If you had said the name of one more cat I was going to scratch you." The woman exclaimed.
Mrs. Figg laughed. "If I make his visits tolerable, Minerva, then he won't be allowed to come back. Those Dursleys are torture loving people."
"I don't know what Dumbledore was thinking, leaving him with those people. He doesn't know anything about our world." Professor McGonagall exclaimed.
"Really sad, him growing up without knowing anything of the legacy of his parents." Mrs. Figg shook her head sadly.
"'Tis good he doesn't know. Can't you imagine what those muggles would do if they could get their hands on the Potter inheritance?" Professor McGonagall asked.
Mrs. Figg kept silent. Everybody knew the size of the Potter inheritance. The lands, the money, everything was of great value, and the thought of little Harry Potter growing up without knowledge of what his parents had left behind brought sadness to all of those who had known the Potters and the love they had for their family and those who worked their land.
~~**~~**~~**
Professor McGonagall and Mrs. Figg were not the only ones who worried about Harry not knowing of his inheritance.
Those living in the Manor, taking care of the properties that now belonged to him were also worried that Master Harry didn't know about the land.
"What did Dumbledore say, Nigel?" Asked Mrs. Nichols, the Manor's housekeeper, as her brother, Mr. Rogers the butler, returned from his annual trip to Hogwarts.
"The same Alice. Master Harry is not ready to come home." Roberts sighed.
"Oh dear, I had so hope to see him." Mrs. Nichols said.
"I know Alice. But we must wait. Professor Dumbledore says that as long as there are unidentified Death Eaters free, Master Harry is not safe and must stay with the Dursleys." Roberts explained.
"Humph! Those people know nothing about us, about our world. What are they going to teach him? Nothing. You remember what happened with Mistress Lily." Mrs. Nichols exclaimed.
"I remember, but there is nothing to do for the moment, he will return, eventually." Said Roberts.
Behind the door, a pair of large, bat-like ears listened carefully to what was being said by the housekeeper and the butler.
The large ears and the shoulders dropped at the thought that Master Harry was not returning home.
"Master Harry needs his Minnie." The small house elf sighed. Large crystal tears ran down her wrinkled face as she slowly made her way down to the kitchens.
~~**~~**~~**
Sirius lay on the dirty pallet in his cell, trying to keep out the moans and screams coming from the other cells.
There was only one thing that made him forget of where he was, and that was Harry.
"He is eight now." He whispered. "Three more years until he goes to Hogwarts. James would be proud."
The thought of James brought anger to his heart and made him remember Peter. He growled in anger at the thought of Peter safe and alive somewhere in the magical world where he could easily harm Harry.
"You'll pay for what you did Peter. Don't think that you are safe." He whispered.
Slowly, the sounds of Azkaban started to penetrate his thoughts. He groaned and closed his eyes, trying again to keep them out. He didn't want to remember that he was in Azkaban.
~~**~~**~~**
The years passed and Harry continued to grow. Unknown to him and to the Dursleys, they were being watched. Mrs. Figg kept constant vigilance on Privet Drive. Dumbledore sent somebody once a week to collect the reports from Mrs. Figg.
They were taking precautions, to keep Harry safe. Dumbledore had sworn to James and Lily that he would keep Harry safe, and he planned to keep his promise.
Harry awoke early one morning. He hoped that he could stay in his cupboard, this was not a day he was looking forward to. Aunt Marge was coming to visit. Dudley's birthday was coming up and she wanted to be here for that special day.
Harry groaned. The thought of Aunt Marge's visit didn't bring joy to his heart. He just knew she was going to do or say something to make him feel inferior to the rest of the family. He snorted, she should know by now that her brother took care of that every single day.
He hoped there were other choices open to him. Other family members that he could visit or go to when things got bad at the Dursleys's. But there were none. Neither Aunt Petunia nor Uncle Vernon made any mention of his family. They never talked about his father's family and he knew that on his mother's side only Aunt Petunia was left.
He didn't like the thought that there was nobody else in the world that cared for him. Not that he could say that the Dursleys cared much for him.
He often wondered why the Dursleys even bothered to keep him. He knew that he had left in their care when his parents were killed in an accident when he was only one year old. It was a story that he heard once he was old enough to understand. But now he wondered why he was here. It was clear to him that the Dursleys didn't want him to be there. Painfully clear. So, why keep him at all? They could have easily taken him to an orphanage. Aunt Marge kept saying that often enough. They could have given him for adoption or given him to another family. There were many things they could've done, instead, they kept him. But why?
He sighed with exasperation. It wasn't the first time he thought about his situation. There were nights, when he was sent to his cupboard without dinner and stayed up for hours thinking about his life and the reason he was here, that he thought about every single aspect of his life. He knew that that Dursleys didn't want him there, and if he was honest, he didn't want to be there.
He was suddenly woken from his thoughts. He could hear his aunt moving above him. He heard her coming down the steps. She would soon be knocking on his door.
"Get up, you!" He heard his aunt yell.
"I'm awake." He said.
"Come and make breakfast, everything should be ready for Marge's visit." Aunt Petunia said as she walked to the kitchen.
Harry sighed. He stood from his small bed and dressed quickly. He didn't want Aunt Petunia to come and scream at him some more for taking long. He pried spiders from his shoes and socks. Finally, he opened the door and followed his aunt into the kitchen.
Aunt Petunia was waiting for him next to the stove.
"Stir the eggs and keep an eye on the sausage." She snapped at him.
Harry nodded and went to stand in front of the stove. The eggs and sausages sizzled in the large pans.
"Morning, my dear." Uncle Vernon said as he came into the kitchen. He carried the newspaper in one hand and the mail in the other. "Dudley up yet?"
"He should be down soon, he enjoys schools so much, the poor darling." Said Aunt Petunia.
Harry shook his head silently.
"I've sent the application to Smeltings. We should hear later this year about his acceptance." Uncle Vernon said with pride.
Smeltings was a private school Uncle Vernon had attended when he was a child. Both Harry and Dudley were about to start their last year in their current school. Harry, of course, would attend Stonewall High, the local public school. The Dursleys saw no need for him to get the education that Dudley required.
"Oh, my dear Duddykins, he is growing so fast." Aunt Petunia dried the small tears off her eyes with a white handkerchief.
Harry heard his cousin walking down the stairs. He walked slowly into the kitchen.
"Morning, son." Said Uncle Vernon as Aunt Petunia hugged Dudley and kissed his cheek.
"Morning." Mumbled Dudley.
Harry knew that Dudley was thinking of the math test they would have that morning.
"By the time you return home from school, son, Aunt Marge will be here." Uncle Vernon announced happily.
"Too bad I won't be here to welcome her." Said Dudley carefully, glancing sideways at his father.
Harry snorted. He was happy that they would be at school instead of greeting Aunt Marge.
"Marge would certainly enjoy seeing you first thing." Aunt Petunia said thoughtfully.
"Oh, no mum. I have a test today, it would not be right to miss it." Dudley said with feigned concern.
"That's nothing son, we know you are the best in the class, that test would be only a waste of time." Uncle Vernon exclaimed.
"Marge would like to spend time with you, it's not often that she can get away to come and visit." Aunt Petunia said decisively.
"But mum, the test!" Dudley said.
"Of no import. You'll stay home today to greet Aunt Marge." Said Uncle Vernon.
Harry smiled at his plate. Today seemed to be looking up for him. A whole day in school without Dudley it would be so peaceful.
"You boy!" Uncle Vernon turned to Harry. "You'll stay and help your Aunt to get the house ready for my sister. You hear?"
"Yes Uncle Vernon." Harry said with resignation, he had looked forward to a day by himself at school, now it seemed that it wasn't to be.
"I'm leaving my dear. I'm only going to the office to meet with a very important client and then I'll go to the station to get Marge. We'll be here late in the afternoon." Uncle Vernon said as he put his newspaper aside and started to rise from the table.
"Have a good day, dear." Said Aunt Petunia as she turned her cheek for her husband's kiss.
"Take care of your mother, son. Aunt Marge will be here soon enough." Uncle Vernon ruffled Dudley's hair.
He didn't say another word to Harry, didn't even looked his way, before he walked out of the kitchen. Minutes later they heard the front door close behind him and then the sound of the car pulling from the driveway reached them.
"Ok, Duddykins, go and play while we clean." Aunt Petunia said to Dudley once the plates where empty. Dudley quickly left his chair and went to the sitting room to watch TV. "You, get the wax and the vacuum, I want every carpet clean and every floor sparkling." She said turning to Harry.
Harry sighed. He had wanted so much to go to school.
Noon had passed. Luncheon had been served and the house was now sparkling clean. Aunt Petunia seemed happy by their efforts and Dudley continued to seat in front of the television.
Harry was waiting in his cupboard.
Uncle Vernon had given them a call to tell them that he was at the station and Aunt Marge's train would arrive any minute.
Harry was exhausted. He had spent hours cleaning the carpets. Aunt Petunia had decided that vacuuming wasn't enough they needed to be washed as well. Hours spent the whole morning on his knees. First, he washed every carpet in the house and then he waxed every tile in the kitchen, and every board in the sitting room.
It was tiring work, he thought, but not as tiring as spending time with Aunt Marge. Aunt Marge wasn't really his aunt, and she was no blood relation of his. She was Uncle Vernon's sister, and from the beginning she had made it quite clear that she didn't consider him part of the family, that he didn't belong.
It was hard living with the Dursleys, but it was harder still when Aunt Marge came to visit. She enjoyed telling him that he was lucky her precious brother had kept him, he could have left him in an orphanage, she said, that he belonged there. Usually, Harry just tried not to listen to her. It was a litany he had heard all his life.
The sound of a car pulling up in front of the house was heard.
"Dudley, my dear, your father is here!" Aunt Petunia yelled from the kitchen. She knocked hard on the cupboard's door. "Get out, you! Aunt Marge is here."
Harry sighed with resignation. "Coming!"
Aunt Petunia was standing by the door, Dudley by her side. Harry walked slowly to join them as the door opened and Uncle Vernon walked in.
"Marge is here!" He exclaimed as he put the luggage aside.
"Petunia, my dear, you look great." Aunt Marge exclaimed and kissed Aunt Petunia's bony cheek.
"So do you, Marge. It has been a long time." Aunt Petunia said.
"Well, you know how it is. My darlings need constant supervision, it's not enough to just give them food and keep them in the kennels. Raising dogs is hard work." Aunt Marge explained. She carried her favorite dog, Ripper, underneath her arm.
"I understand, that's what makes your visits such a joy to us." Aunt Petunia said.
"And there is my little gentleman!" She exclaimed as she turned to look at Dudley. "Will you look at yourself! You are growing up so fast. Soon, you will be just like your father." She hugged Dudley tight against her.
Harry could see Dudley's face full of horror above Aunt Marge's shoulder. But he knew that he would never let his parents or his aunt know about how he felt about such things. He made sure that he acted the perfect gentleman in front of his family, it allowed him to get away with his bullying at school and in the neighborhood.
Aunt Marge let go of Dudley and looked at Harry. "You still here? Humph!" She snorted her distaste. Ripper growled, but to Harry's relief, Aunt Marge turned from him without another word and walked into the sitting room.
"Take the luggage upstairs." Ordered Uncle Vernon before following his sister and wife, who was asking Aunt Marge if she wanted refreshments.
"Yes Uncle Vernon." Said Harry as he grasped the handle of the suitcase.
Dudley sneered and followed his parents into the sitting room.
Harry sighed with relief. He didn't mind not joining them at the moment and getting the luggage to the guest room instead.
It took him a few minutes to get the luggage to the guest room. He tried to spend as much time as he could getting the luggage upstairs, he wasn't looking forward to joining the rest of the family in the sitting room, as he knew he was expected to do. He knew the moment Aunt Marge saw him, she would start with her usual litany about everything that was wrong with him. But it didn't take him long to finish and he slowly made his way to the sitting room.
Uncle Vernon was standing by the fireplace, talking about his important meeting that morning. Aunt Petunia was sitting in her favorite chair by the window, a cup of tea cradled in her hands. Aunt Marge was sitting in the couch beside Aunt Petunia's chair with Dudley at her side and a bag of candy in his lap. Obviously, a gift from Aunt Marge. Both, Aunt Marge and Uncle Vernon had a glass of whisky in their hands.
Harry walked slowly into the room. Nobody paid him any attention as he sat in a small chair by the door.
Uncle Vernon finally stopped his story, and to Harry's dismay, Aunt Marge could now turn her attention to him.
"Humph! Not grown much, have you. Family must be short." She said.
Harry didn't say anything. There was nothing for him to say, he didn't know what his family was like. He had never seen a picture of neither of his parents, for all he knew both could be short. It really didn't matter to him.
Dudley sneered at Harry, he enjoyed Aunt Marge's visits. One, he would get gifts and money every time she visited. Two, Harry always got in trouble when she was with them. And Dudley always enjoyed watching Aunt Marge ripping at Harry.
"Bad blood, that's what it is. It always shows." Aunt Marge was saying. Aunt Petunia was nodding and Uncle Vernon was smiling at his sister.
"Indeed. Don't know much about them, of course, but it does shows in him." Uncle Vernon said.
"Probably nothing to know. People like that don't like proper people to know about them. Try to pass off as ordinary folks and hide their bad blood." Aunt Marge exclaimed.
Harry tried to keep all her words from his mind. He didn't like what she said, didn't matter that he knew nothing about his family, but it still made him angry. But he also knew that there was nothing for him but to allow them to have their say, he didn't want to be punished. All he had to do is just sit there and think of other things, they would finish soon enough.
"Lucky, that's what he is. If he had been left in my doorstep, I would have taken him straight to the village orphanage." Aunt Marge exclaimed. "No need for me to spend any of my money on him. You are too good-hearted Vernon. Nobody expected you to take him in. No gain on it."
Uncle Vernon only nodded but didn't say anything, the thought of the check that had arrived that morning kept him from saying anything.
Aunt Petunia only glared at Harry behind her cup as if daring him to contradict them.
Harry kept silent.
"Well, no matter. Anything to eat Petunia? Food in the train was horrible." Said Aunt Marge turning to Aunt Petunia.
"Of course, Marge. I have food prepared for you, I knew that the food in the train would not be any good." Aunt Petunia said with disgust.
"Would you like to refresh yourself before going to the kitchen, Marge?" Asked Uncle Vernon.
"No need. I'm rested now." Said Aunt Marge as she patted Ripper, who had been in her lap the whole time. "No time like the present, I always say." She put Ripper down on the floor and she walked out of the room behind Aunt Petunia and followed by Uncle Vernon and Dudley.
Harry stayed in his seat for a moment longer before standing from his chair. He started to follow them, but before he crossed the door a loud whine came from his feet, he turned to see Ripper growling at him, his tail underneath one of his feet.
"Oh, sorry." Harry said as he looked warily down at the dog.
Ripper continued to growl at him. Harry moved away but the dog followed him and made to bite him.
Harry run out of the room, the dog followed right behind him. Harry tried to run from Ripper, but he followed him wherever he went. Dudley stood by the kitchen door, laughing, while Aunt Marge ignored what was going on and Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon didn't bother to say anything except to yell at Harry to be quiet.
Harry ran out of the house, the dog continued to follow. The only way to be out of reach from the dog was the high limbs of the tree in the yard. Harry run to it and climbed the tree. The dog stayed by the trunk growling up to him and barking.
Harry could see Dudley laughing behind the window, Aunt Marge stood behind him sneering. Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon were not in sight, but Harry knew that they wouldn't help him.
He decided to stay in the tree, surely, he thought, Ripper would get tired soon enough and leave him alone.
By the end of the afternoon, Harry had been in the tree for hours and the dog was still growling and barking underneath him.
It wasn't until after midnight, after neighbors had complained about the noise Ripper was making, that Aunt Marge called Ripper to order and Harry was finally able to leave the tree.
He stumbled into his cupboard tired and depressed. How long, he wondered, could he stay with the Dursleys until he could leave? He didn't want to be there anymore. There had to be something better for him.
~~**~~**~~**
A/N: There you go, I hope you like it. I'm starting on the next chapter, hopefully I can get more time to work on this story and can get the next chapter posted soon. Thank you all for reviewing, I enjoy knowing how much you like the story. Enjoy and Review!