Young and Helpless
Chapter Three
Harry sat at the corner of his cupboard, the next day, playing with a bit of string he had found on the floor, trying to untie the very large and complicated knot. He sighed, and let the string slip from his fingers. Instead, his fingers impatiently searched for something in his small pile of clothes. For a minute, he sat there, searching through his stuff, until his fingers brushed against a piece of canvas. He grasped it, and picked it up, staring at it with sparkling eyes. My picture. He thought.
After a moment of staring longingly at his painted self, which was smiling up at nothing in particular, he set it back down in its resting place. He wanted to hurt me. He was going to hurt me. I want my FRIEND back. He sniffled, as he remembered Moony, and his kind and gentle voice, before he had tried to hit Harry, or so Harry thought.
Harry sighed lightly, biting at his lower lip. He began to play with the bottom of his shirt, admiring the stitches that held it together. He lifted his shirt silently, to look at his injuries.
He ignored the fading bruise at his left side, and instead studied his cut from the night before. He carefully tried touching it, and winced. It's going to take a long time before it stops hurting. He thought, as his face fell.
He tried touching the left shoulder, where the belt had hit him also. He winced. It's worse. He thought, shutting his eyes tightly, trying not to tear up.
The doorbell sounded.
"Petunia!" His uncle's voice rose from upstairs.
Harry heard the clicks of his aunt's heels pass his cupboard and up to the door.
"Good morning. Ms. Dursley?" A man's voice spoke from the door. Harry ignored, instead looking through the pile of clothes for a good shirt that would cover all of his wounds. He found a long-sleeved black one, and put it on, trying not to get tangled in it.
"-yes. I'm here to take Harry. It seems he's been causing a bit of trouble in class and so he will-." The man's voice rang in his ears.
"Again?" His aunt said, in a dangerous voice. Harry shrank back, afraid of her voice.
"Well yes. So the school has suggested he do voluntary service. He'll be coming with me today, to start this. Is he home?" The man asked.
"Yes. Could you step outside for a moment while I go get him? I think he might be still sleeping, and wouldn't want to embarrass him, if he came down in his PJ's." Petunia lied, trying hard to hide her nervousness.
"Oh, that's fine really. I'm quite used to-." The man began.
"Uh, no! I insist!" Petunia said, and Harry could have sworn he heard her shove him carefully back outside before closing the door.
"Harry!" She called mockingly, before striding over to the cupboard, and thrusting it open.
"You heard the man. If your Uncle finds out, you wont live to see tomorrow." Petunia muttered menacingly.
Harry gulped, and carefully grabbed his jacket, trying to flatten his hair.
Petunia opened the door.
"Harry," She began in a fake gentle voice. "This is Mr. Remus Lupin, He'll be taking you today so you can make up for all your naughtiness." Petunia finished, pursing her lips as if it tasted bad to be so gentle.
Harry looked up, and his eyes widened. Moony. He thought, and he felt his heart begin to pound faster.
"Be a good boy." Petunia said, as her lips twitched to form a strained smile.
"Yes Aunt Petunia." Harry answered.
"He'll be back around nine." Remus said, before turning around and walking to his car, Harry nervously tailing him.
"Harry, please get in the car." Remus said, gesturing to the back seats.
Harry nodded silently, feeling himself shake with fear. Bye Bye, Life. He thought, as he sat down, closing the door behind him.
Remus opened his own door, sat down, closed it, and began driving off silently. As soon as he turned the corner, He stopped the car, and turned around to face Harry.
Harry shut his eyes immediately.
"Harry." Remus began gently, but he faltered when he watched Harry shrink away.
"I d-didn't mean it. I'll pay for it. Just don't hurt-t me." Harry whimpered from somewhere in his arms.
"Harry I'm not planning to hurt you. I just want to help, I swe-." Remus began again, as his brow furrowed.
"T-that's what they all s-say. You're lying to me."
"Who are they?" Remus asked gently, as he shifted himself to a more comfortable position, gazing upon the curled figure in front of him.
"All if them. They wanted to help, but Uncle Vernon got mad after. Everyone hates me." Harry murmured, as he covered his eyes with his hands.
"Everyone doesn't hate you, Harry. I don't." Remus said gently.
"You wanted to hurt me yesterday. I d-didn't mean to break your c-cup." Harry whimpered.
Remus went silent, staring hard at Harry with concern.
"I don't want to hurt you. I'm taking you away from your family. You're coming to live with me." Remus said firmly.
Harry whimpered.
"I don't want to go. He'll come looking for me, and t-then he'll-." Harry voice faltered, and he brought his knees to his chest, wrapping his arms around them, and began to cry silently into his arms.
"Harry. Please don't cry. I swear, I'm here to help. Look. I bought a new cup. It's okay. It was an accident." Remus cooed softly.
Harry shook his head from between his arms.
Remus sighed. What have they done? He thought. He unbuckled his seat belt, and got out of the front of his car, instead going to the back.
Harry continued to whimper softly into his own arms.
Carefully, Remus placed a gentle hand around Harry's shoulders, making sure to avoid the injury he knew was on his shoulder.
At first Harry stiffened, letting out a small and choked sob, before he relaxed slightly.
"I'm going to help you Harry. I promise." Remus said firmly, closing his eyes. I promise Lily and James. Your son is in good hands…
A/N: Thank You Again for all the reviews. (Edited Version)