Young and Helpless
Chapter Four
The rest of the car ride, Harry sat, huddled at the back of the car, completely frightened. Can I trust him? Harry thought over and over. He was afraid. He had trusted his real family also, at one point. Before his uncle had started hurting him on his Fifth birthday.
"We're almost there." Remus announced, as he turned on Church Hill. Harry recognized the street when he had been forced only yesterday to stay out of his aunt's sight. He remembered the family, shoveling snow, and the children, happy and carefree. He sniffled softly.
The car came to a halt on the driveway of number 49.
"Harry. Will you get out of the car with me?" Remus asked gently, crouching at the side door, which he opened halfway.
Harry shook his head.
"Sorry." He mumbled, keeping his eyes closed.
Remus sighed, and reached out for Harry, instead picking him up, and carrying him out of the car.
Harry stiffened, as he shut his eyes tighter. A memory flashed through his mind.
"I TOLD YOU NOT TO SIT ON THE WINDOW SIDE OF THE CAR. THAT IS DUDLEY'S FAVORITE SEAT. BUT NO! NOT A SINGLE BIT OF RESPECT!" Uncle Vernon shouted at the cowering little boy, who sat at the edge of the car seat, eyes filling with frightful tears.
"I-I'm S-s-s-sorry. P-p-please." Harry whimpered, shuddering.
Uncle Vernon bent down, grabbing him, and slamming the door behind him. He walked into the house angrily, and then lifted Harry, so that they were eye level.
"You listen here. You have better show this family a little respect because we took you in, we gave you a home, clothes, and food. Not being able to follow simple rules at your age is ABSOLUTELY INTOLLERABLE! YOU ARE GOING TO START LISTENING TO YOUR ELDERS, AND SUPERIORS. Or else you may find yourself hurting much more than you already do now." His uncle said, menacingly.
He thrust Harry onto his shoulder, and began to hit him, on his back. Loud, fierce slaps echoed through the house drowning the sobs and pleads of the little boy.
Harry's eyes snapped open, and he gasped, staring down at the moving pavement bellow, feeling the strong arms wrapped around him.
He began to struggle.
"Hey. Come on. We're almost there." Remus said, as he stepped onto the proch, opening the door, and walking in.
"NO!" Harry shouted desperately, as he tried to wriggle free from Remus' grasp.
"What the-." Remus began, as the door clicked shut, and he stopped, trying to keep a hold of the little boy in the middle of his house's hallway.
"P-Please, Stop! Don't! No!" Harry moaned, as he continued to struggle.
"Harry, it's okay I'm just trying to-." Remus began again.
Harry screamed, and began to sob loudly, still struggling.
"Harry, I-." But Remus' voice was drowned out by Harry's sobs.
Suddenly, Remus' grip faltered, and Harry went tumbling to the floor, landing on his back with a yelp, before he struggled to get up, and began to run down the tiled hall, away from Remus.
"Harry! Please! I was trying to help. Harry!" Remus shouted, as he tried to catch up with the boy.
Harry tripped, landing hard on the cold tile floor. He brought his arms up to his face, and began to sob hard into his arms.
Remus stopped, watching Harry continue to sob in his arms.
"Harry." Remus said, his voice cracking with fear and concern.
Harry moaned, and continued to sob into his arms, but no longer as loudly as he had been moments ago.
Remus edged forward. What did they do to him? Look at him. He's scared of physical contact. Remus thought. He felt the back of his eyes prickling, and took a moment to compose himself.
He made his way slowly to the quivering figure lying on his floor. He crouched down beside him, and waited.
Harry murmured quietly as tears continued to silently run down his cheek, and into his arms.
Remus strained his ears to listen to Harry's murmuring.
"I didn't mean to. It was an accident. Please. Stop hurting me." Harry murmured into his arms, still shaking with fright.
Remus closed his eyes. How could this have happened? Slowly, he outstretched his arm, and placed it gently on Harry's back.
Harry froze.
"Shh." Remus cooed, and began to massage Harry's back in soothing circles.
"M-moony. I d-don't want to hurt an-ny more." Harry whimpered quietly.
"Don't worry. I promise you wont." Remus said.
Remus gazed down at the sleeping figure in his arms. It had token quite some time to gain Harry's trust, but he believed that Harry had definitely warmed up a little to him.
His heart ached, as he gazed down at the figure. Harry's eyes were closed, and he was breathing softly, clinging onto Remus' shirt unintentionally.
He shifted Harry's weight more to his left, trying to free his right hand to open the door of his Guest room, or soon to be Harry's room.
Harry winced, and moaned.
"Harry?" Remus cooed.
"Ow…" Harry moaned again, not daring to open his eyes.
"I'm sorry. Am I hurting you?" Remus asked quietly.
Harry nodded into Remus shirt, his tiny fingers tightening their grasp on his shirt.
The door creaked open, and Remus shifted Harry's weight evenly once again.
Remus walked over to the small bed on the left side of the room. He placed Harry carefully on to the bed. Harry silently let go of his shirt, instead curling against the sheets of his bed.
Remus walked over to the blinds and shut them, to block out the sunlight.
"Better Harry?" Remus asked.
But little Harry was already fast asleep, shoes, jacket and all.
Remus smiled fondly at the little boy, before gently undoing the laces of Harry's shoes, pulling them off. He also undid Harry's jacket, slipping it off his shoulders.
For a moment, Remus stared at Harry's injured shoulder, Afraid of how badly it really was. Smart Boy, He thought, wearing a long sleeve black shirt like that. Remus sighed. He wasn't going to look at the wound just yet. Not without Harry's complete co-operation.
Not today, Moony. Not today. No, Today, or rather tonight, You kick the Dursleys' Arses. Remus smirked, nodding silently, as a mischievous grin pulled at his lips.
A/N: Thanks For the Overwhelming amount of Reviews! (Edited Version)