You Should See my Scars
Chapter 1
"Get up you bleeding ponce, I'm not waiting any longer for you to clean by bike!" shouted Dudley through the door of Harry's small bedroom at number 4 privet drive. When Dudley did not hear any response to his tirade, he proceeded to knock on the door in a way that was sure to wake the dead. Petunia was about to come up and get Dudley to stop. Ever since Dudley had been turned down from a school tip to America, on the basis that his parents did not want to buy two airplane tickets just to fit their elephantine son, Dudley had been taking his aggression on anything and everything. His diet was still strict, but other than that, some rules had started to slip a little bit. Partly because of his age and partly because all of his friends were in America without him.
After a few moments, Dudley got bored of his beating on the door and decided to barge in, hopefully catching harry doing something against the rules. He hoped fervently that Harry's wand was not anywhere in sight. When Dudley fit his girth past the door frame and into the room, he was surprised to find that his cousin's wand was not the only thing not in sight. The room no longer had any traces of Harry at all, despite a folded pile of worn clothes on the end of the bed. Even all the mess from Harry's owl was gone.
Dudley, still afraid that something might jump out at any time, slowly backed out of the room.
"Mum! Dad! Come here and see this!" he called down the stairs. Noting the slight panic in their son's voice, Petunia and Vernon, who had been reading the paper at the kitchen table, quickly went up the stairs to where Dudley was.
"What is it, Diddykins?" cooed Aunt Petunia. Dudley was still Staring wide-eyed into Harry's room.
"I swear, if that boy has done anything…freaky" at that word, Vernon crinkled his nose and went slightly beetroot "I'll make sure he won't eat for a week."
"It's not that." Said a breathless Dudley. The traces panic started leaving his face as realization dawned "Harry's gone." As the words left his mouth, and with some trouble fitting through the door frame, he lead his parents into the room.
"All of it's gone, even that ruddy owl. But what are these?" Vernon was looking at a pile of clothes on the end of the bed.
"Wait, I found something" said aunt Petunia as she picked a piece of paper up off the side table. "It looks like a letter from Harry." At this, her voice softened as it would not have two years before. She had formed a more companionable relationship with her nefew since Dumbledore's howler.
"Well, go on then" said Vernon gruffly. "Read it out."
As usual, Harry had helped Petunia with supper. He had grown much over the past year and was now as tall as Vernon, a fact that the older man tried to ignore whenever possible. Harry's shoulders had broadened, his hair calmed down a bit, and he was toned from jogging each morning. He wore much smaller and slylish glasses than the thick plastic frames that he once had. Harry had gone through a self-induced makeover for his next year at Hogwarts. He wanted to do something other than being the boy-who-lived, and if looking good would do the trick, then so be it. He wanted to be different without being drastic. As Dudley and Vernon walked into the kitchen, Petunia was putting the final touches on supper.
"Come on, sit down, we don't want it to get cold, do we?" They all followed her order and took a seat at the food-laden table. After Harry pulled his chair in, he took the time to look around the average-sized kitchen. He had never "liked" the Dursley household, per say, but it had been a very calm and uneventful summer in the aftermath of Sirius death. He might miss it.
Harry joined in the over-supper conversation that mostly had to do with football. Vernon said that West Ham had the best chance, while Dudley said that he would cheer for Fulham. Harry thought that Liverpool was looking the best they had in years, which got him a sharp look from Vernon, but no comments. The talk slowly turned to what Dudley would be doing after his last year of school.
"Well, as you know, my wrestling had been getting a lot of attention, so I think I will do that."
"But dear, surly there is something else you would like to do in the meantime?" asked Petunia.
"Now Petunia" started Uncle Vernon, "let the boy have his dreams." Had Dudley's mouth not been full of food, he might have said something to that. "And anyway, we know that he will be good at anything that he will do, unlike some people." Vernon sneered in a very unsuspecting Harry's direction.
"But—"
"I don't want to hear anything about the bloody school of yours."
"All right, but—"
"No!"
There wasn't anymore talking as they finished their meal and Harry washed the plates. As soon as he threw the napkins and dishtowels in to the laundry room, Harry took one more look around the house, glanced at the Dursleys in front of the television, met eyes with Petunia, and went upstairs.
As soon as the lock on his door clicked closed, Harry took off his shoes and laid down for a short nap. When he woke up after a half an hour, Harry started folding up his newly bought muggle clothes and piling all his school supplies in an orderly way on his bed. Once this was finished, he cleaned the rest of the room and removed any clues that he had ever been there. As soon as the room was clean, he sat down to write a letter. He was distracted when Hedwig flew in his open window and settled in her cage with a bit of small animal that Harry did not want to know anything about. He finished the letter and set it on his side table and pulled something out of his pocket to add to it. After a few minutes of standing around, trying to decide what to do, Harry heard his watch beep, and knew that it was midnight.
"Happy Birthday Harry" he whispered to himself as he got up to wait by the window. Sure enough, a large tawny owl soon flew to the windowsill and waited for Harry to untie the letter from her leg. He could have sworn that she wore a look of distaste at the muggle surroundings. "Oh, there's no reason for that." Harry said as he took the letter from her and pointed towards the water in Hedwig's cage. She took a grateful drink and flew off again. Harry opened the letter and read the contents.
Dear Mr. Harry Potter,
Due to current circumstances, and with the influence of Headmaster Dumbledore, the letter is to inform you that for the rest of the summer, all defensive and such helpful spells are fully allowed for those who are sixteen. Please note that all offensive and novelty spells will be reviewed. Thank you for your time and we apologize at the time of arrival of this letter.
The department of wizarding licensing
Ministry of magic
Harry smiled an unhappy smile, folded up the letter, and took out his wand. He heard a sound coming from Dudley's room and grimaced at what he knew his cousin was doing. It wasn't like he didn't do it, but the picture of Dudley doing it was enough to put anyone off that certain habit. Firmly pushing the thought out of his mind, Harry turned his attention back to what he was doing. He got out his trunk and set it on the little bit of floor between the floor and the wall. He then reached under the bed to retrieve his secret food stash and set it apart from his other belongings, but not before taking a bit of Honeydukes' best chocolate. Harry then started systematically shrinking all of his possessions. He was done after a few minutes, and opted to put all the items in his trunk manually, so as to economize the space best. Changing his mind, he picked up the food and added it to the trunk.
"Come on Hedwig, go to Ron, he's staying where I'll be." Hedwig hooted indignantly, but got out of her cage, nibbled his fingers, and flew out the window toward London. Harry picked up her cage, performed a cleaning spell on it, and put it into the trunk that would not have held it had the clothes and such not been shrunk. Once he was sure he had everything, Harry closed his trunk and put it up on the bed. He made sure the letter was clearly visible and decided to do one more read-over.
Dear Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, and Dudley,
I know that this will be a mild surprise, but I know it is for the best. We have not had the best of times, but I want to thank you for taking me in when you did not need to. Just know that if you had not, the world would be much worse off than it is. After this school year I will not come back to live with you, but I will write to you in the normal way with my address should you ever have need of it. If there is any reason why I cannot send you the information, you will be notified as to why.
Harry hoped that they would not realize that meant that he might not be alive to tell them his address. If Dudley and Vernon realized it, they would probably cheer. He wasn't sure what Aunt Petunia would think.
You will see that I have left Dudley's old clothes here. Please give them to charity. Again, thank you and it has been interesting living here.
Your nephew
Harry potter
With a nod, Harry set the letter back down next to what he had pulled out of his pocket earlier. Harry was happy with what he was doing and let a small smile play around his full lips. He took one last look around the small bedroom, closed the window, and walked out into the hall. He checked that all the lights were out, and summoned his trunk from his bed, thinking quickly, he cast a lightening charm before the trunk tore his arm off. Harry took the stairs quickly but quietly, placed a well aimed kick at the cupboard, and walked out of 4 Privet Drive for the last time.
Once he reached the street, he stuck out his wand arm and waited a couple seconds for the Knight Bus to arrive.
"Well that's the last we will see of that good-for-nothing—" started Vernon.
"Does this mean" interrupted Dudley "that I can have my spare bedroom back?"
"Of course it does, now go downstairs and start helping with breakfast!"
"I…but…"
"Go!" Dudley looked put out, but turned from the room and lumbered off down the stairs.
"Are you sure that this mean no more funny business for good?" Vernon asked his wife, much sobered from a moment ago.
"Yes Vernon, you won't have to see him again"
Vernon grunted "Good, that boy was never any use." At that, he left the room to go make sure that Dudley didn't burn the house down by heating water.. As soon as he was gone, Petunia turned back to the sidetable and picked up a small parchment envelope addressed to her. She hadn't let her husband or son see it. Se tucked the letter into the pocket of her apron and opened the tiny envelope. She involuntarily gasped at the tiny piece of art that fell into her palm. It was about 5 centimeters square and made of very thin glass, though it was much harder than normal glass. Painted on it were two flowers with intertwining stems. They were done in exquisite detail and she realized what types they were when she read the inscription on the bottom. "Lily and Petunia Evans." Harry's Aunt stood there for a few minutes just staring at the minute and beautiful gift. She was torn from her reverie from a loud crash and colorful swearing coming from the kitchen. Petunia took one more look at the object, smiled, and put it into her pocket for temporary safe-keeping. She then walked out of the room with a little shake of her head.
"Well 'ello 'arry" Stan Shunpike stepped out of the Knight Bus and shook Harry by the hand. "Good to see you again."
"Hi Stan, how has your summer been?"
"Well, it's been a right old trick, just the other day—"
"Come on Stan, we have to get going" said Ernie Prang from the conductors' seat. Harry followed Stan onto the bus, paid him 11 silver sickles, and opted for a cushy armchair instead of a bed. As soon as Ernie closed the door, they were off with a bang.
"Where to?" asked Stan.
"Um…8 Grimmauld Place, London."
Stan turned from his seat to make sure that Ernie heard what Harry said.
The bus made a huge swerve around a London intersection. As Harry righted himself and retrieved his trunk from across the isle, he caught Stan looking at him.
"Isn't that in an old muggle part of London?" he blurted.
"Er…I guess so" answered Harry.
"Whatcha doin' there?"
"I…have relatives to visit" lied Harry smoothly.
"But… I thought…with your parents…"
"Muggle relatives" said Harry in a way that stopped the uncomfortable questions. A few minutes later they arrived at an abrupt stop in front of the house that Harry had specified. As he was stepping onto the sidewalk, Stan made a face like he wanted to say something, but changed his mind.
"Bye" Harry said simply as the door closed and the bus zoomed off. He looked around at the street to make sure that no one else was about, and set off toward number 12 Grimmauld place. The street was dark and the night sky shone with stars. Harry was jus walking up to the door when he heard a noise coming from within. Sensing the worst, he was cautious as he entered.
"Oh, hello Harry dear, you must be exhausted" said Mrs. Weasley from the kitchen door way. Harry nodded and set his trunk down, going to the plump woman and giving her a hug. "Oh come on Harry, we must get you to bed. Ron is already asleep" He let go of her, and before he could, she pointed her wand at his trunk ad banished it to his room. He thanked her and started to drag himself up the stairs. As soon as he was inside his room, he stripped off his outer layer of clothes and fell into bed, barely pulling the covers over him before he was asleep.
This is my first piece of Fan Fiction. Erm...Please be kind if you decide to leave a review. Also, please note that this will have slash in it. It may be a while off, but there will be some (I will blush horribly while I am writing it, but I'll get over it). The rating is M for now, it migt go down, depending on how good my wrting is for the juicy parts. The is was writin a couple months ago, while on a road trip. I had tried to put it down, but it just kept nagging at me. So, here I am, dong this whenI should be working on college applications...
The Title of the story and chapters are all form Garbage songs. I am not a major Garbage fan, but I thought they fit.
No copyright infringement is intended and I give credit to J.K.Rowling and her publishers. Oh, and that tiny little company called Warner Brothers...
Random Fact about my HP Fan-ness- I orginall got into Harry/Draco when one of my friends told me that if you search for "Harry and Draco" on the internet, tons of pictures of them making out will come up. I was, of course, intrigued. I saw on drawing that I followed the link to and turned out to be connected to Beren's "Gold Tinted Spectacles". It was the first, and by far the best, slash i have ever had the pleasure of reading. You can find in on Do note that it is NC-17.