This isn't my sandbox, its JK Rowlings.

"Dudleykins! It's time to start getting ready to go to the zoo! Your friends should be here in an hour!" Petunia's shrill voice called up to Dudley, who was blasting aliens on his new video game system. His last one was lying in a heap in his second bedroom. He had broken it less than two weeks after he had gotten it for his birthday.

"Okay, Mum!" Dudley called down, not bothering to start getting ready. He had to finish killing the blasted buggers first. His mother would understand.

Harry was outside, working on the garden. Working outside was always better than inside, as the Dursleys couldn't do much to him, fearing that their neighbors would find out about the dirty little secret that was Harry Potter. Harry reached up and wiped the sweat off of his forehead, careful to brush down his bangs. Uncle Vernon would beat him if the neighbors saw the curious lightning bolt-shaped scar that rested underneath them. I better be careful, Harry thought as he dug deeper in the dirt to plant a few geraniums to replace the peonies that had died with the mid-summer heat. Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon won't want to wait for me to wash up before heading out, and they won't want the neighbors seeing me covered in dirt either. After I finish planting these, I better sneak in and wash up. They'll probably be calling me in soon anyways, to make 'Ickle Duddleykins' a special little lunch before they head out. Harry almost snorted at the thought of Dudley being called ickle. Anyone could see that Dudley was definitely not little. Pig would be a much better nickname. Pig and Freak, can't you just tell that they're cousins? Harry stood up and went inside, careful to not touch anything before sneaking into the bathroom and washing up.

Petunia had heard the backdoor open, and knew that Harry was washing up. Once she heard the bathroom door open and shut a second time, she called for the freak. "Freak! Come make my precious Ickle Duddleykins his lunch! And hurry up you lazy boy!".

0-0-0-0-0

Harry hurried to the kitchen, and started making several roast beef sandwiches for Dudley. He had just finished making the first when there was a knock on the door.

Uncle Vernon looked at Petunia after glancing at the clock that hung on the parlor wall above the fireplace. "One of Duddleykin's friends must be early," she replied to his questioning look as she got up to answer the door.

Vernon huffed at this. "At least they're early, and not late". Vernon hated waiting for others, though he didn't much like it when they arrived early either.

0-0-0-0-0

Severus Snape arrived at Number Four Privet Drive at exactly 11:23 after stopping at the Leaky Caldron for a pick-me-up and to figure out a plan of action regarding Harry Potter. He wasn't a Slytherin for nothing. He assumed that Harry Potter had been treated like a king for his entire life, and was nothing more than a carbon copy of James Potter. That must be why he needs his precious Hogwart's letter hand-delivered, he thought as he glanced at the letter to check that he had the right address. This train of thought was abruptly stopped as he finally realized what exactly the letter said. The Cupboard Under the Stairs? Potter lives in a Cupboard? Snape shook his head. I must be mistaken. This is obviously a prank from Albus. He sighed, walked up to the door, and knocked at the door.

Petunia opened the door, expecting to see one of Dudley's friends at the door. She stood there shocked, seeing the man who had once been that awful boy who had torn her sister away from her. He was the one who had ruined her sister's life and therefore had gotten her blown up and left Petunia with the freakish little brat. "What are you doing here?" she hissed.

"Petunia," Severus said with a sneer. "You of all people should know why I'm here. The boy is almost eleven, is he not?"

Frightened, Petunia said "Dudley?"

Severus scoffed "Of course not. I'm here for the Potter boy."

Vernon appeared behind Petunia, and started turning purple at the sight of the greasy-haired man's robes. "You! You're… you're one of them, aren't you? We swore when we took the little freak in that we'd stamp out that...freakishness of his!"

Petunia looked at her husband and saw that his anger would soon turn to rage. She decided that this conversation would be better completed inside closed doors, lest the neighbors should see. She was loath to let that awful man inside her house, but had little other choice. She took Vernon's arm, gently and lead him to the side, letting Snape pass through the front door of Number Four, Privet Drive.

0-0-0-0-0

Snape walked into the parlor and stood next to the unlit fireplace. Petunia led an increasingly purple Vernon to sit on the couch across from Snape.

Vernon took a deep breath as he sat down. "What do you freaks want? Haven't we done enough, taking in that.. Freak of a boy, " he boomed at Snape.

Snape looked at the man across from him coldly. He was reminded of his own father, a muggle who had been known for his temper, and how it was shown through his fists. "I am here for the Potter boy."

"Finally taking him off of our hands?"

"I will be giving him his Hogwarts letter."

"That.. freak school that Petunia's awful sister went to? No. The boy will not go there. I will not pay for him to go to a school run by a crackpot to learn freakish tricks! He will be going to Stonewall High!" Vernon yelled and continued on a tirade.

Hearing this through the kitchen walls, Harry was curious. Who is that stranger Uncle Vernon is talking to? He wondered, peering through the kitchen's door at the parlor, careful to not be seen by his Uncle, as he knew that if Vernon saw him he would almost certainly be beaten and be locked in his cupboard for a week. He could not stop himself from being seen by the stranger, however.

So that's the Potter boy, Snape thought as he glanced in Harry's direction. He met the boy's eyes, and silently, wandlessly cast legilimens. In a split second, he saw what the boy was thinking, and quickly went through a few of the boy's memories. What? He really does sleep in a cupboard? That muggle that Petunia is married to is as abusive as my own father was? Snape was shocked. He had never thought that the Boy-Who-Lived was nothing less than a spoiled celebrity. Now he knew what he really was, a neglected, abused child. This changes things. His mind went to work figuring out a new plan as Vernon slowly stopped his yelling. Thanks to years as a spy, Snape hadn't let the shock of his new knowledge of the boy who lived appear on his face.

0-0-0-0-0

"Finished?" Severus asked as the purple color fled from Vernon's face. "Harry Potter will be going to Hogwarts. You will not have to pay for anything. He will come with me today, and he will not be returned home until tomorrow."

At this, Petunia stood up. "Take the little freak. But don't bring him back. He doesn't belong here. We only took him in because you freaks left him on our doorstep 10 years ago! This was never his home," she said boldly.

Snape felt a wave of magic crash down from around the house. Well, there goes any wards that Dumbledore set up based on this family's intent. Snape smirked, "Well then, I'll just take the boy and go. You will never see him again, unless he wills it."

Harry had felt the wards fall too, though he didn't know what he felt. He stumbled into the parlor, but didn't trip and fall. He was shocked at Snape's words. I can leave the Dursleys and never see them again? Is that true? Can I trust this man? And what kind of school is Hogwarts? What does this mean for my future? Harry had often thought of his future, planning how he would leave the Dursleys as soon as he was old enough to run away and get a job. But with this new change… who knows what could happen.

Vernon smiled at the thought of never seeing his nephew again. "Take him. I never want to see you or any freaks of yours again. Boy!" Vernon called for Harry, even though Harry was already in the room. "You're leaving with this man."

"Okay Uncle Vernon," Harry replied, looking at the floor. He almost wanted to jump for joy at the thought of never seeing his Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin again.

"Go get your things," Snape commanded, and Harry walked out of the room.

0-0-0-0-0

Harry grabbed a small backpack that he used to carry his school books in. He only owned a few school supplies, given to him by his school for free, along with a few changes of Dudley's old clothes. He put these few items in the backpack and left his cupboard. Snape was standing next to it, having seen where the boy went. He peeked inside as Harry left, astonished at the sight of a small dog bed that looked like it had been Harry's mattress.

Snape shook off the shock and turned to Harry. "Ready to go?". Harry just nodded.

At that moment, Dudley came out of his room. He hadn't paid attention to his father's yells, figuring that Harry had just gotten in trouble again. He tromped down the stairs, and seeing Harry, decided to punch him, just for the fun of it. He didn't notice the strange man standing behind Harry.

Harry saw the punch coming and stepped to the side. Snape stepped back to avoid the punch as well, causing Dudley to fall to the ground as the punch connected to air. Snape took out his wand, waved it, and suddenly, Dudley had a pink pig's tail. Dudley squealed, and Petunia rushed in after hearing both the thud of Dudley's fall and his subsequent squeal. She screamed.

Harry covered his mouth with a hand to try and stop himself from giggling. Snape smirked at this, and took Harry's other hand, leading out of the house.

"Where are we going?" Harry asked.

"Far away from here," Snape replied, flashing a rare smile. "Hold tight."

With a pop, Snape and Harry apparated far away from Number Four, Privet Drive, Cupboard Under the Stairs.

Author's Note: Bit of a longer chapter, due to the time since my last update and due to me getting used to writing. I'll try to update either weekly or every other week. Thanks for reading! Reviews are very much appreciated!