A/N: The story will be deviating from the original books more from here on out, most major plot lines will stay the same with some changes. So here we go this is going to be the darkest chapter of the story so be prepared, it's not pretty.

Chapter 5

The summer after Harry's first year at Hogwarts was the worst time in his life. The emotional and verbal abuse was cranked up to a level that Harry didn't even know was possible. But that was easy enough to ignore and block out of his mind; he had years of practice after all. The beatings on the other hand, well, they were so much worse than before. Those he couldn't just block out of his mind; he tried to shut down his brain as much as possible during these frequent sessions but it only really helped the time go by faster. There was some good and bad news about the beatings; the good news was Harry had gotten over his fear of the bat. Now Uncle Vernon no longer got the pleasure of seeing him collapse into a ball from fear before beating him, the bad news he switched tools. His new favorite "educational tool" was a riding whip that he'd gotten for Dudley when the boy had wanted to learn how to ride horses. On the bright side Harry didn't have to worry about broken bones anymore, but he often times wished for the bat instead of the whip. The relatively rare broken bones were preferable to the long bloody lines which covered much of his back and arms. They stung horribly every time Harry would bend or twist whilst doing the mountain of chores he was expected to perform.

But what hurt Harry the most, far worse than anything his uncle or any of the other Dursleys could do to him was that his friends had forgotten about him. Ginny forgetting about him hurt the most. Somewhere deep in his mind he'd known that there was no way she could have cared about him the way he cared about her. Once he had accepted his lonely fate again the days ceased to matter; the beatings were the only marker of time. That was until the night of the twentieth. His uncle had wrenched his arm and pulled him to the side after breakfast that morning, Uncle Vernon informed him that if Harry messed this night up for him not only would he beat Harry within in an inch of his life, he'd lock him in his room for a week with no food. The wild look in his eye let Harry know he wasn't exaggerating. Harry was relatively confident he could make it through the night easily,though; all he had to do was sit in his room, make no noise and pretend he didn't exist. Which was basically his only past time at the Dursleys anyway. However, Harry had been scared enough to hide two bottles of water and a few slices of bread in his room just in case; he would've taken more but he feared them noticing.

Of course fate was as cruel to him as always, and that was the night that a house elf named Dobby decided to stop Harry from going to Hogwarts. By the end of the night his door had been screwed shut and Harry laid on the floor bleeding and barely able to breathe from what he assumed were a few broken ribs. His back was shredded from the deepest lashings he'd ever received. But his wounds weren't why Harry was silently sobbing, curled up in a ball on the floor. No despite all the pain he was in there was only one thought in his mind: they cared, they hadn't forgotten him. And Ginny, oh, Ginny, his saving angle had written him almost every day. She cared and that was the thought that got him through the worst beating and night of his life. He laid there curled up in a ball to protect his letters, to protect his only connection to the wizarding world where one day he could be whole again.

Harry wasn't sure how many days had passed while he was locked in his room. He'd been woken up shortly the next day to the sound of Uncle Vernon putting bars over his window, laughing like a maniac. Harry quickly passed out again from the pain. His only real marker of time was waking up long enough to feed Hedwig the pieces of bread he'd hidden in his room. Reading the letters were what kept him going; he only allowed himself to read one at a time he so he would have a reason to wake up again. He started with Ginny's because those gave him the most hope and strength. The first few were written a day or two apart but they quickly became dated daily. After the first few she asked him if she did something wrong or if he was mad at her. When he read the hurt in her words his heart broke and he wept for the pain he'd caused her. Then they became worried about him, asking if he was alright, if he was safe. She always tried to put something happy or cheerful in them to brighten his day, and that's those images were the last in his mind every time he closed his eyes.

He woke up one night to Hedwig hooting softly, almost as if she was trying to quietly wake him. Once he opened his eyes he was extremely confused, his room was glowing red. After he put his glasses on and rolled out of bed wincing at the pain, he peered out the window in amazement at the sight before him. The cause of the red light cast on the room was none other than a flying blue Ford Anglia. There was a red head leaning out of it tying a rope around the bars, a huge smile spread on Harry's lips – he was saved.

Once the twins and Ron got the bars off Harry quickly passed Hedwig to them. They were about to ask where his trunk was when they heard his Uncles roar of rage, they dropped the subject and helped Harry into the car with one look at his terror filled face. None of them said anything, but Harry noticed the way they wrinkled their noses when he got in and he was immediately ashamed. He embarrassedly explained that he hadn't been allowed a shower in a couple of days. This stunned the other boys. They kept up a steady stream of conversation talking at Harry on the way to the Burrow; they seemed to sense he didn't want to talk much. Harry was grateful for friends like them who ignored his disgusting condition and talked to him like nothing was wrong.

Harry was amazed as he looked around at the Burrow after they had landed safely. Though some might have called the home a little shabby, to Harry it was the most homely and welcoming place he'd ever seen. It looked like it was built with magic and slowly added on to over the years. Once they snuck inside he could see it was full of magic, from knitting needles knitting away by themselves to the pots and pans washing in the sink by a magic sponge. He'd never seen magic used so freely. It was a sight that made him love the magic world even more.

"Where HAVE you been! No note, empty beds and your father's car MISSING!" A rosy- -cheeked, plump lady scolded as she came into the kitchen, Harry shrank back at the yelling out of habit and Mrs. Weasley seemed to notice.

"Not that I blame you, Harry, dear." she cooed sweetly.

"They were starving him, Mum-"

"-Yeah, look how skinny he is." The twins tried to defend their actions.

"They had bars on his windows!" Ron added to help their defense. Mrs. Weasley looked at Harry and worry creased her brow.

"Well, you do look like you could use something to eat. Come here and eat." She glared at her boys. "You lot will be de-gnoming the garden today," she finished.

As Harry turned his back to the stairs to sit he heard a squeak, then someone grab his arm and turned him around. As he was spun around all he seen was a raised hand. Harry gasped and collapsed into a ball to protect himself from the coming beating. He passed out as he hit the floor from a combination of pain and hunger. The last thing he heard before the lights went out was a sweet voice full of panic calling his name.

Harry woke slowly to the sound of quiet whispers and a small soft hand clinging to his desperately.

"How could they do this to him, Mum?" It was Ginny's normally sweet voice, but this time it was thick with tears.

"I-I I don't know, Honey, all we can do now is be here for him and help him recover from this. Somehow." He heard footsteps leaving the room.

Harry noticed he was laying face down on a soft but lumpy couch. He started to try and push himself up. He had to get off the couch before he ruined it.

"It's ok, Harry, it's just us. Stay laying down and rest," came Ginny's sweet, soothing voice.

"Can't - I smell. I'll ruin the couch." He made to push himself up but felt her small, soft hand hold him firmly in place.

"You're fine Harry. Just rest a moment."

It was then that Harry noticed something that made the hair on the back of his neck stand up, his shirt was gone! She could see his back! They knew! That's what she was asking about! Oh, God, Ginny knew; she shouldn't see him like this!

"P-Please d-don't look at me, Gin. Not like this." he choked out barely a whisper at the end and kept his head turned away so he wouldn't have to see the pity on her face.

He felt her free hand slide under his chin.

"Harry, look at me," she told him softly while turning his head towards her. He took a shaky breath but did as he was told. He felt his glasses carefully placed on his face. And there she was – Ginny. His breath caught at the sight of her. He felt a warmth spread through his chest. But the thing that really shocked him was her face: it was tear stained. She had been crying, but more than that it was her expression. There was no pity on her face. All that he could see in her eyes was caring, such deep caring that it surprised him. Her brow was furrowed in worry for him and her mouth was pulled in a tight line. She didn't pity him; she knew he would hate the pity. She knew him and had seen a part of him that he would've never shown anyone. Yet she still cared.

"Hey," was all he could manage around the lump in his throat. He wasn't used to these kinds of emotions.

She smiled. "Hey."

"Sorry I collapsed on you and am stinking up your couch," he mumbled, unsure of what else to say.

She laughed lightly in an exasperated way, and rolled her eyes.

"Forget about the bloody couch, Harry! Are you really apologizing for passing out when I was the one that freaked YOU out? Come on, Harry, that's just dumb and even you can see that."

"Sorry you had to be the one to pick up my broken arse?" he tried again with a small smile on his lips. This he could do with her. He could make it through this.

"One more dumb apology and and I'm out of here," she came back with a smile. He squeezed her hand, a look of sheer panic on his face. "I'm just teasing, Harry, not one of my best jokes, I guess. It's going to take Merlin himself to get me away from you at this point, okay?" she whispered quietly, sorrow in her eyes. She turned her head as footsteps entered the room.

"Is he wake yet dear?"

"Yes, Mum."

"Good, good. Harry dear, do you feel like you can sit up?"

He nodded and started slowly pushing himself up. He gasped in pain about halfway up and started to fall back down. Soft hands gently grabbed his shoulders and gently helped him up. After gasping for a few more shallow breaths he gave Ginny a pained smile. "Thanks, Gin."

"What hurts, dear?" Mrs. Weasley asked, concern filling in her voice.

"I think I might have a few broken ribs?"

"Oh dear, we'll get a healer to look at that right away, but first you need to eat something." She handed him a plate with some buttered toast and a glass of water. Harry managed to get a piece down and most of the water before he felt like he might get sick if he ate any more.

"Well that's a start, Hon. Would you like to a shower while I go get a healer?"

"Yes, please."

"Ginny, can you help him with his back? Those look like they need a good scrub, before they get anymore infected."

"Of course, Mum. Come on, Harry. I'll help you to the bathroom."

"Thanks," Harry mumbled, rather embarrassed to have to have someone help him wash like a baby.

She helped him up the stairs and into the bathroom where she had him sit on a small stool she placed in the bath. She turned the faucet and while waiting for the water to get to the right temperature she grabbed a washcloth.

Harry cleared his throat uncomfortably. "I, erm, I can do it myself, Ginny."

"It's ok to get help sometimes, Harry, and right now, whether you want to admit it or not, you need it. And I'm going to be here to help you, so just shut up and let someone help you for once." The caring was evident in her voice removing all the sting from her words.

"This is going to hurt a little, but i'll try to be gentle, ok?" She added with a sigh, regretting she would have to cause him anymore pain.

Harry nodded and braced himself, while pain is something he was used to, he still tensed at the first touch of his wounds. The pain was nearly as bad as when he received them. But he knew they had to be cleaned and that Ginny was being as careful as she could. Ginny noticed him tense and started rubbing his arm comforting hating the pain she was causing.

"So is this going to be our thing huh? You getting hurt and me coming to your side." The way she said it let him know she didn't really mind.

"Well so for it seems like the best way to get your attention." He tried to make it as light hearted as he could through gritted teeth.

"Oh Potter, you've had my attention longer than you know. My favorite bedtime stories as a little girl were all the ones about Harry Potter and all the amazing adventures he had." He could hear the blush in her voice, he didn't think she'd meant to reveal that little fact.

"Just be happy mum sent the boys out of the house to de-gnome the garden. If they saw me giving a half naked boy a sponge bath they'd lose it. Even if it was you." She added quickly trying to make him forget her little slip up, her little laugh at the end did more to get his mind off the pain than she'd ever know.

"Well if they find out just tell them you were giving the friendly neighborhood cripple a sponge bath. They'll think you're a saint, which you are after helping me through this. Honestly thank you Ginny. I don't know what I would do without you and your family."

"I don't mind, Harry, like I've said ten times already, I'm always going to be here for you." She gave his arm a squeeze to emphasize her point.

He covered her hand with his and squeezed her back. Without thinking about it he kept his hand over hers until she finished.

"Well, my work here is done. The rest is up to you," she said with a shy smile whilst she grabbed a towel out of the cupboard. "Here is a towel and I'll grab some of Ron's clothes and sit them outside the door for when you're done. If you need anything just yell and I'll be here."

"I'd say thanks again but I'm afraid you might throw the towel at me," he said with a small smirk. For some reason even after all he'd been through, all the pain, she could still make him smile. There was definitely something special about her.

"Ah, ha. The boy-who-lived is also the boy-who-learns." She returned the smile as she closed the door.

After struggling out of his clothes with more than a few painful moments, he climbed into the shower. Whilst being careful to not let the water hit his back directly he washed himself multiple times before he finally felt clean again. Once that was done he just let the hot water fall on his head for a long time. He let it wash his worries, fears and pains away. He was safe here, he was cared for here. Was he home? He felt like he was though he wasn't sure why.

"Harry, are you ok in there?" Ginny called from the other side of the door.

He flushed several shades of red. "Erm, yeah, sorry, I'll be out in a minute – the shower just felt good and was really relaxing," he explained awkwardly and rather quickly.

A smile was evident in her voice. "No worries, I love relaxing in the shower too. Mum just got back with the healer so come down once you're dressed. Don't bother with the shirt - you'll just have to take it off anyway."

"Okay be down in a few," he responded quickly.

After drying and dressing as carefully as he could he made his way slowly down the stairs and into the living room. He was caught off guard by the man sitting there with Mrs. Weasley and Ginny. After a quick second of panic his brain took in the man's appearance and realized he must be Mr. Weasley. He relaxed slightly, not realizing he'd tensed up at the sight of the man.

"Ahh, Harry, my boy, nice to meet you. I'm Arthur Weasley," the man said in a jovial voice as he stood and extended his hand toward the boy.

Harry tried not to flinch and he almost succeeded, but it was just too soon. Images of his uncle flashed through his head. At least last year he'd had a month pretty much by himself before he had to be around others to repress everything and move past it. He'd get back to the real Harry soon, he promised himself.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Weasley, sir. I'm sorry for the intrusion into your home." He apologized. "And for my state of dress, I was told to leave the shirt off for now," he added sheepishly after thinking about the fact that he was standing shirtless in this man's living room with his daughter present.

"Not a problem, Harry. It is no intrusion at all. Ron and Ginny have told molly and myself so much about you." He smiled kindly at the boy.

Harry caught Ginny's blush out of the corner of his eye at her father's comment.

"If you'd sit down on the couch, Mr. Potter, I'd like to get started on my examination," Said a familiar voice.

Harry was startled, having not noticed Madam Pomfrey in the corner. He nodded and sat on the indicated spot on the couch so Madam Pomfrey could examine him as needed. She began waving her wand all around him and making disapproving clicks with her tongue and murmuring under her breath.

"Well good news and bad news, Mr. Potter. The good news is there doesn't appear to be any permanent damage. Unfortunately your ribs have already began setting, but not in the correct manner. Regrettably, I'll have to re-break the three of them and reset them. Also, the cuts on your arms and back will heal quickly with some pastes, but the scars will remain. There may be someone else who can remove them but that's not my specialty…." She trailed off sadly.

Harry shook his head in the negative. "Scars serve a purpose. Though they may be ugly they are part of who I am. I have no wish to hide them."

"Well spoken with maturity beyond your years, my boy. Now if you wait here I'll go back to my office to get a sleep potion so I can re-break those ribs," the matron informed him.

"No sleep potion. I'll be fine." The thought of not being in control of himself and at the mercy of others while in a magical sleep scared him more than any pain. He trusted the Weasleys, but he wasn't ready to be that vulnerable in front of anyone.

Madam Pomfrey looked disapprovingly at him. "Are you quite sure? It'll be extremely painful."

"Yes, I'm sure it will be, but I can handle the pain. Erm, Ginny, can you please go wait outside for this? I-I don't want you to see this. Just for a moment, please." He added the last part as she started to open her mouth to argue. She sighed and got up with one last look at him, eyes full of worry before she left the room. Harry closed his eyes and let out a sigh when he heard the door close behind her. He'd seen the tears in her eyes when Madam Pomfrey was explaining what was wrong with him and couldn't put her through more.

What Harry didn't know, though, was that Ginny hadn't gone outside when she'd opened and closed the door. She sat there on the kitchen floor leaning against the door clenching her fists and holding her tears in as best as she could. She was going to be here for Harry through the whole process whether he liked it or knew it or not.

Once the matron had applied the bandages to his back, he laid down on the couch as he was directed and stared at the ceiling. "Ok, I'm ready, ma'am."

"Well, yes then, try not to move, ok? Arthur you may have to hold him."

Mr. Weasley slowly made his way near Harry's head, keeping in mind how he'd flinched when he'd went to shake the poor boy's hand. He gently put his arms on Harry's shoulders, gave the boy a look of encouragement and then looked at Madam Pomfrey.

"This is going to hurt, Harry. Are you ready?"

Harry clenched his fist and gave her a nod. Madam Pomfrey lifted her wand and mumbled quietly and suddenly Harry's world was exploding around him. He almost blacked out but managed to maintain his consciousness. He heard a horrific scream in the distance but couldn't figure out where it was coming from. His eyes were welded closed in pain so he didn't see the horrified looks on the adults' faces.

"One down, ready again?"

Harry barely nodded this time, preparing for the pain. It was worse the second time because he knew what was coming. The scream this time sounded worse because the person's throat was raw from the first scream of agony. Harry realized that it was him screaming at the last moment and shut his mouth to stop the sound.

"Last one, Harry, ready?"

A faint whimper was all the acknowledgement he could muster his body sweating and so tense he couldn't move even if he wanted. This time he tried to keep himself from screaming but failed and if anything made the scream worse. He kept his eyes firmly closed for a good long while after the last one trying to compose himself. Harry kept his eyes closed as he laid there recovering from the worst pain of his life, At least Ginny hadn't had to see it was the only comfort he had. While he laid there with his eyes closed calming his breathing the adults in the room shared pained looks and schooled their faces while drying their tears it would do no good for the boy to see how the experience had affected them.

What none of them had seen was the young redhead hugging her knees tightly to her chest while silently sobbing, her fingernails gouging lines into her hands to keep herself from running to Harry's side. Ginny promised to herself in that moment that she would never let something like this happen to Harry ever again. She'd never let someone hurt him again, not her Harry. Her Harry - it was an odd thought, but it felt more right than she could explain. She clung to that thought and kept her eyes shut, trying to stop the stream of tears. She focused on calming her breathing. She had to compose herself before she went back in there. She had to be strong if she was going to be there for Harry though this, if she was going to be his rock through this storm, his beacon in this darkness.

A/N: There you go Harry has been fully beaten down and broken, but now he can rebuild himself into the person he wants to be with the help of the Weasley's. Writing this chapter was rather hard and i'm sure reading it will be just as hard, so in order to end on a happier note I waited until I had the next chapter written as well before posting it. So go read that one now!