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The boy was woken up by his aunt banging on the shed door and shouting his name. He immediately sat up straight and spoke,
"I'm awake, Aunt Petunia."
His aunt shouted back,
"I want you in the kitchen in five minutes."
And she stomped away. The boy rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. At least he wouldn't have to make breakfast for his uncle today. And with that, he got up from his mattress, stretched and exited the shed.
After making and serving breakfast. He stood by the sink and washed the dishes. His stomach grumbled and ached from starvation and he found it extremely difficult to stand straight. He was done with the dishes and drying his hands on the towel when his aunt placed a plate on the counter and spoke sternly,
"Eat your breakfast."
The boy thanked her and ate his dry piece of toast. A normal person probably wouldn't even eat it. But for the boy it was his source of sustenance. His aunt had always given him a single dry toast for breakfast for as long as he remembered. If his aunt was feeling more benevolent, she would apply a very thin coat of butter to the toast. The boy considered those days to be his lucky days.
After the boy was done with his meagre breakfast. he washed the plate and awaited further orders from his aunt. His aunt handed him a list and spoke,
"I want you to get these groceries from the town. And don't fall asleep there. I want you back within two hours."
The boy nodded his head silently while his heart practically screamed with joy. He loved going to the town because he could finally get some new books. He must have read his old ones at least a thousand times. His aunt handed him the money for the groceries and the boy was on his way.
He walked merrily through the fields, crossed the bridge and in no time, he was standing at the entrance of the town. The boy always felt happy when he saw the cheerful environment of the town. Everyone was always smiling, always happy. He loved the way people interacted with each other. He made his way through the streets and arrived at the book store. The boy could barely hide his smile.
He entered the store and the bell on the door rang softly. He walked into the store and breathed in the wonderful scent of books. This was his favourite place in the entire world. A voice behind him spoke,
"Harry, you're back. How are you?"
The boy turned around and saw a man with a pale face, thin moustache and greying hair. It felt good to hear his name. His relatives only ever called him boy. Harry hugged him tightly and spoke,
"I'm fine. How are you?"
Remus moved his finger down Harry's spine and spoke softly,
"I can still feel your vertebrae."
Harry laughed. Remus did this every time he visited to judge his health. Remus led him to the counter and pulled out a wooden chair,
"Sit, Harry. You look like you've been starved."
Harry shook his head,
"I really can't stay long, Remus. My aunt said that I have to be back in two hours."
Remus sighed in disappointment. He didn't miss the look of excitement in Harry's eyes and finally spoke,
"I know what you're waiting for, Harry. I do have a few books for you."
Remus disappeared into the back of the shop and came back with a stack of books. Harry felt overjoyed. He set the down on the counter and Harry realized that there were four books in the stack. Usually Remus gave him two or three books. He hugged Remus in excitement and spoke,
"Thank you…...thank you…thank you. You're the best, Remus."
Remus hugged him back,
"Take care of yourself, Harry."
Harry nodded his head and spoke,
"I'll see you in a few weeks, Remus."
Harry dropped the books in his grocery basket and exited the shop. He made his way through the town, getting the bread, meat, vegetables and fruits that his Aunt had asked him to get. He was at the edge of the town and decided to take a break. He sat down on a stone and looked at the dense forest that started where the town ended. Everyone said that it was haunted. Whoever went inside, never came back out. Remus had told him that the forest was ruled by a monster. Harry had always been curious about it. He wondered if the monster really existed. Harry doubted it. It was all probably a tale to keep the children out of the woods.
Harry rose to his feet, picked up the basket and made his way back home. Well he really couldn't call it home. His status there was lesser than a servant's. Harry knew that his parents had died when he was just one year old. He was told that they had died in a snow storm during a journey. Sometimes he wondered what it was like to have parents. Life would have been so different. It would have been so easy. Harry was walking, lost in his thoughts when he collided with someone.
Harry realized that it was Sybil Trelawney, the town's fortune teller. Harry apologized and gathered her things from the ground. He had just handed them to her when she looked into his eyes with her enlarged ones and gripped his wrist,
"Your life is going to change."
Harry felt puzzled,
"What?"
Harry tried to look away but he couldn't break the eye contact. Harry felt as if she was looking into his soul and he felt oddly mesmerized. Suddenly she released his wrist and Harry's trance broke. Sybil blinked owlishly and then spoke,
"Was I saying something, my boy?"
Harry shook his head and departed. He felt oddly dazed. Sybil was known to be eccentric. She must have been having a fit. Harry continued walking and soon reached the cottage. He took out his books from the basket and placed them inside the shed before knocking at the door of the cottage. His aunt opened the door and Harry saw a look of pure anger on her face,
"You're late, boy."
Harry thought of an excuse and spoke,
"The baker was out of bread, Aunt. I had to wait for the fresh batch."
His aunt contemplated his excuse and then snatched the basket from his hand.
"Where's the change?"
Harry pulled out the leftover money from inside his pocket and handed it to her. She checked the groceries and then counted the money thrice before nodding approvingly.
Harry sighed out in relief. At least this time she hadn't accused him of stealing money. She signalled towards the kitchen,
"Lunch isn't going to prepare itself."
Harry felt his body protest as he stepped into the kitchen. He was too exhausted from the walk but at least he had something to look forward now. His new books were waiting for him at the end of the day.
Check out my fanfic named "Elusion". Let me know what you guys think. Just follow the link below or visit my profile. Looking forward your feedback
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