4 years old:

Alexandra sat in the corner of the brooms closet. A small candle was lit illuminating just enough of the room for her to read in her book. She absolutely loved "Wuthering heights". It was, according to her, a fine piece of literature comparable to "To kill a mockingbird". It was however not as captivating as non-fiction. Alexandra was extremely intelligent for her age, a fact that was proven by her ability to read and understand complicated texts. Her intelligence also enabled her to understand other people, their dreams, ambitions, fears, hopes, everything she wanted to know she could find out.

Alexandra looked up as the staircase above her creaked. Petunia was awake and that meant she would be called out to make breakfast soon. She quickly hid the book underneath her mattress, if they knew she had it they would find out she had a library card and confiscate it. the mere thought frightened her. Then she blew out the candle and pretended to sleep. Shortly after her aunt threw open the door and harsh light blinded her.

"Up! My Duddykins will be awake in a few minutes and he wants chocolate chip pancakes, eggs, bacon and sausages."

If one didn't know Petunia Dursley one wouldn't be able to understand how high pitched a human voice was able to be. Alexandra rubbed her ears, her aunt was really good at screeching.

"Yes, aunt Petunia."

She then crawled out of bed and put on her thick glasses. Breakfast was easy enough to make as she did it every day. She just had to stand on a stool to be able to reach the stove.

Just as she was about to finish breakfast Vernon and Dudley walked in.

"Pet, fetch me a cup of coffee will you," her uncle grumbled.

And "Pet", otherwise known as aunt Petunia, went into the kitchen to pour a smoking hot cup of coffee.

"Mum, where's the food?" Dudley had waddled into the kitchen, "why isn't the freak finished yet?" His little piggish eyes fixed on Alexandra. She swore that her cousin was pure evil and fat of course. Petunia though saw no such evil in her precious Duddykins and only cooed at him.

"I'm sure the freak will have it done soon," she said, staring maliciously in Alexandra's direction, "won't you, freak?"

"Yes aunt Petunia, of course." Alexandra's response came quickly. She knew all to well what happened when she didn't answer quickly enough.

A little while later both Vernon and Dudley were gobbling down their gigantic breakfasts to Alexandra's disgust. She herself never had much of an appetite and she only drank a glass of water. Not that she was allowed any more than that, the Dursley's made sure she didn't eat "too much".

After breakfast Dudley went to play with his new toys, Vernon kissed her aunt on the cheek mumbling something about work and promotions and she herself went to clean the upper floor of the house.

.

.

Hours later she was happy with the results and hurried to make lunch for Dudley and Petunia. Just as she finished the sandwiches Dudley waddled, the only possible way for him to walk, into the kitchen in hope of finding something to eat. While she feared her uncle and aunt she only felt pity for Dudley. He was simply too pathetic to really be feared. She, therefore, didn't care much when he pushed her aside to reach the plate with freshly made sandwiches. She even found the courage to reach out and snatch a sandwich for herself.

Nibbling on her sandwich she watched Dudley devour the other sandwiches leaving only three for his mum. He then turned to look at her.

"I want milk and cookies."

Alexandra scowled she still had to weed the garden and knew she didn't have the time to do both things. Deciding that aunt Petunia was way scarier than her cousin she spoke up.

"No"

"What do you mean no? You're a freak you live to serve me!" Dudley stomped his foot which honestly looked really stupid. A small chuckle left her mouth.

"I'm telling mum and then you'll be thrown in the cupboard again!"

Alexandra panicked as Dudley ran off to find her aunt. This wasn't good, this wasn't good at all. So she did what every other four year old would do: She ran as fast as her small legs would carry her towards the front door. Unfortunately, she didn't run fast enough and Petunias bony hand grabbed the collar of her t-shirt before she reached the door.

"Not so fast young woman. How dare you say no to my Duddlepuddle? He's a growing boy! He needs food and you shouldn't starve him!" Alexandra gulped, her aunt looked nothing short of furious.

"I'm sorry," the answer came out as a meek whisper.

"You better be you wretch. I think you need to be taught a lesson." Petunia threw her into the cupboard.

Alexandra simply curled up in a corner and waited, only when the front door slammed did she move from her fetal position. The door to the cupboard was violently thrown open.

He looked unhinged it had probably been a bad day at work and now he had someone to take the stress out on.

"Get out"

And out she got. As soon as she was out she was struck to the floor. A sharp pain in her left cheek made her tear up but she didn't cry, they weren't worth it. She wouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing her so weak. Even when Vernon removed his belt she didn't cry, even when she saw Petunia and Dudley watching her gleefully she didn't cry. Even when she screamed in pain as the belt rained down on her back she didn't cry. And it was at that moment she knew she truly despised them. All of them, the stupid neighbours and her so called family. And hate became determination.

Determination to make them feel pain like she felt pain, to rise above the difficulties and show them how little they mattered, that they were nothing, meant nothing.