Chapter 2: What's in the past
There was a scream, a oh so familiar scream that frequently haunted his dreams, or was it not? Honestly he couldn't tell.
All he knew for certain is that he was in pain. Every inch of his body seemed to cry out in agony.
And he hasn't the slightest idea why or how it got to be this way.
A bright light creeps it's way under his eyelids. Letting out a small groan he lets his eyes flutter open.
Though did not having a clue if what to expect.
He knew for a fact he was not in his cupboard, it was far to bright for it to be the small area in which he was imprisoned for most of his short life.
As his eyes opened harry found himself blinded by the blinding light, it took a moment for him to realize that it was in fact the sun, which meant he was outside.
Why did he wake up outside? Where was he?
More and more questions seemed to form as he quickly sat up, only to immediately regret it.
Everything still hurt, his body felt weak and heavy. Trying his best to ignore the pain harry potter slowly began to take in the world around him.
He was in a park, the sound of children's laughter could be heard in the distance, as it was carried along with the wind.
Harry tried with all of his might to find something of familiarity in his surroundings, though gained no such luck.
Where was he?
This was not good, how long had harry been asleep?
How can he get back home if he hasn't the slightest clue about were he even is in the first place.
He was sure their would be hell to pay when he got back-
In that moment a small voice in the back of his head spoke.' Do i even have to go back?'
Although ot was a childish thought, it was none the less genuine.
If he went back would be even survive?
On more than one accusation uncle Vernon told him if he ever tried anything funny he not hesitate to 'rid the world of your filth'. Would he believe harry being gone was a runaway attempt or something? Or would be get mad at harry for waking up somewhere unknown? If he went back to the Dursley's would uncle Vernon off him?
The boy shuttered as he tried to forgot his thoughts.
No, he didn't even want to think about it. For deep down he knew that the man would have no trouble keeping his word.
So it was settled. He wouldn't go back.
But where would he go? Harry's young and neglected body wouldn't last a week leaving on the streets.
A sigh escaped his lips as he ran a hand through his unruly mop, taking in all of facts. Suddenly the suns warm rays of the sun were gone, but to be replaced by a large shadow looming over him.
"You okay there lil one" spoke a soft voice down to harry.
Looking up he at the large man he immediately caught sights of a police badge attached to his form.
The mans bright blue eyes soft yet his scruffy face yielded him slightly intimidating.
"Y-yes sir" harry spoke quietly has he avoided the officers gaze.
"Where's your parent's lil one?" The man replied, the slight look of worry in his eyes as be looked down at the boy.
"dead.." It wasn't a lie, though he would not tell him about the Dursley's.
"I'm sorry" he spoke softly with what seemed like understanding and continued " do you have anywhere to stay?" The officer looked down that the boys form with pity.
Harry was so petite and frail looking. The boy looked no older then seven and a half maybe eight. the child was also skinny, too skinny. It was as if he hadn't eaten a proper meal in weeks. And his skin looked paled, old and new bruises littered the boys frame. "no…." Harry answered in somewhat if a whisper, still avoiding the mans gaze out of shame. Hoping that the man would not drag on the topic more, as he had not enough time to come up with a real plan nor story.
"well how about you come with me? I know some place you can stay." The man offered hard a small yet genuine smile and held out his hand.
Harry was hesitant, although this man was cop their was no telling if he was being honest.
What if the Dursley's asked the cops to look for him and this was all a trap?
But what else could harry do? Nothing really. Unless he waited to die in the streets in some unknown place.
So with a deep breath harry placed his small hand onto a much larger one and was helped onto his feet. And with that they walked.
It wasn't long before a gloomy building came into view. It looked as if all of the joy around it was sucked out of the air.
Yet somehow, it seemed more welcoming the 4 Privet Drive ever did.
'WOOLS ' was written above the gate on a metal sign. Harry slowly followed the cop, taking in the scene around him.
He remembered hearing orphanage horror stories from the kids at school. He was often told be would end up there if he didn't behave.
He guesses in a way they were right.
Soon enough they reached the door of the building and the officer gave the wood a hard knock. After a moments of nothing the door slowly opened to reveal a lady.
She was tall, her graying hair cupping her cheeks, although she couldn't be that old wrinkles riddled her harassed looking face. "officer hopts, what do I owe the visit?" The lady inquired. The man offered her a kind apologetic smile as he moved out of the way to reveal young harry's form from behind him.
" I found him out by the park, he says his parents are dead. It looks like he has been living on the streets. You have room for another one right Ms. Cole?" Officers hopts returned.
For a moment a scowl crossed her face, only to quickly disappear as she opened the door more motioning to let harry in.
"very well then, what us your name?" the lady, which he know learned was Ms. Cole questioned.
Harry knew he could not risk the chance of his dursley's finding him, he needed new last name, or how about none at all? Would they believe that he had none?
It was worth a shot.
He walked inside along with the officer. Taking a deep breathe be readied himself to answer. "Harry.. My name is harry m'am." Almost immediately she inquired. "last name?"
" I don't know m'am… I have only ever been called harry, just harry." It wasn't all a lie, infact up until primary school harry has no idea what his name even was.
As aunt petunia and uncle Vernon only really referred to him as 'boy' and 'freak'.
Although she raised a eye at him skeptically she didn't press the matter more, in which harry was grateful.
"your age and birthdate" Ms. Cole spoke in a soft yet commanding tone.
"I am nine. My birthday is July 31 m'am." At this she seemed even more skeptical.
For his boy infront of her looked no older then eight, let alone almost ten.
Though she guessed that is what happens when you've been living off the streets for gods knows how long.
" Very well. Harry I will lead you to your room. " and with that she gave officer hopts a nod and in which he returned it while giving a small wave to harry as he walked back out the doors.
Ushering harry up the stairs she brought him to his room.
" all if the other rooms,are,full at the moment, so for the time being you will stay here. " it almost looked as if she was giving him a glare of pity as she spoke. " breakfast is at 7am lunch at 12 and dinner is at 6pm, lights out before ten. Understood?"
With that harry nodded. "thank you m'am." The pity I, her eyes only grew at this, as if she was worried for harry's well being, Though she left little time for him to think about that as she quickly took her leave.
Saying he was excited was a understatement.
He couldn't wait to finally be out of the cupboard under the stairs and in a real room.
Maybe while he was here he could make friends? He hoped he could.
Slowly he opened the door he took In the surroundings.
The wasn't large, some would even say small though it was perfect in harry's eyes.
A wooden closet stood on one side of the wall, while the a desk and chair lay near the window. And finally two beds were placed across from on another.
One bed looked untouched, though alittle dusty.
While the one the other sat a boy, a book in its hands. gray eyes shot up from the pages as soon as harry turned the door nob.
For a moment their gazes locked. Green and grey clashed together as their eyes bored into each other. and then the boy spoke. "Who are you, and what are you doing in my room"
Notes:
so they meet!
next chapter they will interact more don't worry.
if you have any questions, comments please do say them.
thank you for reading.
next chapter should be out tomorrow.
also sorry for the generic cop name, but it had to be done.
I like how most fanfictions show Ms. cole to be, though I thought it would be best if I made her more like the book. that may change though.
