At first Harry couldn't accept that he would be living here, in a place like this. Uncle Vernon was only playing a game; he would come back. Or, Uncle Vernon had been telling the truth and his other family would come get him.
At first, Harry had cried nearly every day, until there were no more tears to cry. Even if he couldn't cry, Harry held onto the belief that family would come. There had to be someone who wanted him.
Harry was adopted for the first time after two months. Madeline, the women taking care of his group, bustled around, getting him ready. She was always nice, unlike Mr. Riddle, who sometimes volunteered at the orphanage. He was a tall thin man with dark brown hair, cheerful, but Harry didn't like how the man stared at him. He was creepy.
"They're a real nice family, Harry." Madeline said, smiling, shaking Harry from his thoughts on Mr. Carrow. "They have a couple of other boys your age. Friends! And you'll be starting school soon, isn't that great?!"
Harry smiled back, almost as happy as she. A family! Harry hoped they were his, but there was a lingering doubt. What they decided they couldn't keep him?
The Prewetts were waiting for Harry, when he and Madeline arrived in the main office. Harry thought they looked nice enough, although they didn't look a thing like him. But, then again, all of the Dursley's were blond, and they were family. Were they his other family?
"Welcome Harry, having a good day aren't you? Have a candy." Harry smiled at the old man and reached into the jar to pull out the small lemon shaped candy. Blech- It wasn't sweet. Harry wanted to spit it back out, but knew he shouldn't.
"Of yes, I forgot to tell you they were sugar-less," Dumbledore explained after seeing Harry's reaction. "Can't have the younglings jumping of the walls, can I?" Taking pity on the boy, he pulled a trash-can out from under his desk. Harry noticed as he spit out the candy that there were several others littering the bottom.
"Say thank you." Harry looked up startled. Mrs. Prewett had spoken. She was smiling, but there was some thing about it that made Harry slightly uncomfortable.
"Thank you," Harry mumbled.
"I think it's important a child has manners, don't you?" Mrs. Prewett explained to Mr. Dumbledore, grinning.
"Yes, very important." The old man answered. "But to get to business. As you already know, Mr. and Mrs. Prewett, your request to adopt our young Harry has been approved. However, here at New Madison we like to give our children a chance to decide for themselves. Only in extreme circumstances do we let a child be adopted when they do not wish to be, when we feel it would be highly beneficial, you understand."
The Prewetts nodded in agreement. Harry was listening with rapt attention; there were a few large words, but it wasn't too hard to understand. He could pick his family!
The meeting went on for about another fifteen minutes before Dumbledore and Madeline left the room, leaving Harry and the Prewetts alone in the office. At least Harry thought they were alone; the Prewetts knew there were most likely cameras in the office.
"Hello, Harry. I'm Mildred and this is my husband, John. I hope you'll come to think of us as family, real soon."
"Like wise." John ruffled Harry's hair, making the boy smile slightly. "We have two other boys, Mickenzy and Robert. They were adopted, like you, years ago. You see, my wife and I can't have children of our own, but have always wanted a large family. We'll take good care of you, Harry, if you'll have us."
"I heard you like ice cream. We'll get you a large bowl of it, before going home. Please come with us." Mildred stepped in. By this point, Harry was brimming with happiness. Ice cream and a family!
"Yes! I want to be your family," Harry yelled.
"That's nice, Harry." Mildred hugged him close.
They talked a bit longer more before Dumbledore stepped back in.
"I trust a decision has been made?" Both the Prewetts and Harry nodded. "Well, then. You are free to go. Madeline will bring Harry's bags to your car. I congratulate you all, and I trust Harry will be taken care of." Dumbledore shook both John's and Mildred's hand, then Harry's.
They drove home with Harry merrily sitting in the back seat. they weren't like the Dursley's; they wanted him! Although, he did miss Dudley... Maybe the Prewetts would let Harry see him! And like promised, they stopped for ice cream.
Harry instantly liked the house when he saw it. It looked like it had just been painted, nice and clean. After they went inside, Harry saw that the inside was just as nice. But he didn't see any signs of any other kids. There weren't any toys. His wanders were answered when Mr. Prewett called out the boys names and he heard running from somewhere within the house. The first thing he noticed when he saw them was how dirty they were; but no more so than when him and Dudley had played in the backyard. They looked slightly older than Harry. He hoped they would let him play with them.
"Harry, this is Mackenzie," he put his hand on the red-haired boy's shoulder and the other hand on the other, brown-haired, boy's, "and this is Robert." Harry thought Robert looked nice enough, but Mackenzie... there was something about him. Neither boy spoke. Why did Robert look sad?
"Harry, Mackenzie will show you were you will be staying. Robert, get busy." John commanded suddenly, causing Harry to jump slightly.
Mackenzie grabbed own of Harry's arms and pulled him to a nearby door. After it was swung open, Harry realized it led to the basement. He didn't want to go down there! But was being drug down anyway, through numerous spider-webs on the dark stairway.
Mackenzie didn't turn on a light until they were at the very bottom. This was nothing like upstairs. It was dank, dirty, and dark were the light from the single bulb didn't reach. Harry hated it. What was going on?
"Put this on." Harry jumped and looked up at the other boy just as a bundle of cloth was thrown at him.
"But-" Harry started to ask.
"Shut up! put your old clothes in the rag corner." Mackenzie pointed to a corner, were, sure enough, were rags. Why put his clothes there?
Harry finally did as the older boy commanded. The clothes, if you could call them that, were like nothing he had worn before. These had holes, stains and were way too big. Plus, the floor was ice cold under his now bare feet. Were these play clothes? But Harry had a feeling they weren't. Mackenzie ordered him back upstairs Where John and Mildred were waiting.
They no longer looked so nice. "Good job, Mackenzie. You may go." The other boy walked out the room, leaving him with them.
Harry stood and fidgeted for a moment while the Prewetts glared down at him.
"Now boy, I don't know how you think things are supposed to go, but here, you do not speak unless spoken to and you do not do anything we do not tell you to do. Is that clear."
"Yes-" Suddenly the boy was slapped so hard it sent him back a couple of steps. That was the last straw for Harry, and a loud wail came out of his mouth.
There were hands clamped around is arms, shaking him. "Stop it, you stupid boy! You stop it this instant or you won't eat for a month!" Mildred yelled over his crying.
Harry did his best to stop, but only managed to stop screaming.
"We won't punish you this time, since you are new, but neither me or my wife will tolerate this type of behavior. Now, you will not get dinner tonight, expecially since you had that 'treat' earlier, for which you did nothing to deserve. Now go upstairs and clean the bathroom and you had better do it good, boy. We'll be in the bedroom when you're done."
The Prewetts left Harry, still trying to understand. But there was one thing he did know.
He wished he was still with the Dursley's.