Nightmare on Privet Drive
Chapter 3: Help me
Harry had been home from Hogwarts for weeks now. Things were getting worse everyday at the Dursley's. And the once proud 'Boy who lived', was not who he used to be.
He knew nothing but fear and pain. At first he told himself that he'd be back at Hogwarts and the pain would go away. But soon he realized that Vernon would never let him escape.
The only time he let him out of his sight was when he went to work, and at those times Harry was locked away in the cupboard under the stairs, which only Vernon held the key. Harry had been moved back into the cupboard ever since his last foolish attempt to stand up to his Uncle.
One day Harry had managed to sneak away and picked the lock to the closet and retrieved his wand. That night, he knew Vernon would be visiting his room after getting his midnight snack. And he waited for him, wand in hand.
Sure enough he heard Vernon's footsteps squeaking all the way to his room. Soon the footsteps stopped and the locks on the door clicked. Harry gulped as he saw Vernon's large shadow in the doorway.
Boldly, Vernon turned on the lights to make the journey to Harry's bed easier. Unfortunately he would not be making that journey tonight. Harry stood in front of his bed with his wand ready. Vernon looked at him with eyes that just spoke 'I dare you'.
Harry marched closer to Vernon, trying to lure him out. "Stay away from me."
Vernon raised his hands and started walking away, though still not convinced that his nephew had the guts to do anything. Slowly, Harry managed to lure Vernon out of his room. But the instant Harry's wand stuck out of the doorway, Vernon kicked the door shut, Slamming it on Harry's arm.
"Ah!" Harry yelled, dropping his wand. Vernon stumbled to the ground quickly to retrieve it. "No!" Harry screamed. But it was too late. Vernon Dursley had taken his wand and now held it in two pieces, one in each hand. Harry's jaw dropped. He was in pure shock. Unfortunately he didn't come back to reality before Vernon grabbed a fist full of hair and dragged his body down the steps.
Petunia and Dudley awoke to the sudden commotion and rushed downstairs to see what was happening.
"Get up!" Vernon roared, after Harry had fell flat on his face.
"Vernon what's going on?" Petunia asked, confused and a bit fearful.
"Dam little devil here, tried to curse me!" Vernon lied quickly. Petunia gasped, putting her hand to her mouth. "Dudley, pull out his chest", Vernon ordered after unlocking the cupboard.
After all his precious belongings were dragged out, Vernon violently pushed Harry into the tiny closet and locked it behind him.
After the deed was done, Vernon escorted his family back upstairs, explaining how he broke Harry's wand and they could finally rest in peace.
That night Harry had sobbed. Sobbed like never before. His wand was gone, broken, demolished. And it was all his fault. He cursed himself for being so stupid. He would have cursed himself to Hell if he could. With his luck, there probably was no hell. Or if there was, they probably wouldn't want him either. He'd gone slightly numb after that. And that's were he sat now. In his cupboard, numb, exhausted and starved.
Vernon hadn't quit or slowed down with the sexual assault. Every chance he got, he would carry the sobbing boy to his room and do whatever he wanted with him. Sometimes Vernon would simply just beat him until he worked out whatever frustrations he was going through. And of course Harry would cry. That was Vernon's favorite part. It made him feel powerful. If he couldn't be the boss at his work, he could at least be the boss at home. And he was just fine with that.
One night while the Dursley's were eating dinner, they heard a tapping. Harry couldn't take it any longer. He was starving to death.
"Dudley, bring something to your cousin will you", Vernon asked peacefully.
"No way!" Dudley screeched, fearful of what might happen when that door opened. Vernon rolled his eyes and grabbed a dinner bun and a bottle of water from the fridge.
While Petunia and Dudley continued eating, Vernon walked into the hall and unlocked the cupboard. His eyes widened at how beaten and starved Harry looked. Suddenly Vernon was relieved Dudley had not wanted to see his cousin. Vernon did not know he looked this bad. But then again, he had forgotten about him for the last couple of days. Surprisingly, the room did not smell of waste or urine. Apparently, there was absolutely nothing in Harry's system.
Harry didn't move when the door opened. He was far too weak. But his heart still pounded madly in his chest. Vernon sat down the food and water and waited. He hoped the boy still had energy to move. He really didn't feel like hand feeding him. Slowly, Harry's hand wrapped around the bread and shoved it in his mouth. Vernon sighed in relief and locked the door in Harry's face once more.
Back in the Wizarding world, Lucius Malfoy walked through his home, thoroughly stressed. He couldn't take it anymore. His paranoia was driving him mad. Ever since the 'Potter' boy had seen him in the graveyard, he knew Harry would tell someone of him being a 'Death eater'. And Lucius could not just walk around if his secret was out. But he also couldn't just simply due away with him. He knew Voldermort wished to destroy the boy.
Unfortunately, Lucius could wait no longer. He had to retrieve the boy himself, and make sure to keep his mouth shut. And when Voldermort was ready, he would simply hand him over and receive praise for saving his master the time and effort of finding him.
Another night at the Dursley's, seemingly quiet and peaceful. The whole happy family eating at the table and talking cheerfully and merrily…
…Save for the beaten, abused, starving sex toy locked in the closet.
…Other than that, the Dursley's enjoyed their dinner.
It wasn't until dessert was served that an unwelcome guest arrived. Entering gracefully, his robes and hair both flowing freely and beautifully. He walked amongst the home, disgusted with the sight of the muggle house. Cheap trinkets adorned every inch of every shelf and table. Horrid wallpaper graced the walls and the stench of sweat and liquor lingered in the air.
The cloaked man followed the loud obnoxious voices that led him to a small dining area. And before the family could comprehend that something was wrong, curses that would lead to Azkaban, were shouted multiple times.
Lucius Malfoy searched the rest of the kitchen. Did Potter know he was coming? If not, why was he not eating with his family? Lucius's brow furrowed in agitation. He really didn't feel like going on a wild goose chase.
Perhaps Potter was at a friend's house. If so, he would have to wait for him. He looked around the muggle home, not liking the idea of spending his time there. Hopefully, he was somewhere in the house.
As if on cue, Lucius heard a slight tapping. He turned around to the Hallway, looking around, wondering if it was just his imagination. The he heard it again. This time it was slightly louder. He followed the noise to a closet underneath the staircase. Seeing that it was locked, he waved his wand, destroying the metal object.
Slowly, he creaked the door open and peered inside. He was surprised to see a body on the floor. With his foot, he rolled the body over. "Potter." He was surprised but did not let it show. Gracefully, he knelt down, examining him closer. He was badly bruised. His eyes, cheek, forehead, even his throat. And he was thin, sickly thin, starvation thin. And his skin was as colorless as the whites of his eyes.
Harry finally realized who stood in front of him. He was not afraid though. He was happy to see someone from the Wizarding world. At this point, he'd be happy to see anyone other than the Dursley's.
Lucius was debating on what he should do; hand him over to Lord Voldermort, since he was almost dead already or perhaps just leave him.
"Help?" Harry's dry voice squeaked, suddenly.
Surprise, Lucius finally made eye contact and noticed the tears filling the boys eyes.
"Will you help me?" He asked, innocently.
There was silence for a moment before Lucius asked arrogantly, "Why should I?" At those words, Harry seemed to gave up whatever hope he was holding on to and closed his eyes, letting a few tears fall.
Lucius watched Harry for a while. For a second he thought that he was dead. But he noticed the slight up and down movements of his chest. The longer Lucius looked at him, the more he felt pity for him. Oddly enough, he did want to help him. At least get him fed and cleaned up.
Eventually, he came to the decision that he would not leave him there. If he did die, it wasn't going to be here, like this, in a dusty closet. Carefully, he tucked his arms under Harry's neck and legs and lifted him up.
Harry gasped in a dry, raspy tone, but still did not open his eyes. After checking to make sure Harry wasn't further injured by his rough handling, he closed his eyes, apparating them both to Malfoy Manor.
AN: Thanks for all your reviews! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! Sorry if this chapter wasn't that good. It mostly described stuff that was going on. Not much dialogue. But hopefully that will change… depending on how the next chapter works itself out.
Ps. Sorry if you wanted to see a nice Petunia. I wanted to. But, the why I had it planned, it was just better if she croaked. Next chapter: Pity and shame