Chapter 6

Harry was feeling much more peaceful when he checked in with Severus the next morning. He had stayed with Albus for most of the afternoon, learning about the nature of magic and practising some exercises the headmaster had given him to help control his magic.

Albus had explained that magic was everywhere, in anything natural, including metals. Wizards were different from muggles because they had a direct connection with magic – their magical core. A wizard's magical core was like a lagoon; being fed magic by their connection to the world, storing it in their core, and releasing the magic through their spells. Subsequently, magic always existed, in its various forms. Magical objects had their own connection to magic, either because they had parts of a magical creature, or because spells had opened a magical channel for the object. When Harry had lost control, his magical core had opened up, releasing the magic from his core, but not to the world. That was why he had been stuck – unable to fully release the magic, and not knowing how to pull it back.

Harry tapped on his side of the mental bond with Severus.

'Hi Severus' he thought.

'Good morning Harry. Have you had any problems?' responded Severus.

'Not really. The Dursleys haven't exactly been feeding me, but I have the food you left me.'

'About that – we completely forgot to tell you with all the events of yesterday, but Albus is arranging to get you out of there soon.'

'Really?' Harry perked up at the prospect of getting out of Privet Drive. While Severus had made his stay far better than usual, the lack of company was depressing. 'Did he say when?'

'I'll have to check, but I think you'll be gone by Saturday morning, the day after tomorrow,' replied Severus. The man hoped that there would be no complications with the ministry; he didn't want Harry to stay with the muggles any longer than necessary.

'That would be brilliant,' sent Harry, echoing the potion master's thoughts. 'I'll start packing!' he though enthusiastically.

Severus chuckled at Harry's antics. It was nice to see him behaving more like his age – happier, carefree.

When Harry went downstairs to cook dinner for the Dursleys, Vernon eyed him suspiciously. The freak looked entirely too happy, which meant that they were treating him far too lightly. He resolved to change that in the near future.

Harry pulled out a pan and began to prepare a sauce. Vegetables boiled in a pot on the stove and a roast was already in the oven. He hummed absently under his breath as he worked, not minding the cooking as there was food awaiting him upstairs. He turned to get more ingredients from the fridge, avoiding his uncle's attempts to trip him up. When dinner was ready, he placed everything on the table and went back to the kitchen to start cleaning up.

Barely ten minutes later, Harry heard Vernon bellowing for him. Muttering curses under his breath (he had hoped to avoid the man until he left), he entered the dining room. Vernon glared at him, but it couldn't compare to one of Professor Snape's death glares, which Harry had gradually grown immune to.

"BOY! What have you been doing in your room all day?"

Harry blinked in confusion. That had not been the question he'd expected.

"Packing, Uncle Vernon" he said truthfully. He supposed now was a good time to share the good news. "Profes…I mean, the headmaster of my school wants to collect me on Saturday."

There was a pause.

"Saturday, that's the day after tomorrow isn't it?" said Vernon, obviously relishing the idea Harry's absence.

"Yes, Uncle Vernon," replied Harry.

"Well you can help you Aunt around the house all of tomorrow then, seeing as you've already packed," said his uncle triumphantly.

Harry sighed in relief. He had been expecting a slightly more violent reaction to the loss of their house-elf. On the other hand, it was obvious that his family couldn't wait to get rid of his freakishness. He felt a deep pang of sadness at the thought of his family being happy with his leaving, but ruthlessly squashed the emotion. He couldn't afford to be weak.

Vernon greeted him the next day with a very long list of things to be done, with everything from cleaning out the shed to painting the fence. Comforting himself with the thought that it was his last day in this hellhole, Harry reluctantly set to work.

In the late afternoon, Harry was surprised by his uncle's early return from Grunnings.

"Boy! Have you finished your chores yet?" bellowed Vernon from the hallway.

Emerging from the attic, covered in dust, Harry was mentally cursing in parseltongue. His uncle had that sadistic expression on his face that usually preceded some form of punishment.

"No, Uncle Vernon," he said softly. "I have four more tasks left."

"Lazy boy! I give you a home, food, clothing, and you can't even finish a few chores! You freaks are all useless." He smiled frighteningly. "I suppose I ought to punish you. Let's see – five strokes for each task undone? Or would you prefer ten?"

Harry was shocked at the severity of the punishment; Vernon usually didn't want to visibly hurt him for the fear that people would ask questions. Pain distracted him as his uncle landed the first strike. Gasping in pain, he barely registered the man's ranting as the blows started coming fast and furiously.

"…Always knew someday those freaks would give up on you. They don't want you too stubborn; want you softened up a bit. You were always holding out on me, with your wizard gold – great big gold coins and all. Well it's too late! They're coming for you tonight and good riddance!"

The last sentence caught Harry's attention.

"Tonight?" he whispered, just before his head slammed back against the wall and he lost consciousness.

Harry moaned softly as he gradually woke to find himself locked in a familiar cupboard. His body protested as he gingerly felt around for his wand, which luckily was still in his pocket. He was surprised it wasn't broken.

Harry frowned, trying to remember what had happened. Vernon had been shouting…his eyes widened in alarm as he remembered what his uncle had said. Frantically he reached out to Severus.

'Severus! Are you coming to get me tonight?'

'No, tomorrow morning,' responded Severus immediately. 'What's wrong?'

Harry had a sinking feeling in his stomach. 'I think that Uncle Vernon must have been bribed by Death Eaters. They're coming tonight.'

'I'll get the order. Harry – please get yourself out of there. Use the order necklace,' said Severus.

'Sorry Severus, but I'm not prepared to give up my only family without a fight,' replied Harry determinedly, already unlocking the cupboard door.

He cast the few healing spells he knew – Vernon had managed to truly beat him up. As he crept from the cupboard, he felt the distinctive shift in the air that meant the wards were being dismantled.

'They're here – the wards are coming down' he told Severus.

Searching for his family, Harry found them sitting in the living room, obviously waiting for the Death Eaters.

"Listen to me Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia. You need to escape right now! The people that are coming will kill you!" he tried to warn them.

"There's no need for any of your nonsense boy, we've made a deal. They'll give us enough gold to live like royalty, and we'll get rid of your freakishness. It's perfect!" boomed Vernon.

"Except for the slight problem that you'll be dead before you even touch the money!" cried Harry in frustration. This arguing was wasting precious time.

"Aunt Petunia," he appealed. "I know you've heard about the Death Eaters. They won't have any compunction about killing all of you."

His aunt looked uncertain. "Vernon…are you sure, I've heard stories…"

"No-one is leaving this house!" said Vernon firmly, but Harry wasn't paying attention. He had seen the crimson light outside the front door – a blasting curse.

The front door exploded; through the swirling dust strode the unwelcome figure of Bellatrix Lestrange.

"Hello Harry," she said maliciously. "You ought to listen to your uncle – he was right. No-one will leave this house alive."

A/N: Innumerable thanks to my beta RavensCave.

Thank you so much to my faithful reviewers – your thoughts and comments are welcomed. Please leave a review!