Disclaimer- I do not own Harry Potter.
Warnings- AU, horror, non magic, Violence, supernatural, Grammar and spelling.
Protecting Yours Truly
Chapter two ~ Imaginary
The spoon dipped into the bowl rising up full of colorful round treats and milk. Harry sat barefoot on the couch his intense green eyes focused on the sunday morning cartoons. Chewing mindlessly Harry pouted at the show, dropping his spoon into the bowl Harry grabbed the remote and quickly changed stations. He could vaguely hear Lily in the kitchen cleaning up as she softly hummed.
Harry quickly finished his cereal, slurping up the left over milk, when there were no more soggy fruit loops. Leaning forward Harry nosily put the bowl onto the coffee table his other hand steadying him.
"Harry! If you're done, put your dishes away!" snapping his head to the side Harry narrowed his eyes and pouted at the doorway to the kitchen. "Now Harry!" Lily's voice rang across the room, letting out a sigh Harry grabbed the bowl and hopped off the couch. He walked backwards watching the T.V. shuffling his feet against the hardwood floors.
"About face soldier!" pivoting on his heel Harry looked up at his stern face father. "Come on kiddo, you know your mom doesn't want you walking backwards, you'll fall down and hurt yourself." Looking both way's James quickly leaned down looking into his son's eyes "but just between you and I, I think it's a bunch of horse sh-"
"James Potter if you finish that sentence I swear to god!" James gulped.
"But Lily dears-"
"Don't Lily dear me, I know what you were going to say." Lily appeared at James side her arms crossed she leveled her husband with a glare. "Our son doesn't need to know about your dirty mouth." Harry looked up at his parents, already having heard this argument countless times.
"And you allow my dirty mouth to kiss you!" James exclaimed pointedly leaning forward. "Over, and over, and over again. Dose that mean you have dirty lips also Lily dear?" he smiled dashingly at her catching the red tinting her cheeks. Harry smiled happily.
"James!" leaning forward James pressed his lips to Lily's effectively ceasing her complaints. His hand cupped her face and he pressed firmly against her. Lily let out a content sigh, relaxing into James. Hearing a slight giggle James pulled back looking down to his son, Harry was holding the bowl his face hiding a happy smile. His shining green eyes filled with joy. Putting a hand to Harry's head James adopted a serious look to his face exclaiming to the happy child.
"And that Harry is how you douse a raging fire." He riffled his son's hair.
"James Potter!" a loud smack resounding around the room, James let off a laugh rubbing at his stinging shoulder. "How dare you!"
"I love you mom!" Harry attached his arms around the fiery red head, squeezing her middle. Instantly Lily calmed down her raging eyes softened as she took in her son hugging her. Placing her hands around Harry she affectionately fingered his wild dark hair, drawing out a pleased sigh from her only child.
"I love you too Harry." Pulling back Harry looked up to Lily and smiled. James hid a smile behind his hand. Lily stoked down the side of Harry's face, allowing the 9 year old to pull away. "Now, go put your bowl away." Harry nodded; stepping away he trotted into the kitchen. James leaning into Lily his breathe fanning over her ear.
"My, he learns fast." An indulgent squeak and smack rang though the room.
Harry went strait for the sink, kicking over his stepping stool. He climbed up and rinsed of his dish. Jumping down he dashed over to the open dishwasher, placing the bowl and spoon it there rightful places. His parents squabbling voices growing faint as they moved more into the living room. Turning Harry looked around the room, stopping at the door to the basement. It stood wide open drawing Harry's attention as the door was always closed.
Walking over Harry went to the door his hand reaching up and nudging the light switch. A dim light lit up the basement Harry peered down the stairs. He had only been down there a handful of times, and each time he had always had either his mother or father with him. Just as Harry was going to turned the light off and close the door he heard a slight rattling coming from within. Hand still positioned up Harry quirked his head looking down.
Hearing it again, Harry's hand slid down the wall. A little louder this time Harry stepped down hand slipping to the railing as he descended into the poorly lit basement. Eyes wide searching for where the sound may be coming from.
He paused on the last step, looking down Harry blinked owlishly wondering if he should really be down here. Taking a breath he set his face into determination and stepped down. His hands grabbed hold of his t-shirt twisting the material in a bunch at the front of his chest. Harry paused, turning on the spot trying to determine which way he should go. Exhaling he frowned at the puff of air forming in front of his mouth, it was cold in the basement unnaturally so.
He could make out tall boxes stacked around the dark space, long rows of piled junk, the basement being more of a storage room then anything else. The rattling noise came from his left, looking towards where the cold seller is, then snapping his eyes to the side where a rack of shelves were. He made out the shaking of the old dusty books lining the middle shelves. Harry trotted over to the gloomy dank corner, picking up a rusted bucket as he went.
Holding his breath Harry bit his lip, his hand lifting up towards the shaking books. Not noticing as everything went dead silent even the rattling crease, a dark shadow of a body slink out of the dank corner, a stark pale talon like hand reaching out ruffling dark lose hair. Harry paid it no mind his eyes trained on the shaking soundless book. Gripping the spine he pulled hard, the book crashing the floor, sound reverting around the room, a loud startled squeak rang, the dark figure tore away from the small child returning to the dark.
Harry yipped hands raising just as something jumped out at him, he stumbled back the bucket taking the blunt of whatever jumped at the small 9 year old, who quickly slammed it down on the ground. Stepping back Harry let out a troubled cry his feet catching a box and sending him tumbling into another pile, they teetered then began to fall. Harry raised his arms protecting his head, and crouched as small as he could. He made out the sound of his parents panicked voices, as they rushed to the basement.
"Harry!" footsteps rushed down the stairs just as the last box spilled onto the floor.
"Son! Where are you?" Harry let out a breath eyes wide, he assess himself and slowly began to move responding to his mothers and fathers call.
"I'm ok." He struggled with a heavy draped curtain on top of him. Seconds later the cloth was being ripped off him and his mother was leaning down to him fussing over him, as his dad threw the curtain away, glaring at the dusty material in distaste. "Mom- mom! I'm ok. Really I'm ok." Lily gripped his face turning it this way and that, seeing nothing but dirt smudges, she tisked wiping at the spots Harry grumbled trying to fend off his fretting mom. "Maaa!" Lily pulled away looking at her son.
"Harry James Potter what are you doing down here!" looking up Harry gulped he could see the stern look on Lily's face, but just around her eyes he could make out the worry lines.
"I- I" He looked to his dad for help, the older man crossed his arms nodding his head to Lily, telling Harry he wasn't going to get out of this. Looking back to his mother Harry sat up more and looked into her eyes. "I heard something down here, and I wanted to see what it was." Harry grabbed Lily's arm bright pleading eyes looking up at her. "And then as I found it, it leapt out and startled me, then I was falling and the boxes fell down. And it was to much stuff!" Lily placed her hand on Harry's hand effective making him quite. He had tightened his hold as he was telling her what happened.
"Shh, its ok Harry you're not in trouble I was just worried." She ran a hand into his ruffled hair. "Do you know what jumped out at you?" shaking his head in negative he then paused wide eyes looking into similar ones.
"Oh- oh no" he pointed out the lone metal bucket. "I don't know what it was, but I trapped it under the bucket there before everything began to fall." Lily looked up as James who was already making his way to the bucket. Leaning down he tipped the bucket just so and look under it, he snapped the bucket down and sat up, startling Lily.
"What! What is it James." Hazel eyes turned to her and James smiled sheepishly at her.
"It's a mouse." He grinned cheekily as his wife shot up.
"Get rid of it James, get it out of my house!" she short across the room retreating quickly up the stairs. James chuckled shaking his head.
"Is it really a mouse dad?" Harry was by his side in second's hands to he knees and looking at the bucket with keen interest. "Can I see?"
"Ha, ha sure thing kiddo, but how about we get it out of the house first?" Harry nodded eagerly. "Good then put on those shoes," he indicated to a pair of Harry's old trainers that had fallen out of a box. "And hand me a book." Moving quickly Harry slipped the shoes on, then grabbed a book and raced over to James. Smiling James slid the book under the bucket effectively trapping the rodent. He stood and looked over to the other side of the basement. "I think we should take it out though the entrance to the backyard so we don't go up stairs, think you can reach the locks?"
"Yes sir!" Harry saluted his smile wide.
"Well then, hop to it." Playing along Harry spun around and marched off, till he got to the stairs across the way then he raced up them, grabbing the doorknob he tipped up onto his toes and reached for the lock. By this time James was behind him watching as Harry jerked the door open and ran out up the three steps and into the backyard. Following his overly excited son James walked out to a dreary day.
"Can I see it now?" chuckling James shook his head.
"Lets walk a little away from the house." Jumping up and down Harry followed his dad all the way to the edge of the forest attached to their backyard. Leaning down James placed the book and bucket on the ground then motioned for Harry to come closer. Position his son in front of him; he reached out an arm on each side of his bouncing son. "Ready?"
"Yes." He chirped, smiling James gripped the bucket then added.
"Only looking Harry." Said boy nodded his head drawing out another smile from James. "Good." Then the bucket was being raised, James quickly place it to the side and wrapped his arms around Harry, ensuring the boy wouldn't touch the mouse.
Looking down Harry could see the puffball of a mouse standing on it hind legs, its paws tucked into its self. The small animals nose twitched as it scented the air, beady eyes looking around when they landing on Harry he grinned down at the fluffy creature. Pausing for only a second longer the mouse squeaked then scurried off into the safe confines of the woods.
"Well there you are, you happy Kiddo?" Harry grinned up at James looking up to him, James smiled down at him.
"Yes!" James hugged his son making him giggle happily. Letting out a hum he let Harry go.
"Then how about we go back in the house, it's a miserable day out." Harry shook his head turning he looked at James. "No? Why not?"
"I want to play with Tom again."
"Who's Tom Harry?" James narrowed his eyes in worry. Harry beamed up at his father.
"He's who I played hide and seek with yesterday, it was a lot of fun. Tom says he lives around here, but he wouldn't tell me where." Harry tilted his head the smile never leaving his lips even as his fathers concern grew. "He said we could play again, and he would come find me." Not wanting the startle Harry James placed his hands on both side of Harry shoulders and quirked a weak smile at the happy boy.
"Harry how old is Tom?" the giggling answer did nothing to sooth James anxiety, but Harry's next words had him sighing in relief.
"Tom's my age, he's really smart you and mom will like him."
"Oh we will, will we?" Harry nodded an affirmative. "Alright then." James stood then looked down to Harry who had also gotten up with his dad.
"So…" Harry paused then looked up. "Can I stay out side for a bit, just to see if Tom comes?" Thinking about it James ruffled Harry's hair.
"Alright Kiddo, but if Tom shows up I want you to bring him inside and introduce him to me and your mom, sound like a deal?"
"Deal!" Harry held out his hand, James obliged his smile wide as Harry shook his hand enthusiastically.
"Alright, I'm going inside, don't stay out long, I don't want you getting sick." He let go of Harry's hand and turned. "Keep to our deal Harry."
"Ok dad I will." Harry bounced on the spot watching his dad return to the house. Turning Harry looked around the yard pouting when he did not spot Tom. He let out a sigh and settled him self for walking around the yard and hoping for Tom to show up.
An hour went by, Harry had moved the bucket and book to the deck planning to bring it in when he gave up. Settling into a game of splashing in puddles. Harry jumped into a mucky looking one sending water splashing everywhere. Harry grinned and jumped out of the puddle. Mud caked onto his shoes he dragged them against the grass, scraping it off.
"Hello Harry." Looking up Harry's face split into a huge smile.
"Tom!" he ran over to the other boy, who was leaning up against a tree blue eyes looking at him calmly. "I didn't think I would ever see you again."
"Don't be ludicrous, I informed you yesterday we would be seeing each other."
"Lu-di-crous?" Harry pulled a face as he pronouns the new word. "What dose that mean?"
"To be ridiculous, silly, unreasonable." Tom pressed off the tree and stood up right.
"Oh I get it. You're really smart Tom."
"Thank you, now Harry what game would you like to play today?" Harry's enthusiasm grew to over boiling point.
"Oh? Oh Tom come with me." Harry reached out and gently gripped Tom's wrist pulling him forward.
"Where are we going?"
"In the house my dad and mom wanted to meet you."
"Is that so?" an impassive look crossed Tom's face, he allowed Harry to walk him over to the deck. Looking to the back of Harry's head Tom's mouth which had a slight quirk at the side fell flat, and she stopped dead in his tracks. Puzzled Harry turned to Tom.
"It's ok Tom I know they are going to love you." The older boy frowned raising a hand.
"Come here Harry." Harry stepped towards Tom not quite sure what was going on, Tom's raised hand fiddled with lose strands of hair. Pulling the hand back Tom looked down seeing dark smears. "What happened here?" looking at the dirt-smudged finger Harry bit his lip.
"Well, it must have been the boxes that fell on me, some of them were very dusty." Tom stared at Harry.
"Boxes?" his voice came out cool and collected, but his eyes narrowed just a little.
"Yep I heard a noise in the basement, went to look and I found a mouse. But it scared me and I tripped into the boxes, and they fell all over me." He waved his hands in the air motion all around him.
"You were in the basement, alone?" Harry nodded. "I see." Tom looked to his fingers letting out a breath, he looked back to Harry and wiped his fingers off on his trousers.
"Is something wrong Tom?" Harry quirked his head looking to his new found friend.
"No, now shall we?" bubbling up Harry grabbed Tom's wrist once more and pulled him along. Entering the house he kicked off his shoes and yelled out to his parents.
"Mom, dad?"
"Living room Harry." Turning Harry went in the direction to the living room not once noticing Tom walking beside him, rather then following him. Harry walked into the room seeing his parents on the couch he went to stand before then the coffee table between them.
"Hi." Harry smiled shyly at his parents. Lily smiled softly at her wind swept child, James grinned.
"Finally decided to come in eh, kiddo, what brought that on?" glancing to his side Harry saw Tom standing there calmly, his hands clasped behind his back and a polite look adoring his face.
"I wanted to introduce you to Tom." Smiling both parents sat up straighter. James had filled Lily in on Harry's new friend when he had come in, ensuring her that it was another boy Harry's age.
"Well then bring him in, there is no need to be shy." Confused Harry' s brow creased and he pouted, he looked from his parent then to Tom. The older boy shrugged and nodded to Harry's parents.
"Uh can't you see him?"
"See who Harry?" Lily inched forward looking into her son's eyes.
"Tom! He's standing right next to me." He gestured to his left pointing out Tom clear as day.
"Kiddo, no ones-" Lily placed her hand on James knee, looking to his wife they stared into one another eyes. Looking back to Harry Lily asked.
"Are you sure someone's there Harry?" he nodded. "Can you take another look please?" Harry pouted but did as he was told; he looked over seeing Tom look at him blue eyes gauging him, and slight quirk to his lips. Turning to his mother Harry let out a breath.
"Tom's standing right next to me." It was in that moment that Lily and James came to the same conclusion, Harry had an imaginary friend.
A/N wow that took a lot out of me, there was so much to put in there. so you get a glimpse of darkness, Tom's out of the bag, and Harry's parents think their son has a made up friend. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, I'm going to try and keep the up dates coming, but if you guys were with me when I was writing ECT you know how I roll. love you all and thanks for reviews, fav, and alerts. they keep me writing.