Before Hogwarts
The Contract and Results
It was right at 5pm when Rick and Harry got back to Privet Drive with several bags containing new clothes for Harry and a few birthday presents, Rick had made sure Vernon would be home by this time. Rick knocked on the door and it was soon answered by Vernon and they were invited inside. As soon as they were inside Petunia asked Harry if he would help her in the kitchen for a few minutes before putting his stuff up; so the two of them went to the kitchen. Once there, Petunia told Harry that they had moved all his stuff to Dudley's second bedroom and he was to act like it had always been his room; any funny business and he would be right back under the stairs and no food for two weeks.
Rick and Vernon had sat down and were talking about the thick document Rick had left to be read. Rick explained again that all that was needed was Vernon's and Petunia's signatures and everything would be fine and that he had their check with him for the 120,000 to cover the past 6 years. Vernon wanted to increase the amount but Rick explained that it was a set amount and couldn't be changed due to the will provisions, but he could include a small amount to offset the cost of food for Harry.
When Petunia and Harry came back in Rick pointed to the last page and showed them where they had to sign. As soon as they had signed and Rick had signed as a witness, the last page duplicated itself and the original copy disappeared. Needless to say Vernon wasn't happy and started to calling Rick and Harry both freaks and saying he wouldn't allow such freakishness in his house. Rick calmly pulled his wand out and then told Vernon to be quiet.
"Now Mr. Dursley, you and your wife signed the papers which was a magical contract that stated that you knew that Harry was a wizard and you gave full control of his magical education to me. The contract also forbids you from harming Harry in any way, it even forbids your son from harming Harry. So that means that Dudley's little game of "Harry Hunting" ends today, or else Dudley pays the price dearly. This contract also insures that Harry will be fed three good meals a day and a snack before bed. Part of the magic of this contract is to strongly encourage you to report yourselves to the local child welfare office and to report all the abuse you have placed on your nephew. The contract also provides me with permission to take Harry every other weekend at a minimum and for six weeks every summer, in addition to giving me magical guardianship of Harry. Now sometime tomorrow you will receive a document that you need to fill out to allow the yearly payment to be transferred to your account and reported to the government for tax purposes. Now I had Harry tested and he doesn't have the genetic defect so that is great news; but he is severely malnourished and will need a strict diet for the next few weeks to get him up to standard weight and such. That too was part of the contract. Now Harry will need to take two potions with breakfast and one with each meal. If you try to cheat on this the food will be provided but the cost will be deducted form your moneys. I will leave some extra cash to cover the extra cost of Harry's diet. Do you have any questions about this contract? If so ask now or if some come to mind later you can inquire of me the next time I come for Harry." Rick told the Dursleys.
"Now shall we take a look at Harry's room and since it is Harry's birthday I have taken the liberty of providing a birthday cake and ice cream for after our meal. Harry why don't we take your new clothes to your room and put them away", Rick continued.
Harry and Rick headed towards the stairs and up to Harry's "new" room. The room still had most of Dudley's stuff piled in it and the bed looked like it would fall in if anything heavier than a feather was put on it. Rick called Twinkie and asked her to fix the room since elf magic wouldn't alert the ministry, or Dumbledore. Twinkie snapped her fingers and the room was empty, soon to be filled with a king size four poster bed, a wardrobe, a chest of drawers, a desk setup, and the closet turned into a private bath. Rick thanked Twinkie and told her to take the rest of the night off and enjoy herself, maybe go and visit some of her friends. Harry was just standing there with his mouth open staring at the new room. Rick explained that Twinkie had made the room larger magically and that Harry would always have plenty of hot water for his bath and that his laundry would be taken care of so Petunia couldn't "misplace" any of it.
While Harry put his new clothes away Rick sat down at the desk and used the quill and parchment to compose a letter to his connection at the wizard's bank in America asking if they had received the contract and if the accounting had been setup as requested. Rick had no more signed his name than the letter disappeared, the answer appeared just five minutes later saying all was as requested and thanked him for his business. Harry and Rick went back downstairs and let the Dursleys know that everything was satisfactory, for now. Rick cautioned Vernon and Petunia that they were forbidden to mention him or anything about Harry's magic to anyone. The Dursleys were not too happy that Rick was joining them for supper, and Dudley was even less happy when he came in to eat. It seemed that none of them were used to seeing Harry have a real meal at the same table as them; but Dudley brightened up when he saw the cake and ice cream. Dudley reached for the biggest piece only to have his hand slapped by Rick saying that was Harry's piece as it was his birthday. Rick left soon after the cake and ice cream, but said he would pick Harry up that coming weekend and reminding Harry to take his potions which should appear in his room by bedtime.
When Harry went up to his room he noticed that there were several potions sitting in boxes on the floor by the desk and there was a note on the desk addressed to him:
Harry,
Here are the potions for the next few days, the rest will arrive as soon as Lucy finishes brewing them. Please use the book under this note to record everything you eat and what you do each day. What you write will be copied to a book that I have at home, this way we will know if we need to increase or adjust the nutrient potions. Also, I will be sending you some books to read at your leisure explaining some of the basics of magic and we will also start you on some simple potion brewing to cover the time until you can do magic again.
You need to exercise daily; running, climbing trees, and such is good for you. Washing Vernon's car, weeding the flower beds, and such isn't exercise. A strong body supports a stronger magical core, plus being able to dodge spells is easier so you need to be very flexible and quick.
Since the British magical world is stuck in the 16th or 17th century they still use quill and parchment, unlike the USA where we have kept up with the advances, you should practice using these writing implements on a daily basis. You will notice that the book is divided into two sections, the first is where you record your food and drink intake, the second is where you record your physical activity - such as "climbed three trees" or "ran for 30 minutes" or "mowed the yard" (I don't really want this one too often, Dudley and Vernon need that more than you do). But be honest with what you record as that gives me an idea as to what physical training you might need.
The desk is magical, if you use the silver pin below to prick your finger and place that blood on the handle of the top right hand drawer then only you, and Twinkie, will be able to open any of the drawers on that side (keeps nosey people out of your secrets) also this will keep any non-magical person from seeing your books or what they contain (Dudley or Petunia cough cough). Also, and only if you ask, I can have Twinkie to fix your door so that when it is closed and locked your minders won't enter; even if the door is closed they have to be allowed entry at this time, with it locked they don't even notice the door or the room.
Your Friend,
Rick
When Harry opened the book the first page showed what he had eaten for supper, including the cake and ice cream. Harry looked at the quill and ink bottle and decided to practice using them as he wasn't used to them. He noticed some extra parchment in one of the cubbyholes above the desk marked practice supplies. But first he used the silver pin to prick his finger as Rick had told him, when he touched the handle there was a faint green glow surrounding the desk for a few seconds then it went away.
Harry had mistakenly left his door open and he heard Dudley complaining that "the freak" was in his extra bedroom and had done something to that room. Harry got up and closed the door just as Vernon climbed to the top of the stairs. When Vernon pounded on the door Harry asked what he needed. Vernon yelled that since Rick wasn't there Harry had to stay under the stairs and to open that door right now. Harry was afraid but remembering what Rick had written he decided to ignore his uncle.
"Alright boy, if you won't open this door then you can stay locked in there until the weekend", Vernon shouted. Shortly Harry heard the sound of Vernon's electric screwdriver, then Vernon complaining that the screws wouldn't even go in to the door; Harry smiled and decided to go take a bath before going to bed.
Harry had given the bathroom a brief glance earlier but on closer examination he saw that it was three times the size of the regular bathroom down the hall. The tub was huge and had a sliding glass door so if he wanted to he could take a shower. The counter had a double sink with a mirror above that stretched all the way across. There was even a stained glass mosaic on one wall showing fish and sea creatures that moved! There was a large stack of big fluffy towels and other needed items on one side of the room. Harry really enjoyed the bath and felt very relaxed once he got out.
The next morning Harry was awaken by Petunia pounding on his door and saying it was time to get up and fix breakfast and not to burn the bacon or the toast. Harry got up, got dressed, and went downstairs. Vernon was just coming down the hallway and grabbed Harry. "I've got you now boy. Now you're not in that infernal room and you are going to get what is coming to you", Vernon yelled. Just as Vernon pulled back his fist to hit Harry there appeared a red envelope that exploded and started berating Vernon that whatever he did to Harry would happen twice as hard to him "Remember the contract!" Vernon released Harry and told him to mow the yard and Harry wasn't to have anything to eat for two days. Another red envelope appeared "Remember the contract" it shouted at him. Harry took that opportunity to go downstairs and start breakfast.
Harry had just sat down to his breakfast of a half piece of burned toast when Twinkie softly popped in and placed a tray in front of him containing eggs, toast, bacon, sausages, milk, and juice, along with both of his potions. Vernon's face got so purple that Harry thought he was going to explode. "What do you think you doing? I told you no breakfast, now give that to Dudley and go start on the yard." Vernon yelled. Harry tried to push the tray over towards Dudley but it wouldn't move, Dudley tried to reach for some of the bacon and pulled his hand back as if he had been shocked. When Petunia tried to touch the tray she acted as if she got shocked.
"What is this unnaturalness, what did you do to your aunt and Dudley?", Vernon yelled.
Harry ate his breakfast and took his potions, boy that one still tasted like Harry thought dirty socks would taste. A piece of chocolate appeared on the tray, and as soon as Harry picked it up the tray disappeared. Harry went outside to do the yard but it didn't need cutting and the flower beds didn't need weeding either. Harry went back inside and told his uncle that the yard was fine, when Vernon went outside he couldn't believe his eyes the yard was perfect. Vernon just got in his car and left for work.
Harry took this chance to go to the park a few blocks away. Once he got there he sat in the only swing that wasn't broken and thought about what had happened that morning. He had been sitting there for a while when Twinkie softly popped into sight, this worried Harry as he wasn't sure how to explain Twinkie if someone should come up. "Master Harry not worry, I no be seen or heard except by you. Master Harry needs to exercise so he get strong soon. Twinkie come back when it time for lunch to remind Master Harry.", Twinkie said. "Twinkie, Rick said you could fix my door so nobody would bother me if I asked. Would please do that for me?", Harry asked. "Twinkie do what Master Harry ask, everything being done soon.", with that Twinkie disappeared.
Harry got up and decided to do as Rick suggested and run some. He had done about two laps around the park when Dudley and his crew showed up, this usually meant trouble for Harry. Sure enough, Dudley came up and started shoving Harry around and saying "it's Harry hunting time". That seemed to be the wrong thing to say for as soon as he said it he doubled over as if he had been hit in the stomach real hard. Now all of Dudley's "friends" backed up, they weren't used to anyone not giving in to Dudley. Harry decided this was a good time to leave and took off at a run, all the way to the small piece of wooded area close to the park. Once there he climbed up in a tree to hide from Dudley and his crew. It wasn't too long before they showed up and Harry heard one of them say something about "Harry hunting" and Dudley doubled over again. Just as Dudley stood up again one of the other boys said "Hey this Harry Hunting isn't as much fun as usual, where is he hiding this time?". Dudley doubled over again and then passed out as he couldn't get any air in to his lungs. Harry watched all this from his perch in the tree.
After the gang had left, it took several minutes for Dudley to get up, Harry climbed down and started towards the park when Twinkie reappeared and told him it was time for lunch, so Harry headed for home. Lunch wasn't much, just a peanut butter sandwich and a glass of water; until Twinkie showed up again with much more on her tray. This time the tray contained a bowl of thick stew with meat and vegetables, a glass of milk, two wheat rolls, Harry's potion, and a chunky chocolate chip cookie. After that lunch Harry felt fuller than he had ever felt. Dudley whined about his three peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and his quart of syrupy sweet tea.
Harry decided to go to his room and lay down for a little while, but Petunia told him that there was a package for him in the cupboard under the stairs. When Harry went to get the package Dudley pushed Harry in the cupboard and slammed and locked the door. Just a few seconds later the door flew off it's frame and hit Dudley knocking him to the floor. Harry came out and looked at his cousin and had a small grin on his face, then he took the box upstairs to his room. When Harry got to his room he noticed that the damage Vernon had done to the wall trying to lock him in the room had been repaired and the door now had a deadbolt lock on it. On closer examination Harry couldn't see a keyhole, but when he touched the lock face the door opened freely. "Neat" was Harry's only comment as he entered and shut the door behind him.
Harry placed the box on the floor beside the desk, opened it, and started to remove several books and a sheet of plain paper with writing on it that looked like Rick's:
Harry,
Here are the books I promised you. You are welcome to read any of them as you will, but I would suggest starting with the one called A History of Magic, it isn't too hard to understand and if you had grown up in the USA you would have started reading it a year ago. Also, I think you might enjoy the one called Tales of Beetle the Bard, it is a book of magical fairy tales. Also, I have included a list of terms that you should become familiar with so you can understand some of what you hear. I'm sorry if I miss some of the British terms since I'm American; but, you can make a note of any that you need explained.
Twinkie told me what she did, at your request, as far as the lock on the door. Just so you know, to lock the door from the outside you just touch the lock face where a key would usually be used (you unlock it the same way) and nobody will even notice that the door is there (unless they are magical).
Enjoy,
Rick
Harry carefully placed the books above his desk in the space provided. In the bottom of the box he found several sheets of paper that had been printed instead of handwritten. He took these and A History of Magic with him and laid down on his bed to look them over.
Well another chapter finished. If you want to see what Harry got for his list of terms look at the file called Terms Used. This chapter was posted before any reviews were made or received. You will find that I don't use A/Ns much as I detest authors that waste my time going on and on and on about nothing just to make their posts look longer. You'll also notice that my chapters are rather long. Once again I remind you the more reviews the better and the more incline I am to write more. If you see a need to include more terms then put them in a PM or include them in your reviews/comments.
I am in need of someone to beta this tale, so if you would like to offer just PM me with your email and include your qualifications.
After this story is finished, and if the reviews warrant it, I may continue the story and follow the books by JKR except with my own little twists.
Wow, this is way too long. Won't happen again, I promise.