Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter!

A/N: Part of a challenge.

If You Dare: 775. Panic

Are You Crazy Enough?: 341: (quote) It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt. – Mark Twain

This chapter may be triggering to some. Read at your own discrepancy!


5 July 1995

Dear Help,

The one thing I don't understand is why Dumbledore sent me back. Doesn't he find it slightly suspicious that after only 4 days, my relatives are sending me back, claiming I fell down the stairs? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that something is off. He won't even investigate it! Does my word mean nothing? My life? Do I mean anything to Dumbledore or any of the rest of them? I'm starting to believe that I don't.

As soon as the door to Number 4 Privet Drive was closed after my time in the Hogwarts infirmary, I found myself under the angry glare of Uncle Vernon. I could feel my body start to tremble, betraying me. From the living room, I heard Dudley call, "All clear!" Without waiting for another instant, Uncle Vernon punched me in the side of the head, sending my glasses flying. I fell to the floor and curled up in a defensive ball. He beat me as he'd never done before. All I could think about was the pain. Everywhere hurt. I think Dudley may have come and started hitting me as well. I couldn't be sure. I was starting to lose consciousness when I heard him say, "This time, I'll make sure you don't escape! I've had it with your stupid tricks! You hear me boy? HAD IT!"

I did hear him, however, I didn't even get a chance to cry out a response, because he's already knocked me out.


I woke up one morning a month later to find myself completely numb from a beating I couldn't remember. I couldn't feel anything. I opened my eyes and looked at my finger to tried to make it move. As soon as I moved it, my entire body felt like it was on fire.

I opened my mouth to scream, only to discover I couldn't open it at all. I had duct tape holding my mouth shut. I raised my arm to take it off, but one look at my arm set me into panic mode. It was purple from bruises and I think I may have broken it. I couldn't tell the difference with all the pain. I pull off the duct tape slowly, setting my face on fire in the process. Finally, it comes off completely and I drop it on the floor. I was breathing heavily from the effort.

I heard a lock come undone. Then another. Then another. I realized it was coming from my door a moment too late, for Vernon was already there and smacking my face. I felt hot tears roll down my cheeks as he grabbed my face and made me look at him. His cruel eyes had an angry gleam in them.

"We got a letter from that old- freak saying he's coming to get you tomorrow," Vernon growled, "He said he didn't want to hear anything bad about this summer. Well, guess what? He's not gonna hear anything from you." At this, he threw my face on the bed. I saw scissors in his hand as he forces my mouth open. My eyes opened wide in panic and I made a feeble attempt at escape. He pulls me back and wrenches my mouth open once more. He takes the scissors and with one quick cut, my tongue is gone. My mouth fills with blood instantly, but Uncle Vernon was ready. He put a trash can underneath my mouth and forces me to lean over it.

I don't know how long I was laying there, blood gushing out of my mouth, but when it finally stops, Uncle Vernon was gone. I lay back on the bed and shut my mouth. I feel tears well up in my eyes once more, but no sound escapes my mouth. The tears just fall silently. Eventually, I found the courage to quickly write this. Dumbledore's getting me tomorrow. But I won't have anything to say to him now. Or ever. I'm about to pass out, so I'll have to wait for tomorrow.


Sorry about the short chapter! I promise things are going to start picking up. Now I need your opinion. Who should be "Help"? Should it be Sirius? Or Snape? Or Lupin? Or some other character? If you want it to be some other character, be sure to mention who! And don't forget to review!

scatteredbutterflies- I'm glad you liked the twist! Sorry for making you wait so long for this update! This chapter was pretty gory compared to others, don't you think? xD