Chapter 4: Meeting the Weasley's
He fell backwards and landing in a bad position on his arm. It twisted in a weird way and a pang of hot agony shot up his arm. He shut his eyes and bit his lip to keep from crying out, he was sure he would be hit if he did. He slowly opened his eyes looked up and saw that he had run into a women.
She was short, plump and had a huge family with her. There was a girl who looked about one or two years younger than he did and a boy who looked older than the girl. He looked about his age. He also saw two older children, who were unmistakably twins. Then he saw two, even, older brothers. One of them had his red hair in a pony tail and had an earring on. They all had red hair and freckles. He immediately jumped up and began apologizing profusely.
"Sorry! Sorry! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to! Please don't…." His voice trailed off, not wanting to show the rest. His expression was a mixture of fear and agony. Molly thought it was the saddest thing she ever heard. There was bruise marks, peeking out behind his hairline, he was terribly thin and he seemed to expect punishment, just because he had accidentally ran into them.
"It's okay, I won't hurt you, dear." She said reassuringly. She put a hand on his shoulder. He flinched at her touch and she gave him a sympathetic expression. He knew that expression. The girl at the bakery had given shot him that look. It looked…sympathetic. That means she felt bad for him, but she probably wouldn't help him. Just like the other girl. He was swaying his trust for her.
"Where did you get that bruise?" Asked that youngest boy.
"Ron!" The woman scolded him. His ears turned red at the tips and he suddenly became very interested in his shoes. Harry muttered something inaudible that sounded something like 'My uncle'.
"What was that dear?" The woman said kindly, turning to him.
"He said his uncle did it!" The girl interjected.
"What?" The woman gasped. How could a man hurt such a sweet and innocent child? And his own uncle? The thought was revolting. They most likely starved him too, seeing how thin he was.
"What's your name, dear?" Asked the woman.
"Harry. Harry Potter." He told them. They all gave him disbelieving looks.
"I can see his scar!" Squeaked the little girl. Pointing at his forehead.
"Ginny, stop that this instant! It's rude to point," the woman scolded. The other 5 boys were still staring at him in shock, mouths slightly open. Finally someone said something.
"Your really" Said one of the twins.
"Harry Potter?" Finished the other. He gave a small nod. Why were they staring at him like that?
"Not to be rude or anything, but why are you looking at me like that?" He asked confused. This surprised Molly. Didn't he know he was the most famous wizard in the world of witchcraft and wizardry? Conqueror of the Dark Lord? The-boy-who-lived?
"Because your famous! Harry, you conquered You-Know-Who!" Said the oldest boy. He just gave them a puzzled look. You-Know-Who?
"Who's You-Know-Who?" He asked. They stared at him.
"Why he's the most evil wizard of all time!" Cried Ron. "And you killed him!"
"Me?" He asked.
"How come you don't know? Didn't your relatives tell you?" The Woman asked. He stared at his shoes and simply stated.
"They hate magic. If I asked they…" His voice trailed off.
"I can't believe it. They abuse you. Harry Potter. I can tell they hit you and starve you. God knows what else," Said the 2nd to oldest son.
"We're taking you out of that house, this instant! When Dumbledore finds out….what else do they do to you?" The woman cried.
"Umm…my room is a cupboard?" He squeaked out.
"WHAT!" they all yelled. He flinched and started at the floor.
"Please, please don't tell them! Uncle Vernon…please! I'm sorry! I didn't…." His voice trailed of again.
"You won't EVER go back there again. Don't worry about your uncle." Said the woman. "Charlie, could you please contact the order? If Dumbledore is available" CRACK! A sound cut her off. Charlie was already gone. Harry stared at the spot Charlie had just been.
"How - how did he do that? You know, like disappear into the air?"
"Charlie used apparition. It's - complicated." She said. "Oh, I'm sorry dear! Your probably very confused! We'll tell you everything at the Burrow," the woman said.
"What are your names?" He asked curiously. It seemed okay to ask them questions. They didn't seem like they wanted to hurt him.
"Oh, how silly of me! Not even introducing ourselves. I'm Mrs. Weasley. That's Ginny, - she pointed to the youngest sibling and only daughter of her family - and that's Ron - the youngest boy, who looked Harry's age. Fred and George - she said pointing to the twins - and that's Bill." Mrs. Weasley said.
He nodded to them and politely said "Hello."
"While we wait for Charlie to get back let's go to your relatives house, so we can get your things." She told Harry.
"Umm….I don't have any things…" He said staring at his feet.
"Surely you have toys or books or more clothes…?" Said Mrs. Weasley.
"No. Only one more pair of clothes really." He said shrugging. She stared at him and then suddenly her face was sad. He had never seen anyone that looked that said before. He felt bad. He was a burden.
"Why do you want me to come with you? No one wants a freak. No one loves or cares for freaks. I'm not supposed to talk to normal people." He said, his emerald eyes starting to well up. He stared at the ground ashamed.
"Who said you're a freak?" Asked Ginny. His downcast and withdrawn expression, seemed to answer the question.
They'll pay for this! Mrs. Weasley thought venomously.
"You can stay with us at the Burrow, Harry." Said Ron.
"Alright." He said cautiously. Was it a trick? The people seemed to nice to trick him though. But how did Charlie disappear like that?
"How did Charlie disappear like that?" His question mirroring his own thoughts.
"Magic, Harry, dear. Magic." Mrs. Weasley said. "You can do it to. You'll go to Hogwarts with Ron and learn how to use it. This must sound crazy but you must believe me. Okay, Harry?" He nodded. He trusted them - her. He couldn't believe it.
"Am I a wizard then?" He asked, shocked.
"Yes, indeed you are." Mrs. Weasley said.
Wow. Magic. He couldn't wait to go to Hogwarts! He would never have to go back to the Dursley's again. He would have a family at last. He shifted his position and he gasped in pain as another wave of agony rolled through his arm. No one had noticed Harry's injury until now.
"Don't worry dear, we'll fix that right up. Grab a hold of my arm. Fred, George, help Ginny and Ron Side-Apparate with you. Bill." She said nodding towards him. He understood and with a CRACK he was gone. Same with Ginny, then Ron and finally Harry apparated with Mrs. Weasley to the Burrow.