It's My Life
The crack of a belt against his back for the fifth time as Harry Potter writhed in pain, struggling hard not to cry for it would only be worse if he did. "That will teach you to talk back." Spoke a male voice. "I have an important dinner tonight with my company's new owner and I will not have you causing trouble or so help you, boy…You will wish you had died with your parents. Am I clear?"
"Y-Yes, Uncle Vernon," Harry replied.
The only thing Harry had done this time was not dust during his cleaning overhaul. Petunia had ordered it given there were guests tonight. A dinner party with the people who had taken over Vernon's company. Harry ended up thrown against the wall, then forced to take off his shirt as Vernon whipped him with the belt.
The man slammed the door shut to his room under the stairs, locking it from the outside. Harry curled into himself after pulling his shirt back on, hissing in pain when the fabric touched his whipped back. Harry hated living with his aunt and uncle, but knew he would never get away either. Harry had begged his headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, every year when Hogwarts let out if he could remain there, or even with his good friend, Ronald Weasley, or his godfather, Sirius Black. Dumbledore always said no because of the Blood Wards that kept him safe from anyone who wanted to hurt him, like Voldemort. To Harry, that didn't matter because Voldemort was officially back and definitely would be trying to kill him when he returned to school next month. Harry Potter had just completed his fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, but like years before; it wasn't a good ending. Fellow classmate, Cedric Diggory, had been killed by Peter Pettigrew when they were port-keyed to a graveyard in Little Hangleton during the last task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Harry could do nothing and had to watch Cedric be killed by the killing curse and then Voldemort was revived and they battled, but Harry got away.
Harry had been abused by his relatives for years, but Vernon always did the worst of it. Harry was basically their slave, having to cook and clean for hours at a time. If he did anything wrong, or too slowly; he would be beat until he couldn't move. Vernon would use the belt, but he would hit too. Petunia was known for slapping Harry around and Dudley was just a bully, shoving Harry all the time. Harry hated it, and with everything going on, much like Vernon's words; Harry did wish he was dead. Harry was sick of everything, and angry too. Harry hated that Dumbledore kept sending him back to this house. What was the point of the blood wards when he was being hurt inside the house? There wasn't a point. Dumbledore was just the one with all the control over him and Harry, sadly, felt there was no way out. No way to be free. Harry laid on his cot and sighed quietly; it was about 2:30 pm now. Dinner would be at 6:00 pm; Harry would be stuck in the cupboard all night; there was little chance of him getting dinner was zero. Harry was starving, and in a lot of pain too. Harry tried to close his eyes and sleep; this is where he'd be all night and there was no point staying awake longer.
. . .
Hours later and it was probably 5:45 pm. Harry had managed to fall asleep, but now he was awakened by hunger. Harry groaned figuring that given the time; he wasn't getting dinner until maybe later on when the guests left. The latch on the door clicked as it then opened up to reveal Petunia to Harry.
"Go use the bathroom, quickly. Your uncle isn't going to let you out after his new boss arrives," Petunia told him. "Then you will stay in your room, touching nothing until the dinner is over and the guests have left. You may read the books up there, to keep you quiet. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Aunt Petunia," Harry nodded, not fussing at all because he knew if he didn't go now; he would have to later on. Harry left the cupboard and hurried upstairs to get into the bathroom, then onto the smaller bedroom in the hall that housed his cousin's toys. It was Harry's bedroom, technically, but when he got in trouble with his uncle; Harry usually got forced into the cupboard as punishment. So in this room only had a thin mattress on the floor, no pillow and only a thin blanket to cover with. Harry's belongings for school were in the closet. Harry owned very little, but was glad his aunt and uncle never demanded he put his pictures away. It wasn't much, but it beat the cupboard for sure. Harry went inside to find no places to sit, so he just found a spot on the floor after getting a couple books to read.
When 6:00 pm came to the house on Privet Drive, and the male knocked on the door. Vernon answered it, allowing the man and his wife inside. Petunia stood with Dudley, and Vernon did introductions. There was light chatter as Petunia served dinner out, then they began eating. Harry was dealing with a headache that seemed to be getting worse and his scar was throbbing. It had to be the connection to Voldemort, but Harry knew he had to stay quiet. What made things terrible was how nauseous he felt from not eating all day, nor two days before. Hours passed and soon it was 7:30 pm, Petunia was cleaning up as Dudley watched TV after helping his mother clear away the dishes, begrudgingly. Dudley hadn't wanted to, but his father gave a firm stare and the boy fell in line. Harry felt awful between his beaten body and splitting headache; he eventually curled up on the carpeted floor with his arms around his stomach. Tears pricked at his eyes as he shut them tightly.
"Dinner was lovely," The woman complimented.
"Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy." Petunia smiled.
"Please, call me Narcissa." The woman replied.
"My wife is a kitchen master," Vernon beamed. "And I'm personally thrilled to be working under new management with you, Mr. Malfoy. We've longed for a fair owner."
"You've not to worry with me." The male informed. "Lucius is fine for casual setting."
"May I trouble you to use your facilities?" Narcissa questioned.
"Not at all. It's just up the stairs, second door on the right," Petunia informed.
"Thank you," Narcissa smiled as she got up and went out to find the stairs, then traveled up them.
Narcissa found the bathroom no problem and was soon on her way down the hall to reach the stairs when she heard the distinct sound of whimpering near the door currently across from her. Narcissa stared at the door, which appeared to have several locks on it. Narcissa heard what sounded like a child crying in pain.
"Help…" Cried the voice, it sounded to be a young male and very broken, as well quiet. Narcissa would have missed it if she wasn't at the door itself. "Mom? Dad…Someone? Anyone…Help me. I can't…Do this anymore. I don't want to. I just want it to end."
It broke Narcissa's heart. As a mother, she couldn't ignore it. There was clearly a child calling for help; it sounded pretty desperate too. Narcissa knew this wasn't her house, but how could the people downstairs have a child locked in a room who clearly needed help.
"Merlin's beard…" Narcissa couldn't believe it. Narcissa hurried downstairs to tell the Dursley's she heard noise; she certainly wouldn't say she went snooping.
"I was beginning to think you got lost, love," Lucius, her husband, said.
"I got…Distracted by sounds from another room." Narcissa admitted. "It sounded like a child who was crying in pain."
"We don't have another child here," Vernon lied quickly.
"I am certain of what I heard," Narcissa claimed. "I have a child at home; I know what it sounds like when he's not okay." She insisted.
"Vernon…" Petunia said calmly. "We do have another…Child here with us, but he's only our nephew and it's nothing to be concerned about."
"He's a troubled child, very bad behavior since his parents died." Vernon added. "He's alright."
"Is he? Because I heard him and he was crying for help." Narcissa's eyes narrowed a bit. "Whatever the behavior the child displays; you have taken him in and it is your duty to ensure he's cared for. I'm appalled already by the amount of locks on the door…"
"Locks?" Lucius asked.
"About six of them, on the outside of the door." Narcissa nodded.
"I'm certain there's laws against treating children in such a way. Ignoring a child in your guardianship is considered neglect and punishable…" Lucius said.
"I assure you, everything is fine," Petunia smiled.
"Then you will be good enough to go upstairs and allow me to see the child myself?" Narcissa pushed.
"Forgive me, Mrs. Malfoy…But I don't believe it's your place to ask me something in my own house," Vernon remarked respectfully.
"You will ensure that child is alright before my eyes, or I will summon the authorities here to investigate." Narcissa demanded.
"I agree with my wife," Lucius said.
"Very well," Vernon stood and walked upstairs as Lucius and Narcissa followed behind. Petunia was walking behind them. Vernon knocked on the door. "Are you alright in there?" No answer. "He's probably sleeping."
"Then you will confirm it by opening the door or I will." Lucius stated.
"He's being punished." Vernon sighed.
"Open the door now, or I summon the authorities." Mrs. Malfoy demanded. Vernon got out the keys and worked each lock open, then turned the handle as the door opened. Narcissa was first into the room to find a boy, about her own son's age, passed out on the floor. "Oh my-," Narcissa dropped to her knees to pull the child out of the pile from his own vomit. "Lucius, come in here," She told her husband.
Lucius walked in, shocked to find the state of the child Narcissa spoke of but even more so who the child was. "Mister Potter…"
"Potter? As in the Harry Potter, the boy who lived? This is Harry Potter?" Narcissa gasped.
"The scar on his forehead is proof enough, even the glasses…" Lucius replied; his eyes shifted to the room itself, taking it into memory for later then turned on Petunia and Vernon. "You dare to treat a child this way? Even more so Harry Potter?" Lucius's face turned appalled and angry. "You locked him in this room, alone while he was ill? In this state? He doesn't even have a proper room!" The man yelled. "How dare you treat him this way! Do you even know who he is in our world!?"
"It is not your place to worry about the boy; he was left in our care by the old fool fourteen years ago. We took him in, fed and clothed him. We've done what we are supposed to." Vernon said.
"You call this care!?" Narcissa screeched. "Had I not pushed this matter, he could be dead. Laying in a pile of his own vomit; he would have choked to death! By the state of things…Not fed or clothed either!"
"If you want him so bad, you take him." Petunia sneered. "I never wanted to care for my freak sister's spawn. I never wanted a freak in my house; we only agreed because the old man promised us money to keep him here, under some…Protective covering through blood relatives."
"Blood wards." Lucius informed his wife. "We should report it to Dumbledore," He said.
"No, that senile old fool is the one who put Harry with these people. We're taking Harry with us now and everything can be sorted later. I cannot, in good conscious, leave him here." Narcissa stated.
"We have no authority to take him…" Lucius sighed.
"They told us we could. We'll work out legality later. Would you think twice if it were Draco?" Narcissa frowned.
"No, never." Lucius admitted.
"Lucius, help me with Harry. We are taking him with us…I fear he won't make it to his next year of school if left here with these awful muggles." Narcissa stated firmly.
Lucius cast a quick cleaning spell on the vomit on Harry's face and hair, then cast a lightening charm to carry the boy in his arms. "Your actions will not go unpunished…" Lucius warned Vernon and Petunia.
"Where are his belongings?" Narcissa asked.
"Closet," Petunia informed. "And take his ruddy bird too."
Narcissa went to the closet, finding only Harry's trunk in there. "This is it?" Vernon nodded. Narcissa cast a shrinking charm to get the trunk and few photos around the room shrunk and into her pocket. Narcissa grabbed the owl cage gently. "We are leaving." She left with Lucius.
When the two got outside, Lucius apparated to Malfoy Manor.
. . .
The crack of magic sounded as Lucius and Narcissa landed outside the main door of Malfoy Manor, and Narcissa got the doors opened up while her husband walked in carrying Harry's unconscious form.
"Set him down on the couch, Lucius…" Narcissa instructed. Lucius did so and then stepped back as Narcissa did her best to work on Harry, calling forth a couple elves to bring her things like wash clothes and warm water. Lucius could only take in the damage as Narcissa tried to take off the extra layers. "Call for Severus." She told her husband.
Lucius went over to the fireplace and tossed a bit of floo powder into it. "Severus Snape, Spinner's End." It took a moment, but then Lucius stuck his head in.
"That was a quick dinner meeting," Severus's voice informed.
"Things came up," Lucius stated.
"Tell him to come here with his potions bag, and also, to return Draco home." Narcissa told him.
"Narcissa requests you-," Lucius started.
"I'm not deaf, Lucius. I heard her…We're coming through." Severus stated. "Should I be concerned as to why you need me and my potions."
"You'll find out when you get here. Try not to be too alarmed, and also tell Draco that he is to also remain calm and not make a fuss. We'll explain when you arrive," Lucius said.
"Understood." Severus replied.
Lucius pulled back as not more than a minute later, the fireplace flared while Severus appeared with Draco on his right side. "So what's the big thing?" Draco asked. As soon as Lucius stepped aside, it was clear. "Why the hell is Potter here!?" Draco yelled.
"Draco!" Narcissa scolded. "You will not raise your voice nor use such language in this house!"
Draco muttered. "Sorry," He said. "But seriously…Why is Potter here, in our house?"
"It's complicated," Narcissa sighed. "Severus, can you come look over him? Please?" Narcissa asked. "I think he needs a full diagnostic exam, to start and then whatever treatment to remedy what we can."
"I'll expect you to be explaining this matter," Severus said, coming closer towards Harry on the couch.
"We'll explain after he's taken care of." Narcissa informed.
Severus pulled his wand and cast a powerful diagnostic charm over Harry's body, only running his wand slightly over Harry's form. "This should tell us everything that's wrong with him, past and present." He waited for the enchanted parchment to appear, which it did so a moment later when the light faded over Harry's figure. Severus pulled the sheet towards him to look over it. Severus's face twisted from it's usual to what looked like concern, Narcissa looked over his shoulder and saw the list as fear and shock came upon her facial features.
"This is everything over the last fourteen years, Severus?" Narcissa asked.
"The healers at St. Mungo's use this spell when they can't talk to a patient to get information, so it's one hundred percent accurate, Narcissa." Severus informed. "I'm not worried about much of the past as I am the current and ones that will have lasting effect if not corrected." He pulled a small square from his pocket and transfigured and enlarged it to a basic, but small cabinet full of potions. Severus began to grab the ones he needed. "Explain how you discovered this."
"He'll need to be changed out of those clothes." Lucius stated. "Draco, go fetch a spare set of your own. You and Mr. Potter are about the same height and build."
"Yes, father…" Draco replied, not wanting to invoke his father's wrath with wanting to know how exactly Harry Potter ended up in his house.
When Draco was cleared from the area, Narcissa sighed. "At the dinner, I had gone to use the restroom and came across a door with many locks on it. I heard whimpering and a voice inside asking for help. I went to tell Lucius, and we cornered the guardians after they informed it was only their nephew who was troubled and being punished. When Lucius forced them to show us the boy, I found him face down in his own vomit, Severus, and unconscious. Lucius is the one who told me is was Harry Potter. The people we'd had dinner with were his aunt and uncle."
"We were informed that they never wanted to take Harry in, but some old man told them they had to for Potter's protection inside the blood wards." Lucius explained after his wife. "Given his state, Narcissa and I decided to remove him."
"Old man? Probably Dumbledore," Severus remarked as he was pouring potions down Harry's throat and causing him to reflexively swallow. "He's insisted every year that Harry returns to the Dursley's, for protection from intent to harm from beyond them. Meaning the dark lord. Petunia is Lily's sister and had always been furious at Lily got into Hogwarts, and not herself. But she has no magical ability."
"Does Dumbledore know about what Harry suffers there? Has Harry ever told him?" Narcissa asked.
"I don't know, but I think he did. McGonagall mentioned Harry asking at the end of last year if he could please stay elsewhere, she described it as Harry begging Dumbledore to not go back. Minerva asked me to check in and I planned to tomorrow." Severus said.
"This means Harry Potter has been being mistreated all these years. Abused. Starved…And Dumbledore knew." Lucius scoffed.
"The clothes you asked for, Father," Draco returned with a pile of clothes.
Severus flicked Harry's clothes away from him carefully and replaced them with the new ones. "Dumbledore is going to know he was removed from the wards."
"And he's safe behind ours, for now." Narcissa said.
"No, he's not. While Dumbledore can't get by them without invitation, the dark lord can and the last thing we need is Harry and Voldemort in the same space. Harry needs to be hidden until we get this sorted." Severus remarked. "Voldemort would kill him, no hesitation and in this state…Potter would most certainly lose."
"I think he wants Voldemort to just kill him. Rather…I think he wants to die." Narcissa mentioned.
"Why do you say that?" Severus inquired.
"There's one thing I left out when I said I heard Harry asking for help…" Narcissa sighed.
"And that is?" Lucius pushed.
"He specifically said; Mom? Dad? Someone? Anyone…Help me. I can't do this anymore. I don't want to. I just want it to end." Narcissa stated.
"He's not just suffering physically, but mentally too." Severus looked over at Harry, who was still unconscious on the couch. Draco grabbed a blanket and set it over Harry quietly. Rivalry or not, this wasn't the time and from the sounds of it; Draco felt like he needed to not be a jerk to Harry ever again. Harry wasn't anything like Draco believed, and he truthfully felt ashamed for ever thinking Harry was living the good life. "We'll figure this out." Severus sighed. They had no choice; Harry needed help and they all silently agreed that they were going to be the ones to give it.