A/N Hello there! I am happy to see that you decided to read my story. This is my first time publishing something and also I'm not native speaker so please note that sometimes there could be some mistakes. If you see them just close your eyes and pretend they are not there;)
Also about the story, there is going to be a abuse and other things because I like making my characters hurt before they can get better. So poor Harry will suffer a lot.
Alright, alright I'll stop talking... let's start with a story!
In the world of dark she was my only light, shining all by herself.
It was June 15, Friday, early in the morning. The houses of Privet Drive were still dark, not even one with lights on. That was of course, because everybody was still sleeping. Everybody except a little boy, in the house number 4, who was sitting with sleeping redhaired girl in a small cupboard. He looked very excited and quietly started shaking the girl.
"Prim, Prim, wake up!"
The sleeping girl slowly opened her eyes and yawned. "Yes Harry? What is it?"
"Happy birthday!" shouted Harry but then immediately lowered his voice. "It's your birthday Prim. And I, I got you a present."
He reached to the furthest corner of the cupboard and handed the girl small present wrapped in a purple paper.
"Really?" asked the girl surprised. "Thank you!"
She started unwrapping the present. But there were no big or expensive things in it. Just small red lollipop and illustration of her having a big birthday cake.
"Where did you get that?"
Harry smiled sheepishly. "Mrs. Johnson gave it to me when she saw that Dudley pushed me to the ground and that I because of him scrapped my knee. I kept it just for you."
"You didn't have to do that Harry!"
"But I wanted to. If I ate it, I wouldn't have anything to give to you."
The girl blinked fast to hide her tears and hugged him. "You are the best brother in the whole world Harry."
There they were hugging for quite some time. But then loud and heavy footsteps were heard. Someone was walking down the stairs. They exchanged nervous looks, lay on mattress and closed eyes as if they were still sleeping. One moment later the lock rattled, and the cupboard doors were wide opened.
"Get up, you two! And be quick or I'll make you go quick!" shouted a big fat man.
Harry and Prim were instantly up. "Yes, uncle Vernon."
Uncle Vernon was really big and fat. His face was always in some shade of pink. Purple was at the times when he was screaming. Usually at Harry and Prim. He didn't like them. And he always showed that.
"Make a breakfast and you, boy don't screw up eggs again or you'll know what'll happen," said the man.
Harry lowered his head. "Yes, uncle Vernon." His back was still hurting in reminder of that.
The two Potters went to the kitchen and quickly started preparing breakfast. Prim took over the eggs and bacon, leaving the rest to Harry. He thanked her with a shallow nod because he was forbidden to talk unless asked first. This was one of the many rules aunt Petunia and uncle Vernon set to them.
At 7am they put plates on the table and served a breakfast. Then they went back and patiently waited for the rest of the Dursleys to come down.
Loud noises of Dudley's whining were heard to the kitchen. He probably didn't want to wake up again. Then came aunt Petunia's voice. "Come on, Dudders. You must wake up or you'll be late to school again. Ow, Diddykins, don't kick your mum."
Harry and Prim looked to each other and quietly snickered. But unfortunately, that didn't get unnoticed by uncle Vernon.
"What are you smirking at, boy?"
Harry quickly stopped smiling. "Nothing, uncle Vernon."
"Liar! You were smirking at my Dudley, weren't you?"
He shook his head. "No, uncle Vernon. I wasn't."
"Don't lie to me! Come here and kneel by my side. That'll teach you for lying. I knew that you two shouldn't be together. Good for nothing freaks."
Slowly, Harry went to his uncle and got on his knees. He made sure that he was on suitable distance away from uncle's long hand.
Aunt Petunia and Dudley came in the kitchen few minutes later. Harry's knees already started to hurt, but he didn't utter a sound. He could feel Prim's burning look on his back, wanting for him to turn around and look at her. He didn't.
The Dursley started eating not bothered to invite Harry and Prim to the table. After few minutes of uncomfortable silence, when the only sound that could be heard was Dudley's loud chewing, aunt Petunia stood up.
"Have you finished eating, Diddykins? We have to make you ready for school!"
Dudley mumbled something but nobody really understood. He still had the mouth full of food.
"Before you go Dudley. I need to tell you something," said uncle Vernon, maliciously eyeing Harry. "This freak was earlier laughing at you. He was laughing at you for not wanting to get up. Do you want to punish him for doing that? You have to show him, who is the real boss here."
Harry's eyes widened in alarm, and he instantly backed up a little. But he was not quick enough, uncle Vernon grabbed him, digging his fat fingers in Harry's arm, leaving a purple bruise. "Oh no, you are not doing that boy!"
Dudley smirked, clearly being happy. "Yes dad," he answered and went to Harry. The small boy tried to move but his uncle's grip was stronger. Dudley took a step back and kicked him with all his might in the abdomen. Harry curled in pain and gasped for air. But this wasn't enough for Dudley, he started kicking again and again. Then he punched him hard in the face. The stars started forming in Harry's vision and he felt blood trickling from his nose.
Uncle Vernon looked approvingly at his son. "That's going to be enough, Dudley. Good job. I think that the little freak finally did learn something." And when Harry didn't answer immediately, he grabbed his hair and pulled him up.
"Well? Answer me boy!"
Harry hissed in pain. "Yes, uncle Vernon. I did, I learned something."
"Good. Now go prepare for school. And for you boy, no meals today. You clearly didn't deserve to eat."
And with those words, he let go of Harry's hair. The panting boy fell on the floor, hugging his small body to stop the burning pain.
"Primrose!"
"Yes, aunt Petunia?" answered the girl, worryingly watching her brother.
"You can eat the rest of the breakfast."
Uncle Vernon head shot up. "But don't give anything to your worthless brother or there will be severe consequences. Understood?"
It was quiet for a few seconds and then "Yes, uncle Vernon." Prim went to the table and sat down on the opposite side of uncle Vernon. Slowly, she began eating the little what was left of the food.
Few minutes later the Potters started walking to the school. Petunia drove past them with Dudley showing his tongue to Harry.
It was quite nice moment of silence, when no one was talking. The sun was already shining and sending welcoming warmness.
But of course, then it happened.
"How are you feeling Harry?" The questions Harry loved and hated the most.
He shrugged. "I'm fine."
He was stopped in the middle of the road and Primrose raised his head to make an eye contact. "Tell me the truth. Or we're not getting anywhere."
The truth. Sounding so simple but revealing terrible secrets. He closed his eyes and whispered "It hurts. Prim, it really hurts."
He didn't hear a word, but he did feel the warmness when she embraced him. "We're going to get through this. From this day it's only seven years and we'll be free. But now, take this."
She handed him a piece of toast from breakfast. Harry opened his mouth and his eyes widened in surprise.
"You took that? But uncle Vernon…"
"He hadn't seen a thing," proudly said Prim. "But you better eat this quickly, we really don't want that Dudley sees you."
Harry nodded, his mouth already full of toast. They went past the tabby cat who was sitting unnaturally upright.
Prim immediately softened and went to her. Her love for animals didn't allow her to get past any cat she ever saw. "Hey kitty kitty. Look Harry, how beautiful she is."
He squatted and pointed to her head. "Look at this Prim! This pattern looks just like glasses. Do you think that cats can have glasses if they don't see well?"
Prim laughed. "I don't know Harry. I've never seen a cat with glasses on. But now say goodbye, we have to go to school. I think you don't want to be late."
Harry shook his head and waved to the cat. "Bye bye, Minnie." The cat flinched but it seemed that neither of them noticed that.
"Minnie?" incredulously asked Prim.
Harry just shrugged. "I don't know. It seemed right to me."
They quickly came to their school. At the gates they hugged for the last time and went in the opposite directions to their classes.
•••
Harry was running back to Privet Drive to keep up with Petunia and Dudley. Luckily, his teacher, Mrs. Johnson wanted to speak with her about Dudley's progress in school, so he had a chance to come to house before them.
"Hi Minnie!" he greeted when he went past the same cat Prim saw in the morning. He could already see the house and so he started running even faster.
"Prim! I'm home!" he shouted. He saw some letters on the floor and picked them up. The first was from aunt Marge, the second was electricity bill and the last one was addressed to Primrose Potter.
To Prim?
"Prim!" Harry shouted. "Come here! You got a letter!"
This time she quickly came. She took the letter and looked over it with a surprised expression on her face. "Mrs. Primrose Potter, cupboard under the stairs, 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging. Harry, that's me!"
She opened the letter and read.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme
Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Miss. Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts
School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Term begins on September 1. To explain all things, starting with magic, a day after you'll receive this letter, will come one of our professors.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
Harry and Prim looked to each other. Soon Prim started shaking her head. "No, this can't be true. Magic doesn't exist. This has to be some sick joke."
Harry quickly protested. "But Prim, what if that's true?"
"Harry don't be silly. Magic doesn't exist," she replied with a shaking voice.
"But look Prim, if this is true, wouldn't it be really cool…"
"Harry…"
"…to have superpowers…"
"IT'S NOT TRUE!" Prim screamed, making Harry flinch. "IT DOESN'T EXIST! MAGIC DOESN'T EXIST! You heard that from uncle and aunt at least millionth times. You were punished for that, and you still don't stop believing this, Harry? MAGIC DOESN'T EXIST!" she suddenly stopped with tears in her eyes. "If it did exist, it could have saved us from here."
Harry was watching her silently cry, not really knowing what to say. This was the first time ever that Prim screamed at him and for a moment he was scared of her. But then the door opened, and aunt Petunia came in the house.
"What are you two doing here? Get to work! And you, boy, what is that in your hand?"
Harry quickly put his hand behind him. "It's, it's nothing aunt Petunia." He received a slap that made him turn the head. And not even a second later, the handprint started appearing on his cheek.
"I am asking you the last time. What's that in your hand?"
Harry showed her the letter in his shaking hands. "It's a letter, aunt Petunia."
She laughed in a very fake laugh. "Who would even write to you? You don't have any friends."
Harry quietly explained, feeling very down because of the teaser. "It's not addressed to me, but to Prim."
"Really? Give me that letter!" She grabbed it and in one second her face went to the palest colour that Harry has ever seen. "I-It can't be true. No, no, it can't be."
"What is it mom?" asked Dudley, reaching for the letter. Aunt Petunia quickly withdraw her hand.
"Nothing Dudders dear. Go to the kitchen and eat some ice cream. I'll be with you in a minute."
Dudley's pig face lit up and ran to the kitchen. Harry knew that he would try to eat as much ice cream as he could before aunt Petunia will come. He raised his head to see aunt Petunia with an expression he had never seen before. It was a mixture of angriness, disappointing and fear. Wait fear? Aunt Petunia was never scared except for the time when Dudley did something stupid that could get him killed.
"Now you two. Listen very carefully. If you won't do exactly as I will say now, you will be punished. Understood?"
They nodded. This was nothing new.
"You two are going to clean Dudley's second room and by clean, I mean clean to the point there will be no dust left. Then you are going to get your things from the cupboard and move them to your new bedroom. Understood?"
"Yes, aunt Petunia," they agreed, even though they didn't have a clue of what was happening.
"Now get to work! And I expect this to be done before Vernon comes from work."
The Potters didn't need to hear that again and quickly started working. For the first time ever, the work was done in complete silence. They were done before uncle Vernon usually came home and to their surprise, aunt Petunia invited them to eat lunch at the same time as Dudley did.
They were eating in the silence when Vernon came home. He happily greeted his wife but when he saw Harry at the table eating, his mood quickly changed.
"Are you dumb, boy?" he growled, and Harry immediately stopped eating. "Have you forgotten what have I said to you today? I said no meals! And now I see you eating here…" uncle Vernon started walking to Harry, unbuckling his belt but was quickly stopped by aunt Petunia.
"Vernon no! I allowed this freak to eat lunch. You need to listen to me because something terrible happened."
To Harry's relief, uncle Vernon buckled his belt again. "What is it, Tuney? You know that I don't like disobeying rules."
"The letter for Primrose came today," explained aunt Petunia in dead serious voice. Uncle's face went to even paler colour than aunt Petunia's.
"No. It can't be. We swore that we would stamp their freakishness out of them. I thought it worked on the girl."
"It is true, Vernon. And tomorrow one of them, a teacher is coming here. To explain everything."
The heads of all three kids were turning to one and other side like they were watching tennis match.
"Everything? What do they need to explain? We just have to write back, that we don't want her to go there. It's that simple."
"Vernon, you know it's not. One of their kind would still come and they would have found out what is really going on there. But don't worry. I am going to take care of everything," aunt Petunia promised and after that uncle Vernon was quiet for a minute. It looked like he was thinking even though Harry thought that this was physically impossible for him.
"Okay. But we're going to discuss everything later," he turned to Harry who immediately tensed. "You are really lucky boy. Better thank your merciful aunt or I'll gladly punish you anyway."
Harry didn't need to hear this again and went to aunt Petunia. Kneeling before her, as he was taught long ago, he spoke "Thank you aunt Petunia for not allowing uncle Vernon to punish me."
She didn't even look at him. "I don't need a freak like you to thank me. Now you two, get to your room and don't even think to come down before dinner time. Understood?"
Harry and Prim nodded and answered "Yes, aunt Petunia." Then they quickly went to their new room. Harry went to the bed and climbed on it. For a moment it felt so uncomfortable. But then he relaxed and closed his eyes. His bed. For the first time in life, he had his bed. It didn't matter that they had to share it. It was still a bed and not some broken mattress they shared in the cupboard.
"Harry?" asked an unsure voice.
"Yes Prim?"
"I am really sorry. Are you angry with me?"
He thought for a second. "No. I am not angry with you Prim."
"But back then you looked so different when I was shouting…" she hit herself. "I didn't scare you, did I?" But when Harry didn't answer she quickly went to him. "Did I? Were you scared of me, Harry?
Harry turned in his bed, facing the wall. "I don't know. I, I thought… shouting never meant that something good would happen. I'm sorry. I didn't want to be scared of you. I don't want to be scared of you." He felt the urge of crying, but he didn't want to be weak in front of Prim.
"Don't be sorry Harry. It's my fault. I shouldn't scream at you. Can you forgive me?"
Harry wiped away his tears. Uncle Vernon made sure that he would always remember that boys don't cry. "Of course, I forgive you," he said softly.
"Thank you, Harry. You know that I will always be there for you. I love you."
"I love you too, Prim."
