Harry didn't want to back to school for his last year. But he also didn't want to stay with the Dursley's for a second longer. Harry was going to be a prefect this year and would have to share a dorm with Draco Malfoy. It was going to be torture.
Not that he hadn't been enduring torture his entire life. He had the scars to show it.
He would leave for school in a week. One more week and he'd almost be free from the Dursley's forever. He just had to get through this last school year.
"Boy!" Vernon shouted from downstairs. Harry sprinted from his room, abandoning his thoughts.
"Yes Uncle?" Harry asked eagerly.
"Where is my breakfast? Your cousin is hungry and your aunt as well. Are you trying to starve us?"
"No but you're trying to starve me," Harry muttered under his breath as he made his way to the kitchen.
Uncle Vernon stood and stormed up to Harry, pushing him against the nearest wall, "What did you say to me boy?"
Harry's already bruised back spurted in agonizing pain. "You haven't let me eat anything in 4 days. I'm hungry is all."
"You're an ungrateful little shit. You should be grateful we give you anything to eat at all." Vernon shoved him to the ground and kicked him twice in the torso.
Vernon had been extra cruel this summer. Harry assumed he was upset that he'd loose his house servant after this year. He must be trying to kill Harry.
Harry curled up in a protective ball on the floor. Harry was suddenly lifted off the ground by his neck and his head was slammed against the wall. White hot pain spread from his neck all throughout his head. His vision went black for a moment before he saw stars. He coughed from the lack of air.
He dropped to the ground gasping. On shaky hands, he ran dizzily out of the room and up the stairs. All he knew was that he needed to leave. He didn't know where he'd go but he knew he couldn't spend another minute in that house. He hastily grabbed his things and made his way clumsily down the stairs.
Vernon slammed the door, "Where do you think you're going boy?"
Harry ignored him, heart racing, and ran as far as his bruised and sore legs could take him.
He didn't know how but he somehow made it to Diagon Alley. He checked into a hotel room and went straight to the room after receiving many concerned looks.
When he looked in the mirror, he finally understood what all the looks were about. He looked awful. His body looked frail and weak in the ginormous hand me down clothes of Dudley's. His cheek was darkly bruised. His neck was red and had hand shaped bruises forming. He looked sweaty and paler than usual. His arms were bruised, all in various stages of healing. And that was just what was visible...
He needed to do something about how he looked. He needed to find a potions store for some coverage cream.
He splashed water on his face and changed into robes with a sweatshirt underneath so all his neck and body bruises were covered. The only one showing was the one on his cheek but he didn't look so awful anymore. He sighed in relief.
He made his way down the alleys until he came across the shop he was looking for.
"Sir?" He called, walking up to the counter, "I need to purchase some bruise coverage cream."
The older gentleman snorted, "I can see that. That's a nasty shiner you got there. Come, I'll ring ya up."
Harry nodded solemnly.
The shop door jingled behind him but he ignored it until he heard the recognizable voice, "Potter? Finally taking an interest in potions are you?"
He turned slightly to be met with his least favorite professor. Snape.