Harry staggered back, crumbling onto the water-logged floor with a splash, but Dudley was not done. The boy kicked Harry, digging into his ribs.
''Think we've done enough? I don't want teachers catching us. Cause if they do, we'll be in big trouble.''
''You trying to tell me what to do?''
At that, Piers kept his mouth shut. He was taller than Duddley, but also much skinnier.
''You tell anyone about this, you're dead,'' Dudley warned, and pointed a finger down at Harry. ''Tell anyone and I'll just tell Mom and Dad that you started it.''
He sat up, holding his ribs. With his free hand, he wiped at his mouth. ''What would I tell them?''
Dudley grinned. ''Exactly. Who'd believe you?'' He said. ''C'mon, Piers. We're gettin' outta here. I wanna get some ice cream. Dad gave me some money.''
Harry watched the two boys leave and was almost tempted to follow. He could have wiped that smirk off his cousin's face.
I could. He thought. But if I do then Vernon might actually kill me this time.
He fell back down and counted the patterns on the ceiling.
This is just how things were, and that would never change.
School had ended hours ago, but Harry Evans only then made his way into Privet Drive. He was rather tall for 10, but also skinny and not very athletic. His hair was not just a dark brown, but pure black, with green eyes that flashed like emeralds.
He rarely, if ever, looked to be in good condition, with old clothes three sizes too small, but now he staggered down the street with a limp, and a bruised, swollen face.
As he continued, no one in Privet Drive approached him. After all, to them, he was just a troublemaker.
Not that he was, his aunt simply liked to spread rumours.
''Little ignorant troublemaker.''
''Oh, don't mind him, Mr Turner. He's just a little hell-raiser!''
''If he does anything, do tell me. I've had to call the police because of his behaviour before! He is a nasty, nasty boy!''
''So much like my sister. She was like the devil. Don't tell anyone, but she was an addict, and I already know he'll follow in her footsteps.''
Of course, they were all lies. But to Little Whinging, Harry was a future criminal.
Maybe I should prove them right. He balled his fists. It wouldn't be that hard.
But deep down he knew that he wouldn't. He couldn't.
Harry finally made his way into the driveway. Standing just outside was Vernon, whose face had fallen into a deep shade of purple.
''Where were you?'' Vernon gripped his arm. ''Well, boy?''
He flinched slightly. ''Well, I thought you wouldn't mind.''
''Well, get in,'' Vernon demanded. ''A very important, very powerful man wants a word with you.''
All he could ask was, ''Why?''
''How am I meant to know? He just wants to talk to you.'' As the two went inside, Vernon went on. ''You better not act up.''
He nodded meekly. ''I won't, uncle.''
As the two entered, pictures paraded the walls, but none featured Harry. Inside the living room, Vernon slipped on a smile, though his hands looked jittery.
''Here he is. Took his time, but he's here.'' Vernon pushed Harry forward and fell by his ear. ''Don't forget what I said.'' He hissed, but his smile didn't falter.
Harry took a step forward. ''Hello.'' He remembered that this was a powerful man, ''Sir.''
The first thing that struck Harry was that the man sat in Vernon's armchair, but with one look, he understood why his uncle allowed it.
It was hard to pinpoint the man's age. There were streaks of grey in his hair, but he was absolutely massive. Thick wrists and hands, with fierce eyes dark as coal.
''It seems that your uncle has taught you manners.'' The man boomed, his voice deep and commanding. ''It also looks as if you have gotten into a scuffle.''
''Well, not a scuffle,'' Harry mumbled. ''I just fell down the stairs.''
''Harry is a clumsy boy,'' Petunia said, whose smile looked tight and forced. ''I have always said that he got that from his mother.''
''I see.'' The man said, then paused. ''My name is Arcturus Black. Do you know why I wished to speak with you, Harry?''
He swallowed. ''No.''
Arcturus Black rose to his full height. He was very tall, standing a head taller than Vernon, who was by no means short.
''There is only one reason.'' Arcturus pointed at the pendant which hung from Harry's neck, his eyes roaming over the red diamond. ''This.''
''A pretty little thing, ain't it?'' Vernon said. ''It's all yours if you want.''
Harry immediately took a step back, grasping the pendant. It was his only possession in this world.
''Did I ask you, Mr. Dursley?''
Vernon stumbled over his words. ''Well, no, it's just, I caught you eying it and-''
''But I did not ask you.'' Arcturus cut him off. ''Unless I allow it, you will not speak, nor will you answer any questions I ask of Harry. Is that clear?''
Vernon just nodded in return. ''I've got it.''
For a moment, he only stared at his uncle. Just who was Arcturus Black?
''Now, how long have you owned this pendant for?''
''I don't know.'' He said. ''For as long as I can remember.''
''A gift from your father, I presume.'' Arcturus studied him critically. ''Do you know who he is?''
He found himself tongue-tied. ''What?''
''Then you do not,'' Arcturus said. ''I will also assume that you don't know the significance of your pendant.''
He held onto it. ''I know it's from my parents.''
''In a way.'' Arcturus said ''There are only a few in existence. They are priceless.'' He went on. ''And only members of my family are permitted to wear them.''
Harry backed away once again. In response, Arcturus shook his head.
''You don't need to worry,'' Arcturus said, his face a blank mask. ''You are permitted to wear it. You are my grandson, after all.''
The Crown was the fanciest restaurant in town. So fancy in fact, that Harry didn't even know if his aunt and uncle had gone before. Just a single steak cost a hundred pounds.
''Eat,'' Arcturus said, who ordered nothing for himself. ''You are a scarecrow. Your father was much larger at the same age.''
He finally took a bite from his steak. ''Sorry.''
Arcturus shook his head. ''A Black does not apologise over every little thing. That is another thing we must remedy.''
He gnawed through his lip. ''Are you really my grandad?''
''No, I suppose I am not. Your father was my grandson.''
He watched the man and wondered if he heard right. Arcturus looked like a middle-aged man who made sure to stay in shape
''Wizards age slower than Muggles,'' Arcturus explained. ''I have lived for nearly a century, and I cannot say that I plan to die soon.''
''A wizard?'' He echoed. ''Did you say that you were a...''
''A wizard. Yes, I did.'' Arcturus finished for him. ''Where did you think you inherited your gifts from?''
''I don't have any gifts.''
No gifts, just curses.
''I would advise for you not to play coy with me.'' Then, the fork flew from Harry's hands, into Arcturus' own. ''I would assume that you have similar gifts.''
''Oh.'' He mumbled. ''Those gifts.'' He paused. ''So, there's actually other people like me?''
''Thousands,'' Arcturus said. ''Did you truly believe that you were the only wizard within 5 billion?''
He shrugged, now feeling silly. ''I don't know.'' He then smiled. ''But I think I'm glad that there are.''
Arcturus nodded, and then silence followed. Realisation slowly dawned on him.
''If you were here, then why-''
''Because your father did not tell me that he had a son.'' Arcturus interrupted. ''A child of my blood should not have been raised by muggles.''
''Then how do you know, erm, you know.'' He said. ''I know I have this necklace, but I don't know if that means anything.''
Arcturus simply said. ''Because then you would be a corpse.''
Colour drained from his face. ''What?''
''If a wizard who was not my direct descendant wore it, then they would be killed on the spot. It is imbued with powerful magic.''
Harry wasn't sure what to say to that. He had family, but Dudley had almost gotten his hands on his necklace before. What would have happened if his cousin was successful?
''Do you know how I found you?''
He looked down at his necklace. 'Because of this?''
''Yes,'' Arcturus said. ''I received notice from one of my cousins, that a boy was wearing that pendant. It also stands that we could not find my grandson's pendant.''
''My dad?'' He said, with warmth.
''I will not lie to you,'' Arcturus said cooly, ''Your father is dead.''
That was the answer Harry knew was coming, but his heart still gave a jolt. 'I know...''
''Nor will I sugar coat it; he was murdered.''
His heart gave another jolt, which spread through his body. ''What?'' He gasped. ''He was killed?''
''Brutally.'' Arcturus clarified, without as much as blinking.
''What about my mom?''
''Dead.'' Arcturus declared. ''But who she is complicates things.''
''Oh,'' Harry murmured.
Arcturus sighed. ''She was from a muggle family.'' He said, then explained. ''A muggle is a person who does not have our gifts.''
He wondered aloud. ''And that's bad?''
Arcturus's eyes were cold. ''I will say this. A wizard from a purebred family should never even befriend a Muggleborn.'' He steeled his fingers. ''You should not exist.''
A lump formed in Harry's throat. What was going to happen now?
''But you are not the one to blame,'' Arcturus said. ''We will simply have to lie. If you can not lie, then you will learn to. Because from this day onwards, you are a pureblood. Do you understand?''
What was he going to say, no?
''I understand.''
''I know that you do.'' Arcturus almost looked pleased. ''Now, what are you?''
''A pureblood.''
''You will never be returning to this town. Can you accept that?''
''I don't think I'm sad about it.'' He admitted. ''Nobody likes me here.''
''Then that makes this simple.'' Arcturus looked at his bruised face. ''Who did this?''
He looked away. ''Who did what?''
''I told you not to play coy with me. Who attacked you?''
''Nobody attacked me. I just fell down the stairs.''
Arcturus leaned over the table, face blank. ''I will not ask a second time.''
And he knew he had no other choice. ''My cousin.'' He said. ''My cousin and his friends.''
Arcturus sat back, frowning with displeasure. ''Then are you telling me that you let yourself get bullied by some muggle boys?''
''Well, it's not that easy.''
''Is it not?'' Arcturus asked. ''Explain to me why it isn't so easy.''
''It's just not.'' He mumbled. ''If I do anything my aunt and uncle will get mad. Really, really mad.''
Arcturus somehow looked even more displeased ''Then this is a regular occurrence?''
In response, he just shrugged. ''I don't know.''
Arcturus looked him in the eye. ''Then we are leaving.'' He rose from his seat. ''Do you know what will be expected of you?''
It felt as if a heavy weight had fallen atop him. ''No.''
Arcturus peered down at him ''You will attack him'' He said with little warmth. ''You are a Black, and Blacks do not get pushed around by Muggles.''
On their way back to Privet Drive, Harry realised that he had not met a grownup like his grandfather before.
Arcturus Black had lived for nearly a century, with only a few streaks of grey in his hair. His eyes were dark & cold and he was a wizard.
''We are almost there.'' Arcturus shot him a long, hard look. ''But first, tell me about your cousin.''
He frowned. ''He's just my cousin.''
''I only saw him briefly, before he was sent to his room,'' Arcturus admitted. ''Do you hate him?''
Harry's frown deepened. ''He's my cousin.''
''You did not answer the question,'' Arcturus said. ''From what I have gathered, he torments you. I will ask one more time. Do you hate him?''
This time he took the time to consider it. Did he? ''I don't know.'' He mumbled. ''He's always been like this. He doesn't like me, so I don't like him.''
''Have you stood up to him before?''
''Once, I think.''
''Elaborate.''
And he did, after taking a breath. ''I got a lawn mower to chase him.''
It almost looked as if Arcturus was smiling. ''And was this accidental or intentional?''
''I meant to do it.''
''Good,'' Arcturus said. ''Most children raised by Muggles have not been taught how to control their magic, though I suppose I should not be surprised. You are not a Muggleborn.''
Harry felt himself perk up. ''Then, what am I?''
''You are not a Muggleborn, but nor are you a pureblood,'' Arcturus said. ''You are a half-blood.''
A half-blood. He thought, not liking the way it sounded on the tip of his tongue.
''But now that I have explained it, we will not discuss it again,'' Arcturus said coldly. ''You may not be a Pureblood, but you will act as if you were one.''
He nodded. ''I know.'' He murmured. ''I will.''
Ten minutes later, ''We are here.'' Arcturus said as they entered the driveway. ''Now, what will you do?''
He paused. ''I'll do what he did to me.''
''You will attack him,'' Arcturus said coldly. ''If you decide against it, then I will leave you here. I will leave you with your aunt and uncle, and I can assure you that their treatment will only get worse. I will make sure of it.''
A chill climbed up Harry's spine. Arcturus Black was really like no grownup he had met before, and not in a good way.
''What if someone catches me?'' He asked.
''No one will,'' Arcturus said. ''I have taken precautions. Would you think I would ask you to attack someone if you would get caught? We are wizards.''
''Okay.'' He mumbled. ''I'll do it.''
''I know,'' Arcturus said. ''You will wait here until I say otherwise. This is non-negotiable. Don't even think about following me inside.''
Harry watched Arcturus slip inside the house and waited. He started to feel it.
Nerves. He listened to his heart thudding in his ear. Felt the way sweat leaked down his palms. Cold crippling dread.
He didn't know what was going to happen. Maybe magic wouldn't affect Dudley, and the boy would beat on him again. And what if everything that he had done wasn't magic, but just one big coincidence?
What if Arcturus was wrong? What if he wasn't a wizard, but a muggle like the rest of his family?
What then?
And then, the door swung open. Duddley came strolling outside, though without his usual swagger.
They stood face to face. Harry knew what he had to do.
''Who is that guy?'' Duddley asked, in a strangely quiet voice. ''Never seen dad like that before.''
He folded his arms. ''He's my grandad.''
Duddley's eyes went wide. ''Your grandad? You're saying he's your grandad?''
''Yeah.'' He murmured. ''He's my grandad.''
''Alright, look, just look.'' Dudley looked as if he had swallowed poison, ''I'm sorry. I'm sorry about….you know. I'm sorry.''
Harry stopped, taking the time to register that. ''You're sorry?''
''Yeah,'' Dudley muttered. ''That's what I said.''
''But why?'' He asked. ''You've never said sorry to me before.''
''Just did,'' Dudley grumbled.
''Oh,'' Harry murmured. ''Did he -- my grandad, tell you to?''
Duddley scrunched his face up. ''So what if I did? I still said sorry.''
''You've been doing this for years,'' He said, with surprising steel. ''But you've never been sorry.''
Dudley shrugged. ''Said I was sorry.''
''But Dudley. I know you're not.'' He said calmly.
''Think that.'' Dudley spat. ''Not like I care. I just had to say sorry and I did.''
First, he checked over his shoulder. The street was empty. He looked back at Dudley.
I can do this. He thought. And Vernon can't stop me.
Harry levelled a finger at Dudley, who was sent toppling to the ground. He yelled out in pain as bruises surfaced on his flesh. He held himself, squirming on the floor.
''S-stop,'' Dudley said. ''What're you doing!''
Harry approached the boy, his eyes shining darkly. ''This is for everything.'' He rasped, pulling his leg back, and connected his foot into Dudley's ribs.
Pale moonlight illuminated Harry's figure, who sat upon a pile of crimson-red leaves. He stared at the door, waiting.
Half of him expected Vernon to come stalking out from the house, for what he did to his son. That never happened.
The other, more prominent half expected for Arcturus to appear. That didn't happen either.
Harry was tempted to go in but decided against it. He didn't want to make Arcturus angry.
It took 15 minutes of waiting, but Arcturus Black finally came out. He had a very serious look on his face.
''Do you have any possessions you wish to keep? If not, we are leaving.''
''I don't think I have anything.'' Harry tugged at his pendant. ''Nothing but this.''
''Very well,'' Arcturus said. ''Follow me.''
Harry followed his grandfather out of the driveway and along the street. They walked for a few more minutes, before stepping down a cramped alleyway, where Arcturus stopped, to study him.
''You will need a change of attire.''
He blinked. ''I'm getting new clothes?''
''Yes,'' Arcturus said, with indifference. ''You are dressed like a street urchin'' He drew a wooden stick out. ''This is a wand.''
He stared at the tip. ''I didn't think wands were real.''
''They are,'' Arcturus said. ''At 13, a wizard acquires a wand which they will keep for life. Although for our family it is younger.''
With just a few wand motions, His grubby t-shirt & trousers had been replaced with a dark cloak, buttoned over a tunic. The bruises faded too, vanishing entirely in a few seconds.
''At the very least you are presentable.''
I am. Harry thought. He took the hem of his cloak. It felt soft as silk.
Arcturus pointed his wand at himself, and he changed into a similar attire.
''We are almost ready,'' Arcturus said. ''But there is still one more obstacle for us to tackle. From this day onwards you will no longer be referred to as Harry Evans.''
Harry wasn't sure what to say exactly. ''Why?''
''Harry is a muggle name.'' Arcturus said, ''And I presume that you are not daft enough to ask why your name will not stay as Evans.''
''Oh, okay.'' He murmured.
Arcturus looked down at him. ''From this day onwards, you will go by the name of Aries Black. If you have any disagreements, then make them known now.''
He shook his head and lied. ''No, I like it.''
Arcturus grabbed Harry by the arm ''Then it's time we leave.''
Harry Evans and Arcturus Black never left that alleyway, yet were never seen in the town of Little Whinging again.