QL, Wanderers, Beater 1, Round 4.

Theme: Write about a pet changing the owner's life - for better or for worse.

Prompts:

(Action) Running

(Dialogue) "Who's a good boy/girl?"

THC, Hufflepuff, Year 1, Round 1

Prompt: [Weather] Rain.

Category: Short

Word Count: 2442

Betas: Dina, Aya, Lynne

Warnings: Mentions of abuse.

Harry Potter slowly sat down on the wet ground. He was already soaked from head to toe from the rain, so what was a few more minutes outside? Crossing his legs, he attempted to smile at the little kitten.

"It's okay. I won't hurt you," the five-year-old boy promised softly.

The white and grey kitten kept its distance.

Harry couldn't help but find the fact that the soaked kitten was also so cute. He let his mind run wild with thoughts of owning a pet. Being able to take care of it, feed it, love it, cuddle it. The grin on his face made him feel like it was sunny outside, instead of raining.

The young boy's attention returned to the small animal as it hesitantly walked over to him and climbed onto his lap.

Taking a deep breath, Harry slowly allowed two fingers to stroke the wet fur. "I'm going to find you shelter and help you stay dry."

Harry waited a few moments before cradling his new friend in his arms and walking over to his makeshift den. He had made it a few weeks ago when Uncle Vernon had forgotten he was still outside and locked the door before going to sleep. Thankfully it hadn't been raining that night!

"Who's a good girl… boy? Nah, you seem like a girl to me," he cooed. "Here we go. This is a very soft blanket, you can sleep on it! I can't stay tonight, but I'll come and see you tomorrow morning, okay?"

The young boy placed the kitten down onto the blanket and bunched it up around her.

"There you are, all settled!"

With a grin of accomplishment, Harry stood up and walked the three-minute journey back to his house. It wasn't a surprise that Uncle Vernon wasn't happy about his saturated appearance.

Harry had elected to name his new pet Flower. He didn't know why but he always loved looking at flowers – he just couldn't remember any of their names except Petunia. His aunt didn't look anything like the kitten, so he couldn't use her name.

Flower was a very independent cat, just like Harry was. They could survive on their own. At least, that's what the five-year-old told himself before going back to the Dursley's for dinner.

It had been two glorious weeks of visiting Flower daily, taking her little bits of food and milk.

"Give me that," Dudley spluttered out, taking the toy car out of his hand and throwing it on the floor. "I decided I want it back!"

Harry sighed. He hated that Dudley could simply choose when he wanted a toy and he had to give it up. "Fine."

His cousin reached again and pulled at his top. "This one's mine! Give it back!"

"No! You're too big for it now. It's mine!" Harry protested. He didn't have time for his cousin's stupidity. He hadn't seen Flower yet today. "Let me go."

The larger five-year-old pulled tighter which caused Harry to fall toward and into Dudley. Both of them toppled to the floor.

Harry waited for the cry from Dudley and for him to get in big trouble with his uncle. What would it be this time? Missing a meal? Straight to bed? Doing the washing? But things didn't go as normal; his larger cousin pushed him onto his back and took a swing.

"You did that on purpose," he accused as his other fist connected with Harry's nose. "Didn't you!"

"No! Get off!" All Harry wanted to do was run away. To get away from the house and hide. He attempted to block the hazardous fists by dodging to protect himself. He couldn't. "Stop, Dudley, stop!"

Harry pushed his arms on the other boy's chest as he heard his aunt's voice ordering Dudley to leave him alone. She was on his side. But the attack didn't stop. Suddenly he heard a crack as his nose filled with immense pain.

It took a few seconds for Harry to realise Dudley had finally stopped attacking him. He couldn't quite work out how he'd stopped though. Dudley was sitting surprised on the other end of the living room and his Aunt Petunia hadn't moved closer. Their expressions were blurry due to the tears free-flowing down his cheeks.

"Aunt Petunia…" Harry said weekly, confused and in immense pain. This was the first time his cousin had made him bleed. It usually happened when Uncle Vernon got mad at him.

"Go to your room."

"But—"

"Now!"

Harry sniffled and crawled out of the room. The tears flowing harder but not because of the pain. He just wanted a little help.

Harry curled up on his bed and eventually fell asleep, forgetting about Flower and visiting her today.

Uncle Vernon was very angry at Harry in the morning. He had to serve breakfast and wasn't allowed any. Then he had to do the washing up before being kicked out to 'limit the exposure of freakiness to Dudley.' They'd never called him a freak before. He had to admit to himself, it hurt. It wasn't until he was outside that he realised how unbelievably hungry he was. No dinner yesterday and no breakfast this morning.

"No!" he suddenly exclaimed. "Flower!"

Before the young boy even registered what he was doing, he was running to their little den.

"Flower? Flower! Come here, girl!" he called, the panic rising in his voice. She wasn't here. Did it rain last night? She hated the rain. "Please. Come back!"

Harry sat down in the slightly damp den… it didn't stop the rain. He had failed to protect his pet. At least an hour had passed before the rain began drizzling down. New determination filled him, making him jump up. He would not allow Flower to suffer because of his absence! He would find her, protect her, and make sure she was happy!

Standing up, Harry attempted to smooth his hair out of his eyes and set on his journey to find her. A sense of purpose filled his core as he walked to places he'd never been before. Finding her was more important than finding his way back to his home – they were angry at him right now; the longer he left them, the more likely they'd be back to their usual self upon his return.

"Oh no," the boy muttered to himself as he came up to a road. It was a small one with no cars. But he wasn't allowed to cross it alone. Looking left and right, he contemplated what to do. Nobody was around. Would anybody know? He let his glance fall to the ground before stepping on the road. He looked left and right again, still clear. Then, with a few swift strides, he ran across the road onto the safety of the pavement.

It seemed like hours had passed, and Harry's confidence grew every time he crossed a road. He had lost count after five… mainly because he couldn't remember if it was followed by six or nine.

"Flower?" he called hopelessly. Harry was strongly regretting his actions as the sun began to set. Suddenly a gasp left him as he saw a white and grey cat across a much busier road. It was soaked with the rain falling around them. "Flower!"

The boy's legs started to move as his eyes remained trained on the furry animal. Had he found his best friend? His kitten? His Flower? Harry slowed his run to a stop as he realised that wasn't his pet. It was a different cat.

A horn alerted Harry to his position on the road before strong arms grabbed him and flew him out of danger.

Harry waited for his heart to stop racing as he looked up at the man who just rescued him. His hair was black, his eyes even darker. "Who—?"

"Shush," the man ordered firmly before taking his hand and leading them off.

The young boy wasn't sure what to do. Should he be going with this man? He did just rescue him, so he must have been good, right?

They came to a stop and the man knelt to his level, his eyes cold and calculating as they looked over him. "What happened to your face?"

"Dudley got mad."

He nodded. Still no emotion. "I'm going to take you to see somebody."

"Wait! We need to find Flower! She's a good girl!"

"Who's a good girl?"

"Flower! My kitten!" Harry said with a sense of confidence. Maybe this man would help him.

"No time."

Harry sighed. He should have known it was too good to be true. Without restraint, he allowed the older man to take his hand and continue leading him to an unknown location.

Harry sat on the most comfortable chair he had ever been on eating a lemon drizzle in a huge castle! It was all so surreal! He had discovered that the man who rescued him was called Severus. The man had been talking to an older woman and a really old man with a long white beard for a really long time!

Harry didn't mind though, another woman, Madam Pomfrey, had given him sweets and cakes after making him drink something disgusting and waving a stick at him.

"Oh. Hello?" a small man greeted with surprise.

"Hi!" he replied with a smile.

The man cleared his throat. "You're a bit young to be at Hogwarts."

Harry nodded. "Yes. Severus brought me here. He saved my life."

"Did he now? What's your name?"

"Harry. What's yours?"

The man seemed to stare at him for an uncomfortable amount of time before answering. "Professor Flitwick. I'll be one of your professors when you come here, Harry."

"I… I'm coming here?"

Professor Flitwick nodded. "When you reach eleven-years-old."

Harry looked around and allowed himself to marvel at the scenery once more. "I can't wait!"

A few seconds passed before the door opened and Severus came out. He nodded at the small professor before taking Harry's hand and leading him off in silence.

The whole walk wasn't as quiet as his saviour would have wanted. "Is it true I get to come here when I'm eleven?"

"Yes."

"Will you be here?"

"Yes."

Harry jumped with joy as he held onto Severus's hand a little tighter. "I can't wait!"

He received an emotionless glance from the older man but took no note of it. Harry knew Severus liked him. Why else would he save his life and hold his hand to make sure he didn't get lost?

After a trip through a fireplace and then being Apparated – which Harry never ever wanted to repeat – they ended up in a field. A large field. They began walking again.

"You like walking a lot."

"What?"

"You like to walk," Harry alliterated. "You do a lot of it! Uncle Vernon hates walking."

"That's why he's fat."

Harry snickered as he attempted to hold back the laugh. He'd never heard anybody insult his uncle before. He'd been insulted several times, and even his cousin had been. But nobody ever dared to insult his uncle! "You're my favourite person ever, Severus!"

Severus stopped for a second but didn't respond immediately. "The headmaster and I had a long discussion about your wellbeing. Your guardians were not aware you were missing nor did they seem to realise how much danger you had put yourself in. That danger severed a bond. For the next week, you are going to stay with the Lovegood's while we decide if you will return to them or not. You are to behave in the meantime."

Harry nodded slowly. "Can't I just stay with you?"

"No. I'm a Professor. Not a babysitter."

"But… can I still see you?"

Severus looked down at him with some emotion in his eyes, but he didn't know what it was. "I'll be back in a week to tell you what's going on. Agreed?"

Harry nodded so quickly and eagerly that he felt like his head would fall off.

"There's the house."

Harry tore his gaze from the older man he'd quickly come to admire and felt his mouth drop open. That is not what he had been expecting and was now even more excited. Hopefully, the family was as nice as Severus and nothing like his Uncle.

Harry had been sitting on the windowsill staring out into the distance for over an hour waiting for Severus. He was coming today.

"Remember to not go outside when he comes, it's raining and I don't want you to catch a cold."

"Okay, Pandora," he replied, distracted. It was difficult to see too far away and he didn't want to lose focus.

Luna approached and held something up to him. Blindly reaching for it, he smiled and looked down at her. "A biscuit. Who's a good girl! Thank you!"

The four-year-old grinned with accomplishment. "Can we play?"

"I can't. I'm waiting for Severus. He's very important."

"Are you going away?" Luna asked with a pout.

Harry shrugged. "I don't know. But you'll be the first person I tell, okay?"

Luna thought about it before nodding and running off.

The five-year-old ate the biscuit before looking out of the window again. Suddenly, he jumped up. "Severus! He's here! He's here!"

Harry raced to the front door and pulled it open. He was so close! Meters away! Forgetting what Pandora told him, he stormed out of the house and ran straight to the man and wrapped his arms around his waist. "You came back!"

He felt a hand on his back which lifted him up and carried him back into the house. "Now you're wet."

"Worth it!"

"Take a seat, Harry."

Harry followed orders for two seconds. His butt touched the seat cushion before he stood again. "Please don't make me go back to my Aunt and Uncle! Please!"

"Sit."

This time, his butt remained on the couch cushion.

"I need to discuss a few matters with the Lovegoods. While that takes place, I found somebody for you."

Harry's entire demeanor lightened up as Flower was brought out of Severus's pocket. Instantly jumping up, he took his pet into his arms and cuddled her. "I missed you so much! I'm sorry I lost you!"

"Kitty!" Luna exclaimed running over to pet her.

"Be gentle. She's shy."

Harry watched Severus walk out of the room with Pandora and Xena. He hoped it was a good conversation. Two things the young boy knew: He could do anything now that he had Flower back. He only had to wait until he was eleven before he was in the same place as Severus for sure again.

Thank you for reading!