This came to me when I got back into Harry Potter. What occurred to me when rewatching the series was how F-ING similar he and Carrie are to each other. The only thing that pisses me off was how they never got away from their abusers centuries ago. So I thought, what if they ran away together?

This is my second Harry Potter/Carrie Crossover, which I am happy to put out there since this is a rare combination thus far. This will be a slow burn, but I know it will be sweet and cute for all who read this.

It all began at the beginning of summer for ten-year-old Harry Potter, a boy who lived unhappily with his relatives, the Dursleys. Each day was basically the same, hopeless, demeaning, lonely, and painful. But little did he know that he will soon meet another who is like him in so many ways.

Under the warm sun, Harry was weeding the garden in the backyard. Dressed in his cousin's oversized hand-me-downs, he worked to make his aunt's precious flowers look perfect. As much as he hates being forced to work as a house slave, this is the one chore he doesn't mind because it gave him more air to breathe while being imprisoned.

He paused when he heard someone crying. By the sound of it, it was a girl. He followed the crying until he got to a corner behind the tree, obstructing him from view. The sound of sniffing became louder.

"Hello?" Harry called out, hearing a gasp on the other side where the other backyard fence met the Dursley's.

"Who?" The girl responded as Harry's bespectacled eyes found a hole in the wooden fence.

Harry knelt down and peeked through the hole, "I'm right here." His green eye searched through his limited view of the backyard similar to his own, only less perfect.

A moment later, a large blue-green eye stared back at him, red and puffy.

"What do you want?" She asked apprehensively as the two children stared back at each other.

"I heard you crying." Harry responded as he held the fence to steady himself.

The girl sniffled and gasped, "I was not." She denied, trying to sound strong as she spoke to the boy.

"It's alright. I won't tell anyone." Harry promised her before he introduced himself, "My name is Harry, Harry Potter."

"I'm Carrie White." She responded in a meek voice, "I'm not supposed to talk to people, especially boys. Mama gets angry if I do that."

"My relatives don't like it when I try to do something nice for myself or have any friends." Harry told her as he heard underlying fear within her voice.

"We'll both be in trouble then. But you sound very nice." Carrie said as she held the wall that separated them.

"I can keep a secret if you can." Harry stated, since he hardly talks to his relatives unless it's 'yes sir/ma'am' or 'no sir/ma'am.'

"Of course." Carrie nodded, "Where are your Mom and Dad?"

Harry frowned, "Dead. Died in a car crash when I was a baby. So, I got sent here. Unfortunately."

"I'm so sorry. My Daddy's dead too, he got killed in a construction accident before I was born. It's just me and Mama." Carrie swallowed, "We just moved here about a month ago."

"How are you liking it here?"

Carrie thumped her head against the wood, "It's miserable."

"Join the club." Harry sighed through his nose then asked, "Why were you crying?"

Carrie leaned her side against the fence as she drew her knees to her chest, "Mama's very mean to me. I asked if I could go to the park and play, but she locked me in the Prayer Closet."

"The Prayer Closet?"

"It's where I go when I commit a sin in her eyes. It's where Christ on the Cross hangs for me to pray for forgiveness to. I sometimes sleep in there." Carrie said as she stared at the ground in sadness.

Harry leaned his back against the fence, "My bedroom is the cupboard under the stairs. I'm usually locked in there as punishment when I do something freaky. I'm only ever allowed out to do chores." He frowned bitterly as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"That's horrible."

Harry sighed through his nose, "It's been like that for a long time. I'm what they call a 'waste of space.'"

"No, you're not. Not to me." Carrie said, making the boy smile slightly.

"Thank you. You're the first person in my life who thinks that." Harry said, feeling a strange kinship with this girl, "And your mother shouldn't keep you in the closet either."

"I wish she wouldn't either." Carrie said, wanting so desperately for her mother to stop hurting her like that.

"Boy, where are you?" His Aunt Petunia's angered voice echoed through the backyard.

Harry sighed in irritation before he spoke through the hole, "I have to go now."

"Can I talk to you again?" Carrie asked hopefully.

Harry felt the same hope bloom in his chest at the idea of finally talking to someone who is like him. "I'm gonna try."

A small delicate index finger poked through the hole. Harry raised his hand and hooked his index with hers as both a greeting and farewell. This was the first time he had a positive physical contact with someone.

"I'll see you soon Harry." Carrie said before they released each other's finger.

"You too Carrie." Harry whispered before he rose from his hiding spot and moved out from behind the tree.

His Aunt Petunia marched over and cuffed him over the ear, "What the bloody hell were you doing?" She demanded as she took in the state of his clothes with disgust.

"I was trying to get rid of a rodent before it got to the flowers. It got away." Harry lied as he rubbed his head where she struck him.

Petunia gasped as she looked around her precious garden for any of the pests Harry mentioned. She huffed a breath of frustration the narrowed her eyes at her nephew, "Well, the next time you see that rodent try actually killing it."

Harry kept a scathing retort at bay and nodded, "Yes, Aunt Petunia."

"And don't you even think about dragging filth into my house. Use the hose to clean yourself first." Petunia ordered before she marched back inside to start dinner.

"Yes, Aunt Petunia." Harry sighed as he set to work on cleaning himself up to look less filthy since the Dursleys made it a rule for him not to shower for more than five minutes.

Ever since that day, Harry would use every opportunity he could find to talk to his new friend beyond the fence. Though he had to be extra discreet as he didn't want his relatives to catch him in the backyard talking to Carrie. Anything he does is already considered freaky.

One evening, when the Dursleys forgot to lock his cupboard, Harry waited until he was sure everyone was fast asleep before he snuck into the backyard and knelt in front of the hole hidden behind the tree.

"Carrie?"

"Harry?"

They both released twin sighs of relief upon hearing the other's voice.

"Sorry we have to meet like this at night." Harry apologized, "My relatives, they're so..." He let out an exasperated sigh, feeling so much anger in the pit of his stomach from the years of unwarranted cruelty.

"I understand. My Mama's the same way." Carrie said as she held something in her lap. "I have something for you. Look up."

Harry did just that, and watched as something wrapped in a cloth came down from the sky and floated in front of his face. His green eyes widened as he took the floating object and slowly unwrapped the cloth. He found sandwiches cut into squared along with berries and carrots.

"When you told me how your cousin steals food from your plate, I knew I had to do something. I wasn't sure if you had enough for dinner." Carrie softly said to Harry.

Silence met her until she picked up crying on the other side. "Harry, are you okay?" She whispered into the small opening.

Harry rewrapped the gift and removed his glasses to rub at his eyes, "I'm okay. It's just...I don't remember the last time anyone has done this for me. Not my relatives, or anyone. Thank you."

Carrie smiled, "I'm glad."

Harry then realized something, "Carrie, how did you do that?"

Carrie's smile vanished, "You won't like me anymore if I told you."

"Why do you think that?" Harry asked in confusion.

"Because I'm what Mama calls a monster, a freak." Carrie said in a tone of pained resignation. For so long her mother has called her that awful name, she learned to accept it as a part of herself.

Harry's eyes widened, "You too?"

Carrie's eyes shot up, "What?"

"Strange things happen around you too?" Harry asked, hopeful as he kept his voice hush. He needed to be careful in his excitement, otherwise he'll alert people to his location.

"You mean, you can also-" Carrie's voice caught in her throat at what she was hearing.

"Yeah." He sniffed, "The things that happen without me meaning to...everyone also calls me a freak." Harry said as he laid his hand on the fence.

Carrie did the same, sensing his hand on the other side of the wood. "We don't belong anywhere, do we?"

Harry bowed his head, "No."

"But I'm glad you're here Harry. Even though I'm trapped, and scared, I...I don't feel lonely anymore." Carrie whispered, feeling inexplicable joy at finding another who is exactly like her.

Harry felt tears of pure joy fill his eyes, that emptiness he has lived with, wanting to be filled, has found another who understands his pain, his never-ending anguish. "Me neither. I'm happy to know you."

Carrie stuck her finger through the hole in the fence. Harry smiled as he hooked his finger with hers. This has been their ritual, to have that small moment of human contact, to let the other know that they are not alone.

"Get back inside before they notice. And please eat before you go to sleep. I'll try to get you more food tomorrow." Carrie told him before they unhooked their fingers. "Goodnight Harry." She said before she snuck back inside the house.

"Goodnight Carrie." Harry said before he did the same, making extra sure his shoes aren't tracking dirt inside, otherwise, Petunia will notice.

Sitting under the only light in his sad excuse for a bedroom, Harry ate his sandwich, stifling a groan of relief as his stomach reveled in having sustenance at long last. He put a couple berries in his mouth, the sweetness exploded in every direction. As he finished one triangle, he willed himself to stop and save the food for later. He hid the food under his bed then switched off the light above him. He pulled the blankets as tight around him as he could smiling contently for the first time in his life.

One day, a week after finding out Carrie and Harry were the same, Harry found himself on the run from Dudley and his vicious gang. He ran through the neighborhood as fast as his skinny legs could carry him in the heavy hand-me-downs. Their laughter and taunts followed him as he continued to sprint faster than he ever thought possible. Before he knew it, he was leaving his cousin and gang in the dust.

Harry stopped when he came to the edge of the playground. He leaned forward to plant his hands on his knees as he struggled to catch his breath. He glanced behind him but found no sign of Dudley.

The sound of someone singing drew his attention to the swing set. He slowly stood straight before he walked over to the playground. The singing became louder the closer her got. Her back was to him as she swayed back and forth, her voice filled with sadness and longing as melodies flowed out of her mouth. Her strawberry-blonde hair was a mess, but it caught the rays of the sunlight.

As he got closer, his green eyes widened as he recognized that voice, it's the same as when he weeds his aunt's garden.

"Carrie?"

The girl turned, her familiar sad blue-green eyes met his in surprise.

"Harry?" Carrie said upon recognizing his voice.

Harry gave her a small hesitant smile, "Hi."

Carrie returned his smile with her own, "Hello."

"It, um, is nice to finally meet you." Harry said before he sat on the other seat on the swing.

"You too." Carrie glanced at the way Harry came, "They let you out?"

"Temporary release. I got chased by my cousin and his gang." Harry said, still feeling his heart thumping in his chest.

Carrie sighed quietly through her nose, knowing what Harry meant by that. Those chases normally lead to getting pushed around and beat up.

"I've gotten better at outrunning them though. I think it's the food you made me." Harry assured her with a grateful smile as he held the chains of the swing.

"I'm glad." Carrie smiled as she rubbed her wrist.

Harry caught sight of the bruises on her arm and frowned, "Your mother hurt you again."

Carrie was silent before she nodded, "Yeah. But it's not as often before we moved here."

Harry didn't feel the least bit assured by her optimism. He can tell by the way she's massaging her wrist that her mother didn't hold back.

"Won't your mother be even more angry if she finds you out here?" Harry asked, knowing from how Carrie described her mother that the woman refuses to let her leave the house.

"She's at work right now. I just need to be back in my room before her shift ends." Carrie said as she looked up at the sky, "I just wanted a place where I can breathe...if only for a moment."

Harry nodded solemnly, "Same here."

Carrie closed her eyes and allowed the warm sun to touch her skin, she savored this feeling for as long as she could before she has to return to her house. She then began to sing softly while swinging back and forth as a moderate pace.

Harry followed her lead as he too began to swing back and forth, the breeze that hit him felt nice. Before he knew it, he was smiling. He looked beside him and saw Carrie laughing, a beautiful sound which filled the air as they matched each other's pace.

"Watch this." Carrie said before she launched herself off the swing at its highest point, but instead of a simple landing, she slowed her descent while backflipping in midair before gracefully landing on her feet. She twirled and saw Harry's astounded expression. She giggled at his reaction and curtsied.

Harry's face held determination as he pumped his legs higher, holding onto the chains tightly before he leapt off the swing with a powerful lunge. As he ascended into the air, he felt a strange tingling warmth surround him before he vanished from the spot he jumped from and found himself sitting on top of the slide.

"Whoa." Harry gasped, drawing Carrie's attention to where he appeared.

"How did you do that?" Carrie asked as she jogged over to the slide.

Harry glided down the equipment and met her at the bottom. "I don't know. It just happens."

Carrie held her hand out, which he took without question. Soft fingers surrounded his own, a comfortable companionable warmth filled his soul as she pulled him towards the merry-go-round. They stood on equal sides of the ride as they began to spin it. Neither of them had to kick their feet against the ground as Carrie used her power to make them spin, faster and faster as they got dizzy and giggled.

For the first time in their young tragic lives, the two outcast children were having fun.

They stopped when they began to feel nauseous. Getting off the equipment, they both swayed and stumbled until they each fell to the ground. Laughter filled the air as they flipped onto their backs, staring at the blue sky above them. How vast and open it looked to their small existence.

"That was...awesome." Harry laughed as they dizziness passed. He turned to his friend, "You're amazing."

Carrie returned his smile, "So are you." She suddenly sat up when she saw someone in the distance, a bunch of kids who are looking for something. "Um, Harry, how big did you say your cousin is?"

"Pretty big. Why?" Harry wondered until Carrie pointed behind him. His stomach dropped when he realized it was Dudley. Though they were far away and don't seem to have spotted him yet, Harry didn't want to take any chances as he shot to his feet.

"Let's go." Harry said as he grabbed Carrie's hand and together, they ran from the playground across the field.

They distantly heard his cousin shouting at him, "Yeah keep running Potter! Bet your new girlfriend loves having you for a coward!" He taunted while his friends jeered at the escaping duo.

Harry felt a sting at the insult as he and Carrie ran further away until they could no longer hear Dudley. They ducked into a tunnel to catch their breaths.

"Did he... just call you... a coward?" Carrie breathlessly asked in exasperation.

Harry swallowed and leaned against the wall, "Yeah."

"Well, he's a weaker coward for bringing his friends just to pick on you." Carrie stated once she could properly speak, "I don't understand why he treats you like that."

"Because he can." Harry sighed as he removed his glasses to wipe the sweat out of his eyes.

"Well, he shouldn't. No one should." Carrie frowned as she slid down the wall onto the concrete, "Why do people hate things that are different?"

Harry joined her on the ground, resting his arms over his knees, "I don't know. That's just how people are." Harry said, having long given up in trying to get his relatives to accept him, to see him as one of theirs.

Harry sighed as he stared at the opening where it was still bright out, he wanted to enjoy this small bit of freedom just a little longer, "It's just not fair." He said, feeling sad and frustrated at the life he has to live in.

"No, it is not." Carrie said as she fingered the cross dangling from her neck, "But we're all part of a plan. Whatever that plan is, we just need to bear it a little longer until we figure something out."

"If that plan means spending the rest of my life under the stairs, then that's gotta be the worst joke of the century." Harry said and sighed in frustration, "It's not our fault we live with these kinds of people. I was dumped on their doorstep after my parents died."

"At least your parents loved you." Carrie stated as she wrapped her arms around her legs, "Mama always reminds me of how my father raped her, and I was the result. She hates me because of what he did to her." She added, already accepting how her mother views her and how justified it feels.

"That's not your fault. You're not responsible for your father's actions." Harry vehemently said to her, feeling a righteous amount of fury towards the woman who is supposed to love her daughter.

"I wish I can believe that. But I feel like I have to." Carrie sighed, her shoulder slumping, "Every day her mind gets further away from me, and I don't know what to do anymore."

Harry was aware of how insane Carrie's mother is, on rare occasions, he and the Dursleys will hear her incoherent ramblings from the house over the backyard during dinner. Uncle Vernon made a snide comment of how the daughter was probably the same way. Harry fought hard not to lash out at his uncle for that.

"How bad is it? Her mind, I mean." Harry asked, being gentle with this particular question as he knew it was a sensitive subject for her.

Carrie sighed through her nose and shook her head, "Hard to say. The whispers in her head grow louder, they tell her unspeakable things. Anytime she looks at me, her eyes become distant, when she lays a hand on me, her skin feel unbearable cold." Carrie swallowed, "It's getting worse. I'm terrified of what will come next."

Harry was silent as he watched the way Carrie shook against the concrete wall. He compared his family situation to hers. Cruel as the Dursleys are, at least they weren't crazy. They are predictable, they have a routine he's more than familiar with. But Carrie, she's constantly on her toes waiting for the next strike, unknowing if any moment will be her last. In the weeks since they met, Harry has never felt a kinship with anyone but her. He always looks forward to every moment he could spend with his only friend, cherishing every second just to have someone beside him. That human contact he thought he no longer longed for until he touched her finger. He's afraid of losing his only friend in the world.

As these tumultuous thoughts ran through his head, he made a decision, "Let's run."

"But your cousin is no longer chasing us." Carrie said in confusion.

Harry shook his head, "No, I mean let's leave together, get as far away from our families." He said with certainty, feeling in his heart that is what needs to be done to save their lives.

"What?" Carrie exclaimed as she gave her friend and incredulous look.

"Think about it, there is nothing worth staying for in this town. Except us." Harry let out a breath, "With your mother, I'm afraid it's only a matter of time before-" He cut himself off, afraid to even finish that sentence. "Carrie, you're the only person in this whole world who has ever been my friend. I don't wanna wake up one day and find out you're gone from this life. I don't wanna lose my friend." He desperately said to Carrie, his green eyes filled with fear for her.

Carrie was silent before she stared at the spot in front of her feet. "Where will we go?"

Harry shook his head, "I don't know. But anywhere is better as long as we're far, far away from these people."

Carrie took a deep breath and exhaled before she turned to Harry, "Let me think about this. Tonight, I'll tell you my decision."

Harry nodded, knowing that this kind of choice would be life changing.

They hung out in the tunnel a little longer before they decided to return to their homes. Harry quietly slipped into the Dursley home and crawled into his cupboard. He munched on the berries Carrie gave him the previous night to keep up his strength. Carrie floated back up to her window through the backyard, sitting back in her bed pretending to read the Bible as her mother returned home.

Harry stared up at the darkness within his cupboard, waiting for the household to fall asleep. Once he heard telltale of snores from Vernon and Dudley, he decided to sneak into the backyard. Unfortunately, the door was locked, making the boy let out a quiet growl of frustration. Then he remembered the playground, how he appeared on top of the slide. Harry took a deep breath and concentrated, imagining himself in the backyard, hidden behind that tree. That same warm tingling sensation surrounded him before he vanished from inside the cupboard and found himself outside.

Harry looked around and grinned to himself at his success before going to the corner of the fence.

"Carrie?" Harry whispered as he looked through the peep hole.

"I'm here." Carrie responded as she appeared in his vision.

Silence fell between them.

"Let's leave." Carrie said, coming to the decision after much contemplation.

Harry's eyes widen, "Really?"

"Yes, but we need supplies, food, water, clothes, first aid..." Carrie let out a shuddering breath, "...a destination maybe? We can't just choose anywhere."

"How about somewhere close to a forest. No one would find us there. We'd be safe." Harry suggested as he began to form a plan, "There is a bus stop that arrives every morning at five, it'll take us to the train station. We'll sneak onto the train and get as far away as we can. After that, we'll go where the tree line is and make our way from there."

Carrie nodded, "I trust you. Can we leave tomorrow morning? While my mother is off to work, I can prepare the food, water and other things we'll need." She said, feeling excited as she listed off the things they'll need.

"I'll try and gather what I can without my relatives noticing. We'll need blankets, and bus money." Harry said to himself, he didn't want to steal from his uncle no matter how awful he was, but his desire for freedom outweighed his guilt. If taking a few measly dollars can get them far away from this hellhole, he won't ever have to see their angry disgusting faces again.

"Be ready by 4:30 then?" Carrie asked in clarification.

"Yes, I'll meet you at the end of the street." Harry said, remembering the point at where they parted when they returned to their homes.

"Okay, please be careful." Carrie said before sticking her finger through the fence.

Harry hooked his finger with hers, "I'll see you soon."

They released each other's fingers before Harry teleported himself back into his cupboard and curled under the covers while Carrie levitated herself back into her second-story bedroom window.

The next day, the two children went about their day as normally as possible while quietly plotting their escape.

As Margaret White left for work, Carrie grabbed her backpack and began to stuff it with as much clothes as she could spare. She filled three bottles with water, sandwiches of different kinds, canned foods, first aid, toilet paper, hairbrush, and a sewing kit. She hid her bag under her bed and looked at the clock and saw it was still afternoon. She went to her desk and began to write a letter. Despite all the cruel things her mother put her through, she at least owed her one last farewell.

Harry did his chores from cooking and laundry while being as invisible as he could. His relatives bare paid any attention to him, which he was grateful for as he subtly used his freaky power to transport food into his cupboard. He learned that if he focused on an object and kept the place he wants in his mind, he can easily teleport them to that place. As he sat cross-legged on his bed, he packed his bag which was another hand-me-down from his cousin. Though it was tattered in some places, he made do with what he had as he hid the money in his shoe. Vernon keeps so much cash on him he doesn't even take the time to count. Arrogant walrus he is.

When night and everyone in the house slept, Harry made the decision to do one last thing that will mar their perfect little house for a long time. With a carving knife, he etched one scathing message into the door as he sat on the bed. 'Burn in hell.'

He sat in the living room watching the clock as it hit 4:30. He nodded to himself before he left through the front door, slinging the bag over his shoulder as he walked away from the house. When he got to the end of the street, he saw Carrie standing there under the streetlamp, waiting anxiously with her own bag. When she spotted him, she smiled and waved in greeting.

Harry held out his hand, "Ready?"

Carrie grasped his firmly, "Let's go."

The two friends walked hand-in-hands towards the bus stop. They sat on the wooden bench, staring at the street until finally the bus arrived. With the money Harry nicked off his uncle, they paid for their passage before they sat in the back row furthest from the driver. As the bus began to move, Carrie took shaky breaths, this is the first time she'd ever did something outrageous. It was scary, but at the same time, liberating as she felt herself become lighter the further she got from her mother.

Harry held her hand, making her turn to his gentle green eyes, "It's gonna be alright. We're in this together." He assured her, feeling just as scared as her, but knew that as long as they have each other, they can survive.

Carrie smiled as she leaned her head against his shoulder, their hands rested between them, "Together." She whispered, committing to a promise that will change their lives forever.

Harry rested his head over hers; his green eyes watched the outside world move past them. He swore to keep them safe, to never be locked away again. He'll do everything in his power to make sure they remain free.