Harry Potter.
The-Boy-Who-Lived. Defeater of the Dark Lord Voldemort. 'Savior' of the British Magical Community and one of the most famous people in all of Britain stood there in the entrance to his relative's attic; not in defiance or in curiosity, as any 8 year old boy would do after being prohibited, but under the strict orders from his Aunt Petunia to organize and clean the attic. So, here he stood, taking a deep breath, he entered the attic whereupon he saw boxes, old equipment, old clothes and unread books that were spread all over the attic floor, thrown away by his relatives over the years.
The Dursleys are their names. Thankfully, Dursleys were not his parents, but they were his only remaining family. That didn't stop them from treating him as if he were a piece of thrown trash sent to them to use as their own personal slave and source of entertainment. You see over the years they abused him physically, mentally and spiritually; they've deprived him of any shred of love or affection, in fact, they set an old rag down for him to use as a bed. This resulted in him being the shortest boy in his class or his age, due to the little space set for him in his "room" that denied him the opportunity to grow in height. But, despite the bad treatment, he remained a well behaved young boy, in part, thanks to the Dursleys who forced into his head the rules and manners needed to treat any guest that came over to my relatives house with respect. Oddly enough, any physical injury (whether an abrasion, a bruise, or cuts) would mysteriously disappear come tomorrow morning.
That was not the only abnormal occurrence. One time, when his cousin and his friends were chasing him at school, he jumped from a trash can before suddenly appearing up on the roof of the school. Or that time when his aunt cut off all of his hair except for the bangs in his forehead to cover up his lightning shape scar that had always fascinated him all his life. The only instance where he asked his aunt how the scar came to be, he was screamed at by his aunt and was told to never ask questions- along with a one-week punishment inside his 'room' with no food.
That was the key to survival here with the Dursleys. "Don't Ask Questions". Just do what you're told correctly, or you'll pay dearly.
Overall, it took close to two hours to clean and organize every box, piece of clothes, and books.
Heading to the exit, he turned to make sure everything was well, when something in the back caught his eye. At the back of the attic sat an old trunk covered with dust that must've been collecting here for years. So, filled with curiosity, he quickly but quietly walked towards the old trunk. When he was finally up close to it, he swiped away the dirt and dust of the trunk to be able to see the name written on the lid.
Engraved in the center were the names: 'JAMES &LILY POTTER'. Curious, he opened the lid, for Potter was his last name and he wondered whose this was.
When the trunk lid was fully opened he was able to see the contents of the trunk and saw a collection of books along with some small boxes and an album that were all well stacked together. He quickly grasped the album and opened it. The photo he first saw showed a couple together in each other's arms; the man looked just like him except an older version of himself with the same unruly raven black hair, the same knobby legs, the same face, nose and a mischievous smile he would have when he would devise a plan. The woman, however, had auburn hair and the same striking emerald green eyes along with the same gentle smile in her lips that he rarely had.
Thats was when it hit him… 'these people must be my parents, and this used to be their trunk and belongings.'
His parents, the people who he always dreamt of seeing to see what they truly looked like and how they truly were and not the 'drunken' people Uncle Vernon swears they were.
Now here he stood, seeing them in this photo, portraying a happy couple in love. He turned the page and saw that the other pictures in there were his parents with his father's arm around his mother's shoulder, with his mother holding a small bundle with a small tuft of black hair popping out the top. In this image, he noticed something he didn't with the other photo. The pictures were moving. In repetitive motion, it showed his father bending down and kissed the forehead of his baby-self, then kissing his mother on the cheek. He smiled at the sight of his parents and his baby-self together, evidently happy and jubilant.
But, how the picture was able to move when pictures were not supposed to be able to move, he knew not. So, he then closed the album and got the closest book which seemed the newest of the lot of them sitting in the top of the pile.
Opening the first page, he read,
"October 30th,
Today I caught James trying to put my little wizard"-, Wizard? No, that's not possible, he thinks before continuing to read,-"on his birthday present from his godfather, Sirius. A broomstick for baby Harry? What was that man thinking?! Even so, James keeps insisting that little Harry will be a natural Quidditch player like his old man, but thank Merlin, I caught him before something else broke (like the vase Tooney gave me, which has since then been broken when Harry was playing around the house flying in his little broom laughing).
I swear, James will give me wrinkles before I should from the constant worry of him; when it should be Voldemort, the terror of Wizarding Britain, who should be causing me worry, as opposed to my own husband-"
"Boy!", he hears, making him jump in surprise, "Have you finished cleaning the attic?", Aunt Petunia shouts from downstairs.
"Yes, Aunt Petunia.", he replies while closing and putting the album and journal back and closing the trunk before heading towards the door that leads down to the second floor with my mind in complete turmoil trying to process the twist that now happened to me now.
He couldn't really comprehend it all, though one thing was for clear to him, even if it were hard to believe.
He must be a wizard. He, Harry Potter, son of James and Lily Potter, is a wizard. If this was indeed true, and the secret was held from him, then he will continue to investigate and ensure its validity. If it came to be that he truly is a wizard, then he'll have much to learn. One goal jumped to mind….'I will become the best wizard in history in honor of my parents, James and Lily Potter. No matter what it takes I would be the best for them.'
With that thought, he left the attic with his mind set with a goal along with an to begin his journey.
"He who know when he can fight and when he cannot, will be victorious"- Sun Tzu.
Walking down he kept thinking about what he had just read; it said there quite plainly that he was a wizard. Of course, it would certainly explain how the pictures were able to move from the album, when they shouldn't be able to. Not to mention all those weird occurrences that have happened to him before.
Magic, would surely explain it all. But what to do now that he suspected what he truly is, because he cannot just live his life ignoring his heritage. No, feigning ignorance is not an option.
'Maybe I could try to see if I am able to do magic', he thought, recalling a book he read in the school's library, which said that magic was all about Will and Intent. Of course, back then he had thought the book fiction, not real, but now that he thought of it, it may be able to help him. When he finally reached the bottom of the stairs, all thoughts vanished instantaneously when his aunt screeched at me.
"Boy, you will pull the weeds and mow the lawn before nightfall. I want my lawn to be as perfect as my little Dudders.", she finished with a look of pride evident on her face.
'Really, how thick can one be to be proud of that pig. He does nothing except whine and eat, in addition to mention being a bully', he thought to himself with disgusted.
"Yes, Aunt Petunia", he replied monotonously.
So, with that in mind, he went outside and began to pull the weeds, a task that took him ¾ of an hour in total to finish. Afterwards, he got started on mowing the lawn to ensure he maintained a well-kept and beautiful garden. After completing his assigned tasks, he washed his hands with the garden hose to clean away all the dirt on my hands. With that done, he went back inside before it started to get dark and went straight to the kitchen where Aunt Petunia ordered him to cook dinner for her 'Dudders' and Uncle Vernon, who was set to arrive anytime soon.
When dinner was close to being done, a car was heard parking in the driveway then a door closed after the car was turned off.
"Petunia, Dudders come to the living room quickly now!", was heard throughout the house when Uncle Vernon entered the house.
"And you, boy.", Uncle Vernon said looking at me with squinting eyes, "bring two glasses of wine and a fizzy drink for Dudders", with a wide grin that made him resemble a crazed maniac.
Quickly nodding, he got two wine glasses from the cabinet, filled them with a moderate fill of wine along with Dudley's favorite fizzy drink. Then he got ahold of it all making sure nothing would fall and made way to the living room giving Dudley his drink and giving my uncle and aunt their wine glass.
"Very well, family, I bring excellent news that will most assuredly change our lives", exclaimed Uncle Vernon dramatically, making him roll my eyes discretely.
"Today my boss, called me in to his office to inform me that he had to fire the old manager because he was getting too old, so he had to get a new manager to fill the spot and he offered me the position, which, of course, I accepted", the last part he said with delight shown in his voice.
Their reactions were instantaneous; Dudley exclaimed "Congrats, Dad", while Aunt Petunia squealed, jump up and hugged Uncle Vernon and gave him a big kiss on his massive cheek followed with a, "Congratulations, Vernon."
"Yes, I was quite glad to have gotten the promotion", said Vernon, "But I have always said that I would become the manager one day, didn't I, Petunia?"
"Yes, dearie," breathily Petunia agreed, "you always said so and now look, you were right!"
And for the rest of the night, the Dursley family celebrated the promotion.
'I don't understand how someone so horrible as Uncle Vernon could get promoted.,' thought Harry.
Finally at half-past midnight, the Dursley family called it a night and went off to their own rooms. When the Dursleys were fully asleep, Harry slowly opened up the cupboard door. Quietly walking up the stairs, Harry made his way up to the attic to visit the trunk.
After successfully entering the attic without alerting the Dursley, Harry let out a soft sigh and walked towards the hidden trunk. Softly touching the trunk, Harry opened up the trunk and looked at the contents of the trunk.
Taking out the photo album first, Harry viewed all the pictures until finally he felt that he saw every last detail of each picture. Closing the album, Harry placed it back in the same place where it had been and took out a dark black book with the words, "The Life of a Lord: The Teachings of Aristocracy", etched on the front cover.
After closing the lid of the trunk, Harry went back to the entrance of the attic, slowly, to make sure that no one heard him. After quietly walking back to his 'room', Harry slipped inside and hid the black book under the old ripped pillow.
"Tomorrow I will read the book, but for now I need to rest up. I have a feeling that I'll be needing my energy tomorrow".
"He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious"- Sun Tzu
The book lay there, in front of him, cover page open.
"The Life of a Lord: The Teachings of Aristocracy", written by Charles Harwing.
Turning the book to the first page, Harry came upon a flowy well-written penned note.
"Dear Harry,
Your father and I had hoped that we would be there to teach all that you would ever need, but it seems as if the Fates themselves would not permit it so. The Potters have long been the Shield of the Defense for wizard-kind. Such valiant acts have caused the family to slowly die away, with only five Potters alive. Your grandparents, your father, myself and of course, you. Read this book, my child, and become a force to be reckoned within the political world. Your father may deem it unnecessary, but politics hold much power in our world. Don't let yourself be pushed over, Harry. Remember that you're a Potter and we are no pawns. As one of my favorite authors, Ernest Hemingway once said, 'There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.'
Remain true to yourself and your friends, Harry. Never forget who and where you come from. Egotism will not help you, remain humble, Harry.
Signed in the Year of Our Lord, January 21, 1981.
Forever in your heart, your mother,
Lady Lillian Elizabeth Potter,
Lady of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter."
Turning the page, he came upon the first chapter.
Chapter One: "Manners Maketh Man"
The most vital and seemingly difficult lesson for any aspiring Lord or Lady is to remain mindful of their manners. Our manners are what make us who we are, they are how we are judged, and they are how people remember us. Should we want to earn their respect and admiration, we must first show ourselves to be well-educated, mannerly gentlemen with whom they want to converse with. Our manners may help us move up in the hierarchy of society or they may prove to be our weakness and ruin our image and credibility. One mustn't forget that our manners give a preview to what any future guest may witness from our character as first impressions are influenced by our manners. First impressions are, as any individual know, quite difficult to erode. You must prepare yourself with a knowledge of who everyone is and how to address them; knowing the correct way to address any person is crucial to a long and fruitful partnership with any fellow peer. As you continue on in this chapter, you will find many helpful hints of what to expect and how to change your manners. Mark my words and heed them carefully: Being a gentleman has nothing to do with the circumstances of one's birth. Being a gentleman is something one learns.*1"
As he went on to finish the chapter, Harry realized the truth in his mother's words. 'Politics hold much power in our world.' She was correct, the politicians in the world have sway over the control of the government. They have the power to change the lives of any person within their zone of power, whether it may be by passing laws that neglect rights or freedoms for the people or by passing bills that help alleviate some of the financial struggle families deal with. After all, back in school, the teacher spoke about the marches for equality for African Americans in the States.
For centuries they were held in a social basement that was housed beneath the extravagant home of the privileged white male. It was only through the union of the people under the leadership of Martin Luther King Jr. that change was accomplished. Well, if he wanted to make long-lasting changes into the world, he would have to wield much power within the echelons of the magical world.
Of course, he didn't have much time to swim in his thoughts as his Aunt Petunia harshly knocked on the door to his 'room' and screeched, "Wake up! Wake up, I say!".
Hurriedly, he stashed the book underneath the rag that was his 'bed'. Opening the door, he crawled out of the cupboard under the stairs and straightened up.
"Go and shower, boy, but be quick. You'll be preparing a special breakfast to celebrate the promotion of my dear, Vernon."
"Yes, Aunt Petunia.", he replied.
Choosing his clothing from a pitiful 'pile' of clothes, he made his way upstairs to the restroom to shower. While he showered, he mulled over the information that he had read about. Manners. While he was a well-mannered boy, knowing how to act and address members of the magical community was certainly not anything he knew. Indeed, he did not know whether they had a different social system in place.
'I'll have to study when everyone has gone to sleep. If I'm to assimilate to their customs, I'm going to have to learn in secrecy,' he thought to himself.
Leaving the bathroom, he returned to the first floor and went into the kitchen. Getting the necessary ingredients, he started to prepare breakfast. In no time, the scent of food woke up his uncle and cousin. He could tell they awoke since the sound of heavy steps from the upstairs floor could only belong to two people.
Walking in to the kitchen, Uncle Vernon announced loudly, "Good morning, Pet!"
"Good morning, dear"
Having finished breakfast, Harry prepped up the plates and carried them to his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon. He then laid his cousin's plate for him in his spot on the table. It appeared that his uncle was still in a good mood since he did not prevent him from eating a larger than usual amount. Pushing the limit, Harry reached out to grab one last slice of bread. Good mood evident, his uncle did not object to his reaching out for another slice of bread.
'He must be really happy. He never lets me eat this much.,' he thought in his head with surprise.
"Here is your list of chores, go and finish them well, boy.",his Aunt Petunia told his while giving him the list.
'Well, might as well finish them quickly. I might be able to continue to read the book later.,' he told himself as he walked to the back door.
"The greatest victory is that which requires no battles."- Sun Tzu
*1-Quote from the Kingsman: The Secret Service.