Chapter Text
Most people awaken to a fresh morning, hoping for a better start to a new day, greeted by joy and excitement. Others face the lonesome life as a bachelor or workaholic, waking up after the minimum rest, painful muscles from odd sleeping positions and not looking forward to the new day. Surprisingly, to most who know, which is technically nobody but the Dursleys and Albus Dumbledore, young ten-year-old Harry James Potter is among those of the second type, hating the cruel abusive childhood he had been forced upon.
This young orphan had been placed on his aunt's shoulders nine years ago when he miraculously survived the killing curse from the late Dark Lord, Voldemort. Nobody knew how Young Harry had done it but Albus saw it fit to place the Potter Heir into his Muggle aunt's household with many hidden motives. In the letter placed in Harry's bundle, Petunia was told to raise her nephew as a humble and submissive child for Albus' future manipulations. He straight up asked her to abuse Harry so Albus could easily mould his Golden Boy into a sacrificial lamb. The nasty lady took this task to heart, at the right price.
So Vernon Dursley was in charge of physically abusing Harry under the rise of punishment while Petunia Dursley emotionally and verbally abuses Harry. Unbeknownst to them, the youngest Dursley had other plans.
See, while Petunia and Vernon piled young Dursley with love and affection, the young baby saw the darkness in their ways. He hated how his parents hurt his cousin. He had grown to protect Harry in any simple manner like leaving extra leftovers for his scrawny cousin or sneaking medical first aid kits into Harry's cupboard. Sometimes, he would share his toys and study with Harry. Therefore, it wasn't some shock to the duo when Dudley asked if he could bring his cousin along with them to his zoo birthday surprise.
In the car, Piers and Dudley talked happily out loud, both secretly telling Harry about the latest football news. Harry was quick on his feet so often during PE, he would join the Piers team for football scrawls, assisting and few goals. The trio were close friends beneath the guise of bullies and victims around the elder Dursleys.
"So, what animal site do you want to check out first?" Piers grinned once they approached the zoo entrance. "I personally want to see the hippos! Rumour has it those species can eat humans!"
"Get wrecked, Piers," Dudley chuckled lightheartedly while opening the door once the car engine was cut short. "The King of the Jungle is our first spot! Lions and the feline family come first on my tier list!"
"It's good to know, my precious Dudders," Petunia gushed sickly while she and Vernon hurried up to the ticket counter.
Dudley had grimaced at the baby-name while Piers snickered. But once out of hearing reach, they asked Harry softly, "What about you, Har? Which place first? I can add it to my list if you want..." The offer brought a beautiful smile to his cousins' expressions that lighten the duo's heart.
"Reptile House sounds cool, to be honest..." He whispered softly. He giggled at their pale looks and stuck out his tongue. "What can I say? Snakes are cool..."
"Well, can't say I don't disagree," Piers responded while stuffing a hand into his pocket and pulling out some cash. "But if Dud's parents don't buy you shit for lunch, I'll try and sneak some sandwiches. Lunch is on me!"
"Y-You really don't need to do that, Piers!" Harry squeaked adorably and whined at the brotherly gestures as the duo ruffled his messy hair. "Stahhppp!"
"Okay, Har!"
And with that, they had to replace their masks as they entered with the two monsters Dudley had the honour of calling his parents...
"Woe... Sick..." The trio of boys gasped as they watched a zoo worker stand INSIDE a hippo's mouth to scrub its teeth. "That guy has balls of steel..." Piers muttered.
"10 bucks says its balls of titanium if he can approach the babies even with the mother nearby," bet Dudley while beginning to pull out his wallet.
"20 cents says he'll be chased out," Harry joined them, happy despite his small bet, his cousin and friend always tried to include him despite his disadvantage. "Full bet?" He asked and gained their full approval. (A/N: Btw, I do not know how betting works... lol)
And just like that, they could only watch as the worker was chased off, much to the visitor's amusement. Harry grinned cheekily while Dudley and Piers smiled. They loved helping the smaller boy even if it was just a little bit.
Soon, as requested, they walked into the Reptile House and the boys felt their jaws drop. The animals there were wicked and they hurried to the first display. Piers gaped upon the tarantula house while Dudley fawned at the sleeping crocodiles. Harry was absorbing the information and giving his input whenever they asked. Fortunately, Petunia seemed to loathe the place so she and Vernon needed five minutes to rest. The boys used that time to baby Harry and act like the big brothers they sought to be...
And soon, they came upon the Brazilian Boa glass display. The trio were stunned to silence at its sheer size and Dudley wondered briefly if he could touch it. Harry pointed out they were more active in the dark hence its lazy movement which annoyed the boys. Just for show, it didn't bring the creature joy.
"I feel sorry for this dude," Piers muttered while eyeing the fake walls. "Surely it would want more room to roam..."
"You've said it, kiddo..."The snake hissed, much to Harry's understanding alone.
Dudley and Piers could only watch as Harry stepped forward and hissed back. Seeing those beady eyes on the reptile's head widen, they knew something was going on. It was no secret they knew something was up with Harry. They had heard of Harry's stories and Dudley had seen first-hand Harrys' hair growth rate the day his mother chopped it messily. Piers had conspired Harry was a wizard but it was taboo to discuss around the elder Dursleys so they fell silent until Harry turned to them.
"Did you hear that? This Brazilian Voa had never been to Brazil! That's so..." he trailed off at their shell-shocked looks and his stomach churned uncomfortably. "Guys? What..."
"Incoming walrus," Piers quickly interfered when noticing Dudley's father and he roughly grabbed Harry to push him. But he had swiftly managed to whisper, "Later, Har..."
Harry nodded discretely and sadly followed when Vernon said their time was up. Before they could get far from the Boa display, a palm-sized egg rolled to Harry's feet and he felt something in his heart sing. Quickly willing it in his baggy hoodie, he glanced over his shoulder and gasped as he heard Boa's last request; 'Please raise my child well..'
Arriving at home, Petunia and Vernon had to go out to buy Dudley cake so the trio rushed to Dudley's bedroom once the door was locked to discuss what occurred. Dudley offered Harry a snack as they all sat down.
"You can talk to snakes, Har..." Dudley explained bluntly, being the type to get straight to the point, "Only you could understand what the Boa said and talked back to it..."
"It was so cool, though!" Piers added when seeing Harry palen. "You could talk back! I knew you were a wizard but like, this is a whole new level!"
"B-But I'm not!" Harry responded, having it stomped into him (literally and physically)that magic didn't exist. "It mustve been a fluck! I couldn't have-" Harry soon trailed off as he recalled the egg and gently pulled it out, obtaining gasps from his friends. He wasn't sure what to make out of it so he looked to his best friends for their opinion. And just like always, they sided with Harry.