Chapter Text
For all those who felt like their world was ending
Special song: Nobody – Mitski
—Boy!— shouted that man who never knew how to shut up. —Damn it, answer me when I talk to you!— that man whose voice alone made me feel nauseous.
—Agh!— a painful moan escaped from the smaller one’s mouth. —You’re going to learn to respect your elders, you damn freak!—
Vernon grabbed the boy by the hair, throwing him to the floor.
—Please, don’t hurt me— he begged with a trembling voice. Even so, the man unbuckled his belt, and with every strike he repeated the same words over and over again:
—Disgusting… I should have killed you a long time ago. You make me sick!—
Disgusting? What does that mean?
Why is no one coming to save me?
This hurts.
Help… I feel bad.
—Ha, filthy little rat. I think you can be useful for something more than just trembling…—
And the sound of trousers falling was the last thing I heard.
July 31st, 1987
—Hey, freak—
The boy lifted his gaze toward his Aunt Petunia.
—I need you to water and prune my plants. Some friends are coming over today.—
A shiver ran through the child’s entire body as he stood up. He still hadn’t recovered from his “session,” or what his Uncle Vernon liked to call hurting him.
—Hurry up, it’s for today!—
Her scream was so loud that the boy flinched and rushed toward the garden.
The garden wasn’t neglected; he had been taking care of it for quite some time. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t get food and would be locked in his small bedroom for several days.
After hours of hard work, he was aching and couldn’t stop sobbing from the pain. He knew Petunia’s friends had already arrived because their loud laughter echoed all the way to the garden. He had to hurry inside, or he would be severely punished. Those women couldn’t see a freak like him.
September 1st, 1989
Today my cousin started school. I still don’t know how to write. I can read a little—I’ve seen old magazines or school supplies that don’t work for him anymore, and with that I can learn a bit.
Lately, Uncle Vernon hasn’t been having those “sessions,” and I’m scared. Scared that he’ll take it out on me and that it’ll hurt even more.
I don’t know what to do. My heart hurts, even though I don’t really know what a heart is, but it hurts so much. And I want to cry.
His thoughts were interrupted by a loud noise—the sound of heavy footsteps heading toward his tiny bedroom.
—So here you were, my little rat…—
Fear took over the boy, and he began to sob. He knew there was nothing he could do.
July 10th, 1991
It’s cold. I can’t feel my body. Everything hurts.
Will this be the end?
This pain is nothing compared to the pain in my heart.
If he doesn’t kill me, I’ll kill myself.
Why me?
Mom, Dad… did you really abandon me?
I just want to be with you… please.
I woke up in terrible pain. Apparently, it hadn’t worked. When I looked around, there was dried blood everywhere, and damp spots too.
—Damn it—
I was going to have to clean up this mess. I just hoped I wouldn’t get caught.
July 31st, 1991
Today, a lot of letters started arriving. I managed to read one of them. They said that someone named Harry Potter had been accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But I don’t know any Harry Potter, so they must have gotten the address wrong.
How ironic. How could a freak like me ever be something like a wizard?
I had forgotten to treat my cuts, so I took advantage of the fact that no one was home to bandage myself and change clothes. The previous ones were so stained that I couldn’t wear them without raising suspicion—and Vernon would definitely punish me three times worse than usual.
Already changed into my cousin’s old clothes, I started cleaning before they arrived. I had to prepare lunch, or I wouldn’t eat.
A sudden knock startled the boy. He looked out the window first, and seeing no one else who could answer, he opened the door.
—Hello, Harry— said a tall, broad man.
—Excuse me, sir, my name isn’t Harry. You must be mistaken—
The man looked confused.
—I’m sure this is 4 Privet Drive, lad—
—Uh… well, there’s no Harry here—
The man looked at him and laughed.
—Harry, you’re a funny one. You’re just like your father—how could I not recognize you?
The boy shook his head.
—My name is “Boy,” or at least that’s what my aunt and
uncle call me. And how could you know my parents if they abandoned me?—
He whispered the last words, lowering his gaze.
A shocked gasp escaped the man.
—Who told you that, Harry? You need to come with me. Now—
Harry took a step back, terrified. He was afraid this man would do the same things Vernon did.
—No… please don’t hurt me— he said with a trembling voice, his eyes blurred with tears.
—I won’t hurt you, alright? My name is Hagrid. I was a friend of your parents. I’m here to take you to Hogwarts.—
He knelt down, trying to be at the boy’s height.
—Do you promise?— Harry asked as tears streamed down his cheeks and fell to the floor.
—I promise— Hagrid smiled gently. —Do you have any belongings to bring?—
Harry wiped his eyes with his small hands, trying to clean the mess.
—No… I don’t have anything—
With a deep ache in his chest, Hagrid offered him his hand. When the boy took it, they Disapparated.
Hagrid needed to get the child some clothes and take him to someone who could heal those injuries. He hoped they weren’t what he feared—but he couldn’t ignore them. He didn’t get along with Severus Snape, but he knew that with his Potions—and with Madam Pomfrey’s help—they could treat him. School supplies and everything else could wait.
I know it’s short, but it’s just a small introduction to what’s going to happen in this fanfic.
Thank you for reading, my little stars. ♡