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The moment he saw her it was like time had frozen still, until somehow it was catapulting him back where he lived all those years ago. It felt like a lifetime had passed, surely his eyes were playing tricks on him because his aunt Petunia couldn’t possibly be here of all places.
For a split second he wondered if his aunt Petunia was the reason that Ginny and Lily were taking a while in the loo. Just the thought of his aunt making a remark to make either of the two girls he loves the most uncomfortable, had made his blood run cold.
He didn’t look away, his gaze held hers. It was something he was never able to do growing up because his aunt Petunia always scolded him for looking at her.
Then he remembered that she wouldn’t dare harm anyone, that wasn’t himself that is.
Not once had he seen either his aunt or uncle treat Dudley in a bad way. They never made Dudley eat the burnt pieces of meat that were left on the grill. All because he dared get a glass of water, when he was alone inside while the rest of them were outside grilling on a warm sunny day.
Nope, that wasn’t Dudley that accidentally dropped it on the kitchen floor causing it to shatter the glass of water. His cousin never had to jump at the chance to run the tap and place his head under the faucet. Feeling the scolding water almost burned off his tongue because when he rushed he had accidentally opened the hot water instead of the cold (luckily he was able to correctly open the cold water and drink enough to make his stomach full. Unlucky for him, he was caught and punished).
It was never Dudley, it was always himself.
Harry James Potter, or how his aunt Petunia would call him Freak.
He never understood why she called him that, never knew what it meant. All he knew was the way she would say it made him feel like the smallest boy in the world. As if he didn’t deserve to even think that somebody might even love him–
******
“The bacon isn’t as crispy like my nan makes it,” Teddy shook his head and pushed over his plate to James. “When we leave, you should come over and I’ll ask nan if we can have some bacon butty’s. It’s one of the few recipe’s of my grandpa showed her which she doesn’t manage to burn, but don’t tell her that!” Teddy quickly added, his hair went bright pink.
“Your secret is safe with me, Edward.” James gave him a salute.
“My name is Teddy, not Edward!” Teddy narrowed his eyes at James, in a mock glare.
“You really gotta work on that scolding look,” James smirked, “you look rather constipated, doesn’t he, dad?”
*****
Under the cupboard and out of sight. As if he was a freakish pest living under her roof that would never go away. It wasn’t like he chose to live there, he didn’t have a choice.
One can say his childhood was stolen the moment that Voldemort had murdered his father, but it wasn’t. It wasn’t the moment his mum had sacrificed herself for him in order to spare his life.
No, his childhood was stolen when his Aunt Petunia along with Vernon made him live in the cupboard. It became his home, funny to think he had spent eleven years in his own personal hell that at times felt like some sort of sanctuary, a place where he wasn’t shouted at for merely coughing because his throat felt like sandpaper and he was feeling parched. Though he wouldn’t dare ask for—
*****
“Dad?” James tapped his shoulder, yet he didn’t move. As if he was in a trance as he continued to stare at his aunt Petunia. There was no way he would be the one to be the first to look away, not after everything that she did to him, not after everything that she allowed to be done to him. He wasn’t the scrawny little boy that was destined to live hidden away in a dusty cupboard,
“Harry?” Teddy poked him in the side, trying to get his godfather’s attention.
*****
She looked away.
His aunt Petunia looked away and left.
He thought a rush of relief would consume him once the woman that was supposed to care for him like a son, had left. Yet, all he felt was a deep loneliness. It was the same loneliness he had felt all those years in the cupboard–
****
“Harry Potter, please report to the third floor of St. Mungo’s, your rash cream is ready to be picked up.” Teddy announced (thankfully nobody was around them).
“You little shit,” he shook his head, letting out a small chuckle.
“You looked a bit zoned out, so I thought to get your attention,” Teddy smiled innocently, it was at times like that Harry noticed how much his godson resembled Tonks.
“What were you looking at?” James asked him, then looked over to where Petunia had stood by the restroom.
He sighed deeply, trying to rid himself from any thoughts of his childhood, he couldn't dwell on the past, when his future and present was here with them.
Before he was able to respond, that's when Ginny was making her way to the table with Lily Luna, who was skipping besides her.
Once they had made it to the table, James had something to say, rather loudly, mind you.
“About time!” James threw his hands up in the air dramatically, “here we thought that the toilet must’ve eaten you alive!”
His daughter’s face had quickly become the shade Weasley Red, and he knew without a doubt that Lily was moments away from destroying James with just a few words.
“James.” Ginny raised a brow at their son, this alone made James sit up straighter and the tips of his ears were a bit pink. No matter what he says, his first born was definitely such a momma’s boy.
He wondered if his mum hadn’t died, if he would be a momma’s boy. If only that was possible, perhaps he would’ve lived a better life, not the one he had experienced with his aunt.
******
“You little freak!” Petunia shouted, “Why didn’t you tell me the tea is hot? I could’ve burnt my tongue right out of my mouth!”
“You asked for hot tea.” He frowned.
“I said warm, not scalding hot.” Petunia glared at him, “You can’t do anything right, just like your mother. Always up to no good.
“That’s not true, I’m doing what y-you asked me t-to do.” He stuttered, he hated when that happened.
“Y-you asked me t-t-to do.” Petunia mocked him, “How many times have I told you to speak correctly. Have I taught you nothing?”
He swallowed hard, all he could do was clench his tiny fists to his sides as Petunia pointed at the cupboard.
“No dinner tonight. You are to stay there.”
*******
Ginny touched his shoulder, making him jump, this made the pitcher of water spill over onto the table. “Shit, sorry I didn’t mean to,” he muttered quietly. Ginny watched him with concern, she didn’t comment on it…at least not now in front of the kids.
“It’s fine, love, no worries.” Ginny smiled at him, “Quick get the napkins Teddy.” Ginny grabbed some napkins and proceeded to clean up the spill.
He had spilled water and it wasn’t a huge deal.
It wasn’t a catastrophe.
It was an accident and nobody blamed him.
******
“Who spilled this?” Vernon shouted, something he always did, yet he never once shouted at Dudley.
He wondered how that was different.
“Was it you?!” Vernon stomped towards him, “answer me.”
“No. I just got done dusting-”
“Don’t you lie to me.” Vernon said angrily.
“I’m not lying.”
“You did it, you always mess everything up. Your aunt is right, you never do anything good, just a freak. Always a freak.”
He shook his head, no he wouldn’t cry. Not until he went home, to the cupboard.
“Go,” Vernon pointed to the cupboard, “I don’t want to see your face for the rest of the afternoon.”
“Ok.” That’s all he said as he made his way to his personal sanctuary.
******
“....Can you tell us about how you dodged three bludgers to the head.” James leaned towards his mum.
“I’ve told that story so many times, you can practically recite in your sleep.” Ginny chuckled.
“Oh, tell us about the way daddy got hit with a few bludgers when he was looking at you.” Lily sighed, “it’s so romantic.”
“Getting hit with bludgers is romantic?” Teddy, “Then it’s so romantic when Percy gets hit repeatedly during pick-up quidditch.”
He chuckled, before grabbing a bread roll and taking a small bite, “He’s not very coordinated in sports, but he does his best.”
They all laughed, it was like music to his ears. Now if only they could keep laughing so the memories in his mind can stop, just for a moment.
“Wait, I know what story is the best no matter how many times it’s been told.” Al spoke up, this all got their attention.
“What story?” He asked curiously.
“Not a story, my apologies…it’s more of a poem, a valentine's poem if you will.” The glimmer of mischief in his son’s eyes made him realize the sorting hat wasn’t lying when it sorted him into the Slytherin house.
“Merlin, no.” Ginny covered her burning face.
He placed a kiss on Ginny’s temple, and teased her a bit, “It is my favourite poem, you should definitely become a poet someday.”
“His eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad,” Teddy stood up, a hand placed over his heart.
Then James wiped a nonexistent tear from his eyes and said,”His hair is as dark as a blackboard.”
“I wish he were mine, he’s really divine,” Al raised his cup of orange juice, just as Lily stood up, “The hero who conquered the Dark Lord.”