Trust

CH 2 - The Potter's

My eyes fluttered open and memories flooded into my head in a sudden burst that felt a bit like a dream. As I looked around it became clear last night wasn't a dream, I had actually escaped the Death Eaters. I was in a large king bed in an even larger room. The room was neat and plain, it looked like it had never been used before. The only sign of life and originality was the Hogwarts banner that hung over the large double doors which most likely led to the rest of the manor.

I mix of emotions swirled through me, I had no idea how to interpret them. I pushed off the covers and saw I was in the same disgusting clothes I'd been wearing for years. It comforted me, I wouldn't want anyone but me removing my clothes, even if it was to help. I lifted my shirt to see how my stomach was looking. Unpleasant, to say the least. The word 'MUDBLOOD' was carved into my stomach, it was healed significantly but it was still red and inflamed. When I ran my fingers across it pain erupted and I pulled my hand away putting my shirt back down. Soon enough it would be just another horrible scar that held another horrible memory. I was alive though, something that wasn't guaranteed the night before.

When I looked to my right I saw a tray of food that had been laid on the night stand next to my bed. It was under a fancy crystal lamp, it was on but it didn't serve much purpose with all the natural light coming through to windows and illuminating the bedroom. I didn't hesitate to grab the tray. At Crabbe manor I only got one stale piece of bread a week and very little water. Malnourishment would be an understatement, I was just skin and bones at this point. I looked down at the food and for a moment contemplated everything. I had shown up at a strangers manor moments from death and they had healed me and given me food. The kindness was unbelievable. It almost felt too good, after everything I was afraid, I didn't know who saved me, I didn't know these people.

The food was too tempting and I told myself that if they wanted me dead I would be. I drank all the water almost immediately then moved onto the food. I ate as much as I could without getting sick, I couldn't eat a lot because my body wasn't accustom to eating regularly. Either way I was grateful for fresh food, I had fruit for the first time in years. I forgot how much I missed of the regular world. I put the tray back on the side table as I heard a quiet knock on the door.

I went still. The door creaked open and a teenage boy with glasses popped his head in. He looked around my age with sparkling hazel eyes and kind smile. He had messy brown hair that looked a bit like he had been stuck in a wind tunnel. He walked into the room upon noticing me awake and left the door open behind him. He was dressed in a Gryffindor t-shirt and pajama pants, it was clear he was proud of his house. Looking at him and his shirt solidified in my mind my desire to go to Hogwarts. I had no family to go back to and no friends waiting for me at Beauxbatons, I would make a new life, one I was happy with.

"Hello, I'm James Potter," the boy said. I said nothing, I just examined him head to toe. There was absolutely no sign of danger attached to him, no weapon, no malice behind his eyes. But for some reason I couldn't bring myself to speak. Call it fear or trust issue. All I knew is my mouth felt stapled close. He didn't seem to mind my silence, he just smiled brightly at me. I'm sure I looked like something out of a horror movie, I was covered in blood, dirt and sweat. "My friend and I brought you to my mom when you dropped in out of nowhere. She's very good at healing charms."