Silver Hourglass

Letters by Serpents Chapter 2

"Well Mr. Potter," Lucius began, "Where should we begin?"

"We should probably start with introducing me... I mean younger Harry into the wizardry world." Harry said, biting his lip, "But that means we would have to go to 4 Private Drive."

Lucius grabbed Harry's arm and said "I'm sure you know where it is, so shall we?"

"Okay." Harry said with a slight frown. The two stepped together and apparated away from Malfoy Manor and to the sleepy street of Private Drive. It was late in the afternoon, around four or five and Harry was dreading meeting up with his uncle and cousin again. "You lived here?" Lucius asked.

"Yeah." Harry said shortly.

"Quant." Lucius said.

"Shut up." Harry said, he heard voices and said "Please tell me you have something to turn us invisible? I don't exactly have my cloak at the moment."

Lucius sighed and flicked out his wand, "Invisiblis." He said. Harry felt a slight tingle as the spell affected him. "There, now we are invisible to the outside world. Happy Potter?" Lucius asked.

Harry didn't answer as he pointed towards the end of the street, where young Harry was currently running.

Harry Potter, age eleven, was running away from his cousin Dudley and his goons. His skinny, knobby legs took him as far as he could as he panted, getting short of breath as he ran. Behind him was an obese child who had the strength of an enraged elephant, and the face of a smashed pear. Dudley Dursley took a breath and screamed out "We're gonna get you Potter! So stop running and let me punch you!"

The boys were playing their favorite sport: Harry Hunting and Harry was quickly growing tired of it. After the incident at the Zoo, Harry was locked in his cupboard for a week, only getting out to use the loo and shower. In Dudley's hand was his knobbly stick, which his father brought for him on his acceptance to Smelting Academy. Dudley held the stick high as he chased Harry, and Harry closed his eyes, wishing that he was anywhere but there. He turned around the corner and felt something strange before slamming into a wall. Harry looked around and found that he was back in his cupboard, and his nose seared with pain as he tried to untangle himself from his old blankets. "What happened?" he asked, his voice soft and high.

"Freak! Get over here!" Uncle Vernon yelled out. Harry meeped and opened the cupboard door, walking into the living room where the small television was on, and Uncle Vernon was standing with Dudley, both looking very crossed.

"Y-Yes Uncle Vernon?" Harry asked.

"Dudley says that you ran away when he tried to hit you with his Smelting stick. Is it true?" Uncle Vernon asked.

"Yes Uncle Vernon." Harry said, already knowing and dreading the results. Uncle Vernon nodded and said "The boy needs to practice wacking things with his stick boy. It's tradition at Smelting Academy. So, stand there and help Dudley with his wacking."

Dudley smirked at this while Harry frowned and somberly nodded, bracing himself for the stings of the stick. He winced when the sting of the first blow hit, Dudley aiming straight for Harry's right arm. Dudley smacked Harry again in the right arm, before hitting him twice on the left arm. Harry winced at each strike and Uncle Vernon said "The legs Dudley, you use that stick to hit the legs."

Dudley did and Harry winced in pain, trying his best to hold back the tears. Dudley kept hitting Harry, alternating between his arms and legs before walking behind Harry and hitting him in the back. Harry gasped in pain and Dudley hit him again. "Careful now Dudley, the boy has to do his chores still." Uncle Vernon said.

"Okay Dad." Dudley said. He continued to smack Harry with the stick, the hits stinging worse and worse as the blows repeatedly hit the same area. When he was done, Dudley walked away and sent Harry to do his chores. Harry sniffled and nodded, heading into the kitchen to help his aunt cook dinner. At that moment however, the letter box at the door opened and several letters dropped. "Boy! Get the mail!" Uncle Vernon yelled, too busy watching his programs.