Nevermore | A HARMIONE FANFIC

Family

Vernon Dursley was standing in the doorway, eyes wide, nose flaring, and his neck thicker than ever. His green jumper made him look like an aubergine due to the shade of purple on his face. He tried to gain his composure once he saw the additional people on his doorstep. The Grangers stepped back from the distressed man in shock.

'Where ever have you been, boy, your aunt and I have been worrying sick,' he said in an unconvincingly sweet tone. 'Who are these lovely people with you?'

'Erm...' he started, unsure how to introduce them. Fortunately, Mr Granger answered for him.

'Dan Granger, and this is my wife, Jean and my daughter Hermione. My family and I have become acquainted with Harry. He has told us the horrible stories about living here, therefore we suggest he stays with us this Christmas - in a warm and sheltered home where he is welcome.

'-Of course if you don't have any objections, sir? I would advice you would do what you're told unless you want to end up arrested for child negligence and abuse. That would be fine with us, too,' he paused as if to give him time to process and answer. Mr Granger continued when he didn't.

'We will check up on Harry every two weeks, at least. And I expect him to have three meals a day and more freedom, if he wishes. He will also have access to a telephone; I already gave him our home number in case of emergencies. Treat him like a human, not a slave.'

Uncle Vernon looked beside himself at being told what to do, so much that he veins in his forehead were almost popping out. However, he knew the man had a point - the scars and bruises on the boy's body could testify as evidence.

'Fine, but you better not speak a word about this! Now get of my lawn!' Vernon let Harry in and slammed the door shut.

'Pleasant man,' Mrs Granger sneered, disgusted.

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Harry went straight to his room, just escaping the wrath of his uncle. He thought about all that had happened, in just the space of two days and laughed to himself. It was ridiculous that he thought he would've survived out there. Hell - he passed out within the first 7 hours of being outside. Thank the heavens Hermione had found him. Hermione. The girl with no friends, just like him, which he thought was impossible as she was so smart and pretty–

Harry was pulled out of his thoughts when he heard a few shrieks downstairs, no doubt his Aunt Petunia after hearing Vernon's news. Shaking his head, he smiled and got up to find his favourite book. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. He loved to fantasise about what it would be like to be in an alter reality world, away from this nightmare.

Then he realised his nightmare might not be so bad. At least, not with the Grangers in his life. Not with Hermione.

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Harry often let his thoughts wander freely to her over the coming days. It's funny how a few acts of kindness can change someone's perspective on life. The Grangers have done more than Harry could have dreamed of – he thought he would never get out of here! Due to Mr Granger's warning, the Dursleys have been leaving him alone - for the most part. At times when Harry would come downstairs to scavenge himself some food scraps, and the one of the Dursleys happened to be there, they left the room.

On one occasion, the small family was dining when Harry entered the kitchen, thinking it was safe to get himself a plate, just to open the door in Dudley's face. His cousin took the hit and crashed to the floor and Petunia shrieked with worry. Vernon spat profanities in Harry's face and raised his fist. Instinctively, he closed his eyes and flinched but the Dursleys remembered what Mr Granger said and immediately backed off.

Harry didn't have a meal that night either.

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The doorbell rang.

Harry ran to the door and looked through the eyehole. It was just the postman. He sighed and opened the door, calling for his aunt as he did so.

'What is it?' she asked in her shrill voice.

'Package,' Harry replied lazily. Petunia huffed and pushed past him to sign the package. He returned to Dursley's second bedroom, the one he kept for all his toys and lay on the bed. It was now his bedroom but it felt weird calling it that.

Everything was weird.

It was too quiet; at this rate he would've preferred if Dudley continued his bullying ways and Vernon pushing him around. He wasn't used to being treated like somewhat of a human being.

Harry moves to lay on his side but winced from the pain there. He healed well from his injuries he got when he ran away. The Dursleys had been particularly harsh in beating him that night, which is what caused him to sprint into the night when they had left for an early Christmas party.

Closing his eyes, Harry drifted into an uneasy unconscious. Earlier that day he had woken up from a particularly lucid nightmare: a little baby boy sitting up contently in his cot when a suddenly flash of green light illuminated his innocent green eyes. He heard an audible thud and covered his eyes but not before he saw an unmistakable mess of red hair.

This is usually where the dream ended. Harry had no idea what had happened before, or after, or even what is going on - no context at all - but he was certain that this had a deeper meaning and determined to find out what it was.

The doorbell rang.