Seeing Clearly

Tragic Death? Maybe Not.

Life can be hard and many are unaware of the many hardships others have to face but some know. Some know of the bad in this world and choose to do nothing. They choose to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear in that direction. Abuse is surprisingly common in the muggle world and becoming more common in the wizarding world. It seems as if I get to suffer abuse from both worlds.

I've told very few people about what is happening to me on a daily basis at the Dursleys home. Out of all of my friends and the Order, I've only told four people of my summer life; Hermione, Sirius, Fred, and George; I remember their reactions to the news well. Hermione broke down in tears and we held each other as we cried, Sirius was furious but he just comforted me instead of freaking out. Fred and George were a mix of the two but they hid it well, they each gave me a small hug then proceeded to distract me by showing me their newest inventions.

"Boy! Get up and make us breakfast freak!" I was brought out of my memories by my Uncle Vernon slamming his fist on my bedroom door and yelling. I sighed but got off the small cot-like bed and got dressed in some of my cousin Dudley's old clothes. Dudley was the only kind family I had left and I cherished every moment I spent with him. He was like my guardian angel sometimes. He would tend to my wounds, make sure I ate enough, stay the night with me to stem my nightmares and keep me company, and even go as far as to try and stop his father and mother's abuse on me at his own expense.

 I opened the door and flinched as a meaty fist nearly made contact with my face. I stared at my dirty sock-covered feet as I walked past Uncle Vernon down the stairs and into the kitchen. I stood in front of the stove awaiting my instructions from Aunt Petunia. I held out my hand and she shoved a piece of paper into my palm. Reading the paper, I started to take ingredients out of the fridge to make some red pepper omelets. A small smile slipped onto my face as I fell into a happy trance while I cooked. Soon I was finished with the meal and I set the dishes on the counter then I walked over to the corner and sat on the floor awaiting my leftovers. I heard a soft sigh as Dudley entered the room. I knew he didn't like how they treated me but it was better to just do what I was told to do. At least the beatings weren't as bad then.

 I peeked up through my lashes at Dudley and he smiled softly at me. My expression brightened and I smiled back but then flinched at the harsh glare Vernon shot at me. "Do you have to glare at him, Father?" I heard Dudley ask in an angry tone. "He's a freak. He deserves everything that I do to him." Vernon replied. "HE IS NOT A FREAK!" Dudley screamed while getting to his feet and approaching his father. "Dudley Dursley, don't you dare speak like that to your father." Petunia said sharply. Dudley only glared at her for a few seconds before turning back to his father. He towered over Vernon and his voice shook the house as he spoke, "YOU WILL NOT CONTINUE TO HARM, BELITTLE, OR INSULT MY COUSIN ANYMORE OR I WILL TAKE HIM AND OUR STUFF AND LEAVE FOR GOOD! UNDERSTOOD VERNON?" Vernon turned purple as the threat registered. He quickly stood and walked to the front door, throwing it open and yelling, "THEN TAKE YOUR STUFF AND GET OUT OF MY HOUSE! YOU'RE BOTH FREAKS!"

 Dudley's face tightened and he nodded before gently grabbing my arm and pulling me upstairs to my room. "Gather your things in a bag. I'll work on getting your trunk." Dudley said quietly before disappearing out the door and down the stairs. I hurriedly pulled up the loose floorboard and started shoving objects into a small backpack. I paused for a moment on my invisibility cloak and wand before shoving the cloak in my pocket and I kept the wand in my hand. I jerked up at a sound at the door only to sigh in relief as Dudley appeared lugging my trunk behind him. I waved my wand over it and shoved the backpack inside once it opened. Dudley watched as I did and when I finished and had closed and locked the trunk, he gestured to his room across the hall. He grabbed my trunk with one hand and my hand with the other.

As we entered his room, I saw Vernon approaching from the stairs and he looked angrier than I had ever seen him before. I screamed as he grabbed me by the hair and started to drag me down the hallway. Dudley was jerked to the floor with me but soon regained his footing. He charged his father and tackled him to the ground before he shoved him down the stairs. I violently flinched as I heard a loud crack coming from Vernon. I looked down the stairs at Vernon's body, fully expecting him to get up and keep attacking us but he never moved. His neck was bent at a strange angle and there was blood pooling around his head. Petunia's screams and crying couldn't seem to get past the high-pitched ringing in my ears.

I felt someone shaking me and I dimly saw Dudley's worried face in front of me but I just couldn't focus. The edges of my vision started getting blurry and black dots started creeping up on me. I let loose one sob as the world went dark.