The Boy The Snake and The Stone

Chapter 2: The Letter

It had been a hard few weeks since the accident, after his Uncle was done with him that night they locked him away in his cupboard for the rest of week, giving him little water and no food. Of course this gave him time to heal from the gift his uncle bestowed upon him that night; even after he was a loud to leave the confidence of his cupboard he still felt pain rip through his lower back at some point in the day; Harry just learned to accept what pain was upon him and work through it. Harry knew that his "family" has not forgiven him for what happened at the zoo so he tried as much as possible to stay out of their sights as not to be caught doing something wrong, or messing up on something; but it seemed the more he tried to do this, the more that he was punished for random doings. He has collected more scares, bruises, scraps/scratches, and possible broken bones the last couple weeks then he ever had in his life. Harry really did try to be on his best behavior, he didn't go out in search of the beating because he enjoyed them; he just wished that he had someone who would accept him the way he was. But it seemed like that would never happen in his life time.

It had been a quiet week for Harry the beatings where very few this week, he counted his blessings, and tried his best to keep out of his uncle and cousins way as much as possible doing everything he could. So when Harry was told to fetch the mail that night he did so without complaint, so when he started to riffle through the mail, as to separate of whose mail it was he was surprise to see his name upon an envelope. Of course a quick glance around the empty hall to make sure no one notice this he slipped the letter underneath his cupboard door, knowing that is his Uncle or Aunt saw this there would be a price to pay. He quickly made his way back into the kitchen handing the mail to his Aunt and Uncle, before taking his place once again in the corner, waiting for his "family" to finish their dinner so he could clean up (and possible swipe) their leftovers.

He let his mind wonder to the strange letter that had arrived, he knew that no one know that he lived in the house some of the neighbors that did see him where told that he was extend family sent there for a period of time as his parents were too busy to take care of him themselves. The only one that knew about Harry living there was an elderly women named, Arabella Figg, or better known to Harry as Mrs. Figg. Of course Harry didn't think that she would have sent him something nor ever tell anyone the doings that went on in this house. Even after all the times that she patched up Harry nor all the times he asked if he could stay the night. No the old woman always sent him back, not without giving him a hug nor a sad smile on her face as if it pained her to send him back. If it hurt her so much why did she never help him? Why always send him back to that house?

Harry sighed knowing that those would never be answered, he just went to work cleaning after the Dursley, and spending most of the time making sure the kitchen was spotless underneath the beady little eyes of his uncle, who was waiting for the chance to reprimanded Harry once again.

Of course tonight was a lucky night for Harry who was able to escape this night without a single hand raised in his direction. His Uncle led the boy to his cupboard and locked him up for the night. Unbeknown to him of what Harry had hidden from them all. Harry knew that he couldn't open it here no, he had to be sneaky to make sure that that never figured it out.

* * *

The next day Vernon had left for the day to go to work, and Dudley had summer school for failing a few subjects at school. Harry had hidden the letter inside an old tin box that held pen and pencils the "barrowed" from Dudley's school supplies along with a scraps of parchment he was able to get.

He approached his aunt who was still sitting at the kitchen table, having already finished his chores in advance to get this once chance out of house.

"A-Aunt Petunia," Harry said making sure to keep his head down low, shuffling his feet a little against the floor, his Aunt looked up at the boy in disgust, "I-I was wondering if I could go to the park today?" He mumbled knowing that he was taking a chance, with asking about going out, but he knew that his Aunt didn't want to be left alone with him for the day, and that she would do anything to get him out of her hair for the. Of course she would leave him with Mrs. Figg most of the time to go talk with some of the other women that lived in the neighborhood, to gossip about the things going around them.