This is a Bigger World: A Harry Potter fanfic

CHAPTER 1

It was as if time had stopped, there was only feet, pavement, and well worn sneakers. Dudley's clothes definitely did not fit him, but that still did not diminish his dream of running. On the TV, while cooking that summer he had seen cross country runners, and they were SO FAST. Harry knew that he was fast, after all, he outran Dudley and his gang many times, but the speeds that those men were going? It was a completely different level. Aunt Petunia also had been fast in school, at least her second place ribbons told him so. He never dared asked why she was second, but he assumed that she was fast. He already knew, at nine years old that families typically were similar, that's why Dudley looked like Uncle Vernon, a pig in a "BOY!" "Yes, Uncle Vernon?" "Are you almost done with that steak? We're starving in here!" "I'm almost done, sir." Harry ran everywhere, he even ran in place when he was cooking or cleaning. He had read every book in the school library about running, and he had taken to dumpster diving after school to find things that would help his dream. He had found mismatched converse that were the same size as his feet, and he kept those a secret. One was red, and the other was black, with the red one having unique sharpie doodles all over it. Harry kept them safe by burying them in a plastic bag in an unused corner of the park. He had also found an archaic Walkman, and inside was a simple tape. Appetite for Destruction was its name. He was absolutely aware that the Dursleys hated hard rock, and he liked the rebellion. The final things he hid were food that the supermarket threw out. That was his sustenance, and he knew that without food, he would not run. Every single day, he grew his stock of food, and dumpster dove for more things. Anything he found that was worth keeping, he buried it in plastic, in the park. He was finally done with the Dursleys, and was ready to leave. He wanted to sneak off to London, but he needed more things to escape. He had ripped out a page from a library book that showed him the way to London, raided behind the department stores for anything he could find, and was finally ready to sneak away. He just had to wait until Dudley's birthday.

Dudley's birthday dawned bright, and it was Harry's intention that once he asked Ms. Figg to enjoy himself outside, that he would escape using his stash and make his way to London. One thing he did know was that he was finally going to be free. The only thing that he knew that he needed to avoid was the movie theatre, as the Dursley's had taken Dudley to the movies for his birthday. He had even grown out his hair in anticipation for this day, as it was easier to hide himself. He grabbed his best out of Dudley's hand me downs, and cooked the entire Dursley family a feast for breakfast. Then, he ran back to his cupboard, and filled his pockets with whatever he found sentimental value in, and even wrapped the old blanket that he was discovered in around one of his legs. He wore two pairs of old socks, wore Dudley's shorts underneath his pants, and even managed to fit a shirt underneath the upper one. He put the only other thing that he discovered was worth keeping into the pocket of his pants. It was a lone battery, with enough power to give to his walkman enough juice to run. It was one of his only hopes in this bleak world. It was March, and Harry was finally ready to leave the Dursleys.

"Ms. Figg, I hope that Harry will not bother you too much." "Not at all, Mrs. Dursley, me and the cats shall take great care of your little boy." Ms. Figg smiled her usual, toothless smile. Harry grimaced at the thought of staying with her, but then knew that he would be perfectly fine. After all, he was running away.

After what seemed like forever, the Dursleys left, and Harry was alone with Ms. Figg and her disgusting cats. "Harry, come look at my cats! They have ever so missed you!" Ms. Figg grabbed Harry's arm and dragged him over to the dusty old photos.

"...And that is Mr. Tibbs." "Well, Ma'm it was great looking at your cats, but I really want to go outside to the park. Can I go?" "Well, it is very cold dear. Perhaps you stay inside?" "Please?" "Oh, well. I guess it is alright. Just bring one of my coats with you." Her wrinkled hand gestured towards an old wardrobe. "Ok." Harry looted through the wardrobe, trying to find something that wasn't that old-lady like. After what felt like forever, he felt worn leather. As he pulled what he felt out, he discovered an old motorcycle jacket, with patches on it that seemed to suggest rebellion. He held it out to Ms. Figg, she took one look at it, and said, "Just keep it, dearie." Herry threw on the jacket as he went outside. It felt too big, but it was comfy, and it was warmer than just wearing what he had brought. It fit better than Dudley's hand-me-downs at least. He then made his way to the park as stealthily as he could.