𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐄 || 𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐘 || 𝐇𝐈𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐒

Chapter 4

The summer included Harry being belittled 24/7 and starved for the smallest of things. Once he was starved for dropping a spoon – 2 days no food. The Dursley's were harsher this summer – as if he could take it.

The chart went something like this:

Drop anything ~ 2 days no food {total: 42 times}

- If 5 things are dropped, 2 days no food

Break anything ~ 2 days no food and 10 lashes of the belt {total: 9 times}

- If 5 things are broken, 2 days no food and 10 lashes of the belt

Burn anything ~ 20 lashes of the belt {total: 26 times}

- If 7 things are burnt, 20 lashes of the belt

Incomplete chores ~ 20 lashes of the belt and a beating from Dudley {total: 28 times}

- If 3 chores are incomplete, 20 lashes from the belt and a beating from Dudley

Talking back ~ 25 lashes and burns from fire {total: 3 times}

- If Freak talks back 3 times, 25 lashes and burns from fire

Making his presence known when visitors are here ~ 50 lashes and 4 days no food {total: 0 times}

- If Freak makes his presence known when we have visitors 4 times, 50 lashes and no food for 4 days

By the end of the summer, Harry was really dreading going back to school. He didn't want his 'punishments' and he didn't want to see his 'best friends' either. Harry wondered how he was going to get back to school if he was too weak to even speak. It took a lot of arguing with himself for a while before he decided to owl Snape. He wrote a letter to him explaining his situation, asking for his help and why he didn't go to Dumbledore. When he finished, he dried the ink and read it out loud to himself.

Dear Professor Snape,

This may come as a surprise and you are probably wondering why I am writing to you. Please read the whole thing. You don't have to reply or fulfil my wishes, just read the whole letter and I will be very grateful. It will be a very long letter and I suggest you sit down with a glass of something strong. It will help – trust me.

I should probably start at the beginning. The very beginning.

October 31st, my parents were killed. I was orphaned and Dumbledore ensured I was placed with my muggle relatives – Petunia and Vernon Dursley. He left a letter with a large amount of money in to ensure my 'wellbeing'. My 'wellbeing' isn't what you would have expected from the 'Chosen one'. You would've thought it was meant to pamper me, give me the best luxuries money could buy. I didn't get that. I was treated worse than a house elf. I still am.

My cousin Dudley, is an obese kid who likes to use me as a punching bag. He gets fatter everyday so he has lots of clothes left lying around because his parents buy him new ones. I get the hand me downs. Most of the time, they are too large and fall and sometimes they have stains on – what they are I do not know and do not ever wish to find out. For the first 10 years of my life, I didn't have a bedroom. I lived in the cupboard under the stairs – I kid you not. It was always dark and cold. There were spiders and the occasional cockroach. Being a lonely young boy, naturally I made friends with them. I haven't ever had friends when I was younger, so when I came to Hogwarts and Draco insulted Weasley I decided I didn't want to get to know him. I regret that now but I do not know how to bring it up with him. Do you have any suggestions? I just wish to mend bridges I should've crossed years ago.

Knowing you Professor, you are probably confused as to why I called my 'best friend' by his surname. I discovered something very interesting before the holidays. I am not sure if you are aware of where the Weasels and muggleborns loyalties lie, but know for sure that they aren't with me. They never were. They lie with fame, money and Dumbledore. I know you are a spy, and I'm pretty sure it is for Riddle not Dumbledore. How on earth did you manage to convince the old coot you were on his side? I congratulate you; it must have been challenging.

I wish to discuss what I found in person, if that's okay. I have put too much in my letter and if someone were to intercept they would most likely go to Dumbledore. I have one more thing to tell you before I wrap up. Going back to my 'wellbeing' and my treatment worse than a house elf I wish to inform you of one more thing. If you couldn't tell by now, I am abused. They call me Freak and Boy. I don't know my real name till my Hogwarts letter. But it isn't just verbal. The physical abuse is serious. I will send a copy of my 'punishment chart' and the 'punishments' I have before I return. I don't think I will be able to get to Hogwarts in time and I suspect I will be unconscious for a day or two. Could you create a portkey for me? Please? It could just ditch me into the Infirmary at school so Poppy can treat me. If it is alright with you, of course, could you make it so that it activates itself after 2 days or something? It would be much appreciated if you can conform with my request.

Thank you, for taking the time to read this letter. Like I said at the beginning, you don't have to reply or fulfil my wishes.

Harry J Potter.

Harry deemed his letter informative enough yet kept it quite simple, just to peak Snape's interest so that he helps him. Harry snickers to himself, how very slytherin of you. He sent it off with Hedwig, telling her to be as inconspicuous as possible then got ready for bed.

Harry's punishments at the end of the holiday:

Total times: 108 times

Punishment to be handed out:

Dropped: 9 days no food

Broken: 3 days no food and 25 lashes

Burnt: 50 lashes

Chores: 40 lashes and 2 beatings form Dudley

Back chatting: 25 lashes and fire burns

Total: 12 days no food, 140 lashes, 2 beatings from Dudley and fire burns.