SECOND CHANCES

Harry was removed from the Dursley's 'care', and placed into foster care when he was seven. A year later, he was adopted. Now he's turning eleven, and his Hogwarts letter has arrived. Will his new family accept his magical heritage?

In this story I will be alternating the between the Present and Past.

PROLOGUE - Part Two - The Rescue (past)

It was one of the worst cases he'd ever seen. Officer Luke Thomas stared at the little boy, as he lay in the hospital bed. He was so small, and thin; he looked more like a five year old, then the seven year old he was supposed to be.

It had only been six hours, six hours since he had rescued Harry from his 'family'. He was still shaken by what he had seen, he couldn't believe anyone could harm another human being like that, let alone a child; particularly a child they were supposed to be caring for.

Cases like these always made his blood boil, children looked to their family to take care of them, to protect them, and take away their fear; they weren't supposed to be the thing children were afraid of.

He was almost glad that Harry was asleep, he could postpone the moment when the poor boy would have to face what his 'family' had done to him. Luke closed his eyes, his hands shaking with fury, as he remembered how Harry had clung to him, when he had carried him to the ambulance.

Six hours Previously

MIss Tara Williams frowned as she watched the second year PE class leave the gymnasium, her gaze was focused on one boy in particular; he was the smallest boy in the class, incredibly thin, with messy black hair...

And he was limping.

Clearing her throat, Tara took a deep breath. "Harry, could you come here please?" He approached her warily, his head bowed as he looked at the ground; unable to meet her eyes. "I noticed you were limping, just now..." Tara said, leading him to one of the bench seats. "Did you hurt yourself in class today?"

Harry stared at his shoes as he shook his head, "No, Miss Williams."

Tara smiled gently, "Well, I'll need to take a look..." She knelt in front of him, "... To make sure you haven't hurt yourself too badly."

Harry shook his head, "It's fine, Miss williams."

"You're hurt, Harry." Tara shook her head, "that's not 'fine'." Taking a deep breath, Tara forced herself to smile. "Does your Aunt know you hurt yourself?" She asked, reaching for Harry's leg.

He cringed, shaking his head vigorously as she rolled his baggy pants up, "N-no."

Tara felt her breath catch in her throat, when she saw the huge handprint shaped bruise around Harry's ankle; there were other bruises visible further up his leg too. She swallowed as she noticed how thin Harry really was up close; he was too thin, unhealthily so. "Could you come with me to the nurse, Harry?"

x

Kenneth Whitewood didn't think anything of it, when he saw Tara bring the boy in. She left him on a chair and walked towards him, and the look on her face made his blood run cold. His eyes were on the boy as she reached him; instantly seeing how severely underweight he was. "Who is he?"

"Harry," Tara said quietly, her voice shaking slightly. "Harry Potter," she glanced towards Harry, and lowered her voice even more. "I saw him limping after my class, and when I looked at his leg, to see if he was ok..." Tara paused, taking a deep breath, as she tried to remain calm. "... He has a massive, handprint bruise around his ankle, and there were more bruises as well."

Kenneth closed his eyes, fighting for calm. When he looked at Tara again, his expression was serious. "Go and inform Principal Davidson."

Tara left, pausing to smile at Harry, while Kenneth let out a slow breath; squaring his shoulders, as he walked towards the tiny, shaking boy.

He sat down beside Harry, smiling kindly. "Miss Williams is very worried about you," he kept his tone gentle. "She says you have bruises on your leg_"

"I f-fell down-n," Harry's voice trembled fearfully, his hands clenched tight in his lap.

Kenneth closed his eyes, inwardly cringing at Harry's response. He took a deep breath and stood, walking to the freezer, he returned a moment later, icepack in hand as he dropped into a crouch in front of Harry. "Let's take a look, huh?"

The pants were miles too big, almost hanging off Harry. Kenneth smiled, rolling up the pants leg; and placed the ice pack around Harry's ankle, with no outward reaction to the large bruise.

"Thank you, Sir." Harry's voice was still shaky, as he bent down to take hold of the ice pack; the back of his shirt lifted slightly, revealing mottled blue and black bruises, and raised, red welts.

Kenneth forced himself to be calm, as he felt his anger rising. "You have some bruises on your back too..." He smiled at Harry reassuringly, as he sat beside him again. "Can you tell me what happened?

"Uncle Vernon said I was bad," Harry whispered, tears dripping to the floor. "I'm always bad."

Kenneth felt his heart clench, he took a deep breath, and leaned down so he could see Harry's face. "Do you think you could lift up your shirt for me?"

Harry's eyes widened, and he shook his head, pulling his shirt down.

"It's ok, Harry." Kenneth smiled gently, "You don't have show me, if you don't want to." He already had enough to start an investigation, and with Harry's current state - the bruises, welts, and obvious starvation - he wouldn't be returning to his 'family'.

"You haven't done anything wrong," Kenneth smiled when Harry looked at him in surprise. "It's ok to be scared."

"Please don't tell anyone..." Tears filled Harry's eyes as his breath quickened, "... You can't tell anyone!"

That, was the one thing he couldn't do. Kenneth took Harry's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I have to tell someone Harry," he kept his voice calm and soothing, "I have to tell them, so you won't be hurt anymore."

"No!" Harry jerked his hand free, and leaped to his feet. "You can't!..." Harry's face was white with fear, his chest heaving. "... You can't tell!"

Kenneth stood, raising his hands placatingly. "It's ok, Harry_"

"No!"

It happened too fast for Kenneth to react, it was the last thing he'd expected to happened; Harry ran, darting passed Kenneth, and out the door, before he could even think of stopping him.

xx

Kenneth entered Principal Charles Davidson's office at a run, his face ashen as he almost skidded to a stop in front of Charles' desk.

Charles' eyes widened slightly at his entrance, "What happened?"

"Harry ran..." Kenneth gasped, "He was scared when he realised I'd have to tell someone, and he ran before I could calm him."

Tara sucked in a sharp breath, "You don't think he went... Home... Do you?"

Kenneth swallowed, his hands trembling as he ran them through his hair. "Harry's so scared right now, it would be the only logical place he would go."

Charles took a deep breath, "then we've done all we can." Tara and Kenneth gaped at him in shock, but he raised a hand, cutting off their protests before they could begin. "I've informed CPS of the situation, and they sent someone out to Harry's relatives..." His voice was calm, despite his tense posture. "... In cases of suspected abuse, police officers accompany CPS representatives, in case things get violent." Charles smiled tightly, "With any luck, they will reach Harry's relatives home, before he does."

"And if they don't?" Kenneth asked, his face pale at the thought of Harry being harmed.

Shaking his head, Charles sighed, his smile fading to a worried frown. "Either way, it's out of our hands."

xxx

Petunia stared at her Nephew in horror, he stood, sobbing in front of her. "You told?" Her voice was a terrified whisper, as she she realised what he meant; what it would mean for her family.

"I'm s-sorry, Aunt Petunia. I d-didn't mean to..." Harry sobbed hysterically, "Miss William s-saw m-me limping and _"

"Shut up!" Petunia's hand connected with Harry's cheek with a loud crack, the force of her slap, sending the half starved seven year old, crashing to the floor. "You nasty little freak!" Petunia stared down at Harry with a look of terror, hatred and disgust. "Do you have any idea what you have done?!"

"I'm sorry!" Tears streamed down Harry's face, as he lay cowering on the floor.

Petunia scowled, she reached down, grabbing Harry's arm tight, jerking him to his feet. He didn't resist as she dragged him bodily toward the cupboard under the stairs, Petunia pushed him inside so hard, that he fell to his knees. She almost ran to the phone, her heart racing with fear as she called her husband.

x

Vernon Dursley stormed into the house, his face purple with rage. "Where is he?!"

"In the cupboard..." Petunia's eyes widened as he yanked the door open; hauling Harry out, and shoving him roughly to the floor. "Vernon, no_!"

Vernon ignored her, glowering down at Harry furiously. "How dare you!" The first kick had Harry screaming, the second was followed by a sickening crunching, crack, accompanied by Harry scream. "Shut up!" Vernon snarled, punching the tiny boy; his fist slamming into his face, once, twice_

"Vernon, stop!" Petunia managed to pull him away, "if he told, they'll be sending someone to check on him..." She looked down at Harry coldly, "... We can deal with him, after we've gotten rid of them."

Vernon growled angrily, but he knew she was right. "Fine," he grabbed harry, almost throwing him back into the cupboard, , slamming the door shut, and locking it. "Keep quiet!"

xx

Jane Roberts was angry when she pulled up in front of 4 Privet Drive, she had been sent out to investigate the 'suspected' abuse of the Dursley's Nephew, Harry. On the drive over, she had called the school, to get all the information from them; and what Principal Davidson had described, was enough to make her blood boil.

She slid from the car, as the police patrol car, pulled up behind her. The two policemen met her at the driveway, she held out her hand, smiling grimly, "Jane Roberts."

The older officer, with greying hair, stepped forward. "Luke Thomas," he said, shaking her hand, "this is Daniel Elkins."

Nodding, Jane shook Daniel's hand. "I assume you know why you're here?"

Luke nodded, his hazel eyes narrowing angrily, "We know."

Daniel's gaze flicked to the door, "Shall we?"

Jane took a deep breath, and walked down the driveway to the door, her hand trembled slightly as she knocked. Luke and Daniel stood just behind her, flanking her on both sides.

The woman who answered the door was thin and blonde, she smiled at them; a strained, tense smile. "Can I help you?"

"Mrs Dursley?" When the woman nodded, Jane took a deep breath. "My name is Jane Roberts, I'm from the Child Protective Services, I am here to investigate a report we received from your Nephew's school."

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Petunia said, lifting her chin disdainfully.

"Who is it, Pet?" The man - who jane assumes was Mr Dursley - appeared behind Petunia.

Petunia glanced at him, "They're here about Harry..." She said slowly, "... Apparently the school made a report against us."

Vernon glared at Jane, "We took him in, out of the goodness of our hearts."

Jane's eyes narrowed into angry slits. "I heard the report from the school Nurse..." Her voice was low, barely calm. "... Bruises on his legs, cuts and welts on his back..." Jane swallowed, and she saw Luke and Daniel stiffen, she took a deep breath before she continued. "This is not a simple 'check up'." She said, anger evident in her voice now. "I am here to inform you, that your Nephew will be removed from your care, and depending on what is discovered in our investigation, criminal charges may be filed against you."

Petunia's face paled, while Vernon's darkened with anger. "How dare you threaten us?"

Jane ignored him and folded her arms, "Mr and Mrs Dursley, where is your Nephew?"

Petunia folded her arms, "we haven't seen him since he left for school this morning."

x

Harry lay in his cupboard, tears streaming down his face as he tried to remain silent, despite the agony overwhelming his tiny body; his right side flared with pain with every breath he took, his left arm was swollen and bent at an odd angle, and it ached terribly, blood still dripped from his throbbing nose.

He couldn't stand, every movement made the pain worse...

Uncle Vernon had told him to stay quiet, but he couldn't; as the pain became unbearable, Harry began to cry.

xx

Jane's eyes widened as she heard the desperate, agony filled cries. She didn't think, she just reacted, barging passed Petunia and Vernon; barely noticing, when Luke and Daniel 'ushered' the Dursley's outside. She felt physically ill when she froze in front of the locked cupboard under the stairs; Harry's cries were coming from inside, Jane wrenched the cupboard door open...

Her blood ran cold when she saw him, laying on the cupboard floor, covered in blood. She fought hard to keep her voice calm and soothing, as she knelt down. "... It's alright, Harry..." He was so small, and so badly hurt. jane glanced towards Daniel and Luke, "We're going to need an ambulance..."

Daniel ran to the patrol car, while Luke glared at the Dursley's, his hazel eyes were snapping with fury. "Mr and Mrs Dursley, you are under arrest..."

Jane didn't hear anything else, didn't notice when Luke cuffed Vernon, didn't notice Daniel's return, barely heard him telling her that an ambulance was on the way, and she certainly didn't notice Luke and Daniel leading Vernon and Petunia to the police car.

Her focus was Harry. She smiled as she ducked inside the cupboard, "Harry, my name is Jane..." She didn't touch him, didn't want to scare him, or cause him more pain. "... We've called a doctor..," She told Harry gently, "... Can you tell me where you're hurt?"

He was too hurt, and too scared to respond; although his his cries eased slightly at the sound of her voice. his left arm was cradled against his chest - bent in an unnatural angle, from an obvious break, and from his breathing, and the way he was favouring his right side, broken ribs were a possibility.

Anger burned through Jane like a fire, as she saw the foam pad that was obviously Harry's 'bed'; there was a thin, blanket pulled up neatly over the foam pad. Reaching around Harry, Jane carefully lifted the nearly see through blanket, and gently laid it over the trembling boy. "It's ok, Harry..."

"How is he?"

Luke had somehow 'snuck' up beside her, swallowing, Jane backed out of the cupboard. "He's terrified, and he's been beaten..." Jane shook her head, "... He won't respond to me."

"Let me try," Luke said, carefully lowering himself into a crouch, and ducking under the cupboard doorway. He sat down in front of Harry. "Hi Harry..." His voice was soft, gentle and soothing; the little boy's eyes opened at the sound of his voice. "... My names is Luke," he said, smiling at Harry. "You're safe now, Harry..."

To Jane's surprise, Harry calmed when he saw Luke; his cries fading to quiet, hiccuping sobs. She smiled when she understood, it was the uniform - children as young a four or five could recognise a policeman's uniform, and children almost always trusted a person wearing the uniform.

Jane saw the ambulance arrive; the lights were flashing, but the siren was off - they didn't want to scare Harry.

"... O-out...'

Jane's eyes widened, as Harry spoke, Luke sat back, frowning, "Do you want me to get out, Harry?"

Harry shook his head, his breath heaving as he tried to move closer to Luke; his right hand reaching towards him, as he stared up at him pleadingly. "... Let-t m-me... O-out-t..."

Luke took harry's outstretched hand, glancing at Jane, who shook her head; he sighed and nodded in silent agreement, there was no way of knowing how badly Harry was hurt - moving him, could make Harry worse. But when he looked back at Harry, into those wide, green, pleading eyes...

he caved, gently reaching for the terrified, hurt little boy. "Alright, Harry, I'll get you out of here."

Jane 's hand snaked out to grip Luke's arm, "Don't_"

"He'll have to be moved anyway," Luke whispered over his shoulder. "He wants to get out of here...' And Luke was going to do just that. He gently, carefully slid his hands under Harry; trying very hard, not to jostle the little boy, as he lifted him, holding him against his chest as he backed out of the cupboard; Jane hurriedly scrambling out of his way.

Luke straightened in one, smooth motion, cradling Harry in his arms as he walked slowly, out the front door; his heart breaking as tiny hands clung to him, tears soaking his shoulder, as harry cried. "it's ok, Harry..." Luke's voice shook as he carried him towards the ambulance, "you're safe now."