Summary: AU. Set during the summer before Harry's fifth year. Includes
some mystery, violence, and a girl with a very large temper. Sirius Black,
Remus Lupin, Harry Potter, and someone new! Please review, but no flames
please. I welcome constructive critizism. Warning: child abuse, and there
may be mentions of rape.
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling and W.B. own all spells, characters, or other
things you may recognize. I own Reanna Pierce, and Reanna Pierce only.
Please do not sue me. :-)
Chapter 1
Harry Potter ran outside quickly, stumbling on his feet. His back and
chest seared with pain after a beating, and the rest of his body ached.
Gasping, he kept running in fear. He had been told by his beefy uncle to
go to football practice, but he made the mistake of asking why. In
response he had been thrown down the stairs and against the wall a few
times and received several strokes of a belt. He was smart enough to go
without question after that, and was now sprinting for fear of his uncle
deciding to punish him more. Finally, his injured ankle gave way and he
came crashing down onto the hard sidewalk. He groaned in pain and tried to
sit up, but he was in agony.
"Harry!" A voice cried. "Harry, are you all right?"
Hands helped him up, but he could not hold himself on his own feet. He
recognized the voice, but did not have the energy to answer the person.
Instead he smiled slightly and turned toward them. A girl with raven black
hair and green eyes looked at him worriedly. She was slightly taller then
Harry, and had a forming bruise on her face.
"Hey, Reanna." Harry said hoarsely. "Thanks."
"What happened? No, wait; don't tell me, it was you're uncle." She said
grimly as Harry was about to open his mouth then closed it. He nodded.
"God won't he let you be? I thought you had an escaped convict for a
godfather or something that he was threatened by?"
"He doesn't believe me anymore." Harry said, frowning. "Says I don't even
have any friends in that 'pretend, freak world' of mine. Doesn't even
believe that I have a godfather, let alone one who is dangerous."
"He has not gotten as bad as he used to be, has he?" Reanna asked, biting
her lip. Harry hesitated, and she swore under her breath.
Reanna had lived by Harry for as long as he could remember. Before
Hogwarts, she was the only friend Harry had and the best one as well. She
knew almost everything about him, as did he about her. She was a nice
girl, quite polite and calm, and she was much fun to be around. However,
when something hit a nerve, she exploded. Something had been 'hitting a
nerve' with her for a long time now, and Harry rarely saw her completely
happy anymore.
What was hitting her nerve was Harry. It was not anything he was trying to
do, or even something he was capable of stopping, and it was not actually
him that she was mad at. No, it was his uncle. She had found out about
his beatings when she went over to play when they were about four. His
uncle, Vernon, had answered the door and asked what she wanted. She asked
to play with Harry, and he basically exploded. He yelled at her and told
her that he was not home and she was not allowed to play with 'that freak'.
Once he had slammed the door shut in her face, Reanna, being only four
years old, stood quite shocked. Then she heard the sound of a belt and
fists, and of cries of pain. She knew the sound well because her father
abused her as well. It was not nearly as bad as the abuse Harry received,
she only getting a slap or a kick or two, and Harry getting much worse.
Besides, Reanna always saw it as much worse for Harry. Her father was
always drunk when he slapped her, so she said that he did not know what he
was doing. The Dursleys beat him out of pure hatred. Still, Harry worried
more about her then about himself.
The beatings on Harry stopped after he went to Hogwarts and although Reanna
did not understand why Harry left and why his uncle stopped, she was glad
of it. The beatings she was receiving had mellowed out through the years,
but his had stayed treacherous. Now though, Vernon was starting up again,
and the nerve was being struck again. Now that Reanna and Harry were
older, Reanna was getting angrier. She said she would tell someone for
Harry, but she was afraid of Vernon finding out. She most definitely did
not want to be the cause of her best friend's death. Instead, she was
overprotective around her friend, not letting the bullies get to him if she
could prevent it, and not trusting people, especially not people who raised
their voices, around him.
"You need to tell someone." Reanna said gently as they walked to the field.
"I can't. You know what Uncle Vernon's threat is." Harry said. "Besides
when I tell someone, you tell someone." His hand reached up to brush
against the bruise on her cheek. "He's still at it." He said quietly,
meaning her father.
"You know that I don't have it as bad as you." Reanna said gently.
"Still." Harry said. "I can walk by myself now." Reanna's eyes flashed.
"You're going to hurt yourself more; I'll let you go when we get to the
field." She said sternly.
"Come on Reanna, the ankle is just bruised a little." Harry insisted.
"No."
Harry sighed. There was no arguing with her when she got her head stuck on
something.
"Hey stupid!" Harry's cousin's, Dudley, cry came from behind them.
Immediately both of them ducked. This was the instinctive thing to do when
Dudley yelled something such as that. It most likely meant something was
being thrown at them. Harry found they were correct when something went
whizzing over where his head used to be.
"Better stop, Dudley!" Harry called back as they continued walking. "The
coach won't like you throwing rocks!" In response something hard hit his
head. He winced and felt the slight gash; he had not time to duck for that
one.
Reanna gently let go of him and whirled around. "Stop it Dudley! It's bad
enough what your father does, you do not have to contribute!"
"Ooh, Potter, do you still need your girlfriend to stick up for you?"
Dudley taunted.
Reanna was about to run forward at him, but Harry put a hand on her
shoulder. "Let it be." He said quietly. "It is not hurting anything."
Reanna muttered something under her breath but turned back and started
walking with him again.
To their relief they were at the field. Dudley would not dare do anything
in front of the coach, or even at the field. He was too afraid of getting
caught by his father. If he did get caught he would find some way to blame
it on Harry, but he did not want to risk it.
Reanna had stopped supporting him at his begging, and was looking at her
watch. Glancing at him to tell him that they were late she started jogging
towards the center of the field. Sighing, Harry followed her. He
recognized all of the kids from when he went to school with them and
groaned inwardly. They all hated him and would use any excuse to taunt him
or bully him. On top of that, according to Dudley there had been rumors of
where he had been the past five years, and why he hadn't been at any of the
schools that the other kids went to. Apparently everyone thought he went
to a school for criminal boys. When he got almost to them they all started
giggling and whispering. He kept his burning face down, he hated these
kids.
"Hey Potter, you're late!" One of the girls that Harry particularly hated
shouted. She completely ignored the fact that Dudley and Reanna were late
as well. "And where have you been since you left elementary? Dudley said
that-"
"Shhhhhh!" Everyone else shouted at her.
Reanna looked furious and was about to tell the girl off, but Harry sent
her another look. She was being overprotective again, and she knew it.
She settled for glaring at the girl and moving over to Harry.
Harry ignored the kids but though he should probably apologize to the
coach, who he had not looked up to see yet, for interrupting the first
practice. He hurriedly started to mumble an excuse. They would most
likely not notice that Reanna was late as no one had mentioned her in his
taunting.
"Sorry I'm late, see -"
"That's quite alright, I'm sure there is a good reason for you being late."
A voice that he recognized said. Harry looked up to see who was coaching,
and his jaw almost dropped in surprise. Standing in front of the children,
holding a football (soccer ball) was his third year Defense Against the
Dark Arts teacher, Professor Lupin. Harry looked quite surprised, and
Lupin winked back.
"All right, now that we're done calling role, I'll introduce myself." Lupin
said. "I am familiar with some of you, but for those of you, who do not
know me, I am Remus Lupin, I will be coaching you in football. You may call
me Remus, or Coach, or Coach Remus, or Coach Lupin, or just whatever you
prefer." Harry was trying desperately not to burst out laughing at this
point, for some reason he just could not imagine a wizard teaching a muggle
sport or a muggle anything. "And this is the, well, 'dog coach', and
mascot, Snuffles. He will show you that you can definitely play, because if
he can, anyone can." Harry looked over at the large black dog, "Snuffles".
It was actually Harry's godfather, Sirius Black, but in his dog form. He
was on the run for a crime he did not commit and so had to stay in that
form whenever other people were around. At that point he was giving Lup
-that is, Remus- a look that could kill. Noticing this, Remus hurried on.
"So, today we will start with dribbling and learning the rules of football.
Grab a ball and get started!"
Immediately everyone ran for the balls, all trying to get the best. Reanna
and Harry were in the lead but Harry should have known better. As soon as
they got to the pile, Harry was pushed, kicked, and punched back until
everyone else had a ball. Rubbing his face gingerly where he had been
elbowed rather hard, he noticed that there were no balls left. He groaned.
"Idiots."
Harry turned and noticed Reanna glaring at the others. She had the two
newest balls in her hands and had obviously refused to give them up. She
looked at him in concern as he limped slightly, but he quickly corrected
it. Smiling at her he took one of the balls and set it on the ground.
"Next time they try to hurt you, I'll kill them myself." She said. Her
voice got softer. "Are you sure you're all right? Maybe you should ask the
coach to sit out?"
"Nah, I'm fine. Remember in elementary school?" Harry said, grinning.
Reanna shook her head and set her ball down as well.
Harry began to dribble down the field, having a small race with Reanna. He
had always been good at this in PE, and the coach told him he should join a
team. Dudley, on the other hand, was never good at any sports. He was
dribbling awkwardly down the field, and was just pushing people out of the
way to get ahead. When one girl forgot to move, he elbowed her, making her
trip over the ball and fall over. A whistle blew from Remus.
"Dudley, I will not tolerate that kind of behavior. Please sit out for a
while." He said calmly. Glowering, Dudley left the ball and went to the
outskirts of where they were dribbling. He was asked later to rejoin them,
but he was still glowering. Reanna snickered.
Remus was watching them all and making comments on how well they were doing
and what they needed to improve.
"Retta, don't kick the ball so hard. Brutus, you're going to make the ball
flat if you keep stepping on it like that. Sierra very good, keep it going.
Harry, you too, you're doing very well. Reanna, you're doing well
yourself. Dudley, I told you I wouldn't tolerate you pushing anyone."
Harry caught a laugh in his throat at the last comment. He would have to
warn Remus about how Dudley didn't listen to anyone.
At the end of practice Harry stayed afterward to help Remus with the cones.
He also took the opportunity to introduce him to Reanna, who was wondering
why he was so friendly with him.
"It is very nice to meet you, Reanna." Remus said, shaking her hand.
"The pleasure's all mine." Reanna said, smiling. Harry laughed.
"Since when do you put on the sweet attitude when adults are around?" He
asked.
"For your information, I always do." Reanna said, a mischievous glint in
her eye. She caught sight of Sirius. "Well hello there, do you know how to
shake?" She asked as she kneeled down. Harry bit his lip to keep from
laughing when she suddenly stood up. "That's not a dog."
Remus looked slightly alarmed, and looked at her carefully. Harry smiled
slightly, "What do you mean it is not a dog? Of course it is!"
"I'm telling you, that's not a dog." Reanna said firmly, she was obviously
not joking. "That is not an animal of any sort." Harry frowned, he should
have guessed her gift with animals would give Sirius away.
"Reanna, how long have you known Harry? You two look enough alike to be
twins, or at least siblings." Remus said, changing the subject.
Reanna and Harry grinned at each other. When they were little, people
would mistake them for siblings, even twins. Indeed, things did point that
way. They both had black hair, green eyes, and they both had the same
birthday. Often they would fool the teachers into thinking that they were
twins, separated at birth and put in different families, but then Dudley
would ruin it all. When he finally told his father Harry got in big
trouble. Once, Reanna had cut her hair exactly like Harry's and wore fake
glasses on the first day of school. The teacher's took them for identical.
However, they never tried it again because Dudley, of course, ruined the
fun.
"Oh, we've known each other for as long as we can remember." Reanna said,
grinning. "We've helped each other out a fair few times."
"So you keep an eye out for each other?" Remus asked, winking at Harry.
"Yeah, well, you could say that if Reanna was an animal, she would be a
large, overprotective, guard dog." Harry said, mock glaring at his friend.
"Every time we even got in a bit of trouble, she would freak."
"Like, right before our eleventh birthdays we were out playing in the
woods." Reanna started. "It was night time, but we had no idea what kind of
dangers were in the forest, we were only ten and my parents and his aunt
and uncle never told us about stuff like that."
"Reanna!" Harry groaned.
"Oops." Reanna said, turning red.
"No, continue, I'd like to hear this. What kind of trouble you both got
yourselves into when you were little." Remus said, grinning.
"All right then." Reanna said eagerly. "Well we were out in the woods
playing hide and seek. I guess Harry went and hid somewhere deep, and I
could not find him. Harry, you take it from here."
"Fine." Harry muttered. "I went and hid in a group of trees. I did not
expect Reanna to find me, but I also did not expect her to try looking that
hard. Next thing I know this wolf comes bounding out at me."
"When I found him, another wolf had obviously blocked the first one, but I
would not let either of them within a twenty foot radius of him."
"Like I said, she's overprotective." Harry said, looking at his former
professor. He had gone slightly pale, and Harry realized that it had been
a full moon that night. So the wolf must have been a werewolf and his
professor.Realization must have shown on his face because Remus shook
himself out of it.
"Well, it did not help that you did not have that much self confidence
because of." Reanna trailed off suddenly when she realized what she was
saying. It was Harry's turn to go pale slightly.
"Because of.?" Remus asked, curious.
"You know, I think I have to go." Reanna said, pretending to glance at her
wrist, while she had conveniently stuck her watch in her pocket. "Wow!
Look at the time! See you tomorrow Harry!"
"Bye Reanna!" Harry called after her as she began running. He shook his
head.
"So why in the world are you teaching football?" Harry asked Remus. Remus
chuckled.
"I've been coaching for a while now. No one will give me a job in the
wizarding world, so I got one in the Muggle world." He explained. "I've
been coaching in different areas, but I've heard a few things about some of
the kids in this area so I kept putting off coming here." Harry laughed
slightly, putting the rest of the cones in the bag and scratching Snuffles
behind the ears.
"Yeah, all the kids around here are stupid, big, and bullying. Believe me,
I went to school with them for eight years. None of them are nearly as bad
as Dudley though, the one I have to live with." Harry made a face.
"They seem that way." Remus said, frowning. "Always pushing each other
around, no wonder your cousin is the leader." Harry smiled, then looked at
his own watch which he had kept on his wrist.
"Oh shoot! Prof - I mean Moony, er," He started. Remus laughed.
"Just call me Remus, Harry." He said.
"Right, but, I need to get back, I'm half an hour late, and Uncle Vernon is
going to kill me." Harry told him, while running off. He gave a hurried
wave over his shoulder, and saw Remus return it. Then he ran full out
until he reached Privet Drive. Quickly he ran up the steps, and through
the door. Not seeing anyone, he ran upstairs, only to be met by his Uncle
Vernon at the top.
"You're late boy!"
"Sorry Uncle Vernon." Harry muttered. Then he winced as his uncle grabbed
his collar and gave him a good shake.
"Sorry isn't good enough this time boy!" Vernon shouted in his face.
"You're half an hour late and on top of that Dudley said that you got him
in trouble today for something he didn't do, and you were trying to be
better at him in practice!" Harry said nothing, he knew that if he tried to
argue, he would only make it worse.
"Well? Answer me!" Vernon shouted, and gave Harry a shove, making him
tumble down the stairs.
Harry landed at the bottom extremely dazed, and realizing that he had badly
sprained his wrist and twisted his ankle. He tried to get up, but was
pushed back down by his uncle.
"Come here boy!" Vernon shouted as he dragged him into the living room.
This was the usual place to give Harry a beating, because it was the room
that the least sound came out of.
Harry closed his eyes, and almost immediately felt the hard blow of his
uncle's fist on his chest, knocking him down from his kneeling position.
Once on the ground he felt a boot connect with the same spot. Harry tried
not to cry out; he wouldn't let his uncle see him hurt. He wouldn't give
him the pleasure of knowing it was doing something. However, when the boot
impacted his chest again and again, he couldn't help but cough violently.
His uncle must have done some damage to his lungs as well.
"Shut up boy!" Vernon shouted. Harry only coughed harder. Then he felt
Vernon kick him in the leg, damaging the already twisted ankle. Harry
couldn't keep it in any longer, he made a small whimper in pain.
"SHUT UP!" his now red uncle shouted again. "That's it boy, I told you. One
more time, one more time." As he said this he ripped off the leather belt
that was around his waist. He turned around and kicked Harry so that he
turned over.
Harry felt the stinging piece of leather crack down on his back, and he
clenched his teeth in pain. Again and again it came down, and he was
biting his fingers in order to not cry out. Then Vernon kicked him several
times in the chest and side. Harry bit his fingers harder in grim resolve
as the steel toed boot placed blow after blow on him. Finally, after what
seemed like eternity, his Uncle Vernon kicked him in the side and told him
to go to his room. Harry painfully made his way up, and limped slowly
upstairs. Once in his room, he flung himself onto the bed and tried to
will the pain away.
Later on, his aunt called him out to make dinner. He winced at each step,
and fell half way down the stair because he could not hold himself up.
After he made dinner his aunt threw him some celery and a peanut butter
cookie. She told him, quite snappishly, that a man had stopped by and
insisted every person in the household was to get one. She had promised,
and Harry knew that she was not as bad as she seemed, so she gave him the
one everyone else did not like, peanut butter.
Harry thanked her shakily, and he saw something in her eyes. He knew his
Aunt Petunia was not as cruel as Vernon. She was actually quite nice to
him sometimes, but usually she was as mean as she could be. She snuck in
some treats now and again, such as every five years, just to show she did
not hate him. Harry managed to get both the celery and the cookie down.
***
The next day, as an addition to his punishment, Harry was made to do twice
as many chores. He was feeling terribly queasy, which was not helping with
the pain from the beating, and every time he touched his forehead he seemed
to be steaming hot and sweaty. He was wondering if he was getting sick,
but didn't have time to ponder on this because his uncle came out a punched
him a few times and yelled at him for being lazy.
As always, Harry felt he was at the unfair end of the deal, because he
tried to tell his uncle that he was sick, but he just slapped him around
the mouth and told him to stop lying. Finally, at about ten minutes before
football practice, he was called inside and shooed out of the house.
Before he left he grabbed a long jacket to hide the bruises, and wore a
pair of baggy pants. It was cloudy anyway.
Reanna had probably left earlier, she would not come to the door to ask for
him. She was as afraid of Vernon as Harry was, though not for the same
reason. She was afraid of him because she knew he would beat Harry if she
came to the door, and Harry was afraid of him for the obvious reason. He
was almost glad Reanna was not with him, he did not want her to see him in
so much pain. He was still in great pain from the beating yesterday, and he
was limping badly all the way to the field. He wasn't feeling as sick as
he was earlier though, so figured that he had already gotten over whatever
he had. He was still extremely hot though, which he couldn't figure out.
Even the jacket wouldn't make him this hot; it was just a light windbreaker
to hide the bruises.
It took him a full half hour to get to the field, and he was late.
Everyone except for Reanna was crowding around Remus again after warm-ups.
Reanna was sitting by the side of the field with her head in her hands
worriedly. Sirius, in his dog form, was sitting next to her. As Harry
tried his best to run onto the field they looked up. Reanna jumped up and
ran toward him at full speed. She skidded to a stop right next to him.
"We'll be right there, Coach!" She shouted over to Remus. "Oh god, what did
he do this time!" Reanna asked in a whisper. She went to support him but
Harry shook her off.
"I'm fine, don't get Remus all worried. He won't overreact as badly as you
do, but his dog will do worse." Harry whispered.
"Ask Remus if you can sit out, you can't play like this." Reanna said
harshly.
"And what about when Uncle Vernon finds out?" Harry said, shaking his head.
"How is he going to find out if nobody tells him?" Reanna asked.
"Dudley." Harry said simply. Reanna bit her lip.
"Oh fine." She said snappishly. "But if you even feel the slightest bit of
pain, you are sitting out and I'll threaten Dudley with his life." Harry
smiled thankfully at her.
They did their best to run over, Harry not showing his limp quite well.
"Harry, just in time to start. You missed the warm-ups but I'm sure you're
plenty stretched out." Remus said, grinning. At the same time he looked at
him with concern. Harry smiled and did his best to stand up straight
despite the pain. Reanna scowled.
"Okay, since you all did so well yesterday, today I'm going to split you
into teams and we are going to play a small game, and you will get the
rules more as you go." Remus told them. A cheer went through them, Harry
included. "Alright the captains are Harry and Sierra. You two, come up
here and choose teams." Harry managed to walk up to the front with only a
slight limp. He managed to get a pretty good team, without Dudley and with
Reanna of course.
They were just going out to the playing field, when Remus called Harry over
to help with the equipment. He walked over to him pretty much without
limping, but when he was over by Remus, he was aching so badly that he
thought about taking Reanna's advice and asking if he could sit out. Then,
however, he thought that that would cause him and Sirius to worry, and it
really wasn't anything to worry about. Besides, he did not want to get
Sirius all stressed out.
"Are you all right?" Remus asked. He was looking at Harry's ankle, the one
that he had been favoring slightly.
"I'm fine, really." Harry told him. "I just tripped a couple of times when
I was walking here."
"Well, okay," Remus said slowly, Harry had a feeling that he did not
believe the story. "Tell me if you want to sit out, right?" Harry nodded.
Harry found that if he took his mind off of it, his ankle did not hurt
nearly as bad when he was playing. However, he only got to play the first
five minutes, because as soon as Dudley got the chance.
TWEEEET!
"Dudley!" Remus shouted.
Dudley had been dribbling a ball clumsily down the field, and Harry had
been trying to steal it from him. Suddenly, Harry felt Dudley elbow him
hard in the ribs and swing at his twisted ankle, knocking him down. He was
knocked down easier too because he was starting to feel sick again, but had
ignored it to go on with practice.
In order to break the fall, he put out his hand, and landed on the
sprained wrist. He felt himself land on the ground, coughing violently.
He tried not to show he was hurt, but he still clutched his arm. Everyone
else crowded around. Dudley had hit him before and he had never reacted
this badly.
Reanna was beside him in an instant. She put up her fists at anyone who
tried to get near him, while trying to gently help him up. When Remus bent
down to help she snapped, "Get away from him!" Remus drew back quickly,
looking somewhere between slightly pleased with her and worried.
Still coughing, Harry allowed her to help him up, remembering his promise.
He put an arm over her shoulder and they limped over to the sidelines.
Gently she sat down with him, forcing him to stay put. Snuffles came over
and put his head in Harry's face. Reanna pushed him away roughly which
surprised him greatly.
"Dudley, I told you that I would not stand that kind of behavior yesterday.
If this continues you will be kicked off the team. Now, sit out for the
rest of practice." Remus said as he walked over to them. "And Retta, you
can kick the fowl shot. Back to the game!" He blew the whistle once more.
Harry's coughing had subsided, and he was now trying to get Reanna to leave
off. "I'm fine, Reanna. Give it a break."
"You're not fine, don't give me that!" Reanna said. "And once Dudley gets
through me, he'll be much worse!"
"Reanna." Remus said softly as he walked up to them. The girl looked up.
"Why don't you go back to the game?"
"Sorry, I'm staying with Harry. You don't understand, and I don't expect
you to." Reanna said firmly. Remus raised his eyebrows slightly.
"Remus, please." Harry said, worming himself out of her grip. "You can't
argue with her when she's got an idea in her head. Believe me, I've
tried."
"Fine." Remus sighed. "Now, Harry,"
"I'm fine."
"'Dudley just pushes hard.'" Reanna ended for him in a mimicking voice.
Harry gave her a look.
"I'm still going to get a bandage for your ankle, and for your wrist as
well." Remus said, not convinced.
"No, Remus, it's okay. Its fine, I just hit it hard when I fell."
"The coughing?"
"I have a cold." It was partly true, Harry was sick, it was just he did not
know what he had. Remus looked as though he did not believe any of this,
but shook his head and sat down to watch the game.
Harry and Reanna watched the game while a concerned Sirius sat next to
them. Reanna apologized to Remus about snapping to him and he said it was
quite all right.
"Remembering the story you two told me yesterday, I guess I should be more
aware of what I'm doing." Remus said. Harry and Reanna laughed.
Amazingly, Remus did not have to call another foul, which surprised Harry.
Most of these kids were bullies, or they always had been to him. He
supposed that it was because Dudley wasn't in the game anymore, so they
didn't feel as needed to foul someone. Either that or they didn't want to
be kicked out of the game.
Finally practice ended. Harry offered to help Remus with the supplies
again, forgetting that this was the reason he had been in trouble the day
before. Reanna too offered to help, but only because she wanted to keep an
eye on Harry. However, Remus refused.
"Are you sure you don't want me to bandage your wrist?" Remus asked. "Or I
can do something else if."
"It's fine." Harry said.
"Well," Remus said, "If you're sure you're fine. Are you sure you don't
even want me to look at it?" Harry hurriedly shook his head at that, he
would see the other bruises.
"He said he's fine!" Reanna snapped, getting tired of Remus questioning
him.
"Reanna!" Harry said.
"Well, you said you did not want anyone messing with it! He needs to leave
you alone!" Reanna said.
"He's only trying to help, give him a break!" Harry said.
"He's also trying to invade in private business, isn't he?" Reanna asked.
"If he wants to know so badly, why don't we just tell him?"
Harry turned pale and suddenly took off in the other direction. Reanna
paled as well, realizing what she said. "Oh my gosh, Harry! I'm sorry, I
did not mean it! Harry!" She took off after him.
"What was that all about?" Remus asked as they disappeared. Sirius whined
in response.
Harry had collapsed onto the sidewalk, exhausted and in a great amount of
pain, when he heard racing footsteps behind him. "Harry!" It was Reanna.
She gently helped him up, tears in her eyes.
"I'm so sorry, I did not mean, I was not thinking. You know me, I was in
my 'Harry's hurt, have to protect him' mode." Reanna apologized.
"I know." Harry gasped. "Come on, we have to get home." Reanna stopped.
"I don't want you going back, Harry. Your uncle is going to kill you. Why
don't we tell the coach, I'm sure he'll help you?" She begged. "I'm serious
this time, please."
"No, I can't risk it." Harry said. He stumbled slightly and Reanna
steadied him. "Come on, Uncle Vernon is not that bad. What's the worst he
can do?"
"You know what he can do, and so do I." Reanna said, visibly upset. "I
don't want anything more to happen to you!"
Harry ignored the last statement and leaned heavier on her. He was feeling
quite grateful toward her being there, because his ankle was throbbing. He
had a feeling it was swelling because his shoe was tighter. It finally got
to the point where he was barely putting any weight on it at all, and was
going slower than ever.
"Come on, if I don't hurry Uncle Vernon will kill me." Harry said.
"No, you need to slow down, turn around even." Reanna said.
Harry ignored her and sped up just as Reanna slowed down. He did this just
as they came to the steep hill, and this resulted in his leg crumpling
under him, and sliding part way down the hill. He landed partly on his
bruised ribs and coughed.
From behind him, Harry heard Reanna curse and skid down the hill after him.
"I'm fine." Harry said in between coughing. He quickly tried to get up,
only to find that he must have done something else to his ankle, and that
he couldn't lift himself up with his injured arm. He fell back down with
another fit of coughing.
Reanna quickly leaned down and went to help him up. "My god, tell me when
you're going to do that! You could have seriously hurt yourself!" Harry
had stopped coughing but inhaled sharply when Reanna went to help him up.
The cuts and bruises from the day before were still there. "Shit! He
really cut you up, didn't he?" Reanna said angrily. She managed to get him
on his feet without hurting him too much. He gripped Reanna's arm rather
hard as his ankle shook beneath him.
"I'm fine." He said as they started up again. "Let's just get home."
"Are you sure you don't want to tell Coach Remus, and he'll do something?"
She asked.
"I'm afraid to." Harry admitted. "What if he doesn't care, I'll have told
someone for nothing! Or what if he doesn't believe me? I'll get in even
more trouble then I am in." Reanna bit her lip, looking increasingly
worried. Then she sighed.
"I understand." Reanna said. "It is your own right, and I'm not allowed to
tell." It was an agreement they had made up. "Just please, stay as safe as
you can." They looked up and saw that Dudley was standing right in front of
Privet Drive.
"You're in trooooouuuuuuble!" Dudley shouted at Harry. "Dad is so mad at
you!"
"I'll be fine from here." Harry told Reanna as she made sure he was good on
his own feet and let go of him. "Thanks, Reanna."
"No problem." She said, forcing a smile.
She watched him worriedly as he retreated into the house, taunted by
Dudley. As soon as he entered a terrible feeling came over her, nearly
knocking her down. She picked herself up onto her feet, took another look
at Privet Drive, and took off running back towards the field.
Reanna did not stop running until she reached the field. She was a good
runner, but still slipped slightly when she reached the hill. As she ran
onto the field she saw that Remus and Snuffles were just leaving, having
just packed up the gear from that day. Remus looked up as she came running
onto the field and smiled when he greeted her.
"Hello Reanna, next practice is not until tomorrow you know!" Remus said.
"Of course, if you would like some extra practice that's fine."
"No, it is not about that, it is about Harry." Reanna gasped out, catching
her breath. She was not a long distance runner. Remus' face immediately
became concerned.
"What's wrong?" He asked sharply.
"I-I'm not supposed to be doing this, but." She stopped herself. She had
caught her breath by now. "Harry's in danger; I don't know what he will do
to him." Remus did not stop to ask who 'he' was. Snuffles and Remus were
already taking off down the path. Reanna quickly followed.
"Where is he?" Remus asked as they ran.
"His house, Privet Drive." Reanna said. "It is his uncle, he's been abusing
him since we were little, I wanted to tell someone sooner, but he made me
promise. His uncle said if anyone ever found out, he would kill him."
Reanna was near tears now. "I think Dudley told his uncle that I was with
him." Remus sped up.
"Which house is his?" Remus asked as they reached Privet Drive. He was not
even out of breath.
"That one." Reanna said, pointing. Remus ran forward with Snuffles and
burst in.
***
As soon as Harry got into the house, he was grabbed by an angry Vernon.
"You're late boy!" He shouted. Harry winced, he saw another beating
coming. "Living room, now!" Without waiting for a reply, Vernon grabbed
Harry's ear, and dragged him into what Harry had become to know as "The
Beating Room" instead of the living room. There his uncle turned on him.
"As I said before, you're late. Plus, Dudders told me that you made him
sit out for the whole practice for supposedly knocking you down. On top of
that, you sat out for all of practice. Plus, Dudley said he saw you
talking to the coach."
"I know him!" Harry interrupted, then winced as Uncle Vernon's hand came
flying into his face.
"I will not have him learning about your, your, abnormality!" His voice got
dangerously loud. Then his voice took an even more dangerous tone, soft
and daring. "Or is he one of your kind?"
Harry swallowed hard, he knew that if he didn't answer, he would get
slapped again, but if he told the truth he would probably get a large
beating for lying. He chose not to answer. He chose wrong.
"Of course he isn't. And worse, he saw you with a girl! The very same
girl I told not to come back years ago. I suppose you told her
everything." Vernon spat. "Why don't you tell me what you told her? All
the lies?" The sickening sweet yet dangerous voice made Harry sick. His
uncle glared at him, but he did not answer. "You deserve every part of
this, boy!" Then almost immediately Harry felt Vernon kick him in his
chest, and Harry was sure that he felt his ribs break. He clenched his
teeth as he fell onto the floor, but refused to cry out.
A fist met with his stomach, knocking the wind out of him. Then Vernon
began to kick him repeatedly in the stomach, chest, and shoulders, and
Harry closed his eyes tight, willing himself to keep quiet.
"Get up!" Vernon shouted, kicking him again in the shoulder. Harry tried,
knowing if he didn't he would be in big trouble, but found that every
movement with his upper body hurt. "Get up you freak!" Vernon shouted
again, and he grabbed his hair and wrenched him from the ground. Then he
threw him face first onto the floor, and Harry heard the familiar THWAP of
a warm up belt swing. Then he felt the belt come stinging onto his back.
Again and again it came down, and Harry couldn't help but let out a small
whimper.
"Shut up you fool!" Vernon shouted, and started bringing the belt down
faster and harder. Harry bit down on his lip to keep from making a sound
again, and tasted blood in his mouth. He lost count after about thirty
more strokes, but it finally stopped. By this time Harry was biting on his
lip so hard that he had made a deep cut in his skin.
Harry thought that the beating was over, it usually ended with the belt,
but then he felt Vernon yank him up again by his hair. Harry cried out in
pain, he could not help it anymore.
"I SAID SHUT UP!!!" Vernon bellowed, spraying spit everywhere. He slapped
Harry in the face and brought his fist down on his temple. Everything went
black for a minute before clearing slightly again.
Harry felt himself get thrown down, and felt a terrible pain as his head
hit the glass table behind him. He cried out again. Vernon might have
said to shut up again but Harry just felt a stick, probably Dudley's,
coming down on his head and back and chest, only making him yell in pain
louder. His uncle kicked him onto his stomach, and made the stick come
right down on his spinal chord. Harry straightened out from the pain, and
Uncle Vernon told him to stop moving. He yanked him back over on his back,
and grabbed a piece of glass. Harry screamed as his uncle threw it into
his stomach, and screamed again as he felt it scratch his head. Then a
final blow with the stick hit him in the head, and he heard footsteps going
out of the room.
Harry opened his eyes slightly, only to find that his face was covered in
blood. Vernon had walked away, that was the end of the beating. That was
by far the worst beating he had ever received. He closed his eyes again,
and let his head fall back. He was barely conscious and just wanted to
drift into blackness, but then heard footsteps coming back in. The
footsteps stopped in front of him.
"Say goodbye boy." He heard Vernon's voice saying. Painfully he opened his
eyes, and saw blearily that Vernon was holding something black and medal in
his hands. A gun. Too weak and in too much pain to protest, Harry just
closed his eyes, waiting for the shot to come.
"Go to Hell with your parents and all your other damn relatives." Vernon
said.
Suddenly, Harry heard the front door bang open, startling both him and his
uncle. Then footsteps raced in, and he could almost feel the anger in the
room, of both his uncle and whoever had just entered. He no longer had the
energy to open his eyes, but heard a familiar cry.
Footsteps raced forward and he heard sobbing. Warm hands gently checked
for a pulse as more footsteps approached, and there was a sigh as they must
have found one. Harry knew who it was, but what were they doing here? He
opened his eyes very slightly to confirm, and saw Reanna kneeling beside
him. She looked extremely upset and worried.
"Reanna." An imitation of her name came out as a moan.
"Shh, stay still." Reanna said softly. Harry could see the anger at Vernon
burning in her eyes, and the worry for him along with it. "You'll be all
right."
Suddenly Harry made a small whimper of fear and pain as a loud bang echoed
through the room. Reanna jumped as well, but tried to soothe the now
trembling Harry. Vernon had pulled the trigger, but obviously missed.
Reanna stood up protectively next to him, and whoever was with her pushed
her back. He heard a growl and realized that Snuffles must be with them.
"You monster!" Reanna snarled. Her voice rose as she talked. "You absolute
monster! How dare you?"
"How dare I what?" Vernon asked, a sneer in his voice.
"Reanna, quiet!" Harry heard Remus whisper this hurriedly.
"No, get out of my way!" Reanna screamed. "How dare you beat him! God, do
you know how much fear you've made him live in? Do you know how much pain
you've caused him? Every person that raised their voice, every person that
even approaches him he jumps away from. You don't even care, I know you do
not! No, you just wanted to get a high of this. You never thought about
anybody else but yourself! Well fuck you! Between you and your fat, whale
of a son I'm surprised that Harry is even still alive! The only reason he
never told anyone was because you managed to convince him that no one
cared, and that if he told someone he would wind up dead for no reason!
You've made his life a living nightmare! God help to keep my temper or I
will kill you! You monster!" Her breath was heavy and the whole room was
still. Her voice got soft and dangerous. "Now, get out of my sight before
I kill you." Harry heard Vernon make a strange noise, drop the gun, and run
out of the room. There was a stunned silence.
Reanna was already kneeling back beside Harry. She reared when Remus
approached. "Get away!" She hissed.
"Why did you bring me here if you did not need my help?" Remus asked
softly. "I know you trust me because you told me something you had never
told anyone."
"But, he's frightened easily after Vernon does this, please." Reanna
begged.
"Don't worry, I won't frighten him." Remus said gently. Doubtfully, Reanna
moved out of the way, ready to jump back in if Remus did anything.
"Snuffles, transform please." Remus directed.
"What?" Reanna asked.
"You know how you said Snuffles was not a real animal?" Remus asked, Reanna
must have nodded, "Well, he's not." There was a gasp of surprise.
Harry was lying still as this was going on, knowing that Reanna would keep
him safe. He gasped in pain and fear as new hands gently checked him over.
"You're hurting him!" Reanna said indignantly. "He does not even know you!
He won't trust you."
"Trust me, Reanna." A new voice said. Harry immediately relaxed as he
heard it. "Harry, can you hear me?" The voice asked gently, brushing the
hair out of his face.
Harry stirred slightly, trying to get up, but every movement hurt him, and
he moaned softly in pain. Reanna gasped and he heard her trying to come
forward. Remus was most likely holding her back.
"Sirius." Harry heard himself moan softly. It was his godfather, Sirius
Black. He opened his eyes slightly and saw a man with light blue eyes,
full of concern, and shoulder length black hair. Last time Harry had seen
him, his hair had been unwashed and his robes had been filthy. Now they
both looked better. He closed his eyes, in too much pain to keep them
open.
"Shh. It's okay; you're going to be okay now." Sirius soothed. Harry felt
him softly bring his hand behind close to his back, but as soon as his hand
touched it, a searing pain went through him. He yanked away, and whimpered
softly.
"Stop it! Please stop it!" Reanna cried.
Sirius ignored her and gently tried again. He rubbed Harry's back
soothingly as he tried to pick him up, lessening the pain slightly. Harry
managed to stay quiet despite the agony. Sirius gently picked him up and
kept him in his arms.
"Please, he needs medical help." He heard Reanna's voice.
"Shush Reanna." Remus said quietly. "We'll take care of things, why don't
you go home and we'll keep you updated?" Harry was sure she made a face.
"What home?" She asked bitterly.
Harry wanted to say something. He wanted to tell her to tell, since she
had told about him. There was help for him, now she needed help. Seeming
to read his thoughts, Remus spoke.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"Nothing." She muttered. "Just."
"Why don't you and I call your folks and ask if it is all right for you to
come with us?" Remus said.
"You need to get Harry to a." Reanna started.
"Sirius will take care of him." Remus said gently. "Sirius, why don't you
go by floo powder to my house and we'll be there in a minute."
"Right." Sirius said. "Reanna, go wherever the phone is, Remus will be
there in a second." Harry heard her footsteps hurry off.
Remus blasted out the fireplace and the crackling of a fire could be heard.
There was the usual sound of floo powder being thrown into the flames, and
Harry felt a warm tickling sensation.
"The Iron Gate Den!" Sirius said.
Harry felt the sickening twirling of the fire, but as he was held closer to
his godfather he felt safer. Knowing he was in Sirius' arms, he let the
blackness take him over.
some mystery, violence, and a girl with a very large temper. Sirius Black,
Remus Lupin, Harry Potter, and someone new! Please review, but no flames
please. I welcome constructive critizism. Warning: child abuse, and there
may be mentions of rape.
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling and W.B. own all spells, characters, or other
things you may recognize. I own Reanna Pierce, and Reanna Pierce only.
Please do not sue me. :-)
Chapter 1
Harry Potter ran outside quickly, stumbling on his feet. His back and
chest seared with pain after a beating, and the rest of his body ached.
Gasping, he kept running in fear. He had been told by his beefy uncle to
go to football practice, but he made the mistake of asking why. In
response he had been thrown down the stairs and against the wall a few
times and received several strokes of a belt. He was smart enough to go
without question after that, and was now sprinting for fear of his uncle
deciding to punish him more. Finally, his injured ankle gave way and he
came crashing down onto the hard sidewalk. He groaned in pain and tried to
sit up, but he was in agony.
"Harry!" A voice cried. "Harry, are you all right?"
Hands helped him up, but he could not hold himself on his own feet. He
recognized the voice, but did not have the energy to answer the person.
Instead he smiled slightly and turned toward them. A girl with raven black
hair and green eyes looked at him worriedly. She was slightly taller then
Harry, and had a forming bruise on her face.
"Hey, Reanna." Harry said hoarsely. "Thanks."
"What happened? No, wait; don't tell me, it was you're uncle." She said
grimly as Harry was about to open his mouth then closed it. He nodded.
"God won't he let you be? I thought you had an escaped convict for a
godfather or something that he was threatened by?"
"He doesn't believe me anymore." Harry said, frowning. "Says I don't even
have any friends in that 'pretend, freak world' of mine. Doesn't even
believe that I have a godfather, let alone one who is dangerous."
"He has not gotten as bad as he used to be, has he?" Reanna asked, biting
her lip. Harry hesitated, and she swore under her breath.
Reanna had lived by Harry for as long as he could remember. Before
Hogwarts, she was the only friend Harry had and the best one as well. She
knew almost everything about him, as did he about her. She was a nice
girl, quite polite and calm, and she was much fun to be around. However,
when something hit a nerve, she exploded. Something had been 'hitting a
nerve' with her for a long time now, and Harry rarely saw her completely
happy anymore.
What was hitting her nerve was Harry. It was not anything he was trying to
do, or even something he was capable of stopping, and it was not actually
him that she was mad at. No, it was his uncle. She had found out about
his beatings when she went over to play when they were about four. His
uncle, Vernon, had answered the door and asked what she wanted. She asked
to play with Harry, and he basically exploded. He yelled at her and told
her that he was not home and she was not allowed to play with 'that freak'.
Once he had slammed the door shut in her face, Reanna, being only four
years old, stood quite shocked. Then she heard the sound of a belt and
fists, and of cries of pain. She knew the sound well because her father
abused her as well. It was not nearly as bad as the abuse Harry received,
she only getting a slap or a kick or two, and Harry getting much worse.
Besides, Reanna always saw it as much worse for Harry. Her father was
always drunk when he slapped her, so she said that he did not know what he
was doing. The Dursleys beat him out of pure hatred. Still, Harry worried
more about her then about himself.
The beatings on Harry stopped after he went to Hogwarts and although Reanna
did not understand why Harry left and why his uncle stopped, she was glad
of it. The beatings she was receiving had mellowed out through the years,
but his had stayed treacherous. Now though, Vernon was starting up again,
and the nerve was being struck again. Now that Reanna and Harry were
older, Reanna was getting angrier. She said she would tell someone for
Harry, but she was afraid of Vernon finding out. She most definitely did
not want to be the cause of her best friend's death. Instead, she was
overprotective around her friend, not letting the bullies get to him if she
could prevent it, and not trusting people, especially not people who raised
their voices, around him.
"You need to tell someone." Reanna said gently as they walked to the field.
"I can't. You know what Uncle Vernon's threat is." Harry said. "Besides
when I tell someone, you tell someone." His hand reached up to brush
against the bruise on her cheek. "He's still at it." He said quietly,
meaning her father.
"You know that I don't have it as bad as you." Reanna said gently.
"Still." Harry said. "I can walk by myself now." Reanna's eyes flashed.
"You're going to hurt yourself more; I'll let you go when we get to the
field." She said sternly.
"Come on Reanna, the ankle is just bruised a little." Harry insisted.
"No."
Harry sighed. There was no arguing with her when she got her head stuck on
something.
"Hey stupid!" Harry's cousin's, Dudley, cry came from behind them.
Immediately both of them ducked. This was the instinctive thing to do when
Dudley yelled something such as that. It most likely meant something was
being thrown at them. Harry found they were correct when something went
whizzing over where his head used to be.
"Better stop, Dudley!" Harry called back as they continued walking. "The
coach won't like you throwing rocks!" In response something hard hit his
head. He winced and felt the slight gash; he had not time to duck for that
one.
Reanna gently let go of him and whirled around. "Stop it Dudley! It's bad
enough what your father does, you do not have to contribute!"
"Ooh, Potter, do you still need your girlfriend to stick up for you?"
Dudley taunted.
Reanna was about to run forward at him, but Harry put a hand on her
shoulder. "Let it be." He said quietly. "It is not hurting anything."
Reanna muttered something under her breath but turned back and started
walking with him again.
To their relief they were at the field. Dudley would not dare do anything
in front of the coach, or even at the field. He was too afraid of getting
caught by his father. If he did get caught he would find some way to blame
it on Harry, but he did not want to risk it.
Reanna had stopped supporting him at his begging, and was looking at her
watch. Glancing at him to tell him that they were late she started jogging
towards the center of the field. Sighing, Harry followed her. He
recognized all of the kids from when he went to school with them and
groaned inwardly. They all hated him and would use any excuse to taunt him
or bully him. On top of that, according to Dudley there had been rumors of
where he had been the past five years, and why he hadn't been at any of the
schools that the other kids went to. Apparently everyone thought he went
to a school for criminal boys. When he got almost to them they all started
giggling and whispering. He kept his burning face down, he hated these
kids.
"Hey Potter, you're late!" One of the girls that Harry particularly hated
shouted. She completely ignored the fact that Dudley and Reanna were late
as well. "And where have you been since you left elementary? Dudley said
that-"
"Shhhhhh!" Everyone else shouted at her.
Reanna looked furious and was about to tell the girl off, but Harry sent
her another look. She was being overprotective again, and she knew it.
She settled for glaring at the girl and moving over to Harry.
Harry ignored the kids but though he should probably apologize to the
coach, who he had not looked up to see yet, for interrupting the first
practice. He hurriedly started to mumble an excuse. They would most
likely not notice that Reanna was late as no one had mentioned her in his
taunting.
"Sorry I'm late, see -"
"That's quite alright, I'm sure there is a good reason for you being late."
A voice that he recognized said. Harry looked up to see who was coaching,
and his jaw almost dropped in surprise. Standing in front of the children,
holding a football (soccer ball) was his third year Defense Against the
Dark Arts teacher, Professor Lupin. Harry looked quite surprised, and
Lupin winked back.
"All right, now that we're done calling role, I'll introduce myself." Lupin
said. "I am familiar with some of you, but for those of you, who do not
know me, I am Remus Lupin, I will be coaching you in football. You may call
me Remus, or Coach, or Coach Remus, or Coach Lupin, or just whatever you
prefer." Harry was trying desperately not to burst out laughing at this
point, for some reason he just could not imagine a wizard teaching a muggle
sport or a muggle anything. "And this is the, well, 'dog coach', and
mascot, Snuffles. He will show you that you can definitely play, because if
he can, anyone can." Harry looked over at the large black dog, "Snuffles".
It was actually Harry's godfather, Sirius Black, but in his dog form. He
was on the run for a crime he did not commit and so had to stay in that
form whenever other people were around. At that point he was giving Lup
-that is, Remus- a look that could kill. Noticing this, Remus hurried on.
"So, today we will start with dribbling and learning the rules of football.
Grab a ball and get started!"
Immediately everyone ran for the balls, all trying to get the best. Reanna
and Harry were in the lead but Harry should have known better. As soon as
they got to the pile, Harry was pushed, kicked, and punched back until
everyone else had a ball. Rubbing his face gingerly where he had been
elbowed rather hard, he noticed that there were no balls left. He groaned.
"Idiots."
Harry turned and noticed Reanna glaring at the others. She had the two
newest balls in her hands and had obviously refused to give them up. She
looked at him in concern as he limped slightly, but he quickly corrected
it. Smiling at her he took one of the balls and set it on the ground.
"Next time they try to hurt you, I'll kill them myself." She said. Her
voice got softer. "Are you sure you're all right? Maybe you should ask the
coach to sit out?"
"Nah, I'm fine. Remember in elementary school?" Harry said, grinning.
Reanna shook her head and set her ball down as well.
Harry began to dribble down the field, having a small race with Reanna. He
had always been good at this in PE, and the coach told him he should join a
team. Dudley, on the other hand, was never good at any sports. He was
dribbling awkwardly down the field, and was just pushing people out of the
way to get ahead. When one girl forgot to move, he elbowed her, making her
trip over the ball and fall over. A whistle blew from Remus.
"Dudley, I will not tolerate that kind of behavior. Please sit out for a
while." He said calmly. Glowering, Dudley left the ball and went to the
outskirts of where they were dribbling. He was asked later to rejoin them,
but he was still glowering. Reanna snickered.
Remus was watching them all and making comments on how well they were doing
and what they needed to improve.
"Retta, don't kick the ball so hard. Brutus, you're going to make the ball
flat if you keep stepping on it like that. Sierra very good, keep it going.
Harry, you too, you're doing very well. Reanna, you're doing well
yourself. Dudley, I told you I wouldn't tolerate you pushing anyone."
Harry caught a laugh in his throat at the last comment. He would have to
warn Remus about how Dudley didn't listen to anyone.
At the end of practice Harry stayed afterward to help Remus with the cones.
He also took the opportunity to introduce him to Reanna, who was wondering
why he was so friendly with him.
"It is very nice to meet you, Reanna." Remus said, shaking her hand.
"The pleasure's all mine." Reanna said, smiling. Harry laughed.
"Since when do you put on the sweet attitude when adults are around?" He
asked.
"For your information, I always do." Reanna said, a mischievous glint in
her eye. She caught sight of Sirius. "Well hello there, do you know how to
shake?" She asked as she kneeled down. Harry bit his lip to keep from
laughing when she suddenly stood up. "That's not a dog."
Remus looked slightly alarmed, and looked at her carefully. Harry smiled
slightly, "What do you mean it is not a dog? Of course it is!"
"I'm telling you, that's not a dog." Reanna said firmly, she was obviously
not joking. "That is not an animal of any sort." Harry frowned, he should
have guessed her gift with animals would give Sirius away.
"Reanna, how long have you known Harry? You two look enough alike to be
twins, or at least siblings." Remus said, changing the subject.
Reanna and Harry grinned at each other. When they were little, people
would mistake them for siblings, even twins. Indeed, things did point that
way. They both had black hair, green eyes, and they both had the same
birthday. Often they would fool the teachers into thinking that they were
twins, separated at birth and put in different families, but then Dudley
would ruin it all. When he finally told his father Harry got in big
trouble. Once, Reanna had cut her hair exactly like Harry's and wore fake
glasses on the first day of school. The teacher's took them for identical.
However, they never tried it again because Dudley, of course, ruined the
fun.
"Oh, we've known each other for as long as we can remember." Reanna said,
grinning. "We've helped each other out a fair few times."
"So you keep an eye out for each other?" Remus asked, winking at Harry.
"Yeah, well, you could say that if Reanna was an animal, she would be a
large, overprotective, guard dog." Harry said, mock glaring at his friend.
"Every time we even got in a bit of trouble, she would freak."
"Like, right before our eleventh birthdays we were out playing in the
woods." Reanna started. "It was night time, but we had no idea what kind of
dangers were in the forest, we were only ten and my parents and his aunt
and uncle never told us about stuff like that."
"Reanna!" Harry groaned.
"Oops." Reanna said, turning red.
"No, continue, I'd like to hear this. What kind of trouble you both got
yourselves into when you were little." Remus said, grinning.
"All right then." Reanna said eagerly. "Well we were out in the woods
playing hide and seek. I guess Harry went and hid somewhere deep, and I
could not find him. Harry, you take it from here."
"Fine." Harry muttered. "I went and hid in a group of trees. I did not
expect Reanna to find me, but I also did not expect her to try looking that
hard. Next thing I know this wolf comes bounding out at me."
"When I found him, another wolf had obviously blocked the first one, but I
would not let either of them within a twenty foot radius of him."
"Like I said, she's overprotective." Harry said, looking at his former
professor. He had gone slightly pale, and Harry realized that it had been
a full moon that night. So the wolf must have been a werewolf and his
professor.Realization must have shown on his face because Remus shook
himself out of it.
"Well, it did not help that you did not have that much self confidence
because of." Reanna trailed off suddenly when she realized what she was
saying. It was Harry's turn to go pale slightly.
"Because of.?" Remus asked, curious.
"You know, I think I have to go." Reanna said, pretending to glance at her
wrist, while she had conveniently stuck her watch in her pocket. "Wow!
Look at the time! See you tomorrow Harry!"
"Bye Reanna!" Harry called after her as she began running. He shook his
head.
"So why in the world are you teaching football?" Harry asked Remus. Remus
chuckled.
"I've been coaching for a while now. No one will give me a job in the
wizarding world, so I got one in the Muggle world." He explained. "I've
been coaching in different areas, but I've heard a few things about some of
the kids in this area so I kept putting off coming here." Harry laughed
slightly, putting the rest of the cones in the bag and scratching Snuffles
behind the ears.
"Yeah, all the kids around here are stupid, big, and bullying. Believe me,
I went to school with them for eight years. None of them are nearly as bad
as Dudley though, the one I have to live with." Harry made a face.
"They seem that way." Remus said, frowning. "Always pushing each other
around, no wonder your cousin is the leader." Harry smiled, then looked at
his own watch which he had kept on his wrist.
"Oh shoot! Prof - I mean Moony, er," He started. Remus laughed.
"Just call me Remus, Harry." He said.
"Right, but, I need to get back, I'm half an hour late, and Uncle Vernon is
going to kill me." Harry told him, while running off. He gave a hurried
wave over his shoulder, and saw Remus return it. Then he ran full out
until he reached Privet Drive. Quickly he ran up the steps, and through
the door. Not seeing anyone, he ran upstairs, only to be met by his Uncle
Vernon at the top.
"You're late boy!"
"Sorry Uncle Vernon." Harry muttered. Then he winced as his uncle grabbed
his collar and gave him a good shake.
"Sorry isn't good enough this time boy!" Vernon shouted in his face.
"You're half an hour late and on top of that Dudley said that you got him
in trouble today for something he didn't do, and you were trying to be
better at him in practice!" Harry said nothing, he knew that if he tried to
argue, he would only make it worse.
"Well? Answer me!" Vernon shouted, and gave Harry a shove, making him
tumble down the stairs.
Harry landed at the bottom extremely dazed, and realizing that he had badly
sprained his wrist and twisted his ankle. He tried to get up, but was
pushed back down by his uncle.
"Come here boy!" Vernon shouted as he dragged him into the living room.
This was the usual place to give Harry a beating, because it was the room
that the least sound came out of.
Harry closed his eyes, and almost immediately felt the hard blow of his
uncle's fist on his chest, knocking him down from his kneeling position.
Once on the ground he felt a boot connect with the same spot. Harry tried
not to cry out; he wouldn't let his uncle see him hurt. He wouldn't give
him the pleasure of knowing it was doing something. However, when the boot
impacted his chest again and again, he couldn't help but cough violently.
His uncle must have done some damage to his lungs as well.
"Shut up boy!" Vernon shouted. Harry only coughed harder. Then he felt
Vernon kick him in the leg, damaging the already twisted ankle. Harry
couldn't keep it in any longer, he made a small whimper in pain.
"SHUT UP!" his now red uncle shouted again. "That's it boy, I told you. One
more time, one more time." As he said this he ripped off the leather belt
that was around his waist. He turned around and kicked Harry so that he
turned over.
Harry felt the stinging piece of leather crack down on his back, and he
clenched his teeth in pain. Again and again it came down, and he was
biting his fingers in order to not cry out. Then Vernon kicked him several
times in the chest and side. Harry bit his fingers harder in grim resolve
as the steel toed boot placed blow after blow on him. Finally, after what
seemed like eternity, his Uncle Vernon kicked him in the side and told him
to go to his room. Harry painfully made his way up, and limped slowly
upstairs. Once in his room, he flung himself onto the bed and tried to
will the pain away.
Later on, his aunt called him out to make dinner. He winced at each step,
and fell half way down the stair because he could not hold himself up.
After he made dinner his aunt threw him some celery and a peanut butter
cookie. She told him, quite snappishly, that a man had stopped by and
insisted every person in the household was to get one. She had promised,
and Harry knew that she was not as bad as she seemed, so she gave him the
one everyone else did not like, peanut butter.
Harry thanked her shakily, and he saw something in her eyes. He knew his
Aunt Petunia was not as cruel as Vernon. She was actually quite nice to
him sometimes, but usually she was as mean as she could be. She snuck in
some treats now and again, such as every five years, just to show she did
not hate him. Harry managed to get both the celery and the cookie down.
***
The next day, as an addition to his punishment, Harry was made to do twice
as many chores. He was feeling terribly queasy, which was not helping with
the pain from the beating, and every time he touched his forehead he seemed
to be steaming hot and sweaty. He was wondering if he was getting sick,
but didn't have time to ponder on this because his uncle came out a punched
him a few times and yelled at him for being lazy.
As always, Harry felt he was at the unfair end of the deal, because he
tried to tell his uncle that he was sick, but he just slapped him around
the mouth and told him to stop lying. Finally, at about ten minutes before
football practice, he was called inside and shooed out of the house.
Before he left he grabbed a long jacket to hide the bruises, and wore a
pair of baggy pants. It was cloudy anyway.
Reanna had probably left earlier, she would not come to the door to ask for
him. She was as afraid of Vernon as Harry was, though not for the same
reason. She was afraid of him because she knew he would beat Harry if she
came to the door, and Harry was afraid of him for the obvious reason. He
was almost glad Reanna was not with him, he did not want her to see him in
so much pain. He was still in great pain from the beating yesterday, and he
was limping badly all the way to the field. He wasn't feeling as sick as
he was earlier though, so figured that he had already gotten over whatever
he had. He was still extremely hot though, which he couldn't figure out.
Even the jacket wouldn't make him this hot; it was just a light windbreaker
to hide the bruises.
It took him a full half hour to get to the field, and he was late.
Everyone except for Reanna was crowding around Remus again after warm-ups.
Reanna was sitting by the side of the field with her head in her hands
worriedly. Sirius, in his dog form, was sitting next to her. As Harry
tried his best to run onto the field they looked up. Reanna jumped up and
ran toward him at full speed. She skidded to a stop right next to him.
"We'll be right there, Coach!" She shouted over to Remus. "Oh god, what did
he do this time!" Reanna asked in a whisper. She went to support him but
Harry shook her off.
"I'm fine, don't get Remus all worried. He won't overreact as badly as you
do, but his dog will do worse." Harry whispered.
"Ask Remus if you can sit out, you can't play like this." Reanna said
harshly.
"And what about when Uncle Vernon finds out?" Harry said, shaking his head.
"How is he going to find out if nobody tells him?" Reanna asked.
"Dudley." Harry said simply. Reanna bit her lip.
"Oh fine." She said snappishly. "But if you even feel the slightest bit of
pain, you are sitting out and I'll threaten Dudley with his life." Harry
smiled thankfully at her.
They did their best to run over, Harry not showing his limp quite well.
"Harry, just in time to start. You missed the warm-ups but I'm sure you're
plenty stretched out." Remus said, grinning. At the same time he looked at
him with concern. Harry smiled and did his best to stand up straight
despite the pain. Reanna scowled.
"Okay, since you all did so well yesterday, today I'm going to split you
into teams and we are going to play a small game, and you will get the
rules more as you go." Remus told them. A cheer went through them, Harry
included. "Alright the captains are Harry and Sierra. You two, come up
here and choose teams." Harry managed to walk up to the front with only a
slight limp. He managed to get a pretty good team, without Dudley and with
Reanna of course.
They were just going out to the playing field, when Remus called Harry over
to help with the equipment. He walked over to him pretty much without
limping, but when he was over by Remus, he was aching so badly that he
thought about taking Reanna's advice and asking if he could sit out. Then,
however, he thought that that would cause him and Sirius to worry, and it
really wasn't anything to worry about. Besides, he did not want to get
Sirius all stressed out.
"Are you all right?" Remus asked. He was looking at Harry's ankle, the one
that he had been favoring slightly.
"I'm fine, really." Harry told him. "I just tripped a couple of times when
I was walking here."
"Well, okay," Remus said slowly, Harry had a feeling that he did not
believe the story. "Tell me if you want to sit out, right?" Harry nodded.
Harry found that if he took his mind off of it, his ankle did not hurt
nearly as bad when he was playing. However, he only got to play the first
five minutes, because as soon as Dudley got the chance.
TWEEEET!
"Dudley!" Remus shouted.
Dudley had been dribbling a ball clumsily down the field, and Harry had
been trying to steal it from him. Suddenly, Harry felt Dudley elbow him
hard in the ribs and swing at his twisted ankle, knocking him down. He was
knocked down easier too because he was starting to feel sick again, but had
ignored it to go on with practice.
In order to break the fall, he put out his hand, and landed on the
sprained wrist. He felt himself land on the ground, coughing violently.
He tried not to show he was hurt, but he still clutched his arm. Everyone
else crowded around. Dudley had hit him before and he had never reacted
this badly.
Reanna was beside him in an instant. She put up her fists at anyone who
tried to get near him, while trying to gently help him up. When Remus bent
down to help she snapped, "Get away from him!" Remus drew back quickly,
looking somewhere between slightly pleased with her and worried.
Still coughing, Harry allowed her to help him up, remembering his promise.
He put an arm over her shoulder and they limped over to the sidelines.
Gently she sat down with him, forcing him to stay put. Snuffles came over
and put his head in Harry's face. Reanna pushed him away roughly which
surprised him greatly.
"Dudley, I told you that I would not stand that kind of behavior yesterday.
If this continues you will be kicked off the team. Now, sit out for the
rest of practice." Remus said as he walked over to them. "And Retta, you
can kick the fowl shot. Back to the game!" He blew the whistle once more.
Harry's coughing had subsided, and he was now trying to get Reanna to leave
off. "I'm fine, Reanna. Give it a break."
"You're not fine, don't give me that!" Reanna said. "And once Dudley gets
through me, he'll be much worse!"
"Reanna." Remus said softly as he walked up to them. The girl looked up.
"Why don't you go back to the game?"
"Sorry, I'm staying with Harry. You don't understand, and I don't expect
you to." Reanna said firmly. Remus raised his eyebrows slightly.
"Remus, please." Harry said, worming himself out of her grip. "You can't
argue with her when she's got an idea in her head. Believe me, I've
tried."
"Fine." Remus sighed. "Now, Harry,"
"I'm fine."
"'Dudley just pushes hard.'" Reanna ended for him in a mimicking voice.
Harry gave her a look.
"I'm still going to get a bandage for your ankle, and for your wrist as
well." Remus said, not convinced.
"No, Remus, it's okay. Its fine, I just hit it hard when I fell."
"The coughing?"
"I have a cold." It was partly true, Harry was sick, it was just he did not
know what he had. Remus looked as though he did not believe any of this,
but shook his head and sat down to watch the game.
Harry and Reanna watched the game while a concerned Sirius sat next to
them. Reanna apologized to Remus about snapping to him and he said it was
quite all right.
"Remembering the story you two told me yesterday, I guess I should be more
aware of what I'm doing." Remus said. Harry and Reanna laughed.
Amazingly, Remus did not have to call another foul, which surprised Harry.
Most of these kids were bullies, or they always had been to him. He
supposed that it was because Dudley wasn't in the game anymore, so they
didn't feel as needed to foul someone. Either that or they didn't want to
be kicked out of the game.
Finally practice ended. Harry offered to help Remus with the supplies
again, forgetting that this was the reason he had been in trouble the day
before. Reanna too offered to help, but only because she wanted to keep an
eye on Harry. However, Remus refused.
"Are you sure you don't want me to bandage your wrist?" Remus asked. "Or I
can do something else if."
"It's fine." Harry said.
"Well," Remus said, "If you're sure you're fine. Are you sure you don't
even want me to look at it?" Harry hurriedly shook his head at that, he
would see the other bruises.
"He said he's fine!" Reanna snapped, getting tired of Remus questioning
him.
"Reanna!" Harry said.
"Well, you said you did not want anyone messing with it! He needs to leave
you alone!" Reanna said.
"He's only trying to help, give him a break!" Harry said.
"He's also trying to invade in private business, isn't he?" Reanna asked.
"If he wants to know so badly, why don't we just tell him?"
Harry turned pale and suddenly took off in the other direction. Reanna
paled as well, realizing what she said. "Oh my gosh, Harry! I'm sorry, I
did not mean it! Harry!" She took off after him.
"What was that all about?" Remus asked as they disappeared. Sirius whined
in response.
Harry had collapsed onto the sidewalk, exhausted and in a great amount of
pain, when he heard racing footsteps behind him. "Harry!" It was Reanna.
She gently helped him up, tears in her eyes.
"I'm so sorry, I did not mean, I was not thinking. You know me, I was in
my 'Harry's hurt, have to protect him' mode." Reanna apologized.
"I know." Harry gasped. "Come on, we have to get home." Reanna stopped.
"I don't want you going back, Harry. Your uncle is going to kill you. Why
don't we tell the coach, I'm sure he'll help you?" She begged. "I'm serious
this time, please."
"No, I can't risk it." Harry said. He stumbled slightly and Reanna
steadied him. "Come on, Uncle Vernon is not that bad. What's the worst he
can do?"
"You know what he can do, and so do I." Reanna said, visibly upset. "I
don't want anything more to happen to you!"
Harry ignored the last statement and leaned heavier on her. He was feeling
quite grateful toward her being there, because his ankle was throbbing. He
had a feeling it was swelling because his shoe was tighter. It finally got
to the point where he was barely putting any weight on it at all, and was
going slower than ever.
"Come on, if I don't hurry Uncle Vernon will kill me." Harry said.
"No, you need to slow down, turn around even." Reanna said.
Harry ignored her and sped up just as Reanna slowed down. He did this just
as they came to the steep hill, and this resulted in his leg crumpling
under him, and sliding part way down the hill. He landed partly on his
bruised ribs and coughed.
From behind him, Harry heard Reanna curse and skid down the hill after him.
"I'm fine." Harry said in between coughing. He quickly tried to get up,
only to find that he must have done something else to his ankle, and that
he couldn't lift himself up with his injured arm. He fell back down with
another fit of coughing.
Reanna quickly leaned down and went to help him up. "My god, tell me when
you're going to do that! You could have seriously hurt yourself!" Harry
had stopped coughing but inhaled sharply when Reanna went to help him up.
The cuts and bruises from the day before were still there. "Shit! He
really cut you up, didn't he?" Reanna said angrily. She managed to get him
on his feet without hurting him too much. He gripped Reanna's arm rather
hard as his ankle shook beneath him.
"I'm fine." He said as they started up again. "Let's just get home."
"Are you sure you don't want to tell Coach Remus, and he'll do something?"
She asked.
"I'm afraid to." Harry admitted. "What if he doesn't care, I'll have told
someone for nothing! Or what if he doesn't believe me? I'll get in even
more trouble then I am in." Reanna bit her lip, looking increasingly
worried. Then she sighed.
"I understand." Reanna said. "It is your own right, and I'm not allowed to
tell." It was an agreement they had made up. "Just please, stay as safe as
you can." They looked up and saw that Dudley was standing right in front of
Privet Drive.
"You're in trooooouuuuuuble!" Dudley shouted at Harry. "Dad is so mad at
you!"
"I'll be fine from here." Harry told Reanna as she made sure he was good on
his own feet and let go of him. "Thanks, Reanna."
"No problem." She said, forcing a smile.
She watched him worriedly as he retreated into the house, taunted by
Dudley. As soon as he entered a terrible feeling came over her, nearly
knocking her down. She picked herself up onto her feet, took another look
at Privet Drive, and took off running back towards the field.
Reanna did not stop running until she reached the field. She was a good
runner, but still slipped slightly when she reached the hill. As she ran
onto the field she saw that Remus and Snuffles were just leaving, having
just packed up the gear from that day. Remus looked up as she came running
onto the field and smiled when he greeted her.
"Hello Reanna, next practice is not until tomorrow you know!" Remus said.
"Of course, if you would like some extra practice that's fine."
"No, it is not about that, it is about Harry." Reanna gasped out, catching
her breath. She was not a long distance runner. Remus' face immediately
became concerned.
"What's wrong?" He asked sharply.
"I-I'm not supposed to be doing this, but." She stopped herself. She had
caught her breath by now. "Harry's in danger; I don't know what he will do
to him." Remus did not stop to ask who 'he' was. Snuffles and Remus were
already taking off down the path. Reanna quickly followed.
"Where is he?" Remus asked as they ran.
"His house, Privet Drive." Reanna said. "It is his uncle, he's been abusing
him since we were little, I wanted to tell someone sooner, but he made me
promise. His uncle said if anyone ever found out, he would kill him."
Reanna was near tears now. "I think Dudley told his uncle that I was with
him." Remus sped up.
"Which house is his?" Remus asked as they reached Privet Drive. He was not
even out of breath.
"That one." Reanna said, pointing. Remus ran forward with Snuffles and
burst in.
***
As soon as Harry got into the house, he was grabbed by an angry Vernon.
"You're late boy!" He shouted. Harry winced, he saw another beating
coming. "Living room, now!" Without waiting for a reply, Vernon grabbed
Harry's ear, and dragged him into what Harry had become to know as "The
Beating Room" instead of the living room. There his uncle turned on him.
"As I said before, you're late. Plus, Dudders told me that you made him
sit out for the whole practice for supposedly knocking you down. On top of
that, you sat out for all of practice. Plus, Dudley said he saw you
talking to the coach."
"I know him!" Harry interrupted, then winced as Uncle Vernon's hand came
flying into his face.
"I will not have him learning about your, your, abnormality!" His voice got
dangerously loud. Then his voice took an even more dangerous tone, soft
and daring. "Or is he one of your kind?"
Harry swallowed hard, he knew that if he didn't answer, he would get
slapped again, but if he told the truth he would probably get a large
beating for lying. He chose not to answer. He chose wrong.
"Of course he isn't. And worse, he saw you with a girl! The very same
girl I told not to come back years ago. I suppose you told her
everything." Vernon spat. "Why don't you tell me what you told her? All
the lies?" The sickening sweet yet dangerous voice made Harry sick. His
uncle glared at him, but he did not answer. "You deserve every part of
this, boy!" Then almost immediately Harry felt Vernon kick him in his
chest, and Harry was sure that he felt his ribs break. He clenched his
teeth as he fell onto the floor, but refused to cry out.
A fist met with his stomach, knocking the wind out of him. Then Vernon
began to kick him repeatedly in the stomach, chest, and shoulders, and
Harry closed his eyes tight, willing himself to keep quiet.
"Get up!" Vernon shouted, kicking him again in the shoulder. Harry tried,
knowing if he didn't he would be in big trouble, but found that every
movement with his upper body hurt. "Get up you freak!" Vernon shouted
again, and he grabbed his hair and wrenched him from the ground. Then he
threw him face first onto the floor, and Harry heard the familiar THWAP of
a warm up belt swing. Then he felt the belt come stinging onto his back.
Again and again it came down, and Harry couldn't help but let out a small
whimper.
"Shut up you fool!" Vernon shouted, and started bringing the belt down
faster and harder. Harry bit down on his lip to keep from making a sound
again, and tasted blood in his mouth. He lost count after about thirty
more strokes, but it finally stopped. By this time Harry was biting on his
lip so hard that he had made a deep cut in his skin.
Harry thought that the beating was over, it usually ended with the belt,
but then he felt Vernon yank him up again by his hair. Harry cried out in
pain, he could not help it anymore.
"I SAID SHUT UP!!!" Vernon bellowed, spraying spit everywhere. He slapped
Harry in the face and brought his fist down on his temple. Everything went
black for a minute before clearing slightly again.
Harry felt himself get thrown down, and felt a terrible pain as his head
hit the glass table behind him. He cried out again. Vernon might have
said to shut up again but Harry just felt a stick, probably Dudley's,
coming down on his head and back and chest, only making him yell in pain
louder. His uncle kicked him onto his stomach, and made the stick come
right down on his spinal chord. Harry straightened out from the pain, and
Uncle Vernon told him to stop moving. He yanked him back over on his back,
and grabbed a piece of glass. Harry screamed as his uncle threw it into
his stomach, and screamed again as he felt it scratch his head. Then a
final blow with the stick hit him in the head, and he heard footsteps going
out of the room.
Harry opened his eyes slightly, only to find that his face was covered in
blood. Vernon had walked away, that was the end of the beating. That was
by far the worst beating he had ever received. He closed his eyes again,
and let his head fall back. He was barely conscious and just wanted to
drift into blackness, but then heard footsteps coming back in. The
footsteps stopped in front of him.
"Say goodbye boy." He heard Vernon's voice saying. Painfully he opened his
eyes, and saw blearily that Vernon was holding something black and medal in
his hands. A gun. Too weak and in too much pain to protest, Harry just
closed his eyes, waiting for the shot to come.
"Go to Hell with your parents and all your other damn relatives." Vernon
said.
Suddenly, Harry heard the front door bang open, startling both him and his
uncle. Then footsteps raced in, and he could almost feel the anger in the
room, of both his uncle and whoever had just entered. He no longer had the
energy to open his eyes, but heard a familiar cry.
Footsteps raced forward and he heard sobbing. Warm hands gently checked
for a pulse as more footsteps approached, and there was a sigh as they must
have found one. Harry knew who it was, but what were they doing here? He
opened his eyes very slightly to confirm, and saw Reanna kneeling beside
him. She looked extremely upset and worried.
"Reanna." An imitation of her name came out as a moan.
"Shh, stay still." Reanna said softly. Harry could see the anger at Vernon
burning in her eyes, and the worry for him along with it. "You'll be all
right."
Suddenly Harry made a small whimper of fear and pain as a loud bang echoed
through the room. Reanna jumped as well, but tried to soothe the now
trembling Harry. Vernon had pulled the trigger, but obviously missed.
Reanna stood up protectively next to him, and whoever was with her pushed
her back. He heard a growl and realized that Snuffles must be with them.
"You monster!" Reanna snarled. Her voice rose as she talked. "You absolute
monster! How dare you?"
"How dare I what?" Vernon asked, a sneer in his voice.
"Reanna, quiet!" Harry heard Remus whisper this hurriedly.
"No, get out of my way!" Reanna screamed. "How dare you beat him! God, do
you know how much fear you've made him live in? Do you know how much pain
you've caused him? Every person that raised their voice, every person that
even approaches him he jumps away from. You don't even care, I know you do
not! No, you just wanted to get a high of this. You never thought about
anybody else but yourself! Well fuck you! Between you and your fat, whale
of a son I'm surprised that Harry is even still alive! The only reason he
never told anyone was because you managed to convince him that no one
cared, and that if he told someone he would wind up dead for no reason!
You've made his life a living nightmare! God help to keep my temper or I
will kill you! You monster!" Her breath was heavy and the whole room was
still. Her voice got soft and dangerous. "Now, get out of my sight before
I kill you." Harry heard Vernon make a strange noise, drop the gun, and run
out of the room. There was a stunned silence.
Reanna was already kneeling back beside Harry. She reared when Remus
approached. "Get away!" She hissed.
"Why did you bring me here if you did not need my help?" Remus asked
softly. "I know you trust me because you told me something you had never
told anyone."
"But, he's frightened easily after Vernon does this, please." Reanna
begged.
"Don't worry, I won't frighten him." Remus said gently. Doubtfully, Reanna
moved out of the way, ready to jump back in if Remus did anything.
"Snuffles, transform please." Remus directed.
"What?" Reanna asked.
"You know how you said Snuffles was not a real animal?" Remus asked, Reanna
must have nodded, "Well, he's not." There was a gasp of surprise.
Harry was lying still as this was going on, knowing that Reanna would keep
him safe. He gasped in pain and fear as new hands gently checked him over.
"You're hurting him!" Reanna said indignantly. "He does not even know you!
He won't trust you."
"Trust me, Reanna." A new voice said. Harry immediately relaxed as he
heard it. "Harry, can you hear me?" The voice asked gently, brushing the
hair out of his face.
Harry stirred slightly, trying to get up, but every movement hurt him, and
he moaned softly in pain. Reanna gasped and he heard her trying to come
forward. Remus was most likely holding her back.
"Sirius." Harry heard himself moan softly. It was his godfather, Sirius
Black. He opened his eyes slightly and saw a man with light blue eyes,
full of concern, and shoulder length black hair. Last time Harry had seen
him, his hair had been unwashed and his robes had been filthy. Now they
both looked better. He closed his eyes, in too much pain to keep them
open.
"Shh. It's okay; you're going to be okay now." Sirius soothed. Harry felt
him softly bring his hand behind close to his back, but as soon as his hand
touched it, a searing pain went through him. He yanked away, and whimpered
softly.
"Stop it! Please stop it!" Reanna cried.
Sirius ignored her and gently tried again. He rubbed Harry's back
soothingly as he tried to pick him up, lessening the pain slightly. Harry
managed to stay quiet despite the agony. Sirius gently picked him up and
kept him in his arms.
"Please, he needs medical help." He heard Reanna's voice.
"Shush Reanna." Remus said quietly. "We'll take care of things, why don't
you go home and we'll keep you updated?" Harry was sure she made a face.
"What home?" She asked bitterly.
Harry wanted to say something. He wanted to tell her to tell, since she
had told about him. There was help for him, now she needed help. Seeming
to read his thoughts, Remus spoke.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"Nothing." She muttered. "Just."
"Why don't you and I call your folks and ask if it is all right for you to
come with us?" Remus said.
"You need to get Harry to a." Reanna started.
"Sirius will take care of him." Remus said gently. "Sirius, why don't you
go by floo powder to my house and we'll be there in a minute."
"Right." Sirius said. "Reanna, go wherever the phone is, Remus will be
there in a second." Harry heard her footsteps hurry off.
Remus blasted out the fireplace and the crackling of a fire could be heard.
There was the usual sound of floo powder being thrown into the flames, and
Harry felt a warm tickling sensation.
"The Iron Gate Den!" Sirius said.
Harry felt the sickening twirling of the fire, but as he was held closer to
his godfather he felt safer. Knowing he was in Sirius' arms, he let the
blackness take him over.