Tarnished

by Arishaa

Disclaimer: I do not own the concept and characters of Harry Potter. The only thing I do own is my bad spelling and grammar, and my messy desk. If someone wants to take responsibility for the latter, I would be very grateful. Warning: this story is AU; with a few changes to names and ages for some characters. This will not adhere strictly to cannon, if it did, what would be the point in writing it? Hope you enjoy!

Prologue

The first was born into a large family; one might say too large, and not exactly what you'd describe as normal. He grew up as the sixth child of seven; his five elder siblings all boys and his younger the only girl. His absent-minded father, the only bread-winner in the home, could be excused for missing so much of his children's lives (though they all felt loved by him, he was a rather distant concept for them); his mother might be forgiven for being disappointed in the birth of another son when she so desperately wanted a girl. The eldest son had just started school and barely ever met his young sibling; the second-eldest might have been bitter about caring for the child in place of his parents, had he been that sort, but he wasn't, and could be excused, perhaps, for forgetting the boy when he, too, went away to school and started living his own life. The third couldn't really understand the reasons behind the slight depression his mother suffered after the child's birth, and reacted typically by copying her behaviour in ignoring him. The fourth and fifth sons, twins, grew up almost without realizing he existed; until they discovered an unprotected target for the pranks they had dubbed "funny". The girl-child, born almost a year after and the apple of her mother's eye, wasn't really interested in her next-eldest sibling; after all, the elder three were more interesting, and the twins were more fun. Yes, they all might be excused, and forgiven. But it was cold comfort to Ronald Anius Weasley; who grew up unloved and uncared for.

The second was born to two very busy, boring, proper people, who were both dentists, and saw the unforeseen pregnancy as a hindrance to be overcome and handled. They hired a nanny and a cook and so their lives went on mostly uninterrupted by the arrival of their new daughter. The nanny was a squib who recognized the signs of a magical baby and was vastly unimpressed that a brat born to two muggles would be a part of a world she had been denied. The child's only solace was that of the exuberant cook, who, while admittedly a very loving man, also liked to partake in a little too much port than was strictly necessary or good for him, and could do little for a small child. She took to studying, in an effort to gain attention from her parents. While gaining the praise of her teachers however, this obtained her none of her parents affections and no friends. Still, she developed an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, and knew that when the time came, she would leave her unloving home as quickly as possible. And so, Hermione Madison Granger grew up neglected and friendless.

The third was born to two loving parents, and lived an almost idyllic life until he was the age of one and a half years, whereupon his parents were cruelly murdered, and their murderer subsequently defeated when he tried to implement his murdering ways upon the young child. Taken – for his own protection, of course – to his only living blood relative, and watched over by a squib who lived two streets away, the young boy settled into his new life. Of course, no-one could really blame the watcher for being away visiting family at the time the great upheaval in the young boy's life occurred, especially considering she really only resided on Wisteria Walk for a few months out of that particular year, anyway.

It was really not her fault she hadn't noticed when a new family moved into the house, or that she didn't notice for over a year and a half; although it took only the course of one afternoon for her to gain all the information in the matter. Her neighbors were very obliging – they couldn't believe she had missed something so scandalous – but it was important for everyone to know the full story, after all.

How the husband had been reported for child abuse by the school. How the wife had left with her son in shame. How the young nephew had been put into the child protection system, a really nice orphanage not too far away. How, when the husband had been released on bail, he'd gone to the orphanage in a drunken rage and tried to kill the child. How the child had run away from his uncle and the police had been unable to find him. Very sad; tragic really, they whispered in barely restrained glee.

After Arabella Figg had reported the situation, Albus Dumbledore attempted to find the child himself. When he couldn't, he decided to keep it quiet; it would be too dangerous if anyone – specifically, anyone who had supported the Dark Lord – found out that the child was so vulnerable; all he could do was hope the boy came to rest in a safe and loving home. In the meantime, his agents could continue searching for the child. And so, Harrison Chase Potter grew up abused and afraid.

END Prologue

A/N: Hope you enjoy this "what if?" story; in any case it is my first and constructive criticism is welcomed. I edited this myself, so if there are any blaring mistakes, I apologize. Note: Ron's middle name is pronounced An-eye-us. Ok?