Hey guys! This is my first story, so I would appreciate feedback and where I can improve! Hope you guys enjoy it!

Prison. There was no other way to describe it. Living with the Dursleys was an actual prison. The only difference was that he committed no crime. As a child, Harry had quickly learned he could not trust his relatives to stay true to their word. He could, however, trust the nice lady next door, Arabella Figg. He knew life wasn't fair, that was the way it was, and he couldn't do anything about it. By the age of six, he had the weary eyes and tired mind of a 45-year old.

When it came to the Dursleys, he had it down to a science by the age of seven. Do not speak unless spoken to. Wake at 4 am. Cook breakfast for three by 8. Immediately go back to his cupboard. Do not steal food or water. Eat his given meal of a few bread crusts and water. At exactly 9 am, go outside and tend to the garden. Finish it by 11 am. At 11:05, go inside and clean every room in the house.

At 12:30, cook lunch for three, and immediately go back to cleaning. At 4 pm, set out the afternoon tea. Go into the cupboard and await his call. At 6:30, when his uncle called him, go down and cook dinner for the three of them and whatever number of guests they were having over and retreat to the cupboard.

When the Dursleys finished their dinner, he would patiently wait for his uncle to call him for his nightly beating. Don't make a sound, don't resist, and don't be late, or it would be much worse. After his uncle had finished, quickly run to the cupboard and sleep until the next day when it started all over again.\

Unfortunate as it was, it was his life. He supposed he had it better off than the people who lived in the streets. He was never a fussy one, even as a baby, and seemed to understand everything going on around him. He could talk and walk by the age of two and started reading by the age of three. Reading was his passion. He loved it.

It took him into a wholly different universe, one where there were no Dursleys, with fantastic beasts and magical creatures. With witches and wizards, goblins, and trolls. It was his escape from the world, for a time. Of course, he never went to school, as his uncle put it, 'freaks don't go to school.' He learned nevertheless, teaching himself using Dudley's old schoolbooks and books. He had gotten quite proficient at it and could keep a conversation with a grown adult by the time he was five. Of course, he had never been allowed to keep a conversation with anyone, save Mrs. Figg, and she was a tad bit batty.

He knew better than anyone what went on in Number 4, Privet Drive, no matter what his relatives tried to hide. But for now, he had laid on his bed awake for hours as he did on many nights, wishing he could just delve into one of his books, escaping that house forever. He never knew just how close to reality that would soon be.

Life was about to get even more interesting for Harry James Potter.

Hey again! I hope you liked it! Remember to R&R! I'll try to post the next chapter tomorrow. Bye guys!