Beaten and Discovered
A loud shrill yell flows through the small closet door, “Freak! Get out here! You get out here now! Our breakfast won't cook itself!”
Quickly throwing the small blanket off me, I rush to push the door open. Mrs.Dursley stands impatient in the kitchen, looking down her nose as she taps her fingers against the counter. “Here! Now!” She points a finger in front of herself.
My eyes never leave the floo as I step into the kitchen, my hands twist in my shirt as I shift on my feet. Mrs.Dursley towers over my small frame, “Yes, ma’am?” I gulp a breath of air.
Her downturned mouth grimaces, “Finish our breakfast! You should know that! Don’t speak! Freaks don’t get to speak!”
I hurriedly move around her and finish the started breakfast. I lay a plate in front of Mr and Mrs dursley, Dudley is at his friends house. As I lay the glass plate of eggs, toast, bacon, sausage, and beans, the plate makes a clank as the side of the plate hits a fork. Mr.Dursley’s face puffs out as it grows red, “Boy! How dare you!” He bellows.
What? I look down at his plate and horror creeps onto my face, his plate lays on the table but… his newspaper lays under his plate, an article is covered in grease. Mr.Dursley’s face becomes more red, his brows furrowed as his mouth stays open yelling as spit flies with each sentence, his arms flail as he talks.
My heartbeat grows rapidly and my breathing is short and ragged, “I'm so sorry Mr.Dursley! I didn’t mean too!” I almost yell, tears quietly well in my eyes.
Mr.Dursley’s hand grips my shoulder as he yanks me closer, “Boy! You are getting punished for your insolent behaviour!” He spits, seeming to be in though. An evil grin spreads across his face, “You know what? Petunia was right this morning. Freaks don’t get to talk!” He pauses to glance at Mrs.Dursley, who is looking at the scene indifferently.
A chill runs up my spine as horror holds my head close, my hands only shake and a squeak leaves my throat. My feet move before I could think, trying to back away from the threat. Mr.Dursley’s strong grip holds me in place but he notices the slight tug coming from me as he faces me once again.
“Trying to run away? You know what? You should be grateful for us! We decided to keep you instead of tossing you to the streets to struggle! Well… We’ll change that attitude now Freak!” Mr.Dursley drags my limp body into the kitchen as my arms flail in a final attempt to break away. I’m really going to die! He’s gonna kill me this time, my thoughts run rampant.
Mr.Dursley stops and his grin etches into his face as he ponders what he’ll do to me. He glances over the kitchen at his options before his eyes land on the knife block. A shadow goes over his face as he walks up to the knife block and pulls out a long carving knife and trudges back to my violently shaking body. My body goes numb as my mind clouds, Oh no! My mind seems to drift away as Mr.Dursley looms over me.
Mr.Dursley’s chubby fingers raise me from the ground by the neck, I stop fighting back as my body hands in the air. His grips holds me in the air as pain shoots from my head to my toes, air coming in short chunks.
“Now you won’t forget you’re a freak who doesn’t deserve to speak! Your parents left you here for your perfect brother! You’re just a spare freak who they didn’t need!” He shouts.
He loosens his grip on my neck, having me fall to the floor. My throat burns as coughs wreck from my throat as I try to gasp for air. Mr.Dursley holds the knife above me, it gleams in the light of the kitchen. Mr.Dursley lowers the knife to my side, searing pain stabs into my side as Mr.Dursley begins to carve into my side.
“Now you'll never forget your place,” he mutters.
My body refuses to move as Mr.Dursley digs the knife into me, tears flow down my face. I lay against the cool tiles of the kitchen floor as blood blood as my side, Mr.Dursley’s laughs echoes in my mind as I slowly begin to drift out of consciousness. One thought runs through my mind as my eyes close, Why would my parents leave me here?
I held Manasa close that night as she flicked her tongue at my various wounds trying to help. She was unable to fully heal me as the extent of my injuries were too severe, but I feel warm just at the thought of her trying to help me.
A few years later:
I haven’t spoken a word since the incident, Freak stays carved into my side as a scar. I only talk to Manasa in quiet whispers of the dark, small closet. They stopped sending me to school when I was 9, I was getting too many good grades and it made Dudley upset. Now they’ll throw me the books Dudley either won’t read or refuses too. I used to love school. Learning was fun. Though the teacher got angry when I refused to talk and after a while they just ignored me.
I’ve learned that I have a twin brother and my parents left me here so they can focus on my brother. They didn’t need a spare.
My sides ache and my bones hurt with every wince, I find myself drifting in thoughts I've often had. I want the Dursley’s to truly understand revenge. I want that whale of a person wither and writhe in pain as he does to me. I want to watch him suffer every moment until his life dies a painful and deserving death. Then his banshee of a wife, I want to watch her a I torture her precious Dudley, stuffing his face until he pops. Then burning her alive with the same grease she burns me with. I want them all to disappear as I burn their bodies to ash with this miserable house.
Mrs.Dursley continuously bangs on the door, screeching at me to wake-up. I pull my loosely hanging clothes tighter to myself, beginning to drag my body out from the small corner on the hallway. Before I can open the door, Dudley’s heavy body jumps on the stairs above me making dust rain down. I step out to move through the door only to be roughly shoved back in by Dudley’s thunderous frame.
Dudley’s birthday presents lay in the living room as he yells over them. His whines about the amount of presents are heard throughout the house as I finish their breakfast on autopilot. Dudley is only calmed down once he’s promised a new present from the zoo when we go later. I only want one present, why must he complain?
Mr. Dursley’s finger hardly pushes into my chest probably leaving a bruise, “You try any funny business, boy. And there will be no meals for a week. He pauses to step closer to lean his menacing figure over me, “then I will beat you until there is nothing left of you but to listen, you understand?” He spits.
I vigorously nod my head in response, it seems to satisfy him enough for him to turn away and push his heavy body into his car. I follow and silently slid into the side door next to Dudley. Dudley endlessly chatters through the car ride as Mrs.Dursley nods along to his chitters.
We enter the reptile building as cool air hangs through the aisles, a chill runs up my spine. Though not in fear… in excitement, for some reason I feel most comfortable in this chilly room.
We move through the start of the building as a group until they begin to forget I was with them and I effortlessly slip away from them. I wander aimlessly looking at each little animal in their case. A large class case catches my eye, I slink over and am met with a large snake laying over a rock in a huge enclosure. Dudley seems to have spotted him too. He thumps over and watches the snake for a second before exclaiming his boredom and leaving. I stay staring at the snake's beautiful scales, my tongue can almost his calmness, Weird.
Suddenly, his head rises from the rock and locks onto me. I stare into his eyes and tilt my head, my long black hair moving as I do. He follows with a tilt in his head as well. My teeth show in a large grin I gain, he seems satisfied with me. Then I hear it, a small hissing of words.
“A little snake, huh? You are an adorable hatchling.” The snake flicks out his tongue.
I haven’t smiled in a long time, my mouth stretches uncomfortably but my smile stays. I like this snake. I raise an eyebrow at the snake, “hatchling?” I whisper.
The snake nods his head, “yes, you are a small hatchling,” he pauses to flick out his tongue at me from behind the glass. “My senses are dull from behind this glass but I can smell your mother on you.”
I freeze, Mother? What do they– wait… A warm feeling spreads through my chest, Manasa. “Yes, she loves me very much. What is your name?” I whisper again, my voice isn’t used to talking so much.
The snake smiles, “Little hatchling, you are so cute! The handlers call me Odysseus.”
My smile stretches more across my face, tightening as my cheeks are pulled. “I know that story! That’s a great name!” I exclaim in a horse voice, louder than I intended.
Odysseus’s eyes seem to watch me in worry. “You are nice to talk to little hatchling, it’s very boring here.”
My stretched smile becomes smaller but still prominent, I open my mouth to continue talking with Odysseus but am interrupted by a loud yell. I instinctively flinch at the yelling but quickly regain composure. Dudley rushes to the enclosure and shoves me out the way, my arm lands roughly on the floor with a thud. Pain tingles in my shoulder no doubt leaving a bruise. Dudley is now happily yelling over the now moving snake, my eyes bare into his back. Anger courses through my veins, a fire sparks in my heart as I grit my teeth in scowl. Dudley pushes up against the glass as his hands hold himself steady.
One minute Dudley’s hot breath is fogging up the glass, the next minute… the glass is gone! Dudley falls through a now open space, landing in a puddle meant for a snake. As Dudley yelps, Odysseus slithers through the new opening onto the cold tile of the building floor. Odysseus stops in front of me for a second, sending a quick wink “Thanks, little hatchling.” Teh he slithers out the building leaving behind the chaos.
Dudley’s screams attract Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, as they run to their son. I watch as Dudley splashes in the shallow puddle, his brown hair sticks against his forehead held down by water. Mr. Dursley yanks Dudley out of the enclosure quickly as Mrs. Dursley screams and pulls her son closer to her in a hug. I want to howl in laughter but I hold it in as giggles bubble in my chest. Something deep in me is enjoying seeing him in pain, he deserves it.
Mr. Dursley looks around before his eyes land on me, I try to make myself look smaller in his gaze. I lay on the floor as the tile's coolness seeps through my clothes, inches away from the enclosure watching everything. His eyes burn with rage and his face grows red as he ushers Mrs.Dursley and Dudley away.
A blanket stays wrapped around Dudley as he shivers from the water soaked into his clothes. Mr. Dursley is continuously glancing in the rearview mirror as Mrs. Dursley never takes her eyes off her son. Once we get back to the house Mrs. Dursley is quick to grab Dudley and bring him inside, while Mr. Dursley and I are slower to get inside. I stay behind him taking quiet steps and trying not to get noticed. Once we pass the threshold of the house, Mr. Dursley slams the door shut and grabs a fistful of my hair. My head yanks to the side as he drags me further into the hall and I let him.
My body is thrown on the floor with a crack, something definitely just broke. I think as my arm hangs limp with pain throbbing in my shoulder as I curl into a ball and hold my head in my good arm. Mr. Dursley’s foot is mercilessly kicking into my stomach repeatedly. His burning voice echoes through the hall but I can only hear snippets of his grumbling as my body spasms in pain and blood drips down my forehead. After a few more kicks he grows tired and pulls my staggered body up from the floor.
“You can get yourself into that closet, if I come down here and you're still being pathetic, laying here I will break you,” he spits and leaves.
I listen until his footsteps disappear before I use one arm to prop myself up from the floor. My head sways as I grow dizzy, the door to my closet isn’t too far away. I groan as I grip the floor in front of me, nice and steady. We can do this. I slowly drag myself across the floor as the rest of my body stays un-helpful but soon enough I make it to my door. I open the small wooden door and finish dragging my body into the closet, the door shuts and locks itself. I curl up on the floor, my thin blanket drapes over me. My body is in so much pain I feel numb, tears flow down my face.
My unused throat lets out pitiful sobs as scales slide under my hand. Manasa travels up my body and makes herself comfortable in the crook of my neck.
“My little speaker..” She hisses in a voice full of worry, her tongue slid up my cheek licking away tears. “I will bite them, my venom will seep into their blood and they can choke on their own tongues, they will never hurt my hatchling again.” She hisses.
I debated, “No, then we would have nowhere to go and I don't think the streets would be any better than here. It’ll be fine for now, the future will hold their revenge and they will know pain as they’ve done to me.” I rant, “It’s okay Manasa,” I know it isn’t but she doesn’t need to know as I slide my hand over her head.
She rests her on my cheek as I keep my eyes closed, slowly falling asleep. “I met another snake today and let him free, you would like him. He called me "hatchling.” I whisper tiredly. “Night mom,” I mumble, not registering my words before falling asleep.
Manasa stills for a second, “Good night, my little son.”
Far away in the Hogwarts headmaster's office sits Albus Dumbledore with a letter in his hand. “So that little brat does have magic. What am I going to tell the potters?” He grumbles.
He grips the letter in his hand tightly, standing up quickly and rushing to the fireplace as it roars to life. Stepping into the floo, he yells in a clear voice, “ Potter Manor!”
As Dumbledore steps out from the fireplace, he is met with a group of Potters. James and Lily stand off to the side laughing, Dumbledore clears his throat to announce his presence. He stands tall with the letter gripped tightly in front of him. The laughter stops as every turns to see Dumbledore. He frowns, “Hello Potters, I’m afraid I come bearing bad news.”
The adults stiffen while the kids look around in confusion at the display. “Jamie, honey. Take your sister to her room and go play there. We’ll come and get you when we’re done talking.” Lily says as she ushers the kids away. Once the kids leave, everyone takes a seat on the various chairs in the room.
“What’s wrong Dumbledore?” James asks.
James is holding Lily’s hand as he takes in what Dumbledore has said. Lily is sobbing loudly while James holds her in shock.
“My— No, our son is…” He pulls Lily closer, “He has magic? You told us he doesn’t have magic. You told us he would only be safe with Lily’s muggle family?” James manages to choke out.
Dumbledore nods, “Yes, my boy. I am sorry but it seems his magic has returned and only discovered this when his name showed up in the book of names for new Hogwarts students.”
James jumps up from his spot on the couch, “You’re telling me! Our son! Who you said has no magic and wouldn’t be safe anywhere near the wizarding world!” He shoves his finger towards Dumbledore, “Could’ve been home— with us… this whole time!” He shouts and waves his arms.
Lily sobs harder, her shoulders shake as cries leave her, “I want to go get him! Right now! I want him home with us!” She yells.
Dumbledore shakes his head, “Mrs. Potter I am afraid it’s too late in the night to go now. Why not wait until morning and you can take Severus with you.”
James scoffs, “Snivellus? You want me to bring Snivellus with us… to get our son?”
Dumbledore nods, “Yes, you will need a Hogwarts teacher to assist you. And he and Mrs. Potter had been friends in the past… I only want to help correct this grave mistake that has been made.” Dumbledore pauses in thought, a twinkle returns to his eyes. “You can also bring Professor Mcgonagall with you, as I know you two favour the head of your house.”
Lily agrees quickly as does James. “Okay, I shall return to Hogwarts. Please let me know how it goes with the young Potter. Now get some rest, you’ll have an eventful day tomorrow.” Dumbledore urges as he leaves through the floo.
James sighs deeply as the night's news takes a toll on his mind, “Lily?
She sighs as she slightly lifts her head from James chest, her body strewn across their shared bed. “Yes, Hun?” She waivers as her nerves show in her voice.
“What if—” he pauses to take a deep breath, “What if he hates us?! I think we’ve made a terrible mistake!” James exclaims.
Lily pauses as a few stray tears fall down her face, “Then we’ll have to do our best to make it up to him. We have made a terrible mistake but all we can do now is do our best to fix it.”
The two potters lay in each other's embrace for the night as decisions plague their minds.