Chapter 1
Harry Potter was only two years old when, though a series of events he learned the first rules he needed to survive.
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I hadn't gone to sleep the night before, not really, I just heard screaming and a crash and saw a flash of green light. Tossing and turning to try and find a position that didn't hurt the dark spot too much wasn't helping. I got up that morning to Aunt 'Tunia hitting the door "Get up Boy." She unlocked the door and I heard her foot steps walking away.
I rush to climb out of bed, my face scrunching up when the dark spot on my knee hits the bed frame. I finally open the door after multiple attempts to reach the knob.
Walking out I see Aunt 'Tunia in the kitchen and she calls me to her. "You're going to help me cook this week. Next week you'll be on your own so pay close attention Freak," She snapped, spitting my name like it burned. "Now get over here and cook the sausages. I don't have all day Boy,"
I ran to her stumbling ever so slightly "yes Aun 'Tunia." After putting the sausages in the pan, I run to get a step up, "Aun 'Tunia?"
"What?!" I shrunk at her angry face.
"What should I set the stove to?"
"Turn it to 375°" (190° Cel) her words were clipped. Instead of responding I just turned on the stove.
I should have known not to keep talking.
"I had a dream last night, there was this flash of green light and then I woke up. What do you think it was?" I tried to start a conversation but Aunt 'Tunia just pales. I didn't see the hand until it was too late and I was on the floor. I knew I'd have another dark spot by the end of the day, my cheek was already red.
Rule 1. Don't ask questions.
Later I learned just how bad I was that day, I got a whipping from Uncle Vernon for not listening to Aunt 'Tunia when she told me to work in the garden.
"I didn't hear her! Promise!" I screamed, Uncle just hit harder.
"KEEP YOUR VOICE DOWN YOU WORTHLESS FREAK, UNLESS YOU WANT TO WAKE UP OUR NEIGHBORS! IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT?! HUH?! TO BE A BURDEN ON EVEN MORE PEOPLE?!" I felt his spit on my bare back as I shook my head whimpering as tears burned my face "THEN SHUT UP!" He struck my back again and again even as warm blood started to flow.
Rule 2. Stay quiet
I quickly learned that most days while Uncle was at work and Aunt 'Tunia took Dudley to the park I could clean the house and make sure the yard looked nice, then I could hide in my cupboard. I wouldn't have to come out till I had to make dinner! Some days I didn't even get a punishment!
Rule 3. Keep your head down
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Harry learned the next set of rules when he was five.
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Dudley didn't get a playdate with Piers, he screamed and whined and threw a fit. Aunt Petunia set up a sleep over. I didn't get any dinner, so I screamed and whined and threw a fit. I got a thrashing and a week locked in my cupboard.
Rule 4. Not everyone is equal.
When I went to school I ended up telling a teacher about why I had a bruise on my cheek. ...she didn't believe me. She called Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon to her office, they denied everything I said and she sent me home for lying to a teacher.
The moment we got inside and the door was closed Uncle's hand was around my throat. He choked me until I fell unconscious.
When I woke I was in the shed. That was the first time I had a shed punishment. I wasn't allowed back to school.
I learned two rules that day.
Rule 5. Don't tell
Rule 6. Nobody cares about a Freak.
I burnt the bacon that day. Uncle Vernon said it was only fair he burned me. He used his cigar he relit it every time it went out.
A week later I got distracted with the eggs and burned the bacon again. He held my hand to the hot pan, said that cause I did it again I clearly didn't learn the first time so I needed a harsher punishment.
Rule 7. Don't make the same mistake twice.
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