Chapter 1
Harry woke up with a gasp. Sitting up quickly, he looked around his room frantically. His heart was racing as he surveyed the dark corners, but as usual he was alone. Sighing he looked over at the cracked clock hanging on the wall and laid back down. It was only 6am so he still had an hour before he had to get up. Taking a deep breath he closed his eyes and tried to calm down. Almost every night, for as long as he could remember he would have the same dream.
In it he would be dressed in only a small black cloth held up around his waist by a golden rope as he played by a river of fire with another young boy. The boy was dressed much the same as him, only his cloth was a deep purple. They were both laughing as they ran around and Harry felt a strong connection to the boy.
Further down the river, a couple stood watching over them. The man was tall with messy waves of black hair reaching past his shoulders. He was wearing a dark purple tunic with a black cloth draped over his left shoulder and wrapping around the rest of his body, leaving his right arm free. The woman had long curls that slowly melted from dark brown into blonde. She had on what seemed to be a long dark red tunic dress which was belted at the waist with a gold chain and pinned at the shoulders with golden brooches. Harry felt the same strong connection to them and knew instinctively that they were his family.
Suddenly, dogs began to howl in the distance. A chill ran down his spine and he was filled with a sense of dread. Grabbing the other boy’s hand they started running towards the two adults. Just as they’re about to reach them, there’s a loud scream and he’s blinded by a flash of bright white light before he wakes up.
Only this time it was different. This time, instead of the scream, he heard the woman’s voice calling out to him. “My Melanthios. The time has come. You must find your brother and return to us.”
Harry groaned as he rolled over and opened his eyes. He had long ago come to accept that this wasn’t just a normal dream. This was the first time he had ever heard any of them speak though. He knew it must mean something important but he had no clue how he was supposed to do it.
“Melanthios…” he muttered, why had the name sounded so familiar when she called him that? Was his name not actually Harry? And how was he supposed to find a brother no one knew about? And even if he did, how was he supposed to find her? He had so many questions and zero answers.
Looking up at the clock again it was now 6:30. He needed to start getting dressed before Petunia came to let him out. Getting up he walked over to his wash area, which was basically just a little table in the corner of the room. On it was a bucket of water, a cup, a bottle of soap, a toothbrush and toothpaste paste. There was also a rack where he hung his washcloth.
Grabbing the cup he poured a bit of water into it before sitting it aside. Then he grabbed his cloth and dipped it into the bucket to wet it before adding a bit of soap and washing up. The water had been cold so he quickly got dressed in some of Dudley’s old hand me downs, an oversized T-shirt and a pair of baggy pants that were much too big for him. Once dressed he brushed his teeth and used the water from his cup to rinse his mouth out. Putting on his taped up glasses, he folded his blanket and sat down on the edge of his mattress to wait.
Harry had been living with his relatives for the last seven years. When he was three, he had been dropped off at their doorstep with only a letter and no real memory of his life before that moment.
His aunt Petunia and uncle Vernon had always told him that his parents died in a car crash and that he was the only one that survived. When he asked about a brother or mentioned his dreams they would get upset and yell at him to stop making things up.
They constantly told him that they had taken him into their home as good Christians to raise along with their own son, Dudley. That it was done out of the kindness of their hearts and that he should be grateful. And for awhile this seemed to be true.
The Dursleys were very religious people. They were strict in their beliefs and their need for normalcy. Anything else was unacceptable and was not to be tolerated in their home least the church or neighbors find out and judge them for it.
But unfortunately for them, Harry was special, different. Unique if you will. He could do things that normal people shouldn’t be able to do. Mostly it was little things that the Dursleys could just ignore. Like his hair growing back overnight after a bad haircut or his cuts and bruises healing within minutes. Even his ability to seemingly disappear into the shadows and reappear somewhere else moments later.
When he was younger he had learned early on that it was best to try and stay under their radar. That asking questions and not following directions were the quickest ways to get punished. His aunt was a fan of locking him away without food while his uncle was quick to grab his belt. And his cousin saw him as nothing more than a mobile punching bag.
Most of the time it wasn’t so bad. He could handle a few smacks and skipping some meals. Plus they always made sure to remind him of how lucky he was that they took him in instead of kicking him out on the streets.
But that was before everything changed. Before the daily reform beatings. Before they put bars on his windows or multiple locks on his door. Before they realized just how abnormal and freakish he really was. That was when he began wondering if maybe he wasn’t so lucky that they took him in. That maybe he was actually better off on the streets after all.
~~~FLASHBACK~~~
It was Dudley’s 11th birthday and his aunt and uncle had decided to go to the zoo after church to celebrate. Harry was allowed to go but was of course threatened with a beating if he embarrassed them with anything weird. At first things were going fine. He had even gotten to have some ice cream that Dudley didn’t like. He should have known things were going too good to last.
After lunch they went to the reptile room. Dudley had been excited to see the python but became obnoxious when it wouldn’t move. “I think it’s asleep” Harry said as he looked at the curled snake in the corner.
Dudley ignored him and continued to bang on the tank “move!” he yelled at it.
“Now now Dudley, it says no tapping the glass.” Petunia called “Why don’t you come over here and look at all these colorful frogs!”
Dudley groaned but moved over to her side leaving Harry alone in front of the tank. “Sorry about him” he whispered as he looked at the snake. “You must get that a lot”
Suddenly the snake opened its eyes and slowly raised its head to look at Harry before nodding.
Harry stared at it in shock before looking around quickly to make sure his relatives weren’t paying him any attention. He really didn’t want another beating. His head was still tender from this morning when he had accidentally burned Dudley’s birthday bacon.
Thankfully they were too busy trying to explain to Dudley why he couldn’t have one of the poisonous frogs as a pet.
Harry turned back to the snake and smiled. “I bet it’s annoying” again the snake nodded. “Do you have family?” The snake shook its head and used its tail to point towards the info sign: Bred in captivity.
“Oh… it must be lonely” Harry could relate to the feeling while living with the Dursleys.
Before he could ask the python any more questions there was a loud shout. Dudley had lost interest in the frogs and noticed Harry.
“MOM! DAD! YOU WONT BELIEVE WHAT THIS SNAKE IS DOING!”
Startled, Harry wasn’t able to move out of the way fast enough as Dudley ran over. He shoved Harry hard, knocking him onto the concrete floor where he hit his head.
Next thing he knew his aunt was screaming in horror. Slightly dazed he looked up and gasped at what he saw. The python had fully uncoiled itself and was slithering out onto the floor. The glass had seemed to vanish. Harry sat up quickly and stared at the snake.
“Thankssssss” it hissed as it slid past him towards the exit, stopping briefly to snap playfully at the heels of a few people, including Dudley. “Umm… you’re welcome?” Harry said unsurely as he stood up.
On the way back home Harry’s fate was sealed. Dudley had calmed down enough to remember that Harry had been by the snake before it got free. “Harry was talking to it Dad! Right before the glass vanished” he pointed out happily. Harry gulped as he noticed his uncle grip the stirring wheel tightly.
As soon as they walked into the house his uncle grabbed him by his hair and slammed him into the wall. “I warned you boy!” He yelled as he pulled Harry along behind him. “After all we’ve done for you this is how you repay us? Flaunting your freakishness out in public!”
He threw Harry onto the floor and took off his belt. “This is the last straw. Talking to snakes is a sign of the devil and I’ll not have a devil worshiper under my roof!” He yelled.
Harry bit his tongue to stop his cries from spilling out as the belt lashed across his back repeatedly. He had expected this. It was his own fault really. He should have paid more attention to those around him. All he could do now was apologize and wait until his uncle was satisfied. “I’m sorry uncle Vernon. I’m sorry. I promise I’ll try harder to be normal.”
Harry sighed in relief when his uncle finally left, slamming and locking the door behind him. He slowly made his way to his mattress and laid down. That had been the worst beating he’d ever received. Thankfully the wounds would heal by tomorrow so he didn’t worry too much.
As he laid there in pain, his mind went back to the snake. Had he really talked to it and set it free? Harry wasn’t dumb. He knew he had some weird abilities but none of them happened on purpose. He had no idea how to control them or why he even had them.
The very next day his uncle installed the bars on his windows and added extra locks on his door. His aunt then informed him that he’d no longer be allowed free range in the house. He’d only be let out during the day for chores. She also told him that once school started they would be sending him away to a reform school.
~~~Flashback End~~~
The sound of the locks on his door being opened pulled Harry from his thoughts. It was finally 7am.
“Good morning aunt Petunia” he said as he stood and picked up his bucket to dump and refill for tomorrow.
She looked at him with a frown before greeting him back. “There’s bread and cheese for you in the kitchen. Eat quickly then get started on your chores for the day. The list is by the stove” she told him before quickly walking away.
Harry made his way to the kitchen and ate his breakfast while he read over his chore list for the day.
1. Cook breakfast and make coffee
2. Wash the dishes
3. Clean the counters
4. Sort the mail
5. Do they laundry
6. Vacuum and mop the floors
7. Do the dusting
8. Clean the bathroom
9. Take out the trash
10. Wash the windows
11. Wash the car
12. Weed the garden/trim the hedges
13. Cut the grass
Once Harry finished eating he immediately started cooking. Since it was Saturday he knew they would be expecting a full English breakfast. By the time his uncle came downstairs the table was set and he had just finished the dishes. As he wiped down the counters he greeted his uncle.
Vernon grunted at him as he sat down. “Where’s my coffee, boy?” He grumbled. Harry grabbed the coffee pot and poured some into his uncle’s cup. “Here you go”
He quickly finished wiping the counters and turned to head out of the kitchen. “I’ll go grab the mail and the paper for you”
In his rush down the hall he nearly bumped into Dudley who shoved him into the wall. “Watch it freak” he spat as he headed into the kitchen.
Rubbing his shoulder, Harry continued to the front door and gathered up the mail. As he was sorting through it he froze. There was a letter addressed to him.
Mr Harrison J Potter
Smallest bedroom. 1st floor
#4 Privet Dr
Little Whinging, London
Harry had never gotten a letter before and this one looked important. It even had a waxed seal. His hands were shaking as he tried to think of who could have written to him.
“Hurry up Boy! What’s taking so long?!”
Harry jumped and quickly shoved the letter into his pocket. Grabbing the morning paper he headed back to the kitchen. He’d have to read the letter later, once he was back to his room. Something told him that if he showed it to his relatives he’d never get it back.
“Sorry uncle Vernon, here you go” he said as he handed over the rest of the mail and the paper. Vernon looked at him suspiciously but was quickly distracted by a postcard from his sister.
Once he was distracted, Harry hurried to go start on the laundry. The sooner he finished all his chores the sooner he’d be left alone and able to read his letter.
It was already noon by the time Harry had finished cleaning the bathrooms. His aunt was kind enough to remember to give him lunch so after he finished his sandwich he took out the trash and began his outside chores.
After he finished washing the car he headed over to the shed to get the gardening supplies. He was weeding the garden when he heard a soft hissing voice. He stopped and listened as he looked around. He couldn’t make out what it was saying but it seemed to be coming from the side of the house by the rose bushes. Curious he went closer to investigate.
“Hello? Is someone there?” He called out softly.
As soon as he spoke the sound stopped. He sat and waited to see if he would hear it again. After almost a full minute of silence he was about to just write it off as a trick of the wind when suddenly a snake slithered from between the bushes.
It was black with iridescent scales that seemed to shift colors. It looked as long as his forearm and probably just as thick. Harry had never seen a snake like it before but he thought it was beautiful.
“Masssster, I’ve found you” the snake hissed.
Harry stared at it in confusion. Master? He wasn’t anyone’s master.
“Umm no… But I can help you find them if you want”
The snake slithered closer to him. “No you are my master” it hissed before flicking its tongue out. “I can smell it.”
Harry was beyond confused as he watched the snake wind itself up his arm. It stared into his eyes before nodding its head and hissing the words that brought his thoughts to a halt.
“You’re my Melanthios”
***
Finding Kallisto in the garden was the best thing to ever happen to him. He finally had a friend and she had promised to never leave him. She explained that he had disappeared before they could fully complete their bond and that she had only been able to feel him faintly until that morning. Which is when she had been sent to find him.
Once they had fully bonded she was able to help him control his abilities and access her own. She was apparently a chameleon snake and could change her form and venom to any variety of snake she chose.
She also confirmed that his dreams were actually memories. He really did have a brother and she would help him find him.
“Are you sure this will work Kalli?” Harry asked the snake currently coiled around his bicep.
“Yesss, it will be easy for us to escape this way. Just relax and focus” she gently bumped her head against his chin.
It turned out that the mystery letter was from a school. But not the reform school his aunt had mentioned. It was a school to teach him magic and they wanted him to attend. Kalli had agreed that he should go there because he might find his brother. He just had to escape from the Dursleys first since they’d never let him go.
That’s why for the last few days he had been practicing what she called shadow walking. They had decided it was the best way to escape. Honestly Kalli had just wanted to kill them but Harry had convinced her not to. The plan was to shadow walk to the kitchen and steal the money his aunt had hidden away. He would use that to get to London and from there they’d figure the rest out.
Taking a deep breath he closed his eyes and called the shadows to him like Kalli had instructed.
“Good. Now picture where you want to go and will yourself there” she hissed into his ear.
He did as she said and when he opened his eyes he had to stop himself from giggling with glee. He had done it. He was in the kitchen! He quickly retrieved the money from its hiding place and packed some food for his trip. Once he had everything he slipped out of the back door and made his way down the street.
“See! I knew you could do it. My sweet Melanthios” Kalli hissed, nudging her snout against his cheek, her own form of a kiss.
Harry smiled and gently pet her head. Since he found her she had taken to mostly calling him Melanthios. Whenever she did he would feel a warmth in his chest. She said that was because it was his name and he was inclined to believe her.
They had made it a fair distance from Privet Drive and the streets were completely empty. When they made the plan to leave they hadn’t really taken into consideration how long they’d have to wait for the Dursleys to all be asleep. He hoped they would get to the bus station soon.
They were about to cross the street when he looked down at the watch he had nicked off the counter. “I hope the buses are still running” he murmured. “It’s pretty late… almost midnight” he told her as he stepped off the curb and proceeded to trip over his shoelace.
BANG!
Harry jumped and covered his head before looking up. What he saw in front of him was a large purple triple decker bus. The door opened and out stepped a tall lanky teen.
“Welcome to the Knight Bus, transportation for your stranded witch or wizard. I'll be your conductor for the evening, Stanley Shunpike” he read the greeting off the tiny card before looking down at Harry and frowning. “Whatcha doing on the ground?”
“I fell over” Harry mumbled in embarrassment as he stroked Kalli to calm her down. When the bang sounded she had wrapped herself around his chest and shifted her form to a chaincoil to protect him.
“It’s ok Kalli, I think he can help us” he whispered to her as he stood up.
He noticed that Stan looked at him a bit weirdly but ignored it. “This is a bus for wizards?” He asked just to make sure. The teen nodded and Harry smiled.
“I need to get my stuff for school. For Hogwarts. Is there a place where I can get everything I would need?”
Stan nodded. “Diagon Alley. Best way to get there is through the Leaky Cauldron in London.”
“And you can take us there?!?” Harry asked in excitement.
“Yup, now come on kid let’s not waste time.” Harry climbed onto the bus behind him and was shocked to see that instead of seats there were beds. “That’ll be eleven sickles” Stan said holding out his hand.
Harry stared at him confused. What was a sickle? “Umm I’m sorry I only have pounds…” he pulled out some of the money he had taken from his aunt.
“That’s fine” Stan said as he punched in some buttons on the register. “It’s £3.19” Harry paid him and put the rest of the money away. “You’ll want to get that exchanged for wizard money at Gringotts before you do your shopping” he told him before yelling to the driver “Take it away Ernie!”
The bus sped off and not 5 minutes later they were stopping in front of a tiny grubby looking pub. “The Leaky Cauldron.” Stan said as he got off. “Tell the bar man you need a room. You can go shopping in the alley tomorrow.” Harry nodded and waved goodbye as the bus sped off again.
“This is it Kalli” he said as he opened the door and walked inside. It was dark and a bit shabby but he made his way to the bar as Stan had directed him. There was a short bald man behind it cleaning some glasses.
“Hi um I need a room for the night. I’m going school shopping in the alley tomorrow” he told the man.
The bar man stared at him for a moment before mumbling something about muggles. “Sure kid. I can put you in a room for the night and tomorrow I’ll show you how to get into the alley. Name’s Tom by the way.” He walked from behind the bar to another part of the pub and handed Harry a key. “2nd floor room 205.”
Thanking the man, Harry gave him 30 pounds and went up to the room. He looked around before placing Kallisto on a pillow. “We did it Kalli! We actually did it!” He laughed as he collapsed on the bed beside her. He was finally free of the Dursleys. He could be his own person.
“Yes, and tomorrow will be a busy day. So now you must sleep. It’s late and you need your rest” she told him as she moved to rest her head on his chest. “Good night Master Melanthios”
“Good night Kalli” he whispered as he closed his eyes. She was right. Tomorrow would be busy but he’d be ready for it.