Off and Fear
After Malfoy and Pettigrew’s exit James and Lily were left with their thoughts. Lily seemed to still be in a state of shock, James’ brain seemed to be moving miles a minute. Pettigrew looked easily twenty years older than the last time he saw him, Malfoy looked maybe fifteen or so years older, but the cane. That was definitely new, and came with the metal hand. James knew that the rat didn’t have that before. He was deep in thought when Lily spoke.
“James, what are we going to do?” she whispered
“We’re going to fight our way out. Find Remus and Sirius and kill that rat.” he spat venomously.
“James, we’re not going to kill him. I want to see him rot in Azkaban, I want him to be absolutely miserable.” she glowered.
“Alright Lils, that’s what we’re going to do…” he trailed off into a comfortable silence. Eventually, after a few hours, they fell asleep.
~~~~
Harry Potter of Number 4 Privet Drive awoke feeling off. Well off isn’t a good explanation of what was going on, but it was as close as he could get. His scar was prickling and he felt a pull. Nothing like he felt before, not like when Voldemort resurrected or when he faced him in first year. A pull almost kin to the one he felt when he cast his first Patronus. Off. He woke without any nightmares or rude relatives banging on his door. He saw Hedwig still hadn't come back from her nightly hunt, granted it was still fairly dark out. It was right before dawn, the sun had already graced Surrey with its presence, but it still wasn’t day yet. Harry guessed it was around 6:45-7:00 am. He couldn’t tell for sure without a clock, which he didn’t have.
His relatives wouldn’t be up for another few hours so Harry decided to use this time to finish some homework, he was supposed to get picked up by the Weasleys sometime soon, when, well he didn’t know that. All he knew was that school was starting again in a month and he usually spends the last three or so weeks with the Weasleys. Honestly, he couldn’t wait. He desperately missed his friends, even though it seemed they didn’t care too much about him. He hadn’t heard from them all summer. Actually, that’s an exaggeration; he writes and they write back, but always short and bluntly. Never talking about where they went that summer or what they did. Just simple pleasantries.
Harry was starting to get pissed just by thinking about it. After everything they went through together, just for them to completely disregard him when he needed them most. It was horrible, even Sirius was cryptic in his messages. Did he really deserve to be treated like this? Sure, he thought that for years, but after going to Hogwarts he thought he found people who really cared, that's what they said at least.
Looking back out his window he noticed the sun had risen and the world was wide awake. He must’ve missed the sunrise in his small meltdown. He decided it was about time to get up and start making breakfast, he pulled on his oversized jeans and makeshift belt made out of shoelaces, slipped on his slippers and made his way down the stairs. When he finally reached the bottom he turned the corner walking into the kitchen. Looking at the clock he realized his timing was perfect, it read 9:27 am, the Dursley’s would be awake around 9:30 and be down for breakfast by 9:45. Harry went to the fridge, grabbed some eggs, English muffins, and some slices of “gluten free, low cholesterol, non-gmo” bacon. In Harry’s opinion Dudley’s diet was utterly pointless, Dudley didn’t even follow the damn thing when he wasn’t home. Harry figured it was another ploy to make him miserable, but he couldn’t prove that.
He got the coffee pot started and set the table while the bacon cooked and muffins toasted. He waited till after the rest was finished before he started the eggs, cold eggs were truly disgusted. Eventually the Dursley’s made their way to the table, making mundane morning conversations with each other while Harry finished. He set out the eggs, bacon, and muffins for them before taking his small plate he made for himself upstairs.
After about an hour the Dursleys grabbed their belongings and left the house. Harry made his way downstairs and noticed they left Dudley behind. Harry gave Dudley a small nod before looking at the list of chores left for him. He saw about seven items on the list so he decided to start as soon as possible. It was going to be a hot day and he didn’t want to be outside for longer than he needed to.
After about five long hours of work Harry decided to make lunch for him and Dudley, who was still in the house. He made some quick tea sandwiches, with normal ingredients. Dudley didn’t follow the diet anyway so might as well make something filling so Harry didn’t have to starve. After the sandwiches were made Harry called up to Dudley.
“Dudley, lunch is ready! I left it in the fridge whenever you want it, just eat it before-” he couldn’t finish before Dudley came running down the stairs.
“Thanks freak!” He said back, with a hint of appreciation in his voice, which seemed misplaced but Harry didn’t question it.
Harry nodded in return and headed out to the park, he sat on the swing set for hours before Dudley and his gang came to bother him.
“Picking on kids again, are we Big D?” Harry asked
“Well these ones deserved it.” Dudley responded.
“I don’t think anyone deserves to smell your sweat, Dudikins,” Harry replied sassily.
“Well at least I’m not afraid of my own pillow! ‘Mum help me he’s going to kill me!’ ‘Cedric no don’t leave me!’ Where’s your mum Potter? Isn’t she dead? Who’s Cedric? He your boyfriend?” Dudley taunted
“You take that back right now!” Harry roared, pulling out his wand and pointing it at Dudley’s throat.
“Y-y-you can’t use that outside of s-s-s-school” Dudley stuttered.
“Make one more comment about my mother I won’t hesitate” Harry threatened as the sky suddenly darkened. Everything around them seemed to freeze instantly. Harry felt the smallest bit of happiness he received seeing his cousin shake in fear leave his body. His blood froze, knowing well exactly what was going on.
“W-w-what are you doing?” Dudley asked terrified.
“It’s not me! Go run! Run fast and don’t look back!” When no one seemed to follow his directions he got even angrier and frantic, “I SAID RUN!” he bellowed. That seemed to be enough luckily. Dudley and he started to bolt to their front door, he felt a little hope seeing their house enter their line of vision. Dudley seemed to be losing speed fast and Harry knew he wasn’t going to last long.
“Dudley you keep going, I am going to hold the Dementors off. Get inside and stay inside, someone from my school should be by soon. Let them and only them in! Got it?” Dudley stood frozen for a second, “Dudley do you understand or not?!” at that Dudley’s head started to nod frantically before he turned around on spot and dashed to their front door. Harry watched him leave his field of vision before turning around to the Dementors.
He raised his wand and thought of the happiest memory he could before yelling “EXPECTO PATRONUM!” a blindingly blue-white stag erupted from his wand and chased away the Dementors. The Patronus only lasted for a few seconds before another pair of dementors snuck up behind him. He felt a horrid feeling wash over him before he turned around casting the protection again.
Soon he was surrounded by a dozen of dementors, he casted about three more patronesses before the overwhelming fear took over. He was overpowered and couldn’t keep up anymore, his vision started to black around the edges and his knees gave way. As he fell to the ground he saw another bright blue figure dancing through the cloud of black, he recognized the blue to be a Patronus and it looked like a wolf, but wasn’t positive it was. Harry hoped it was though, that meant Remus had come to help him. Before Harry could process that another figure was walking towards him he succumbed to the dark and promptly passed out.