The Rules of the Game

Sorry that its taken so long for me to update but I've been crazy busy, but also made this really long in compensation
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Chapter 18


A kick to the gut lit up my body in pain and drew me from darkness, causing me to lose any contents that had been in my stomach. I felt disgusting, I could smell and feel the sweat, vomit and blood that surrounded me. There was a voice shouting, sounding unbelievably loud, echoing everywhere but I still couldn’t make out any words. My body felt like it was burring but I couldn’t stop shivering. I tried to open my eyes but the searing pain in my head convinced me to just remain still and try to sleep. After what seemed like forever of lying on the hard floor of my closet I finally fell back into blissful darkness.


********


When I woke again my body felt considerably better, but the smell was worse. A quick wave of my hand cleaned everything but the strain on my magic sent my head spinning and nearly knocked me back unconscious. I remained still until the spinning stopped, the dryness of my mouth making me wonder how long I had been unconscious. A memory flash of a kick and shouting voices made me momentarily afraid of what the Dursleys would do to me. I had expected this though, and I was willing to pay for the trouble I caused.


~Harry?~ A hiss asked from a dark corner.


~I’m fine… I think. But I should go check the damage with the family~ I told Persephone, giving her a reassuring stroke down the back.


Tentatively I reached out checking my cupboard and finding it surprisingly unlocked. I pushed it open and stepped out silently, hopeful that the silence that filled the house was a good sign.


When I reached the kitchen I saw that it was 2:00 in the afternoon, I also noticed that there was a build up of dirty dishes in the sink from their meals making me once more wonder how they survive with me gone during the school year; but besides that there was no sign that anyone was home. Glad to put off the inevitable confrontation I decided to clean the dishes and get started on my usual chores, hopeful that it would earn me some favor.


***


By the time I heard the car pull into the drive way and the loud voices of my only family I was busy scrubbing the kitchen floor. Vernon and Dudley automatically went to the living room to watch TV but Petunia came into the kitchen. She froze at the door when she noticed me and got a look on her face as if she had just smelled something horrid.


“Huh, so you’re not dead; pity. Well about time you got up anyway, you’ve been asleep for two days you lazy shit. Start on dinner. And don’t think you’ll be getting any after that stunt you pulled.” She called behind her as she walked back out of the kitchen to join her husband and son.


*****


By the end of the night I was exhausted. My back was almost completely stripped of flesh and because of the amount of magic my body had used the other night to counter the poison, I had none left to take away some of the pain let alone begin healing. But if I was going to stay on schedule and be totally immune to the poison by the end of the summer, I had to take it again. Lying curled up on my side in my cupboard I began the same preparations that I had the other night, carefully adding three drops to the water.


~You can’t ssseriousssly be doing that again!~


~I lived through three dropsss last time, I will again.~


~Barely! You barely lived through three dropsss last time. What do you have a death wisssh?~ Persephone paused for a second now taking seriously what she had flippantly asked. ~Harry… do you?~


My hand froze around the goblet, wondering the question myself. I was in so much pain, and not just physical, it would be simple to just take more poison than my body was ready to handle. Would anyone really care that I died? I’m sure they would be distraught over the-boy-who-lived dying, but what about me, just Harry? But I suppose the real question is would I let them kill me? Could I really give up and let them win the game?


~No. The painsss that you sssuffer in life, will only make you ssstronger.~


~But what isss poisssoning yourssself going to do?~


~ In the 1800’s there were a lot of people being killed through poisssoning; arsssenic being a favorite. It was an easssy way to get rid of sssomeone without a messsss or know who did it, and there weren’t any antidotesss at the time. That isss until a group of men in central Aussstria began consssuming arsssenic. Sssome did it jussst asss a general ssstimulant and tonic, but sssome did it asss a meansss to build up a tolerance againssst being poisssoned by their enemiesss. If I can sssucceed in thisss then in the end I’ll be sssafer. The fact that I’ve already sssurvived the firssst time meansss that my tolerance hasss greatly improved; ssso don’t worry.~ I muttered before gulping down the goblet again.


The pause before the pain was just like before; I wondered for a second if it hurt less than it had the first time, but as the pain grew I didn’t see how it could have been worse. A convulsion shook through my body and I curled up into a tighter ball as I continued to shake.


Come morning I was still awake. A cold sweat covered my aching body and I wasn’t sure if I would be able to move. Persephone was coiled by my head, hissing soothing words into my ear as she had all night.


A creak on the stairs brought my attention long enough away from the pain to know fear.


~Persssephone, hide!~ I hissed softly, and could hear the scrape of her scales along the floor as she hid in one of the shadowed corners. A moment later light was flooding the small cupboard, the outline of a thin lady blocking some of the light. I looked up at her through unfocused eyes, breathing heavily as tremors raked through my body.


“What?! You good for nothing freak, you’re sick again? Well stay away from us!” I couldn’t understand what she said, everything was so loud and bright, I just wanted to curl away from it. By her tone I knew she was upset, I just hoped she would give me some more time to rest.


The slam of the cupboard door answered that question for me and I gratefully relaxed again.


***


I woke up again mid-afternoon. The shivering sweats had stopped as well as most of the other symptoms, leaving only an ache throughout my body. I waited a few more minutes until I was feeling capable of walking and at least doing some of my chores, and then crawled out of my cupboard.


Things basically went like before. As long as I got my chores done it seemed as if they could careless, but I was worried that their patience would soon run out. But then something else happened that day, something that allowed me to feel happiness like I hadn’t in what seemed like forever. I was out working in the yard weeding when I heard a hoot. I figured it was Erebus and felt a little better knowing he was keeping an eye on me, but then two more hoots followed by one long one. I couldn’t believe it. Part of me didn’t think I would hear that sound at all this summer but there it was.


I had told Draco that I didn’t want my guardians to know when I got mail. So I gave him this list of things that he would have to do if he wanted to get a letter to me. Besides the owl staying hidden until I went to it, it wasn’t even supposed to hoot unless there was no car in the driveway; evidently Draco has a very intelligent bird.


Still cautious I set down my tools and casually headed over to the shade of the tree. I went behind the tree where neither the neighbors nor the Dursleys could see me and with an arm a held out whistled twice. I barely heard the whisper or wings before the eagle owl landed on my arm. I gritted my teeth, not against the heavy weight settling on my arm, but because of the wicked talons digging into my flesh, but I wanted that letter. When I got the initial pain under control I began stroking the beautiful bird.


“You did a great job. Thank you.” I whispered and watched him preen under the attention. Gracefully he held out his leg and using one hand I quickly got the letter loose. With my other arm I launched the bird back into the tree with Erebus and flipped the letter open, pleased to see the Malfoy seal on it.


Dear Harry,
I remembered how you said to send your letters, I just hope the owl does everything correctly. Anyway, you seem to have impressed my father some how. He’s been walking around with a pensive look, and randomly asking questions about you. But don’t worry, I haven’t told him about much, or about our secret dueling practice as you asked; though I’m sure he wouldn’t care and just be proud.


So far my summer’s great. I’ve been practicing constantly on our pitch so you better watch out. Plus uncle Sev comes over and I get to experiment on potions with him. We’re leaving in a week to go travel around France, but I’ll try to send you a few letters. Let me know how your summer’s going, can’t wait to see you.
Sincerely,
Draco


I leaned against the tree, closing my eyes and feeling pleased he thought of me, and yet some jealousy towards him. I shook my head sharply.


“You have no right to be jealous of him Harry. He’s better than you, practically a prince. And you’re just a freak whore.” A screech from above was the only answer to my mumblings and I glanced up to see Erebus with a fierce look in his eyes. I turned away from him, not ready to get in a fight with another of my familiars, and pulled out a needle, changing it to a pen and began to right.


Dear Draco,
Sorry I’m righting this on the back of your letter, but I wanted to get back to you right away. My summer has been interesting so far. My family’s treating me really nice and I’m getting a lot of reading in. I do wish I wasn’t living around muggles, I’d love to just be able to go flying, but I’m sure I’ll still be able to kick your as when school starts.


If you see any good books in France get them for me please, I’ll pay you back, and I already know French. I got to go, but I hope you have fun in France and that I hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Harry


Folding the letter back up I slipped it back into the envelope and after scratching out my name and writing ‘Draco’ whistled for the owl again. It landed gracefully, adding a new set of gouges to my arm and I quickly reattached the letter.


“Thank you again. And I’m sorry I have no treat, I’ll try to get something for next time… oh wait.” I said suddenly as the thought hit me. I lifted up the pen I had used and after concentrating it changed into a little mouse. The owl eyed it hungrily before shooting its head forward and grabbing the mouse before swallowing it whole. I could feel its pleasure through my empathic abilities, and was glad I could repay it in some way.


“I hope to see you again.” I whispered before throwing my arm up and launching the bird back into the air.


***


That had to have been the best day that I had that entire summer, that night I took three more drops of the poison and come morning I was feeling just mildly sick. Everything seemed relatively good, and then the phone rang.


I was dusting in the living room while my uncle answered it in the kitchen, and I could hear the shouting clearly from there.


“HELLO!? HELLO!? IS HARRY THERE?” After those first few words my body froze. A cold chill raced down my spine and every instinct told me to run. The shouting match between my uncle and Ron Weasley continued and all I could think was ‘how the hell did he get my number?’ and ‘I’m so dead.’ I knew that my uncle had been feeling more frustrated and angry lately. I knew he wanted to beat me and… do other things, he was just waiting for a good reason, and this was a very good one.


The slam of the phone back on the receiver snapped my thoughts out of their frantic racing and I turned to the kitchen door that was framing my very enraged uncle. Gently I set down the object I had been dusting and dropped to the floor onto my knees, head bowed.


“WHY would a little FREAK like you think it was OK to give OUR PHONE NUMBER to other FREAKS!?” He shouted at me, each word accented by him stomping closer and closer until he grabbed me by my collar and lifted me off the floor.


“I didn’t. I swear, I don’t know how he got my number.” I choked out, needing air, but not daring to grab at my uncles fingers.


“You think I’m going to believe a piece of SHIT like YOU!” He screamed throwing me to the floor causing my head to slam into the corner of the table. The pain in my head made me dizzy for a moment, I could feel the blood running down my face and into my eye but struggled to get to my feet; he got very angry if I just laid there. Before I could stand though a metal bar slammed down into my back knocking me back to the floor. The loud snap that had followed made me wonder if he had broken my spine but knew I could feel too much pain for that, so just a rib so far. Another blow and I bit my lip hard, the taste of blood filling my mouth as I tried not to scream. As he continued to beat me I turned my head to the side, oddly curious to see what he had managed to find that hurt so fucking much. Sight of the fire poker made me groan internally. Why we even had that when our fireplace was electrical I couldn’t understand, and was more annoyed about it now than ever. I’m not sure how many times he hit my back, ass and legs with the poker, I’m not even sure when it stopped, I had been trying to bear this pain that I knew I deserved, screaming in my head since I was too afraid to do so out loud. Slowly I realized that someone was talking and struggled to listen.


“… that’s not the problem Vernon, but I told you I don’t want any more blood on my carpet, take him down to the basement, that’s what it’s for!”


Petunia, once again worried about keeping her house clean. I know she will find someway to get me back for dirtying it up; sometimes she could be just as cruel as Vernon.


A meaty fist grabbed me by the back of my neck and began dragging my limp body across the floor and to basement.


Vernon wasted no time dragging me to one of the far walls with chains, making me face the wall and stretching my arms above my head, reminding my body of every ache in it and forcing me onto my toes. I rested my head against the cool stone, hoping for some relief before what I knew was coming but I new there would be no relief for a long time.


The first lash was unexpected causing me to let out a gasp of pain. After that I kept my mouth shut, worried about angering him more and yet knowing that I deserved this. The part of me that I let rule my decisions at school was furious with Weasley and already planning revenge against him, but that isn’t the way things were here, the rules were different.

A splash of my blood across the wall that I was gazing at brought my attention from thoughts of revenge. Each lash was biting into my back, now tearing away skin that had barely begun to heal. I could feel my body weakening, my legs shaking so hard in their attempt to hold me up but as another lash fell they gave away. The jerk and sudden full weight of my body on my arms made me worry about them being dislocated. Vernon had punished me long enough before to do just that, and as another and another lash fell I felt the strain of my muscles more and more.


Suddenly it all stopped, my ears picked up labored breathing and I was once again thankful that my uncle was so out of shape. I heard his feet shuffling towards me and then his heavy sweaty weight was pushing against my back, the sweat stinging my wounds and the pressure grinding my bones. I could feel his hard erection stabbing into me and with a quick tug on my too big trousers he was running his meaty fists over my body… or maybe his body; it has never belonged to me here.


Without any preparation or warning he slammed into me. The tearing pain was as painful as ever and I felt bile rise up in my throat but choked it back.


“Oh yes, always so good, always so tight.” He groaned in my ear, but I turned from his voice, trying to block everything out.


It didn’t take long, he’s always too aroused by my wounds, but when he was done he hung his weight on me snapping me from my detached state by the sharp pain. I swallowed the scream as I felt the muscles in my arms and shoulders tear and my left arm ripped from its socket. The continued weight was agonizing and I feared that if he didn’t get off soon the other arm would follow.


Vernon finally got off and surprisingly unchained me. My body collapsed instantly, my left arm useless but I was just amazed and annoyed I hadn’t blacked out yet.


A fat hand dug into my hair and dragged me towards the iron bed in the middle of the room. He threw me down on my back and my body spammed, jerking away from the bed and cause of my pain. A slap across the face knocked me back down but this time I stayed, gritting my teeth and trying to recede into my mind once more where the pain was so much less. I could distantly feel him tug my right arm above my head and lock it to the bed, evidently knowing my left arm was useless.


“Ya should have thought about this before giving your kind our number. But you’ll have time to think now.” He slurred before leaving the basement and plunging it into darkness.


***


I might like small spaces and being in my dark cupboard, but I hated this. There wasn’t a single beam of light so I had no idea of time, only Vernon coming down to either fuck me or beat me giving any clue. The worst was when he would bring a knife down. He enjoyed cutting my flesh and would do so until I passed out. I enjoy cutting myself but that’s about control, I had no control tied to a bed and hardly strong enough to move.


***


Finally the door opened once more and my body began to tense at the sight of my uncle.


“It’s time for you to get back to work freak.” He grunted as he released my wrist, and I had never been so grateful to hear those words. When he was done he left and I spent the next hour finding an interesting position to re-locate my arm and then tiredly worked my way upstairs to the bathroom. I only took as long as I dared while still getting all the grim off of me but that still took half an hour. When I was done, I used what energy I had regained chained to a bed to heal the injuries enough that I wouldn’t be bleeding all over the floor and then made my way to the kitchen to start on chores.


********


Thankfully it seemed that Vernon had sated his hunger for extreme pain for a while, allowing me to heal. It was five days before I believed myself well enough to start my experiment on poisons again but I stayed busy reading Salazar’s books every chance I had and yet often falling asleep dreaming about red eyes and someone stroking my hair.


It was almost three weeks since the day I had received my punishment when I was informed that Aunt Marge would be coming to visit. Besides being dismayed about her stupid dog coming, that would most likely try to bit me again, I was indifferent by this news. Aunt Marge was highly impressed with how her brother had raised me and left me for the most part alone.


This visit was no different. I just had to stay out of view and make sure the dog didn’t get a hold of me. I was tempted to show it why it should fear ‘me’, not the other way around; but then knew that everyone would see the dog acting differently and I would be punished.


On the last day of her visit, and reminding me strongly of Dudley, she claimed she needed some sweets for her trip tomorrow and so despite it being 10:00 I was sent down to the nearest gas station to get everything. I for the most part was just happy to be out of the house since I hadn’t had the chance the entire summer. On my way home with the numerous sweets I caught a flash of something off to my left. My body automatically dropped into the defensive stance I had learned so long ago and waited. There was a little whine from the bushes and cautiously a huge black dog stepped out.


It might have been far larger than Ripper but my empathy gift was picking up nothing but happiness and hope from the creature. It looked abused, ratty and hardly more than bones and yet the large beast reminded me of a myth I had read long ago.


“And what are you doing here Barghest?” I asked it jokingly.


The large dog looked at me before tilting its head to the side as if to say: ‘what did you call me?’


“What? You haven’t heard of the Barghest of York. The monstrous black dog who haunted Bouley Bay in Jersey? There’re tons of stories about you; you’re also known as the Demon of Tedworth, the Black Dog of Winchester and the Padfoot of Wakefield.”


At the last name the dog let out a bark and wagged its tale happily.


“Ah, so you’re not the Barghest of York but the Padfoot of Wakefield, how silly of me. Well, either way I shouldn’t be consorting with you, your supposed to be the Dog of Darkness, anyone who sees the dog clearly will die soon after the encounter.”


The dog gave a pitiful whine at that, coming close and nudging my hand.


“So you’re not foretelling my death?” I asked, scratching the dog on the head. “Well good, I have plans and it would be a pity if I died before things got interesting.”


The dog nudged the bag of food and I felt horribly guilty. I’m sorry, I really would like to give you something but if everything isn’t there they’ll kill me. The dog gave another pitiful whine but then relented and nudged me in the ribs. I gave a sharp hiss between my teeth, grabbing the side of my ribs and curling around them slightly in automatic defense.


The dog looked frantic suddenly and began whining like crazy but suddenly weary about touching me. I reached out and scratched it behind the ears, trying to calm it.


“Hey it’s alright; I just fell and bruised them a little. I’m such a klutz.” My hand paused in petting the dog, momentarily shocked. ‘Merlin, I’m so trained that I can’t even speak the truth to a dog!’ I thought surprised, but shook it off.


A combination of hoots caused me to look up just then and my lips attempted to smile as I saw Draco’s eagle owl swoop down to me again at my acknowledgment. I untied the letter from Draco, not even caring that the birds’ nails had pierced my flesh but the dog seemed to care and began growling at the bird.


“Hush Padfoot, I’m fine.” I told him distracted as I ran my hand over my name on the front. “You can go; I’ll send a response with Erebus.” I told the bird and after turning a needle into another mouse sent it off.


“I keep forgetting about that, I guess I can give you some food.” I told the dog before grabbing another needle. “Steak ok?” I questioned and the dog wagged its tail frantically. Suddenly the steak was in my hand and before I could even ask if he wanted it cooked it was out of my hand and he was tearing into it. I smirked, pleased that he liked it and opened the letter.


Harry,
You have got to do something more than just read. At least we got you interested in flying (if not exactly Quidditch) but that was like pulling teeth as it is. I think we need to find you a girlfriend… or a boyfriend if you want.


We’ll be third years now, just that much closer to ruling the school. I got you an awesome present while in France and don’t you dare think about trying to pay me back cause it made me remember that while you got me a present for my birthday last year I didn’t get one for you cause I don’t even know when yours is! Harry, what’s up with that? You’re just going to have to suffer through two presents now so ha! But anyway, I’ll be seeing you soon and you can have them then.
Yours,

Draco


I held the letter for a while longer just starring at it. I hadn’t even thought of that, but I don’t know when my birthday is. Why would anyone want to celebrate it anyway? ‘I’m just a freak’ I thought as I brought a hand to my cheek in memory.


flashback


A six year old Harry stood in the doorway to the living room. Gazing in wonder at all the presents laid out before the other far larger boy. Cautiously he stepped into the room, his heart beating wildly. He knew he wasn’t supposed to ask questions, it was a rule, but he couldn’t stop wondering. Gently he tapped his uncle on the arm, drawing the large man’s attention from watching his son unwrapping things.


“Sir… when is it my special day? When is it my birthday?” He asked cautiously, his entire body tense.


He had right to be, but the little boy still couldn’t move fast enough. A smack hit him across the face sending him crashing to the floor, the boy holding his small hand against his heated cheek.


“You’re a freak, a monster! And things like you aren’t celebrated. The only thing that is done on your birthday is that everyone curses the day that started your retched existence. No one will love you! No one will ever care because you are nothing more than trash that we should have had the decency to kill when we got you. But we were kind, we didn’t. We try and cure you from your wicked ways, we do everything for you but you don’t understand. You’re just an ungrateful freak and you need to remember your place.” The man growled, face now red with rage, and frantically the little boy scrambled out of the room to his cupboard, the one place he felt safe, the one place he belonged.


end flashback


I shook my head trying to get free of the memory and shaking from it at the same time. It was then that I had begun to understand how everything in this world truly works.


A whine drew my attention and I scratched the dog behind the ears once more. “I really must return but it was nice to meet you great Padfoot of Wakefield. And there’s an Italian restaurant down that way about three blocks that I’ve heard will give some scraps to a hungry dog if you want more.” The dog gave a happy bark and then cautiously came forward again and licked my hand in thanks.


Reluctantly I headed back to the house, but not my house, that place wasn’t my home.


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A/N: I know a lot of you want for Harry to be saved now and start kicking their asses, but there is a certain person that I want to save him and they’re not really in things yet. But I promise you will get your revenge. Also, all the poison and dog info was factual, and the picture of the Barghest of York that I found is almost identical to the one in JKR’s third book.


A/N: It was my birthday yesterday so PLEASE review as a present, it would be much appreciated.