The best laid plans...

SUMMARY: The summer after Harry’s fourth year doesn’t quite go as planned. His parents aren’t who he thought they were, Snape’s acting human; Dumbledore’s a manipulative old coot, and what’s up with the Malfoy’s? N/C, creature, dark!powerful!harry, m/m, f/f.

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Harry had his stolen cd player on repeat again. He was scrunched up in his damn cupboard. His aunt and uncle had come in late the previous night to an atrocious smell in the kitchen and he of course was blamed. Their precious Duddykinds couldn’t possibly be guilty. Hence the cupboard. At least he had managed to hang onto his cd player all summer. Normally by now Dudley would have either stolen it back or destroyed it.

Harry’s uncle had been too tired to punish him properly the previous night and he knew it wouldn’t be pretty when his uncle got home from work that day. He had spent all day thinking and trying to prepare himself for the coming hell. Harry wondered if Dumbledore cared for him at all. He knew that Dumbledore cared about the welfare of his weapon, but Harry himself? Although Dumbledore didn’t know the extent of the abuse the Dursleys wrought upon Harry, he was aware of the cupboard and of the fact that they were starving him

Just at that moment, Harry heard the front door slam open and his uncle screaming for him.

“BOY! WHERE ARE YOU?!”

“In my cupboard Uncle Vernon”

The floor and walls shook as the beached whale stomped his way to the cupboard. Harry quickly shoved his cd player under the bare mattress and steeled himself for the confrontation ahead. Harry found himself shaking slightly as Vernon neared his cupboard.

“Please Uncle Vernon! I swear I didn’t leave my cupboard at all yesterday! How could I mess up the kitchen?!”

As soon as he opened his mouth, Harry knew he was in even bigger trouble. There was only one time he had permission to open his mouth it definitely wasn’t for talking. Harry flinched as Vernon bodily yanked him out of the cupboard and sneered down at him.

“What a crock!! What? You expect me to believe a freak like you couldn’t do something freaky to get out?!”

Harry’s arm was beginning to ache from the rough treatment but he dared not protest. God how he hated Vernon. Harry kept his mouth shut, however, and prayed Vernon wouldn’t kill or hurt him too badly. He was still in plenty of pain from the last time his uncle ‘disciplined’ him. Unfortunately his wish as not to be granted.

The first blow caught Harry unaware and he retched as his uncle’s fat foot connected with his abdomen. Luckily, there was nothing on his stomach to bring up. Harry cried out in pain as his uncle kicked him again and again.

“I should have killed you the first time you showed a hint of being a freak like your parents. Those people leave you here with us, they must not care if you live or die.”

Harry choked out a sob. “Please.”

“Please what boy? Please kill you? Please hit you again? PLEASE WHAT?!”

Harry sobbed quietly and tried to stay rolled up to protect his delicate internal organs.

“You never learn do you boy? Too fucking stupid to do anything. Probably why they leave you here. They’re hoping we can beat some sense into you.”

Harry knew Vernon was right. ‘If they cared about me at all they wouldn’t leave me here to be Uncle Vernon’s toy.”

“So fucking kill me then! If I’m so worthless, fucking kill me!”

Harry gasped as Vernon kicked him again, even harder if that was possible.

“Did I tell you to open your mouth boy?”

Harry just shook.

“I guess it’s time for another lesson then. You will learn respect boy even if it kills you. Stand up and strip boy.”

Harry did his best to make no sounds of pain as he dragged his abused body up off the floor. “Please don’t do this Uncle Vernon. It hurts!”

Vernon sneered at Harry. “Strip boy! Don’t make me tell you again. I want it to hurt. You deserve to hurt! It is your fault Dudley isn’t doing well at Smelting’s. It is your fault I wasn’t promoted! Everything is your fault, you fucking freak!”

Vernon stood over Harry for a moment trying to regain his breath. Harry had still yet to remove his clothing.

“Fine boy. I am perfectly willing to remove your clothing for you.”

Vernon’s meaty right hand shot out and connected with Harry’s head just as he tried to run. Harry screamed as Vernon ripped his too large trousers and pants off his rail thin body.

“Shut up boy! What have I told you about screaming?”

Vernon then used his freshly removed belt to hit Harry across the face. Harry continued to scream and try to back away from his now half-naked uncle. Vernon was unfortunately faster. Vernon ran his hand through the blood covering Harry’s face and body and coated himself with it.

“Happy fifteenth birthday boy. I hope you hate your present.”

Harry just continued to scream.