CH 103

While the three had finished their dinner, they were still sitting together at the table. The candle was still burning away and, because it was a magical candle, hadn't dripped wax or burned down very much at all.

Harry started to speak about his childhood with what he knew to be the truth about what happened on the night of that horrid Halloween. He knew Hermione knew the truth, but didn't know if Daphne did.

He then spoke about the disappearance of an entire day before Dumbledore, in company of Hagrid and Professor McGonagall, left him in a basket on the stoop of Number 4. Then he described what he remembered of his early childhood, including how he was treated, before jumping forward to more recent times.

He talked about the various beatings he suffered under the hands and fists of his uncle and cousin; the use of a strap, how he had to do all the chores around the house, and described what the average day was like for each of his years of age. And, how all he ever wanted for the first few years, was for them to show him the barest smidge of care.

He told how he didn't even know his name until he started school; and how he immediately got in trouble for not responding when called, and then for lying when he said he didn't know what his name was. He spoke about being very good at school work, but then copping a severe beating for bringing home marks better than Dudley.

He described how he learned to do very well but fudged everything so he'd receive poor marks. And how he had to force himself to learn how to be a poor student; lest he forget, one time, and receive better marks than his cousin.

"We'll get you over that, Harry," Hermione softly promised. "You were a good student once, and you will be again."

With a nod of recognition, he continued. He spoke about getting his letter in his hands for only a few moments - enough to read his name and address on the envelope - before it was snatched out of his hands by his cousin. Then spoke about the ongoing battle for the next week and a bit his uncle had trying to stop the letters getting through.

He spoke about the trip to the coast and the boat ride out to the hut on the rock. And then, at midnight, Hagrid coming and knocking on the door, knocking so hard he knocked it down.

He spoke of the next twenty four hours of taking the boat and Hagrid showing him magic. Of his introduction to the wizarding world at the Leaky Cauldron and the fear of being swamped by people wanting to shake his hand and touch him. Of his trip through Diagon Alley before Hagrid dropped him off at the train station, and he had to find his own way home.

He spoke of how, when he arrived home, his uncle immediately locked his new school trunk full of his things in the cupboard under the stairs, and how he had a bedroom for the first time in his life - even though it was still referred to as Dudley's spare bedroom.

And, finally, he told about how his uncle laughed when he told him he needed to go to platform 9¾ and just tossed him, Hedwig and his trunk onto the footpath outside the station. And his then meeting with the Weasleys.

"You're never going back there, Harry," said Daphne firmly. "Unless it's in the company of us and we're there to wreak unholy vengeance on them!" she snarled at the end. Hermione firmly grunted in agreement.

Harry just nodded and continued. "So, Dumbledore's machinations were already running full steam ahead, at this point. I don't know how he managed to get Hagrid to not tell me how to get onto the platform. And maybe he was innocent of that. But, John had to tell me how Missus Weasley managed to grab me at Kings Cross and introduce me to Ron and Ginny. Missus Weasley was walking around saying 'What was the platform again, dear? Nine and three quarters? Look at all these muggles!' And that sort of thing.

"Unbeknownst to me at the time, Missus Weasley had been, herself, to Hogwarts; then had more recently sent her other children over the past ten years. John calculated that Missus Weasley had to have been to the platform over one hundred times before that day. And here she was running around as if she had no real clue as to where she's going the day I turn up? Ha!"

"It's not your fault, Harry," soothed Hermione. "You were tricked by an adult, you didn't know the history of the Weasley family, and you were only eleven years old and scared."

"I know," replied Harry. "However, it should have become apparent to me not long afterwards; if I'd stopped to think about it. It's just so bloody obvious.

"Anyway," he went on to say. "Even though it's a Friday night, it's getting late."

Turning to look at Hermione, he said, "I think we can have another talk like this soon. And we'll cover things like the horcrux hunt and the lead up to the final battle for Daphne."

When the other two agreed, all three rose and made ready for bed. Harry turned the wireless off on the way past. Unnoticed by the three, the table and chairs disappeared; with the room being set back to rights.

When they woke the next morning, Daphne asked, "You know we won't be able to get out of here at Christmas, right?"

"Yeah, I remember," sighed Harry.

"Well, we need to get you new clothing, and I want to get you into Saint Mungo's to see about your eyes," she continued. "I think we need to ask about getting a day out of the castle for a visit to Diagon Alley on a Saturday."

With a sigh, Harry explained, "Dumbledore will never go for me being able to get away from the castle; unless it's a Hogsmeade weekend. And, even then, he's only going to allow me to go to Hogsmeade."

"I'll ask my parents," she countered. "My mother should be able to 'escort' us to Diagon Alley for the day. And we'll only ask Professor Flitwick for permission, not Dumbledore, as we've already been doing."

Hermione cut in and said, "Set it up. I know 'Mister Broody-pants' here doesn't think it'll happen, but I do. We can make a day of it. Get Harry's eyes fixed and then take him shopping."

Daphne pulled out parchment, ink and quill and wrote a quick letter to her mother asking her if she'd be available to collect them early the next Saturday morning for a trip to Saint Mungo's and a shopping trip to Diagon Alley.

After breakfast, the three then caught up on all their assignments. And then the two girls worked hard with Harry to get his Ancient Runes skills up.

"We intend for you to get through both the third and fourth year Runes syllabus so that you can join us for fifth year, OWL year," explained Hermione. "It shouldn't be that difficult because we'll be putting in twice as much effort."

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