Chapter Text
Four figures flash before his eyes. Four people had died one way or another for him. Four people he wished he'd had more time with.
"Don't miss the corners, boy." He flinched at the loud shrill voice of his aunt.
"Yes, Aunt Petunia." He said and froze as his voice came out high-pitched.
The brush in his hands shakes as he takes in his tiny hands wrapped around it. How had this happened? Last thing he remembers he'd been looking into eyes lit by firelight and now he was looking at the tile floor of his aunt and uncle's kitchen.
"Hurry up boy."
He started scrubbing, body moving on autopilot with the familiar work. He pushed it all to the back of his mind, right now he needed to make this floor spotless. He glared at the mark on the floor, he needed to make it go away.
He blinked and the mark was gone. Shit. He looks around the room and lets out a breath as no one is in the room with him. They hadn’t seen him do that.
He remembered doing accidental magic a few times as a kid but how many times had he done it without realising it?
Looking down at the floor he almost felt pleased when it almost seemed to sparkle. It has been hard work with such a weak body but satisfying for something to have been completed.
"Move freak."
He felt the impact with the kitchen cupboard as he registered Dudley's presence. He fell to the floor and could only watch as Dudley's muddy feet stomped across the kitchen floor.
He had to bite his lip to keep from crying out as his body curled up protectively. They may only be weeks apart but at this age, Dudley weighed twice him.
Dudley let out a laugh as he stood menacingly over him.
"It's almost your birthday, right? You enjoy scrubbing your floor, maybe I'll mess up the floors just for you on your big day."
The kick to his side was expected and he lets out a cry as he focuses on the words. If he's guessing right it was nearing his fifth birthday. Aunt Petunia taught him how to scrub the floor just before Dudley's birthday so that everything would be perfect for the day.
He doesn't dare glare at Dudley's instead he glares at the mud on the floor. He had hoped to have a short break before making lunch.
His heart jumps as he feels the magic and before he can fight it down the mud is gone and the floor looks spotless again.
Fuck, that is all he can think. Something must show in his expression as Dudley turns away from him and looks across the kitchen. It takes long enough that he hopes Dudley won't work it out, and then his cousin screams.
"MUM, HARRY'S DOING YOU KNOW WHAT!"
The heels across the floor have him flinching back.
Aunt Petunia doesn't stop to ask what's going on, the look on her face has him freezing. His cheek stings with the slap she delivers.
"Get to your cupboard now."
His feet slip as he scurries out of the room, pulling the door closed as quickly as he can. His heart is beating too fast and he can't get enough air. He knows his uncle will come later and it will be worse.
He's not sure how long he's been out when the shout wakes him. The chill that goes down his spine makes him curl up. No, not this again.
The bolt to his cupboard slides free and his uncle's furious face shows as the door swings open.