Harry was surprised by the man's actions as it showed how dedicated he was to his students. Handing over the piece of paper, Harry read the note with interest.
Professor Flittle,
If the freak is ill, then it's not our fault! We wanted nothing to do with him from the start! Let the cretin die for all we care!
We were promised that if we took him in, your lot would leave us alone. We do not appreciate you and your freakish owls being sent to our NORMAL home.
You forced him on us, that old man promised he would be normal if we worked him hard enough! He's your problem now!
Leave us alone in the future; we do not care what happens to the boy.
Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Dursley.
Harry couldn't help but be thankful for his relatives' stupidity. They had just gained him another potential ally.
Harry, making sure to turn in on himself, handed the letter back, before letting out a quiet sigh, "Oh."
"Now Harry, the abuse of a minor is a serious matter in our world. Magical children are to be cherished. This letter indicates that your home life is less than ideal," Flitwick said with concern.
Shuffling in his seat, as though uncomfortable, Harry spoke, "Well, my family… they don't like anything they consider abnormal, and magic is just that. They're muggles you see, and they hated it if I ever did accidental magic. They would treat me… worse. .. when it happened. They've always said that they didn't want me and that they were forced to take me in."
Flitwick swore in gobbledegook, much to Harry's hidden amusement. "Harry, I would like you to be honest with me: do they abuse you?" he asked softly.
Harry squirmed. "I wouldn't say that… they just…" Harry trailed off as though scared and confused.
"Have they ever hit you?" he asked.
Harry nodded softly and whispered, "Yes."
"What else, Harry…?" Flitwick asked, his rage hidden on his face but his eyes dark and stormy.
"They wouldn't feed me," Harry whispered.
"Is there anything else?" Flitwick asked almost fearfully. Harry could image the horrors that some teachers were forced to see and was suddenly glad that his abuse had only been physical.
"No," Harry said. "They would just beat me and lock me up without food sometimes."
Nodding, Flitwick let out a long breath. "Mr. Potter, thank you, I know that must have been very hard for you to admit," he said.
Harry sat silently, making sure to keep his head down, an idea forming in his mind.
"Who did they mean, professor? In the letter, I mean. They said 'that old man' forced them to take me," Harry asked.
Flitwick kept his face carefully blank. "I'm not sure, Harry. I have my suspicions, but I can't truthfully answer you." He was positive he knew, but he couldn't work out why. What did Dumbledore gain from forcing Harry on people who didn't want him? He couldn't imagine it was because of their family bond, as obviously Harry's family didn't feel it. Filius was confused and concerned as he ran through his list of thoughts.
"What's going to happen now?" Harry asked.
"Well Harry, I can't promise anything yet, but I promise you this: I will find out what has been going on," he vowed. He would have to make some subtle inquires to check and see if Albus was aware of Harry's home situation. He didn't want to believe that he knew, but he remembered the man talking about Harry growing up. He had said the boy was loved and cared for. What had changed?
Harry considered his head of house for a moment and weighed his words and actions against what he knew about the man from the past. Coming to a decision, Harry smiled lightly.
"Professor, if I told you something, would you keep it to secret? Even from, say, your boss or somebody?" Harry asked.
....
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