Chapter 1

Harry James Potter never could figure out why his brother received all the praise and worship. It was as if he never mattered, and his brother who was younger than him by 15 minutes received everything under the son. While Harry was forced to sleep in a cupboard under the stairs at their aunt and uncle's house; Hadrian Potter had his own bedroom upstairs just across from their cousin's room and next door to their aunt and uncle's room.

While Harry never receieved any gifts on his birthday or holidays; Hadrian received just as many gifts as Dudley did, if not more at times. While Harry was forced to cook, clean, and perform tasks no 7 year old should; Hadrian was able to go outside and enjoy his time as a child. While Harry received daily beatens and unwanted touches from his uncle; Hadrian received love and care like no other would. Untouched, loved, and never forgotten.

Harry hated it. He hated his brother, and he hated this life. More often than not, Harry would stay awake late at night, thinking of ways to kill his brother. To take his brother's life, to kill his aunt and uncle in their sleep, to strangle Dudley with a piece of rope. Harry was always thinking, always planning. Planning for ways to be free.

However, Harry had never planned on this.

It was around 11 o'clock in the morning. Everyone at number 4 Privet Drive was gone for the day. Everyone except for Harry, of course. Vernon and Petunia had decided to take Hadrian and Dudley out for the day. You would think that they would have taken Harry as well. No, the young Potter was being forced to scrub the floors of the house because he had spoken out of turn at breakfast. This was a punishment he was used to. A punishment he knew was a lesser one than the usual.

If Vernon Dursley had gotten his way, Harry would have beaten and stuffed in the cupboard. Left there until next morning, or even until the day after next. However, they were in a rush to get to wherever they were taking Harry's brother and cousin, and so Harry was forced with the task of scrubbing every floor in the house before they returned home. Harry accepted this punishment, to scrub the floors was the lesser of the two evils. He was still healing from his last beating.

However, back to the story. It was on this particular evening. When Harry was scrubbing the floors, the sound of a pop caught his attention. He lifted his head from where he was scrubbing the kitchen floors, and he rose to his feet slowly. He made his way to the kitchen door, and he slowly pushed it open just about a quarter of the way, peeking out from behind the door.

There, in the Dursley's main hall, stood two men dressed in what appeared to be bathrobes. Harry's brows furrowed in confusion as he watched them closely, curious as to how two men in bathrobes had gotten into the house. And why?

One of the men had shoulder length greasy looking black hair which framed his face, cold black eyes, a large hooked nose, and sallow pale skin. His robes were black, and so large that he looked like an overgrown bat. Next to that man, stood a man who looked like one of the villains out of a bad movie. He had dark hair and bloodshot red eyes. His robes were black as well, but not as large as the other man's.

"Are you sure this is the place, Severus? It appears to be bare. No one is here," the man with the red eyes spoke, and Harry had to admit the sound of his voice sent shivers down the young boy's spine. His voice had a slight rasp to it, a darkness to it. It both terrified and intrigued the young 7 year old boy.

"I am positive, my Lord," the man, now coined Severus, spoke, "Albus let slip in an order meeting, that this is where the boy is."

"Quite a muggle home for a boy with the fame he has," the red eyed man hummed softly as he looked around. Harry froze when he saw the man's attention shifting towards the kitchen door. Harry quickly tried to slip back into the kitchen, but it was too late. He had been spotted, "Oi, boy, come out. I have seen you already."

Harry froze and he contemplated his chances at running. He could possibly make it to the back door before he was caught by the strange men. He had gotten a lot of practice running from Dudley and Hadrian. He could make it.

Before he could make up his mind, the door to the kitchen had opened. Harry looked up and was met by the startling red eyes. He froze as he slowly took a step back, his eyes widened as he looked at the man.

"Who are you, child?" the man questioned as he took a step towards Harry.

"M-my name is Harry...Harry Potter."

"The boy's brother, my lord," Severus chimed in, giving an explanation into who Harry was.

"Where is your brother, boy?" the red eyed man asked, his eyes narrowing.

"My aunt and uncle took him and my cousin out for the day. I was left behind to scrub the floors," Harry spoke quickly.

The red eyed man's eyes narrowed even more, and he turned his head to look at his companion, lifting an eyebrow. It appeared they were both thinking the same thing as Severus turned his attention to Harry once more, "They left a 6 year old alone, to scrub the floors."

"I am seven actually," Harry declared matter-of-factly, a sneer appearing on his face.

The red eyed man and Severus were both taken aback by the young boy's sudden burst of confidence. The red eyed man even cracked a small amused smirk at his words. It was silent between the trio for a moment as the man with the red eyes studied Harry closely. It took everything in Harry's being not to shift from one foot to the other in discomfort. He stood straight, with his head held high as the man with the red eyes.

As he studied Harry, the red eyed man noticed quite a lot. The boy was small, smaller than he should have been. It was obvious he was underfed, or rarely fed at all. He had visible bruises on his face, one on his cheek, and quite a large one under his eye. There were bruises littering his arms. The man was sure, if he had seen even more of the boy, there would be bruises littering his whole body.

This boy was abused, neglected, and forced to work as if he were some kind of slave. That infuriated the Dark Lord. He could be called a lot of things, but a child abuser was not one of them. He could never bring it within himself to hurt a child. Hadrian Potter could not count, as that child was meant to be his downfall. And even then, the Dark Lord has planned to make it short and painless.

"Harry," the man spoke as he slowly knelt down in front of Harry, "Does your aunt and uncle hurt you?"

"Not really my aunt, she just doesn't feed me a lot. She favors my brother and my cousin, Dudley over me. My uncle, he hits me and beats me. He says I am an abomination. A freak. But he loves my brother. It's very confusing," Harry frowned a bit, "But I don't care. I don't need them. Once I am old enough, I am leaving. I am going far away and I won't look back."

"What if I can take you now?" the man questioned, "You could come and live with me. Be a part of the world of magic."

"Magic doesn't exist," Harry frowned deeply as he looked at the man.

"Yes it does, I can show you," the Dark Lord, pulled his wand out of robes and he thought of a spell. He quickly pointed his wand towards the back door of the kitchen, "Bombarda," he gave a wave of his wand and he watched Harry as the boy's eyes widened in wonder as the door blasted open and broke into pieces.

"Woah," Harry mumbled under his breath, he turned to the Dark Lord, a look of glee in his eyes, "I could do that?"

"I believe so, yes. Your parents were wizards, and that should make you a wizard as well. If you come with me, I can take you in and teach you all the wonders of magic. You would go to Hogwarts when the time came, and I will take care of you as if you were my own."

"I would never have to see my brother or the Dursleys again?" the small child asked softly as he looked up at the Dark Lord, his doe-like green eyes wide with curiosity.

"Never again," the Dark Lord promised, "Will you come with me, Harry?"

Harry looked at the Dark Lord silent for a moment before he nodded his head, "I will come with you."

His words brought a small smile to the Dark Lord's face, and the Dark Lord took Harry's hand in his as he rose to his feet, "Excellent, let us be off then."

"Tom, what about the boy?" Severus questioned.

"The boy can wait. It is time to take Harry home," the Dark Lord bent down and lifted Harry up into his arms, "Close your eyes and hold on tight, Harry."

And with a lod pop, Harry felt himself being twisted and turned. He was leaving number 4 Privet Drive behind.