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Harry hated what he saw around, everything. He hated the people most of all; well, maybe not the individual and kids, but people in general. They caused nothing but pain, hurting each other.
The hate, or at least a general dislike, started when he was left with aunt and uncle, Petunia and Vernon Dursley, after his parents were shot by a mugger on their fifth anniversary. Three year old Harry had been at home with the nanny.
His aunt and uncle had seen him as a financial burden, after he had been placed with their family after spending a couple of weeks with foster parents. Although, Harry had to admit that what they thought was at least partly true; the Dursleys had little money to spend on an extra child. They had wanted give their son, Dudley, anything he could possibly ever want, then Harry came along. Now they had less to spend on him so that Harry was taken care off.
Things had been fine for Harry's first year with the Dursleys, they treated him and Dudley the same and Harry was friends with his cousin. The two four year old boys would play for hours, often getting good and muddy in the back yard. The Dursleys had accepted him into their family. Then Vernon was laid off from his job. The money became thin and the Dursleys once again began to see Harry as a burden, they felt their son was suffering in favor of Harry. Dudley himself didn't see what going on, but Harry did. Harry saw the looks his relatives began to direct at him, the way they started to treat him differently. He couldn't understand why, at the time; he was too young. But he knew it wasn't good.
At first, Harry would simply catch them glaring at him, from time to time, or look sadly at Dudley. Then, they seemed to forget about him, like they would sometimes call Dudley to dinner, but not him. At first he thought it was a mistake, then it became obvious even to him that something was wrong when the Dursleys bought ice cream for desert one night, something both him and Dudley loved, then gave none to him. Harry had asked if he could have any and they told him no; 'Ice cream is only for good boys' his aunt said. Harry had cried for the first time since his parents died. What did he do?! Was it because he got his clothes dirty again? But Dudley's clothes were even muddier than his. He couldn't figure out what he had done wrong.
He pleaded with Petunia, saying he would be good, but her reply only made him cry more. "There's nothing you can do Harry, you're a bad little boy, so you don't get any ice cream. Now go clean your room." She had said it nicely enough, but there were now tears streaming down Harry's face as went went to his room.
Things continued that way, until one afternoon, after playing with Dudley, he went upstairs to find his aunt packing all his things into a suitcase. Were they going on a trip? Harry got excited and went to go tell Dudley, but Petunia stopped him before he could. "Go out to the car, Harry. Vernon is waiting outside for you. I'll be down in a moment." He was puzzled, but he did as asked. Sure enough, his uncle was waiting in the driver seat. He started to get in the back seat, but his uncle motioned for him to get in the front. The front! He never got to sit in the front, they always said him and Dudley were both too young.
A few moments later Petunia came, carrying his bag with Dudley running behind her. "Where's Harry going, mommy?" He asked while jumping up and down.
"He's going to visit some family on his father's side, honey."
"Can I go, too?" The hyper little kid asked her.
"I'm sorry, but no, sweety. But I'm sure your father will pick up some ice cream for you on the way back." Dudley squealed at this.
//More family?// Harry mentally wondered, now more excited. But he wished Dudley could come too. He hoped he wouldn't be gone too long.
Petunia put the bag in the trunk while Harry got in the car. He waved to Dudley, who happily waved back, and Petunia until they were out of sight.
He sat in silence as his uncle drove for a few moments before turning to Vernon. "What are they like?" he asked happily. He had never met any of the rest of his family. Harry had never even thought about having more family until that day.
"Hm?" His uncle seemed to think for a moment. "Oh, they're nice people. They'll take care of you Harry."
"Take care of me?" Harry was puzzled. He didn't understand.
"Harry, I know you're young, but you know we've been having money trouble recently?" Vernon asked, keeping his eyes on the road.
"Yes, uncle Vernon."
"Well, Harry... we can't afford to keep you. We can't take care of both you and Dudley."
//Can't keep me?// Harry's young mind just barely grasped the subject. "You don't want me?" He felt tears beginning to form in his eyes.
"Harry, it's not that Petunia and I don't want you. It's just... Dudley, our son, is very important to us. We want to be able to take care him, give him nice clothes, food, games, have the money to send him to a good school when the time comes. You do understand school, right?"
Harry nodded, sniffing, wet eyes directed at the floor of the car.
"Well, those things cost money, lots of it."
"If I get a job, like you, will you keep me?" Harry asked.
"Don't be silly. A boy your age can't get a job, Harry. Now stop crying; you're going and that's that."
Harry wiped his face with the back of his hand. He hoped his new family would want him, but he didn't want to leave the Dursleys. They had been this family for the past two years.
"That's better, Harry." His uncle replied, seeing that harry had stopped crying. Vernon really felt guilty for want he was about to do, but he and Petunia had agreed; this was for the best. Harry would better taken care of as well.
Vernon finally stopped the car in front of a tall brick building. //I'm sorry, Harry.// "Here's your new home."
Harry looked out the window. He couldn't read the sign very well, but he was suddenly scared.
The sign read "New Madison Orphanage".