Unconditional Love

It was raining. That was all Harry knew. It was raining. The only sound that reached Harry through the thick doors of the cupboard under the stairs was the pitter-pattering of rain. Half unconscious, Harry hummed a nonsensical tune to himself as he rocked, holding his swollen arm between his other arm and his torso. He wouldn't be going to school for the next week. Again.

Harry closed his eyes and rested his forehead against the rough surface of the wooden door. He was so hungry and in so much pain. His uncle had grown scared after hitting the small boy too hard and had thrown him into the cupboard without giving him his meagre dinner first. Whilst being hit was nothing new to Harry, getting hit that hard and so many times was new. Harry sighed softly and continued to hum the tune.

I wish, he thought finally, with all the will he possessed. I wish was away from here. I wish I was away from here and with someone who would love me.

Harry's scar tingled as the boy finally fell asleep.

~~*~~

Lily laughed and hugged her boyfriend tightly. James grinned and swung an arm around her shoulders.

"We finally did it Moony! We survived seven years of McGonagall breathing down our backs!" Sirius shouted happily, clapping Remus on the shoulder, sending the smaller man flying head first into the grass. The small group burst into laughter as Remus pushed himself off the ground and scowled at Sirius. Without warning, the werewolf launched himself at the man and the two tumbled to the ground in a tangle of arms and legs. Peter rolled his eyes, but a smile tugged at his lips.

"Geoff me!" Sirius mumbled around a mouthful of Remus's robes. Lily tsked and pulled Remus off Sirius.

"Really," she scolded lightly, although everybody could tell she was amused. "You call yourselves men."

Remus lifted his head and tried to look as dignified as possible, which, was pretty hard considering that pieces of grass was poking out at odd angles from his hair. The other men snickered quietly as the amber eyed man flushed slightly.

"Come on," Lily ordered, before Sirius could start again. "The ceremony's about to start."

With that, the group of five trudged towards the Quidditch pitch, ready for their graduating ceremony.

~~*~~

Harry stirred and opened his eyes blearily. Funny, Harry didn't remember that there were boxes in the cupboard. Eyes widening, the black haired boy took in his surroundings. It was his cupboard, and it wasn't. This didn't make sense. Looking around in wide eyed horror, the boy reached frantically for the door. It swung open. Harry stared. His door was always locked. Crawling out into the house, Harry gawked around him. This was the Dursley's house, but it was filled with pictures of two girls and a man and a woman. One of the girls was red haired and green eyed and the other was blond and brown eyed. The man in the picture was blond and the woman was red haired. This was obviously a family.

Harry's hand shook as he reached for the picture on the mantle of the fireplace; Harry traced the red haired girl with his finger. Her eyes were exactly the colour of his eyes and Harry felt as if he knew her from somewhere.

Hearing the front door open, Harry quickly placed the picture where it was and fled back to the safety of his cupboard. Closing the door just as the footsteps reached the staircase, Harry calmed his breathing. Peeking through the slits, Harry saw the family in the picture walk around. The father and the mother seem to be crying and laughing at once.

"We'll miss you Lily," the man said proudly. The woman only sniffed and hugged the red haired girl tighter.

Lily laughed and patted her mother on the back.

"You make it sound as if I'm not coming back. I'll visit every fortnight or so," she said cheerfully, but Harry could see the tears in her eyes. The red haired woman sniffed again, but smiled brightly.

"Oh, you've made us so proud Lily," she said and Lily beamed happily. Harry noticed that the other daughter was hanging in the background, scowling at the scene. Harry felt a sudden connection with her. He understood what the other girl was going through. He was always in the background and not loved as much as Dudley (if he was loved at all).

The throbbing pain brought Harry's attention back to his injured wrist. Looking at the swollen limb, Harry bit his lip to avoid crying out in pain. He didn't understand where he was, or why he was here, but the last thing he needed was to be caught in a house that was obviously not the Durley's.

Scampering back into the dark corner of the cupboard, Harry whimpered softly and closed his eyes. He hoped that this nightmare would end. At least with the Durselys, he knew where he stood.

~~*~~

Harry jerked awake and bit the inside of his cheek to muffle his yell. He had fallen asleep and jarred his wrist during his slumber. Now it was on fire and Harry blinked back tears. After the pain had subsided somewhat, Harry noticed his surroundings and his heart dropped. He was still in the "other" cupboard, in the "other" house. Harry crept cautiously to the door and peeked through the slits again. The house was dark and silent. Opening the door, Harry walked warily out, reading to spring back into the cupboard if anything moved. Closing the door after him, Harry slunk to the kitchen and his eyes fell upon the clock. It was two in the morning.

Harry's stomach rumbled and he walked over to the fridge now that he was pretty sure that everybody was asleep. Opening the white door, Harry grabbed anything that didn't require cooking. Spotting a plastic bag on the counter, Harry grasped it gently in his hand and filled it with as much food as he could carry. He needed to get out of here and who knew how long it was before he could find someone to help him.

Biting his lip in guilt, Harry said a silent apology to the owners of the house before creeping over to the front door and out of the house.

~~*~~

Peter Pettigrew rubbed the inside of his left arm. It was still burning a week after he had received the dark mark. Biting his lip in anger and frustration, the blond man kicked a stone viciously. He hadn't wanted to get it, but he had no choice. His father was a loyal follower and his mother could not help him.

Peter looked up and saw Lily's house not far off. His first mission: watch Lily Evan's every move. Lowering his eyes, Peter knew that Lily was moving out of her parents' house today and he had decided to show up at two in the morning just in case Lily moved at five or something.

Peter's eyes widened as he saw a small figure run out of the house. The blond man quickened his steps until he saw that the figure was a small boy who looked like he was six. The boy was carrying a bag filled with...food? Peter raised his eyebrows in bewilderment before grasping the boy's should in his hand.

Harry jumped and turned as he felt a hand enclose his shoulder. He'd been caught! Peering in fear at the slight man before him, Harry trembled slightly.

"Who are you?" Peter asked gently. Harry didn't answer and his shaking increased. Peter frowned and kneeled until he was the boy's height. Placing his hands in what he hoped was a comforting gesture on the boy's shoulders, Peter smiled warmly.

"What's the matter?" he asked soothingly. "What are you doing out at two in the morning?" Peter decided to omit the fact that he knew who's house this was and that Harry most certainly did not belong in the house.

Harry whimpered and tried to make himself as small as possible. He was in for it now! Peter frowned and his eyes darkened as he saw the swollen wrist. His father beat him often and he knew the signs well. Grasping the small boy's wrist gently, Peter smiled encouraging as the boy pulled back and, but didn't let go of the wrist.

"Don't worry," Peter said softly, bringing out his wand. "I won't hurt you." Harry eyed the man in front of him cautiously. He hadn't so far hurt him in anyway, but Harry didn't trust people so easily and this man was no exception. Harry felt bewilderment take over as he watched the man flick around a stick with a skill that only comes after hours upon hours of practice. What this man crazy?! It was only a stick!

Muttering a healing spell under his breath, Peter smiled warmly at Harry as the swelling went down. Harry stared at his wrist in shock.

"W-what did you just do?" Harry asked timidly, his voice so soft that Peter almost didn't catch it. Peter took off his robe and wrapped it around Harry's trembling body. He ignored Harry's flinch at his touch and made sure that the boy was tightly secured.

"It's magic," Peter explained, wondering why he was telling a muggle this. Harry's eyes widened.

"Really?" he asked, a hint of excitement creeping into his voice. "But my uncle said that magic doesn't exist."

Realising that he'd just spoken without permission, Harry tensed and waited for the blow. It never came; instead, as Harry slowly opened his eyes, all he saw were the sad eyes of the man in front of him.

"I won't hurt you," Peter repeated gently. Harry bit his lip, but said nothing.

"Come on," Peter said finally, picking up the young boy in his arms. "I'm taking you home."

Harry froze at the mention of home. He didn't want to go back to the Dursleys! Not now, not ever. Unconsciously, Harry tightened his hold around the Peter's neck. The man seemed to understand what he was thinking and chuckled slightly at the frantic look in his eyes.

"Not your home," Peter said. "Mine."

With that, Harry Potter and Peter Pettigrew disappeared from Privet Drive.

~~*~~