Chapter Text
July 8 1993
Winds rush through hedges, blooms, herbs, and the hair of one little boy. The only child to be found outside at this hour, most adults living in Privet Drive agree the heat this summer to be much too intense for their children to be out past two. Of course this boy doesn't have parents to worry whether or not he gets hyperthermia. No poor Harry Potter must find his comfort in caress of the wind and company in the white picket fences of his cage.
Untangling the bindweed vines from his award winning rose-bush Thank you very much, Harry schemes. Normally weeding the garden doesn't really give Harry a chance to think, much too methodical in its motions -his train of thought often getting lost in the grab, twist, pull, of the task. However his aunt and uncle have just announced going on an expedition to America to celebrate “The beginning of Dinky Diddums journey to becoming a man!” ugh. And because of this wonderful voyage of self-discovery Harry’s chore list has tripled, causing his brain to run through his tasks like a Rolodex.
Pondering, Harry realizes this may be his only shot at escaping the Dursleys, and if Vernon has anything in that hollow cavern he calls a skull he's thinking the same damn thing. First things first, Harry has got to figure out what he still needs.
Hermione’s and Ron’s Phone numbersClothesHis magical items; cloak, wand, books, potion ingredients,etcSchool trunk- Snuffles
Then as if summoned from the roots of Harry's mind; a large black shepherd leaps over the Dursley’s fence and straight into his face.
Bounding off Harry’s supine body Snuffles takes what could only be described as a victory lap, only stopping at Harry’s legs to drop a banged up takeout container. Quickly raising his head Harry looks to the kitchen windows for his aunt. Sighing, Harry sits up and cracks open the box. Splitting what looks like soggy fried vegetables Harry dodges Snuffles’ affronted nibbles, “Shut your gob, I’m not going to use you. Plus look at yourself, you need as much food as you can get.”
Ripping the container in half Harry places Snuffles portion in front of him, “Thanks Sniff, you know I’m a little surprised you went for veggies.” Plucking a circle of courgette from his stack, Harry eyes it warily. “Can Dogs even have these…” Harry asks only to look down to find Snuffles already licking the sides of his makeshift bowl. Huh. Glancing once more at the squash in his hand Harry plops it in his mouth. Oh! It’s sweet? Doesn't taste greasy either. Taking another piece Harry quickly finishes his serving. “Remind me to never question your judgement on food related endeavours again.”
He flops backward onto the grass. Snuffles swiftly followed the motion crouching beside the boy. Turning to gaze into the eyes of his brief companion for this summer, Harry whispers “Can you do something for me, Snuffles?" With a tilt of his head Sniff yips in response and Harry’s face breaks into a smile. “I’m going away with my ‘family’ for a while”, reaching to stroke his snout Harry continues, “ They’re visiting the Appalachians in Georgia -Its a state in America- and taking me along.” Desperately Harry tries to swallow a hiccup from his lips, " If…When they come back and I'm not with them. I want you to bite my uncle's balls off, his bollocks, his testicles. Do you understand?"