This is a shot of the cupboard under the stairs from the Finding Harry show on HBO. I have so many thoughts😭
First of all, the drawings??? The motorbike with the green light — I love the way it shows that Harry is trying to place his vague memories and dreams of the night his parents died (the green light, a flying motorbike), and he drew it as though the green light was coming from the motorbike’s headlights! And then all the other bicycle drawings and clippings — I can spot at least four. We know how much Harry wanted a bicycle (“he was five, watching Dudley riding a new red bicycle, and his heart was bursting with jealousy” — OOTP chapter 24, Occlumency). Break my heart, why not.
And then the other drawings: a drawing of himself playing football, a cute dog, a squirrel, a bird, a skateboard…and the clippings of football players, and skateboarders, and nature scenes. Yes yes yes to showing Harry having normal interests as a kid!
Second of all: the stickers. The STICKERS. They are the stickers you find on fruits from the grocery store, and it looks like he has a whole collection of them😭 Idk why this makes me sad, it just does. It’s like his own little makeshift sticker book, my gosh.
And last but certainly not least…the hanger. A gift from the Dursleys (“Of course, his birthdays were never exactly fun — last year, the Dursleys had given him a coat-hanger and a pair of Uncle Vernon’s old socks.” — PS chapter 3, The Letters from No One). I was thinking about it, and this has got to be the most gut-wrenching and humiliating gift the Dursleys ever gave Harry, worse than Vernon’s old socks or even the tissue. Because Harry doesn’t have a place to hang his clothes. He doesn’t have a closet to hang them in…he LIVES IN the closet. What a cruel thing to give him, an awful reminder. And he has it hanging there on the wall. Holding on to every gift he gets, no matter how callous it is. I am ruined.
It is funny to me how Harry Potter is literally the main character, yet people tend to go like he didn't suffer that much or he wasn't "abused"; Like, how can one misunderstand the literal main character of the damn franchise?
He wasn't abused; yes okay. He absolutely did not grow up inside a cupboard; the tiny place that is mostly reserved for brooms or cleaning supply. He absolutely was not treated inferior to the other child who lived in the same house. He was totally was not treated like a "freak" or a "stain" that his family was ashamed off. He grew up inside a cupboard while there was a literal unused bed in the same house. And you want to know what that screamed to a child, a baby — who slept inside a cupboard while there being a perfectly usable room right there? You are worth nothing and we don't love you and we are ashamed of what you are.
He wasn't starved, or at least he was fed; Yeah, no. We see it from the first book. How Vernon was no food for you and in the cupboard you go — and by the looks of it, that was like his most common punishment. And then, in the second book — you practically see it happen. He was locked, inside a room with only a can of soup that he shared with Hedwig. Now, tell me what it would do to a child — to be given food through a cat flap, and fun fact? Harry got to eat less than people on war rations; in short? He was starved, yes.
He wasn't abused physically so it's not abuse; As for people's thinks abuse isn't abuse until it's physical (which is inherently wrong because abuse isn't only physically, fyi); Harry has learned to dodge Vernon and he states that, very proudly when his uncle tries to grab him. He dodges a flying pan and states that fact, again very proudly as if it is the norm; do you know how heavy pans are? And do you know what would happen when one hits you? If you want an even clearer proof; Vernon Dursley strangles Harry in Ootp. There you go. Also, in the first book, we clearly see Vernon encouraging Dudley to hit Harry. Read between the lines and actually try to understand what that signifies.
And favourite part; When he wasn't treated like a prisoner, or a freak— he was their servant. And that is very much canonical. Tending Petunia's garden during summers and drinking from the water hose in the garden because of how hot it was? Having to wake up early so he can tend the kitchen and when he wasn't doing all that he is locked away. And it is all canon.
In conclusion, Harry— not only grew up to think that he was inhumane, undeserving of love, a freak that didn't even get to have his own bed because someone like him didn't deserve it, physically harmed enough times that he dodges them out of reflex and also the Dursleys' glorified servant; that is not even taking into account what Harry went through in Hogwarts. And after all that if someone tells me; this child, right here — didn't go through much then well, maybe read the books again?
euphemia & fleamont never would have let harry languish at the dursleys' for TEN YEARS !!!! and they sure as hell wouldn't have let sirius sit in prison for TWELVE !!
Lily and James have the best intentions when showing up to Petunia's engagement party.
Written for Day 2 of Jily Week (hosted by @sunshinemarauder and @kay-elle-cee) , Prompt: Partners in Crime
AO3 link Here
“She’s going to be cruel.”
“Brilliant, I love women who are dastardly.”
“No, I mean she’s going to find the thing deep inside you that you hold most dear, taunt it to oblivion– then crush it.”
“Very poetic of you Evans.”
“James, I need you to be serious. I need us to be a united front.”
They walked down the main street of Cokeworth. On a normal day where she wasn’t dreading her near future, Lily would have relished the idea of taking James on a little tour of her town. The fall leaves were littering the walkways and little shops had placed out intricate decorations ushering in the fall weather.
Lily stopped abruptly and James followed suit. Paces ahead of them was a heavily flowered awning with large pink and yellow bows plastered all over it. Cresting the door to the building was a large sign that read in flowing script: Congratulations soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Dursley.
“Don’t weddings usually happen in a church for muggles?” James fingered one of the balloons, making it bop back and forth.
“It’s not a wedding. It's the engagement party—now let me see you.”
Lily gave him the once over. His button down was undone just enough to see where his clavicle connected to his chest and his slacks were well fitted on his bum.
“Damn—you’re too fit,” she breathed out. James beamed and gave her a soft kiss.
“Thanks–”
“No, I mean really, you're too fit. She’s going to be so cross.” James’ brow crinkled.
“Er, I’m not following.” Before Lily could explain, the door to the house burst open. Petunia was in a light yellow and peach party dress that looked like it was straight out of a 1950’s refrigerator ad.
“What? You just going to hold court there all day?” Petunia clasped the door tightly with one hand.
“Hello to you too Tuney.” Lily tried to remain composed. “Congratulations on your engagement! We brought you some flowers.”
Petunia took one look at the bouquet in Lily’s arms. “You really shouldn’t have.”
She took them and walked around the porch, setting them in the back corner where they were hardly visible.
“There,” Petunia said with a nod. “Now they won’t clash with the decoration.”
James side-eyed Lily whose friendly facade was crumbling fast. The smile on her face quivered with rage.
“Who is this, why is he here?” Petunia didn’t even look James in the eye, rather giving him a once over before turning a hot shade of pink that clashed with her dress.
“This is my boyfriend—you said I could bring him.”
“Where’s the other boy?” James head whipped over to Lily who looked just as confused as he felt.
“What other boy?” Lily spat back, flustered.
“You know the one who always looks sickly.”
“Oh, Remus? He’s not my boyfriend Tuney—you knew that. James is.”
James decided he had enough of being talked about without any interjection.
“Nice to meet you…and congradu—”
Petunia gave him another once over, but this time with a more discerning eye. Her pale ears turned red.
“I mean honestly, Lily. I can’t believe you would do this to me, you always need to be better—well come on.”
She turned her body to the side leaving an opening to enter the house. Lily grabbed hold of James’ arm and tugged him past and down a hall that was draped with various silk bows.
“Uhm—I know I’m not keen on the muggle ways of conversation but—what was that?”
Lily trudged forward still holding his forearm tightly in her hand.
“She thinks you're fit. I told you she’d be angry—don’t worry about it.”
They reached the sitting room where a backdoor was open and a cacophony of people wafted into the house. Lily stopped walking and turned to James. She put both hands on either side of him and he instinctively lowered his forehead to rest upon hers.
“We’re a team. A united front. We will survive this.” Lily chanted to herself with her eyes closed.
James gave her a little squeeze and pulled her into his chest.
“Don’t worry. We’ll have some drinks, talk about muggle stuff that I’ll pretend to understand, and then I can take you back to school, get you out of this gorgeous dress, and then we can shag all the stress of the evening away.”
Lily snorted and James made a soft smile. “You’re a git.”
“Love you too.” He gave her a kiss on the nose and they locked hands to enter the back garden.
Outside a large table had been adorned with enough frill to supply the entirety of England. A table of drinks had been set up and Vernon stood with a few men Lily didn’t know drinking beers around it. On the other corner of the garden, a bunch of women stood tightly in a circle only to break apart to eye another party guest with disdain.
“So—a drink?” James offered. Regardless of being the most out of place in the whole event, James carried himself as though the party was meant for him. It was a trait that in other moments might have annoyed her, but she was thankful to have some relief from the suffocating feeling of anxiety.
James pulled Lily over to the drink table and Vernon turned with heavy effort to intercept them.
“Lily–” Vernon didn’t smile. His eyes were wide to the point where they actually seemed to fit his head for once. He looked at James with the same expression and James’ face eluded pure joy. If there was one thing James Potter could sense, it was someone he could take the piss out of.
“James Potter.” He offered his hand which Vernon eyed with utter disdain. James lowered his hand back to his side, unfazed by the rejection. If anything he smiled wider.
“This is my sister's fiancee, Vernon,” Lily gave James hand a squeeze. She knew his mischievous grin from anywhere.
James ignored her signal. “Absolutely charmed.”
Vernon coughed at the mention of charm and Lily shot James a warning glance.
“Er—I was actually hoping to see you two before Petunia came back out—could we?” Vernon gestured over to a secluded spot in the lawn far away from any of the other guests. Lily and James followed him as Vernon made a little bit too much of a show of not wanting anyone to notice.
Before they could say anything Vernon’s wide eyes soured into a deep anger. He directed his words at Lily.
“I am well aware that we were obligated to invite you on the account of you being family, but I am just going to say this once: if you plan to have any sort of performances this evening that could spoil the night, I suggest you save it for whatever circus you came from. I’ll not be having your kind come and mess up my lovely evening.”
Lily’s cheeks flushed and her eyes became glassy. She had expected them to be rude, sure, but not downright hostile to her—and even in front of someone they had no reason to question.
James’ grin had disappeared and now his jaw was locked. “Excuse me–first off you can stop pointing at my girlfriend like that,” Lily had not noticed that Vernon had clutched a finger outwards between them during his little speech, “second, what exactly are you implying?” Lily grabbed hold of James’ forearm, but he shrugged it away.
“James–it's fine, let me handle it.” Lily tried to sound stern, despite feeling shaken from being threatened by her own future brother in law.
“Well Vernon,” Lily’s eyes were slits, “I wasn’t planning on any performances as you call it, but seeing as you are being such a bloody arsehole—”
James hid his laugh with a cough. Vernon’s eyebrows shot up his face, his cheeks reddened to the point of purple. Petunia, who had caught sight of their gathering from the window, came rushing out towards them, looking panicked.
“Vernon darling, what has happened?” She whipped her head towards Lily. “What did you do already?”
“Well, your bloody freak sister and her punk boyfriend just insulted me—at my own party!” Petunia rubbed Vernon’s arm while darting her head to either side of the garden, hoping that no other party goers were listening in.
“We didn’t say anything that wasn’t already provoked, you know for invited guests and family you haven’t exactly made us feel welcome,” James shot back.
Petunia whispered some words into Vernon’s ear and he mumbled in response back. He shot James a dirty look before thundering back over to the drinks table where the men surrounded him once more.
Petunia watched as he left and faked a sickly looking smile at the guests who glanced their way. She spun back towards Lily.
“You need to leave. I knew this would be a mistake.”
Lily’s face flushed. The battle between anger and sadness culminated into rosy blotches on her cheeks.
“Fine. We were just going anyway. This party is a drag. Come on James.”
Lily stormed back to the door and entered the house ahead of him. James opened his mouth to say something to Petunia, but she had already departed their corner and was chattering amongst the group of women, acting as though she hadn’t just banished her own sister from her party.
James found Lily sitting on the front stoop of the house, sniffling and rubbing her eyes.
He sat down next to her, procuring two cans of gin and tonic from his pocket. “Nicked these as a souvenir.”
Lily let out a meek laugh and took one from his hand. He scooted closer and wrapped his arms around her, softly stroking her hair.
“Sorry if I wasn’t a good teammate today,” he pushed his lips into her hair.
“Nah, you were the best. Sorry my family is such shit—at least now you have witnessed it.”
“Yea, honestly—fuck ‘em.” Lily let out a real laugh this time and James leaned down to kiss it.
“But, to be fair,” he continued, “ it's not everyday we get to take an excursion out of school and I get to see you in a bloody fantastic dress so, despite the tiny upset I’d say this was a success.”
Lily leaned her head on his shoulder and took a breath. The sun was setting and the cool air was setting in.
“What was it you promised me when we got back? To shag all my stress away?” The second it left Lily’s mouth, James’ body perked up.
“I mean, it was an awfully stressful night.”
“Yeah, awfully—we should definitely, definitely do something about that.”
James grabbed Lily’s hand and pulled her up. She laughed at his enthusiasm as he practically ran them past the gate and back onto the mainstreet where Sirius’ motorbike lay waiting for them. The night born anew.
I know it's going to be impossible to find, but I'd love a fic where Sirius is 100% aware of Harry's little puppy crush on him and is a Good Adult / Good Godfather about it. Like he doesn't bring it up, he doesn't embarass Harry, doesn't make him feel bad about it. If Harry tries anything that's less than family-like, Sirius gently redirects him in a way that Harry doesn't realize he's been rejected until like 3 hours later - and doesn't feel the sting of rejection. If anyone else tries to separate Sirius and Harry (*cough* yall know who I'm talking about *cough*) Sirius does Not tolerate it and sticks firmly with Harry because puppy crush or not - Sirius is Harry's only living family member, and Sirius broke out of living hell for his kid. Literally no one else will stand up to the Dursleys or Dumbledore for Harry. There's literally no one else firmly and unconditionally on Harry's side and he is a child in the middle of a 3 sided war. Dealing with a few extra stares, compliments and slight blushing is nothing in the long run.
And then they laugh about it as adults when Harry isn't crushing anymore and Sirius has formally adopted Harry, and Sirius *finally* gets to tease Harry without it damaging their relationship or Harry's self esteem.
one thing that’s always intrigued me about petunia is how harry describes her from the first book: horse-faced, long neck, thin body... very deliberately unflattering. and obviously, the books are written for children, so the visual shorthand of “ugly = bad” is simple, immediate, and effective.
lily, on the other hand, is described as beautiful and yes, part of that is absolutely harry’s bias. she’s his mother, he knows she loved him so much to die for him, so even if she’d looked monstrous he probably would’ve seen her as beautiful anyway. she’s literally bigger than life.
but still, lily is consistently framed as genuinely attractive, not exactly veela-level breathtaking but more like beautiful in a warm, magnetic way. shs's described as charming, lively, kind, resourceful, like her inner beauty enhances her outer beauty. everyone harry speaks to who actually knew her was drawn to her to some degree.
lily's physical traits are distinctive, memorable, her eyes especially. i've always imagined harry and lily’s eyes as something you never forget once you’ve seen them, and yeah, some people just have that charm to them, and lily’s charisma only amplifies it.
so it’s always felt strange to me that petunia is framed as outright ugly. because if you strip away harry’s narration what’s actually described is just a thin woman with a long, sinuous neck. blond hair and pale, icy-blue eyes. those are not inherently ugly features: they’re sharp, striking, maybe severe. and yes, her personality absolutely makes her uglier in harry’s eyes.
i’ve always imagined petunia as very angular, almost sculptural. not beautiful like lily, because she simply lacks the warmth that made lily essentially unique, but not ugly either. average-looking, even pretty, just hardened by bitterness. severe, yes. unpleasant, yes. but not physically grotesque.
ultimately, petunia’s ugliness isn’t inherent to her looks, it’s in what resentment and jealousy have done to her over the years.
All of Harry Potter's Summers Ranked from Worst to Best
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All of Harry Potter's Summers Ranked from Worst to Best
Summer is the most anticipated season of the year, at least for students. What could be better than having a couple of months of total fun and freedom? Well, we reckon Harry Potter could give you a long list of things he would consider much more preferable than having some time off from school. Most of his summer holidays were bad, if not disastrous, and only a couple of them were relatively good. Since we are enjoying the hottest season, we decided to rank all of Harry’s summer breaks from worst to best from his own perspective.
1. Order of the Phoenix
The summer before Harry’s fifth year at Hogwarts was hands down the worst. Not only did he lose his classmate, witness Voldemort’s return and fight him, but he also ended up living in total unawareness for a long while. He could feel that something was going on, but didn’t have a clue since his friends were pretty much ghosting him. If things weren’t bad enough already, he was attacked by Dementors and almost expelled from Hogwarts.
Harry is attacked by a Dementor in Little Whinging.
2. Deathly Hallows
Before leaving for his deadly mission, Harry had to spend one last summer with the Dursleys. He wasn’t bothered by Dudley or Vernon anymore, but the thought of the upcoming danger made his time troublesome. Not to mention that he lost his favorite pet Hedwig, Mad-Eye Moody, and had to run away from the Death Eaters at Bill and Fleur’s wedding and hide in the Grimmauld Place, doing pretty much nothing and being bored again.
Harry’s last moments at Privet Drive.
3. Chamber of Secrets
Imagine spending the best year of your life at Hogwarts and then coming back to the people you hate with your whole heart. That must have felt miserable. All of Harry’s magical belongings were confiscated by the Dursleys, so he couldn’t even entertain himself by doing homework. To top it all off, Harry thought that he was ignored and forgotten by his first-ever friends, and then was locked in his bedroom. Luckily, he got to spend the last month of the holidays with the Weasleys, and he did have a lot of fun, which somehow compensated for the previous sad month.
Dobby visits Harry at Privet Drive.
4. Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry’s third summer break wasn’t that horrible. He was receiving letters and great birthday presents from his friends, plus he managed to hide all his magical stuff in his room, so he wasn’t that bored. Things got a little messy when Aunt Marge came to visit, however. And then there was the feeling of danger because Sirius escaped from Azkaban. But on the positive side, Harry stayed at the Leaky Cauldron for a while and spent his time walking around Diagon Alley, shopping, and eating delicious ice-cream with his friends.
Harry confronts Aunt Marge during dinner.
5. Sorcerer’s Stone
Harry’s first-ever summer break we got to witness started not that good, but became one of the most important ones in his life. Sure, at first he was badly treated by his aunt and uncle and bullied by Dudley, but later he found out that he’s a wizard and will be attending Hogwarts. We’re sure that it was one of the happiest moments in Harry’s life, which made up for all the bad things he experienced that summer.
Harry finds out he’s a wizard.
6. Half-Blood Prince
This could have been the perfect summer holidays for Harry, as he spent most of the season in the Burrow, hanging out with his friends playing Quidditch and just having a good and peaceful time, which is quite rare for our troublemaker. The only thing that made this break not the best one in Harry’s life was the loss of Sirius. Even though he wasn’t as depressed as he had been a year before, he still couldn’t help but think about his godfather now and then.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione at the Burrow.
7. Goblet of Fire
Harry’s fourth summer break was surely his best one, and we’ll explain why. Firstly, he just found his godfather and was keeping in correspondence with him. Secondly, the Dursleys weren’t bothering him that much because they were afraid of the mere thought of Harry having a criminal godfather, so they weren’t giving him a hard time, and it was true bliss. Lastly, Harry attended the Quidditch World Cup, which was a huge deal for him since he was a big fan of the sport and had never been to such an event before. And, of course, staying at the Burrow is always a pleasant bonus. To be fully objective, we should mention that Harry did have some problems with his recurring nightmares and the Death Eaters appearing after the match, but let’s be fair, that isn’t the worst that has ever happened to Harry, is it?
Harry and his friends at the Quidditch World Cup.
We believe this is how Harry would rank his summer breaks. Share your ranking if it differs!
