Chapter Text
The first time Harriet Potter was exorcised was on the night of her 6th Birthday. She remembered it quite well, it was the last time Aunt Petunia let her sleep in her own room, not locked away from the rest of the family.
The day had been odd from the start. She woke up in her bed, but the house was silent. Usually Dudley would already be awake and about, and her cousin was very loud most of the time. She dressed herself and bounced down the stairs.
If one had been looking through the hallway windows at that moment they would have seen a happy, healthy young girl, a mane of black curls, tied back with a green ribbon that matched her eyes, humming to herself as she hopped down each step. Smiling as she looked outside over the beautiful flowerbeds her aunt lovingly tended to, and the rows of peaceful white-blue houses down the quiet Privet Drive.
At this hour it wouldn't be uncommon to hear Uncle reading his paper, chuckling to himself and drinking his coffee while Auntie cooked them all breakfast, the smell of sausages and fried tomato filling the house as she practiced her reading and Dudley played with whichever toy was his favorite that day.
Petunia sat alone today. There were no rashers sizzling on the stove, no jovial muttering from her uncle. Silence. She sat with hands crossed over her lap, staring at the grainy surface of the table in front of her. Her face was usually reserved, but kind. She would always give Harriet a big smile in the morning, sea- green eyes twinkling with affection for her beloved niece.
"Where are Dudley and Uncle Vernon?" Harriet asked absentmindedly as she sat at the table. Kicking her feet under her chair.
Her aunt seemed to tense, as if she hadn't realized Harriet was there until she spoke. "Your uncle has taken Dudley to The Polkis's early today" She stood as she looked at Harriet across the table. She wasn't smiling, her lips were a taut line pursed between her nostrils and her chin. "I have errands to be done today and mustn't have you underfoot so once you eat," She said, as she dropped a plate of buttered toast in front of her, "I will dropping you off at Ms. Figg's house."
"Who is Ms. Figg?"
"She will be looking after you today, eat your breakfast Harriet." She said brusquely, rubbing her temples as she walked to the sitting room instead of sitting and eating with her as she usually would.
Normally she and Dudley went to the same nanny, but that day Aunt Petunia sent her to some old lady who smelled funny. She quickly realized that this was not a stop on the way but in fact, Ms. Figg, in addition to Ms. Figg's cats.
She was nice and let Harriet read quietly in the sunroom, but strictly prohibited running or other play out of fear she would scare or step on one of the cats. Harriet liked cats though, even the old grumpy ones so it wasn't too bad.
When Petunia came to pick her up, around nightfall, she said almost nothing to her, merely bidding her sit in her seat and be silent until the got home. Then, once they had arrived she had sent her inside alone, shooing her in the door only to shut and lock it behind her.
The hallway was dark, only lit by weak flickering light leaking from the sitting room. Harriet slowly walked down the hallway towards the sitting room, her heart doing it's best to hammer its way out of her chest. She crept past the pictures of her and Dudley, of Aunt and Uncle dressed up in fancy clothes, and a picture that Aunt Petunia said was of her own Parents. That picture always made her sad, Harriet didnt have parents. Aunt Petunia said they got into an accident and died. She hoped they were in heaven but Auntie said they were the 'wrong sort of people'.
"Harriet?"
The door to the sitting room had opened, in the doorway was a man cloaked in darkness, lit from behind by the light of the fireplace. But Harriet knew the sound of his voice.
"Mr. Matthew?" Harriet was confused "Why are you here, Auntie is outside if you need me to get her."
The man stepped closer placing a hand softly on Harriet's shoulder, "I already spoke to your aunt," his voice was soft and soothing, like when he would read to them at Sunday School. "She understands why I'm here, she has asked me to speak to you child."
"Am I in trouble?" Harriet began to tremble, she knew that things that werent supposed to happen, happened around her. "I didnt mean to break auntie's special plates or set Dudley's train on fire, I promise!"
Mr. Matthew lead her into the room as she began to cry softly. " Don't worry Harriet, I'm here to help, your aunt told me about some of the things that have been happening." He gave her a reassuring smile and continued, "It's not your fault dear. You're jusy need some help, and its my job to make you better."
Harriet nodded gently, letting him lift her onto a small cot on a raised table in the centre of the room. The air was thick with the smell of blackened herbs and thick incense, burning her nose even as the weight slowed her thoughts and dulled her fear. Listening to the velvety sound of his reassurances as he clasped her arms in legs in shackles of iron, the cold metal stinging against her.
"It won't hurt, will it Mr. Matthew?" She asked, barely louder than a whisper.
"I'm sorry my child," He began, turning a sorrowful smile on her, "but I'm afraid it may hurt quite a bit"