A/N – nothing belongs to me

Harry sat in his room, looking out of the window into the street beyond. Harry Potter was very unusual in many ways. For one thing, after only being a week into the holidays, he already wanted to go home. It had only been a week since entering the chamber, but already he was beginning to feel the effects of being either ignored or forced to do chores, and was subsequently hating being back at the Dursley's. And he also happened to be a wizard. As harry sat looking out of his window he noticed a difference in the usual routine of Privet Drive. He heard loud talking, and when he searched for the source, he saw that a large moving van had just parked outside of the house next door, and the removalists were beginning to move in belongings of the new owners of the house. For half an hour he sat there watching them, until they finished up what they were doing and left.

Just as he was about to move away from the window as his source of entertainment had left, he saw a small car pull up in the same place the van was just minutes before. The doors opened, and out came a young woman who was about in her late 30's. From what he could see from his vantage point, he could tell that she was of a small build, with long blond hair. He then looked towards the passenger, who seemed to be a girl about his age. She was very pretty, with black hair that went just past her shoulders. Like the driver of the car, she also had a small build. 'Wow,' Harry thought, 'looks like we have new neighbours.' He had just about made up his mind to go and introduce himself, when he saw Dudley waddle over, followed closely by his Aunt and Uncle. From where he was sitting, Harry could just make out what they were saying, which only seemed to disgust him.

'Hi, I'm Dudley, and this is my Mum and Dad. We live next door, and we just wanted to introduce ourselves.' Dudley said to the new neighbours. 'Especially to a pretty girl like you,' he added for the benefit of the girl, winking at her.

The girl seemed as repulsed by Dudley as Harry was, and did not bother to disguise it from her voice or facial expression.

'Haley Parker, nice to meet you," but from the tone of her voice you could tell in was the complete opposite, though Dudley seemed not to notice and continued smiling in what he probably thought was a charming way.

The other lady, sensing Haley's discomfort, decided to but in.

'Hi, I'm Rebecca Parker, Haley's Mum, we're just moving into this house. Thanks for coming over, but we should really start unpacking now. It was nice to meet you.'

The Dursley's looked at each other, noticing the obvious dismissal, until Petunia spoke up, 'it was nice to meet you to. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask. Have fun unpacking.' And then the Dursley's turned around and left, but not before Dudley had a chance to wink suggestively at Haley, making her visibly cringe with disgust.

Harry chuckled from where he was, enjoying his new form of entertainment. 'I really need to meet this girl,' Harry thought.

**********

After waiting to make sure the Dursley's were all busy, Harry crept down the stairs and out the front door. As the cool breeze hit his face he relaxed considerably. Harry had not been allowed out of the house very often, so it was a good chance for him to enjoy the chance. He slowly walked up next doors driveway, until he came to the front door which was wide open to let the breeze in. He could hear noises coming from inside, but could not see anyone.

Just as Harry was about to knock on the door, the girl named Haley came out of the next room. She saw him standing there and her face broke out in a genuine smile, which was a lot different than the repulsed and fake smile she had given to Dudley before. When Harry looked at her from close up, familiarity bubbled up inside of him. Her black hair was a little messy, just like his, and her eyes were the exact shade of emerald as his were.

'Don't be silly, you've never even met her before, you just want to get to know her,' Harry chided himself.

The sound of Haley's voice broke his thoughts.

'Well, are you going to stand there all day or are you going to introduce yourself,' she giggled.

'Sorry, I'm Harry Potter. I believe you met my cousin Dudley just before.' Harry said.

'Urg, don't remind me' she replied, the disgust returning to her voice. 'Do you have to live with them?' she asked curiously.

'Unfortunately I do,' Harry replied, laughter in his eyes.

'I feel so sorry for you' she laughed, before quickly saying 'sorry how rude of me, I'm Haley Parker, it's very nice to meet you' holding out her hand for him to shake.

'It's nice to meet you to. The only company I have around here is Dudley.' Harry said regretfully.

'Well that's alright, you have me now. I hope I'm better company than Dudley is.' Haley replied while laughing, obviously thinking that she would be better company.

'Don't worry; I'm sure you will be.' He grinned at her, and she grinned back.

'Thanks. Hey, come on, I want you to met my mum.' Haley said.

She suddenly grabbed his hand, leading him into the next room, where he saw her mum putting the books in the bookshelf.

'Mum, this is Harry Potter; he lives next door with that Dudley guy.'

As she was saying this, her mum had stood up to face them, and was smiling at Harry. 'Nice to meet you Harry, I'm glad my daughter has found a friend,' she said to him, causing Harry to laugh.

'Mum, don't embarrass me,' Haley quietly said, her face turning red.

'I'm not embarrassing you sweetie, just saying hello to your new friend,' her mother replied innocently, a small smile gracing her face.

Haley saw right through the innocent act, but laughed on the inside. Her mum was never going to change, not that she minded at all. She really loved her mum, and because of how they interacted with each other, they were more like best friends that mother and daughter. Haley smiled, thinking about how great her mother was, when she asked aloud.

'Mum, do you mind if I go with Harry to have a look around. I promise to help with the unpacking later,' Haley asked, mouthing the words please, please, please, when her mother didn't answer straight away as she pretended to ponder what her daughter had asked.

As Haley kept mouthing the words please she finally gave in with a laugh.

'Of course you can sweetie. It's 12.00 now, so I want you to be back here by 4 so you can finish unpacking your room, unless you want to sleep on the floor tonight.'

Haley laughed at what her mother said. 'OK, I'll be back soon.'

She then went out the door, Harry following close behind her. They heard Rebecca call out before they closed the door behind them.

'Have fun.'

*******

A/N - Please, please, please review. This is my first story, and I would really appreciate any encouragement and constructive critism. Love it, hate it? Please tell me, and any ideas you may have to improve the story.

Until next time,
wittle witch