Disclaimer: I don't Own Harry Potter.

The Baby Sitter: Chapter 1

Fifteen year old Harry Potter lay facedown on his bed, wallowing in his misery. He'd been at #4 Privet Drive for nearly 3 weeks now and July was just beginning. Weeks had passed, but he just couldn't get over the death of his godfather, Sirius Black, though he was getting some help from a certain person…

There was a tap on the window and Harry smiled for the first time that day, knowing it was her. He rolled off of his bed and went to his window. Sure enough, standing in the backyard, was a the girl he'd been waiting for since he'd woken up about an hour before. She had long, blonde hair and was wearing a pair of shorts and a tank-top.

Her name was Erin Howles, a girl Harry had gone to school with when he was younger. Back then she'd always made fun of him just like everyone else. She'd apologized for that the first day he'd seen her again, the day after he'd gotten back to Privet thought back to the day.

He'd known that Mundungus Fletcher was on guard due to the snores from the drunk who was sleeping under his window. He climbed out of his window and down the side of the house and approached his guard, waking him up. Harry had then threatened Fletcher, though it was a false threat, to tell him the rotation for guard duties. The older wizard had agreed quickly in fear of what Harry might tell certain people.

After that Harry began to wander around the neighborhood, just happy to free. He knew that the summer was going to be much better now that he would be able to get out of the hell hole he was supposed to be able to call home. He'd gone to the park where he'd met Erin. She was smoking a cigarette and just sitting on the only swing that wasn't broken.

Harry walked up to her and said, "That's my favorite swing."

Erin had looked up curiously. "Really? I've never seen you here on the very swing before. In fact, I haven't seen you around here in a long time, Harry Potter."

Harry shrugged. "I'm not really allowed out."

"So it's true then? You look a little scrawny to be a criminal to me."

Harry had glared at her. This girl he didn't even know was calling him scrawny! "You know, I came here to be alone, not be insulted!"

"You sir, approached me! So there!" Erin shouted with a large grin. Harry turned and began to walk away when she called, "Hey! Wait!"

Harry turned back. "Yes?"

Erin held out her half smoke cigarette. "Want a drag?"

Harry smiled at the memory and began to climb out his window. He didn't hear any snores, but paid no attention. Dung wouldn't rat him out. The young wizard ran up to Erin and grinned while she kissed his cheek as she always did in greeting. They didn't speak until they had reached the road in case any of the Dursley's heard them. He'd told Erin enough that she knew that his relatives absolutely loathed him.

"How've you been Harry?" she asked, handing him a cigarette that he badly needed. Nasty Habit.

Harry smiled. "You saw me two days ago. Nothing could have possibly happened. I cooked, I cleaned, I got screamed at. Same as always."

Erin took his hand. "Don't get cocky with me Potter. I'll kick you're ass!"

Harry laughed. "Yeah right… shorty."

Erin glared at him. She hated her height which was five foot and a half of an inch. Harry just leaned in and kissed her lightly and she instantly forgave him. She couldn't help it. They continued on their way, heading toward the park. They didn't talk much like they usually did. This was mostly due to Harry's current pain as his scar prickled. Erin was used to these occasional silences, though she didn't know why they happened.

Erin didn't know much about Harry's real life. She knew that he wasn't a criminal as everyone believed thanks to his relatives. He'd told her that during the year he was to a school in Scotland and after his birthday he would stay at his friend's house. She knew that his relative's hated him but she didn't know why. Other than that she just knew small things about him: his favorite color being green, how he wished the he could fly, his favorite food… the small things.

The pair finally made it to the park only to see Dudley and his gang. They were beating on a smaller kid who was maybe around 12. Erin recognized him, it was her friend Alyssa's younger brother Zack. She turned to Harry and saw that he was already stalking up to his cousin.

"Harry…"

Harry ignored the warning tone in Erin's voice and shouted, "Hey Big D!" All heads turned to him and the kid used this to get away, sending Harry a grateful look as he went. Harry gave him a small nod and a smile. He knew what it was like to be Dudley's punching bag. "You beating up another 10 year old? How very brave. Why not try for someone your own size?"

"Like you?" Piers laughed and snorted. Harry looked at him with mock offense.

"Now I really don't exactly think that I qualify. I mean, I was thinking more along the lines of somebody the size of a hippopotamus, maybe, but that is certainly not me."

Despite herself, Erin giggled. She knew that this was bad though. Things were sure to get out of hand and if that happened then Harry would really be in trouble.

"What are you doing with him Erin?" another boy asked in disgust. His name was Danny and she gave him her own disgusted look as he said, "Why not be with a real man?"

"Harry's twice the man any of you fucking dumb shits are," Erin retorted angrily. She calmed a little when Harry wrapped and arm around her waist and added slyly, "Especially where it counts."

Harry smirked. Their faces were priceless, especially Dudley's as he realized that his cousin was getting more action than him. It was also very true even though he and Erin had only been together a short while. But hey, shit happens. He turned to Erin and smiled genuinely and murmured, "Let's go. I can't fight him again this summer. I was already in trouble once from last week."

Erin only nodded and stood on her toes to kiss him before they began to walk away.

"You scared Potter?" Dudley shouted as he tried to gain back some dignity. What better way to do that than to beat the shit out of his 'freak' cousin?

Harry didn't even turn around. "Your little threats are the least of my worries, Dudders. You a mere bug compared to what I've seen. And considering that you could probably take down a hippo if you wanted to, that's saying something."

Harry could hear Dudley's feet pounding over the ground as he ran after him. Harry narrowed his eyes. A week before the two had fought but it had been broken up before a winner could be declared. It was time to show his cousin that he was no longer a punching bag.

Spinning around Harry threw his fist into Dudley's face. His knuckles connected with Dudley's nose, making the bigger boy cry out in pain. It wasn't broken but it was bleeding.

Now even more enraged, Dudley threw his own punches. They were slow and Harry was able to dodge most of them until one connected with the side of his head. Harry shook it off, allowing Dudley to get in two more punches. His gang was cheering him on. Erin was struggling with whether or not to find help for Harry or staying.

Harry watched as Dudley Brought back his fist once more as though getting ready for the ending blow. Harry smirked and brought up his knee into Dudley's crotch, making the other boy's flinch. Harry felt no sympathy however, and while his cousin was kneeled over he punched him in the stomach. Getting the feeling that Dudley may not have felt it as much as he wished, Harry elbowed him in the back.

"Come on!" he hissed to Erin. They ran from the park and hid in an alley. A few seconds later Dudley's gang ran by shouting to each other angrily and looking for the two of them. A grin slowly stretched across Harry's face. Yup, he was no longer the punching bag. He'd kicked Dudley Dursley's ass, something not many even tried to do.

"You're and idiot."

He turned to look at Erin. She was glaring at him even as she wiped blood from his face. "I'm sorry, but that's been waiting a long time."

Erin just rolled her eyes and took his hand again, leading him from the alley.

"Where are we going?"

"My house."

Harry gave her a wary look. "Your parents don't like me, you know that."

Erin turned and walked backwards in front of him with a sly smile. "Well Mr. Potter, you may be correct about that. But my parents are not currently home. We'll have the entire house to ourselves."

It was Harry's turn to grin. "I like the sound of that."

…..

A little over an hour later Harry was running back to Number 4. He hadn't wanted to leave so soon but Dung's shift would soon be over. She understood, though she didn't like him leaving anymore than he did, he knew. But it had to be done. He didn't want the entire order to know that he was sneaking out to see a girl.

Harry was just about to begin climbing up to his window when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Whipping out his want he turned to see…

Tonks. Her hair was bright red and Harry could tell the she was pissed. Behind her was Hestia Jones who looked disappointed.

"Uhhhh, hi Tonks," Harry said nervously. Her red hair could put a Weasley to shame.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" she hissed. Harry glared at her, his nervousness gone. He hated being talked to as though he were a child. "Well? Sneaking out of the house was incredibly stupid! And from what I saw this isn't the first time you've done it!"

"What are you even doing here? This is Dung's shift!"

"How do you even know that?" Hestia asked, much calmer than Tonks, who Harry realized had seen everything.

"It's not hard. All the stupid drunk does is sleep and snore."

"She could have been a death eater!" Tonks growled.

Harry snorted. "I think that I would know if she were a death eater, don't you think Tonks?"

"Why, because you've been screwing her? I may have to watch your sorry ass, but I really don't need to see it!"

"Then maybe you shouldn't have followed me!"

"That's my job! Believe me, guarding you wasn't my choice!"

Harry rolled his eyes and turned away from them. He began his climb once again. "I'm going to sleep! Next time give me a warning if you're going to follow me."

"And what makes you think there'll be a next time?" Hestia asked.

"Go fucking tell Dumbledore if you want!" Harry shouted as he climbed through his window. He turned with his head out to stare down at the two witches. "I will keep going to see Erin because I am not staying in this shithole all summer!"

Harry turned suddenly as his door slammed open. Shit. His relatives must have heard him shouting because there stood a purple faced Vernon Dursley. His fists were clenched and he was shaking in anger.

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY SON?"

….

There, chapter 1. See, Harry is sort of badass now, but not completely. He changed quickly when he met erin because of what happened to sirus. Ok, don't know when chapter 2 will be up though cause I don't write often. Review if you want, flame if you want, I don't read them.