He smiled into his pillow. Really, it wasn't that hard to tell she was trying, actually trying! to be nice. For just that one time, that he could remember. The look on her face had been worth everything, every torture she had put him through in the past.
Surprise. That was the main component. Then there was anger and hatred with just a little bit of…pride, mixed in. She had smiled awkwardly, like it hurt her face to do so. He turned over to face the roof of the tiny space he slept in. He was glad Darla had never asked where he slept.
Darla. Darla. It really was a pretty name. The new girl, who had known no better than to talk to him. It was a blessing. After she had talked to him, spent that day, that blessed day when Dudley was at the dentist with Aunt Petunia, with him. She had refused to believe anything his cousin had tried to drill into her mind when he had come back. Stood against the threats, the bullying. Had held his hand through it as well.
She had invited herself over, he'd never of had the guts to do it himself. Just followed him home and introduced herself.
"Darla Higgins ma'am." she had said to his aunt, smiling at her as she curtsied. Which is funny when the person is wearing jeans. "I'm Harry's friend." His aunt had looked petrified at this announcement. But who could blame her? Nobody ever wanted to be Harry Potter's friend. Awkward, small, weird Harry Potter. Never in his nine year old life had he thought he would ever have a friend.
But he had never met Darla Higgins before. Her short, brown curls bounced when she walked and her brown eyes often reminded him of does eyes. Big and round eyes that made you look in them with your soul. And that's what Darla judged. How pure, and kind your soul was. That was why she refused to ever speak to Dudley. And yet…she had chosen him. She had chosen him to be the King to her Queen, to be her friend. Nothing short of a miracle.
He smiled again. He was meeting her at the park tomorrow. He had no chores, and it was the weekend, Saturday. Tomorrow would be great, possibly better than today. Maybe, just maybe. Maybe, he had finally found someone to share sweets with. No, there was no maybe about Darla. There was either yes, or no. Never, ever a maybe.