This story will incorporate the muggle world, a childhood friendship, real life problems and how relationships are strained and rekindled throughout life.

Chapter 1: Start at the very beginning

There were not many moments in the Durley's house that Harry had enjoyed. However, he did have some form of normality due to the visits of their neighbours- the MacKennas. Margaret MacKenna was one of the few friends Petunia actually had and Harry noticed how she changed during her visits. She was still high strung and obsessed with acting perfect, but she actually laughed, a proper laugh, not the fake laugh she gave to Mr Dursley's guests. Of course Harry was expected to stay out of the way and went upstairs and played with his one toy in the hallway, a small army figure that Dudley threw away as he was used to more expensive presents.

Margaret was nice to Harry when she did see him around. Her presence wasn't what made Harry's day however, it was her daughter that made Harry feel normal.

Maeve MacKenna first walked in the door as a three year old girl holding her mother's hand.

"Oh is this your little darling?" Petunia asked as she answered the door to Margaret. "Come in, come in."

"Well she is my youngest darling." she replied hurrying in out of the rain.

"I have my little Dudley playing upstairs in his room. Shall I bring her up?"

"I'll do it, I must tell you all about what I heard from Ms Davies when I get back," Margaret said excitedly while heading up the stairs with Maeve in hand. She opened the door to Dudley's bedroom to see two little boys with starkly different appearances. Harry looked up as she said hello to them both and left her child beside Dudley on the other side of the room and headed down the stairs. The only thing that Harry would remember in the future about this encounter was that the kicked Dudley because he was annoying her and played with Harry instead. That and her crazy, blonde, curly hair.

Maeve was Harry's first friend, and only friend during his time at the Dursleys. They would spend hours in the hallway upstairs while the women would gossip and compliment each other's garden. Dudley had decided after their first encounter that he would rather sit on his mother's lap and eat biscuits in the kitchen. These play sessions were spent innocently spent playing imaginary games as they were not allowed to touch Dudley's toys. They pretended to be magical creatures like fairies, dragons and wizards. Maeve particularly enjoyed being a chef preparing imaginary food on the table at the end of the hall. Harry was the waiter bringing this imaginary plate to his army man who waited patiently at the other end of the hall. Harry enjoyed being a knight who saved Maeve from a wicked witch. The young girl also wanted to save Harry which caused problems more than once.

Of course, Harry knew they had to stay quiet because if Aunt Petunia knew he was having fun she wouldn't let them play anymore.

On Harry and Dudley's first day at school, Harry entered the classroom and sat in the corner while Petunia fussed over her pudgy Dudders. The teacher handed out pages and crayons to settle in the young children while their parents helped them adjust. This delighted Harry who was sitting alone, as he never got to colour at home. He sat there minding his own business drawing a big castle when he heard a familiar voice. Maeve was being carried in by her father, Donal followed closely by her older sister Karen. She was crying into his shoulder and refused to let go. When Petunia saw Donal, she huffed and turned away from him.

Maeve eventually was sat down next to Harry.

"Good morning there, Harry," her father said with his thick Irish accent, ruffling his hair. "Little Maeve here is a bit scared and we have to go so can she sit with you?" he said smiling at Harry and winking. Harry nodded enthusiastically. Parents eventually left their children as they all played together. However Harry and Maeve at colouring by themselves.

"Why are you sad?" Harry asked.

"My Mammy is gone," she said wiping her face messily with her small hands.

"Where is she?"

"Daddy said that she is in the ospitill" she replied innocently. "Karen had to dress me for school but Mammy said she would do it but she is gone"

"That's silly. You can use my green crayon if you want," Harry offered, passing her his favourite crayon ever.

"I like blue and purple"

"Green is like my eyes"

"My eyes are purple"

"No. Your eyes are brown," Harry objected.

"MY EYES ARE PURPLE!" the child argued. "My nana said so."

"I don't have a nana," Harry argued.

"She is probably in the sky with aliens."

This childhood innocence became the start of a whole new adventure for Harry.

As Harry reached seven years old, he became very aware of the Dursley's dislike for him. So he stayed out of their way as best he could. He did this by staying outside. There was a problem though. Margaret had stopped visiting with Maeve. Aunt Petunia had told her to leave her alone one day and she never came back to there house. Harry had gone to her house two doors down instead however any mention of the MacKenna's led to shouting and objections from both Petunia and Vernon.

"They are common folk"

Harry instead didnt mention that he spent the hour before dinner time in Maeve's shed which had her toys. She had a toy piano and her older brothers toy tool set which brought hours of entertainment. If they got bored of this, they would kick a gaelic football to each other. This sport was taught to him by Maeve who constantly spoke about her brother playing these Irish sports . When Harry would return to do his chores, he would simply say he was playing with the cat next door which wasn't always a lie. The Dursley's were happy as long as he wasn't out drawing attention to himself.

The MacKenna's were the talk of the town in little, old Privet Drive after an explosive day when Harry was eight. Harry was outside cleaning up the leaves when Maeve came looking for him.

"Hi Harry, I was told by my Daddy to come to see you," she said walking into the garden.

"Quick! Hide behind the gate. Aunt Petunia won't want you here."

"Let's go play in my garden," she offered while crouching behind a bush. "I'm not allowed in my house."

"I'm finished now. One Second," Harry said putting the rake back and running inside. "I have done my jobs. Can I go outside now?" he asked.

Vernon, who was reading the newspaper, grunted and Petunia told him to stay out of sight so he wouldn't draw attention to his existence. He hurried outside and ran down to Maeve's to play. He knocked on the door and waited. He heard a shout from inside and the door swung open to reveal a haggard looking Donal.

"Oh Harry," his expression softened, "just head on through. Maeve's waiting for you out the back." Harry walked into the house and headed for the back door but not before noticing the suitcase at the end of the stairs and her mother wailing.

"Hey Harry!" Maeve called giggling, "Look at this! Frank is being silly!" Harry rushed over to see her German Shepard running around after a bee. They spent what felt like hours playing and giggling in an utter state of innocence, not noticing the chaos that was attracting the attention of the neighbours in the front garden.

Petunia and Vernon sat in their front garden watching the drama unfold. It was disgraceful behavior to air their dirty laundry for all those to see. She had cut ties with Margaret after her embarrassing meltdown which led to her admission to hospital to monitor her mental state. The Dursley's did not need to be associated with that sort of thing. It was a shame Petunia had thought, as she had thought the Irish lady had more respect than that. She observed as the drama unfolded.