A/N: Thanks for following the story all throughout. Thanks for the support and the reviews. Yeah, I'd like to thank Rachel for always making coffee for me at 2am! HAHA

PLEASE READ THANKS

My cousin and I made a dare. He said that I won't get 22 reviews for this chapter…I said I would. Then he told me I should get 22 reviews within the next 24 hours or he won't bring back my USB…mind you, the USB contains the next 3 chapters…Besides, he's the one updating this since chapter 7 because my place is always flooded (oh yeah, 2 typhoons came by my country in like 3 days, that's why) therefore I don't have electricity at all.

Well, enough of that, hope you enjoy 3 more chapters to go!

The thunder roared. James shivered. He wrapped his coat around him. "Dad…" he whispered. He lowered his head as the rain started to pour. He found a tree nearby and ran to it. Lighting came. James shut his eyes. He sat on the grass. "Dad…"

"Hey there, why are you sitting under the tree? Don't you know that lightning could strike that any moment?" asked a man standing next to him. "You seem lost. Why don't you come to my house for a while? You can contact your parents there," the man offered. James looked at him and shook his head. He was taught never to go with strangers anywhere. The man raised an eyebrow. "You'd rather freeze to death out here." Suddenly, he broke into a smile. "Oh yeah, the stranger rule." He held his hand out. "My name's Dudley Dursley."

James lowered his hand. "James…" he murmured. He didn't want to be in any more trouble.

Dudley held out his hand. "I see. Well James, I just want to help. I understand that your parents don't let you talk to strangers, but this isn't really a nice place to be alone. Lots of bad people, you know. I promise you, I'm not one of them."

James still shook his head. He curled himself into a ball. His coat didn't seem to be able to keep him warm. "You know, the rain wouldn't stop tonight. Our house is just down the block. I promise, nothing's going to happen to you. I have a son about your age. You can play with him while you are at my place," said Dudley.

Being very cold now, James stood up. "I'm sorry, Dad, Mum," he whispered in a low voice that so that only he could hear.

"Dad, you're home!" a boy about James's age exclaimed. He ran and hugged his father. As he let go, he turned his attention to James. "Dad, who's he?" he asked and stared at James.

Dudley smiled at his son. "His name is James." He looked at James. "James, this is my son, Spalding." He took off his coat and his hat and placed it on the coat hanger. Dudley pointed to the telephone. "There's the telephone, James. You can call your parents and tell them you're safe. They can pick you up here any time," he said.

James looked at Dudley. "I…" He knew that he shouldn't reveal to the man that he is a wizard. Besides, he didn't know what a telephone is for. "We don't have anything like that in out place," said James, hoping that he did not have to say the word in fear that he might even mispronounce a seemingly household item.

Dudley gave him a queer look. "You don't have a telephone?" he asked. James shook his head. Dudley thought for a moment. "Okay, then why don't I drive you to your place instead? People might think I kidnapped you if I let you stay the night. Where do you live?" he asked.

James was told never to answer such a question. He hung his head. "My parents warned me not to tell anyone that I don't know where I live," he said.

Dudley sighed. "Well, there's no other way, boy. Unless you have pigeons send your parents a message, then we have no other way."

"I don't know about pigeons, but if you have an owl I can borrow," said James as he suddenly looked up. Dudley was taken back at the suggestion. James looked away again. "It was just a joke," he said, trying his hardest to come up with an excuse.

Dudley stared at James. "Did you say owl?" James nodded without looking up. "Don't tell me you're one of those…those people," he sputtered.

"What people?" asked Spalding.

"Not now, Spalding," hissed Dudley. He studied James from head to foot. "It all matches. It all matches," he said. Spalding took a step back. He felt afraid as his father acted strangely. "It all matches, boy. You don't have a telephone, and then you ask for an owl. You are like him. You are one of them, aren't you?" he said.

James felt afraid. He didn't know what the man was talking about. For once in his life, he wished his father was right beside him and holding his hand. He didn't care even if his father didn't tell him everything anymore.

"You're one of those, what my mum called them? Oh right, freaks," said Dudley. He took a step forward and neared James who was now shaking. "You're one of those so-called wizards, aren't you, James?" he said.

James felt his back touch the wall behind him. "Y-Yes," he stammered. He could feel Dudley close enough to his body now. "Please…please don't hurt me!" James finally cried.

"Wizards?" said Spalding.

"You go to your room now, Spalding," said Dudley. Without another word, Spalding disappeared. Dudley straightened himself up. "I believe you can use the fireplace if you want to get out of here," said Dudley in a twisted manner.

James nodded again. "Y-Yes, through Floo Powder. How can a Muggle like y-you k-know? Y-You're not supposed t-to…" said James.

"Of course I know," replied Dudley. "Those….those people of your kind are freaks. I remember one giving me a heck of a pig's tail when I was eleven," he said, now looking deep into James's eyes, who was now more afraid than he was when he was outside in the rain.

"Please, sir…I didn't know. I don't know what happened. It wasn't me!" exclaimed James.

Dudley grinned. "Of course it wasn't you, boy. You weren't born yet. Your probably know whose friend did it. You probably heard the name. They say he is popular in your kind, my cousin." James hands shook hard. "Harry Potter."

A/N: I know this chapter sounds a little crazy, but I hope you like it. It gets better when we reach chapter 12 though Please review. Thanks a lot!