Chapter 2
Dinner and the Best Day Ever!
Saturday came and became a wonderful time. I spent most of the day in the library reading books I had never even heard of. There was one book that had a spell for people to do that could bring the one who truly loved them to you. I thought it was most interesting and felt Hermione and I could test it sometime. Most of the books in the library were very mysterious and some pictures were moving. I just thought it was some special effect that the publishers used. A lot of them were very old too. My new parents must have had these in the family forever, I thought, wow, family history, I am definitely going to have fun looking up my own family. Later that night at about 5 o'clock, I had decided that I should get ready for the dinner at 6 o'clock. I threw on a pretty emerald green dress that matched my hair perfectly, as well as my eyes. I wore my silver locket that my mother gave me before she died; at least she gave me when I was born. I was there pride and joy, and thinking about them made me feel sad and I almost cried, but held it in because I had to look good for the party. I found a green sparkling cloak in the closet and slipped green gloves on and walked down stairs. My parents greeted me at the bottom of the stairs.
"Oh! You look so great!" said my mother excitedly.
"Your lovely darling."
"Thanks mum, dad. Well I better be on my way. It starts at 6 o'clock and I like to be early."
"Well have a good time with your new friend, sweetie."
" I will."
"Oh and your brothers are coming home for your birthday, they'll be here a little while before it dear."
"Oh that's wonderful! I can't wait to meet them." And with that I walked out side on the patio and walked through the swinging gate and up to the back door at the Dursleys'. I knocked.
"Oh Marie!" It was Mrs. Dursley. "Dudley, Vernon, and Harry are in the living room, why don't you go in and sit with them." I walked in.
"Yes, Mrs. Dursley. You look lovely this evening."
"Why thank you Marie. You do too."
"Thanks Mrs. Dursley." I went and joined the other three men in the living room.
"Marie!" Dudley said. He looked better in the tux he was wearing than with normal clothes. "I'm so glad you could come. Your beautiful."
"Thank you Dudley. Your handsome yourself." I lied.
"Your welcome. Daddy? Didn't you have something to Marie?"
"Oh, yes. Sorry to add a burden to your summer, but we are going on vacation, and cannot leave Harry here by himself."
"Ok."
"And we're wondering if~"
"If you would watch me for their vacation time," said Harry very dully.
"Oh of course I wouldn't mind but I must ask mother and father first."
"Dinner's done." Mrs. Dursley said. We all went in and ate dinner. Dudley made me sit right next to him, because he whined nonstop about having to sit by Harry. I could tell that no one in this household liked him much. 'I wonder why, he seems so normal and he's nice. And he's Hermione's friend!' I thought.
"Pass the bread, please Dudley?"
"Here you are Marie." I took the bread and couldn't help noticing that Harry was eating very fast. 'He must have somewhere to go. I can see why he wouldn't want to stay here for very long. No one likes him. And these are his family members, who raised him? It's strange why he turned out to be the good egg of the family.' I couldn't help but drift off into a deep thought but was brought back into reality when Dudley started talking loudly to me again.
"Marie?"
"Yes, Dudley?"
"How did your parents die?"
"DUDLEY!" said Mrs. Dursley, "You should know better than to ask questions like that!"
"Its ok Mrs. Dursley. Really. Well they died in a car crash. It was terrible, thankfully I was at the babysitter's."
"Oh, that's terrible," said Mr. Dursley. "And how did the Peppers, know your parents?"
"I don't know, they haven't told me yet."
"Pass the butter, please, Marie." Asked Harry, quietly.
"Yes, here you are." I handed him the butter and suddenly when our hands touched I felt a strange shock. It was like touching an electric fence for the hundredth time, shocking you but not hurting you. 'Whoa! That was weird.'
"Thank you." He looked at me strangely. He must have felt it too.
"Your welcome."
Dinner seemed to last forever. Mr. Dursley told me about his company, which made Drills. 'How boring!' But I looked excited anyways. Mrs. Dursley then asked me if I was interested in gardening.
"Oh, yes. It's a wonderful hobby."
"That's good. Did you know that I haven't lost a competition with my petunias?"
"Oh that is so wonderful." I lied. 'These people are boring. That boy, Harry, now he looks like he's had a ruff life, but lately it seems he's have an interesting life. Oh! Did I just, no~ no I couldn't have. Did I? I just read his memories! Oh, no another power I didn't know about!' I was then brought to reality, once again by Dudley. He wanted to show me a game he had just gotten for his birthday.
So after dinner I agreed to go up and have a look. I had never, in all my life, known someone who was this boring. He took me upstairs and we walked right passed Harry's room. He was obviously writing a letter since I heard scratching of a quill. 'Wait? Scratching of a quill, who writes with a quill these days?' Dudley and I went into the next room and just as I suspected his room was full of electronic things, all very dull and boring. 'Didn't he ever exercise or at least do something productive, I took one look at him, obviously not since he's got about 5 too many chins and his clothes look as if bought yesterday and now they don't fit him anymore.' I laughed silently. I thought about Hermione's friend, Harry for a moment as Dudley was starting his computer to show me the game. 'I wonder if he knows how to get a hold of Hermione. I should ask him. But I'll never get a chance as long as Dudley's in the room.' And as if I made him do it, Dudley suddenly had to use the bathroom.
"I'll be right back Marie."
"I'll wait right here." He then went of to the bathroom, and decided to use a little of my magic to talk to Harry. So I disappeared from Dudley's room and reappeared in Harry's. "Hello, Harry." He jumped.
"M~ Marie, oh, you scared me. I didn't even hear the door."
"Oh, yea, I'm very quiet." I laughed uneasily.
"So what is it you want? Having a good time with Dudley?"
"No!" I said sharply, and then continued, "I wanted to know if you knew how to get a hold of Hermione. You do, don't you? I mean after all she's your friend."
"I do, but only because Hedwig knows how to find her."
"Who's Hedwig?"
"My pet owl, she can deliver messages."
"Wow, she must be amazingly smart!"
"She is."
"Well, would you mind sending her a message from me?"
"Anything for a friend of a friend." He smiled. I swear I almost could have melted. 'He's so handsome. And look at me...' "So what do you want to say?"
"Give her my address. So she can write to me."
"Ok what is it?
"It's the same as yours, only its Number 6. Sorry I don't exactly know where I am."
"How about when you go home you write a letter to Hermione, and I'll have Hedwig send it to her? Trust me you'll get a reply much faster than the post can get the letter to you."
"Ok. I'll have it to you by tomorrow morning. What time can you meet me in your back yard?"
"11 o'clock. The Dursley's will have left by then. Trust me they'll hate you if you associate with me."
"Oh, but that wouldn't be so bad." He smiled at me and I smiled back. "I'll see you tomorrow at 11."
"Bye." He turned to his writing and I popped out of the room. I was just in time because Dudley was on his way back from the bathroom. I looked at my silver watch and noticed it was 8:30.
"Oh heavens! I'm late!"
"For what?"
"My curfew is 8:15. I'm going to be in so much trouble. Would you walk me home Dudley?"
"But I just started my computer game. I'll have Harry walk you home. Hold on."
"Ok, sure." 'Is he that lazy? At least Harry will walk me home. He's so nice and handsome too. Oh no! I think I'm crushing on him'. Dudley went into Harry's room, there was a distinct, "Ouch!" and then there was the sound of an elephant walking down the hall. Dudley walked into the room and Harry followed him.
"I'll walk you home Marie," said Harry, rubbing his head.
"Thank you, Harry." He took a hold of my hand and I felt the shock again, so I let go of his hand. "I'm ok. Shall we go out the front?"
"Sure." We walked down the stairs and Mr. and Mrs. Dursley were talking. He motioned with his hand for me to stop and be quiet.
"But Vernon, what if her parents say they won't take him?"
"I haven't thought about that. Hm?" There was a very long pause. Mr. Dursley must have been thinking because then he said, "What if we ask Mr. and Mrs. Pepper tomorrow during our bridge game?"
"Alright dear. I just hope they can put up with that little~"
"Petunia, she'll live. How, I don't know." Harry had obviously heard enough, because he motioned for me to follow him.
"Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon?"
"Oh, its you. What do you want?"
"Dudley told me to take Marie home."
"Very well. Go!" I followed Harry out of the house.
"They don't like you much, do they?"
"No," he said sharply.
"Would you take a walk with me, please?"
"But your curfew~"
"Isn't until 9:30."
"But you told~"
"A little white lie." I giggled a bit. We walked down the corner to Magnolia. Harry stopped at the corner and looked around. "What is it?" I said worriedly. He motioned for me to be quiet. Suddenly a man who looked sickly came up and stopped in front of Harry.
"Remus!" Harry continued, "How are you...oh I'd like you to meet my friend, Marie." Harry nodded towards me.
"Hello, Harry. I'm pretty good. How've you been?"
"Good." Remus looked over at me.
"Oh, your friend is lovely." He took my hand and kissed the top of it.
"This is my friend, Marie. She just moved in next to the Dursleys."
"Oh."
"Remus? Is there something going on again. He's not attacking again is he?" Remus shook his head. "Oh, ok good. So what are you doing here then?"
"Just coming to check on what my new godson is doing." Harry and Remus smiled
"New godson?" I was confused.
"Yes," Harry said. "My parents died a long time ago. My Godfather just recently died last year and Remus here was my honorary Godfather and now he's my new one."
"Oh, that's awful, about your other Godfather. But why do you live with your horrible Aunt and Uncle instead of Remus?"
"Because I can't afford to take care of him," Remus said quickly.
"That's right."
"Oh."
"Marie, How are you this evening?" said Remus politely.
"I'm good, and you are?"
"Just fine, thank you. Harry your girlfriend here is very polite."
"Oh, Remus she's not my girlfriend. I've only met her when I got off the train. Her and Hermione know each other from childhood. Her parents died in a car crash."
"Is that a car crash or a car crash?"
"I'm not sure, I think just a car crash."
"Yes, it was a car crash, what other car crash is there?"
"Oh never mind," said Harry quickly.
"Something weird is going on between you two. I demand to know what it is!"
"We can't tell you," said Harry.
"Oh Harry you might as well tell her. She's your friend isn't she?"
"Yes but~"
"You see Marie, Harry's parents were blown up. And his Aunt and Uncle told him they died in a car crash. He was in the explosion but lived because he was outside when it happened, that's how he got a scar on his forehead."
"You have a scar?"
"Yes." I looked at his forehead.
"Wow, so do I but its on my thigh."
"Really? What's it shaped like?"
"Like a lightening bolt, like yours, but I received it because once while I was sleeping a bully~ a girl bully~ carved it into me, at least I think that's how it happened. I'm not to good with remembering bad things sometimes."
"Oh."
"Hey Harry maybe if you two are close enough friends, someday Miss Marie will show you it." He laughed.
"Remus!?"
"Yes." He said still laughing.
"Shut up!" I said.
"What? Can't I have a little fun?"
"Not like that you can't."
"Oh, really?"
"Oh stop flirting..."
"Oh, sorry, I forgot that's Harry's job."
"Remus! You're making me blush." I said blushing. I looked at my watch. Oh no! It's 9:15. "Harry, its 9:15!"
"Oh we better head home then."
"Oh, 9:15, is that your snogging time?" Remus laughed. 'He's really funny, but he can some times act like a dumb ass.'
"Stop pulling a Sirius! It's her curfew anyways. And I have never snogged with anyone."
"First time for everything."
"Lets just go Marie."
"Ok, Harry, I'm coming. Nice to meet you Remus."
"It's my pleasure. See you some other time." Harry walked me all the way up to my back door. I stood near the door.
"Thanks for walking with me."
"Your welcome Marie." He leaned in and kissed me. I put my arms around his neck and he slipped his hands around my waist. We kissed there for a while. 'God he is a great kisser,' I thought. 'And he has such strong arms.' He pulled away and just looked into my eyes. I almost melted. I broke the silence. "First time for every thing, eh?" I waved goodbye and walked in the door. I had a big smile on my face. I saw my parents sitting at the island. "Oh hello Mum, Dad."
"Marie," my dad said with a nod. "Have a good time, did you?"
"Oh yes, very much."
"Except?" said my mother.
"Except the Dursleys, are the most boring people I've ever met and they treat Harry like trash."
"I thought as much."
"Why's that Mum?"
"Oh because it's true they are and they do."
"So why are you guys friends?"
"Because they're nice, but boring," said my father.
"Oh, I guess that's true. Oh and Mum, Dad? Mr. and Mrs. Dursley were wondering if we would be able to allow Harry to stay here while they go on vacation?"
"Oh, I don't see why not, George?"
"Yes, I suppose he could. There's only going to be about a month till school starts and then we'll only have to bring you guys to King's Cross."
"What school will I be attending?"
"I don't know, we'll see." My mother winked at my father. What are they up to?
"Ok, well I'm tired and I'm going to go up to bed. And by the way."
"Yes?"
"They're going to ask you tomorrow at bridge."
"Oh, ok."
"Don't look too excited, they think he'll be a burden to us."
"Ah, I see."
"Yes, and since my birthday's at the end of the month and my brothers will be home do you think I can invite Hermione and her boyfriend?"
"Sure, I guess. What about Harry?"
"He'll already be over."
"Oh, how silly of me to forget," my mother said, giggling. I hugged them both good night and climbed the stairs to my floor. I pulled the curtains and blankets back and climbed into bed and shut the curtains of my bed. I snuggled in and as soon as my head hit the pillow I slept.
The next morning I awoke to my parents knocking on the door. "Sweetie? Your father and I are going into work now. We'll see you tonight at about 5:30."
"Alright mother, oh can I have Harry over today? I'm really starting to become friends with him and I have only had one good friend."
"Yes you can, Marie," said my father.
"Bye Mum, Dad."
"Bye."
"Love you."
"Love you too." I heard their footsteps going down the stairs. I soon got up and got dressed. I looked at my clock and noticed the time was 10:45. "Oh, no! I have to have my letter to Hermione to Harry at 11 o'clock." I went to my desk and pulled out a piece of paper and a pen and started writing:
Dear Hermione,
How are you? I'm good. Hope to see you soon. Mother says that I can have a birthday party this year. It feels so good to say Mother. Anyways, I hope you can come I'll write the details later. My brothers will be here in two weeks. Can you believe it? An orphan like me has brothers, and there are 6 of them. Well I've got to get this to Harry at 11 o'clock. He's very nice I see why you are friends with him. Oh and he's going to be staying at my house till we all go to school. I'm excited I've only had one friend, and you're still my best friend I've ever had.
Best Wishes and Love From,
Marie
I folded the paper and placed it in my pocket. I was wearing my swimsuit hopping to go for a swim after a while. 'Maybe Harry can join me? If the Dursleys ever decided to buy him a suit, that is.' I walked down the stairs and went into the kitchen to see what my parents wanted me to do. I figured they would have left a note, but they haven't don't they want me to do anything. I looked around. 'Oh, there's nothing I can do anyways.' I giggled, and then looked at the clock 10:55. 'Well I better go out into the yard and see if Harry's there yet.' And sure enough there he was lying in the grass just staring into the sky. 'Oh he's so handsome...Oh, no, no. I cannot fall for a boy I haven't really known yet, can I?' "Hello, Harry." I said from over the hedge. He jumped.
"Marie, I was wondering when you'd show up."
"You missed me that much?" I said as I giggled.
"Yep." He said with a smile. "So do you have the letter?"
"Yep its here in my pocket." I handed him the letter.
"I'll just get Hedwig." He whistled. Suddenly a beautiful snowy owl came flying down. She perched on Harry's shoulder and stuck out her leg. Harry tied it to her leg and then said, "Ok, Hedwig bring this to Hermione, Please." Hedwig soared up into the sky and flew off toward where Hermione, obviously lived.
"She's very smart Harry."
"Yes, she is, isn't she?"
"Oh very smart. I have a calico cat named Snuffles."
"Oh," he looked as if he was remembering a bad memory. I touched him and saw his memory. I felt sorry for him. His other Godfather was nicknamed Snuffles.
"Snuffles is a girl cat, and she's very sweet. And she doesn't like mice or rats which shocked me at first, but now I actually am glad."
"Ron would've liked your cat."
"Why?"
"Up until our third year at our new school, he had a pet rat named Scabbers, and Hermione in third year, bought a big orange cat named Crookshanks. Crookshanks had it in for Scabbers and Ron and Hermione fought a lot, but that was before they went out, and Scabbers ran away and Sirius, my other Godfather, got Ron an owl."
"How interesting. Sounds like you've had fun these past few years. Have you?"
"Oh yes, I have."
"I noticed that your Aunt and Uncle don't like you at all."
"They don't." he said sharply.
"Why didn't you live with your first Godfather?
"He was in jail for something he didn't do." Then he went on and explained most of his history. I had the feeling he was leaving things out. But none-the-less I listened. "And that's about it up until now."
"Oh, Harry! I wouldn't have guessed that your life was that ruff. I mean I knew it was ruff but not that ruff."
"How did you know I had a ruff life?"
"Er~ I just guessed," I lied.
"Oh. Well hey I've got chores, so I'll see you later, hm?"
"Yes. Bubye Harry."
"Bye. I'll give you Hermione's letter tomorrow when Hedwig gets back."
"Alright." Harry went in the house and I walked back to the pool. I took off my shorts and shirt and threw them on the chairs and dove into the pool with my lime green suit. The water felt so good. I did about fifty laps and then decided I would get out and have a bit of lunch. It was so boring not doing anything with anyone else. I felt like I was going to die of boredom. I walked into the house and made a salad and then decided that I would go up to the library and read for a while. But as soon as I reached the library, the phone rang. I picked it up out in the hall. "Hello?"
"Marie? This is Harry. "Would you like to go out for a walk with me, I'm sort of bored." (A/N: he just sort of found the number.)
"I'd love to Harry." 'Finally I can do something.' "I'll meet you in the front of your house. Do you know how to ride a bike?"
"Not really."
"Oh...may I teach you? I have an extra bike."
"Sure, I'd like that."
"Bye."
"Bye." I hung up the phone and ran down the stairs. I went through the side gate and grabbed a bike from the rake and used my mind to drag the other one with me. When Harry came out I made sure that the kickstand was down and that he hadn't seen me use my magic to move the bike. "So how does this thing work?"
I quickly explained to him how a bike works and then explained to him how to ride it. As soon as I explained it, I jumped onto mine and rode around to show him. "Like this Harry."
"Oh," he said in amazement.
"Get on it then." He got on and after about 4 falls he was actually riding extremely well. "You learn fast Harry."
"Thanks, I think."
"Your welcome. So do you want to ride down to the park they have here. I saw it on our way home when I first came here. Its only a block down Magnolia."
"Sure I'd love to. After you."
"Thanks." The whole afternoon was spent at the park. There were other kids there, such as some of Dudley's old friends, it was obvious that they hadn't liked Harry, but quickly they became friends. I think it was only because they didn't have Dudley telling them what to do anymore and that they were much smarter than Dudley too. On our way home we didn't talk much. We parked the bikes and went into my back yard and sat on the old swing set, which only had two swings.
"I had the best time today that I've had here, in...well...EVER! Thanks Marie. I had no idea Dudley dumped those friends just because they stopped smoking."
"I'm happy you had a good time. Want to do it another day that the Dursleys will all be out?"
"I'd love to. What time is it by the way?" I looked at my watch.
"5:15, why?"
"Dursleys will be home in one hour and fifteen minutes."
"Oh, have you done all your chores?"
"Yea, it took no time, especially since they forbade me to eat anything."
"Are~ Are you hungry?" I asked. 'They forbid him to eat? I thought, what horrible people.'
"Sort of why?"
"Come with me, there's some steak left from last night. My parents made three and told me to have it today. Come and eat it."
"Thanks. I never have had a friend like you before, well I mean one that lives around here anyways."
"Thanks, I'm glad you consider me a friend, you're a great friend too." I lead him into the house and told him to sit at the island. I went into the fridge and pulled out the small piece of steak. "Here, eat up! I had salad today and haven't been hungry since, so there's no way I'll eat steak. And I don't want it to go to waste."
"Thanks." He ate and it was now 5:30.
"My parents should be home soon."
"And I have an hour until the Dursleys come home. I better make it look like I've been cleaning all day."
"Ok, I'll see you tomorrow or when ever." I walked him to the gate that separated our yards. He walked in and shut the gate and then turned around.
"Thanks, for the best day I've ever had."
"Your welcome. It was the best day I've ever had also. Thanks for sharing it with me." He walked across the yard and went into the house. I turned and went into mine.
Dinner and the Best Day Ever!
Saturday came and became a wonderful time. I spent most of the day in the library reading books I had never even heard of. There was one book that had a spell for people to do that could bring the one who truly loved them to you. I thought it was most interesting and felt Hermione and I could test it sometime. Most of the books in the library were very mysterious and some pictures were moving. I just thought it was some special effect that the publishers used. A lot of them were very old too. My new parents must have had these in the family forever, I thought, wow, family history, I am definitely going to have fun looking up my own family. Later that night at about 5 o'clock, I had decided that I should get ready for the dinner at 6 o'clock. I threw on a pretty emerald green dress that matched my hair perfectly, as well as my eyes. I wore my silver locket that my mother gave me before she died; at least she gave me when I was born. I was there pride and joy, and thinking about them made me feel sad and I almost cried, but held it in because I had to look good for the party. I found a green sparkling cloak in the closet and slipped green gloves on and walked down stairs. My parents greeted me at the bottom of the stairs.
"Oh! You look so great!" said my mother excitedly.
"Your lovely darling."
"Thanks mum, dad. Well I better be on my way. It starts at 6 o'clock and I like to be early."
"Well have a good time with your new friend, sweetie."
" I will."
"Oh and your brothers are coming home for your birthday, they'll be here a little while before it dear."
"Oh that's wonderful! I can't wait to meet them." And with that I walked out side on the patio and walked through the swinging gate and up to the back door at the Dursleys'. I knocked.
"Oh Marie!" It was Mrs. Dursley. "Dudley, Vernon, and Harry are in the living room, why don't you go in and sit with them." I walked in.
"Yes, Mrs. Dursley. You look lovely this evening."
"Why thank you Marie. You do too."
"Thanks Mrs. Dursley." I went and joined the other three men in the living room.
"Marie!" Dudley said. He looked better in the tux he was wearing than with normal clothes. "I'm so glad you could come. Your beautiful."
"Thank you Dudley. Your handsome yourself." I lied.
"Your welcome. Daddy? Didn't you have something to Marie?"
"Oh, yes. Sorry to add a burden to your summer, but we are going on vacation, and cannot leave Harry here by himself."
"Ok."
"And we're wondering if~"
"If you would watch me for their vacation time," said Harry very dully.
"Oh of course I wouldn't mind but I must ask mother and father first."
"Dinner's done." Mrs. Dursley said. We all went in and ate dinner. Dudley made me sit right next to him, because he whined nonstop about having to sit by Harry. I could tell that no one in this household liked him much. 'I wonder why, he seems so normal and he's nice. And he's Hermione's friend!' I thought.
"Pass the bread, please Dudley?"
"Here you are Marie." I took the bread and couldn't help noticing that Harry was eating very fast. 'He must have somewhere to go. I can see why he wouldn't want to stay here for very long. No one likes him. And these are his family members, who raised him? It's strange why he turned out to be the good egg of the family.' I couldn't help but drift off into a deep thought but was brought back into reality when Dudley started talking loudly to me again.
"Marie?"
"Yes, Dudley?"
"How did your parents die?"
"DUDLEY!" said Mrs. Dursley, "You should know better than to ask questions like that!"
"Its ok Mrs. Dursley. Really. Well they died in a car crash. It was terrible, thankfully I was at the babysitter's."
"Oh, that's terrible," said Mr. Dursley. "And how did the Peppers, know your parents?"
"I don't know, they haven't told me yet."
"Pass the butter, please, Marie." Asked Harry, quietly.
"Yes, here you are." I handed him the butter and suddenly when our hands touched I felt a strange shock. It was like touching an electric fence for the hundredth time, shocking you but not hurting you. 'Whoa! That was weird.'
"Thank you." He looked at me strangely. He must have felt it too.
"Your welcome."
Dinner seemed to last forever. Mr. Dursley told me about his company, which made Drills. 'How boring!' But I looked excited anyways. Mrs. Dursley then asked me if I was interested in gardening.
"Oh, yes. It's a wonderful hobby."
"That's good. Did you know that I haven't lost a competition with my petunias?"
"Oh that is so wonderful." I lied. 'These people are boring. That boy, Harry, now he looks like he's had a ruff life, but lately it seems he's have an interesting life. Oh! Did I just, no~ no I couldn't have. Did I? I just read his memories! Oh, no another power I didn't know about!' I was then brought to reality, once again by Dudley. He wanted to show me a game he had just gotten for his birthday.
So after dinner I agreed to go up and have a look. I had never, in all my life, known someone who was this boring. He took me upstairs and we walked right passed Harry's room. He was obviously writing a letter since I heard scratching of a quill. 'Wait? Scratching of a quill, who writes with a quill these days?' Dudley and I went into the next room and just as I suspected his room was full of electronic things, all very dull and boring. 'Didn't he ever exercise or at least do something productive, I took one look at him, obviously not since he's got about 5 too many chins and his clothes look as if bought yesterday and now they don't fit him anymore.' I laughed silently. I thought about Hermione's friend, Harry for a moment as Dudley was starting his computer to show me the game. 'I wonder if he knows how to get a hold of Hermione. I should ask him. But I'll never get a chance as long as Dudley's in the room.' And as if I made him do it, Dudley suddenly had to use the bathroom.
"I'll be right back Marie."
"I'll wait right here." He then went of to the bathroom, and decided to use a little of my magic to talk to Harry. So I disappeared from Dudley's room and reappeared in Harry's. "Hello, Harry." He jumped.
"M~ Marie, oh, you scared me. I didn't even hear the door."
"Oh, yea, I'm very quiet." I laughed uneasily.
"So what is it you want? Having a good time with Dudley?"
"No!" I said sharply, and then continued, "I wanted to know if you knew how to get a hold of Hermione. You do, don't you? I mean after all she's your friend."
"I do, but only because Hedwig knows how to find her."
"Who's Hedwig?"
"My pet owl, she can deliver messages."
"Wow, she must be amazingly smart!"
"She is."
"Well, would you mind sending her a message from me?"
"Anything for a friend of a friend." He smiled. I swear I almost could have melted. 'He's so handsome. And look at me...' "So what do you want to say?"
"Give her my address. So she can write to me."
"Ok what is it?
"It's the same as yours, only its Number 6. Sorry I don't exactly know where I am."
"How about when you go home you write a letter to Hermione, and I'll have Hedwig send it to her? Trust me you'll get a reply much faster than the post can get the letter to you."
"Ok. I'll have it to you by tomorrow morning. What time can you meet me in your back yard?"
"11 o'clock. The Dursley's will have left by then. Trust me they'll hate you if you associate with me."
"Oh, but that wouldn't be so bad." He smiled at me and I smiled back. "I'll see you tomorrow at 11."
"Bye." He turned to his writing and I popped out of the room. I was just in time because Dudley was on his way back from the bathroom. I looked at my silver watch and noticed it was 8:30.
"Oh heavens! I'm late!"
"For what?"
"My curfew is 8:15. I'm going to be in so much trouble. Would you walk me home Dudley?"
"But I just started my computer game. I'll have Harry walk you home. Hold on."
"Ok, sure." 'Is he that lazy? At least Harry will walk me home. He's so nice and handsome too. Oh no! I think I'm crushing on him'. Dudley went into Harry's room, there was a distinct, "Ouch!" and then there was the sound of an elephant walking down the hall. Dudley walked into the room and Harry followed him.
"I'll walk you home Marie," said Harry, rubbing his head.
"Thank you, Harry." He took a hold of my hand and I felt the shock again, so I let go of his hand. "I'm ok. Shall we go out the front?"
"Sure." We walked down the stairs and Mr. and Mrs. Dursley were talking. He motioned with his hand for me to stop and be quiet.
"But Vernon, what if her parents say they won't take him?"
"I haven't thought about that. Hm?" There was a very long pause. Mr. Dursley must have been thinking because then he said, "What if we ask Mr. and Mrs. Pepper tomorrow during our bridge game?"
"Alright dear. I just hope they can put up with that little~"
"Petunia, she'll live. How, I don't know." Harry had obviously heard enough, because he motioned for me to follow him.
"Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon?"
"Oh, its you. What do you want?"
"Dudley told me to take Marie home."
"Very well. Go!" I followed Harry out of the house.
"They don't like you much, do they?"
"No," he said sharply.
"Would you take a walk with me, please?"
"But your curfew~"
"Isn't until 9:30."
"But you told~"
"A little white lie." I giggled a bit. We walked down the corner to Magnolia. Harry stopped at the corner and looked around. "What is it?" I said worriedly. He motioned for me to be quiet. Suddenly a man who looked sickly came up and stopped in front of Harry.
"Remus!" Harry continued, "How are you...oh I'd like you to meet my friend, Marie." Harry nodded towards me.
"Hello, Harry. I'm pretty good. How've you been?"
"Good." Remus looked over at me.
"Oh, your friend is lovely." He took my hand and kissed the top of it.
"This is my friend, Marie. She just moved in next to the Dursleys."
"Oh."
"Remus? Is there something going on again. He's not attacking again is he?" Remus shook his head. "Oh, ok good. So what are you doing here then?"
"Just coming to check on what my new godson is doing." Harry and Remus smiled
"New godson?" I was confused.
"Yes," Harry said. "My parents died a long time ago. My Godfather just recently died last year and Remus here was my honorary Godfather and now he's my new one."
"Oh, that's awful, about your other Godfather. But why do you live with your horrible Aunt and Uncle instead of Remus?"
"Because I can't afford to take care of him," Remus said quickly.
"That's right."
"Oh."
"Marie, How are you this evening?" said Remus politely.
"I'm good, and you are?"
"Just fine, thank you. Harry your girlfriend here is very polite."
"Oh, Remus she's not my girlfriend. I've only met her when I got off the train. Her and Hermione know each other from childhood. Her parents died in a car crash."
"Is that a car crash or a car crash?"
"I'm not sure, I think just a car crash."
"Yes, it was a car crash, what other car crash is there?"
"Oh never mind," said Harry quickly.
"Something weird is going on between you two. I demand to know what it is!"
"We can't tell you," said Harry.
"Oh Harry you might as well tell her. She's your friend isn't she?"
"Yes but~"
"You see Marie, Harry's parents were blown up. And his Aunt and Uncle told him they died in a car crash. He was in the explosion but lived because he was outside when it happened, that's how he got a scar on his forehead."
"You have a scar?"
"Yes." I looked at his forehead.
"Wow, so do I but its on my thigh."
"Really? What's it shaped like?"
"Like a lightening bolt, like yours, but I received it because once while I was sleeping a bully~ a girl bully~ carved it into me, at least I think that's how it happened. I'm not to good with remembering bad things sometimes."
"Oh."
"Hey Harry maybe if you two are close enough friends, someday Miss Marie will show you it." He laughed.
"Remus!?"
"Yes." He said still laughing.
"Shut up!" I said.
"What? Can't I have a little fun?"
"Not like that you can't."
"Oh, really?"
"Oh stop flirting..."
"Oh, sorry, I forgot that's Harry's job."
"Remus! You're making me blush." I said blushing. I looked at my watch. Oh no! It's 9:15. "Harry, its 9:15!"
"Oh we better head home then."
"Oh, 9:15, is that your snogging time?" Remus laughed. 'He's really funny, but he can some times act like a dumb ass.'
"Stop pulling a Sirius! It's her curfew anyways. And I have never snogged with anyone."
"First time for everything."
"Lets just go Marie."
"Ok, Harry, I'm coming. Nice to meet you Remus."
"It's my pleasure. See you some other time." Harry walked me all the way up to my back door. I stood near the door.
"Thanks for walking with me."
"Your welcome Marie." He leaned in and kissed me. I put my arms around his neck and he slipped his hands around my waist. We kissed there for a while. 'God he is a great kisser,' I thought. 'And he has such strong arms.' He pulled away and just looked into my eyes. I almost melted. I broke the silence. "First time for every thing, eh?" I waved goodbye and walked in the door. I had a big smile on my face. I saw my parents sitting at the island. "Oh hello Mum, Dad."
"Marie," my dad said with a nod. "Have a good time, did you?"
"Oh yes, very much."
"Except?" said my mother.
"Except the Dursleys, are the most boring people I've ever met and they treat Harry like trash."
"I thought as much."
"Why's that Mum?"
"Oh because it's true they are and they do."
"So why are you guys friends?"
"Because they're nice, but boring," said my father.
"Oh, I guess that's true. Oh and Mum, Dad? Mr. and Mrs. Dursley were wondering if we would be able to allow Harry to stay here while they go on vacation?"
"Oh, I don't see why not, George?"
"Yes, I suppose he could. There's only going to be about a month till school starts and then we'll only have to bring you guys to King's Cross."
"What school will I be attending?"
"I don't know, we'll see." My mother winked at my father. What are they up to?
"Ok, well I'm tired and I'm going to go up to bed. And by the way."
"Yes?"
"They're going to ask you tomorrow at bridge."
"Oh, ok."
"Don't look too excited, they think he'll be a burden to us."
"Ah, I see."
"Yes, and since my birthday's at the end of the month and my brothers will be home do you think I can invite Hermione and her boyfriend?"
"Sure, I guess. What about Harry?"
"He'll already be over."
"Oh, how silly of me to forget," my mother said, giggling. I hugged them both good night and climbed the stairs to my floor. I pulled the curtains and blankets back and climbed into bed and shut the curtains of my bed. I snuggled in and as soon as my head hit the pillow I slept.
The next morning I awoke to my parents knocking on the door. "Sweetie? Your father and I are going into work now. We'll see you tonight at about 5:30."
"Alright mother, oh can I have Harry over today? I'm really starting to become friends with him and I have only had one good friend."
"Yes you can, Marie," said my father.
"Bye Mum, Dad."
"Bye."
"Love you."
"Love you too." I heard their footsteps going down the stairs. I soon got up and got dressed. I looked at my clock and noticed the time was 10:45. "Oh, no! I have to have my letter to Hermione to Harry at 11 o'clock." I went to my desk and pulled out a piece of paper and a pen and started writing:
Dear Hermione,
How are you? I'm good. Hope to see you soon. Mother says that I can have a birthday party this year. It feels so good to say Mother. Anyways, I hope you can come I'll write the details later. My brothers will be here in two weeks. Can you believe it? An orphan like me has brothers, and there are 6 of them. Well I've got to get this to Harry at 11 o'clock. He's very nice I see why you are friends with him. Oh and he's going to be staying at my house till we all go to school. I'm excited I've only had one friend, and you're still my best friend I've ever had.
Best Wishes and Love From,
Marie
I folded the paper and placed it in my pocket. I was wearing my swimsuit hopping to go for a swim after a while. 'Maybe Harry can join me? If the Dursleys ever decided to buy him a suit, that is.' I walked down the stairs and went into the kitchen to see what my parents wanted me to do. I figured they would have left a note, but they haven't don't they want me to do anything. I looked around. 'Oh, there's nothing I can do anyways.' I giggled, and then looked at the clock 10:55. 'Well I better go out into the yard and see if Harry's there yet.' And sure enough there he was lying in the grass just staring into the sky. 'Oh he's so handsome...Oh, no, no. I cannot fall for a boy I haven't really known yet, can I?' "Hello, Harry." I said from over the hedge. He jumped.
"Marie, I was wondering when you'd show up."
"You missed me that much?" I said as I giggled.
"Yep." He said with a smile. "So do you have the letter?"
"Yep its here in my pocket." I handed him the letter.
"I'll just get Hedwig." He whistled. Suddenly a beautiful snowy owl came flying down. She perched on Harry's shoulder and stuck out her leg. Harry tied it to her leg and then said, "Ok, Hedwig bring this to Hermione, Please." Hedwig soared up into the sky and flew off toward where Hermione, obviously lived.
"She's very smart Harry."
"Yes, she is, isn't she?"
"Oh very smart. I have a calico cat named Snuffles."
"Oh," he looked as if he was remembering a bad memory. I touched him and saw his memory. I felt sorry for him. His other Godfather was nicknamed Snuffles.
"Snuffles is a girl cat, and she's very sweet. And she doesn't like mice or rats which shocked me at first, but now I actually am glad."
"Ron would've liked your cat."
"Why?"
"Up until our third year at our new school, he had a pet rat named Scabbers, and Hermione in third year, bought a big orange cat named Crookshanks. Crookshanks had it in for Scabbers and Ron and Hermione fought a lot, but that was before they went out, and Scabbers ran away and Sirius, my other Godfather, got Ron an owl."
"How interesting. Sounds like you've had fun these past few years. Have you?"
"Oh yes, I have."
"I noticed that your Aunt and Uncle don't like you at all."
"They don't." he said sharply.
"Why didn't you live with your first Godfather?
"He was in jail for something he didn't do." Then he went on and explained most of his history. I had the feeling he was leaving things out. But none-the-less I listened. "And that's about it up until now."
"Oh, Harry! I wouldn't have guessed that your life was that ruff. I mean I knew it was ruff but not that ruff."
"How did you know I had a ruff life?"
"Er~ I just guessed," I lied.
"Oh. Well hey I've got chores, so I'll see you later, hm?"
"Yes. Bubye Harry."
"Bye. I'll give you Hermione's letter tomorrow when Hedwig gets back."
"Alright." Harry went in the house and I walked back to the pool. I took off my shorts and shirt and threw them on the chairs and dove into the pool with my lime green suit. The water felt so good. I did about fifty laps and then decided I would get out and have a bit of lunch. It was so boring not doing anything with anyone else. I felt like I was going to die of boredom. I walked into the house and made a salad and then decided that I would go up to the library and read for a while. But as soon as I reached the library, the phone rang. I picked it up out in the hall. "Hello?"
"Marie? This is Harry. "Would you like to go out for a walk with me, I'm sort of bored." (A/N: he just sort of found the number.)
"I'd love to Harry." 'Finally I can do something.' "I'll meet you in the front of your house. Do you know how to ride a bike?"
"Not really."
"Oh...may I teach you? I have an extra bike."
"Sure, I'd like that."
"Bye."
"Bye." I hung up the phone and ran down the stairs. I went through the side gate and grabbed a bike from the rake and used my mind to drag the other one with me. When Harry came out I made sure that the kickstand was down and that he hadn't seen me use my magic to move the bike. "So how does this thing work?"
I quickly explained to him how a bike works and then explained to him how to ride it. As soon as I explained it, I jumped onto mine and rode around to show him. "Like this Harry."
"Oh," he said in amazement.
"Get on it then." He got on and after about 4 falls he was actually riding extremely well. "You learn fast Harry."
"Thanks, I think."
"Your welcome. So do you want to ride down to the park they have here. I saw it on our way home when I first came here. Its only a block down Magnolia."
"Sure I'd love to. After you."
"Thanks." The whole afternoon was spent at the park. There were other kids there, such as some of Dudley's old friends, it was obvious that they hadn't liked Harry, but quickly they became friends. I think it was only because they didn't have Dudley telling them what to do anymore and that they were much smarter than Dudley too. On our way home we didn't talk much. We parked the bikes and went into my back yard and sat on the old swing set, which only had two swings.
"I had the best time today that I've had here, in...well...EVER! Thanks Marie. I had no idea Dudley dumped those friends just because they stopped smoking."
"I'm happy you had a good time. Want to do it another day that the Dursleys will all be out?"
"I'd love to. What time is it by the way?" I looked at my watch.
"5:15, why?"
"Dursleys will be home in one hour and fifteen minutes."
"Oh, have you done all your chores?"
"Yea, it took no time, especially since they forbade me to eat anything."
"Are~ Are you hungry?" I asked. 'They forbid him to eat? I thought, what horrible people.'
"Sort of why?"
"Come with me, there's some steak left from last night. My parents made three and told me to have it today. Come and eat it."
"Thanks. I never have had a friend like you before, well I mean one that lives around here anyways."
"Thanks, I'm glad you consider me a friend, you're a great friend too." I lead him into the house and told him to sit at the island. I went into the fridge and pulled out the small piece of steak. "Here, eat up! I had salad today and haven't been hungry since, so there's no way I'll eat steak. And I don't want it to go to waste."
"Thanks." He ate and it was now 5:30.
"My parents should be home soon."
"And I have an hour until the Dursleys come home. I better make it look like I've been cleaning all day."
"Ok, I'll see you tomorrow or when ever." I walked him to the gate that separated our yards. He walked in and shut the gate and then turned around.
"Thanks, for the best day I've ever had."
"Your welcome. It was the best day I've ever had also. Thanks for sharing it with me." He walked across the yard and went into the house. I turned and went into mine.