DUDLEY'S DEEDS

Harry's jaw dropped open. He hadn't expected it. Slowly the shocked expression changed in to horror. Tears are freely flowing down from Hermione's eyes. She didn't even make an attempt to wipe them.

"What are we going to do?" croaked Hermione.

Harry simply stared at her, his brain is numb with shock. However, he decided what they should do.

"Let's go there. To Grimmaud place." Answered Harry.

"Harry we can't. Mrs. Figg specified this fireplace is only for talking, and even talking should be conserved. I don't know how safe it is, and we can not add extra work to order just by taking some rash move."

Harry couldn't believe it. She is thinking about the safety of flooing to some place which is hidden from whole world by the safest security charm, when their best friend is in danger. Harry felt his anger increasing.

"Oh Yeah! Then what do you suppose we should do?" asked Harry sarcastically.

Hermione missed sarcasm which is a rarity considering her usual perception skills. That's showing how much she is agitated.

"Look at what happened Harry. Voldemort is busy with his new lair, and making people believe it is a great city and all. Do you think death eaters will have time to attack someone now? They will be and should be busy in making that place almost impregnable. How come they attacked Weasley's and only Ron is missing among them? They want to get you Harry." Answered Hermione looking more and more dubious.

Harry is now out right angry. What the hell is she thinking? At the time they were talking Ron might be some where out there, wandering in some woods trying to hide from death eaters. He got time till his scar hurts. If Voldemort did order his minions to bring Ron, then they would take him to Voldemort immediately. Since his scar didn't hurt, Ron is still out free, just not in a safe place. If they hurry, they may as well get to him first than Death eaters. It is simply a matter of time. Why don't Hermione understand?

Harry glared at her in answer. Hermione only looked sad.

"We are going there. If not by floo, then by any other means. I am not leaving Ron alone." Harry said his teeth clenched. He is barely able to control his anger and urge to shout at Hermione.

Hermione's face almost lit up at this comment.

"Of course" she cried happily and grabbed his hand, almost ran out side the house. Harry is confused as to what her 'of course' meant. Just as they were out side, she hazily retreated in to house, Harry can see her scrawling some thing on a paper, and pasting it above fireplace. She waved her wand over the paper, and almost ran back to Harry holding keys.

' Did she just performed magic? But that would make ministry respond, almost immediately. She must have done it by habit, and there is no incantation.' Harry convinced him self.

She hazily locked the house, ran toward the flower pot that is hanging on right side, dropped the keys in it.

Harry is definitely miffed now. It wouldn't hurt her to tell what her plans are …

Hey, she is thinking of going by knight bus. He hazily turned to follow her.

Hermione grabbed his hand, lead him toward nearest bus stop. They are almost running by now.

" Hermione. It would be enough to stand and stuck your wand in to air." Said Harry trying to keep his pace with her.

"No! We are not going by any thing that is magical. Death eaters can be any where. What with recent additions to Voldemort's followers, we can even expect a bus full of death eaters. " Answered Hermione

" Then how are we going? " asked Harry involuntarily.

"By muggle bus." Came the answer.

" Hermione. I don't have any muggle money and it would be too late. "

"I have some, it's safest."

Harry silently ran after her. Some thing is better than nothing after all. Last time, he didn't listen to Hermione and definitely the results are not nice.

They stood at the shelter, and looked to both sides of road. Not a single vehicle, or stroller. Harry looked questioningly at Hermione.

" Some thing would come by." She answered still checking surroundings.

That is then Harry noticed her hair. It is straight, and chestnut in color opposed to its normal bushy brown texture.

'Is this some person other than Hermione?' is the first thought in his mind.

'Stop being paranoid. She must have put some charm on them.' Answered another part of his brain.

"Hermione –" Harry stopped abruptly as Hermione almost ran to him, and hugged him tightly.

Hermione stood on her toes, and whispered urgently in his ear.

" Harry! Kiss me. On neck. Your face shouldn't be visible. " Hermione said almost frantically.

Harry is definitely baffled. This is definitely not Hermione. He decided. Just as he is about to protest, he has seen the figures entering the alley.

He lowered his face with out hesitation to her neck. He could feel her hand move in to his jacket, then on to his back in side his jumper. He did same with his wand in hand.

"roma vertices elongo" Hermione's voice is almost whisper.

Harry immediately felt some thing prickling at his hair. It stopped with in a second. Harry could now feel Hermione's lips on his neck, her hair tickling his earlobe. He could feel her accelerated heart beat, nervous way her lips moved on his neck. His state is none the better. He waited with bated breath as the foot steps neared.

"oooooooooooooh!" a girl cooed when she has seen them.

'They are just muggles' thought Harry relaxing. He could still feel Hermione's nervous ness though. As he is about to pull back, she whispered furiously.

"No."

Another set of steps neared them.

'what the hell' thought Harry as he lowered his head again.

"See that whore? That is why dark lord want Muggles to be hunt." Said a deep voice.

"can't we have fun with them? " whined another voice.

Harry could feel Hermione's head burying in to his neck completely. He could feel his fists balling, his right hand tightened on his wand. Of course it wouldn't be visible to the death eaters since he hid it the same way Hermione did. His hand is beneath her jumper, his fist balled around his wand. He could feel the alertness in Hermione's body since she is almost clinging to him, her body tightly pressed against him. It's as though they both are expecting killing curse any moment.

Meanwhile Hermione is trying to concentrate on seeing the four person team which is observing them with out raising her head. This the only way she could think of, and she could definitely feel its worthless ness now. Once the death eaters decided to do some thing, they will have no other way left other than fighting. 'why didn't I let Harry think of another way? Why didn't I agree when he said we can go by knight bus? Why did I thought of my self mighty, and decided to go by muggle transport?' she could see their silhouettes against the evening sun's rays.

However, Harry is thinking on different lines.

'Okay, ducking behind the wall might prove good idea, but once they try to use recuctor curse, it would be useless. We can always run, but ducking impedimenta may be hard. Not even poles are there. Knight bus is out of question. Once we summon it, it would bring unnecessary attention to us. That is if we have a place to hide.'

He didn't observe ferocity of his kissing increased, in fact he forgot what he is doing with his lips.

" They are positively revolting. Kissing on roads? I thought they at least have houses. " drawled a voice.

'Malfoy…' same thought ran thorough both their minds. Hermione is never so thankful for her forethought and using of glamour charms to hide them selves.

Another voice interrupted the death eaters from further action.

" There are too many magic surveillance spells on this place. Once we use a spell, we will have very little time to get out of this place. Dumbledore reduced his guard doesn't mean he didn't place any one here. I'm positive that he would place his most skilled follower here. So, we better get done soon."

"Hey, you said you can recognize potter and mud blood…" another death eater said inquisitively. It is obvious who is being asked.

"Potter's hair is messier than a sparrows nest. And the mud blood's hair looks like a bush and it is light in color any way. Not that I would expect them to be any better." Answered a drawling voice.

"Don't you think they used glamour charms?" asked the person who talked to Malfoy earlier.

"If they used any kind of magic, then the alarm would go off. We would have known prior to ministry letter's arrival. As such, it would be impossible for them to have used any glamour charms. I think we should leave muggles and go on with our work." Answered the person who stopped the other death eaters from using a curse.

Harry and Hermione can hear the foot steps going away from them. Hermione slowly raised her head from Harry's neck and observed the now leaving group.

A person in them waved his wand in star shape. She knows what it is. They are connecting them selves to surveillance charms. It wouldn't alert the charms. She definitely expected a group which is less wise and more violent. That connection charm is almost known to none.

They are both trying to glance at the end of alley with out making their faces visible. They waited for a minute before raising their heads in to air. They are still holding each other tightly.

"TAXI" Hermione yelled at the cab that is overtaking them.

It stopped with abrupt creak, and then returned to face them.

"London." Spoke Hermione to the driver. He nodded, next moment, they jumped in to the car.

Once they are settled, (Hermione immediately raised windowpanes), Harry spoke.

"That was close."

"Yeah. I couldn't believe I'm so stupid. We should have summoned knight bus." Answered Hermione.

"No. You were brilliant. If we have summoned knight bus then we would have faced them outright. Zero chance for us to survive." Said Harry.

'Why didn't I think of it?' asked Hermione to her self rubbing her neck. The skin on her neck is burning.

Harry looked at her expecting an answer and noticed what she is doing. She is rubbing her neck on place where he tried to kiss her, or where she instructed him to kiss her. It is very red, and Harry could notice there are one or two dents on her skin here and there. Heat rose in his cheeks as he looked at her.

'I never intended to do that.' He thought to him self.

'Well, it seems you have already done that.' answered his little apathetic voice.

Harry is now definitely in the same color as an apple, unable to look at Hermione any more, he turned his face to window. As he sat down watching the country side fly by, his thoughts drifted towards times spent at Burrow. Some of his most happy memories are associated with that place.

If this is what he is like, he couldn't imagine Mrs. Weasley's state. As he thought of it, he clearly remembered the shape of her boggart.

Hermione sat on other side feeling the burning on her neck, her heart still beating frantically. She knocked on back of driver's seat, asked if he know canon mall. That place is nearest to Grimmaud place. Then, from there on, she can take a different cab.

She turned to watch the country side, at the same time taking deep breaths and reliving her self of her tension. Two small tears rolled out of her eyes, she laughed to herself. 'Never once in my life, did I assume one day I would cry out of tension. Sheer tension.' She remarked to herself. 'If this is what I felt from a minor escape, I couldn't fathom what Harry went through while he faced Voldemort.'

Hermione continued calming her self. 'Thank god, I know what to do. Think about Snape in skirt, James Bond with wand. -I still can't believe I got such a spy movie idea. - NORMAL THOUGHTS' she screamed mentally to her self. She has to sooth herself, she looked at her hands which are still trembling with anxiety. 'Deep breaths Hermione. In – out – in – out. God! That sounds like I am going to give birth to a baby.' She remarked to her self dryly. 'I have to get used to this kind of situations.' She made a mental note to read about wars and find out what kind of sticky situations one can get in to.

Once she effectively diminished her heartbeat to what people call normal, she remembered what happened from beginning to end. 'Wait up, how come death eaters arrived so early? And how come they have known I am there? –can it be Malfoy's Manor? The fireplace in Mrs.Figgs house did list the fireplaces at grimmaud place and Malfoy's home as parallel, but from Mrs.Figg's house, only Grimmaud place is accessible. But Malfoy's manor should appear in black letters if it is disabled… In fact they are both connected to it, but she assumed Malfoys didn't know about this. Malfoy manor appeared in gray letters, while that does mean Malfoy manor can not be accessed from Mrs. Figg's house and vice versa, the book on floo network didn't give any description for gray color code. Okay, I have to research that one. I never heard any where there are spells to hear conversations from fireplace. Or did the death eaters arrived there just because they expected Harry will leave his house once he heard about Ron? But there is no way they would have known about it. He didn't know it before I told him. Or did they send a letter to him, but he came to see me, and letter missed? That makes sense. The death eaters just arrived by the time we are out on road, which implies they are expecting to meet us at Harry's house. I hope they don't find out we already left.' Hermione rethought and reevaluated the situation till she noticed the out skirts of London, started giving directions to driver. First she thought she should go to canon mall, but she changed her decision as they entered London, and stopped with in two furlongs back side of Grimmaud place.

She then lead the way through some narrow alley lanes towards order's Head Quarters.

Harry is hard-put to follow her. She is moving as though she had grown up there. Hermione suddenly retreated behind a pole, motioned Harry to do the same. He joined her, glanced in the direction she is seeing. He could identify the retreating backs of some people wearing robes.

"Death eaters?" asked Harry.

"I don't know. Wizards are not known to wander here." Answered Hermione walking in to nearest alley.

Harry simply followed her. As they are nearing the place, a strong sense of foreboding came upon him. He shut his eyes tightly and tried to lessen the feeling.

"Harry" called Hermione softly. She knows what Harry is going through. This is after all, Sirius's house.

Harry opened his eyes and looked at the looming building apprehensively. It will be quite intimidating in appearance had it not been more dreadful and dingy.

Harry hardened his heart, crossed the door with in heartbeat. Hermione came in after him looking slightly perturbed. She kept eyeing Harry warily. Harry determinedly kept looking ahead. They tiptoed across Mrs.Black's portrait, soon arrived in to dining room.

Ginny is trying to subdue Mrs. Weasley who is crying uncontrollably. All her efforts didn't seem to be yielding because she her self is in the same state as Mrs.Weasley. Hermione almost ran to Mrs.Weasley enveloping her in a gentle hug. Harry stood in a corner looking awkwardly towards the crying females. Hermione succeeded in calming Ginny if not Mrs.Weasley. She is still crying, but she did seem better than when they arrived.

After a minute, Hermione is finding details of attack from Ginny.

"We don't know what is happening Hermione. It all happened so fast. Dumbledore informed us it is not safe, we should leave. So we have been packing. You see, all of us wanted to spend some time in our house before leaving it for some time. We don't know when it will be over. So we are planning to have our dinner there tonight…sniff … Then return to grimmaud place. I'm helping mum, suddenly, shouts came from out side. Ron came running in side, told me and mum to leave with packages, he would follow. Fred and George are covering front side. He almost threw every thing in to fireplace, pushed us in to it… Just as we are about to leave, we heard some one apparating in to house. I don't know who it is. After five minutes, Fred and George arrived. They don't know what happened to Ron. Now they are searching the areas with in vicinity of Burrow. They are sure Ron is not taken by death eaters. Mum has been like this from beginning, and I don't know what to do…Ginny wiped her tears… WHY DON'T THEY LET ME GO?" Ginny shouted last part in frustration banging her fist on table, breaking in to sobs immediately.

"I … just wish Ron will be found soon." Ginny said between sniffing.

Hermione patted Ginny's back reassuringly hugging her again. Harry is feeling very out of place by now. He wanted to go and search for Ron. If only he could use magic! Thought he angrily.

Hey, Hermione just used magic outside, she didn't get any warnings. Just as Harry is about to ask Hermione how she is able to use magic, Mrs.Black's portrait started screeching.

Everybody looked in the direction of entrance, they could hear Tonks's voice stupefying Mrs.Black's portrait. After a second, Mundungus Fletcher entered dining room looking ruffled, and excited.

"Molly! Ron is not captured by death eaters." Told Tonks almost bouncing with joy.

"Mundungus heard them while they camped, they say he jumped out of window, ran in to direction of woods, then they lost track of him." Said Tonks with out taking a breath.

Mundungus nodded his head in agreement, added "Twins are searching forest along with Lupin and Bill."

Mrs.Weasley broke in to another round of sobs but this time out of relief. She hugged Tonks tightly, gave another hug to Ginny kissing her daughter on forehead, all the while saying "He escaped." she looked almost delusional with joy.

A big grin broke on Ginny's face while she hugged Hermione and Tonks. Relief swept over Harry. He is frightened to imagine what may happen to Ron had he been caught by death eaters. They could torture him, or worse, send him back after placing imperious.

After few minutes, Lupin and Twins informed them that they are going to search the woods. Mrs. Weasley sent Harry back to privet drive against his protests. Hermione remained at headquarters for that day to help Mrs.Weasley and Ginny. Tonks arrived with him to provide guard.

Hermione returned next day, brought back news that Ron hadn't been found, but death eaters left the Otter St. Catchpole at four in morning. Hestia Jones had been providing protection to the Weasleys; she got trapped in the woods. Death eaters camped in woods for night, left seeing as they couldn't find Ron. Daily prophet informed his missing, so aurors are helping. Hestia confirmed Ron is not found, but she didn't know more. Even then order members can not find whereabouts of Ron. However, they are absolutely sure that Ron didn't leave the woods and he is alive, not in imminent danger.

That didn't make situation any better for Harry, Hermione seemed to be walking on hooks. They both are told to stay at their respective abodes seeing as ministry is involved now.

Hermione left for lunch in the after noon, saying she could get some rest and soothe her nerves. Harry is left to his own reflections soon after. Words of prophesy ringed in his ears again, the guilt started to rise again in his chest. Harry quickly thought about the easiest method to clear his thoughts. Count till hundred, forwards … backwards…

"Boy!" reverberated the shout of uncle Vernon from inside.

Harry closed his eyes, answered his uncle.

"Coming Uncle Vernon."

He quickly descended down the stairs to meet his uncle dressed in a suit along with his aunt who is dressed in a gown. They seem to be going to a party.

"We are going out." Said his uncle.

Harry gave a glance which clearly said "so…?"

"Watch the house" said his aunt.

Harry nodded in answer.

"No freak business." Added his uncle.

Harry raised his eyebrows.

"Don't do any thing to Dudley." Added his aunt.

Harry raised his eyebrows even higher, observed his aunt and uncle keenly.

He answered slowly as his uncle looked ready to pound on him – "I won't. As long as he didn't do any thing."

"You are in no position to say that boy." growled his uncle.

"We said don't do anything to him." Said his aunt.

"Is that understood?" said Vernon.

"Well, I can't promise about my friends, but I promise I would do nothing voluntarily." Answered Harry.

"Fine, here is the lock of house. Don't go out side." Said his uncle.

"Don't invite any one in." added his aunt.

"Don't touch phone or TV." Warned his uncle.

"Don't come out of your room" added his aunt.

Harry nodded.

His uncle and aunt gave him a last glare, left the house.

Harry shook his head amusedly as he watched his aunt and uncle leave. Hey, they have given him keys of house. They hadn't locked him in his room. He could use television.

'-Bloody hell-'swore Harry to him self, while running towards television and remote.

His aunt hid it, but he had always known where she hid it. So, with in a minute, he sat in front of TV in front of news channel. They are reporting about some petty quarrel in London. He changed channels, no channel is displaying news. All channels are entertainment. Harry sighed in disappointment, switched of TV. What is he going to do now? For one, he can sit in his room as his aunt said. Being alone brought the worst out. Finally he settled for a movie coming in local channel. Dudley is spending at Piers's house so he wouldn't arrive before eight. Any way, this is the first time ever his aunt and uncle left him alone with access to some of electronic devices.

Soon, its six in the evening, Harry is still drooling on the wonders of picture box. Harry observed watching TV drove all thoughts away from him – 'well, that does explain why Dudley is so stupid' – his counterpart replied.

'DUM'

Suddenly a thumping sound came from upstairs. To be more exact, some one flanked on floor. Harry removed his wand out. Hermione performed magic concealing spell on his wand, but she is not sure it would work for him. As she put it – 'Harry, there are too advanced and complex spells on the place you reside. Both Dumbledore's and other ones. So I would advise you use magic only in life threatening situations.'

This can be classified as one of life threatening situations – decided Harry moving besides staircase. He wouldn't be visible to any one coming from the bedroom. After a second his bedroom's door creaked slowly. Harry could feel some one coming in the direction of staircase though they didn't make any noise.

'Well, if it's an intelligent one, then I'm dead.'- thought Harry almost involuntarily though his logical voice reminded him he can not be dead if it is not Voldemort.

The person came down the stairs almost crouched. Harry couldn't see them as he is almost pressed against staircase possibly disappearing in to the gap between them and the wall. As soon as the person crouched got up from staircase, Harry jumped forward, pressed his wand against their back.

Then he observed the person who entered looked lot like Venissa from backside.

"Venissa!" asked Harry surprised.

"Well, what did you think you idiot? If you are a second late, I would have burst your brains out." Growled back Venissa pocketing the pistol which is exactly aimed at his chest. ( she folded her hands on her abdomen pointing pistol backwards.)

"Sorry!" answered Harry turning around to face her, but keeping his wand aimed.

"Don't tell me you are going to ask for identity card and password." Snapped Venissa.

"Okay, this is definitely you." Said Harry motioning her to sit on sofas.

"Hey, did balloon and pole stick gone for economy honeymoon?" asked she enthusiastically looking around. Those are respective names of uncle Vernon and aunt Petunia.

"Well, yeah. And I really don't know what possessed them not to lock me in, but I guess I'm just lucky. Any way what brings you here?" Asked Harry stopping television.

"Boxing matches." Said Venissa almost jumping up and down.

"You are participating? "Asked Harry keeping his face straight.

Venissa scowled and chucked the brochure in his face instead of answering.

It is a colorful brochure, featuring some of the previous champions who uncannily resembled Crabbe and Goyle with out shirts, only, Harry is sure Crabbe and Goyle will never work enough to gain the amount of muscles guys on brochure are displaying.

Any one can participate, it didn't have any limits on age or occupation or any thing. Just, you have to go and give your name and get a token, and then you can participate. Keep the token carefully, since you will not be receiving prize money with out your token. Organizers are not responsible for death or injuries in fights.

It sounded quite illegal for Harry. When he voiced his doubts, Venissa smiled coyly at him confirming his suspicions.

"I don't want to see any more blood shed. "Said Harry giving the brochure back.

"Okay, I'll just take Hermione then." Answered Venissa, sauntered toward his window.

Harry turned the television off, wandered lazily over the house. It is the first time ever his relatives left him to be. He tried to walk as though it is his own house, amazed when he couldn't achieve the feat for two seconds. It's almost like his subconscious is warning him at every step he should be careful or his uncle wouldn't like it.

'I never knew I am that paranoid.' Commented Harry to himself.

He then simply sat on sofa, rereading the brochure Venissa gave him. She told he should keep it in case he considered coming, it wouldn't do if he didn't have entry ticket.

Harry sighed resentfully, and tucked it in his pocket, went in to kitchen to make him self some food.

He ate his dinner at table peacefully; he still couldn't believe his uncle and aunt left him in house with out locking every thing. 'May be that indicates the amount of fear they felt towards order' – commented sarcastic part of his brain.

Harry chuckled to him self, placed the plate on counter after cleaning it. There is no trace he had eaten any thing except for the reduction in amount of supplies.

He walked to his room, resumed watching the sky from the window in his room. He is doing it a lot recently. Previously, it's because he just couldn't bear looking any where in his room, now because he is expecting an owl to fly through the window at any time telling him Ron is safe.

He started as a faint creaking sound reached his ears, accompanied by loud thudding foot steps. Dudley is home. He is just as bulky as ever, only difference being his body started to gain a shape now instead of hanging like a football given a shape of human.

Harry returned to staring out of window longingly. It seems Dudley is talking to some one. After five minutes, the whispers ceased. It seems Dudley ended talking to the some one. The door creaked again, this time Harry is definitely mystified. Dudley is supposed to stay at home. Is he planning to go out and booze? Asked Harry to him self, while running down to stop Dudley. Is this the reason why his aunt and uncle gave him keys?

Dudley is already walking out.

"Dudley! Where the hell are you going?" Shouted Harry as the followed his cousin outside.

"It's none of your business Potter." Snarled Dudley in answer.

His eyes are oddly out of focus, in fact they looked slightly insane. It is as though he is gleeful about some thing, and his blue eyes are extremely intense. That's entirely unlike Dudley. Harry studied Dudley closely. Now he noticed some thing slightly disturbing. Dudley is pale, he is turning slightly pink. His eyes are becoming brighter every second, Harry was sure some thing is extremely wrong about Dudley.

Harry removed his wand from his pocket, Dudley flinched backed off as Harry took a firm hold on his wand. 'Okay, this is Dudley, alright. Now, what is wrong with him?' thought Harry.

"Where are you going Dudley?" asked Harry with a slight edge to his voice.

"It's none of your business." Snapped Dudley in answer still eyeing Harry's wand. His blue eyes flared with anger, he almost looked close to insane, like Bellatrix Lestrange.

Harry almost jumped out of surprise at the reference he has chosen to describe Dudley. Can it be? He thought warily.

"You are not supposed to go out. Your mum told me clearly to keep you in side the house." Answered Harry.

"Sod off Potter." Dudley snarled at Harry at the same time throwing him out of path with remarkable agility.

Harry is almost thrown out by the sheer force Dudley applied. Harry shook his head in confusion. It seemed to happen in the blink of an eye. Small stars popped in front of his eyes as he tried to open them. By the time he recovered and looked up, Dudley already left. Harry retreated in to the house thinking hard to find a reason which will prove him innocent and explain Dudley's absence. 'It wouldn't be necessary any way. Aunt Petunia and uncle Vernon will blame it on me.' Thought he resent fully.

But he had a nagging feeling inside him which is telling something very bad is going to happen. Something is extremely wrong.

Harry walked in to house, plopped him self on the couch. He closed his eyes, leaned back. Suddenly anger besieged him. Why should every thing go wrong at this exact moment? What would he answer if Dursleys are back before Dudley? What happened of Ron? What the hell happened to Dudley to make him look like he is insane? Why did Dursleys scold Dudley?

Harry is so frustrated, he let out a scream out of blue. He felt slightly better after screaming, but his throat felt raspy.

But suddenly he asked him self again wonderingly, Dursleys are scolding Dudley? That must be the shocking news of century. He just thought Dudley boozed a little too much for uncle Vernon to be comfortable. But now, it seems some thing is amiss.

First, uncle Vernon spends money and sends him to a summer coaching, then they tried to make Dudley work along with him, though it is with the intentions of embarrassing him, it is still a bit weird. Then they don't say any thing about his going out with Venissa, Harry thought they are just leaving him be because they knew Venissa is dangerous, Muggle or magical.

They never entered his room, but that's not very new. He is supposed to clean and maintain his room by himself. Now he did think of it, he received little to none bashing all these days, he accredited it to the fear of magic, but now he remembered them, it seems they are always preoccupied. It appeared as though he is little of their worries.

Harry started twiddling with the piece of paper in front of him absently. Its smooth surface is soothing to him. He stared at the paper he is playing with deep in thought about what is wrong with Dudley. It is after five seconds he noticed the paper he is playing with is similar to brochure Venissa had given to him. He immediately checked for his brochure in his pocket, and it is intact. Harry stared at the two papers repetitively. Then the some thing in his mind clicked.

But Dudley will not. He cares too much about his health – argued the sensitive part of his brain. Harry isn't so sure. If Dudley is drinking and smocking so much, then uncle Vernon would have reduced his pocket money obviously. By the way, Dudley is almost over confident about his ability in boxing. Harry doesn't know what to do. He wouldn't at all mind if Dudley is all bruised and beaten, but he definitely don't want his cousin dead. He didn't think his cousin would be dead, but it is a possibility. And what would he answer Vernon when they returned home? Dudley went to an illegal boxing match, and he is extremely happy their son is getting what he deserved?

Well, that wouldn't hurt him would it? after all, it will teach Dursleys a lesson – for being too stingy with him and for spoiling Dudley. Yes I don't at all mind that - Thought Harry.

After one hour, Harry is getting of the bus in Racer's Alley. He soon found out where the boxing matches are going on. A big crowd is around the place where the matches are going on. He is scared out of his skin. He never entered a place in muggle world that reminded him of Knockturn Alley more. Not that the alley bore any similarities with Knockturn Alley, but the environment sure does.

A girl clad in extremely skimpy dress, which looked as though it would fall of any minute, blew a kiss at him. Watching out of corners of his eyes, Harry found the inhabitants of the lane extremely disgusting, and disturbing. A man or woman, he couldn't understand the sex properly, smiled seductively at him. Harry found his cheeks turning red against his will. He walked forward resolutely though his mind screamed to turn and go back because he wouldn't get a chance later. As Harry moved forward, he sensed a man who looked around the size of Hagrid is approaching him. The bulky man is coming nearer.

Harry fastened his pace, balled his fists which are sweating profusely.

As the man neared, Harry let his resolve to winds, and ran pell-mell towards the end of alley where he could see the mob. He arrived out of breath at the place, fought his way through the crowd to the beginning. The man is still following him, but it seemed the over coming the mad crowd is not as easy for his burley frame as it is for Harry's skinny frame.

Harry thrust the ticket in the hands of the man who is checking the entry tokens. He looked up at Harry surprised after he examined his ticket.

"Delux ticket's way is out there sir." Pointed out the pudgy man pointing a finger at the near by door which is relatively empty.

"Never mind." Answered Harry.

He examined Harry with a shrewd eye. Harry could feel the crowd parting for the big man behind him. His nervous ness is increasing every minute. – 'could muggles know about Legillimency?" thought Harry warily as he looked back at the man issuing entry. It definitely looked like he is a legillimens to Harry.

"Bruke" he called out loudly, a skinny boy answered him. He motioned the boy towards Harry, placed the ticket in his hands after tearing in half, and motioning his hands toward Harry.

Harry is nervously watching the bulky man who is waving at him. The boy seemed to respond to the bulky man's signs, however after Harry snapped at the boy what he is waiting for, he lead Harry in with remarkable speed.

He is going through a narrow staircase which seemed to be made out of nothing but spirals. Harry tried to raise a conversation with the boy.

"What is your name?"

The boy made an incoherent sound. Harry guessed it is sounded like 'aK', but thinking ak would be a remarkably stupid name, he supposed it must be Jack.

He tried his next question with a little more confidence.

"Jack, how do we meet participants?"

Jack made a full turn making Harry almost loose his footing, but he steadied him self in the last minute.

"Why do you want to meet participants?" asked Jack harshly.

Harry can not understand what is so wrong about his question that brought the singular change in the behavior of the boy.

He is just about to answer when he heard some heavy foot steps to approach.

He removed his wand in the blink of an eye and pointed towards the opening below him.

The bulky man who almost walked head on in to the wand, yelped and lost his footing. However, he regained his balance a bit too fast for Harry's liking.

"What do you want?" asked Harry in the most dangerous tone he could.

"Nothing Mr.Potter. Venissa told you might arrive, so she asked us to watch for you." Answered the man.

Harry still aimed his wand at him with his jaw dropped.

"Now, would you remove this stick out of my face? I am afraid, I sneeze rather loudly." Said the man eyeing him as though he is from other world.

Harry felt very foolish. He should look like an idiot waving a stick like a gun in front of them.

"He wants to meet participants." Remarked the boy behind Harry.

Harry is astonished by the cold ness in his tone. The bulky man observed him shrewdly. Harry didn't like it one bit.

"Is there some one you want to meet in particular?" asked the man in front of him.

Harry couldn't help notice a slight edge in his voice.

"Umm… Yes. It's my cousin. Dudley Dursley is the name." answered Harry suddenly feeling very vulnerable.

"What do you want with him?" asked the man with same calculated glance in his eyes.

"I…I want to take him home." Harry answered slightly faltering under the fierce glance of the man.

The man looked like Harry as though he is kidding. When he understood Harry isn't joking, he waved to the boy behind him.

"Jack, check if there is any Dudley Dursley." Said the man.

"He is very big, blue eyes, blonde hair." Added Harry.

The man beside him raised eyebrows at Harry, impatiently motioned Jack to move.

"Mr.Potter, I must tell you we do not let participants off the fighting once they took a token." Said the man. It's as though he is warning Dudley wouldn't be able to reach home with out fighting. "even if you are Venissa Wikfield's friend." Added he as an after thought.

Harry stared at him –" just how much influence does Venissa have here? And why didn't she tell me she lives in …Ugh… such a place?" asked Harry to him self.

Jack returned at the exact moment. He informed there is no one called Dudley Dursley.

"Have you seen them personally?" asked Harry unable to contain him self.

Both Jack and the big man looked at him sharply.

"Now, since your cousin is not here, I think you don't mind joining Venissa." Said the man. Harry just stared in answer.

Soon, he is walking through a round corridor toward a door in the end with his head drawn resignedly.

He entered the room dejectedly, raised his head to say hello, and was flabbergasted at the sight that met his eyes.

AN: well, some one review please. I would write it any way, but It would be good to know what is your opinion.

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