Chapter 3: Luncheon

Kate Philips hastily followed her parents into the neighbour's house. The Dursleys were at first impression very kind and welcoming the moment she walked in the door the plump boy reached out for her hand and to Kate's surprise didn't shake it but kissed it instead. God what is this the 18th century. As for Ms. Dursleys she was proper, sweet and what she lacked in weight her husband made up for.

Dudley the boy didn't waste any time in grabbing Kate's wrist and dragging her over to the living room. Everything in there was dust free in fact now that Kate thought about it the whole house was shiny in a quirky sort of way. The only thing in this room that didn't shout out 'Proper' was a bunching bag right smack in the middle.

" Discovered my sons hidden talent have you, champion boxer he is! Now I don't mean to brag but he's taken out kids double his size, triple even." Mr Dursley bragged as he patted Dudley on the shoulder. HA thought Kate double his size that would be a new world record for fattest man alive. But to be polite she simply said "Wow"

" Yep, best of the best he is. Next year he might make it to the state championships. Some wonder where he gets the talent. I say that it must be in his genes. Maybe well start a family tree of good, no great boxers!"

"That's some skill."

" I'd say a quick one two and Dudders has got emm beat"

"Dad!"

" Well its true ain't it son."

" Yes but . . ."

So much for being modest next thing you know i'll be viewing his trophy collection, Kate thought. Lucky for her Ms. Dursley saved her with lunch in which Dudley's head popped up and he hastened to the table. Lunch was really good, even if Ms. Dursley didn't strike her as a good cook. The conversation was limited to the girls and the boys stuffed their faces with mashed potatoes and gravy, chicken, rice, beans, ham and mini sandwiches. Surprisingly Dudley was the first to get up.

" Well I'll be good for an hour or so. So Mr. Philips, Ms. Philips may I take your daughter on a luncheon stroll."

With that and a last pleading look ather parents and a reluctant smileshe was out the door being dragged by Dudders down the side walk towards the park.

Harry had the whole afternoon to himself and he planned on going everywhere other than Privet Drive. First of to get a good meal he had managed to get some money from Ms. Figg in a promise that he'd pay her back as soon as he could. So off to a take out, okay McDonalds sounds decent. Harry entered the restaurant and went to the till. "I'll take umm how about ……."

" Well are you going to order something or not"?

Harry turned around to reply, " Yes can you…" but stopped mid sentence when he caught sight of her.

"Your holding up the line," she had long brown hairthat was tied back into a bun, she had bright blue eyesand she was wearing a loosered top with dark jean shorts. Harry tried to speak but nothing was coming out.

" He'll have a jumbo fries a good old hamburger and a diet coke and umm make that a double order. Please."

"ummm…."

"Don't worry about it my treat " and she nudged him with her elbow and signalled him to bring the food over to the table by the window. Harry just stood there and then snapping back to reality he grabbed the food and sat down opposite her. That had never happened before and quite frankly it left him speechless.

"So umm you live here, right?"

"Yea, over in Privet Drive what about you ummm ….."

"Hailey and I live in America were just visiting relatives here"

"Hailey "

"Eat Harry you look like you could use it"

So Harry ate probably the best meal he'd ate all summer with the best of company. It turned out that Hailey was from New York and lived in an apartment that had and awesome view of the trump towers. She made it sound so exiting and told him about all the Broadway shows and the Time Square. She also told story's about how she grew up in Queens and about the shopping there and the music.

Harry told her that he lived here with his aunt and his uncle. He told her about how he went to a boarding school during the school year and about all of the teachers.

They wrapped up the meal after about an hour. Harry was telling her about how it was nice meeting her when she started to laugh. " Din't just by you lunch to have you walk away, were going shopping " then seeing the blank look on his face she added. "Shopping come on, I have 2 hours to spare before I have to go back to America and I want to spend it leaving a little bit of myself back in the UK, if helping a lost cause make a fashion statmentis how I do it then so be it."

Harry didn't know whether to feel overly happy or offended. In the end it couldn't hurt, his clothing couldn't get worse anyway. So feeling an urge to go on a spontaneous shopping spree with a total stranger he left for downtown surely.