Chapter 6: Sinking Real Low

Dudley's hand was a little too tight for her liking and Kate struggled to get it loose. But it seemed that the harder she tried the harder he tightened his grip. Now it was more a death grip than anything. 'Okay so he's a little clingy.' She thought 'hold on Kate, just a little longer then this day is over'

"So where are we going, Dudley"

" Well it's a surprise"

" It's getting late and I have to get back for supper so lets hurry okay!"

It was true it had been all day and the sun was now starting to go down. Now they were strolling down towards the park the sun was parley kissing the horizon and Kate felt tired and bored. All she wanted to do was sit down with a good book and enjoy the sunset. Alone, especially not with Dudley. He was beginning to get to friendly for her likings. They had been to the zoo all day and though she loved animals she didn't have too much fun at all. But she couldn't help it with Dudley's eyes, staring at you knows what all day. But to be polite she never said a word. Besides she'd be home any minute. Right?

So here they were Dudley's death grip and all. In the distance Kate heard a sound she couldn't place. Kate turned around closed her eyes and listened," a thump a thumb". Footsteps. Loud to and getting closer. Dudley made a sharp turn and she was momentarily distracted.

"Jesus, Dudley where the heck are we?"

They were in an alley of some sort. Not really an alley more like a narrow deserted pathway. 'Okay Kate, no need to get creeped out or anything its probably a wrong turn or something."

" Dudley, are we lost?" he looked up and with a smirk shook his head. Nope not a wrong turn. Kate made an honest attempt to loosen here hand as Dudley pulled himself close to her. She stood stiff.

.' No, oh no, okay pull away stupid Kate pull away' she begged herself to move. But his strength over ruled hers and though she pulled away it seemed a lost cause." stop, Dudley, stop, Please, Dudley I really like you, but not that way, okay! " So much for that.

" Who's there" she looked up, there in the alley were a group of 3 or 4 guys all staring at Dudley looking blank. Suddenly Dudley stopped. A sense of overwhelming relief blew over her, only to be swiped away when they turned to me with a smirk. The biggest looked excitedly from me to Dudley and back again before asking " wow, Big D who is this chick"

Dudley pulled her in closer and then, seeing the disappointed look on Piers face replied… " Don't worry I'll share." A sense of horror ran through Kate and she whipped out of Dudley's grip turned around defensively as they surrounded her, all smaller than Dudley and all looking like they won a lottery. She started to scream then as soon as the sound left her lips piers rushed forward and pulled Kate into a very powerful harsh kiss.

Harry meanwhile was sitting in the park with an ear-to-ear smile planted on his face. He was dressed in a fully new polo shirt and jeans. ' Wow what a day' he thought running a hand through his hair. He felt a sense of happiness that he nearly never felt in Privet Drive. He'd never know how hard work shopping was. And what a blast. He and Hailey spent the whole day together.

They went shopping for clothing Harry was forced into switching from glasses to contacts and he and Hailey even went to see a movie. Not in his wildest dreams had he been expecting this to happen. Now It was nearing 6 o'clock and he had been sitting hear in the park for about an hour, reflecting and for once he hand nothing bad to think about, not even his godfathers death this past summer was crossing his mind, yet alone the prophecy.

Now it was calm and cool. Unlike last summer this summer was full of sun with no lack of rain. It was getting dark and Harry could have sat there all night if he wanted to that is if there hadn't been a great deal of noise coming from the alley across the street. It wasn't bothering Harry until he heard a high-pitched scream.

' That's weird Dudley's 'victims'; usually don't make a lot of noise yet alone scream. That high!' Harry gave the alley a questioning look and then rested his mind on a upsetting thought; ' to high, almost as though Dudley was picking on a child …' with that Harry shot up and hurriedly made his way to the alleyway.

' I didn't think you could sink that low Dudley, I mean a 12 year old sure but not somebody that couldn't defend themselves bloody hell Dudley not a chi…" and stopped midsentence as Dudley shoved not a little boy, but a 15 year old teenage girl to the ground by Piers feet.

Harry looked up in horror at Dudley and his gang. "IS THAT A GIRL!"? Harry yelled in shock, not quite believing his cousin. Then In an instant he took his gaze off his cousin and bent down to help the terrified girl on the ground. Piers then came in stood in front of her and blocked Harry off. Harry ducked under pier arm, and ended up finding himself being thrown against the opposite wall.

Piers, Dudley and the two other guys, then managed to throw in a couple kicks to the stomach, a black eye and a bloody nose, before making there way towards the Dursleys household. "Can't wait till later Caitlin" Dudley remarked with a grin as they turned the corner.

Harry turned around to the back of the alley, and looked right into the eyes of . . . .

His new neighbour?