Disclaimer: (I hate this, sometimes) I do not own Harry Potter

Chapter 15: Ron and Dudley Face Off!

DAY 24

Ron and Hermione were sitting together on the small area of grass owned by Number 5. Hermione was happy because Ron seemed to like her.

Ron was happy because it was a nice day.

They were talking about school, life, the whole Muggle class thing, and a bit of Quidditch.

All they dye had not left Hermione's hair yet.

Ron thought that she was just feeling weird one day, and experimented. Hermione had never told him the real reason her hair was black.

They wondered how on earth they were to get back to Hogwarts with Trelawney. Trelawney would be extremely annoying.

"Ronald, she'll be making predictions for seven hours."

"I know. She's really an old bat."

"Why did Snape choose her?"

"No clue. Maybe, she was the only one they could find? I can't see Dumbledore willingly putting her in a group."

"Yes, I suppose."

"But seriously, Hermione, we are really not going to fit into that car. I mean, we squeezed five inside and tied Draco to the roof, but with Trelawney, I don't see how we're going to make it on the trip back."

"Dumbledore could probably—oh no."

"What?"

For Dudley had come out of his house, looking irritated and sad. He saw Ron and Hermione together on the lawn and his face turned red. He stormed over to them.

"Are you Ron?"

Ron looked surprised. "Erm, yeah, how did you know my name?"

"Okay, you, you're going down."

Ron took in Dudley's size. He became his cowardly self. "What if I don't want to?" he asked in a high, squeaky voice.

"Oh you will, anyway." He advanced towards Ron, his fists raised.

Ron leapt up in fright—and sprinted for his life. Dudley ran after him, surprisingly fast for a boy of his size.

Up and down the neighbourhood they ran. Ron was yelling at the top of his lungs, and Dudley was spouting out a mix of threats and swearwords. Then—Dudley jumped, literally, at Ron. Luckily, Ron saw him coming, and ducked at the last moment. Dudley landed, sprawled on the rocky ground.

"Ouch, what the—?"

For Ron had dived at Dudley, pummeling him hard. The two boys, fighting like mad cats, rolled over and over. Dudley, unfortunately, rolled into a mailbox, with a great amount of force. Ron saw his advantage and knocked him unconscious.

Hermione gasped. Ron walked calmly over to her, his face very white.

"What the heck was that about?"

Hermione looked extremely shaken. "Erm, I have no idea. None at all."

Ron looked at her in surprise.

Suddenly, Hermione screamed. "WATCH OUT!"

Dudley had woken and was charging at Ron from behind, like some great rhinoceros. "What the—AHH!"

Ron sprinted (again) down the street. This time, he was the one who was knocked out.

Hermione screamed again. Dudley strode over gallantly. "Hi Minerva."

Hermione was now extremely angry. "You…you…you fat pig! Why on earth did you have to do that for?"

Dudley looked sheepish and was very hurt. What went wrong?

"Um, well, I was hoping—"

"You were hoping, YOU WERE HOPING! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?"

"Well, you see—"

"I DON'T SEE! Now go away, or I will find some way to curse you while I'm back at Hogwarts!"

Dudley paled. "You're a witch?"

"Of course! And FYI, you stupid bear, you just knocked out a wizard."

Dudley looked very frightened. "Don't hurt me!" he squeaked and ran into Number 4, clutching his huge behind.

Hermione was satisfied, and decided not to explain to Ron, until he'd woken up. She dragged him by his feet up the porch and through the door of Number 5, hoping that the next few days would go by very quickly.

A/N: I'm posting another story sooner or later, but I also want all you to tell me whether I should do a sequel. I could run two stories at once. But tomorrow is the last day I will be able to post stories until Tuesday, because I have no Internet connection on my laptop at home. Bye!