Chapter 4: Portkey
They heard Uncle Vernon cry out, "What in heavens name…" There was a clatter of footsteps and the sound of the door opening.
"Give me that, you bloody pigeon," screamed Uncle Vernon. "Potter! Get down here."
They heard an ear-piercing screech, and Harry said, "I'd better go. I bet that's the Portkey. Get ready. I'll be right back."
Harry ran out the door and down the stairs. When he got to the bottom he saw Errol, the Weasley's old courier owl flying around the living room. Errol was clutching something in his talons, but Harry could not tell what. It must be the Portkey. Then he noticed that Uncle Vernon was chasing Errol around the room trying to swat him with a rolled up newspaper.
"Potter," yelled Uncle Vernon. "My hat. Get my hat."
Harry glanced at the coat rack by the door and saw Uncle Vernon's old brown bowler hat. He grabbed it and ran towards his uncle and the owl. Uncle Vernon managed to give Errol a solid thump with the newspaper and Errol dropped his parcel. Harry skidded to a stop and dropped the hat he was carrying. The two objects collided and fell to the floor. They sat side by side, and Harry could not tell them apart. The Portkey was an exact duplicate of Uncle Vernon's favorite hat.
Harry, Errol and Uncle Vernon all dove for the hats at the same time. Harry managed to grab one before colliding with Uncle Vernon. Errol and Uncle Vernon had each grabbed a hold of the other hat and were engaged in a tug of war. Uncle Vernon swung the hat around trying to make the owl let go. Errol held on tight, flapped his wings and dipped in to nip Uncle Vernon's hand. Mr. Dursley wailed and let go of the hat.
Aunt Petunia rushed in with a broom and began chasing Errol and Harry. Harry glanced at his watch, and then yelled to Errol, "Up the stairs. We need to get upstairs now."
Errol let out a small screech of acknowledgement. He flew past the front door and up the stairs. Harry followed him. Just as he reached the front door, it was flung open and Dudley walked in.
Uncle Vernon yelled, "Stop him, Dudley."
Harry tried to run past, but Dudley stepped forward and blocked the stairs. Harry pulled out his wand. Dudley looked at him smugly and said, "You wouldn't."
Uncle Vernon rushed forward and yelled, "Don't you dare!"
Harry poked Dudley in the stomach with the handle of his wand, and Dudley crumpled into the corner. Harry jumped over him and ran up the stairs.
When he got to the top of the stairs, he saw Errol at the end of the hall. The frightened bird was throwing himself against the window trying to get out. Harry ran down the hall. He grabbed the second hat, then opened the window and let Errol out.
The door to Harry's room opened and Saighe poke her head out.
"Harry, I heard…" she began.
Uncle Vernon had just reached the top of the stairs and was screaming, "Potter!"
Harry glanced at watch. Then he ran to Saighe and thrust both hats in to her hands.
"Hold on to them, Saighe. No matter what happens, don't let go!" yelled Harry.
Saighe opened her mouth to speak, but before she could get a word out she was gone.
"Harry Potter!" Yelled Uncle Vernon nearly braking Harry's eardrums. "How dare you bring another of," then Uncle Vernon whispered "your kind," and back to screaming "into our house!" It went on like this for about another hour, and then Harry was sentenced to no meals for two weeks. This wasn't bad, because he still had all those birthday treats back in his room and owls could be sent back with pleas for food.
Saighe was jerked forward. She closed her eyes and held on tight to both the hats. She heard the sound of wind rushing past her ears and felt her body spiraling. She was being pulled forward and then it all stopped. She opened her eyes. The wind was still whipping around her but she knew she wasn't moving. The colors swirling around her seemed to slow down. They looked like curtains moving in the wind and then settling over the windows for a moment of calm. Saighe was suddenly frightened but she held fast to the Portkey.
There was a flash of lightning and a moment later a clap of thunder. The wind picked up and the colored curtains began to swirl again. The lightning continued to strike and the thunder seemed to catch up in pace with each flash. Just as the thunder reunited with the lightning, Saighe felt herself being jerked forward again.