Grammar School – Round One
School and Year: Mahoutokoro, Exchange Student
Chosen technique: Start with action
Chosen prompt: [action] hiding
Word Count: 629
"Let me go!" Harry kicked at Dudley, but the other boy didn't even seem to notice.
"Where did you put it? Where is it?" he shouted.
"I don't know! How many times do I have to tell you?" Harry squirmed on the floor. His cousin was pushing him to the ground and now started pulling Harry's long, black hair.
"Let me go," Harry said again, trying to release himself out of Dudley's grip. But he didn't stand a chance against the bigger boy.
"Not until you've given it back to me!"
Harry gasped as Dudley started suffocating him. Only a moment later, Dudley got lifted into the air, away from Harry. It was as if an invisible force pushed him backwards, and he fell against the wall.
Harry stared at his cousin; he had no idea what had just happened.
For a moment, Dudley looked frightened, but then he jumped to his feet and shouted, "Mum! Dad!"
It only took seconds for Petunia's face to appear in the door frame. "What is it, Dudleykins?"
Dudley pointed at Harry. "He took my remote!"
"I didn't!" Harry shouted.
"Harry, be quiet," Petunia snapped.
Now Vernon Dursley entered the living room as well. "What's going on here?"
"I want it back!" Dudley started sobbing now. "Mum, tell him to give it back!"
"Harry, return the remote," Petunia snapped.
"But I didn't take it!" Harry showed them his empty hands. "I've got no idea where his remote is –"
"Enough," Vernon snarled. "If Dudley says you've taken it, of course, we believe him. You're a little thief just like your parents were."
"But I did NOT take it!" Harry said angrily.
"Of course he has," Dudley sobbed. "And now I'll miss my favourite show and it's entirely his fault."
"Shh, it's okay, Dudders," Petunia said, comforting Dudley. "We'll lock him in the cupboard for the next few days; he won't bother you again!"
This certainly seemed to cheer Dudley up. He smirked at Harry before he started sobbing again. "I want my remote back. Now!"
Vernon came dangerously close to Harry. "Where is it, boy?"
"I don't know, honestly!"
Vernon shot him a warning glare. Then he turned around and stomped out of the living room to Harry's cupboard. He opened the door and his eyes searched the little room.
Harry watched him nervously. He had not taken the remote but he wouldn't put it past Dudley to hide it in his cupboard and pretend Harry had taken it, just to see Harry getting punished for it.
Vernon bent his head deeper into the cupboard and his hand reached out for something. Harry had a sense of foreboding.
And indeed, when Vernon got out of the cupboard, he was holding the little remote in his hand.
Harry's instincts were faster than his mind; he turned around, ran over to the window, which luckily had been left open and climbed out into the garden. He ran over the grass and climbed over the little fence that separated Mrs Figg's and the Dursley's gardens. He almost stumbled over a cat that was lounging in the sun. He reached the little garden shed, opened the door and hid it inside.
Out of breath, Harry leaned against the wooden wall. For the moment, he was safe. Even if they had watched him hiding here, he knew they wouldn't follow him. They were too afraid that the neighbours would start gossiping about their nephew hiding in other people's sheds.
He flinched as the door got pushed open, but it was just another cat that entered and lay down next to him.
Harry started petting her head. He was scared. He didn't want to go back to the Dursleys. He was sure they'd lock him in his cupboard.
He just wanted to hide in here forever. Small tears rolled down his eyes and fell on the cat's fur. He knew that it wouldn't be long until Dudley would hurt and insult him again, and the nightmare would start all over. It never came to an end.
