Sidney awoke to a sudden light; her cupboard door had been yanked open suddenly. Her head poked up; she gasped. Her Uncle's face was right in front of hers, "Rise and Shine, Sleeping Dog." He yanked her out by the hair; she gasped. He said, "We're going shopping!" She stood, and he said, "In your shower...NOW!" She went into the backyard. Harry was already there; she smiled tightly. Vernon came out behind them; the backyard had a large fence around it. He said, "Shirts off, now!" He turned on the hose. Harry went first; Vernon drenched his hair and upper body. Then it was her turn. She was drenched; Vernon still didn't stop. He kept it in her face. Then, after a few moments of spitting and sputtering, he let off. He said, "You two better be back in the house in five minutes pronto!" He snapped his fingers. Harry said, "I'm done. You?" She shook her head, "I'll be right in." He nodded and went inside. Vernon turned and, with Harry, went inside.
Sidney washed her legs under her skirt. Vernon roared, "GIRL?!" She yelled back, "Coming Uncle Vernon!" She quickly ran into the back room. She got into other clothes. Then Vernon wrapped her injured hand with a bandage tightly. He didn't let one mark show. His eyes looked hard; he stared into hers. She gave up on trying to outstare him; she let her eyes fall to her feet. He grinned, knowing she was finally succumbing to him. Her hands twitched; she didn't like it.
Vernon and the three children (including Dudley) got into their car. They went to the clothing shop; he started with Dudley. He took him to his favorite part first. (belts) He got a belt for Dudley. Then he got some trousers for him. Then he went to Harry. He got Harry some black clothes; people wouldn't be able to see anything on them if they got dirty. Finally he got to Sidney.
Sidney had to wear something pretty. She would go to things. He got her a beautiful green dress. Then he got her pants and shirts. She looked at the clothes; Vernon saw dullness in her eyes. He nudged her slightly; she looked at him. She nodded and looked suddenly happy. They bought the clothes.
Then they went to the hairdresser. Sidney was first. The woman complimented her hair, "I've never seen such pretty hair!" Sidney smiled softly, "Thank you." Harry watched sadly, knowing she didn't like this. She hated it. More than anything in the world.
Her hair soon was trimmed. Harry was next, getting a trim as well. Dudley didn't need it.
Vernon got back to the house and said, "I'm leaving you two alone for a few moments, okay? Don't do anything fishy!" They nodded silently. Sidney and Harry both went straight to the cupboard. They cleaned up the small mess they'd made the night before.
Only a month later, it happened again. Except it wasn't to her hand; it was to her left lower arm. She was crying and saying, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Petunia entered the room; "Vernon! What are you doing?" Uncle Vernon looked up; "Teaching her a lesson!" She wailed, "That's abusive! How many times do I have to tell you not to do that!" He sighed and took Sidney's arm off the burner. She fell to her knees, crying. Petunia murmured, "Come, child. I'll take you to your room." Sidney nodded slightly; Petunia helped her up. She said, "Sidney? Did anything happen during the time I was gone?" Sidney looked up and thought, just for a moment, about telling the truth to her aunt. Petunia looked so nice, so sincere. It was as if she could tell her anything. But she couldn't, she wouldn't.
Petunia held her hands up, but Sidney said, "No, Aunt Petunia. Nothing happened." Harry nodded. Petunia sighed, "I guess I believe you both." They nodded and finally Aunt Petunia told Vernon, "Let's give Sidney a new room!" Vernon did a spit take, "What?!" Petunia nodded, "A new room!" Vernon finally consented, "Alright dear...on one condition..."