Not the Average Kid

It was just an average primary school in an average neighbourhood. The playground was full of kids, playing, chatting and generally making a lot of noise. But this wasn't noticed by a certain nine-year-old boy sitting in the corner of the playground. This boy was the most unpopular kid in the school- weird scar, weird clothes- and there was the fact that Dudley Dursley hated him. No one went near anyone that Dudley didn't like. So no one went over to him when he sat crying in the corner, no one stood up for him when he was being beaten up and no one even talked to him.

Of course there was the fact that he had once changed the colour of a teacher's wig. He really had no idea how he did it. He had just been told that the Dursleys would be called in because his work was falling behind. Well was it his fault that Dudley kept him so busy doing his homework that he didn't have time to do his own? But he would never dream of telling the teachers. No, no teachers. He'd just have to put up with it. So there he was feeling terrified at what the Dursleys would say when he suddenly felt a kind of tingling sensation and for a moment he seemed happy, the fear had gone. For a second. And the next thing he knew, the teachers wig had changed colour! The teacher didn't notice and walked out of the classroom with a different coloured wig on. He got in so much trouble from the Dursleys for that. They seemed almost worried when they found out. He couldn't figure out why. He was probably imagining it.

A shadow suddenly fell over the weedy figure on the ground. Harry didn't bother looking up, he knew who was there. He'd been through this often enough.

'Get up,' Dudley sneered. Harry obeyed. There was no point in standing up to him. He's just get more punches later. 'Walk,' came the command from behind him. Harry knew the procedure. He had to go to the small area behind the assembly hall, which was never watched. Dudley would hit, kick and punch until he got bored. Then he would leave the victim there and wander off to play as if nothing had happened. He did it to others too. But for Harry it was worse, he couldn't get away from him.

They were there. Harry saw the figure of Piers coming to hold his hands behind his back. He felt the rock-hard clasp and closed his eyes, waiting for the first blow. It was harder than normal. Dudley must have got some bad grades. Harry was knocked to the floor and Piers ran to Dudley's side and they kicked at him until he felt all his ribs were broken. Then came a huge kick from Dudley. In the head. Everything went black.

***

'Dudley? I think that was a bit hard, mate.' Piers was talking to him, but he took no notice. He'd never knocked anyone out before, and he hadn't meant to. He'd be in big trouble. He never kicked where it would show and this would show, big time. He'd better hope Harry woke up soon, or he wouldn't turn up for lessons. Then he could get him to say he fell over or something. Yes, that's what he should do. Dudley sat down next to the kid and waited.

It was all Harry's fault. He hated him. If he hadn't come, he would get all of his parents' attention. All the money would be spent on him, instead of the rotten waste of space lying next to him. But this time he'd gone too far and he knew it. He was scared. He'd never been discovered before, but how could he hide this? He had to make him lie. But how? Threaten him with more violence? Violence was the only language Dudley knew.

There was a groan from next to him. Harry was waking up. Dudley looked at him. Dirt all over his shirt, and a great bruise on his forehead. That'll be awful tomorrow, he thought. Oh well. Now to get his side of the story through to him, make sure it was the only side that was heard.

***

Harry woke and groaned. He ached all over and his head was throbbing like crazy. Dudley was still there. He wondered how long he'd been out for.

'Right, this is what happened. You were running in some race with me. I was winning and you were running so fast you tripped up and slammed down on the ground. I took you to Nurse. Right?' Harry was about to nod when he felt that tingling again. He was angry and scared and then came that feeling. Happiness, just for a second. Then Dudley was suddenly thrown back as if by and invisible punch. Harry took these few seconds to get up and run. He heard Dudley swear and pound after him, but he didn't care. He was running in the wrong direction. He was heading for the dustbins. He ran on anyway. He jumped on top of the dustbins, knowing he would be trapped the other side. Then came that tingling and he was flying. He landed on the roof. He squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head. He opened them. He was still there and he could see Dudley below yelling up at him to come down or he'd beat him so hard he'd regret it ten times over. He carried on ranting and raving, but Harry could see something Dudley couldn't. The Head.

***

Dudley couldn't believe it. Harry had flown, he'd swear it, he flew. He was up on the roof, and Dudley was down underneath yelling up at him. Then he had felt a hand on his shoulder.

"I think you've said quite enough Dursley. POTTER, come down here at once!" Harry climbed down, somehow, using drainpipes and bins on the way. "I think you've got some explaining to do, Dursley. Potter, go to the nurse. Come to my office when you're finished." Harry nodded meekly and walked off. Dudley was alone with the Head. He was silent all the way to his office, then he looked at me sadly.

"Do you realise how serious this is Dursley?" He nodded. What else could he do? "You have seriously harmed a boy and goodness knows how many others. This means suspension at the least. Sit outside my office until I call you. I need to see Potter first."

***

In the nurse's office, he lay on the bed while she tut-tutted and put all sorts of chemicals and plasters on him and applied an ice pack to his head. She was talking, but he wasn't listening. How had he got up on the roof? And where was the tingling from? And what would happen with Dudley? Surely he wouldn't dare hit him at school now. But at home, he could do whatever he liked. He could be in for it. But somehow, he doubted it. He had a feeling that perhaps this would stop. Oh, he'd hit him, just for appearance's sake, but he wouldn't like it. It would be too much of a risk. Yes, he thought, things are going to get better.

He suddenly grew aware that the Nurse had finished.

"All done dear. Just be careful." And he walked to the Head's office. He wasn't looking forward to this.

***

I sighed. How could this happen in my school? To one of my boys, and by one of them too! And if I'm honest, I know there's more to it. There are others, and goodness knows how long this has been going on for! He's only nine and a thug already. Well, I can't expect his parents to do anything. Think the world of him, they do. But not the Potter boy. Sometimes, I forget they're from the same family, the same house! It's obvious the Dursleys hate Potter and it wasn't the first time I'd wondered why. They don't even give him proper clothes and he's so skinny, it's obvious they don't feed him properly. I don't understand how he got on the roof. That's odd, that it. Wind must have caught him, I guess. Ah, here's the boy now.

***

Harry walked into the room nervously. He sat as the Head gestured him too. He opened his mouth to explain, but the Head started talking first.

"Potter, are you all right?" Harry nodded. "I don't want explanations. I could see well enough what was happening. Just tell me something. It's happened before hasn't it?" He nodded. "And to others?" He nodded again. "Well, Dursley will be punished all right, but where will that leave you? At home I mean?"

He thought about his. It was what he'd been wondering minutes before as well. "I don't know, sir. I hope it will stop, but I doubt it. It's OK though sir, I don't think it will be as bad. And he won't do it nearly as badly at school, sir."

"Oh, don't worry," said the Head, "He won't do it at all at school. You come to me if there's any more trouble, OK Potter?" Harry nodded. He knew he wouldn't, but he believed what he said. It would get better. "Well, you'd better go to lessons I suppose," said the Head.

"Yes sir," he said gratefully and headed towards English.

***

He's had time to think, sitting outside the office. He knew he'd get suspended for this, and if he carried on, he'd be expelled. The only thing he could do was stop bullying Harry, but keep it up with everyone else. And he was starting to suspect there was something strange about him. The way he somehow sent him flying, without even touching him. That freaked him out. And getting on the roof. No, he was better off away from him. At least at school. He's keep it up at home, as much as he could. But he sensed that Harry had somehow gained courage from this, and wouldn't take it lying down anymore. No, that day had changed things forever. And all in one kick. One stupid kick. The Head had seen Harry now. He was in big trouble.

He walked into the office and sat down. The head turned to him.

"Dursley, why do you do it?" He was taken aback. This was something he hadn't expected.

"I dunno, sir." What else could he say?

***

I sighed. I could see I was getting nowhere with Dursley. I was going to have to suspend him, but as for stopping it, I can't. It'll go on. I just hope Potter's right. I hope it stops soon. I care about the kids, I really do, and I don't want to see them hurt. But there's only so much I can do.

"Dursley, I'm calling your parents. You're suspended for a week." And I turned to the phone, knowing I was about to get an earful of abuse. No wonder the lad's a bully.

***

At home that night, Dudley sat at the table silently. Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon had indeed been called and they weren't happy. Apparently no one had mentioned Harry, as he wasn't in his cupboard. He looked at Dudley and knew he would be going for him after dinner. Well, he would just have to be ready. He was determined to stop this once and for all. He ate the single sausage and looked enviously and Dudley's six. Never mind, at least he'd be away quicker. He wanted to somehow summon the tingle. He knew now that that was responsible for the strange happenings of wigs and roofs. He wanted it to defeat Dudley.

Up in his bedroom, he concentrated hard on the feeling he'd felt. He couldn't get it. He tried so hard, trying to feel happy. But all he felt was a deepening despair. Then there was Dudley towering over him.

***

"Right, I'm gonna get him," he decided. "He may be safe at school, but not here. Who cares if he jumped high?" He certainly didn't. He lunged forward.

***

He was terrified. Then, at last it came. The feeling. Magic, that's what it is. Dudley was pushed backwards out of the door. He came again, even more fiercely, like an angry bull. And again, he was thrown backwards. He was starting to look scared. He backed away.

***

This was too weird. Harry was scaring him. He backed away slowly, deciding never to touch him again. There must be some explanation for all this. It was like magic, but he didn't believe in fairy tales.

***

At Number four, Privet Drive, two boys were starting to realise there was magic in the world. One loved it; one was terrified by it. Little did either of them know that in just two years, one of their lives would be changed forever because of it. Harry Potter was definitely not the average kid.