book 1

ER ONE— yes, you’re right, of course. Butmbledore?” She eyed his cloak sud-might be hiding Harry underneath ust Hagrid with something as im- life,” said Dumbledore. in the right place,” said Professor u can’t pretend he’s not careless. ?” roken the silence around them. It ked up and down the street for d to a roar as they both looked up ycle fell out of the air and landed t was nothing to the man sitting tall as a normal man and at leastmply too big to be allowed, and so ck hair and beard hid most of his ash can lids, and his feet in their hins. In his vast, muscular arms he sounding relieved. “At last. And e?” ledore, sir,” said the giant, climb- as he spoke. “Young Sirius Black 4‘

THE BOY W “No problems, were there?” “No, sir — house was almostright before the Muggles started swe was flyin’ over Bristol.” Dumbledore and Professor Mcbundle of blankets. Inside, just viUnder a tuft of jet-black hair overriously shaped cut, like a bolt of li “Is that where — ?” whispered “Yes,” said Dumbledore. “He’ll “Couldn’t you do something ab “Even if I could, I wouldn’t. Scmyself above my left knee that isderground. Well — give him herover with.” Dumbledore took Harry in hDursleys’ house. “Could I — could I say good-bbent his great, shaggy head overhave been a very scratchy, whiskelet out a howl like a wounded dog “Shhh!” hissed Professor McGgles!” “S-s-sorry,” sobbed Hagrid, takchief and burying his face in it. “BJames dead — an’ poor little Ha “Yes, yes, its all very sad, but gwe’ll be found,” Professor McGo ‘1

WHO LIVED destroyed, but I got him out all swarmin’ around. He fell asleep as cGonagall bent forward over the isible, was a baby boy, fast asleep. r his forehead they could see a cu- ightning. Professor McGonagall. l have that scar forever.” bout it, Dumbledore?”cars can come in handy. I have one a perfect map of the London Un- re, Hagrid — we’d better get this his arms and turned toward thebye to him, sir?” asked Hagrid. He Harry and gave him what must ery kiss. Then, suddenly, Hagridg.Gonagall, “you’ll wake the Mug- king out a large, spotted handker- But I c-c-can’t stand it — Lily an’arry off ter live with Muggles —” get a grip on yourself, Hagrid, oronagall whispered, patting Hagrid15 ‘

CHAPTEgingerly on the arm as Dumbledwall and walked to the front dodoorstep, took a letter out of hiblankets, and then came back tothe three of them stood and lookshoulders shook, Professor McGotwinkling light that usually shoneto have gone out. “Well,” said Dumbledore finallstaying here. We may as well go an “Yeah,” said Hagrid in a verybike away. G’night, Professor Mdore, sir.” Wiping his streaming eyes onhimself onto the motorcycle and kroar it rose into the air and off into “I shall see you soon, I expeDumbledore, nodding to her. Proin reply. Dumbledore turned and walkecorner he stopped and took out thonce, and twelve balls of light spthat Privet Drive glowed suddenlytabby cat slinking around the cornHe could just see the bundle offour. “Good luck, Harry,” he murmwith a swish of his cloak, he was go ‘1

ER ONE dore stepped over the low garden oor. He laid Harry gently on the is cloak, tucked it inside Harry’s the other two. For a full minute ked at the little bundle; Hagrid’s onagall blinked furiously, and the e from Dumbledore’s eyes seemed ly, “that’s that. We’ve no business nd join the celebrations.” muffled voice, “I’d best get thisMcGonagall — Professor Dumble- n his jacket sleeve, Hagrid swung kicked the engine into life; with a o the night. ect, Professor McGonagall,” said ofessor McGonagall blew her nose ed back down the street. On the he silver Put-Outer. He clicked it ped back to their street lamps so y orange and he could make out a ner at the other end of the street. blankets on the step of numbermured. He turned on his heel and one.16 ‘

THE BOY W A breeze ruffled the neat hedgeand tidy under the inky sky, theastonishing things to happen. Hablankets without waking up. Onebeside him and he slept on, not kning he was famous, not knowinhours’ time by Mrs. Dursley’s screto put out the milk bottles, nor tweeks being prodded and pinchedcouldn’t know that at this very mall over the country were holdinhushed voices: “To Harry Potter — ‘1

WHO LIVED es of Privet Drive, which lay silent very last place you would expect arry Potter rolled over inside his e small hand closed on the letter nowing he was special, not know-ng he would be woken in a few eam as she opened the front door that he would spend the next few d by his cousin Dudley. . . . Hemoment, people meeting in secretng up their glasses and saying in — the boy who lived!”17 ‘

CHAPTE THE VANISHNearly ten years had passe up to find their nephew ohad hardly changed at all. The sundens and lit up the brass numberit crept into their living room, was it had been on the night whennews report about the owls. Onlypiece really showed how much tthere had been lots of pictures obeach ball wearing different-colorley was no longer a baby, and nowblond boy riding his first bicycle,a computer game with his father,mother. The room held no sign ahouse, too. ‘1

ER TWOHING GLASS ed since the Dursleys had woken on the front step, but Privet Drive n rose on the same tidy front gar- four on the Dursleys’ front door; hich was almost exactly the same Mr. Dursley had seen that fateful y the photographs on the mantel- time had passed. Ten years ago, of what looked like a large pink red bonnets — but Dudley Durs- w the photographs showed a large , on a carousel at the fair, playing , being hugged and kissed by hisat all that another boy lived in the18 ‘

The Vanis Yet Harry Potter was still therfor long. His Aunt Petunia was athat made the first noise of the da “Up! Get up! Now!” Harry woke with a start. His au “Up!” she screeched. Harrykitchen and then the sound of tstove. He rolled onto his back andhad been having. It had been a gomotorcycle in it. He had a funnybefore. His aunt was back outside the “Are you up yet?” she demande “Nearly,” said Harry. “Well, get a move on, I wantdon’t you dare let it burn, I wanbirthday.” Harry groaned. “What did you say?” his aunt s “Nothing, nothing . . .” Dudley’s birthday — how couslowly out of bed and started loounder his bed and, after pulling aon. Harry was used to spiders,stairs was full of them, and that w When he was dressed he wentThe table was almost hidden benents. It looked as though Dudley ‘1

shing Glassre, asleep at the moment, but not awake and it was her shrill voice ay. unt rapped on the door again. heard her walking toward the the frying pan being put on the d tried to remember the dream he ood one. There had been a flyingy feeling he’d had the same dream door. ed. you to look after the bacon. And nt everything perfect on Duddy’s snapped through the door. uld he have forgotten? Harry got oking for socks. He found a pair spider off one of them, put them because the cupboard under thewas where he slept. t down the hall into the kitchen. neath all Dudley’s birthday pres- had gotten the new computer he19 ‘

CHAPTEwanted, not to mention the seconExactly why Dudley wanted a racas Dudley was very fat and hatedvolved punching somebody. DudHarry, but he couldn’t often catchwas very fast. Perhaps it had something to dobut Harry had always been small aeven smaller and skinnier than hewear were old clothes of Dudleytimes bigger than he was. Harryblack hair, and bright green eyes.gether with a lot of Scotch tape bepunched him on the nose. The oown appearance was a very thinshaped like a bolt of lightning. Hemember, and the first question heAunt Petunia was how he had got “In the car crash when your pdon’t ask questions.” Don’t ask questions — that wasthe Dursleys. Uncle Vernon entered the kitchbacon. “Comb your hair!” he barked, About once a week, Uncle Venewspaper and shouted that Harhave had more haircuts than the ‘ 20

ER TWOnd television and the racing bike.cing bike was a mystery to Harry, exercise — unless of course it in- dley’s favorite punching bag wash him. Harry didn’t look it, but he o with living in a dark cupboard, and skinny for his age. He looked e really was because all he had to y’s, and Dudley was about four had a thin face, knobbly knees, . He wore round glasses held to-ecause of all the times Dudley had only thing Harry liked about hisn scar on his forehead that wase had had it as long as he could re- e could ever remember asking his tten it.parents died,” she had said. “Ands the first rule for a quiet life withhen as Harry was turning over the by way of a morning greeting.ernon looked over the top of hisrry needed a haircut. Harry muste rest of the boys in his class put0‘

The Vanistogether, but it made no differway — all over the place. Harry was frying eggs by the tiwith his mother. Dudley looked alarge pink face, not much neck, sblond hair that lay smoothly onoften said that Dudley looked likethat Dudley looked like a pig in a Harry put the plates of egg andifficult as there wasn’t muchcounting his presents. His face fel “Thirty-six,” he said, looking“That’s two less than last year.” “Darling, you haven’t countedhere under this big one from Mom “All right, thirty-seven then,” sHarry, who could see a huge Duwolfing down his bacon as fast athe table over. Aunt Petunia obviously scentequickly, “And we’ll buy you anottoday. How’s that, popkin? Two Dudley thought for a moment.he said slowly, “So I’ll have thirty “Thirty-nine, sweetums,” said “Oh.” Dudley sat down heavil“All right then.” Uncle Vernon chuckled. ‘ 21

shing Glass ence, his hair simply grew thatime Dudley arrived in the kitchena lot like Uncle Vernon. He had a small, watery blue eyes, and thick his thick, fat head. Aunt Petuniae a baby angel — Harry often saida wig.nd bacon on the table, which was room. Dudley, meanwhile, was ll.g up at his mother and father.d Auntie Marge’s present, see, it’s mmy and Daddy.”said Dudley, going red in the face. udley tantrum coming on, beganas possible in case Dudley turned ed danger, too, because she said ther two presents while we’re out more presents. Is that all right?” . It looked like hard work. Finallyy . . . thirty . . .” Aunt Petunia. ly and grabbed the nearest parcel. 1‘

CHAPTE “Little tyke wants his money’sboy, Dudley!” He ruffled Dudley At that moment the telephoneanswer it while Harry and Unclethe racing bike, a video camera, anew computer games, and a VCRgold wristwatch when Aunt Petunlooking both angry and worried. “Bad news, Vernon,” she said.can’t take him.” She jerked her he Dudley’s mouth fell open inleap. Every year on Dudley’s birthfriend out for the day, to adventuor the movies. Every year, Harrymad old lady who lived two streetwhole house smelled of cabbage aphotographs of all the cats she’d e “Now what?” said Aunt Petunthough he’d planned this. HarryMrs. Figg had broken her leg, buthimself it would be a whole yearSnowy, Mr. Paws, and Tufty agai “We could phone Marge,” Unc “Don’t be silly, Vernon, she ha The Dursleys often spoke abowasn’t there — or rather, as thouthat couldn’t understand them, li “What about what’s-her-name, ‘2

ER TWOs worth, just like his father. ’Attay’s hair. e rang and Aunt Petunia went to Vernon watched Dudley unwrap a remote control airplane, sixteenR. He was ripping the paper off a nia came back from the telephone “Mrs. Figg’s broken her leg. She ead in Harry’s direction. horror, but Harry’s heart gave a hday, his parents took him and a ure parks, hamburger restaurants, was left behind with Mrs. Figg, a ts away. Harry hated it there. The and Mrs. Figg made him look at ever owned.nia, looking furiously at Harry as knew he ought to feel sorry that t it wasn’t easy when he reminded before he had to look at Tibbies, in. cle Vernon suggested. ates the boy.”out Harry like this, as though he ugh he was something very nastyike a slug. , your friend — Yvonne?”22 ‘

The Vanis “On vacation in Majorca,” sna “You could just leave me here,”able to watch what he wanted on teven have a go on Dudley’s comp Aunt Petunia looked as though “And come back and find the h “I won’t blow up the house,” saing. “I suppose we could take himslowly, “. . . and leave him in the “That cars new, he’s not sitting Dudley began to cry loudly. Inhad been years since he’d reallyscrewed up his face and wailed,thing he wanted. “Dinky Duddydums, don’t cryour special day!” she cried, flingi “I . . . don’t . . . want . . . himbetween huge, pretend sobs. “Heshot Harry a nasty grin through t Just then, the doorbell rang —said Aunt Petunia frantically — afriend, Piers Polkiss, walked inscrawny boy with a face like a rat.people’s arms behind their backsstopped pretending to cry at once Half an hour later, Harry, whoting in the back of the Dursleys’ c ‘ 23

shing Glassapped Aunt Petunia. ” Harry put in hopefully (he’d be television for a change and maybeputer). h she’d just swallowed a lemon. house in ruins?” she snarled. aid Harry, but they weren’t listen-m to the zoo,” said Aunt Petunia car. . . .” g in it alone. . . .”n fact, he wasn’t really crying — it cried — but he knew that if he his mother would give him any- ry, Mummy won’t let him spoil ing her arms around him.m . . . t-t-to come!” Dudley yellede always sp-spoils everything!” He he gap in his mothers arms.— “Oh, good Lord, they’re here!”and a moment later, Dudley’s bestn with his mother. Piers was a . He was usually the one who helds while Dudley hit them. Dudley e.o couldn’t believe his luck, was sit- car with Piers and Dudley, on the 3‘

CHAPTEway to the zoo for the first timehadn’t been able to think of anythfore they’d left, Uncle Vernon ha “I’m warning you,” he had saright up close to Harry’s, “I’m warbusiness, anything at all — andnow until Christmas.” I’m not going to do anything,” But Uncle Vernon didn’t belie The problem was, strange thinand it was just no good telling thhappen. Once, Aunt Petunia, tired of Hbers looking as though he hadn’tkitchen scissors and cut his hair sofor his bangs, which she left “tohad laughed himself silly at Haimagining school the next day, whhis baggy clothes and taped glassesgotten up to find his hair exactlynia had sheared it off. He had befor this, even though he had triedhow it had grown back so quickly Another time, Aunt Petunia harevolting old sweater of Dudley’sThe harder she tried to pull it ovto become, until finally it mightcertainly wouldn’t fit Harry. Au ‘ 24

ER TWOe in his life. His aunt and uncle hing else to do with him, but be- d taken Harry aside.aid, putting his large purple face rning you now, boy — any funny you’ll be in that cupboard from” said Harry, “honestly . . .”eve him. No one ever did.ngs often happened around Harryhe Dursleys he didn’t make themHarry coming back from the bar- t been at all, had taken a pair of o short he was almost bald except hide that horrible scar.” Dudleyarry, who spent a sleepless nighthere he was already laughed at for s. Next morning, however, he had as it had been before Aunt Petu-een given a week in his cupboard to explain that he couldn’t explainy.ad been trying to force him into as (brown with orange puff balls). er his head, the smaller it seemedt have fitted a hand puppet, butunt Petunia had decided it must4‘

The Vanishave shrunk in the wash and, to hished. On the other hand, he’d gottefound on the roof of the school kchasing him as usual when, as muelse’s, there he was sitting on theceived a very angry letter from HHarry had been climbing school b(as he shouted at Uncle Vernon thboard) was jump behind the bigdoors. Harry supposed that themid-jump. But today, nothing was going toing with Dudley and Piers to be swasn’t school, his cupboard, or Mroom. While he drove, Uncle Vernonliked to complain about things: peHarry, the bank, and Harry wereThis morning, it was motorcycles “. . . roaring along like maniacas a motorcycle overtook them. “I had a dream about a motorsuddenly. “It was flying.” Uncle Vernon nearly crashedright around in his seat and yelledbeet with a mustache: “MOTORC Dudley and Piers sniggered. ‘ 25

shing Glass his great relief, Harry wasn’t pun- en into terrible trouble for being kitchens. Dudley’s gang had been uch to Harry’s surprise as anyone e chimney. The Dursleys had re- Harry’s headmistress telling them buildings. But all he’d tried to dohrough the locked door of his cup- g trash cans outside the kitchen wind must have caught him in o go wrong. It was even worth be- spending the day somewhere thatMrs. Figg’s cabbage-smelling livingn complained to Aunt Petunia. He eople at work, Harry, the council, just a few of his favorite subjects. s. cs, the young hoodlums,” he said, rcycle,” said Harry, remembering into the car in front. He turned d at Harry, his face like a gigantic CYCLES DON’T FLY!” 5‘

CHAPTE “I know they don’t,” said Harr But he wished he hadn’t said anDursleys hated even more than hiing about anything acting in a wain a dream or even a cartoon — thdangerous ideas. It was a very sunny Saturday anilies. The Dursleys bought Dudlcreams at the entrance and then,van had asked Harry what he wanaway, they bought him a cheap lemHarry thought, licking it as theyhead who looked remarkably likblond. Harry had the best morning hcareful to walk a little way apart fand Piers, who were starting tolunchtime, wouldn’t fall back onhim. They ate in the zoo restautantrum because his knickerbockcream on top, Uncle Vernon bouwas allowed to finish the first. Harry felt, afterward, that he sgood to last. After lunch they went to the rein there, with lit windows all alonsorts of lizards and snakes were crwood and stone. Dudley and Pie ‘2

ER TWO ry. “It was only a dream.”nything. If there was one thing the is asking questions, it was his talk-ay it shouldn’t, no matter if it was hey seemed to think he might getnd the zoo was crowded with fam- ley and Piers large chocolate ice , because the smiling lady in the nted before they could hurry him mon ice pop. It wasn’t bad, either,y watched a gorilla scratching itske Dudley, except that it wasn’t he’d had in a long time. He was from the Dursleys so that Dudleyo get bored with the animals by n their favorite hobby of hitting urant, and when Dudley had aker glory didn’t have enough ice ught him another one and Harry should have known it was all too eptile house. It was cool and dark ng the walls. Behind the glass, all rawling and slithering over bits ofers wanted to see huge, poisonous26 ‘

The Vaniscobras and thick, man-crushingthe largest snake in the place. It coaround Uncle Vernon’s car and crthe moment it didn’t look in the Dudley stood with his nose prthe glistening brown coils. “Make it move,” he whined aton the glass, but the snake didn’t “Do it again,” Dudley orderedsmartly with his knuckles, but the “This is boring,” Dudley moan Harry moved in front of thesnake. He wouldn’t have been suitself — no company except stupion the glass trying to disturb it alling a cupboard as a bedroom, whenia hammering on the door to wathe rest of the house. The snake suddenly opened itsraised its head until its eyes were o It winked. Harry stared. Then he lookedwas watching. They weren’t. Hewinked, too. The snake jerked its head towthen raised its eyes to the ceilingquite plainly: “I get that all the time.” ‘ 27

shing Glass pythons. Dudley quickly found ould have wrapped its body twicerushed it into a trash can — but at mood. In fact, it was fast asleep. ressed against the glass, staring att his father. Uncle Vernon tapped budge.d. Uncle Vernon rapped the glass e snake just snoozed on.ned. He shuffled away. tank and looked intently at theurprised if it had died of boredom id people drumming their fingers l day long. It was worse than hav-ere the only visitor was Aunt Petu- ake you up; at least he got to visit beady eyes. Slowly, very slowly, it on a level with Harry’s. quickly around to see if anyone e looked back at the snake andward Uncle Vernon and Dudley, g. It gave Harry a look that said7‘

CHAPTE “I know,” Harry murmured thsure the snake could hear him. “It The snake nodded vigorously. “Where do you come from, an The snake jabbed its tail at a lpeered at it. Boa Constrictor, Brazil. “Was it nice there?” The boa constrictor jabbed itsread on: This specimen was bred innever been to Brazil?” As the snake shook its head,made both of them jump. “DUDAND LOOK AT THIS SNAWHAT IT’S DOING!” Dudley came waddling toward “Out of the way, you,” he saCaught by surprise, Harry fell hcame next happened so fast no osecond, Piers and Dudley were lethe next, they had leapt back with Harry sat up and gasped; the gtank had vanished. The great snslithering out onto the floor. Peoscreamed and started running for As the snake slid swiftly past himhissing voice said, “Brazil, here I c The keeper of the reptile house ‘2

ER TWOhrough the glass, though he wasn’t t must be really annoying.”nyway?” Harry asked. little sign next to the glass. Harrys tail at the sign again and Harryin the zoo. “Oh, I see — so you’ve a deafening shout behind Harry DLEY! MR. DURSLEY! COMEAKE! YOU WON’T BELIEVEd them as fast as he could. aid, punching Harry in the ribs.hard on the concrete floor. Whatone saw how it happened — oneeaning right up close to the glass,h howls of horror.glass front of the boa constrictor’snake was uncoiling itself rapidly,ople throughout the reptile house the exits. m, Harry could have sworn a low, come. . . . Thanksss, amigo.” e was in shock.28 ‘

The Vanis “But the glass,” he kept saying, The zoo director himself madsweet tea while he apologized oveley could only gibber. As far as Hdone anything except snap playfuby the time they were all back intelling them how it had nearly bswearing it had tried to squeeze hHarry at least, was Piers calmingtalking to it, weren’t you, Harry?” Uncle Vernon waited until Piefore starting on Harry. He was somanaged to say, “Go — cupboardcollapsed into a chair, and Aunt Plarge brandy.Harry lay in his dark cupboard muHe didn’t know what time it wasleys were asleep yet. Until they wthe kitchen for some food. He’d lived with the Dursleysyears, as long as he could rememand his parents had died in thatbeing in the car when his parentstrained his memory during longup with a strange vision: a blindining pain on his forehead. This, hehe couldn’t imagine where all t ‘2

shing Glass , “where did the glass go?”de Aunt Petunia a cup of strong,er and over again. Piers and Dud- Harry had seen, the snake hadn’tully at their heels as it passed, but Uncle Vernon’s car, Dudley wasbitten off his leg, while Piers washim to death. But worst of all, for down enough to say, “Harry was ”ers was safely out of the house be-o angry he could hardly speak. He d — stay — no meals,” before he Petunia had to run and get him a uch later, wishing he had a watch. and he couldn’t be sure the Durs-were, he couldn’t risk sneaking to almost ten years, ten miserablember, ever since he’d been a baby car crash. He couldn’t remember ts had died. Sometimes, when heg hours in his cupboard, he cameng flash of green light and a burn- e supposed, was the crash, though the green light came from. He29 ‘

CHAPTEcouldn’t remember his parents aspoke about them, and of course hThere were no photographs of the When he had been younger, Hsome unknown relation coming tohappened; the Dursleys were histhought (or maybe hoped) that sknow him. Very strange strangersviolet top hat had bowed to himAunt Petunia and Dudley. After athe man, Aunt Petunia had rushebuying anything. A wild-lookinghad waved merrily at him once onpurple coat had actually shaken hiand then walked away without a wthese people was the way they seetried to get a closer look. At school, Harry had no one.gang hated that odd Harry Potterken glasses, and nobody liked to d ‘ 30

ER TWO at all. His aunt and uncle never he was forbidden to ask questions. em in the house.Harry had dreamed and dreamed of o take him away, but it had never s only family. Yet sometimes he strangers in the street seemed to s they were, too. A tiny man in a m once while out shopping with asking Harry furiously if he knew ed them out of the shop without g old woman dressed all in green n a bus. A bald man in a very long is hand in the street the other day word. The weirdest thing about all emed to vanish the second Harry . Everybody knew that Dudley’s r in his baggy old clothes and bro- disagree with Dudley’s gang. 0‘

CHAPTE THE LE FROM NThe escape of the Brazilian longest-ever punishment. Bhis cupboard again, the summerhad already broken his new videotrol airplane, and, first time out oold Mrs. Figg as she crossed Privet Harry was glad school was overley’s gang, who visited the houseMalcolm, and Gordon were all bithe biggest and stupidest of the lothem were all quite happy to joinHunting. This was why Harry spent as mhouse, wandering around and thidays, where he could see a tiny rayhe would be going off to secondar ‘ 31

R THREEETTERSNO ONE boa constrictor earned Harry hisBy the time he was allowed out of holidays had started and Dudley o camera, crashed his remote con- on his racing bike, knocked down Drive on her crutches. r, but there was no escaping Dud- e every single day. Piers, Dennis, ig and stupid, but as Dudley was ot, he was the leader. The rest ofn in Dudley’s favorite sport: Harry much time as possible out of the inking about the end of the holi- y of hope. When September came ry school and, for the first time in 1‘

CHAPTERhis life, he wouldn’t be with DudUncle Vernon’s old private schooling there too. Harry, on the othHigh, the local public school. Du “They stuff people’s heads dStonewall,” he told Harry. “Want “No, thanks,” said Harry. “Theas horrible as your head down it —before Dudley could work out wh One day in July, Aunt Petuniahis Smeltings uniform, leaving Hwasn’t as bad as usual. It turnedover one of her cats, and she didnbefore. She let Harry watch televislate cake that tasted as though she That evening, Dudley paradedfamily in his brand-new uniformtailcoats, orange knickerbockers, aThey also carried knobbly sticks,the teachers weren’t looking. Thiing for later life. As he looked at Dudley in hisnon said gruffly that it was the pPetunia burst into tears and said shDudleykins, he looked so handsotrust himself to speak. He thoughave cracked from trying not to la ‘‘ ‘3

R THREEdley. Dudley had been accepted at l, Smeltings. Piers Polkiss was go-her hand, was going to Stonewalludley thought this was very funny.down the toilet the first day at t to come upstairs and practice?” e poor toilet’s never had anything— it might be sick.” Then he ran,hat he’d said. a took Dudley to London to buy Harry at Mrs. Figg’s. Mrs. Figg out she’d broken her leg tripping n’t seem quite as fond of them as sion and gave him a bit of choco-e’d had it for several years.d around the living room for them. Smeltings boys wore maroon and flat straw hats called boaters. used for hitting each other while is was supposed to be good train-s new knickerbockers, Uncle Ver-proudest moment of his life. Aunt he couldn’t believe it was her Ickleome and grown-up. Harry didn’tght two of his ribs might alreadyaugh. ‘‘32 ‘

THE LE FROM NThere was a horrible smell in theHarry went in for breakfast. It semetal tub in the sink. He went towhat looked like dirty rags swimm “What’s this?” he asked Aunt Palways did if he dared to ask a que “Your new school uniform,” sh Harry looked in the bowl again “Oh,” he said, “I didn’t realize “Don’t be stupid,” snapped AuDudley’s old things gray for you.when I’ve finished.” Harry seriously doubted this, bHe sat down at the table and triegoing to look on his first day atwearing bits of old elephant skin, Dudley and Uncle Vernon cambecause of the smell from Harryopened his newspaper as usual astick, which he carried everywhere They heard the click of the mdoormat. “Get the mail, Dudley,” said Uper. “Make Harry get it.” “Get the mail, Harry.” “Make Dudley get it.” “Poke him with your Smelting ‘3

ETTERSNO ONE e kitchen the next morning when eemed to be coming from a large o have a look. The tub was full ofming in gray water. Petunia. Her lips tightened as they estion.he said.n. it had to be so wet.” unt Petunia. “I’m dyeing some of It’ll look just like everyone else’s but thought it best not to argue. ed not to think about how he was t Stonewall High — like he was probably. me in, both with wrinkled noses y’s new uniform. Uncle Vernon and Dudley banged his Smelting e, on the table.mail slot and flop of letters on theUncle Vernon from behind his pa- stick, Dudley.”33 ‘

CHAPTER Harry dodged the Smelting sticthings lay on the doormat: a posMarge, who was vacationing on tlope that looked like a bill, and — Harry picked it up and stared aant elastic band. No one, ever, in hWho would? He had no friends, nlong to the library, so he’d nevebooks back. Yet here it was, a lcould be no mistake: Mr. H. Potter The Cupboard und 4 Privet Drive Little Whinging SurreyThe envelope was thick and heavand the address was written in estamp. Turning the envelope over, hisple wax seal bearing a coat of armssnake surrounding a large letter H “Hurry up, boy!” shouted U“What are you doing, checking fohis own joke. Harry went back to the kitchhanded Uncle Vernon the bill aslowly began to open the yellow en ‘ 34

R THREE ck and went to get the mail. Three stcard from Uncle Vernon’s sister the Isle of Wight, a brown enve-— a letter for Harry. at it, his heart twanging like a gi- his whole life, had written to him. no other relatives — he didn’t be- er even got rude notes asking for letter, addressed so plainly there der the Stairs vy, made of yellowish parchment, emerald-green ink. There was no hand trembling, Harry saw a pur- s; a lion, an eagle, a badger, and aH.Uncle Vernon from the kitchen. or letter bombs?” He chuckled at hen, still staring at his letter. He and the postcard, sat down, and nvelope. 4‘

THE LE FROM N Uncle Vernon ripped open tflipped over the postcard. “Marge’s ill,” he informedwhelk . . .” “Dad!” said Dudley suddenly. “ Harry was on the point of unften on the same heavy parchmenjerked sharply out of his hand by U “That’s mine!” said Harry, tryin “Who’d be writing to you?” snletter open with one hand and glred to green faster than a set ofthere. Within seconds it was the g “P-P-Petunia!” he gasped. Dudley tried to grab the letter tit high out of his reach. Aunt Petufirst line. For a moment it lookedclutched her throat and made a ch “Vernon! Oh my goodness — V They stared at each other, seemand Dudley were still in the roomnored. He gave his father a sharp tstick. “I want to read that letter,” he s “I want to read it,” said Harry f “Get out, both of you,” croaketer back inside its envelope. Harry didn’t move. “I WANT MY LETTER!” he s ‘3

ETTERSNO ONE the bill, snorted in disgust, and Aunt Petunia. “Ate a funny “Dad, Harry’s got something!” folding his letter, which was writ- nt as the envelope, when it was Uncle Vernon. ng to snatch it back.neered Uncle Vernon, shaking the lancing at it. His face went from traffic lights. And it didn’t stopgrayish white of old porridge. to read it, but Uncle Vernon held unia took it curiously and read the d as though she might faint. Shehoking noise. Vernon!”ming to have forgotten that Harrym. Dudley wasn’t used to being ig- tap on the head with his Smelting said loudly. furiously, “as it’s mine.” ed Uncle Vernon, stuffing the let-shouted.35 ‘

CHAPTER “Let me see it!” demanded Dud “OUT!” roared Uncle VernonDudley by the scruffs of theirhall, slamming the kitchen doorpromptly had a furious but silenthe keyhole; Dudley won, so Harear, lay flat on his stomach to listfloor. “Vernon,” Aunt Petunia was sathe address — how could they podon’t think they’re watching the h “Watching — spying — mighcle Vernon wildly. “But what should we do, Vernthem we don’t want —” Harry could see Uncle Vernon’down the kitchen. “No,” he said finally. “No, we’llswer. . . . Yes, that’s best . . . we w “But —” “I’m not having one in the houswe took him in we’d stamp out thThat evening when he got backsomething he’d never done befoboard. “Where’s my letter?” said Harrysqueezed through the door. “Who ‘3

R THREEdley. n, and he took both Harry and necks and threw them into the behind them. Harry and Dudleynt fight over who would listen at rry, his glasses dangling from oneten at the crack between door andaying in a quivering voice, “look atossibly know where he sleeps? Youhouse?” t be following us,” muttered Un- non? Should we write back? Tell ’s shiny black shoes pacing up and l ignore it. If they don’t get an an-won’t do anything. . . .” se, Petunia! Didn’t we swear whenhat dangerous nonsense?”k from work, Uncle Vernon didore; he visited Harry in his cup- y, the moment Uncle Vernon hado’s writing to me?”36 ‘

THE LE FROM N “No one. It was addressed to ynon shortly. “I have burned it.” “It was not a mistake,” said Haon it.” “SILENCE!” yelled Uncle Verfrom the ceiling. He took a fewface into a smile, which looked qu “Er — yes, Harry — about thave been thinking . . . you’re reathink it might be nice if you mroom.” “Why?” said Harry. “Don’t ask questions!” snappedstairs, now.” The Dursleys’ house had fourand Aunt Petunia, one for visitorMarge), one where Dudley slept,the toys and things that wouldn’ttook Harry one trip upstairs to mthe cupboard to this room. Hearound him. Nearly everything invideo camera was lying on top of aonce driven over the next door nDudley’s first-ever television set,when his favorite program had bbirdcage, which had once held aat school for a real air rifle, whichbent because Dudley had sat o ‘ 37

ETTERSNO ONE you by mistake,” said Uncle Ver- arry angrily, “it had my cupboard rnon, and a couple of spiders fell deep breaths and then forced hisuite painful. this cupboard. Your aunt and I ally getting a bit big for it . . . wemoved into Dudley’s second bed- d his uncle. “Take this stuff up- bedrooms: one for Uncle Vernon rs (usually Uncle Vernon’s sister, , and one where Dudley kept all fit into his first bedroom. It only move everything he owned from sat down on the bed and stared here was broken. The month-old a small, working tank Dudley had neighbor’s dog; in the corner was which he’d put his foot through been canceled; there was a large parrot that Dudley had swapped was up on a shelf with the end all n it. Other shelves were full of 7‘

CHAPTERbooks. They were the only thinthough they’d never been touched From downstairs came the somother, “I don’t want him in therhim get out. . . .” Harry sighed and stretched outgiven anything to be up here. Todboard with that letter than up hereNext morning at breakfast, everyoin shock. He’d screamed, whackstick, been sick on purpose, kickedtoise through the greenhouse roof,back. Harry was thinking aboutwishing he’d opened the letter inPetunia kept looking at each other When the mail arrived, Uncleto be nice to Harry, made Dudlebanging things with his SmeltingThen he shouted, “There’s anotheest Bedroom, 4 Privet Drive —’ ” With a strangled cry, Uncle Vedown the hall, Harry right behindtle Dudley to the ground to getmade difficult by the fact that Haround the neck from behind. Aftin which everyone got hit a lot bystraightened up, gasping for breathis hand. ‘3

R THREE ngs in the room that looked asd. ound of Dudley bawling at his re . . . I need that room . . . make t on the bed. Yesterday he’d haveday he’d rather be back in his cup- e without it. one was rather quiet. Dudley wasked his father with his Smelting d his mother, and thrown his tor- , and he still didn’t have his room this time yesterday and bitterly the hall. Uncle Vernon and Aunt r darkly. Vernon, who seemed to be tryingey go and get it. They heard himg stick all the way down the hall.er one! ‘Mr. H. Potter, The Small- ernon leapt from his seat and rand him. Uncle Vernon had to wres- the letter from him, which wasHarry had grabbed Uncle Vernon ter a minute of confused fighting, the Smelting stick, Uncle Vernon th, with Harry’s letter clutched in38 ‘

THE LE FROM N “Go to your cupboard — I mat Harry. “Dudley — go — just g Harry walked round and rounhe had moved out of his cupbohe hadn’t received his first letteagain? And this time he’d makeplan.The repaired alarm clock rang aHarry turned it off quickly and dthe Dursleys. He stole downstairlights. He was going to wait for theDrive and get the letters for numbas he crept across the dark hall tow “AAAAARRRGH!” Harry leapt into the air; he’dsquashy on the doormat — somet Lights clicked on upstairs andthe big, squashy something had behad been lying at the foot of thclearly making sure that Harry diding to do. He shouted at Harrytold him to go and make a cup ofinto the kitchen and by the time hright into Uncle Vernon’s lap. Hdressed in green ink. “I want —” he began, but Uncinto pieces before his eyes. ‘3