Гарри Поттер и тайная комната

           Andlaughinglikeamaniac,hedraggedHarrybackupstairs. 

           UncleVernonwasasbadashisword. Thefollowingmorning,hepaidamantofitbarsonHarry’swindow. Hehimselffittedacat-flapinthebedroomdoor,sothatsmallamountsoffoodcouldbepushedinsidethreetimesaday. TheyletHarryouttousethebathroommorningandevening. Otherwise,hewaslockedinhisroomaroundtheclock. 

           *** 

           Threedayslater,theDursleyswereshowingnosignofrelenting,andHarrycouldn’tseeanywayoutofhissituation. Helayonhisbedwatchingthesunsinkingbehindthebarsonthewindowandwonderedmiserablywhatwasgoingtohappentohim. 

           WhatwasthegoodofmagickinghimselfoutofhisroomifHogwartswouldexpelhimfordoingit? YetlifeatPrivetDrivehadreachedanall-timelow. NowthattheDursleysknewtheyweren’tgoingtowakeupasfruitbats,hehadlosthisonlyweapon. DobbymighthavesavedHarryfromhorriblehappeningsatHogwarts,butthewaythingsweregoing,he’dprobablystarvetodeathanyway. 

           Thecat-flaprattledandAuntPetuniashandappeared,pushingabowlofcannedsoupintotheroom. Harry,whoseinsideswereachingwithhunger,jumpedoffhisbedandseizedit. Thesoupwasstone-cold,buthedrankhalfofitinonegulp. ThenhecrossedtheroomtoHedwig’scageandtippedthesoggyvegetablesatthebottomofthebowlintoheremptyfoodtray. Sheruffledherfeathersandgavehimalookofdeepdisgust. 

           "It’snogoodturningyourbeakupatit-that’sallwe’vegot,"saidHarrygrimly.