The Invitation

           BythetimeHarryarrivedinthekitchen,thethreeDursleyswerealreadyseatedaroundthetable.Noneofthemlookedupasheenteredorsatdown.UncleVernon’slargeredfacewashiddenbehindthemorning’sDailyMail,andAuntPetuniawascuttingagrapefruitintoquarters,herlipspursedoverherhorse-liketeeth.

           Dudleylookedfuriousandsulky,andsomehowseemedtobetakingupevenmorespacethanusual.Thiswassayingsomething,ashealwaystookupanentiresideofthesquaretablebyhimself.WhenAuntPetuniaputaquarterofunsweetenedgrapefruitontoDudley’splatewithatremulous"Thereyouare,Diddydarling,"Dudleygloweredather.Hislifehadtakenamostunpleasantturnsincehehadcomehomeforthesummerwithhisend-of-yearreport.

           UncleVernonandAuntPetuniahadmanagedtofindexcusesforhisbadmarksasusual:AuntPetuniaalwaysinsistedthatDudleywasaverygiftedboywhoseteachersdidn’tunderstandhim,whileUncleVernonmaintainedthat"hedidn’twantsomeswottylittlenancyboyforasonanyway."Theyalsoskatedovertheaccusationsofbullyinginthereport-"He’saboisterouslittleboy,buthewouldn’thurtafly!"AuntPetuniahadsaidtearfully.

           However,atthebottomofthereporttherewereafewwell-chosencommentsfromtheschoolnursethatnotevenUncleVernonandAuntPetuniacouldexplainaway.

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