The Journey from Platform Nine and Three Quarters

           Harry’slastmonthwiththeDursleyswasn’tfun. True,DudleywasnowsoscaredofHarryhewouldn’tstayinthesameroom, whileAuntPetuniaandUncleVernondidn’tshutHarryinhiscupboard,forcehimtodoanything,orshoutathim —infact,theydidn’tspeaktohimatall. Halfterrified,halffurious,theyactedasthoughanychairwithHarryinitwereempty. Althoughthiswasanimprovementinmanyways,itdidbecomeabitdepressingafterawhile. 

           Harrykepttohisroom,withhisnewowlforcompany. HehaddecidedtocallherHedwig,anamehehadfoundinAHistoryofMagic. Hisschoolbookswereveryinteresting. Helayonhisbedreadinglateintothenight,Hedwigswoopinginandoutoftheopenwindowasshepleased. ItwasluckythatAuntPetuniadidn’tcomeintovacuumanymore,becauseHedwigkeptbringingbackdeadmice. Everynightbeforehewenttosleep,Harrytickedoffanotherdayonthepieceofpaperhehadpinnedtothewall, countingdowntoSeptemberthefirst. 

           OnthelastdayofAugusthethoughthe’dbetterspeaktohisauntanduncleaboutgettingtoKing’sCrossstationthenextday, sohewentdowntothelivingroomwheretheywerewatchingaquizshowontelevision. Heclearedhisthroattoletthemknowhewasthere,andDudleyscreamedandranfromtheroom. 

           "Er—UncleVernon?" 

           UncleVernongruntedtoshowhewaslistening. 

           "Er—IneedtobeatKing’sCrosstomorrowto—togotoHogwarts."