Harry Potter si Piatra filosofala

8/13/2019 Harry Potter si Piatra filosofala

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Harry PotterAnd the Sorcerers Stone

ALSO BY J. K. ROWLING

Harry Potter and the Sorcerers StoneYear One at Hogwarts

Harry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsYear Two at Hogwarts

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of AzkabanYear Three at Hogwarts

Harry Potter and the Goblet of FireYear Four at Hogwarts

Harry Potter and the Order of the PhoenixYear Five at Hogwarts

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood PrinceYear Si at Hogwarts

Harry Potter and the eathly Hallo!sYear Seven at Hogwarts


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Harry Potterand the Sorcerers Stone

BY

J. K. RowlingILLUSTRATI!S BY "ary #randPr$

ARTHUR A. L%&I!% BKSA! I"PRI!T ' S(HLASTI( Press.

For Jessica, who loves storiesfor Anne, who loved them too;

and for Di, who heard this one first.

Tet !o"#right $ %&&' (# J.K. Row)ingI))ustrations (# *ar# Gran+,r- !o"#right $ %&& Warner Bros.

A)) rights reserve+. ,u()ishe+ (# S!ho)asti! ,ress/ a +ivision o0 S!ho)asti! In!./

P"blishers since #$%&S1HOLASTI1/ S1HOLASTI1 ,R2SS/ an+ the LANT2RN LOGO

are tra+e3ar4s an+5or registere+ tra+e3ar4s o0 S!ho)asti! In!.HARRY ,OTT2R an+ a)) re)ate+ !hara!ters an+ e)e3ents are tra+e3ar4s o0 Warner Bros.

No "art o0 this "u()i!ation 3a# (e re"ro+u!e+/ or store+ in a retrieva) s#ste3/ or trans3itte+in an# 0or3 or (# an# 3eans/ e)e!troni!/ 3e!hani!a)/ "hoto!o"#ing/ re!or+ing/ or otherwise/

without written "er3ission o0 the "u()isher. For in0or3ation regar+ing "er3issions/ writeto S!ho)asti! In!./ Attention6 ,er3issions 7e"art3ent/ 888 Broa+wa#/ New Yor4/ NY %99%:.

Li(rar# o0 1ongress 1ata)oging;in;,u()i!ation 7ataRow)ing/ J.K.

Harr# ,otter an+ the Sor!erer8>?9;>


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@%. Fantas# Fi!tion. :. Wit!hes Fi!tion. >. Wi=ar+s Fi!tion.?. S!hoo)s Fi!tion. 8. 2ng)an+ Fi!tion. I. Tit)e.

,C'.R'&>8Har %&&@Fi! +!:% &';>&98&

D? D8 DD D' D D& '9 '% ': 98,rinte+ in E.S.A. %9

First A3eri!an e+ition/ O!to(er %&&

Contents

ONEThe Bo# Who Live+ %

TWOThe anishing G)ass %

THREEThe Letters 0ro3 No One >%

FOURThe Kee"er o0 the Ke#s ?D

FIVE7iagon A))e# D%

SIXThe Journe# 0ro3 ,)at0or3 Nine an+ Three;uarters

SEVENThe Sorting Hat %%>

EIGHTThe ,otions *aster %>%

NINEThe *i+night 7ue) %?>

TENHa))oween %D>

ELEVENui++it!h %9

TWELVEThe *irror o0 2rise+ %&?

THIRTEENNi!ho)as F)a3e) :%8

FOURTEENNor(ert the Norwegian Ri+ge(a!4 ::

FIFTEENThe For(i++en Forest :?:


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SIXTEENThrough the Tra"+oor :D:

SEVENTEENThe *an with Two Fa!es :

Harry PotterAnd the Sorcerers Stone

( H A P T % R ! %THE BOY WHO LIVED

*r. an+ *rs. 7urs)e#/ o0 nu3(er 0our/ ,rivet 7rive/ were "rou+ tosa# that the# were "er0e!t)# nor3a)/ than4 #ou ver# 3u!h. The# werethe )ast "eo")e #ou+ e"e!t to (e invo)ve+ in an#thing strange or3#sterious/ (e!ause the# ust +i+nt ho)+ with su!h nonsense.

*r. 7urs)e# was the +ire!tor o0 a 0ir3 !a))e+ Grunnings/ whi!h3a+e +ri))s. He was a (ig/ (ee0# 3an with har+)# an# ne!4/ a)thoughhe +i+ have a ver# )arge 3usta!he. *rs. 7urs)e# was thin an+ ()on+ean+ ha+ near)# twi!e the usua) a3ount o0 ne!4/ whi!h !a3e in ver#use0u) as she s"ent so 3u!h o0 her ti3e !raning over gar+en 0en!es/s"#ing on the neigh(ors. The 7urs)e#s ha+ a s3a)) son !a))e+ 7u+)e#an+ in their o"inion there was no 0iner (o# an#where.

The 7urs)e#s ha+ ever#thing the# wante+/ (ut the# a)so ha+ ase!ret/ an+ their greatest 0ear was that so3e(o+# wou)+ +is!over it.

The# +i+nt thin4 the# !ou)+ (ear it i0 an#one 0oun+ out a(outthe ,otters. *rs. ,otter was *rs. 7urs)e#s sister/ (ut the# ha+nt 3et0or severa) #ears in 0a!t/ *rs. 7urs)e# "reten+e+ she +i+nt have asister/ (e!ause her sister an+ her goo+;0or;nothing hus(an+ were asun7urs)e#ish as it was "ossi()e to (e. The 7urs)e#s shu++ere+ to thin4what the neigh(ors wou)+ sa# i0 the ,otters arrive+ in the street. The7urs)e#s 4new that the ,otters ha+ a s3a)) son/ too/ (ut the# ha+


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never even seen hi3. This (o# was another goo+ reason 0or 4ee"ingthe ,otters awa# the# +i+nt want 7u+)e# 3iing with a !hi)+ )i4e that.

When *r. an+ *rs. 7urs)e# wo4e u" on the +u))/ gra# Tues+a#our stor# starts/ there was nothing a(out the !)ou+# s4# outsi+e tosuggest that strange an+ 3#sterious things wou)+ soon (e ha""ening

a)) over the !ountr#. *r. 7urs)e# hu33e+ as he "i!4e+ out his 3ost(oring tie 0or wor4/ an+ *rs. 7urs)e# gossi"e+ awa# ha""i)# as shewrest)e+ a s!rea3ing 7u+)e# into his high !hair.

None o0 the3 noti!e+ a )arge/ tawn# ow) 0)utter "ast the win+ow.At ha)0 "ast eight/ *r. 7urs)e# "i!4e+ u" his (rie0!ase/ "e!4e+

*rs. 7urs)e# on the !hee4/ an+ trie+ to 4iss 7u+)e# goo+;(#e (ut3isse+/ (e!ause 7u+)e# was now having a tantru3 an+ throwing his!erea) at the wa))s. MLitt)e t#4e/ !hort)e+ *r. 7urs)e# as he )e0t thehouse. He got into his !ar an+ (a!4e+ out o0 nu3(er 0ours +rive.

It was on the !orner o0 the street that he noti!e+ the 0irst sign o0

so3ething "e!u)iar a !at rea+ing a 3a". For a se!on+/ *r. 7urs)e#+i+nt rea)i=e what he ha+ seen then he er4e+ his hea+ aroun+ to)oo4 again. There was a ta((# !at stan+ing on the !orner o0 ,rivet7rive/ (ut there wasnt a 3a" in sight. What !ou)+ he have (eenthin4ing o0 It 3ust have (een a tri!4 o0 the )ight. *r. 7urs)e# ()in4e+an+ stare+ at the !at. It stare+ (a!4. As *r. 7urs)e# +rove aroun+ the!orner an+ u" the roa+/ he wat!he+ the !at in his 3irror. It was now

rea+ing the sign that sai+ ,rivet 7rive no/lookin' at the sign !ats

!ou)+nt rea+ 3a"s or signs. *r. 7urs)e# gave hi3se)0 a )itt)e sha4ean+ "ut the !at out o0 his 3in+. As he +rove towar+ town he thought o0nothing e!e"t a )arge or+er o0 +ri))s he was ho"ing to get that +a#.

But on the e+ge o0 town/ +ri))s were +riven out o0 his 3in+ (#so3ething e)se. As he sat in the usua) 3orning tra00i! a3/ he !ou)+nthe)" noti!ing that there see3e+ to (e a )ot o0 strange)# +resse+ "eo")ea(out. ,eo")e in !)oa4s. *r. 7urs)e# !ou)+nt (ear "eo")e who +resse+in 0unn# !)othes the getu"s #ou saw on #oung "eo")eP He su""ose+this was so3e stu"i+ new 0ashion. He +ru33e+ his 0ingers on thesteering whee) an+ his e#es 0e)) on a hu++)e o0 these weir+os stan+inguite !)ose (#. The# were whis"ering e!ite+)# together. *r. 7urs)e#was enrage+ to see that a !ou")e o0 the3 werent #oung at a)) wh#/

that 3an ha+ to (e o)+er than he was/ an+ wearing an e3era)+;green!)oa4P The nerve o0 hi3P But then it stru!4 *r. 7urs)e# that this was"ro(a()# so3e si))# stunt these "eo")e were o(vious)# !o))e!ting 0orso3ething . . . #es/ that wou)+ (e it. The tra00i! 3ove+ on an+ a 0ew3inutes )ater/ *r. 7urs)e# arrive+ in the Grunnings "ar4ing )ot/ his3in+ (a!4 on +ri))s.


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*r. 7urs)e# a)wa#s sat with his (a!4 to the win+ow in his o00i!eon the ninth 0)oor. I0 he ha+nt/ he 3ight have 0oun+ it har+er to

!on!entrate on +ri))s that 3orning. He +i+nt see the ow)s swoo"ing"ast in (roa+ +a#)ight/ though "eo")e +own in the street +i+ the#"ointe+ an+ ga=e+ o"en;3outhe+ as ow) a0ter ow) s"e+ overhea+.*ost o0 the3 ha+ never seen an ow) even at nightti3e. *r. 7urs)e#/however/ ha+ a "er0e!t)# nor3a)/ ow);0ree 3orning. He #e))e+ at 0ive+i00erent "eo")e. He 3a+e severa) i3"ortant te)e"hone !a))s an+shoute+ a (it 3ore. He was in a ver# goo+ 3oo+ unti) )un!hti3e/ whenhe thought he+ stret!h his )egs an+ wa)4 a!ross the roa+ to (u#hi3se)0 a (un 0ro3 the (a4er#.

He+ 0orgotten a)) a(out the "eo")e in !)oa4s unti) he "asse+ agrou" o0 the3 net to the (a4ers. He e#e+ the3 angri)# as he "asse+.He +i+nt 4now wh#/ (ut the# 3a+e hi3 uneas#. This (un!h werewhis"ering e!ite+)#/ too/ an+ he !ou)+nt see a sing)e !o))e!ting tin. It

was on his wa# (a!4 "ast the3/ !)ut!hing a )arge +oughnut in a (ag/that he !aught a 0ew wor+s o0 what the# weresa#ing.

MThe ,otters/ thats right/ thats what I hear+ M #es/ their son/ Harr# *r. 7urs)e# sto""e+ +ea+. Fear 0)oo+e+ hi3. He )oo4e+ (a!4 at

the whis"erers as i0 he wante+ to sa# so3ething to the3/ (ut thought(etter o0 it.

He +ashe+ (a!4 a!ross the roa+/ hurrie+ u" to his o00i!e/sna""e+ at his se!retar# not to +istur( hi3/ sei=e+ his te)e"hone/ an+

ha+ a)3ost 0inishe+ +ia)ing his ho3e nu3(er when he !hange+ his3in+. He "ut the re!eiver (a!4 +own an+ stro4e+ his 3usta!he/thin4ing . . . no/ he was (eing stu"i+. ,otter wasnt su!h an unusua)na3e. He was sure there were )ots o0 "eo")e !a))e+ ,otter who ha+ ason !a))e+ Harr#. 1o3e to thin4 o0 it/ he wasnt even sure his ne"hew

!as !a))e+ Harr#. He+ never even seen the (o#. It 3ight have (eenHarve#. Or Haro)+. There was no "oint in worr#ing *rs. 7urs)e# shea)wa#s got so u"set at an# 3ention o0 her sister. He +i+nt ()a3e her

i0hed ha+ a sister )i4e that . . . (ut a)) the sa3e/ those "eo")e in!)oa4s . . .

He 0oun+ it a )ot har+er to !on!entrate on +ri))s that a0ternoonan+ when he )e0t the (ui)+ing at 0ive o!)o!4/ he was sti)) so worrie+that he wa)4e+ straight into so3eone ust outsi+e the +oor.

MSorr#/ he grunte+/ as the tin# o)+ 3an stu3()e+ an+ a)3ost0e)). It was a 0ew se!on+s (e0ore *r. 7urs)e# rea)i=e+ that the 3an waswearing a vio)et !)oa4. He +i+nt see3 at a)) u"set at (eing a)3ost4no!4e+ to the groun+. On the !ontrar#/ his 0a!e s")it into a wi+e s3i)e


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an+ he sai+ in a suea4# voi!e that 3a+e "assers(# stare/ M7ont (esorr#/ 3# +ear sir/ 0or nothing !ou)+ u"set 3e to+a#P Reoi!e/ 0or You;Know;Who has gone at )astP 2ven *ugg)es )i4e #ourse)0 shou)+ (e!e)e(rating/ this ha""#/ ha""# +a#P

An+ the o)+ 3an hugge+ *r. 7urs)e# aroun+ the 3i++)e an+

wa)4e+ o00.*r. 7urs)e# stoo+ roote+ to the s"ot. He ha+ (een hugge+ (# a

!o3")ete stranger. He a)so thought he ha+ (een !a))e+ a *ugg)e/whatever that was. He was ratt)e+. He hurrie+ to his !ar an+ set o00 0orho3e/ ho"ing he was i3agining things/ whi!h he ha+ never ho"e+(e0ore/ (e!ause he +i+nt a""rove o0 i3agination.

As he "u))e+ into the +rivewa# o0 nu3(er 0our/ the 0irst thing hesaw an+ it +i+nt i3"rove his 3oo+ was the ta((# !at he+s"otte+ that 3orning. It was now sitting on his gar+en wa)). He wassure it was the sa3e one it ha+ the sa3e 3ar4ings aroun+ its e#es.

MShooP sai+ *r. 7urs)e# )ou+)#.The !at +i+nt 3ove. It ust gave hi3 a stern )oo4. Was this

nor3a) !at (ehavior *r. 7urs)e# won+ere+. Tr#ing to "u)) hi3se)0together/ he )et hi3se)0 into the house. He was sti)) +eter3ine+ not to3ention an#thing to his wi0e.

*rs. 7urs)e# ha+ ha+ a ni!e/ nor3a) +a#. She to)+ hi3 over+inner a)) a(out *rs. Net 7oors "ro()e3s with her +aughter an+ how7u+)e# ha+ )earne+ a new wor+ QMWontP. *r. 7urs)e# trie+ to a!tnor3a))#. When 7u+)e# ha+ (een "ut to (e+/ he went into the )ivingroo3 in ti3e to !at!h the )ast re"ort on the evening news6

MAn+ 0ina))#/ (ir+;wat!hers ever#where have re"orte+ that thenations ow)s have (een (ehaving ver# unusua))# to+a#. A)though ow)snor3a))# hunt at night an+ are har+)# ever seen in +a#)ight/ there have(een hun+re+s o0 sightings o0 these (ir+s 0)#ing in ever# +ire!tion sin!esunrise. 2"erts are una()e to e")ain wh# the ow)s have su++en)#!hange+ their s)ee"ing "attern. The news!aster a))owe+ hi3se)0 agrin. M*ost 3#sterious. An+ now/ over to Ji3 *!Gu00in with theweather. Going to (e an# 3ore showers o0 ow)s tonight/ Ji3

MWe))/ Te+/ sai+ the weather3an/ MI +ont 4now a(out that/ (utits not on)# the ow)s that have (een a!ting o++)# to+a#. iewers as 0ar

a"art as Kent/ Yor4shire/ an+ 7un+ee have (een "honing in to te)) 3ethat instea+ o0 the rain I "ro3ise+ #ester+a#/ the#ve ha+ a +own"ouro0 shooting starsP ,erha"s "eo")e have (een !e)e(rating Bon0ire Nightear)# its not unti) net wee4/ 0o)4sP But I !an "ro3ise a wet nighttonight.


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*r. 7urs)e# sat 0ro=en in his ar3!hair. Shooting stars a)) overBritain Ow)s 0)#ing (# +a#)ight *#sterious "eo")e in !)oa4s a)) overthe ")a!e An+ a whis"er/ a whis"er a(out the ,otters . . .

*rs. 7urs)e# !a3e into the )iving roo3 !arr#ing two !u"s o0 tea.It was no goo+. He+ have to sa# so3ething to her. He !)eare+ his

throat nervous)#. M2r ,etunia/ +ear #ou havent hear+ 0ro3 #oursister )ate)#/ have #ou

As he ha+ e"e!te+/ *rs. 7urs)e# )oo4e+ sho!4e+ an+ angr#.A0ter a))/ the# nor3a))# "reten+e+ she +i+nt have a sister.

MNo/ she sai+ shar")#. MWh#MFunn# stu00 on the news/ *r. 7urs)e# 3u3()e+. MOw)s . . .

shooting stars . . . an+ there were a )ot o0 0unn#;)oo4ing "eo")e in townto+a# . . .

MSo sna""e+ *rs. 7urs)e#.MWe))/ I ust thought . . . 3a#(e . . . it was so3ething to +o

with . . . #ou 4now . . .her !row+.*rs. 7urs)e# si""e+ her tea through "urse+ )i"s. *r. 7urs)e#

won+ere+ whether he +are+ te)) her he+ hear+ the na3e M,otter. He+e!i+e+ he +i+nt +are. Instea+ he sai+/ as !asua))# as he !ou)+/ MTheirson he+ (e a(out 7u+)e#s age now/ wou)+nt he

MI su""ose so/ sai+ *rs. 7urs)e# sti00)#.MWhats his na3e again Howar+/ isnt itMHarr#. Nast#/ !o33on na3e/ i0 #ou as4 3e.MOh/ #es/ sai+ *r. 7urs)e#/ his heart sin4ing horri()#. MYes/ I

uite agree.He +i+nt sa# another wor+ on the su(e!t as the# went u"stairs

to (e+. Whi)e *rs. 7urs)e# was in the (athroo3/ *r. 7urs)e# !re"t tothe (e+roo3 win+ow an+ "eere+ +own into the 0ront gar+en. The !atwas sti)) there. It was staring +own ,rivet 7rive as though it werewaiting 0or so3ething.

Was he i3agining things 1ou)+ a)) this have an#thing to +o withthe ,otters I0 it +i+ . . . i0 it got out that the# were re)ate+ to a "air o0 we))/ he +i+nt thin4 he !ou)+ (ear it.

The 7urs)e#s got into (e+. *rs. 7urs)e# 0e)) as)ee" ui!4)# (ut*r. 7urs)e# )a# awa4e/ turning it a)) over in his 3in+. His )ast/

!o30orting thought (e0ore he 0e)) as)ee" was that even i0 the ,otters!ere invo)ve+/ there was no reason 0or the3 to !o3e near hi3 an+*rs. 7urs)e#. The ,otters 4new ver# we)) what he an+ ,etunia thoughta(out the3 an+ their 4in+. . . . He !ou)+nt see how he an+ ,etunia!ou)+ get 3ie+ u" in an#thing that 3ight (e going on he #awne+

an+ turne+ over it !ou)+nt a00e!tthem( . . .How ver# wrong he was.


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*r. 7urs)e# 3ight have (een +ri0ting into an uneas# s)ee"/ (utthe !at on the wa)) outsi+e was showing no sign o0 s)ee"iness. It wassitting as sti)) as a statue/ its e#es 0ie+ un()in4ing)# on the 0ar !ornero0 ,rivet 7rive. It +i+nt so 3u!h as uiver when a !ar +oor s)a33e+on the net street/ nor when two ow)s swoo"e+ overhea+. In 0a!t/ it

was near)# 3i+night (e0ore the !at 3ove+ at a)).A 3an a""eare+ on the !orner the !at ha+ (een wat!hing/

a""eare+ so su++en)# an+ si)ent)# #ou+ have thought he+ ust"o""e+ out o0 the groun+. The !ats tai) twit!he+ an+ its e#esnarrowe+.

Nothing )i4e this 3an ha+ ever (een seen on ,rivet 7rive. Hewas ta))/ thin/ an+ ver# o)+/ u+ging (# the si)ver o0 his hair an+ (ear+/whi!h were (oth )ong enough to tu!4 into his (e)t. He was wearing )ongro(es/ a "ur")e !)oa4 that swe"t the groun+/ an+ high;hee)e+/ (u!4)e+(oots. His ()ue e#es were )ight/ (right/ an+ s"ar4)ing (ehin+ ha)0;3oon

s"e!ta!)es an+ his nose was ver# )ong an+ !roo4e+/ as though it ha+(een (ro4en at )east twi!e. This 3ans na3e was A)(us 7u3()e+ore.

A)(us 7u3()e+ore +i+nt see3 to rea)i=e that he ha+ ust arrive+in a street where ever#thing 0ro3 his na3e to his (oots wasunwe)!o3e. He was (us# ru33aging in his !)oa4/ )oo4ing 0orso3ething. But he +i+ see3 to rea)i=e he was (eing wat!he+/ (e!ausehe )oo4e+ u" su++en)# at the !at/ whi!h was sti)) staring at hi3 0ro3the other en+ o0 the street. For so3e reason/ the sight o0 the !atsee3e+ to a3use hi3. He !hu!4)e+ an+ 3uttere+/ MI shou)+ have4nown.

He 0oun+ what he was )oo4ing 0or in his insi+e "o!4et. It see3e+to (e a si)ver !igarette )ighter. He 0)i!4e+ it o"en/ he)+ it u" in the air/an+ !)i!4e+ it. The nearest street )a3" went out with a )itt)e "o". He!)i!4e+ it again the net )a3" 0)i!4ere+ into +ar4ness. Twe)ve ti3eshe !)i!4e+ the ,ut;Outer/ unti) the on)# )ights )e0t on the who)e streetwere two tin# "in"ri!4s in the +istan!e/ whi!h were the e#es o0 the !atwat!hing hi3. I0 an#one )oo4e+ out o0 their win+ow now/ even (ea+#;e#e+ *rs. 7urs)e#/ the# wou)+nt (e a()e to see an#thing that washa""ening +own on the "ave3ent. 7u3()e+ore s)i""e+ the ,ut;Outer(a!4 insi+e his !)oa4 an+ set o00 +own the street towar+ nu3(er 0our/

where he sat +own on the wa)) net to the !at. He +i+nt )oo4 at it/ (uta0ter a 3o3ent he s"o4e to it.

MFan!# seeing #ou here/ ,ro0essor *!Gonaga)).He turne+ to s3i)e at the ta((#/ (ut it ha+ gone. Instea+ he was

s3i)ing at a rather severe;)oo4ing wo3an who was wearing suareg)asses ea!t)# the sha"e o0 the 3ar4ings the !at ha+ ha+ aroun+ its


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e#es. She/ too/ was wearing a !)oa4/ an e3era)+ one. Her ()a!4 hairwas +rawn into a tight (un. She )oo4e+ +istin!t)# ru00)e+.

MHow +i+ #ou 4now it was 3e she as4e+.M*# +ear ,ro0essor/ Ive never seen a !at sit so sti00)#.MYou+ (e sti00 i0 #ou+ (een sitting on a (ri!4 wa)) a)) +a#/ sai+

,ro0essor *!Gonaga)).MA)) +a# When #ou !ou)+ have (een !e)e(rating I 3ust have

"asse+ a +o=en 0easts an+ "arties on 3# wa# here.,ro0essor *!Gonaga)) sni00e+ angri)#.MOh #es/ ever#ones !e)e(rating/ a)) right/ she sai+ i3"atient)#.

MYou+ thin4 the#+ (e a (it 3ore !are0u)/ (ut no even the *ugg)eshave noti!e+ so3ethings going on. It was on their news. She er4e+her hea+ (a!4 at the 7urs)e#s +ar4 )iving;roo3 win+ow. MI hear+ it.F)o!4s o0 ow)s . . . shooting stars. . . . We))/ the#re not !o3")ete)#stu"i+. The# were (oun+ to noti!e so3ething. Shooting stars +own in

Kent I)) (et that was 7e+a)us 7igg)e. He never ha+ 3u!h sense.MYou !ant ()a3e the3/ sai+ 7u3()e+ore gent)#. MWeve ha+

"re!ious )itt)e to !e)e(rate 0or e)even #ears.MI 4now that/ sai+ ,ro0essor *!Gonaga)) irrita()#. MBut thats no

reason to )ose our hea+s. ,eo")e are (eing +ownright !are)ess/ out onthe streets in (roa+ +a#)ight/ not even +resse+ in *ugg)e !)othes/swa""ing ru3ors.

She threw a shar"/ si+ewa#s g)an!e at 7u3()e+ore here/ asthough ho"ing he was going to te)) her so3ething/ (ut he +i+nt/ so shewent on. MA 0ine thing it wou)+ (e i0/ on the ver# +a# You;Know;Who

see3s to have +isa""eare+ at )ast/ the *ugg)es 0oun+ out a(out us a)).I su""ose he rea))#has gone/ 7u3()e+ore

MIt !ertain)# see3s so/ sai+ 7u3()e+ore. MWe have 3u!h to (ethan40u) 0or. Wou)+ #ou !are 0or a )e3on +ro"

MA !hatMA )e3on +ro". The#re a 4in+ o0 *ugg)e sweet I3 rather 0on+

o0.MNo/ than4 #ou/ sai+ ,ro0essor *!Gonaga)) !o)+)#/ as though

she +i+nt thin4 this was the 3o3ent 0or )e3on +ro"s. MAs I sa#/

even i0 You;Know;Whohas gone M*# +ear ,ro0essor/ sure)# a sensi()e "erson )i4e #ourse)0 !an

!a)) hi3 (# his na3e A)) this You;Know;Who nonsense 0or e)even#ears I have (een tr#ing to "ersua+e "eo")e to !a)) hi3 (# his "ro"er

na3e6 )oldemort( ,ro0essor *!Gonaga)) 0)in!he+/ (ut 7u3()e+ore/who was unsti!4ing two )e3on +ro"s/ see3e+ not to noti!e. MIt a)) getsso !on0using i0 we 4ee" sa#ing You;Know;Who. I have never seen an#reason to (e 0rightene+ o0 sa#ing o)+e3orts


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na3e.MI 4now #ou havent/ sai+ ,ro0essor *!Gonaga))/ soun+ing ha)0

eas"erate+/ ha)0 a+3iring. MBut #oure +i00erent. 2ver#one 4nows

#oure the on)# one You;Know; oh/ a)) right/ )oldemort* was 0rightene+o0.

MYou 0)atter 3e/ sai+ 7u3()e+ore !a)3)#. Mo)+e3ort ha+"owers I wi)) never have.

MOn)# (e!ause #oure too we)) noble to use the3.MIts )u!4# its +ar4. I havent ()ushe+ so 3u!h sin!e *a+a3

,o30re# to)+ 3e she )i4e+ 3# new ear3u00s.,ro0essor *!Gonaga)) shot a shar" )oo4 at 7u3()e+ore an+ sai+/

MThe ow)s are nothing net to the r"mors that are 0)#ing aroun+. You4now what ever#ones sa#ing A(out wh# hes +isa""eare+ A(outwhat 0ina))# sto""e+ hi3

It see3e+ that ,ro0essor *!Gonaga)) ha+ rea!he+ the "oint shewas 3ost anious to +is!uss/ the rea) reason she ha+ (een waiting ona !o)+/ har+ wa)) a)) +a#/ 0or neither as a !at nor as a wo3an ha+ she0ie+ 7u3()e+ore with su!h a "ier!ing stare as she +i+ now. It was")ain that whatever Mever#one was sa#ing/ she was not going to(e)ieve it unti) 7u3()e+ore to)+ her it was true. 7u3()e+ore/ however/was !hoosing another )e3on +ro" an+ +i+ not answer.

MWhat the#re sayin'* she "resse+ on/ Mis that )ast nighto)+e3ort turne+ u" in Go+ri!s Ho))ow. He went to 0in+ the ,otters.

The ru3or is that Li)# an+ Ja3es ,otter are are that the#re

dead(7u3()e+ore (owe+ his hea+. ,ro0essor *!Gonaga)) gas"e+.MLi)# an+ Ja3es . . . I !ant (e)ieve it . . . I +i+nt want to (e)ieve

it . . . Oh/ A)(us . . .7u3()e+ore rea!he+ out an+ "atte+ her on the shou)+er. MI

4now . . . I 4now . . . he sai+ heavi)#.,ro0essor *!Gonaga))s voi!e tre3()e+ as she went on. MThats

not a)). The#re sa#ing he trie+ to 4i)) the ,otters son/ Harr#. But he!ou)+nt. He !ou)+nt 4i)) that )itt)e (o#. No one 4nows wh#/ or how/ (utthe#re sa#ing that when he !ou)+nt 4i)) Harr# ,otter/ o)+e3orts

"ower so3ehow (ro4e an+ thats wh# hes gone.7u3()e+ore no++e+ g)u3)#.

MIts itstr"e 0a)tere+ ,ro0essor *!Gonaga)). MA0ter a)) hes+one . . . a)) the "eo")e hes 4i))e+ . . . he !ou)+nt 4i)) a )itt)e (o# Its

ust astoun+ing . . . o0 a)) the things to sto" hi3 . . . (ut how in thena3e o0 heaven +i+ Harr# survive

MWe !an on)# guess/ sai+ 7u3()e+ore. MWe 3a# never 4now.


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,ro0essor *!Gonaga)) "u))e+ out a )a!e han+4er!hie0 an+ +a((e+at her e#es (eneath her s"e!ta!)es. 7u3()e+ore gave a great sni00 ashe too4 a go)+en wat!h 0ro3 his "o!4et an+ ea3ine+ it. It was a ver#o++ wat!h. It ha+ twe)ve han+s (ut no nu3(ers instea+/ )itt)e ")anetswere 3oving aroun+ the e+ge. It 3ust have 3a+e sense to

7u3()e+ore/ though/ (e!ause he "ut it (a!4 in his "o!4et an+ sai+/MHagri+s )ate. I su""ose it was he who to)+ #ou I+ (e here/ (# thewa#

MYes/ sai+ ,ro0essor *!Gonaga)). MAn+ I +ont su""ose #oure

going to te)) 3e !hy #oure here/ o0 a)) ")a!esMIve !o3e to (ring Harr# to his aunt an+ un!)e. The#re the on)#

0a3i)# he has )e0t now.

MYou +ont 3ean #ou cant 3ean the "eo")e who )ivehere!rie+ ,ro0essor *!Gonaga))/ u3"ing to her 0eet an+ "ointing atnu3(er 0our. M7u3()e+ore #ou !ant. Ive (een wat!hing the3 a))+a#. You !ou)+nt 0in+ two "eo")e who are )ess )i4e us. An+ the#ve gotthis son I saw hi3 4i!4ing his 3other a)) the wa# u" the street/s!rea3ing 0or sweets. Harr# ,otter !o3e an+ )ive hereP

MIts the (est ")a!e 0or hi3/ sai+ 7u3()e+ore 0ir3)#. MHis auntan+ un!)e wi)) (e a()e to e")ain ever#thing to hi3 when hes o)+er.Ive written the3 a )etter.

MA )etter re"eate+ ,ro0essor *!Gonaga)) 0aint)#/ sitting (a!4+own on the wa)). MRea))#/ 7u3()e+ore/ #ou thin4 #ou !an e")ain a))this in a )etter These "eo")e wi)) never un+erstan+ hi3P He)) (e0a3ous a )egen+ I wou)+nt (e sur"rise+ i0 to+a# was 4nown asHarr# ,otter 7a# in the 0uture there wi)) (e (oo4s written a(outHarr# ever# !hi)+ in our wor)+ wi)) 4now his na3eP

M2a!t)#/ sai+ 7u3()e+ore/ )oo4ing ver# serious)# over the to"o0 his ha)0;3oon g)asses. MIt wou)+ (e enough to turn an# (o#s hea+.Fa3ous (e0ore he !an wa)4 an+ ta)4P Fa3ous 0or so3ething he wonteven re3e3(erP 1ant #ou see how 3u!h (etter o00 he)) (e/ growingu" awa# 0ro3 a)) that unti) hes rea+# to ta4e it

,ro0essor *!Gonaga)) o"ene+ her 3outh/ !hange+ her 3in+/swa))owe+/ an+ then sai+/ MYes #es/ #oure right/ o0 !ourse. But howis the (o# getting here/ 7u3()e+ore She e#e+ his !)oa4 su++en)# as

though she thought he 3ight (e hi+ing Harr# un+erneath it.MHagri+s (ringing hi3.

MYou thin4 it !ise to trust Hagri+ with so3ething asi3"ortant as this

MI wou)+ trust Hagri+ with 3# )i0e/ sai+ 7u3()e+ore.


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MI3 not sa#ing his heart isnt in the right ")a!e/ sai+ ,ro0essor*!Gonaga)) gru+ging)#/ M(ut #ou !ant "reten+ hes not !are)ess. He+oes ten+ to what was that

A )ow ru3()ing soun+ ha+ (ro4en the si)en!e aroun+ the3. Itgrew stea+i)# )ou+er as the# )oo4e+ u" an+ +own the street 0or so3e

sign o0 a hea+)ight it swe))e+ to a roar as the# (oth )oo4e+ u" at thes4# an+ a huge 3otor!#!)e 0e)) out o0 the air an+ )an+e+ on the roa+in 0ront o0 the3.

I0 the 3otor!#!)e was huge/ it was nothing to the 3an sittingastri+e it. He was a)3ost twi!e as ta)) as a nor3a) 3an an+ at )east 0ive

ti3es as wi+e. He )oo4e+ si3")# too (ig to (e a))owe+/ an+ so !ild )ong tang)es o0 (ush# ()a!4 hair an+ (ear+ hi+ 3ost o0 his 0a!e/ he ha+han+s the si=e o0 trash !an )i+s/ an+ his 0eet in their )eather (oots were)i4e (a(# +o)"hins. In his vast/ 3us!u)ar ar3s he was ho)+ing a (un+)eo0 ()an4ets.

MHagri+/ sai+ 7u3()e+ore/ soun+ing re)ieve+. MAt )ast. An+where +i+ #ou get that 3otor!#!)e

MBorrowe+ it/ ,ro0essor 7u3()e+ore/ sir/ sai+ the giant/!)i3(ing !are0u))# o00 the 3otor!#!)e as he s"o4e. MYoung Sirius B)a!4)ent it to 3e. Ive got hi3/ sir.

MNo "ro()e3s/ were thereMNo/ sir house was a)3ost +estro#e+/ (ut I got hi3 out a))

right (e0ore the *ugg)es starte+ swar3in aroun+. He 0e)) as)ee" as wewas 0)#in over Bristo).

7u3()e+ore an+ ,ro0essor *!Gonaga)) (ent 0orwar+ over the

(un+)e o0 ()an4ets. Insi+e/ ust visi()e/ was a (a(# (o#/ 0ast as)ee".En+er a tu0t o0 et;()a!4 hair over his 0orehea+ the# !ou)+ see a!urious)# sha"e+ !ut/ )i4e a (o)t o0 )ightning.

MIs that where whis"ere+ ,ro0essor *!Gonaga)).MYes/ sai+ 7u3()e+ore. MHe)) have that s!ar 0orever.M1ou)+nt #ou +o so3ething a(out it/ 7u3()e+oreM2ven i0 I !ou)+/ I wou)+nt. S!ars !an !o3e in han+#. I have one

3#se)0 a(ove 3# )e0t 4nee that is a "er0e!t 3a" o0 the Lon+onEn+ergroun+. We)) give hi3 here/ Hagri+ we+ (etter get this overwith.

7u3()e+ore too4 Harr# in his ar3s an+ turne+ towar+ the7urs)e#s house.

M1ou)+ I !ou)+ I sa# goo+;(#e to hi3/ sir as4e+ Hagri+. He(ent his great/ shagg# hea+ over Harr# an+ gave hi3 what 3ust have(een a ver# s!rat!h#/ whis4er# 4iss. Then/ su++en)#/ Hagri+ )et out ahow) )i4e a woun+e+ +og.


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MShhhP hisse+ ,ro0essor *!Gonaga))/ M#ou)) wa4e the*ugg)esP

MS;s;sorr#/ so((e+ Hagri+/ ta4ing out a )arge/ s"otte+han+4er!hie0 an+ (ur#ing his 0a!e in it. MBut I !;!;!ant stan+ it Li)#an Ja3es +ea+ an "oor )itt)e Harr# o00 ter )ive with *ugg)es

MYes/ #es/ its a)) ver# sa+/ (ut get a gri" on #ourse)0/ Hagri+/ orwe)) (e 0oun+/ ,ro0essor *!Gonaga)) whis"ere+/ "atting Hagri+ginger)# on the ar3 as 7u3()e+ore ste""e+ over the )ow gar+en wa))an+ wa)4e+ to the 0ront +oor. He )ai+ Harr# gent)# on the +oorste"/too4 a )etter out o0 his !)oa4/ tu!4e+ it insi+e Harr#s ()an4ets/ an+then !a3e (a!4 to the other two. For a 0u)) 3inute the three o0 the3stoo+ an+ )oo4e+ at the )itt)e (un+)e Hagri+s shou)+ers shoo4/,ro0essor *!Gonaga)) ()in4e+ 0urious)#/ an+ the twin4)ing )ight thatusua))# shone 0ro3 7u3()e+ores e#es see3e+ to have gone out.

MWe))/ sai+ 7u3()e+ore 0ina))#/ Mthats that. Weve no (usiness

sta#ing here. We 3a# as we)) go an+ oin the !e)e(rations.MYeah/ sai+ Hagri+ in a ver# 3u00)e+ voi!e/ MI+ (est get this

(i4e awa#. Gnight/ ,ro0essor *!Gonaga)) ,ro0essor 7u3()e+ore/sir.

Wi"ing his strea3ing e#es on his a!4et s)eeve/ Hagri+ swunghi3se)0 onto the 3otor!#!)e an+ 4i!4e+ the engine into )i0e with a roarit rose into the air an+ o00 into the night.

MI sha)) see #ou soon/ I e"e!t/ ,ro0essor *!Gonaga))/ sai+7u3()e+ore/ no++ing to her. ,ro0essor *!Gonaga)) ()ew her nose inre")#.

7u3()e+ore turne+ an+ wa)4e+ (a!4 +own the street. On the!orner he sto""e+ an+ too4 out the si)ver ,ut;Outer. He !)i!4e+ it on!e/an+ twe)ve (a))s o0 )ight s"e+ (a!4 to their street )a3"s so that ,rivet7rive g)owe+ su++en)# orange an+ he !ou)+ 3a4e out a ta((# !ats)in4ing aroun+ the !orner at the other en+ o0 the street. He !ou)+ ustsee the (un+)e o0 ()an4ets on the ste" o0 nu3(er 0our.

MGoo+ )u!4/ Harr#/ he 3ur3ure+. He turne+ on his hee) an+with a swish o0 his !)oa4/ he was gone.

A (ree=e ru00)e+ the neat he+ges o0 ,rivet 7rive/ whi!h )a# si)entan+ ti+# un+er the in4# s4#/ the ver# )ast ")a!e #ou wou)+ e"e!t

astonishing things to ha""en. Harr# ,otter ro))e+ over insi+e his()an4ets without wa4ing u". One s3a)) han+ !)ose+ on the )etter (esi+ehi3 an+ he s)e"t on/ not 4nowing he was s"e!ia)/ not 4nowing he was0a3ous/ not 4nowing he wou)+ (e wo4en in a 0ew hours ti3e (# *rs.7urs)e#s s!rea3 as she o"ene+ the 0ront +oor to "ut out the 3i)4(ott)es/ nor that he wou)+ s"en+ the net 0ew wee4s (eing "ro++e+an+ "in!he+ (# his !ousin 7u+)e#. . . . He !ou)+nt 4now that at this


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ver# 3o3ent/ "eo")e 3eeting in se!ret a)) over the !ountr# wereho)+ing u" their g)asses an+ sa#ing in hushe+ voi!es6 MTo Harr# ,otter the (o# who )ive+P

( H A P T % R T ) THE VANISHING GLASS

Near)# ten #ears ha+ "asse+ sin!e the 7urs)e#s ha+ wo4en u" to 0in+their ne"hew on the 0ront ste"/ (ut ,rivet 7rive ha+ har+)# !hange+ ata)). The sun rose on the sa3e ti+# 0ront gar+ens an+ )it u" the (rassnu3(er 0our on the 7urs)e#s 0ront +oor it !re"t into their )iving roo3/whi!h was a)3ost ea!t)# the sa3e as it ha+ (een on the night when*r. 7urs)e# ha+ seen that 0ate0u) news re"ort a(out the ow)s. On)# the"hotogra"hs on the 3ante)"ie!e rea))# showe+ how 3u!h ti3e ha+

"asse+. Ten #ears ago/ there ha+ (een )ots o0 "i!tures o0 what )oo4e+)i4e a )arge "in4 (ea!h (a)) wearing +i00erent;!o)ore+ (onnets (ut7u+)e# 7urs)e# was no )onger a (a(#/ an+ now the "hotogra"hsshowe+ a )arge ()on+ (o# ri+ing his 0irst (i!#!)e/ on a !arouse) at the0air/ ")a#ing a !o3"uter ga3e with his 0ather/ (eing hugge+ an+ 4isse+(# his 3other. The roo3 he)+ no sign at a)) that another (o# )ive+ inthe house/ too.


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Yet Harr# ,otter was sti)) there/ as)ee" at the 3o3ent/ (ut not0or )ong. His Aunt ,etunia was awa4e an+ it was her shri)) voi!e that3a+e the 0irst noise o0 the +a#.

ME"P Get u"P NowPHarr# wo4e with a start. His aunt ra""e+ on the +oor again.

ME"P she s!ree!he+. Harr# hear+ her wa)4ing towar+ the4it!hen an+ then the soun+ o0 the 0r#ing "an (eing "ut on the stove.He ro))e+ onto his (a!4 an+ trie+ to re3e3(er the +rea3 he ha+ (eenhaving. It ha+ (een a goo+ one. There ha+ (een a 0)#ing 3otor!#!)e init. He ha+ a 0unn# 0ee)ing he+ ha+ the sa3e +rea3 (e0ore.

His aunt was (a!4 outsi+e the +oor.MAre #ou u" #et she +e3an+e+.MNear)#/ sai+ Harr#.MWe))/ get a 3ove on/ I want #ou to )oo4 a0ter the (a!on. An+

+ont #ou +are )et it (urn/ I want ever#thing "er0e!t on 7u++#s

(irth+a#.Harr# groane+.MWhat +i+ #ou sa# his aunt sna""e+ through the +oor.MNothing/ nothing . . .7u+)e#s (irth+a# how !ou)+ he have 0orgotten Harr# got

s)ow)# out o0 (e+ an+ starte+ )oo4ing 0or so!4s. He 0oun+ a "air un+erhis (e+ an+/ a0ter "u))ing a s"i+er o00 one o0 the3/ "ut the3 on. Harr#was use+ to s"i+ers/ (e!ause the !u"(oar+ un+er the stairs was 0u)) o0the3/ an+ that was where he s)e"t.

When he was +resse+ he went +own the ha)) into the 4it!hen.

The ta()e was a)3ost hi++en (eneath a)) 7u+)e#s (irth+a# "resents. It)oo4e+ as though 7u+)e# ha+ gotten the new !o3"uter he wante+/ notto 3ention the se!on+ te)evision an+ the ra!ing (i4e. 2a!t)# wh#7u+)e# wante+ a ra!ing (i4e was a 3#ster# to Harr#/ as 7u+)e# wasver# 0at an+ hate+ eer!ise un)ess o0 !ourse it invo)ve+ "un!hingso3e(o+#. 7u+)e#s 0avorite "un!hing (ag was Harr#/ (ut he !ou)+nto0ten !at!h hi3. Harr# +i+nt )oo4 it/ (ut he was ver# 0ast.

,erha"s it ha+ so3ething to +o with )iving in a +ar4 !u"(oar+/(ut Harr# ha+ a)wa#s (een s3a)) an+ s4inn# 0or his age. He )oo4e+even s3a))er an+ s4innier than he rea))# was (e!ause a)) he ha+ to

wear were o)+ !)othes o0 7u+)e#s/ an+ 7u+)e# was a(out 0our ti3es(igger than he was. Harr# ha+ a thin 0a!e/ 4no(()# 4nees/ ()a!4 hair/an+ (right green e#es. He wore roun+ g)asses he)+ together with a )oto0 S!ot!h ta"e (e!ause o0 a)) the ti3es 7u+)e# ha+ "un!he+ hi3 on thenose. The on)# thing Harr# )i4e+ a(out his own a""earan!e was a ver#thin s!ar on his 0orehea+ that was sha"e+ )i4e a (o)t o0 )ightning. Heha+ ha+ it as )ong as he !ou)+ re3e3(er/ an+ the 0irst uestion he


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!ou)+ ever re3e3(er as4ing his Aunt ,etunia was how he ha+ gottenit.

MIn the !ar !rash when #our "arents +ie+/ she ha+ sai+. MAn++ont as4 uestions.

ont ask +"estions that was the 0irst ru)e 0or a uiet )i0e withthe 7urs)e#s. En!)e ernon entere+ the 4it!hen as Harr# was turningover the (a!on.

M1o3( #our hairP he (ar4e+/ (# wa# o0 a 3orning greeting.A(out on!e a wee4/ En!)e ernon )oo4e+ over the to" o0 his

news"a"er an+ shoute+ that Harr# nee+e+ a hair!ut. Harr# 3ust haveha+ 3ore hair!uts than the rest o0 the (o#s in his !)ass "ut together/(ut it 3a+e no +i00eren!e/ his hair si3")# grew that wa# a)) over the")a!e.

Harr# was 0r#ing eggs (# the ti3e 7u+)e# arrive+ in the 4it!henwith his 3other. 7u+)e# )oo4e+ a )ot )i4e En!)e ernon. He ha+ a )arge

"in4 0a!e/ not 3u!h ne!4/ s3a))/ water# ()ue e#es/ an+ thi!4 ()on+ hairthat )a# s3ooth)# on his thi!4/ 0at hea+. Aunt ,etunia o0ten sai+ that7u+)e# )oo4e+ )i4e a (a(# ange) Harr# o0ten sai+ that 7u+)e# )oo4e+)i4e a "ig in a wig.

Harr# "ut the ")ates o0 egg an+ (a!on on the ta()e/ whi!h was+i00i!u)t as there wasnt 3u!h roo3. 7u+)e#/ 3eanwhi)e/ was !ountinghis "resents. His 0a!e 0e)).

MThirt#;si/ he sai+/ )oo4ing u" at his 3other an+ 0ather. MThatstwo )ess than )ast #ear.

M7ar)ing/ #ou havent !ounte+ Auntie *arges "resent/ see/ its

here un+er this (ig one 0ro3 *o33# an+ 7a++#.MA)) right/ thirt#;seven then/ sai+ 7u+)e#/ going re+ in the 0a!e.

Harr#/ who !ou)+ see a huge 7u+)e# tantru3 !o3ing on/ (egan wo)0ing+own his (a!on as 0ast as "ossi()e in !ase 7u+)e# turne+ the ta()eover.

Aunt ,etunia o(vious)# s!ente+ +anger/ too/ (e!ause she sai+

ui!4)#/ MAn+ we)) (u# #ou anothert!o "resents whi)e were out

to+a#. Hows that/ "o"4in ,!o 3ore "resents. Is that a)) right7u+)e# thought 0or a 3o3ent. It )oo4e+ )i4e har+ wor4. Fina))#

he sai+ s)ow)#/ MSo I)) have thirt# . . . thirt# . . .MThirt#;nine/ sweetu3s/ sai+ Aunt ,etunia.MOh. 7u+)e# sat +own heavi)# an+ gra((e+ the nearest "ar!e).

MA)) right then.En!)e ernon !hu!4)e+.MLitt)e t#4e wants his 3one#s worth/ ust )i4e his 0ather. Atta

(o#/ 7u+)e#P He ru00)e+ 7u+)e#s hair.


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At that 3o3ent the te)e"hone rang an+ Aunt ,etunia went toanswer it whi)e Harr# an+ En!)e ernon wat!he+ 7u+)e# unwra" thera!ing (i4e/ a vi+eo !a3era/ a re3ote !ontro) air")ane/ siteen new!o3"uter ga3es/ an+ a 1R. He was ri""ing the "a"er o00 a go)+wristwat!h when Aunt ,etunia !a3e (a!4 0ro3 the te)e"hone )oo4ing

(oth angr# an+ worrie+.MBa+ news/ ernon/ she sai+. M*rs. Figgs (ro4en her )eg. She

!ant ta4e hi3. She er4e+ her hea+ in Harr#s +ire!tion.7u+)e#s 3outh 0e)) o"en in horror/ (ut Harr#s heart gave a

)ea". 2ver# #ear on 7u+)e#s (irth+a#/ his "arents too4 hi3 an+ a0rien+ out 0or the +a#/ to a+venture "ar4s/ ha3(urger restaurants/ orthe 3ovies. 2ver# #ear/ Harr# was )e0t (ehin+ with *rs. Figg/ a 3a+ o)+)a+# who )ive+ two streets awa#. Harr# hate+ it there. The who)e houses3e))e+ o0 !a((age an+ *rs. Figg 3a+e hi3 )oo4 at "hotogra"hs o0 a))the !ats she+ ever owne+.

MNow what sai+ Aunt ,etunia/ )oo4ing 0urious)# at Harr# asthough he+ ")anne+ this. Harr# 4new he ought to 0ee) sorr# that *rs.Figg ha+ (ro4en her )eg/ (ut it wasnt eas# when he re3in+e+ hi3se)0it wou)+ (e a who)e #ear (e0ore he ha+ to )oo4 at Ti((ies/ Snow#/ *r.,aws/ an+ Tu0t# again.

MWe !ou)+ "hone *arge/ En!)e ernon suggeste+.M7ont (e si))#/ ernon/ she hates the (o#.

The 7urs)e#s o0ten s"o4e a(out Harr# )i4e this/ as though hewasnt there or rather/ as though he was so3ething ver# nast# that!ou)+nt un+erstan+ the3/ )i4e a s)ug.

MWhat a(out whats;her;na3e/ #our 0rien+ YvonneMOn va!ation in *aor!a/ sna""e+ Aunt ,etunia.MYou !ou)+ ust )eave 3e here/ Harr# "ut in ho"e0u))# Qhe+ (e

a()e to wat!h what he wante+ on te)evision 0or a !hange an+ 3a#(eeven have a go on 7u+)e#s !o3"uter.

Aunt ,etunia )oo4e+ as though she+ ust swa))owe+ a )e3on.MAn+ !o3e (a!4 an+ 0in+ the house in ruins she snar)e+.MI wont ()ow u" the house/ sai+ Harr#/ (ut the# werent

)istening.MI su""ose we !ou)+ ta4e hi3 to the =oo/ sai+ Aunt ,etunia

s)ow)#/ M. . . an+ )eave hi3 in the !ar. . . .MThat !ars new/ hes not sitting in it a)one. . . .7u+)e# (egan to !r# )ou+)#. In 0a!t/ he wasnt rea))# !r#ing it

ha+ (een #ears sin!e he+ rea))# !rie+ (ut he 4new that i0 hes!rewe+ u" his 0a!e an+ wai)e+/ his 3other wou)+ give hi3 an#thing hewante+.


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M7in4# 7u++#+u3s/ +ont !r#/ *u33# wont )et hi3 s"oi) #ours"e!ia) +a#P she !rie+/ 0)inging her ar3s aroun+ hi3.

MI . . . +ont . . . want . . . hi3 . . . t;t;to !o3eP 7u+)e# #e))e+(etween huge/ "reten+ so(s. MHe a)wa#s s";s"oi)s ever#thingP Heshot Harr# a nast# grin through the ga" in his 3others ar3s.

Just then/ the +oor(e)) rang MOh/ goo+ Lor+/ the#re herePsai+ Aunt ,etunia 0ranti!a))# an+ a 3o3ent )ater/ 7u+)e#s (est0rien+/ ,iers ,o)4iss/ wa)4e+ in with his 3other. ,iers was a s!rawn#(o# with a 0a!e )i4e a rat. He was usua))# the one who he)+ "eo")esar3s (ehin+ their (a!4s whi)e 7u+)e# hit the3. 7u+)e# sto""e+"reten+ing to !r# at on!e.

Ha)0 an hour )ater/ Harr#/ who !ou)+nt (e)ieve his )u!4/ wassitting in the (a!4 o0 the 7urs)e#s !ar with ,iers an+ 7u+)e#/ on thewa# to the =oo 0or the 0irst ti3e in his )i0e. His aunt an+ un!)e ha+nt(een a()e to thin4 o0 an#thing e)se to +o with hi3/ (ut (e0ore the#+

)e0t/ En!)e ernon ha+ ta4en Harr# asi+e.MI3 warning #ou/ he ha+ sai+/ "utting his )arge "ur")e 0a!e

right u" !)ose to Harr#s/ MI3 warning #ou now/ (o# an# 0unn#(usiness/ an#thing at a)) an+ #ou)) (e in that !u"(oar+ 0ro3 nowunti) 1hrist3as.

I3 not going to +o an#thing/ sai+ Harr#/ Mhonest)# . . .But En!)e ernon +i+nt (e)ieve hi3. No one ever +i+.

The "ro()e3 was/ strange things o0ten ha""ene+ aroun+ Harr#an+ it was ust no goo+ te))ing the 7urs)e#s he +i+nt 3a4e the3ha""en.

On!e/ Aunt ,etunia/ tire+ o0 Harr# !o3ing (a!4 0ro3 the (ar(ers)oo4ing as though he ha+nt (een at a))/ ha+ ta4en a "air o0 4it!hens!issors an+ !ut his hair so short he was a)3ost (a)+ e!e"t 0or his(angs/ whi!h she )e0t Mto hi+e that horri()e s!ar. 7u+)e# ha+ )aughe+hi3se)0 si))# at Harr#/ who s"ent a s)ee")ess night i3agining s!hoo) thenet +a#/ where he was a)rea+# )aughe+ at 0or his (agg# !)othes an+ta"e+ g)asses. Net 3orning/ however/ he ha+ gotten u" to 0in+ hishair ea!t)# as it ha+ (een (e0ore Aunt ,etunia ha+ sheare+ it o00. Heha+ (een given a wee4 in his !u"(oar+ 0or this/ even though he ha+

trie+ to e")ain that he co"ldnt e")ain how it ha+ grown (a!4 so

ui!4)#.Another ti3e/ Aunt ,etunia ha+ (een tr#ing to 0or!e hi3 into a

revo)ting o)+ sweater o0 7u+)e#s Q(rown with orange "u00 (a))s. Thehar+er she trie+ to "u)) it over his hea+/ the s3a))er it see3e+ to(e!o3e/ unti) 0ina))# it 3ight have 0itte+ a han+ "u""et/ (ut !ertain)#wou)+nt 0it Harr#. Aunt ,etunia ha+ +e!i+e+ it 3us thave shrun4 in thewash an+/ to his great re)ie0/ Harr# wasnt "unishe+.


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On the other han+/ he+ gotten into terri()e trou()e 0or (eing0oun+ on the roo0 o0 the s!hoo) 4it!hens. 7u+)e#s gang ha+ (een!hasing hi3 as usua) when/ as 3u!h to Harr#s sur"rise as an#onee)ses/ there he was sitting on the !hi3ne#. The 7urs)e#s ha+ re!eive+a ver# angr# )etter 0ro3 Harr#s hea+3istress te))ing the3 Harr# ha+

(een !)i3(ing s!hoo) (ui)+ings. But a)) he+ trie+ to +o Qas he shoute+at En!)e ernon through the )o!4e+ +oor o0 his !u"(oar+ was u3"(ehin+ the (ig trash !ans outsi+e the 4it!hen +oors. Harr# su""ose+that the win+ 3ust have !aught hi3 in 3i+;u3".

But to+a#/ nothing was going to go wrong. It was even worth(eing with 7u+)e# an+ ,iers to (e s"en+ing the +a# so3ewhere thatwasnt s!hoo)/ his !u"(oar+/ or *rs. Figgs !a((age;s3e))ing )ivingroo3.

Whi)e he +rove/ En!)e ernon !o3")aine+ to Aunt ,etunia. He)i4e+ to !o3")ain a(out things6 "eo")e at wor4/ Harr#/ the !oun!i)/

Harr#/ the (an4/ an+ Harr# were ust a 0ew o0 his 0avorite su(e!ts. This3orning/ it was 3otor!#!)es.

M. . . roaring a)ong )i4e 3ania!s/ the #oung hoo+)u3s/ he sai+/as a 3otor!#!)e overtoo4 the3.

MI ha+ a +rea3 a(out a 3otor!#!)e/ sai+ Harr#/ re3e3(eringsu++en)#. MIt was 0)#ing.

En!)e ernon near)# !rashe+ into the !ar in 0ront. He turne+right aroun+ in his seat an+ #e))e+ at Harr#/ his 0a!e )i4e a giganti!(eet with a 3usta!he6 M*OTOR1Y1L2S 7ONT FLYP

7u+)e# an+ ,iers sniggere+.

MI 4now the# +ont/ sai+ Harr#. MIt was on)# a +rea3.But he wishe+ he ha+nt sai+ an#thing. I0 there was one thing

the 7urs)e#s hate+ even 3ore than his as4ing uestions/ it was hista)4ing a(out an#thing a!ting in a wa# it shou)+nt/ no 3atter i0 it wasin a +rea3 or even a !artoon the# see3e+ to thin4 he 3ight get+angerous i+eas.

It was a ver# sunn# Satur+a# an+ the =oo was !row+e+ with0a3i)ies. The 7urs)e#s (ought 7u+)e# an+ ,iers )arge !ho!o)ate i!e!rea3s at the entran!e an+ then/ (e!ause the s3i)ing )a+# in the vanha+ as4e+ Harr# what he wante+ (e0ore the# !ou)+ hurr# hi3 awa#/

the# (ought hi3 a !hea" )e3on i!e "o". It wasnt (a+/ either/ Harr#thought/ )i!4ing it as the# wat!he+ a gori))a s!rat!hing itshea+ who )oo4e+ re3ar4a()# )i4e 7u+)e#/ e!e"t that it wasnt ()on+.

Harr# ha+ the (est 3orning he+ ha+ in a )ong ti3e. He was!are0u) to wa)4 a )itt)e wa# a"art 0ro3 the 7urs)e#s so that 7u+)e# an+,iers/ who were starting to get (ore+ with the ani3a)s (# )un!hti3e/wou)+nt 0a)) (a!4 on their 0avorite ho((# o0 hitting hi3. The# ate in the


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=oo restaurant/ an+ when 7u+)e# ha+ a tantru3 (e!ause his4ni!4er(o!4er g)or# +i+nt have enough i!e !rea3 on to"/ En!)eernon (ought hi3 another one an+ Harr# was a))owe+ to 0inish the0irst.

Harr# 0e)t/ a0terwar+/ that he shou)+ have 4nown it was a)) too

goo+ to )ast.A0ter )un!h the# went to the re"ti)e house. It was !oo) an+ +ar4

in there/ with )it win+ows a)) a)ong the wa))s. Behin+ the g)ass/ a)) sortso0 )i=ar+s an+ sna4es were !raw)ing an+ s)ithering over (its o0 woo+an+ stone. 7u+)e# an+ ,iers wante+ to see huge/ "oisonous !o(ras an+thi!4/ 3an;!rushing "#thons. 7u+)e# ui!4)# 0oun+ the )argest sna4e inthe ")a!e. It !ou)+ have wra""e+ its (o+# twi!e aroun+ En!)e ernons!ar an+ !rushe+ it into a trash !an (ut at the 3o3ent it +i+nt )oo4in the 3oo+. In 0a!t/ it was 0ast as)ee".

7u+)e# stoo+ with his nose "resse+ against the g)ass/ staring at

the g)istening (rown !oi)s.M*a4e it 3ove/ he whine+ at his 0ather. En!)e ernon ta""e+

on the g)ass/ (ut the sna4e +i+nt (u+ge.M7o it again/ 7u+)e# or+ere+. En!)e ernon ra""e+ the g)ass

s3art)# with his 4nu!4)es/ (ut the sna4e ust snoo=e+ on.MThis is (oring/ 7u+)e# 3oane+. He shu00)e+ awa#.Harr# 3ove+ in 0ront o0 the tan4 an+ )oo4e+ intent)# at the

sna4e. He wou)+nt have (een sur"rise+ i0 it ha+ +ie+ o0 (ore+o3 itse)0 no !o3"an# e!e"t stu"i+ "eo")e +ru33ing their 0ingers on theg)ass tr#ing to +istur( it a)) +a# )ong. It was worse than having a

!u"(oar+ as a (e+roo3/ where the on)# visitor was Aunt ,etuniaha33ering on the +oor to wa4e #ou u" at )east he got to visit the resto0 the house.

The sna4e su++en)# o"ene+ its (ea+# e#es. S)ow)#/ ver# s)ow)#/it raise+ its hea+ unti) its e#es were on a )eve) with Harr#s.

t !inked(Harr# stare+. Then he )oo4e+ ui!4)# aroun+ to see i0 an#one

was wat!hing. The# werent. He )oo4e+ (a!4 at the sna4e an+ win4e+/too.

The sna4e er4e+ its hea+ towar+ En!)e ernon an+ 7u+)e#/ then

raise+ its e#es to the !ei)ing. It gave Harr# a )oo4 that sai+ uite")ain)#6

M 'et that all the time(MI 4now/ Harr# 3ur3ure+ through the g)ass/ though he wasnt

sure the sna4e !ou)+ hear hi3. MIt 3ust (e rea))# anno#ing.The sna4e no++e+ vigorous)#.MWhere +o #ou !o3e 0ro3/ an#wa# Harr# as4e+.


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The sna4e a((e+ its tai) at a )itt)e sign net to the g)ass. Harr#"eere+ at it.

Boa 1onstri!tor/ Bra=i).MWas it ni!e there

The (oa !onstri!tor a((e+ its tai) at the sign again an+ Harr#

rea+ on6 This s"e!i3en was (re+ in the =oo. MOh/ I see so #ouvenever (een to Bra=i)

As the sna4e shoo4 its hea+/ a +ea0ening shout (ehin+ Harr#3a+e (oth o0 the3 u3". M7E7L2YP *R. 7ERSL2YP 1O*2 AN7 LOOK

AT THIS SNAK2P YOE WONT B./.). WHAT ITS 7OINGP7u+)e# !a3e wa++)ing towar+ the3 as 0ast as he !ou)+.MOut o0 the wa#/ #ou/ he sai+/ "un!hing Harr# in the ri(s.

1aught (# sur"rise/ Harr# 0e)) har+ on the !on!rete 0)oor. What !a3enet ha""ene+ so 0ast no one saw how it ha""ene+ one se!on+/,iers an+ 7u+)e# were )eaning right u" !)ose to the g)ass/ the net/

the# ha+ )ea"t (a!4 with how)s o0 horror.Harr# sat u" an+ gas"e+ the g)ass 0ront o0 the (oa !onstri!tors

tan4 ha+ vanishe+. The great sna4e was un!oi)ing itse)0 ra"i+)#/s)ithering out onto the 0)oor. ,eo")e throughout the re"ti)e houses!rea3e+ an+ starte+ running 0or the eits.

As the sna4e s)i+ swi0t)# "ast hi3/ Harr# !ou)+ have sworn a )ow/hissing voi!e sai+/ MBra=i)/ here I !o3e. . . . Than4sss/ a3igo.

The 4ee"er o0 the re"ti)e house was in sho!4.MBut the g)ass/ he 4e"t sa#ing/ Mwhere +i+ the g)ass go

The =oo +ire!tor hi3se)0 3a+e Aunt ,etunia a !u" o0 strong/

sweet tea whi)e he a"o)ogi=e+ over an+ over again. ,iers an+ 7u+)e#!ou)+ on)# gi((er. As 0ar as Harr# ha+ seen/ the sna4e ha+nt +onean#thing e!e"t sna" ")a#0u))# at their hee)s as it "asse+/ (ut (# theti3e the# were a)) (a!4 in En!)e ernons !ar/ 7u+)e# was te))ing the3how it ha+ near)# (itten o00 his )eg/ whi)e ,iers was swearing it ha+trie+ to suee=e hi3 to +eath. But worst o0 a))/ 0or Harr# at )east/ was,iers !a)3ing +own enough to sa#/ MHarr# was ta)4ing to it/ werent#ou/ Harr#

En!)e ernon waite+ unti) ,iers was sa0e)# out o0 the house(e0ore starting on Harr#. He was so angr# he !ou)+ har+)# s"ea4. He

3anage+ to sa#/ MGo !u"(oar+ sta# no 3ea)s/ (e0ore he!o))a"se+ into a !hair/ an+ Aunt ,etunia ha+ to run an+ get hi3 a )arge(ran+#.

Harr# )a# in his +ar4 !u"(oar+ 3u!h )ater/ wishing he ha+ awat!h. He +i+nt 4now what ti3e it was an+ he !ou)+nt (e sure the


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7urs)e#s were as)ee" #et. Enti) the# were/ he !ou)+nt ris4 snea4ing tothe 4it!hen 0or so3e 0oo+.

He+ )ive+ with the 7urs)e#s a)3ost ten #ears/ ten 3isera()e#ears/ as )ong as he !ou)+ re3e3(er/ ever sin!e he+ (een a (a(# an+his "arents ha+ +ie+ in that !ar !rash. He !ou)+nt re3e3(er (eing in

the !ar when his "arents ha+ +ie+. So3eti3es/ when he straine+ his3e3or# +uring )ong hours in his !u"(oar+/ he !a3e u" with a strangevision6 a ()in+ing 0)ash o0 green )ight an+ a (urning "ain on his0orehea+. This/ he su""ose+/ was the !rash/ though he !ou)+nti3agine where a)) the green )ight !a3e 0ro3. He !ou)+nt re3e3(erhis "arents at a)). His aunt an+ un!)e never s"o4e a(out the3/ an+ o0!ourse he was 0or(i++en to as4 uestions. There were no "hotogra"hso0 the3 in the house.

When he ha+ (een #ounger/ Harr# ha+ +rea3e+ an+ +rea3e+ o0so3e un4nown re)ation !o3ing to ta4e hi3 awa#/ (ut it ha+ never

ha""ene+ the 7urs)e#s were his on)# 0a3i)#. Yet so3eti3es hethought Qor 3a#(e ho"e+ that strangers in the street see3e+ to 4nowhi3. er# strange strangers the# were/ too. A tin# 3an in a vio)et to"hat ha+ (owe+ to hi3 on!e whi)e out sho""ing with Aunt ,etunia an+7u+)e#. A0ter as4ing Harr# 0urious)# i0 he 4new the 3an/ Aunt ,etuniaha+ rushe+ the3 out o0 the sho" without (u#ing an#thing. A wi)+;)oo4ing o)+ wo3an +resse+ a)) in green ha+ wave+ 3erri)# at hi3 on!eon a (us. A (a)+ 3an in a ver# )ong "ur")e !oat ha+ a!tua))# sha4en hishan+ in the street the other +a# an+ then wa)4e+ awa# without a wor+.

The weir+est thing a(out a)) these "eo")e was the wa# the# see3e+ to

vanish the se!on+ Harr# trie+ to get a !)oser )oo4.At s!hoo)/ Harr# ha+ no one. 2ver#(o+# 4new that 7u+)e#s

gang hate+ that o++ Harr# ,otter in his (agg# o)+ !)othes an+ (ro4eng)asses/ an+ no(o+# )i4e+ to +isagree with 7u+)e#s gang.


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( H A P T % R T H R % %THE LETTERS FROM NO ONE

The es!a"e o0 the Bra=i)ian (oa !onstri!tor earne+ Harr# his)ongest;ever "unish3ent. B# the ti3e he was a))owe+ out o0

his !u"(oar+ again/ the su33er ho)i+a#s ha+ starte+ an+ 7u+)e#ha+ a)rea+# (ro4en his new vi+eo !a3era/ !rashe+ his re3ote !ontro)air")ane/ an+/ 0irst ti3e out on his ra!ing (i4e/ 4no!4e+ +owno)+ *rs. Figg as she !rosse+ ,rivet 7rive on her !rut!hes.Harr# was g)a+ s!hoo) was over/ (ut there was no es!a"ing 7u+)e#sgang/ who visite+ the house ever# sing)e +a#. ,iers/ 7ennis/*a)!o)3/ an+ Gor+on were a)) (ig an+ stu"i+/ (ut as 7u+)e# was


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the (iggest an+ stu"i+est o0 the )ot/ he was the )ea+er. The rest o0the3 were a)) uite ha""# to oin in 7u+)e#s 0avorite s"ort6 Harr#Hunting.

This was wh# Harr# s"ent as 3u!h ti3e as "ossi()e out o0 thehouse/ wan+ering aroun+ an+ thin4ing a(out the en+ o0 the ho)i+a#s/

where he !ou)+ see a tin# ra# o0 ho"e. When Se"te3(er !a3ehe wou)+ (e going o00 to se!on+ar# s!hoo) an+/ 0or the 0irst ti3e inhis )i0e/ he wou)+nt (e with 7u+)e#. 7u+)e# ha+ (een a!!e"te+ atEn!)e ernons o)+ "rivate s!hoo)/ S3e)tings. ,iers ,o)4iss was goingthere too. Harr#/ on the other han+/ was going to Stonewa))High/ the )o!a) "u()i! s!hoo). 7u+)e# thought this was ver# 0unn#.MThe# stu00 "eo")es hea+s +own the toi)et the 0irst +a# atStonewa))/ he to)+ Harr#. MWant to !o3e u"stairs an+ "ra!ti!eMNo/ than4s/ sai+ Harr#. MThe "oor toi)ets never ha+ an#thingas horri()e as #our hea+ +own it it 3ight (e si!4. Then he ran/

(e0ore 7u+)e# !ou)+ wor4 out what he+ sai+.One +a# in Ju)#/ Aunt ,etunia too4 7u+)e# to Lon+on to (u#his S3e)tings uni0or3/ )eaving Harr# at *rs. Figgs. *rs. Figgwasnt as (a+ as usua). It turne+ out she+ (ro4en her )eg tri""ingover one o0 her !ats/ an+ she +i+nt see3 uite as 0on+ o0 the3 as(e0ore. She )et Harr# wat!h te)evision an+ gave hi3 a (it o0 !ho!o)ate!a4e that taste+ as though she+ ha+ it 0or severa) #ears.

That evening/ 7u+)e# "ara+e+ aroun+ the )iving roo3 0or the0a3i)# in his (ran+;new uni0or3. S3e)tings (o#s wore 3aroontai)!oats/ orange 4ni!4er(o!4ers/ an+ 0)at straw hats !a))e+ (oaters.

The# a)so !arrie+ 4no(()# sti!4s/ use+ 0or hitting ea!h other whi)ethe tea!hers werent )oo4ing. This was su""ose+ to (e goo+ training0or )ater )i0e.As he )oo4e+ at 7u+)e# in his new 4ni!4er(o!4ers/ En!)e ernonsai+ gru00)# that it was the "rou+est 3o3ent o0 his )i0e. Aunt,etunia (urst into tears an+ sai+ she !ou)+nt (e)ieve it was her I!4)e7u+)e#4ins/ he )oo4e+ so han+so3e an+ grown;u". Harr# +i+nttrust hi3se)0 to s"ea4. He thought two o0 his ri(s 3ight a)rea+#have !ra!4e+ 0ro3 tr#ing not to )augh.

There was a horri()e s3e)) in the 4it!hen the net 3orning when

Harr# went in 0or (rea40ast. It see3e+ to (e !o3ing 0ro3 a )arge3eta) tu( in the sin4. He went to have a )oo4. The tu( was 0u)) o0what )oo4e+ )i4e +irt# rags swi33ing in gra# water.MWhats this he as4e+ Aunt ,etunia. Her )i"s tightene+ as the#a)wa#s +i+ i0 he +are+ to as4 a uestion.MYour new s!hoo) uni0or3/ she sai+.Harr# )oo4e+ in the (ow) again.


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MOh/ he sai+/ MI +i+nt rea)i=e it ha+ to (e so wet.M7ont (e stu"i+/ sna""e+ Aunt ,etunia. MI3 +#eing so3e o07u+)e#s o)+ things gra# 0or #ou. It)) )oo4 ust )i4e ever#one e)seswhen Ive 0inishe+.Harr# serious)# +ou(te+ this/ (ut thought it (est not to argue.

He sat +own at the ta()e an+ trie+ not to thin4 a(out how he wasgoing to )oo4 on his 0irst +a# at Stonewa)) High )i4e he waswearing (its o0 o)+ e)e"hant s4in/ "ro(a()#.7u+)e# an+ En!)e ernon !a3e in/ (oth with wrin4)e+ noses(e!ause o0 the s3e)) 0ro3 Harr#s new uni0or3. En!)e ernono"ene+ his news"a"er as usua) an+ 7u+)e# (ange+ his S3e)tingsti!4/ whi!h he !arrie+ ever#where/ on the ta()e.

The# hear+ the !)i!4 o0 the 3ai) s)ot an+ 0)o" o0 )etters on the+oor3at.MGet the 3ai)/ 7u+)e#/ sai+ En!)e ernon 0ro3 (ehin+ his "a"er.

M*a4e Harr# get it.MGet the 3ai)/ Harr#.M*a4e 7u+)e# get it.M,o4e hi3 with #our S3e)ting sti!4/ 7u+)e#.Harr# +o+ge+ the S3e)ting sti!4 an+ went to get the 3ai). Threethings )a# on the +oor3at6 a "ost!ar+ 0ro3 En!)e ernons sister*arge/ who was va!ationing on the Is)e o0 Wight/ a (rown enve)o"e

that )oo4e+ )i4e a (i))/ an+ a letter for Harry(Harr# "i!4e+ it u" an+ stare+ at it/ his heart twanging )i4e a giante)asti! (an+. No one/ ever/ in his who)e )i0e/ ha+ written to hi3.

Who wou)+ He ha+ no 0rien+s/ no other re)atives he +i+nt (e)ongto the )i(rar#/ so he+ never even got ru+e notes as4ing 0or(oo4s (a!4. Yet here it was/ a )etter/ a++resse+ so ")ain)# there!ou)+ (e no 3ista4e6Mr. H. PotterThe Cupoard under the !tairs" Privet Drive#ittle $hin%in%!urre&

The enve)o"e was thi!4 an+ heav#/ 3a+e o0 #e))owish "ar!h3ent/

an+ the a++ress was written in e3era)+;green in4. There was nosta3".

Turning the enve)o"e over/ his han+ tre3()ing/ Harr# saw a "ur")ewa sea) (earing a !oat o0 ar3s a )ion/ an eag)e/ a (a+ger/ an+ a

sna4e surroun+ing a )arge )etter H(MHurr# u"/ (o#P shoute+ En!)e ernon 0ro3 the 4it!hen.MWhat are #ou +oing/ !he!4ing 0or )etter (o3(s He !hu!4)e+ at


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his own o4e.Harr# went (a!4 to the 4it!hen/ sti)) staring at his )etter. Hehan+e+ En!)e ernon the (i)) an+ the "ost!ar+/ sat +own/ an+s)ow)# (egan to o"en the #e))ow enve)o"e.En!)e ernon ri""e+ o"en the (i))/ snorte+ in +isgust/ an+

0)i""e+ over the "ost!ar+.M*arges i))/ he in0or3e+ Aunt ,etunia. MAte a 0unn#whe)4 . . .M7a+P sai+ 7u+)e# su++en)#. M7a+/ Harr#s got so3ethingPHarr# was on the "oint o0 un0o)+ing his )etter/ whi!h was writtenon the sa3e heav# "ar!h3ent as the enve)o"e/ when it was

er4e+ shar")# out o0 his han+ (# En!)e ernon.

MThats mineP sai+ Harr#/ tr#ing to snat!h it (a!4.MWho+ (e writing to #ou sneere+ En!)e ernon/ sha4ing the)etter o"en with one han+ an+ g)an!ing at it. His 0a!e went 0ro3

re+ to green 0aster than a set o0 tra00i! )ights. An+ it +i+nt sto"there. Within se!on+s it was the gra#ish white o0 o)+ "orri+ge.M,;,;,etuniaP he gas"e+.7u+)e# trie+ to gra( the )etter to rea+ it/ (ut En!)e ernon he)+it high out o0 his rea!h. Aunt ,etunia too4 it !urious)# an+ rea+ the0irst )ine. For a 3o3ent it )oo4e+ as though she 3ight 0aint. She!)ut!he+ her throat an+ 3a+e a !ho4ing noise.MernonP Oh 3# goo+ness ernonP

The# stare+ at ea!h other/ see3ing to have 0orgotten that Harr#an+ 7u+)e# were sti)) in the roo3. 7u+)e# wasnt use+ to (eing

ignore+.He gave his 0ather a shar" ta" on the hea+ with his S3e)tingsti!4.MI want to rea+ that )etter/ he sai+ )ou+)#.

M want to rea+ it/ sai+ Harr# 0urious)#/ Mas its mine(MGet out/ (oth o0 #ou/ !roa4e+ En!)e ernon/ stu00ing the )etter(a!4 insi+e its enve)o"e.Harr# +i+nt 3ove.MI WANT *Y L2TT2RP he shoute+.

MLet me see itP +e3an+e+ 7u+)e#.MOETP roare+ En!)e ernon/ an+ he too4 (oth Harr# an+7u+)e# (# the s!ru00s o0 their ne!4s an+ threw the3 into theha))/ s)a33ing the 4it!hen +oor (ehin+ the3. Harr# an+ 7u+)e#"ro3"t)# ha+ a 0urious (ut si)ent 0ight over who wou)+ )isten atthe 4e#ho)e 7u+)e# won/ so Harr#/ his g)asses +ang)ing 0ro3 oneear/ )a# 0)at on his sto3a!h to )isten at the !ra!4 (etween +oor an+0)oor.


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Mernon/ Aunt ,etunia was sa#ing in a uivering voi!e/ M)oo4 atthe a++ress how !ou)+ the# "ossi()# 4now where he s)ee"s You+ont thin4 the#re wat!hing the houseMWat!hing s"#ing 3ight (e 0o))owing us/ 3uttere+ En!)eernon wi)+)#.

MBut what shou)+ we +o/ ernon Shou)+ we write (a!4 Te))the3 we +ont want Harr# !ou)+ see En!)e ernons shin# ()a!4 shoes "a!ing u" an++own the 4it!hen.MNo/ he sai+ 0ina))#. MNo/ we)) ignore it. I0 the# +ont get an answer.. . . Yes/ thats (est . . . we wont +o an#thing. . . .MBut MI3 not having one in the house/ ,etuniaP 7i+nt we swear whenwe too4 hi3 in we+ sta3" out that +angerous nonsense

That evening when he got (a!4 0ro3 wor4/ En!)e ernon +i+

so3ething he+ never +one (e0ore he visite+ Harr# in his !u"(oar+.MWheres 3# )etter sai+ Harr#/ the 3o3ent En!)e ernon ha+suee=e+ through the +oor. MWhos writing to 3eMNo one. It was a++resse+ to #ou (# 3ista4e/ sai+ En!)e ernonshort)#. MI have (urne+ it.

MIt was not a 3ista4e/ sai+ Harr# angri)#/ Mit ha+ 3# !u"(oar+on it.MSIL2N12P #e))e+ En!)e ernon/ an+ a !ou")e o0 s"i+ers 0e))0ro3 the !ei)ing. He too4 a 0ew +ee" (reaths an+ then 0or!e+ his0a!e into a s3i)e/ whi!h )oo4e+ uite "ain0u).

M2r #es/ Harr# a(out this !u"(oar+. Your aunt an+ Ihave (een thin4ing . . . #oure rea))# getting a (it (ig 0or it . . . wethin4 it 3ight (e ni!e i0 #ou 3ove+ into 7u+)e#s se!on+ (e+roo3.MWh# sai+ Harr#.M7ont as4 uestionsP sna""e+ his un!)e. MTa4e this stu00 u"stairs/now.

The 7urs)e#s house ha+ 0our (e+roo3s6 one 0or En!)e ernonan+ Aunt ,etunia/ one 0or visitors Qusua))# En!)e ernons sister/*arge/ one where 7u+)e# s)e"t/ an+ one where 7u+)e# 4e"t a))the to#s an+ things that wou)+nt 0it into his 0irst (e+roo3. It on)#

too4 Harr# one tri" u"stairs to 3ove ever#thing he owne+ 0ro3the !u"(oar+ to this roo3. He sat +own on the (e+ an+ stare+aroun+ hi3. Near)# ever#thing in here was (ro4en. The 3onth;o)+vi+eo !a3era was )#ing on to" o0 a s3a))/ wor4ing tan4 7u+)e# ha+on!e +riven over the net +oor neigh(ors +og in the !orner was7u+)e#s 0irst;ever te)evision set/ whi!h he+ "ut his 0oot throughwhen his 0avorite "rogra3 ha+ (een !an!e)e+ there was a )arge


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(ir+!age/ whi!h ha+ on!e he)+ a "arrot that 7u+)e# ha+ swa""e+at s!hoo) 0or a rea) air ri0)e/ whi!h was u" on a she)0 with the en+ a))(ent (e!ause 7u+)e# ha+ sat on it. Other she)ves were 0u)) o0(oo4s. The# were the on)# things in the roo3 that )oo4e+ asthough the#+ never (een tou!he+.

Fro3 +ownstairs !a3e the soun+ o0 7u+)e# (aw)ing at his3other/ MI +ont !ant hi3 in there . . . I need that roo3 . . . 3a4ehi3 get out. . . .Harr# sighe+ an+ stret!he+ out on the (e+. Yester+a# he+ havegiven an#thing to (e u" here. To+a# he+ rather (e (a!4 in his!u"(oar+with that )etter than u" here without it.Net 3orning at (rea40ast/ ever#one was rather uiet. 7u+)e# wasin sho!4. He+ s!rea3e+/ wha!4e+ his 0ather with his S3e)tingsti!4/ (een si!4 on "ur"ose/ 4i!4e+ his 3other/ an+ thrown his tortoise

through the greenhouse roo0/ an+ he sti)) +i+nt have his roo3(a!4. Harr# was thin4ing a(out this ti3e #ester+a# an+ (itter)#wishing he+ o"ene+ the )etter in the ha)). En!)e ernon an+ Aunt,etunia 4e"t )oo4ing at ea!h other +ar4)#.When the 3ai) arrive+/ En!)e ernon/ who see3e+ to (e tr#ingto (e ni!e to Harr#/ 3a+e 7u+)e# go an+ get it. The# hear+ hi3(anging things with his S3e)ting sti!4 a)) the wa# +own the ha)).

Then he shoute+/ MTheres another oneP *r. H. ,otter/ The S3a))estBe+roo3/ ? ,rivet 7rive With a strang)e+ !r#/ En!)e ernon )ea"t 0ro3 his seat an+ ran

+own the ha))/ Harr# right (ehin+ hi3. En!)e ernon ha+ to wrest)e7u+)e# to the groun+ to get the )etter 0ro3 hi3/ whi!h was3a+e +i00i!u)t (# the 0a!t that Harr# ha+ gra((e+ En!)e ernonaroun+ the ne!4 0ro3 (ehin+. A0ter a 3inute o0 !on0use+ 0ighting/in whi!h ever#one got hit a )ot (# the S3e)ting sti!4/ En!)e ernonstraightene+ u"/ gas"ing 0or (reath/ with Harr#s )etter !)ut!he+ inhis han+.MGo to #our !u"(oar+ I 3ean/ #our (e+roo3/ he whee=e+at Harr#. M7u+)e# go ust go.Harr# wa)4e+ roun+ an+ roun+ his new roo3. So3eone 4new

he ha+ 3ove+ out o0 his !u"(oar+ an+ the# see3e+ to 4nowhe ha+nt re!eive+ his 0irst )etter. Sure)# that 3eant the#+ tr#again An+ this ti3e he+ 3a4e sure the# +i+nt 0ai). He ha+ a")an.

The re"aire+ a)ar3 !)o!4 rang at si o!)o!4 the net 3orning.Harr# turne+ it o00 ui!4)# an+ +resse+ si)ent)# He 3ustnt wa4ethe 7urs)e#s. He sto)e +ownstairs without turning on an# o0 the


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)ights.He was going to wait 0or the "ost3an on the !orner o0 ,rivet7rive an+ get the )etters 0or nu3(er 0our 0irst. His heart ha33ere+as he !re"t a!ross the +ar4 ha)) towar+ the 0ront +oor MAAAAARRRGHP

Harr# )ea"t into the air he+ tro++en on so3ething (ig an+suash# on the +oor3at so3ething ali0ePLights !)i!4e+ on u"stairs an+ to his horror Harr# rea)i=e+ thatthe (ig/ suash# so3ething ha+ (een his un!)es 0a!e. En!)e ernonha+ (een )#ing at the 0oot o0 the 0ront +oor in a s)ee"ing (ag/!)ear)# 3a4ing sure that Harr# +i+nt +o ea!t)# what he+ (een tr#ingto +o. He shoute+ at Harr# 0or a(out ha)0 an hour an+ thento)+ hi3 to go an+ 3a4e a !u" o0 tea. Harr# shu00)e+ 3isera()# o00into the 4it!hen an+ (# the ti3e he got (a!4/ the 3ai) ha+ arrive+/right into En!)e ernons )a". Harr# !ou)+ see three )etters a++resse+

in green in4.MI want he (egan/ (ut En!)e ernon was tearing the )ettersinto "ie!es (e0ore his e#es.En!)e ernon +i+nt go to wor4 that +a#. He sta#e+ at ho3e an+nai)e+ u" the 3ai) s)ot.MSee/ he e")aine+ to Aunt ,etunia through a 3outh0u) o0 nai)s/

Mi0 the# !ant deli0er the3 the#)) ust give u".MI3 not sure that)) wor4/ ernon.MOh/ these "eo")es 3in+s wor4 in strange wa#s/ ,etunia/ the#renot )i4e #ou an+ 3e/ sai+ En!)e ernon/ tr#ing to 4no!4 in a nai)with the "ie!e o0 0ruit!a4e Aunt ,etunia ha+ ust (rought hi3.On Fri+a#/ no )ess than twe)ve )etters arrive+ 0or Harr#. As the#!ou)+nt go through the 3ai) s)ot the# ha+ (een "ushe+ un+er the+oor/ s)otte+ through the si+es/ an+ a 0ew even 0or!e+ through thes3a)) win+ow in the +ownstairs (athroo3.En!)e ernon sta#e+ at ho3e again. A0ter (urning a)) the )etters/he got out a ha33er an+ nai)s an+ (oar+e+ u" the !ra!4s aroun+the 0ront an+ (a!4 +oors so no one !ou)+ go out. He hu33e+MTi"toe Through the Tu)i"s as he wor4e+/ an+ u3"e+ at s3a))noises.

On Satur+a#/ things (egan to get out o0 han+. Twent#;0our )ettersto Harr# 0oun+ their wa# into the house/ ro))e+ u" an+ hi++en insi+eea!h o0 the two +o=en eggs that their ver# !on0use+ 3i)43anha+ han+e+ Aunt ,etunia through the )iving roo3 win+ow. Whi)eEn!)e ernon 3a+e 0urious te)e"hone !a))s to the "ost o00i!e an+the +air# tr#ing to 0in+ so3eone to !o3")ain to/ Aunt ,etuniashre++e+ the )etters in her 0oo+ "ro!essor.


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MWho on earth wants to ta)4 to yo" this (a+)# 7u+)e# as4e+Harr# in a3a=e3ent.On Sun+a# 3orning/ En!)e ernon sat +own at the (rea40ast ta()e)oo4ing tire+ an+ rather i))/ (ut ha""#.MNo "ost on Sun+a#s/ he re3in+e+ the3 !heer0u))# as hes"rea+ 3ar3a)a+e on his news"a"ers/ Mno +a3n )etters to+a# So3ething !a3e whi==ing +own the 4it!hen !hi3ne# as hes"o4e an+ !aught hi3 shar")# on the (a!4 o0 the hea+. Net 3o3ent/thirt# or 0ort# )etters !a3e "e)ting out o0 the 0ire")a!e )i4e(u))ets. The 7urs)e#s +u!4e+/ (ut Harr# )ea"t into the air tr#ing to!at!h one MOutP OETPEn!)e ernon sei=e+ Harr# aroun+ the waist an+ threw hi3 intothe ha)). When Aunt ,etunia an+ 7u+)e# ha+ run out with theirar3s over their 0a!es/ En!)e ernon s)a33e+ the +oor shut. The#

!ou)+ hear the )etters sti)) strea3ing into the roo3/ (oun!ing o00the wa))s an+ 0)oor.MThat +oes it/ sai+ En!)e ernon/ tr#ing to s"ea4 !a)3)# (ut"u))ing great tu0ts out o0 his 3usta!he at the sa3e ti3e. MI want#ou a)) (a!4 here in 0ive 3inutes rea+# to )eave. Were going awa#.

Just "a!4 so3e !)othes. No argu3entsPHe )oo4e+ so +angerous with ha)0 his 3usta!he 3issing that noone +are+ argue. Ten 3inutes )ater the# ha+ wren!he+ their wa#through the (oar+e+;u" +oors an+ were in the !ar/ s"ee+ing towar+the highwa#. 7u+)e# was sni00)ing in the (a!4 seat his 0ather ha+

hit hi3 roun+ the hea+ 0or ho)+ing the3 u" whi)e he trie+ to "a!4his te)evision/ 1R/ an+ !o3"uter in his s"orts (ag.

The# +rove. An+ the# +rove. 2ven Aunt ,etunia +i+nt +areas4 where the# were going. 2ver# now an+ then En!)e ernonwou)+ ta4e a shar" turn an+ +rive in the o""osite +ire!tion 0or awhi)e.MSha4e e3 o00 . . . sha4e e3 o00/ he wou)+ 3utter whenever he+i+ this.

The# +i+nt sto" to eat or +rin4 a)) +a#. B# night0a)) 7u+)e# washow)ing. He+ never ha+ su!h a (a+ +a# in his )i0e. He was hungr#/

he+ 3isse+ 0ive te)evision "rogra3s he+ wante+ to see/ an+ he+never gone so )ong without ()owing u" an a)ien on his !o3"uter.En!)e ernon sto""e+ at )ast outsi+e a g)oo3#;)oo4ing hote) onthe outs4irts o0 a (ig !it#. 7u+)e# an+ Harr# share+ a roo3 withtwin (e+s an+ +a3"/ 3ust# sheets. 7u+)e# snore+ (ut Harr#sta#e+ awa4e/ sitting on the win+owsi))/ staring +own at the )ightso0 "assing !ars an+ won+ering. . . .


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The# ate sta)e !orn0)a4es an+ !o)+ tinne+ to3atoes on toast 0or(rea40ast the net +a#. The# ha+ ust 0inishe+ when the owner o0the hote) !a3e over to their ta()e.M S!use 3e/ (ut is one o0 #ou *r. H. ,otter On)# I got a(out anun+re+ o0 these at the 0ront +es4.

She he)+ u" a )etter so the# !ou)+ rea+ the green in4 a++ress6Mr. H. Potter'oom ()'ailview HotelCo*eworthHarr# 3a+e a gra( 0or the )etter (ut En!)e ernon 4no!4e+ hishan+ out o0 the wa#. The wo3an stare+.MI)) ta4e the3/ sai+ En!)e ernon/ stan+ing u" ui!4)# an+ 0o))owingher 0ro3 the +ining roo3.MWou)+nt it (e (etter ust to go ho3e/ +ear Aunt ,etunia

suggeste+ ti3i+)#/ hours )ater/ (ut En!)e ernon +i+nt see3 tohear her. 2a!t)# what he was )oo4ing 0or/ none o0 the3 4new. He+rove the3 into the 3i++)e o0 a 0orest/ got out/ )oo4e+ aroun+/shoo4 his hea+/ got (a!4 in the !ar/ an+ o00 the# went again. Thesa3e thing ha""ene+ in the 3i++)e o0 a ")owe+ 0ie)+/ ha)0wa#a!ross a sus"ension (ri+ge/ an+ at the to" o0 a 3u)ti)eve) "ar4inggarage.M7a++#s gone 3a+/ hasnt he 7u+)e# as4e+ Aunt ,etunia+u))# )ate that a0ternoon. En!)e ernon ha+ "ar4e+ at the !oast/)o!4e+ the3 a)) insi+e the !ar/ an+ +isa""eare+.

It starte+ to rain. Great +ro"s (eat on the roo0 o0 the !ar. 7u+)e#snive)e+.MIts *on+a#/ he to)+ his 3other. MThe Great Hu3(ertos on

tonight. I want to sta# so3ewhere with atele0ision(

*on+a#. This re3in+e+ Harr# o0 so3ething. I0 it !as *on+a# an+ #ou !ou)+ usua))# !ount on 7u+)e# to 4now the +a#s o0the wee4/ (e!ause o0 te)evision then to3orrow/ Tues+a#/ wasHarr#s e)eventh (irth+a#. O0 !ourse/ his (irth+a#s were never ea!t)#0un )ast #ear/ the 7urs)e#s ha+ given hi3 a !oat hangeran+ a "air o0 En!)e ernons o)+ so!4s. Sti))/ #ou werent e)even

ever# +a#.En!)e ernon was (a!4 an+ he was s3i)ing. He was a)so !arr#inga )ong/ thin "a!4age an+ +i+nt answer Aunt ,etunia when sheas4e+ what he+ (ought.MFoun+ the "er0e!t ")a!eP he sai+. M1o3e onP 2ver#oneoutPIt was ver# !o)+ outsi+e the !ar. En!)e ernon was "ointing at


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what )oo4e+ )i4e a )arge ro!4 wa# out at sea. ,er!he+ on to" o0 thero!4 was the 3ost 3isera()e )itt)e sha!4 #ou !ou)+ i3agine. Onething was !ertain/ there was no te)evision in there.MStor3 0ore!ast 0or tonightP sai+ En!)e ernon g)ee0u))#/ !)a""inghis han+s together. MAn+ this gent)e3ans 4in+)# agree+ to

)en+ us his (oatPA tooth)ess o)+ 3an !a3e a3()ing u" to the3/ "ointing/ with arather wi!4e+ grin/ at an o)+ row(oat (o((ing in the iron;gra#water (e)ow the3.MIve a)rea+# got us so3e rations/ sai+ En!)e ernon/ Mso a))a(oar+PIt was 0ree=ing in the (oat. I!# sea s"ra# an+ rain !re"t +owntheir ne!4s an+ a !hi))# win+ whi""e+ their 0a!es. A0ter whatsee3e+ )i4e hours the# rea!he+ the ro!4/ where En!)e ernon/ s)i""ingan+ s)i+ing/ )e+ the wa# to the (ro4en;+own house.

The insi+e was horri()e it s3e))e+ strong)# o0 seawee+/ the win+whist)e+ through the ga"s in the woo+en wa))s/ an+ the 0ire")a!ewas +a3" an+ e3"t#. There were on)# two roo3s.En!)e ernons rations turne+ out to (e a (ag o0 !hi"s ea!h an+0our (ananas. He trie+ to start a 0ire (ut the e3"t# !hi" (ags usts3o4e+ an+ shrive)e+ u".M1ou)+ +o with so3e o0 those )etters now/ eh he sai+ !heer0u))#.He was in a ver# goo+ 3oo+. O(vious)# he thought no(o+#stoo+ a !han!e o0 rea!hing the3 here in a stor3 to +e)iver 3ai).Harr# "rivate)# agree+/ though the thought +i+nt !heer hi3 u"

at a)).As night 0e))/ the "ro3ise+ stor3 ()ew u" aroun+ the3. S"ra#0ro3 the high waves s")attere+ the wa))s o0 the hut an+ a 0ier!ewin+ ratt)e+ the 0i)th# win+ows. Aunt ,etunia 0oun+ a 0ew 3o)+#()an4ets in the se!on+ roo3 an+ 3a+e u" a (e+ 0or 7u+)e# on the3oth;eaten so0a. She an+ En!)e ernon went o00 to the )u3"# (e+net +oor/ an+ Harr# was )e0t to 0in+ the so0test (it o0 0)oor he!ou)+ an+ to !ur) u" un+er the thinnest/ 3ost ragge+ ()an4et.

The stor3 rage+ 3ore an+ 3ore 0ero!ious)# as the night wenton. Harr# !ou)+nt s)ee". He shivere+ an+ turne+ over/ tr#ing to get

!o30orta()e/ his sto3a!h ru3()ing with hunger. 7u+)e#s snoreswere +rowne+ (# the )ow ro))s o0 thun+er that starte+ near 3i+night.

The )ighte+ +ia) o0 7u+)e#s wat!h/ whi!h was +ang)ing overthe e+ge o0 the so0a on his 0at wrist/ to)+ Harr# he+ (e e)even in ten3inutes ti3e. He )a# an+ wat!he+ his (irth+a# ti!4 nearer/ won+eringi0 the 7urs)e#s wou)+ re3e3(er at a))/ won+ering where the)etter writer was now.


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Five 3inutes to go. Harr# hear+ so3ething !rea4 outsi+e. Heho"e+ the roo0 wasnt going to 0a)) in/ a)though he 3ight (ewar3er i0 it +i+. Four 3inutes to go. *a#(e the house in ,rivet7rive wou)+ (e so 0u)) o0 )etters when the# got (a!4 that he+ (ea()e to stea) one so3ehow.

Three 3inutes to go. Was that the sea/ s)a""ing har+ on the ro!4)i4e that An+ Qtwo 3inutes to go what was that 0unn# !run!hingnoise Was the ro!4 !ru3()ing into the seaOne 3inute to go an+ he+ (e e)even. Thirt# se!on+s . . .twent# . . . ten . . . nine 3a#(e he+ wa4e 7u+)e# u"/ ust toanno# hi3 three . . . two . . . one . . .BOO*.

The who)e sha!4 shivere+ an+ Harr# sat (o)t u"right/ staring atthe +oor. So3eone was outsi+e/ 4no!4ing to !o3e in.

( H A P T % R ' U RTHE KEEPER OF THE KEYS

BOO*. The# 4no!4e+ again. 7u+)e# er4e+ awa4e.MWheres the !annon he sai+ stu"i+)#.

There was a !rash (ehin+ the3 an+ En!)e ernon !a3e s4i++inginto the roo3. He was ho)+ing a ri0)e in his han+s nowthe# 4new what ha+ (een in the )ong/ thin "a!4age he ha+ (roughtwith the3.MWhos there he shoute+. MI warn #ou I3 ar3e+P

There was a "ause. Then S*ASHP

The +oor was hit with su!h 0or!e that it swung !)ean o00 itshinges an+ with a +ea0ening !rash )an+e+ 0)at on the 0)oor.A giant o0 a 3an was stan+ing in the +oorwa#. His 0a!e was a)3ost

!o3")ete)# hi++en (# a )ong/ shagg# 3ane o0 hair an+ a wi)+/tang)e+ (ear+/ (ut #ou !ou)+ 3a4e out his e#es/ g)inting )i4e ()a!4(eet)es un+er a)) the hair.

The giant suee=e+ his wa# into the hut/ stoo"ing so that hishea+ ust (rushe+ the !ei)ing. He (ent +own/ "i!4e+ u" the +oor/an+ 0itte+ it easi)# (a!4 into its 0ra3e. The noise o0 the stor3 outsi+e+ro""e+ a )itt)e. He turne+ to )oo4 at the3 a)).


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M1ou)+nt 3a4e us a !u" o tea/ !ou)+ #eh Its not (een an eas#ourne#. . . .He stro+e over to the so0a where 7u+)e# sat 0ro=en with 0ear.MBu+ge u"/ #eh great )u3"/ sai+ the stranger.7u+)e# suea4e+ an+ ran to hi+e (ehin+ his 3other/ who was

!rou!hing/ terri0ie+/ (ehin+ En!)e ernon.MAn heres Harr#P sai+ the giant.Harr# )oo4e+ u" into the 0ier!e/ wi)+/ sha+ow# 0a!e an+ saw thatthe (eet)e e#es were !rin4)e+ in a s3i)e.MLas ti3e I saw #ou/ #ou was on)# a (a(#/ sai+ the giant. MYeh)oo4 a )ot )i4e #er +a+/ (ut #ehve got #er 3o3s e#es.En!)e ernon 3a+e a 0unn# ras"ing noise.MI +e3an+ that #ou )eave at on!e/ sirP he sai+. MYou are (rea4ingan+ enteringPMAh/ shut u"/ 7urs)e#/ #eh great "rune/ sai+ the giant he

rea!he+ over the (a!4 o0 the so0a/ er4e+ the gun out o0 En!)e ernonshan+s/ (ent it into a 4not as easi)# as i0 it ha+ (een 3a+e o0ru((er/ an+ threw it into a !orner o0 the roo3.En!)e ernon 3a+e another 0unn# noise/ )i4e a 3ouse (eingtro++en on.MAn#wa# Harr#/ sai+ the giant/ turning his (a!4 on the7urs)e#s/ Ma ver# ha""# (irth+a# to #eh. Got su33at 0er #ehhere I 3ighta sat on it at so3e "oint/ (ut it)) taste a)) right.Fro3 an insi+e "o!4et o0 his ()a!4 over!oat he "u))e+ a s)ight)#suashe+ (o. Harr# o"ene+ it with tre3()ing 0ingers. Insi+e was a

)arge/ sti!4# !ho!o)ate !a4e with Ha11y Birthday Harry written onit in green i!ing.Harr# )oo4e+ u" at the giant. He 3eant to sa# than4 #ou/ (utthe wor+s got )ost on the wa# to his 3outh/ an+ what he sai+ instea+was/ MWho are #ou

The giant !hu!4)e+.MTrue/ I havent intro+u!e+ 3ese)0. Ru(eus Hagri+/ Kee"er o0Ke#s an+ Groun+s at Hogwarts.He he)+ out an enor3ous han+ an+ shoo4 Harr#s who)e ar3.MWhat a(out that tea then/ eh he sai+/ ru((ing his han+s together.

MI+ not sa# no ter su33at stronger i0 #ehve got it/ 3in+.His e#es 0e)) on the e3"t# grate with the shrive)e+ !hi" (ags init an+ he snorte+. He (ent +own over the 0ire")a!e the# !ou)+ntsee what he was +oing (ut when he +rew (a!4 a se!on+ )ater/ therewas a roaring 0ire there. It 0i))e+ the who)e +a3" hut with 0)i!4ering)ight an+ Harr# 0e)t the war3th wash over hi3 as though he+ sun4into a hot (ath.


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The giant sat (a!4 +own on the so0a/ whi!h sagge+ un+er hisweight/ an+ (egan ta4ing a)) sorts o0 things out o0 the "o!4ets o0 his!oat6 a !o""er 4ett)e/ a suash# "a!4age o0 sausages/ a "o4er/ atea"ot/ severa) !hi""e+ 3ugs/ an+ a (ott)e o0 so3e a3(er )iui+that he too4 a swig 0ro3 (e0ore starting to 3a4e tea. Soon the hut

was 0u)) o0 the soun+ an+ s3e)) o0 si==)ing sausage. No(o+# sai+ athing whi)e the giant was wor4ing/ (ut as he s)i+ the 0irst si 0at/

ui!#/ s)ight)# (urnt sausages 0ro3 the "o4er/ 7u+)e# 0i+gete+ a )itt)e.En!)e ernon sai+ shar")#/ M7ont tou!h an#thing he gives #ou/7u+)e#.

The giant !hu!4)e+ +ar4)#.MYer great "u++in o0 a son +on nee+ 0attenin an#3ore/ 7urs)e#/+on worr#.He "asse+ the sausages to Harr#/ who was so hungr# he ha+never taste+ an#thing so won+er0u)/ (ut he sti)) !ou)+nt ta4e his

e#es o00 the giant. Fina))#/ as no(o+# see3e+ a(out to e")ainan#thing/he sai+/ MI3 sorr#/ (ut I sti)) +ont rea))# 4now who #ou are.

The giant too4 a gu)" o0 tea an+ wi"e+ his 3outh with the (a!4o0 his han+.M1a)) 3e Hagri+/ he sai+/ Mever#one +oes. An )i4e I to)+ #eh/I3 Kee"er o0 Ke#s at Hogwarts #eh)) 4now a)) a(out Hogwarts/o !ourse.M2r no/ sai+ Harr#.Hagri+ )oo4e+ sho!4e+.

MSorr#/ Harr# sai+ ui!4)#.MSorry (ar4e+ Hagri+/ turning to stare at the 7urs)e#s/ whoshran4 (a!4 into the sha+ows. MIts the3 as shou)+ (e sorr#P I 4new#eh werent gettin #er )etters (ut I never thought #eh wou)+nt even4now a(ou Hogwarts/ 0er !r#in out )ou+P 7i+ #eh never won+erwhere #er "arents )earne+ it a))MA)) what as4e+ Harr#.MALL WHAT Hagri+ thun+ere+. MNow wait us one se!on+PHe ha+ )ea"t to his 0eet. In his anger he see3e+ to 0i)) the who)ehut. The 7urs)e#s were !owering against the wa)).

M7o #ou 3ean ter te)) 3e/ he grow)e+ at the 7urs)e#s/ Mthat this(o# this (o#P 4nows nothin a(ou a(out ANYTHINGHarr# thought this was going a (it 0ar. He ha+ (een to s!hoo)/a0ter a))/ an+ his 3ar4s werent (a+.

MI 4now some things/ he sai+. MI !an/ #ou 4now/ +o 3ath an+stu00.

But Hagri+ si3")# wave+ his han+ an+ sai+/ MA(out o"r wor)+/


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I 3ean. 2o"r wor)+. 3y wor)+. 2er 1arents !orld(MWhat wor)+Hagri+ )oo4e+ as i0 he was a(out to e")o+e.M7ERSL2YP he (oo3e+.En!)e ernon/ who ha+ gone ver# "a)e/ whis"ere+ so3ethingthat soun+e+ )i4e M*i3()ewi3()e. Hagri+ stare+ wi)+)# at Harr#.MBut #eh 3ust 4now a(out #er 3o3 an+ +a+/ he sai+. MI 3ean/

the#re famo"s(Youre famo"s(MWhat *# 3# 3o3 an+ +a+ werent 0a3ous/ were the#MYeh +on 4now . . . #eh +on 4now . . . Hagri+ ran his 0ingersthrough his hair/ 0iing Harr# with a (ewi)+ere+ stare.

MYeh +on 4now what #eh are he sai+ 0ina))#.En!)e ernon su++en)# 0oun+ his voi!e.MSto"P he !o33an+e+. MSto" right there/ sirP I 0or(i+ #ou to te))

the (o# an#thingPA (raver 3an than ernon 7urs)e# wou)+ have uai)e+ un+erthe 0urious )oo4 Hagri+ now gave hi3 when Hagri+ s"o4e/ hisever# s#))a()e tre3()e+ with rage.MYou never to)+ hi3 Never to)+ hi3 what was in the )etter7u3()e+ore )e0t 0er hi3 I was thereP I saw 7u3()e+ore )eave it/7urs)e#P An #ouve 4e"t it 0ro3 hi3 a)) these #ears

MKe"t !hat 0ro3 3e sai+ Harr# eager)#.MSTO,P I FORBI7 YOEP #e))e+ En!)e ernon in "ani!.Aunt ,etunia gave a gas" o0 horror.

MAh/ go (oi) #er hea+s/ (oth o0 #eh/ sai+ Hagri+. MHarr# #era wi=ar+.There was si)en!e insi+e the hut. On)# the sea an+ the whist)ingwin+ !ou)+ (e hear+.

MI3 a !hat gas"e+ Harr#.MA wi=ar+/ o !ourse/ sai+ Hagri+/ sitting (a!4 +own on theso0a/ whi!h groane+ an+ san4 even )ower/ Man a thu3"in goo+un/I+ sa#/ on!e #ehve (een traine+ u" a (it. With a 3u3 an +a+ )i4e#ours/ what e)se wou)+ #eh (e An I re!4on its a(ou ti3e #eh rea+#er )etter.

Harr# stret!he+ out his han+ at )ast to ta4e the #e))owish enve)o"e/a++resse+ in e3era)+ green to *r. H. ,otter/ The F)oor/ Huton;the;Ro!4/ The Sea. He "u))e+ out the )etter an+ rea+6HOGWARTS S1HOOLof WIT1H1RAFT and WICAR7RYHea+3aster6 Albus Dumbledore

QOrder of 3erlin* First Class* Grand Sorc(* Chf( 4arlock*


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S"1reme 3"'!"m1* nternational Confed( of 4izards 7ear *r. ,otter/We are ")ease+ to in0or3 #ou that #ou have (een a!!e"te+at Hogwarts S!hoo) o0 Wit!h!ra0t an+ Wi=ar+r#. ,)ease0in+ en!)ose+ a )ist o0 a)) ne!essar# (oo4s an+ eui"3ent.

Ter3 (egins on Se"te3(er %. We await #our ow) (# no)ater than Ju)# >%.

Yours sin!ere)#/*inerva *!Gonaga))/

e1"ty Headmistressuestions e")o+e+ insi+e Harr#s hea+ )i4e 0irewor4s an+ he!ou)+nt +e!i+e whi!h to as4 0irst. A0ter a 0ew 3inutes he sta33ere+/MWhat +oes it 3ean/ the# await 3# ow)MGa))o"in Gorgons/ that re3in+s 3e/ sai+ Hagri+/ !)a""ing ahan+ to his 0orehea+ with enough 0or!e to 4no!4 over a !art horse/an+ 0ro3 #et another "o!4et insi+e his over!oat he "u))e+ anow) a rea)/ )ive/ rather ru00)e+;)oo4ing ow) a )ong ui))/ an+ aro)) o0 "ar!h3ent. With his tongue (etween his teeth he s!ri(()e+a note that Harr# !ou)+ rea+ u"si+e +own6Dear Professor Dumledore,+iven Harr& his letter.Ta*in% him to u& his thin%s tomorrow.$eathers horrile. Hope &oure well.Ha%ridHagri+ ro))e+ u" the note/ gave it to the ow)/ whi!h !)a3"e+ it inits (ea4/ went to the +oor/ an+ threw the ow) out into the stor3.

Then he !a3e (a!4 an+ sat +own as though this was as nor3a) asta)4ing on the te)e"hone.Harr# rea)i=e+ his 3outh was o"en an+ !)ose+ it ui!4)#.MWhere was I sai+ Hagri+/ (ut at that 3o3ent/ En!)e ernon/sti)) ashen;0a!e+ (ut )oo4ing ver# angr#/ 3ove+ into the 0ire)ight.MHes not going/ he sai+.Hagri+ grunte+.MI+ )i4e ter see a great *ugg)e )i4e #ou sto" hi3/ he sai+.MA what sai+ Harr#/ intereste+.

MA *ugg)e/ sai+ Hagri+/ Mits what we !a)) non3agi! 0o)4 )i4ethe3. An its #our (a+ )u!4 #ou grew u" in a 0a3i)# o the (iggest*ugg)es I ever )ai+ e#es on.MWe swore when we too4 hi3 in we+ "ut a sto" to that ru((ish/sai+ En!)e ernon/ Mswore we+ sta3" it out o0 hi3P Wi=ar+in+ee+P

MYoukne! sai+ Harr#. MYoukne! I3 a a wi=ar+


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MKnewP shrie4e+ Aunt ,etunia su++en)#. M5ne!P O0 !ourse we4newP How !ou)+ #ou not (e/ 3# +ratte+ sister (eing what shewas Oh/ she got a )etter ust )i4e that an+ +isa""eare+ o00 to

that that school an+ !a3e ho3e ever# va!ation with her

"o!4ets 0u)) o0 0rog s"awn/ turning tea!u"s into rats. I was the on)#one who saw her 0or what she was a 0rea4P But 0or 3# 3otheran+ 0ather/ oh no/ it was Li)# this an+ Li)# that/ the# were "rou+ o0having a wit!h in the 0a3i)#PShe sto""e+ to +raw a +ee" (reath an+ then went ranting on. Itsee3e+ she ha+ (een wanting to sa# a)) this 0or #ears.MThen she 3et that ,otter at s!hoo) an+ the# )e0t an+ got 3arrie+an+ ha+ #ou/ an+ o0 !ourse I 4new #ou+ (e ust the sa3e/ ust

as strange/ ust as as abnormal an+ then/ i0 #ou ")ease/ shewent an+ got herse)0 ()own u" an+ we got )an+e+ with #ouP

Harr# ha+ gone ver# white. As soon as he 0oun+ his voi!e hesai+/ MB)own u" You to)+ 3e the# +ie+ in a !ar !rashPM1AR 1RASHP roare+ Hagri+/ u3"ing u" so angri)# that the7urs)e#s s!utt)e+ (a!4 to their !orner. MHow !ou)+ a !ar !rash 4i))Li)# an Ja3es ,otter Its an outrageP A s!an+a)P Harr# ,otter not4nowin his own stor# when ever# 4i+ in our wor)+ 4nows hisna3ePMBut wh# What ha""ene+ Harr# as4e+ urgent)#.

The anger 0a+e+ 0ro3 Hagri+s 0a!e. He )oo4e+ su++en)# anious.MI never e"e!te+ this/ he sai+/ in a )ow/ worrie+ voi!e. MI ha+

no i+ea/ when 7u3()e+ore to)+ 3e there 3ight (e trou()e gettinho)+ o0 #eh/ how 3u!h #eh +i+nt 4now. Ah/ Harr#/ I +on 4now i0I3 the right "erson ter te)) #eh (ut so3eones gotta #eh !antgo o00 ter Hogwarts not 4nowin.He threw a +irt# )oo4 at the 7urs)e#s.MWe))/ its (est #eh 4now as 3u!h as I !an te)) #eh 3in+/ I!ant te)) #eh ever#thin/ its a great 3#str#/ "arts o0 it. . . .He sat +own/ stare+ into the 0ire 0or a 0ew se!on+s/ an+ thensai+/ MIt (egins/ I su""ose/ with with a "erson !a))e+ (ut itsin!re+i()e #eh +ont 4now his na3e/ ever#one in our wor)+4nows MWhoMWe)) I +on )i4e sa#in the na3e i0 I !an he)" it. No one+oes.MWh# notMGu)"in gargo#)es/ Harr#/ "eo")e are sti)) s!are+. B)i3e#/ this is+i00i!u)t. See/ there was this wi=ar+ who went . . . (a+. As (a+ as#ou !ou)+ go. Worse. Worse than worse. His na3e was . . .


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Hagri+ gu)"e+/ (ut no wor+s !a3e out.M1ou)+ #ou write it +own Harr# suggeste+.

MNah !ant s"e)) it. A)) right )oldemort( Hagri+ shu++ere+.M7on 3a4e 3e sa# it again. An#wa#/ this this wi=ar+/a(out twent# #ears ago now/ starte+ )oo4in 0er 0o))owers. Got e3/too so3e were a0rai+/ so3e ust wante+ a (it o his "ower/ !ausehe was gettin hi3se)0 "ower/ a)) right. 7ar4 +a#s/ Harr#. 7i+nt4now who ter trust/ +i+nt +are get 0rien+)# with strange wi=ar+s orwit!hes . . . terri()e things ha""ene+. He was ta4in over. 1ourse/so3e stoo+ u" to hi3 an he 4i))e+ e3. Horri()#. One o theon)# sa0e ")a!es )e0t was Hogwarts. Re!4on 7u3()e+ores the on)#one You;Know;Who was a0rai+ o0. 7i+nt +are tr# ta4in thes!hoo)/ not us then/ an#wa#.MNow/ #er 3u3 an +a+ were as goo+ a wit!h an wi=ar+ as I ever4new. Hea+ (o# an gir) at Hogwarts in their +a#P Su""ose the 3#str#

is wh# You;Know;Who never trie+ to get e3 on his si+e (e0ore. . . "ro(a()# 4new the# were too !)ose ter 7u3()e+ore terwant an#thin ter +o with the 7ar4 Si+e.M*a#(e he thought he !ou)+ "ersua+e e3 . . . 3a#(e he ustwante+ e3 outta the wa#. A)) an#one 4nows is/ he turne+ u" in thevi))age where #ou was a)) )iving/ on Ha))oween ten #ears ago. Youwas ust a #ear o)+. He !a3e ter #er house an an Hagri+ su++en)# "u))e+ out a ver# +irt#/ s"otte+ han+4er!hie0an+ ()ew his nose with a soun+ )i4e a 0oghorn.MSorr#/ he sai+. MBut its that sa+ 4new #er 3u3 an +a+/ an

ni!er "eo")e #eh !ou)+nt 0in+ an#wa# . . .MYou;Know;Who 4i))e+ e3. An then an this is the rea)3#str# o0 the thing he trie+ to 4i)) #ou/ too. Wante+ ter 3a4e a!)ean o( o0 it/ I su""ose/ or 3a#(e he ust )i4e+ 4i))in (# then. Buthe !ou)+nt +o it. Never won+ere+ how #ou got that 3ar4 on #er0orehea+ That was no or+inar# !ut. Thats what #eh get when a"ower0u)/ evi) !urse tou!hes #eh too4 !are o0 #er 3u3 an +a+an #er house/ even (ut it +i+nt wor4 on #ou/ an thats wh# #er0a3ous/ Harr#. No one ever )ive+ a0ter he +e!i+e+ ter 4i)) e3/ noone e!e"t #ou/ an he+ 4i))e+ so3e o the (est wit!hes an wi=ar+s

o0 the age the *!Kinnons/ the Bones/ the ,rewetts an #ouwas on)# a (a(#/ an #ou )ive+.So3ething ver# "ain0u) was going on in Harr#s 3in+. As Hagri+sstor# !a3e to a !)ose/ he saw again the ()in+ing 0)ash o0 green)ight/ 3ore !)ear)# than he ha+ ever re3e3(ere+ it (e0ore an+he re3e3(ere+ so3ething e)se/ 0or the 0irst ti3e in his )i0e6 a high/!o)+/ !rue) )augh.


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Hagri+ was wat!hing hi3 sa+)#.MToo4 #eh 0ro3 the ruine+ house 3#se)0/ on 7u3()e+ores or+ers.Brought #eh ter this )ot . . .MLoa+ o0 o)+ tosh/ sai+ En!)e ernon. Harr# u3"e+ he ha+a)3ost 0orgotten that the 7urs)e#s were there. En!)e ernon !ertain)#

see3e+ to have got (a!4 his !ourage. He was g)aring at Hagri+an+ his 0ists were !)en!he+.MNow/ #ou )isten here/ (o#/ he snar)e+/ MI a!!e"t theres so3ethingstrange a(out #ou/ "ro(a()# nothing a goo+ (eating wou)+nthave !ure+ an+ as 0or a)) this a(out #our "arents/ we))/ the# wereweir+os/ no +en#ing it/ an+ the wor)+s (etter o00 without the3 in3# o"inion as4e+ 0or a)) the# got/ getting 3ie+ u" with thesewi=ar+ing t#"es ust what I e"e!te+/ a)wa#s 4new the#+ !o3eto a sti!4# en+ But at that 3o3ent/ Hagri+ )ea"t 0ro3 the so0a an+ +rew a (attere+

"in4 u3(re))a 0ro3 insi+e his !oat. ,ointing this at En!)eernon )i4e a swor+/ he sai+/ MI3 warning #ou/ 7urs)e# I3warning #ou one 3ore wor+ . . .In +anger o0 (eing s"eare+ on the en+ o0 an u3(re))a (# a(ear+e+ giant/ En!)e ernons !ourage 0ai)e+ again he 0)attene+hi3se)0 against the wa)) an+ 0e)) si)ent.MThats (etter/ sai+ Hagri+/ (reathing heavi)# an+ sitting (a!4+own on the so0a/ whi!h this ti3e sagge+ right +own to the 0)oor.Harr#/ 3eanwhi)e/ sti)) ha+ uestions to as4/ hun+re+s o0 the3.MBut what ha""ene+ to o);/ sorr# I 3ean/ You;Know;

WhoMGoo+ uestion/ Harr#. 7isa""eare+. anishe+. Sa3e night hetrie+ ter 4i)) #ou. *a4es #eh even 3ore 0a3ous. Thats the (iggest3#str#/ see . . . he was gettin 3ore an 3ore "ower0u) wh#+he goMSo3e sa# he +ie+. 1o+swa))o"/ in 3# o"inion. 7unno i0 heha+ enough hu3an )e0t in hi3 to +ie. So3e sa# hes sti)) out there/(i+in his ti3e/ )i4e/ (ut I +on (e)ieve it. ,eo")e who was on hissi+e !a3e (a!4 ter ours. So3e o0 e3 !a3e outta 4in+a tran!es.7on re!4on the# !ou)+ve +one i0 he was !o3in (a!4.

M*ost o0 us re!4on hes sti)) out there so3ewhere (ut )ost his"owers. Too wea4 to !arr# on. 1ause so3ethin a(out #ou 0inishe+hi3/ Harr#. There was so3ethin goin on that night he ha+nt

!ounte+ on +unno what it was/ no one +oes (ut so3ethina(out #ou stu3"e+ hi3/ a)) right.Hagri+ )oo4e+ at Harr# with war3th an+ res"e!t ()a=ing in hise#es/ (ut Harr#/ instea+ o0 0ee)ing ")ease+ an+ "rou+/ 0e)t uite sure


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there ha+ (een a horri()e 3ista4e. A wi=ar+ Hi3 How !ou)+ he"ossi()# (e He+ s"ent his )i0e (eing !)oute+ (# 7u+)e#/ an+ (u))ie+(# Aunt ,etunia an+ En!)e ernon i0 he was rea))# a wi=ar+/wh# ha+nt the# (een turne+ into wart# toa+s ever# ti3e the#+trie+ to )o!4 hi3 in his !u"(oar+ I0 he+ on!e +e0eate+ the greatest

sor!erer in the wor)+/ how !o3e 7u+)e# ha+ a)wa#s (een a()eto 4i!4 hi3 aroun+ )i4e a 0oot(a))MHagri+/ he sai+ uiet)#/ MI thin4 #ou 3ust have 3a+e a 3ista4e.I +ont thin4 I !an (e a wi=ar+.

To his sur"rise/ Hagri+ !hu!4)e+.MNot a wi=ar+/ eh Never 3a+e things ha""en when #ou wass!are+ or angr#Harr# )oo4e+ into the 0ire. Now he !a3e to thin4 a(out it . . .ever# o++ thing that ha+ ever 3a+e his aunt an+ un!)e 0urious withhi3 ha+ ha""ene+ when he/ Harr#/ ha+ (een u"set or angr# . . .

!hase+ (# 7u+)e#s gang/ he ha+ so3ehow 0oun+ hi3se)0 out o0their rea!h . . . +rea+ing going to s!hoo) with that ri+i!u)ous hair!ut/he+ 3anage+ to 3a4e it grow (a!4 . . . an+ the ver# )ast ti3e7u+)e# ha+ hit hi3/ ha+nt he got his revenge/ without even rea)i=inghe was +oing it Ha+nt he set a (oa !onstri!tor on hi3Harr# )oo4e+ (a!4 at Hagri+/ s3i)ing/ an+ saw that Hagri+ was"ositive)# (ea3ing at hi3.MSee sai+ Hagri+. MHarr# ,otter/ not a wi=ar+ #ou wait/#ou)) (e right 0a3ous at Hogwarts.But En!)e ernon wasnt going to give in without a 0ight.

MHavent I to)+ #ou hes not going he hisse+. MHes goingto Stonewa)) High an+ he)) (e grate0u) 0or it. Ive rea+ those )ettersan+ he nee+s a)) sorts o0 ru((ish s"e)) (oo4s an+ wan+san+ MI0 he wants ter go/ a great *ugg)e )i4e #ou wont sto" hi3/grow)e+ Hagri+. MSto" Li)# an Ja3es ,otters son goin ter HogwartsP

Yer 3a+. His na3es (een +own

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Harry Potter si Piatra filosofala