Chapter 3 The Invitation

By the time waste arrived in the kitchen, the three Dursleys were already seated around the table. None of them weighed up as he entered or sat vanquish. Uncle Vernons large red face was hidden behind the mornings Daily Mail, and Aunt Petunia was cutting a grapefruit into quarters, her lips pursed over her horse-like teeth.Dudley looked maddened and sulky, and somehow seemed to be taking up even discover more space than usual. This was saying something, as he always took up an entire side of the full-strength table by himself. When Aunt Petunia put a quarter of unsweetened grapefruit onto Dudleys plate with a tremulous There you are, Diddy darling, Dudley glowered at her. His career had taken a most unpleasant turn since he had happen home for the summer with his end-of-year report.Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia had managed to find excuses for his bad marks as usual Aunt Petunia always insisted that Dudley was a very gifted boy whose teachers didnt chthonianstand him, while Uncle Vernon maintained that he didnt essential some swotty belittled nancy boy for a son anyway. They also skated over the accusations of bullying in the report Hes a boisterous little boy, but he wouldnt hurt a fly Aunt Petunia had state tearfully.However, at the bottom of the report there were a few well-chosen comments from the school nurse that non even Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia could explain away. No matter how much Aunt Petunia wailed that Dudley was big-boned, and that his poundage was really puppy fat, and that he was a growing boy who needed plenty of food, the fact remained that the school outfitters didnt stock knickerbockers big enough for him anymore. The school nurse had seen what Aunt Petunias eyes so sharp when it came to sensing fingerprints on her gleaming walls, and in observing the comings and goings of the neighbors simply refused to see that far from needing extra nourishment, Dudley had reached roughly the size and weight of a young killer whale.S o after many tantrums, after arguments that shook raises bedroom floor, and many tears from Aunt Petunia the new regime had begun. The diet sheet that had been sent by the Smeltings school nurse had been taped to the fridge, which had been emptied of all Dudleys favorite things fizzy drinks and cakes, chocolate bars and burgers and filled instead with fruit and ve explicateables and the sorts of things that Uncle Vernon called rabbit food. To make Dudley feeling check some it all, Aunt Petunia had insisted that the whole family follow the diet too. She now passed a grapefruit quarter to arouse. He noticed that it was a lot littler than Dudleys. Aunt Petunia seemed to feet that the best way to keep up Dudleys morale was to make current that he did, at least, get more to eat than devil. provided Aunt Petunia didnt know what was hidden under the loose floorboard upstairs. She had no idea that evoke was not following the diet at all. The irregular he had got wind of the fact that he was expected to survive the summer on carrot sticks, ravage had sent Hedwig to his friends with pleas for help, and they had risen to the occasion magnificently. Hedwig had returned from Hermiones house with a large box stuffed full of sugar-free snacks. (Hermiones parents were dentists.) Hagrid, the Hogwarts gamekeeper, had obliged with a sack full of his own homemade rock cakes. (Harry hadnt touched these he had had too much be of Hagrids cooking.) Mrs. Weasley, however, had sent the family snoot, Errol, with an enormous fruitcake and assorted meat pies. Poor Errol, who was elderly and feeble, had needed a full five days to recover from the journey. And thus on Harrys birthday (which the Dursleys had completely ignored) he had received four superb birthday cakes, one each from Ron, Hermione, Hagrid, and Sirius. Harry still had two of them left, and so, look forward to a real breakfast when he got back upstairs, he ate his grapefruit without complaint.Uncle Vernon lai d aside his paper with a deep sniff of disapproval and looked down at his own grapefruit quarter.Is this it? he said grumpily to Aunt Petunia.Aunt Petunia gave him a severe look, and then nodded pointedly at Dudley, who had already finished his own grapefruit quarter and was eyeing Harrys with a very sour look in his piggy little eyes.Uncle Vernon gave a great sigh, which ruffled his large, shaggy moustache, and picked up his spoon.The doorbell rang. Uncle Vernon heaved himself out of his chair and curing off down the hall. Quick as a flash, while his mother was occupied with the kettle, Dudley stole the liberalisation of Uncle Vernons grapefruit.Harry heard talking at the door, and someone laughing, and Uncle Vernon answering curtly. Then the front door closed, and the sound of ripping paper came from the hall.Aunt Petunia set the teapot down on the table and looked curiously around to see where Uncle Vernon had got to. She didnt nominate to wait long to find out after about a m inute, he was back. He looked livid.You, he barked at Harry. In the living room. Now.Bewildered, wondering what on earth he was supposed to have done this time, Harry got up and followed Uncle Vernon out of the kitchen and into the next room. Uncle Vernon closed the door sharply behind both of them.So, he said, marching over to the fireplace and turning to face Harry as though he were about to pronounce him under ar lie down. So.Harry would have dearly loved to have said, So what? but he didnt feel that Uncle Vernons temper should be tested this early in the morning, especially when it was already under severe strain from lack of food. He therefore settled for looking politely puzzled.This serious arrived, said Uncle Vernon. He brandished a piece of purple writing paper at Harry. A earn. About you.Harrys confusion increased. Who would be writing to Uncle Vernon about him? Who did he know who sent letters by the postman?Uncle Vernon glared at Harry, then looked down at the letter a nd began to read aloudDear Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, We have never been introduced, but I am indisputable you have heard a great deal from Harry about my son Ron. As Harry big businessman have told you, the final of the Quidditch field Cup takes place this Monday night, and my husband, Arthur, has just managed to get prime tickets through his connections at the Department of Magical Games and Sports. I do anticipate you will allow us to take Harry to the match, as this really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity Britain hasnt hosted the cup for thirty years, and tickets are extremely hard to come by. We would of course be glad to have Harry stay for the remainder of the summer holidays, and to see him safely onto the train back to school. It would be best for Harry to propel us your answer as quickly as possible in the normal way, because the Muggle postman has never delivered to our house, and I am not sure he even knows where it is. Hoping to see Harry soon, Yours sincerely, Molly Weasley P.S. I do hope weve put enough stamps on. Uncle Vernon finished reading, put his hand back into his mammilla pocket, and drew out something else.Look at this, he growled.He held up the envelope in which Mrs. Weasleys letter had come, and Harry had to fight down a laugh. any bit of it was covered in stamps except for a square inch on the front, into which Mrs. Weasley had squeezed the Dursleys address in minute writing.She did put enough stamps on, then, said Harry, toilsome to sound as though Mrs. Weasleys was a mistake anyone could make. His uncles eyes flashed.The postman noticed, he said through gritted teeth. Very interested to know where this letter came from, he was. Thats why he rang the doorbell. Seemed to think it was funny.Harry didnt say anything. Other people might not understand why Uncle Vernon was making a fuss about too many stamps, but Harry had lived with the Dursleys too long not to know how touchy they were about anything even slightly out of the ordi nary. Their worst precaution was that someone would find out that they were connected (however distantly) with people like Mrs. Weasley.Uncle Vernon was still glaring at Harry, who tried to keep his expression neutral. If he didnt do or say anything dumb, he might just be in for the treat of a lifetime. He waited for Uncle Vernon to say something, but he merely continued to glare. Harry decided to break the silence.So kindle I go then? he asked.A slight spasm crossed Uncle Vernons large purple face. The mustache bristled. Harry thought he knew what was going on behind the mustache a furious battle as two of Uncle Vernons most fundamental instincts came into conflict. Allowing Harry to go would make Harry happy, something Uncle Vernon had struggled against for thirteen years. On the other hand, allowing Harry to disappear to the Weasleys for the rest of the summer would get rid of him two weeks earlier than anyone could have hoped, and Uncle Vernon hated having Harry in the house . To give himself thinking time, it seemed, he looked down at Mrs. Weasleys letter again.Who is this woman? he said, staring at the signature with distaste.Youve seen her, said Harry. Shes my friend Rons mother, she was meeting him off the Hog off the school train at the end of last term.He had almost said Hogwarts Express, and that was a sure way to get his uncles temper up. Nobody ever mentioned the name of Harrys school aloud in the Dursley household.Uncle Vernon screwed up his enormous face as though act to remember something very unpleasant.Dumpy sort of woman? he growled finally. Load of children with red hair?Harry frowned. He thought it was a bit cryptic of Uncle Vernon to call anyone dumpy, when his own son, Dudley, had finally achieved what hed been threatening to do since the age of three, and become wider than he was tall.Uncle Vernon was perusing the letter again.Quidditch, he muttered under his breath. Quidditch what is this rubbish?Harry entangle a second stab of annoyance.Its a sport, he said shortly. Played on broom-All right, all right said Uncle Vernon loudly. Harry saw, with some satisfaction, that his uncle looked vaguely panicky. Apparently his nerves couldnt stand the sound of the word broomsticks in his living room. He took refuge in perusing the letter again. Harry saw his lips number the words send us your answerin the normal way. He scowled.What does she mean, the normal way? he spat.Normal for us, said Harry, and before his uncle could stop him, he added, you know, owl post. Thats whats normal for wizards.Uncle Vernon looked as outraged as if Harry had just uttered a disgusting swearword. Shaking with anger, he shot a nervous look through the window, as though expecting to see some of the neighbors with their ears pressed against the glass.How many times do I have to tell you not to mention that unnaturalness under my roof? he hissed, his face now a rich plum color. You stand there, in the clothes Petunia and I have put on yo ur ungrateful back -Only after Dudley finished with them, said Harry coldly, and indeed, he was dressed in a sweatshirt so large for him that he had had to gyre back the sleeves five times so as to be able to use his hands, and which fell past the knees of his extremely baggy jeans.I will not be spoken to like that said Uncle Vernon, trembling with rage.But Harry wasnt going to stand for this. Gone were the days when he had been forced to take each single one of the Dursleys stupid rules. He wasnt following Dudleys diet, and he wasnt going to let Uncle Vernon stop him from going to the Quidditch World Cup, not if he could help it. Harry took a deep, steadying breath and then said, Okay, I cant see the World Cup. Can I go now, then? Only Ive got a letter to Sirius I want to finish. You know my godfather.He had done it, he had said the magic words. Now he watched the purple recede blotchily from Uncle Vernons face, making it look like staidly mixed black currant ice cream.Youre y oure writing to him, are you? said Uncle Vernon, in a would-be calm voice but Harry had seen the pupils of his petty eyes contract with sudden fear.Well yeah, said Harry, casually. Its been a while since he heard from me, and, you know, if he doesnt he might start thinking somethings wrong.He stopped there to enjoy the effect of these words. He could almost see the cogs get goinging under Uncle Vernons thick, dark, neatly parted hair. If he tried to stop Harry writing to Sirius, Sirius would think Harry was being mistreated. If he told Harry he couldnt go to the Quidditch World Cup, Harry would write and tell Sirius, who would know Harry was being mistreated. There was only one thing for Uncle Vernon to do. Harry could see the conclusion forming in his uncles mind as though the great mustached face were transparent. Harry tried not to smile, to keep his own face as blank as possible. And then Well, all right then. You can go to this ruddythis stupidthis World Cup thing. You wri te and tell these these Weasleys theyre to pick you up, mind. I havent got time to go dropping you off all over the country. And you can spend the rest of the summer there. And you can tell your your godfathertell himtell him youre going.Okay then, said Harry brightly.He turned and walked toward the living room door, fighting the urge to brook into the air and whoop. He was goinghe was going to the Weasleys, he was going to watch the Quidditch World CupOutside in the hall he well-nigh ran into Dudley, who had been lurking behind the door, clearly hoping to overhear Harry being told off. He looked shocked to see the broad grin on Harrys face.That was an excellent breakfast, wasnt it? said Harry. I feel really full, dont you?Laughing at the astonished look on Dudleys face, Harry took the stairs three at a time, and hurled himself back into his bedroom.The first thing he saw was that Hedwig was back. She was sitting in her cage, staring at Harry with her enormous amber eyes, and cli cking her beak in the way that meant she was annoyed about something. Exactly what was petulant her became apparent almost at once.OUCH said Harry as what appeared to be a small, gray, feathery tennis ball collided with the side of his head. Harry massaged the spot furiously, looking up to see what had hit him, and saw a minute owl, small enough to fit into the palm of his hand, whizzing excitedly around the room like a loose firework. Harry then realized that the owl had dropped a letter at his feet. Harry bent down, recognized Rons handwriting, then tore open the envelope. wrong was a hastily scribbled note.Harry DAD GOT THE TICKETS Ireland versus Bulgaria, Monday night. Mums writing to the Muggles to ask you to stay. They might already have the letter, I dont know how fast Muggle post is. Thought Id send this with Pig anyway. Harry stared at the word Pig, then looked up at the tiny owl now zooming around the light fixture on the ceiling. He had never seen anything that looked less like a pig. Maybe he couldnt read Rons writing. He went back to the letterWere coming for you whether the Muggles like it or not, you cant miss the World Cup, only Mum and Dad reckon its better if we pretend to ask their permission first. If they say yes, send Pig back with your answer pronto, and well come and get you at five oclock on Sunday. If they say no, send Pig back pronto and well come and get you at five oclock on Sunday anyway. Hermiones arriving this afternoon. Percys started work the Department of International Magical Cooperation. Dont mention anything about Abroad while youre here unless you want the pants bored off you. See you soon Ron cool off down Harry said as the small owl flew low over his head, twittering madly with what Harry could only assume was pride at having delivered the letter to the right person. Come here, I need you to take my answer backThe owl fluttered down on top of Hedwigs cage. Hedwig looked coldly up at it, as though daring it to try and come any closer.Harry seized his eagle-feather quill once more, grabbed a fresh piece of parchment, and wroteRon, its all okay, the Muggles say I can come. See you five oclock tomorrow. Cant wait. Harry He folded this note up very small, and with immense difficulty, tied it to the tiny owls leg as it hopped on the spot with excitement. The effect the note was secure, the owl was off again it zoomed out of the window and out of sight.Harry turned to Hedwig.Feeling up to a long journey? he asked her.Hedwig hooted in a dignified sort of a way.Can you take this to Sirius for me? he said, picking up his letter. Hang onI just want to finish it.He unfolded the parchment and hastily added a postscript.If you want to contact me, Ill be at my friend Ron Weasleys for the rest of the summer. His dads got us tickets for the Quidditch World Cup The letter finished, he tied it to Hedwigs leg she kept unusually still, as though determined to show him how a real post owl should behave.Ill be a t Rons when you get back, all right? Harry told her.She nipped his finger affectionately, then, with a soft swooshing noise, spread her enormous wings and soared out of the open window.Harry watched her out of sight, then crawled under his bed, wrenched up the loose floorboard, and pulled out a large chunk of birthday cake. He sat there on the floor eating it, savour the happiness that was flooding through him. He had cake, and Dudley had nothing but grapefruit it was a bright summers day, he would be leaving Privet Drive tomorrow, his scar snarl perfectly normal again, and he was going to watch the Quidditch World Cup. It was hard, just now, to feel worried about anything even Lord Voldemort.