Harry Potter, a slender boy with messy black hair and sellotaped round glasses, lay in his cupboard under the stairs, the dim light filtering through the cracks. His dreams were interrupted by the sharp voice of his aunt Petunia Dursley, a thin horse-faced woman, summoning him to wake up. Reluctantly, he got up, knowing that today was Dudley's birthday, a day that promised no joy for him.
Vernon Dursley, a large man with thinning hair, beamed proudly at his son. Petunia fussed over Dudley, ensuring everything was perfect. Harry moved quietly, wearing Dudley's old, oversized clothes. He was careful to avoid any conflict, remembering the unspoken rule: don't ask questions, especially about his parents. "Are you even trying to look presentable, boy?" Vernon grumbled, casting a disapproving glance at Harry.
The Dursleys were oblivious to Harry's quiet joy as they arrived at the zoo. Amidst the crowds, he felt a strange sense of belonging. Even as Dudley and his friend Piers taunted him, Harry found comfort watching the animals, losing himself in their world.
Harry stood before the boa constrictor, feeling an unusual connection. "Can you hear me?" he whispered, surprised when the snake seemed to acknowledge him. The glass vanished, and the snake slithered out, causing panic among the visitors. The Dursleys were furious, and Harry felt the familiar dread of their anger.
Vernon raged, his voice echoing through the house as he blamed Harry for the chaos at the zoo. He was sent to his cupboard without supper, the door slamming shut behind him. Alone in the darkness, Harry wondered about the strange incidents that seemed to follow him, a growing unease gnawing at his mind.
Harry lay awake, tracing the lightning-shaped scar on his forehead. Memories of his parents flickered in his mind, a bittersweet comfort. Despite everything, he felt a flicker of hope, a sense that the world had more to offer beyond the confines of Privet Drive. "Someday, things will be different," he whispered to himself, holding onto the promise of a future unknown.
