The trip to the zoo was what most would call uneventful. However to Harry, the short journey from pivate drive was full of wonders. Tall buildings in grey reached for the deep blue sky as if they were trying to influence the mood of the day. Rolling fields with screaming children flew past just like al! Harry's dreams of visiting the playful areana known as a park.
Piers and Dudley chatted away next to Harry, boasting about one thing after the next. Neither noticed Harry's amazed gaze as he peered at the world outside the window. Harry's untidy brown hair moved with the motion to the car but other than that Harry was completely still.
When the car came to a stop, all 5 people exited the vehicle with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. Harry couldn't control his disability among a routine environment, so everyone was nervous as to how he would react to the wonders of the zoo. Everyone except Piers who was blissfully unaware of the Families fears and chatted nonstop until they reached the entrance.
Harry wondered behind, hoping above all else that if the Dursley's barley saw him then they would take him on more outings. He also wanted to go unnoticed by the other people in the zoo, not wanting anyone to recognize his illness and get scared. When Vernon paid, he growled down at Harry to make him aware of how much he was costing him and Harry shrunk back in fear of what he knew was to come when they arrived home.
The Zoo was Amazing! The bright colors and thundering chatter made Harry almost faint from the overwhelming experiences. Feet slapped against the floor as children ran from one exhibit to another and the animals spoke in their own little ways to greet them when they arrived. Harry was astounded at what he was seeing; he never thought he would actually witness the animals that had graced the pages of Dudley's school books.
Dudley however, still found ways to complain about the wondrous experience and as they entered the reptile exhibit he began knocking on the closest window he could, moaning about how it wouldn't move. Vernon too began banging on the window as 4 members of the party crowded round to watch. Pier's was giggling but before long they had moved on to another cage after Dudley exclaimed that he was bored. For the first time, Harry was able to see what was inside and was shocked to find a Snake that was terrifying in length, squashed in to one small box.
"I bet you get that all the time." Harry said referring to the comment his cousin made. "People pushing their noses on the glass were there not wanted. I bet it gets really annoying."
With all the things he had seen today he never expected to see the snake nod in response. Harry looked around in confusion, wondering if someone was playing a prank but no one was paying the small boy an ounce of attention. Taking a step back, Harry spoke to the Snake again.
"Can-can you hear me?" Harry muttered as quietly as he could to not arouse suspicion. When the snake nodded again though, Harry continued. "I've never talked to a snake before. Do people talk to you often."
The snake shook its head.
"Yeah. I guess it's not something normal people do, is it? Bet you miss your home though. It must have been lovely there" Harry said to continue the conversation. Even though the snake wasn't talking, it was still the only time Harry had had an interaction with someone that wasn't the Dursley's.
The snake pointed its head towards the board on the wall. "BREAD IN CAPTIVITY" is what could be read and Harry instantly felt sorry for the creature.
" Oh, You don't have a home. That's the same with me. My parents died in a car crash and I was thrust upon my relatives…"
Harry wanted to continue the conversation, even if it had taken a sad tern but just then, Dudley emerged beside me and yelled across to his parents to come over as well. Harry was pushed to the ground so aggressively that his glasses came straight off his face. Luckily they weren't broken but this act still resulted in Harry getting Angry. He tried to control his anger by taking deep breaths but it didn't work and before he knew it, the glass to the cage had vanished. Dudley instantly fell in and was petrified to the spot when the snake began to make its way out of the cage. Screams from every direction as the snake stopped in front of me to speak its first words.
"Ttthank yyyou!" he said before making his way out of the zoo, effortlessly gliding around zoo officials as they tried to catch him.
As the Snake made its escape a new cry joined the mix and when Harry turned round, he identified it is his Aunts. His Aunt was crying hysterically because the glass had reappeared and trapped Dudley in the enclosure. Harry couldn't help it when a smile broke out on his face. Seeing his cousin in that position was really funny to the young boy but with one glance to his Unlce his smile dropped. Vernon was glaring at him, his face going purple with effort. It was clear to Harry that his Uncle wanted to strangle him and he had no doubts that he would do just that and more when they got home.
Harry could have ran, he could have hid or screamed about the abuse but instead Harry stood and sullenly accepted his fate, wishing that his uncle had enough restraint to not kill him.