When I was a kid there was this type of buissneses that rented a pc with internet at an US quarter the hour. I can't help but wonder. What would little harry do with internet connection?
Would he follow my steps and read 'love hina' manga online? would he go for the games like 'Gun bound' or 'maple story'? would he look for porn? What would this mean for his upcoming years at hogwarts? Like, would he just use AOL messenger to contact Hermione? Would he ask to luna if any of the D&D creatures exist IRL? Would he stop throwing himself into danger when there are easier ways to solve problems?
Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter series, just a few of Rowling's books.
In a little booth from a small internet cafe at the end Wisteria Walk we find our her-
"com'on, com'on, com'on! YES! BB you tosser newb! serves you for choosing grub"
Yes, this little child was indeed Hadrian "harry" james potter. Not that he knew, of course. You could say that finding about internet gave him a much needed confidence upgrade and for three quid the hour he was more than happy to... 'liberate' from his walrus of an uncle? the little kid was able to secure not only a window to the world, but also a safe haven for him. Dudley was more of a jock anyway and the telly grabbed most of his atention all the other times.
He spent most of his online time playing Multiplayer games and reading comics from west to east, 'manga' they called it. Of course, this was only possible cause his aunt didn't care wherever he was after tidying the house and this suited Harry perfectly. That place would only ever be a prison to him, never a home.
Freak was a timid kid servant to the dursleys, whereas Harry was an regular gamer and avid reader of all kinds of literature (mostly the ones with visual aids). while he wasn't the best player in the world (not even in the top 100) and neither was he an expert in comics; What he do is, is being a regular adolescent with common likes and needs. He was Just Harry and that was Alright.
He was just finishing his weekly visit to the cafe. (as any more frequently could alert his cousin and thus his jailers) He'd have to skip his next visit as Dudley had somehow found one of his secret stashes and wanted to use the time to relocate them and verify the rest of them where untouched. (hey, it's not paranoia if they are out to get ya!)
Most of the following week went as normal. Dudley did not find more than that one stash and his humpday was spend moving all his things around; most of what he actually owned was virtual anyway, much more safe that way. (just a few socks and briefs) Classes were okay, most of his teachers kept ignoring him as long as his grades weren't reds and Dudley was fine with it as long as he kept them below his own. (not that it gave harry much of a room for error) His aunt was kept civil with chores and his Uncle was avoided unless spoken by. Life wasn't great, but hey there are people who have it worse.
It all ended when the Wizard nation revealed themselves like Drew Barrymore did to Letterman (No. Not really, they just sent a letter)