Harry sped past his uncle, and then he was out. Running down the driveway he blindly turned left; years of running from his cousin had made it a habit to turn towards the nearest hiding spot. Where was he going to go after that? He didn't have money or his wand, he didn't have anything, he wasn't even wearing shoes! He felt numb. The park was two blocks away. If he could make it to the park before he collapsed, he would be fine. He picked up the pace, Hedwig's cage banging against his knees.
Only when he reached the green field, did he slow down. It was getting dark, everyone was at home, preparing for dinner, and the park was empty. Harry breathed a relieved sigh. He slipped past the slides and made a beeline for the farthest corner, his favourite hiding spot when he got away from Dudders. Pushing Hedwig's cage in front of him, he crawled through the shrubs until he reached a small clearing next to an oak tree, and for the first time since Scabbers had run off, he breathed freely.
It was darker under the tree, he could barely see Hedwig, his feet hurt, he was hungry, and his head pounded. He didn't care about any of that. He breathed. Anything was better than staying with the Dursleys. He would rest a while before he decided what next. He was a Gryffindor and he would not let them get him down. He stuck his fingers through the cage and Hedwig nibbled on it.
"I'll open it for you girl, give me a minute, okay?"
It was something to pass the time but it felt like it took forever to break open her cage. The lock his uncle had put on was too strong, so he turned the cage on its side, apologising profusely to Hedwig, and banged at the bottom latch with a rock. His fingers were bloody by the time it finally broke, and Hedwig flapped her wings angrily at him when she flew out. He didn't blame her. He should have left her in school like other Muggleborn students did, an owl in the suburbs only called attention to you. She was right to be angry.
Harry sighed, and sucked his fingers. He should have planned his escape better, earlier maybe, not waited until it all came to this. He had nothing with him, not even a paper to write on, and his only option was to ask Hedwig to call for help. Luckily there wasn't a smarter owl anywhere.
After she flew off, he cradled his bloody fingers against his chest, curled up into a small ball between the roots, and closed his eyes.
A loud crack woke Harry up with a start. He knew that sound. You can't apparate into Hogwarts but if you had permission you could apparate in certain areas within Hogwarts, and the seventh years practiced it every chance they got. Heart in his throat he peered through the shrubs and saw:
Professor Snape
Professor McGonagall
Ron and Mr. Weasley