Harry's summer at the Dursleys is mind numbingly boring. It's a good thing he doesn't spend all his time there.
Two weeks in, help comes in the form of his sister's parents.
Emily and Hugo Granger knock on the door at exactly 8am in the morning. Hugo is wearing a suit and a tie and Emily is dressed in an old fashioned summer dress. They are what his Aunt and Uncle would call normal people.
Harry eavesdrops as they spin a tale about their unfortunate daughter Hermione who found herself in an unfamiliar world and clung to the first person she met: their nephew. They beg Petunia's pardon for saying so but they don't really believe her nephew is the best choice.
They wonder if they can borrow him for a while - preferably a few weeks, maybe even next summer depending on how stubborn their daughter is. They need to show her how terrible he is. Petunia's eyes gleam greedily. She really wants to be rid of him - though she enjoys having a slave.
"The boy can be very persuasive... perhaps you ought keep him longer."
The Grangers look concerned before conceding. As Petunia calls "Boy", Harry scuttles to the front door.
"This is Doctor Granger and his wife. They have agreed to host you for the summer. Behave."
As they move to leave, Mrs Granger assures Petunia that they'll handle his living costs.
"The boy could do with fewer meals" she sniffs and shuts the door quickly as if leaving it open too long will make the Grangers return Harry.
When they are safely ensconced in the Grangers' car, the two adults start beaming. Emily Granger turns around and gives Harry a winning smile. Her husband winks at him in the mirror.
Harry reminds himself to trust his intuition more often.
He would have come with them whether they'd been lying or not - anything for his sister - but he had the feeling they were playing the Dursleys.