"Vernon! Vernon!" Aunt Petunia squealed from her perch on a kitchen chair in the middle of the kitchen. "A snake another bloody great snake in my kitchen!"
Uncle Vernon came lumbering into the kitchen, wiping crumbs from his moustache as he came.
"Potter! Potter!" Uncle Vernon yelled "Get up here!"
Harry thumped quickly up the stairs from the cellar and opened the door into the kitchen.
"Get rid of it! Get rid of it now! Potter!" Uncle Vernon yells as his face turns from crimson to purple with anger. His shaking sausage like finger pointed at a green and black striped snake that circled Aunt Petunia's chair.
Harry bent to the snake and whispered quietly to it with soft hissing words. The snake quickly slithered into hands.
"It's just a garden snake. It's harmless." Harry said quietly as he passed Uncle Vernon.
"I don't care! It's a pest …..a menace. It should be killed!" Uncle Vernon said as he helped Petunia down from her chair.
Harry took the snake to the garden hedge and whispered to it again. The snake quickly retreated out of the yard. Harry lingered for a moment to watch it disappear into the next yard from under the hedges. Suddenly, Harry heard a muffled scream and footsteps through the grass in the neighbor's yard. Harry ran to the gate to see who was there but all he could glimpse was the closing door of the neighbor's house.
As Harry reentered the kitchen, Uncle Vernon took him roughly by the back of the neck and steered him across the room to a calendar pinned to the side of the kitchen cabinet.
"Do you see those Xs? Do you see that day there, circled in red?" Uncle Vernon said into Harry's ear as his fingers dug into the muscle I his neck.
"Yes, sir." Harry said with a pained voice.
"Do you know what that means? Well I'll tell you. It means that in just a few weeks, you'll be of age. In just a few weeks we'll be free of you. No more snakes. No more owls and no more you. Now finish those dishes." Uncle Vernon finished and released him roughly in the direction of the sink.
Harry sunk his hands into the warm soapy water and stared blankly at the steam that rose from the sink. He had discovered this summer that his best moments were when his mind was blank. The Dursleys
had been keeping him busy this summer with an endless stream of chores, chores that mostly kept him out of sight. Currently he had been assigned the job of scraping and painting the second floor windows around the house. He didn't mind, it was better than letting his mind wander to other things. Ever since he had arrived back at Privet Drive Harry's mind had played host to relentless waves of unpleasant emotions. He felt awash in feelings of grief, loneliness and despair. He no longer had the will to fight against the Dursleys too. He complied with their every request without objection. Uncle Vernon was correct in saying that he would be out of this house forever but to what future? Dealing with their loathing for him seemed trivial compared to what he would soon have to face.
"You finished?" Came the piercing voice of Aunt Petunia from the living room.
"Yes, Aunt Petunia." Replied Harry
"Well fetch our biscuits and milk and then it's off with you then."
"Yes, Aunt Petunia."
From the moment Harry had returned from Hogwarts the Dursleys had stripped him of his wand and locked it in a strong box.
Uncle Vernon told him. "No funny business this summer. It will be returned to you on your birthday day. Consider it our going away present."
At first Harry was furious but as time went on Harry accepted the fact that he must spend this summer as an ordinary muggle teenager, with no special powers. He couldn't save anyone or help anyone right now and that was ok. Dumbledore had assured him, before he died, that he was still safe with his mother's sister and so far he was right. But Harry rarely left the Dursely's yard. He didn't want to risk another attack from Dementors like last summer.
Harry put the tray of milk and biscuits on a tray next to the Durselys and went through a door at the back of the kitchen. The idea of Harry sleeping in a bedroom right next to their precious son all summer was unacceptable. Harry's new quarters were in the cellar. They had allowed him all his books and things from Hogwarts except his wand. Hedwig had a little more room to fly around down here. He had even managed to open a one of the small cellar windows enough for her to fly out and go hunting at night. He never used her for the post though because she was so noticeable. Hermione and the Weasleys had agreed to keep in touch through standard mail delivery. The Weasley had even learned the correct number of stamps to use. Harry read and reread all the letters he received. He practiced from his books all the wandless charms and summonses he could find. Hermione kept him supplied with all she could find too.
Harry listened as Uncle Vernon closed the half dozen locks he had place on his cellar door. The Durselys were correct in fearing him. Harry finally understood the great risk they were taking by having him the their house. Dark signs grew around him. Snakes came into the house regularly. Ominous looking shapes pasted by the house during the night.
Hedwig came and lit at the end of his bed.
Harry spoke to his owl as his stroked her soft feathers, "Just a few more weeks and the charm that protects me here will be broken. Just a few more week and there will be nothing standing between me and him. And no one. I wish I could be like you Hedwig. I wish I could just fly away into the night, silent and unseen."
Harry took her to the window. She began to stir with excitement. Harry climbed on top of an old workbench and tried to quietly push open the window. Before he had the window fully open Hedwig had forced herself through the opening and silently flew off into the night.