Chapter Two

In his cupboard, Harry played with his hand-me-down building blocks that Dudley had broken or colored on and forgotten about. He built a magical castle full of wizards and witches, wishing that there really was such a place. Eventually little Harry got tired and lay down to take a nap.

He was running as fast as he could, but the monster was catching up. It looked like a human with a snake's face. He had a magic wand and was shooting green light out of it right and left. Suddenly, Harry saw his parents, James and Lily, ahead of him. He knew he would be safe if he could just get to them. "Mommy!" he yelled, finally reaching her. He hid behind his mom and dad from the evil thing chasing him.

It caught up to the family hissing at James to step aside. He refused, blocking the evil creature from both his wife and his son. "Step aside James," it hissed. When James refused, the creature pointed his wand at Harry's dad and whispered something. Lily screamed as a green beam of light shot out of its wand, killing James on the spot. "You're next Lily," it said.

"Just don't hurt my son! Please!" Lily begged, but the creature just laughed and sent a second jet of light from his wand, killing Harry's mother as well.

Harry awoke from his nightmare screaming both of fright and of the searing pain in his forehead that seemed to emanate from his scar.

Harry's screams were interrupted by the gruff voice of Uncle Vernon through the keyhole. "Stop your blubbering! Don't you know it's Dudley's birthday party? Have some respect!"

"I had a bad dream! There was a scary monster chasing me with a magic wand!" Harry replied, still trying to catch his breath.

"How many times do I have to tell you? We do not use the 'M' word in this house!"

Harry heard Vernon's footsteps as he turned to leave and called out tentatively, "Uncle Vernon?"

"What?"

"May I please have some birthday cake?"

"No." And with that Harry's uncle stomped off, leaving him alone again.

Harry was confused about his dream because he knew his parents died in a car crash. But it seemed so real. And why did his head hurt?