"What is the meaning of this?" Vernon shouted as he turned a hideous purple. He ripped the letter out of Harry's hands and started tearing it to shreds. "No one in my house will have anything to do with that freakish school!" he bellowed. "I'm not paying for this! We took you in and put a roof over your head and clothes on your body, and this is how you thank us? Ungrateful brat."
"Vernon," Petunia said sternly, "if we don't let her go then she won't gain control over her power. Who knows what kind of freakish things will happen, then? Did you ever think about that?" Vernon stared at Petunia, completely put out. "No…" he sighed, "but I don't want any of that freakishness in this house do you understand, girl?"
Harry nodded profusely. "Yes Uncle Vernon." She couldn't believe her luck! Aunt Petunia had actually saved her. As Vernon left the room, Harry threw herself at Petunia and gave her a big hug.
Petunia was shocked to say the least, never had Harry ever come in physical contact with her that wasn't accidental, it took Petunia several seconds before she could respond and hugged Harry back.
Then she held her at arms length and said, "Harry, if he catches you doing anything you know that I will not be able to help you again. Do you understand?" Harry nodded.
"Now how are we going to get an owl?" Petunia wondered out loud. "I know. I'm sure Mrs. Figg has an owl!" Harry looked at her aunt in surprise.
"Mrs. Figg is a witch?"
"No, actually no," Petunia responded. "I'm pretty sure she came from a magical family, though. I think she was moved here to watch over you."
Harry shrugged and said, "Ok, so are we going to go visit her, then?" Petunia nodded and went to get her purse while Harry put on her shoes. Together they walked down to Wysteria Lane where Mrs. Figg lived. When they arrived, Petunia rang the doorbell and together they listened as various cats started meowing, and mumbling could be heard before the door opened.
When Mrs. Figg opened the door, two cats ran out before there was anything she could do to stop them. She sighed and looked at Petunia and Harry, "Oh hello, dearies, what can I do for you today? I'm afraid I was going to go buy some cat food for my honeys, so I don't think I can babysit Harry today," she said.
"That's fine. We are actually here for an entirely different reason; We were wondering if you had an owl that Harry could use to send off her letter?" Petunia asked. Mrs. Figg started, "Oh my, well I…. I didn't know you were aware that I was a squib!"
"A what?" Harry asked leaning slightly forward as if she'd heard incorrectly. "A squib, my dear, a person born without magic to magical parents," Mrs. Figg explained. "Well, you're in luck," she said as she turned to Petunia and motioned for her to come in, "I've got just what you're looking for."
As they walked into her living room, Harry noticed for the first time an owl sitting on a stand in the corner of the room, sleeping. "Archie, wake up boy, I need you to take something to Dumbledore. You hear me?" Mrs. Figg stroked the owl's feathers and looked at Harry, "Well, do you have a return letter?"
"What? Oh yeah," Harry mumbled, distractedly staring at the owl. "Can I touch him?" she asked. Mrs. Figg nodded, and Harry reached out a hand and softly stroked Archie's feathers. "He's beautiful," she said admiringly and was surprised when the owl puffed out its chest at the comment. Mrs. Figg laughed, "don't compliment him too much, otherwise his head will get too big for his little body!"
"Well, give me the letter, Harry," Mrs. Figg said as she reached a hand out. Harry carefully placed the letter in her hand and watched as Mrs. Figg tied it to Archie's leg and then took him to the window. "Ok, Archie, you know where to go; fly fast!" and she lifted her arm so the bird could fly out the window.