With the reason for his neglect discovered, Harry was determined to become the best he could and then show his father all he had accomplished in hopes that he would be accepted again.
He began searching the house in hopes of finding something to help him in his quest. The next day, Harry began his exploration peering into the many empty rooms that the house offered. It didn't take long for the three-year-old to discover the treasure trove deep within the Potter mansion...the library.
Green eyes opened wide as they took in rows and rows of dark mahogany shelves lined with ancient, dusty tomes that seemed to take on a glow in the dimly lit room. Harry gawked in wonder, then took a small step forward and tentatively reached a trembling hand to the first book. Pulling it from the shelf and blowing off years of accumulated dust, he stared down at the deep red binding and lightly traced the gold-embellished letters with his fingers. The Theory of Magic the title read and Harry's heart leapt with excitement when he realized he had actually understood the markings on the cover. How he didn't know, but somehow, Harry was able to read! Perhaps it was all of the books his mother had read to him as a child as he would follow along with her finger. Regardless, this discovery opened worlds of opportunity for the lonely child and he fell to the ground where he stood and opened the thick tome to page one.
About an hour and half later, Harry had finished the book and realized with alarm that it was probably getting close to the time when Tory would put him to bed. The last time the house-elf had had to look for him, he had not been pleased. Harry respectfully placed the book back where he had found it and, casting a longing look towards the rest of the shelves, quickly made his way out of the library and back towards his room.
When he had reached the nursery, Tory was already there, impatiently tapping his foot on the ground. "And just where do you think you were Master Harry?" The house-elf queried irritably.
"I think that I was in the most beautiful place on the planet!" Harry replied ecstatically.
Tory sensed that Harry was about to go on and bore him with the details so quickly cut the child off. "Indeed. Well, you had best get your nightclothes on directly or else I shall have to confine you to your room tomorrow."
Harry stopped abruptly. He had been looking forward to sharing his joy with his caretaker but the threat of not being able to visit the magical place tomorrow was enough to silence him. 'Ah well,' Harry thought to himself, 'I can always tell him tomorrow.' And with that, Harry got dressed for bed and Tory, after ensuring that he had fully complied, turned the light out and shut the door smartly.
Harry, however, lay awake for a long time thinking blissfully about the beauty he had encountered and rereading the book, page by page in his mind.