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Saturday 2/6/90
Dear Spencer
Congratulations on your graduation. I know that the graduation certificate won't be a big deal to you in future when you have a ton of fancy university degrees, but you can at least look back in pride that you not only survived the hell they put you through but still achieved all your goals within the timeframe you set yourself. None of the bullies managed to change your life, and you can now put them behind you and hopefully not have to think about them again.
I liked your speeches they both sounded very impressive but I guess that it's good that you said the one you did, though I liked the other one better. Are there schools out there that are better than that. My school isn't. The bullying isn't quite as bad but only because the bullies are still kids themselves and we don't have lockers. I'm not looking forward to high school or secondary school as they call it here, except for the fact that I know Dudley and I will be going to different schools. He's going to the private school Vernon went to, which sounds like a bit of a nightmare from what I've heard of Vernon's stories, he makes it sound like the teachers actively encourage the students to hit each other with sticks, and I'm going to the local comprehensive which isn't a very good school but then neither was Las Vegas High and you still did okay. I know I'm not as smart as you but if I'm determined to learn and stay out of trouble then I'm sure I will, even if I can't bring home good marks.
I'm okay! I know you worry about me but I haven't been hit or starved lately and you know I've found another good source of food in case I am. Dudley and his friends haven't caught me lately, since I've started to eat better I've got faster, but they're starting to lose interest and go after smaller children in the neighbourhood, I try to step in and protect the real littlies when I can and I'm sure that I can get away without being hurt myself, but they're pretty careful to catch them on their own when I'm not around. This doesn't make me a hero, especially not in Little Whinging, I'm sure most of the parents think it's me bullying their children out of their pocket money. There isn't much I can do because the kids are frightened of being seen with me and attracting more of Dudley's attention. The good news, for me at least is that he's starting to develop asthma and he can't run as far now without beginning to wheeze. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before he tries to blame the asthma on me somehow but I heard Petunia ranting to Vernon that the doctor thinks it has more to do with his weight, lack of exercise and snoring at night. Of course, the doctor must be wrong because her Dudders is a perfect strapping young man, he couldn't possibly be morbidly obese, chronically lazy or dangerously unfit or any of the other things the doctor called him. I wonder how they could be so blind.
You've influenced my leisure habits and turned me into a petty thief, not that I'm complaining, I've stolen Dudley's library card so I can borrow books from the town library though I have to be careful that the Dursleys don't see me with them. Vernon and Petunia would think I'd stolen the books and Dudley would just destroy them to get me in trouble. Now I can reliably make light when I'm locked in, I am spending my spare time reading, all sorts of things I'm currently reading 'The Mysterious Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' in the library and all about Mexican cuisine and culture. Don't worry, Dudley won't miss the card I don't think he's set foot in the library since Aunt Petunia used to take him to preschool story time and even then I think they only went a couple of times before she was asked not to bring him back until he could sit quietly and listen to the stories. She used to take me too. It was one of the few places she did take me unless she wanted me to help carry things. I wonder why?
You know I should be complaining that it doesn't seem fair that you've finished school for the year when we have another term to go, but the truth is that I'm glad we don't have an extra month of summer holidays, As horrible as school can be, I'd much rather be at school than stuck at home doing chores for Petunia all day every day. I've been on spring vacation this week and I must have scrubbed every inch of the inside of the house except the attic space, if I wasn't going back to school she'd no doubt have me start outside next week.
I still haven't found a hideout where I feel safe, but I've found a couple of small places I can hide for an hour or two and the library is always good to hide in. I don't know if they heard me mention a hideout or if it's just coincidence but Dudley and his friends have built themselves a gang hideout in one of the storm water drains, I tried to warn him that it was dangerous but of course they wouldn't listen to me. I only hope I'm not out on my own without an alibi when their stuff all gets washed away.
I've also spent more time helping out at the restaurant that you send my letters to. Just some dishes and clean up while one of their staff is off sick. Unfortunately, the pizzas for the new menu are all organised so the chef isn't stuffing us with trial pizzas anymore, instead he's experimenting with salads which are tasty and healthy but not filling. The other week I learned different ways to prep veggies, the other cooks were very impressed with the cooking skills I do have already and say I will make a good chef one day with the right training. The manager gives me a couple of pounds for the work I do there so you don't have to feel guilty that your letters are sent with stamps bought with stolen money any more. Of course, I can't spend much of the money on myself, the Dursleys will expect me to give it to them if they knew I was earning it but I've managed to buy some protein bars and stash them under the floorboards in my cupboard. I was tempted to buy chocolate but protein bars will be much more filling for longer if I get locked in there for any length of time and can't get out, or Petunia starts monitoring what food is going missing overnight like she threatened to the other day. It doesn't mean I can't take stuff, just that I can't take anything Vernon and Dudley wouldn't both take, so no fruits and vegetables or low fat stuff, so it's a good thing the restaurant has me trying new salads.
Your Friend
Harry
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