The Hero

The Hero — page 9
Miserable at the Dursleys In the movie's opening scene Albus Dumbledore the wise headmaster of Hogwarts and Professor McGonagall the head of Gryffindor House whisper to each other outside 4 Privet Drive in Surrey England about an orphaned infant named Harry Potter Hagrid the oafish groundskeeper of Hogwarts descends from the sky on his flying motorcycle and hands the two wizards a baby wrapped in blankets This boy will be famous says Professor McGonagall as she gazes down at Harry and the lightning bolt scar on his forehead There won't be a child in our world who doesn't know his name 2 He s far better off growing up away from all that until he's ready replies Dumbledore McGonagall and Dumbledore deliver Harry to the doorstep of Harry's aunt and uncle Petunia and Vernon As Harry grows into a young boy over the next ten years his childhood with the Dursleys is anything but idyllic Uncle Vernon is a blundering fool while Aunt Petunia spends her days doting on their spoiled son Dudley Harry sleeps in a cramped closet 14