When Harry appeared in the kitchen, none of the three Dursleys looked at him, and no one mentioned birthdays, which was just what Harry wanted. He didn't want Uncle Vernon's stinky socks at all. That kind of bad birthday gift was enough once.
Uncle Vernon was reading the newspaper, Aunt Petunia was cutting dry grapefruit, and cousin Dudley - he slumped the fat on his arms on the table, his face full of anger.
Ever since Dudley came back with a shameful report card and a body full of fat, his good days were over. In fact, he could still struggle. As long as he shed a few tears, Aunt Petunia would sympathetically cry with him, and then quickly compromise and agree to all of Dudley's conditions.
This was his specialty. However, under the report card were a few words carefully filled in by the nurse of Smelting School, which tactfully reminded the two parents that if Dudley continued to gain weight, it would affect his health, and the school clothing library no longer had clothes of his size.
The nurse also kindly attached a diet plan. At Aunt Petunia's insistence, in order to take care of Dudley's mood, the whole family had to follow this new diet system. The effect was obvious. Uncle Vernon's chin became smaller, which made his beard look more elegant and fluffy.
But Harry didn't care at all. Even before receiving his birthday present, he would go to Sirius to make up for breakfast. Now he couldn't wait to imagine where Sirius would take him to play. Sirius recently bought a motorcycle. He saw a hint of Hagrid in his godfather's obsessed eyes.
"Grapefruit again!"
Dudley said angrily. He perfectly inherited Uncle Vernon's small eyes and figure.
Harry thought happily. He sniffed the tasteless food on his plate and couldn't help burping. Just now, he ate two large pieces of cream cake and was a little full.
"Dear?" Aunt Petunia said very patiently, "We agreed to follow the diet plan sent by the school nurse--"
But Dudley didn't listen at all. He finished his portion in two bites and stared at Harry's plate with his little eyes-even though the grapefruit was much smaller than his own. Then his eyes fell on Harry's lips, where there were suspicious traces of food.
"He hid the food." Dudley stretched out his carrot-like fingers and said affirmatively.
Harry wiped his mouth quickly, and after touching the sticky cream, he realized that he was careless.
"What?" Aunt Petunia asked in confusion.
However, Dudley stared at Harry with greedy eyes, as if he was a piece of cream cake or something. Harry's heart was overshadowed. He faced a difficult choice. If Dudley really wanted to steal his cake, should he take out his wand to threaten him?
'There is no Sirius here, no spare wand, and no excuse. If I use magic, the Ministry of Magic will locate me directly...'
Just then, a loud horn sounded outside the door, followed by the roar of a motorcycle idling. Uncle Vernon suddenly exploded. He shouted angrily: "It's that damn murderer and scum again... Can't he be quiet!"
Aunt Petunia looked around in horror, worried that some neighbors would notice this scene.
"Sirius is not a murderer." Harry said coldly.
"Then make... that damn... guy... stop!" Uncle Vernon said with gritted teeth, the blue veins on his face were popping out, and Harry was a little scared. He walked to the window with a stern face and waved at Sirius.
The horn stopped.
Aunt Petunia was breathing heavily, as if she had been holding her breath. Harry stood there hesitantly, not knowing whether to mention his birthday. He felt there was no need to do so. Aunt Petunia glared at Harry fiercely, and Uncle Vernon could not help it anymore. "What are you waiting for? Get out of my sight right now!" he roared.
At this time, Dudley also interrupted, "Your godfather... Sirius is waiting for you."
This sentence seemed to be more powerful than Sirius's trumpet. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia looked at Dudley in surprise. They never mentioned Sirius's name. If they had to say it, they would use "the one in prison", "the murderer" or simply "the hippie is looking for you."
Harry's mind turned quickly, his eyes met Dudley's, and suddenly he understood what Dudley was thinking. He hurriedly said, "I'll go upstairs to get something--" He
returned to his room, stuffed the books and gifts he brought back from school under the bed, and then looked at the pile of candies and snacks on the bed, feeling worried. There were three large cakes placed side by side on the table, one of which was already opened.
After a few seconds, Harry thought of a good idea. He took out the golden snitch that Sirius gave him from his pocket and put all the snacks and candies in it, but when putting the cake in, he encountered some trouble and could only barely put one in.
He had no choice but to stuff the remaining two cakes under the bed and hide them behind the suitcase. After finishing all this, Harry clapped his hands in satisfaction. If Dudley sneaked in, he would get nothing. Under normal circumstances, there was no such worry, because the Dursleys regarded his room as a hotbed for spreading plague, and even quickened their pace when passing by.
But as far as he knew, hungry animals were the most dangerous and irrational. In other words, the same was true for hungry pigs.
Before leaving, Harry hesitated for a moment. Uncle Vernon had already called downstairs. Without thinking too much, he opened the Golden Snitch and shook out a handful of snacks, a cauldron cake, a sizzling bee candy, and a mess of things. Without looking closely, he put these candies in a conspicuous place.
Hurrying downstairs, Uncle Vernon pointed to the open door without saying a word. When Harry passed the dining table, he saw that the quarter of the grapefruit on his plate had disappeared. He grinned and walked out of the room.
Sirius had been waiting for a long time. He leaned on a very imposing motorcycle, and the exhaust port emitted a low roar. Harry sat on the back seat. Sirius started the motorcycle and quickly increased the speed. The wind whistled Harry's hair. Privet Drive was far away behind him. Harry shouted excitedly: "Where are we going?"
"London." Sirius roared, "I have prepared a complete plan."
...
They had a great time all day and traveled through half of London. Near the evening, Sirius took him for a ride along the Thames. The water reflected the golden sunset. Harry was still full of steak and oysters.
At seven o'clock in the evening, they returned to Privet Drive, but Harry didn't want to go back so early. When Sirius invited him to play wizard chess, he readily agreed.
Harry ruthlessly won three games of chess against his godfather, forcing Sirius to cheat and break up the chessboard, so they had to stay on the sofa and watch TV together.
It was almost ten o'clock when Mrs. Figg next door knocked on the door to complain that they were too noisy, and Harry realized that he should go back.
The lights at number 4 Privet Drive were still on, which made Harry a little confused. When he pushed open the door, he saw Uncle Vernon and Dudley squeezed on the sofa to watch the game. He breathed a sigh of relief. It was not what he thought. Harry deliberately paid attention to the expression on Dudley's face. He turned his head away guiltily.
"Go back to your room and don't disturb Petunia." Uncle Vernon whispered.
Harry returned to the room and opened the door. The pile of snacks was indeed gone. He hurriedly checked under the bed and found the cake intact.
He was overthinking...
Harry suddenly realized that Dudley couldn't bend down at all, let alone squeeze himself under the bed. He would get stuck. While lying on the bed, Harry couldn't help but recall his memories of today. He had to say that this was the best birthday he had ever had.