Memories my boy, memories

Chapter 11- the zoo

TW

EDITED - 28/11/21

(Memories in italics)

-

"Why won't these bloody letters stop coming!?" Vernon shouted as he ripped on of the Hogwarts letters up. He was losing his marbles.

"Vernon, dear, calm down." Petunia tried.

"You know what Pet, you are right. Tomorrow is Sunday. That means no post. We can live our lives in peace tomorrow." Vernon said and inhaled a breath of much-needed air to cease the anger within him.

"Sunday's are the best." Petunia agreed.

"Wait wait wait." Blaise started, "they were ripping all your Hogwarts letters?"

Harry nodded, "yeah. It gets even more funny though. It will probably be the next memory but we have to go to the zoo for Dudley's birthday and it is hilarious."

"Really? That sounds fun." Pansy spoke.

"Hold on to your hats. It is a bumpy ride." Harry said, the memories started.

"Happy birthday my Dudders!" Petunia said enthusiastically and kissed Dudley on the forehead, "freak, make sure you don't burn the breakfast."

"Yes aunt Petunia." Harry retorted and mumbled multiple other words under his breath. The cuts on his forearms were burning. 

"Do you want to open your presents?" She asked.

"How many are there?" Dudley asked in a rude tone.

"Thirty-six. Counted 'em myself." Vernon said happily.

Dudley's face expressed anger, "thirty-six? Last year- last year I had thirty-seven!"

Petunia and Vernon looked at each other, concerned, "yes, but there are some bigger ones this year! We are going to the zoo, too!"

They were bickering for longer and Harry just scowled at them.

Ungrateful prick, he thought.

"But mummy! I don't want the freak to come to the zoo with us! Why can't he stay with the crazy cat lady?" Dudley expressed his hatred towards Harry.

"Arabella Figg has broken her leg and she can't look after the boy, aunt Marge is currently out of town. We have no other option, unfortunately." Petunia explained.

"Why can't he just stay here locked in his cupboard?" Dudley asked, stamping his feet like a toddler.

"Because if he uses his-" Vernon chimed in and then whispered, "freakishness. Then he could leave his cupboard and mess up the house."

"But that isn't fair!" Dudley exclaimed.

"It is okay, Dudley! Your father will make sure the boy behaves and does nothing." Petunia spoke to reassure Dudley, Vernon nodded in agreement.

The breakfast Harry made had gone down a treat, but no one commented on it.

They went to the car and Petunia and Dudley got inside it, leaving Vernon and Harry to chat.

"Listen here boy, if you do anything freaky or ruin Dudley's birthday, you will regret it. Am I understood?" Vernon warned, Harry nodded vigorously.

"Yes, sir."

"Good, get in the car and pretend you don't exist." Vernon forced and Harry complied.

Vernon started driving, and in no time, they arrived at the zoo.

They got out of the car and entered, Dudley immediately sped ahead.

An hour of meaningless pottering about passed before they approached the snake section.

Harry was jittering where he was standing. He needed a good laugh.

Draco was looking at him like he was insane, not knowing what to expect.

"Look at this snake!" Dudley said. He knocked on the glass, the snake didn't move.

"It isn't moving! Daddy, make it move!" Dudley screamed. Vernon knocked on the glass loudly. Still no movement.

"Forget about the snake Dudley, come look at this gecko." Vernon spoke and they walked to where the gecko was. Harry stayed with the snake.

"Sorry about them." Harry said to the snake. It moved. Harry's eyes widened, "can you hear me?"

The snake nodded its head.

"Cool! Where are you from?" Harry asked, the snake pointed its head to a sign that read 'bread in captivity'.

"Oh. Sorry. I was too. I-" before Harry could finish, Dudley pushed him to the ground and knocked on the glass where the snake was again.

"Look mummy, daddy! The snake moved!" Dudley expressed happily.

Harry was glaring at Dudley and the glass, anger in his veins. Suddenly, the glass disappeared out of no where and Dudley fell into the snake sanctuary. The snake slithered out of the environment and then went up to Harry.

"Thanks amigo!" The snake said to him and left. The glass appeared again, leaving Dudley stuck in there. Harry snickered.

Vernon glared over at Harry and concluded that it was his fault. Whether it really was or was not.

"You boy! You are going to be sorry you were born when we get back!" Vernon shouted at Harry. He gulped and nodded sheepishly.

The memory finished and everyone in the room was in hysterics by it. Some crying of laughter.

"Oh, Merlin! That was the best thing I have watched In a while!" Ginny laughed, Luna agreed, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Eventually, the laughing ceased and everyone calmed down.

"Wow, Harry. I was not sure why you looked so happy to watch that memory, but now I get it." Draco said lovingly and gave Harry a kiss.

"Probably my favourite memory." Harry said. Everyone in the room glared at him, "other than meeting you guys, of course."

"Nice save." Pansy pointed out, Harry smiled.