The missing boys ✔

Part 3: The Dursleys

Ron followed Harry stealthily into the Dursley's house. He followed him down a hallway, and expected to go up the stairs, but was surprised when Harry stopped at the cupboard under the stairs, opened it, and climbed in. Ron stood there, confused until Harry beckoned him in after him.

Ron slipped into the cupboard and was surprised to see some blankets and pillows. A bundle of clothes lay in the corner and there was a small shelf with some school supplies and—

Ron leapt out of the cupboard with a suppressed scream.

"Shut up" Harry hissed angrily. "What's the matter with you?"

"There's spiders in there!" Ron hissed back.

"So?" asked Harry. He was around spiders all the time; he didn't see why Ron was so upset.

"I—I can't sleep with spiders" said Ron shaking his head violently.

"Well there's no other option," said Harry.

"Can't we sleep in your bedroom?" asked Ron.

"This is my bedroom," said Harry angrily, blushing.

Ron stared at him.

"Muggles live in spider cupboards?" he asked incredulously.

Harry sighed. "No, just me. The Dursley's didn't want to waste a bedroom on me so I sleep here, if you don't like it you can leave" he said bluntly. Though as he said this his heart sunk. He really didn't want Ron to leave. He liked Ron, he was interesting, and Harry wanted to help him.

Ron gulped.

"Are—Are there a whole lot of spiders in there?" he asked.

"No" Harry lied firmly.

"Well, I guess I can try," said Ron.

He climbed slowly into the cupboard and sat down next to Harry, taking deep breathes. Harry looked at Ron, suddenly feeling bad. Ron was really scared. Harry wasn't afraid of spiders but he was afraid of Dudley and his gang.

Harry could only imagine how scared he would be if he had to get into an enclosed space with those brutes.

Ron felt something on his arm and froze. Harry looked at what Ron was staring at. A big spider was crawling on him.

Harry didn't know why he did it. It was instinct he supposed. He opened his mouth and an ominous hissing filled the cupboard. It was as if a gigantic snake were in there with them and the spider leapt off of Ron and ran from the cupboard. In fact, there was a small scuffle and suddenly over a dozen spiders ran across the walls of the cupboard and scurried out the door. The spiders were moving so fast; it was if they were running for their lives.

Ron clutched at Harry's arm as this happened and sniffled, trying not to cry.

After a moment he let go of Harry and took a shaky breath.

"D-Did you scare away the spiders with your magic?" he asked.

"I-I guess" said Harry, shocked. They both sat there for a moment, then Harry laid down.

"We should go to sleep now," said Harry quietly.

"Y-Yea" said Ron.