[HPforGrownups] Re: Who is the boy?

[Lea]

No: HPFGUIDX 54106


 
 
Aesob wrote:

>I think it has to be Harry, it would be strange to have the >book open with 
>another teenage boy lying in the Dursley yard. Also, I >don't think the book 
>would open with Harry doing yardwork (though I could be >wrong). Why is he 
>outside on the hottest day of the summer when it seems that >no one else is 
>out? 

>The mental image this conjures for me is a boy (I think >it's got to be Harry) 
>compressing the fresh, loose dirt of a raised flowerbed >bordered by lawn, 
>crushing Aunt Petunia's flowers, probably about to get >yelled at.>


And now me:

Page 13 of CoS:

"Harry paid dearly for his moment of fun. As neither Dudley nor the hedge was in any way hurt, Aunt Petunia knew he hadn't really done magic, but he still had to duck as she aimed a heavy blow at his head with the soapy frying pan. Then she gave him work to do, with the promise he wouldn't eat again until he'd finished.

While Dudley lolled around watching and eating ice-creams, Harry cleaned the windows, washed the car, mowed the lawn, trimmed the flowerbeds, pruned and watered the roses and repainted the garden bench. The sun blazed overhead, burning the back of his neck......

"Wish they could see the famous Harry Potter now" he thought savagely, as he spread manure on the flowerbeds, his back aching, sweat running down his face.

It was half past seven in the evening when at last, exhausted, he heard Aunt Petunia call him in."

Since he has obviously been made to do such work in the past on a hot day, there is no reason to think that Aunt Petunia might not again inflict the same punishment on Harry at the opening of OotP.  I guess the question that remains is whether Harry is lying in the flowerbed on his own choosing. Possibilities are endless..  but June 21 approaches, thank goodness!

Lea (who wishes she wasn't scheduled to work the weekend the book is released, will anyone believe me if I call in sick?)



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