A Barn Owl Delivers a Letter from the Ministry of Magic

PAGES: 20-21

Just as Uncle Vernon tries to smooth things over with the Masons, a barn owl swoops into the dining room and drops a letter from the Ministry of Magic on Mrs. Mason's head. The letter accuses Harry of using a Hover Charm and warns that further magic could lead to his expulsion from Hogwarts. The Masons leave in terror, and Uncle Vernon explodes in anger at Harry, threatening to lock him up forever.

Uncle Vernon might still have been able to make his deal—if it hadn’t been for the owl.

Aunt Petunia was just passing around a box of after dinner mints when a huge barn owl swooped through the dining room window, dropped a letter on Mrs. Mason’s head, and swooped out again. Mrs. Mason screamed like a banshee and ran from the house shouting about lunatics. Mr. Mason stayed just long enough to tell the Dursleys that his wife was mortally afraid of birds of all shapes and sizes, and to ask whether this was their idea of a joke.

Harry stood in the kitchen, clutching the mop for support, as Uncle Vernon advanced on him, a demonic glint in his tiny eyes.

“Read it!” he hissed evilly, brandishing the letter the owl had delivered. “Go on—read it!”

Harry took it. It did not contain birthday greetings.

Dear Mr. Potter,

We have received intelligence that a Hover Charm was used at your place of residence this evening at twelve minutes past nine.

[PAGE 21]

As you know, underage wizards are not permitted to perform spells outside school, and further spellwork on your part may lead to expulsion from said school (Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, 1875, Paragraph C).

We would also ask you to remember that any magical activity that risks notice by members of the non magical community (Muggles) is a serious offense under section 13 of the International Confederation of Warlocks’ Statute of Secrecy.

Enjoy your holidays!

Yours sincerely,

Mafalda Hopkirk

IMPROPER USE OF MAGIC OFFICE

Ministry of Magic

Harry looked up from the letter and gulped.

“You didn’t tell us you weren’t allowed to use magic outside school,” said Uncle Vernon, a mad gleam dancing in his eyes. “Forgot to mention it... Slipped your mind, I daresay...”

He was bearing down on Harry like a great bulldog, all his teeth bared. “Well, I’ve got news for you, boy... I’m locking you up... You’re never going back to that school... never... and if you try and magic yourself out—they’ll expel you!”