PAGES: 42-42

Despite Uncle Vernon’s efforts, the letters find Harry at the hotel. The receptionist delivers a stack of them, much to Vernon’s horror. Harry tries to grab one, but Vernon angrily takes them all. Aunt Petunia suggests they return home, but Vernon is determined to continue their wild chase. He drives aimlessly once again, stopping in bizarre locations like a forest, a field, and a parking garage, as Dudley starts to question his father’s sanity.

Uncle Vernon stopped at last outside a gloomy looking hotel on the outskirts of a big city. Dudley and Harry shared a room with twin beds and damp, musty sheets. Dudley snored but Harry stayed awake, sitting on the windowsill, staring down at the lights of passing cars and wondering...

They ate stale cornflakes and cold tinned tomatoes on toast for breakfast the next day. They had just finished when the owner of the hotel came over to their table.

“’Scuse me, but is one of you Mr. H. Potter? Only I got about an ’undred of these at the front desk.”

She held up a letter so they could read the green ink address:

Mr. H. Potter
Room 17
Railview Hotel
Cokeworth

Harry made a grab for the letter but Uncle Vernon knocked his hand out of the way. The woman stared.

“I’ll take them,” said Uncle Vernon, standing up quickly and following her from the dining room.