rather, as though he was something very nasty that couldn't understand them,

like a slug.

 

"What about what's-her-name, your friend -- Yvonne?"

 

"On vacation in Majorca," snapped Aunt Petunia.

 

"You could just leave me here," Harry put in hopefully (he'd be able to watch

what he wanted on television for a change and maybe even have a go on Dudley's

computer).

 

Aunt Petunia looked as though she'd just swallowed a lemon.

 

"And come back and find the house in ruins?" she snarled.

 

"I won't blow up the house," said Harry, but they weren't listening.

 

"I suppose we could take him to the zoo," said Aunt Petunia slowly, "...

 

and leave him in the car...."

 

"That car's new, he's not sitting in it alone...."

 

Dudley began to cry loudly. In fact, he wasn't really crying -- it had been

years since he'd really cried -- but he knew that if he screwed up his face and