How It All Goes Down
The Invitation
- Harry walks down to the breakfast table.
- Uncle Vernon has received a letter from Molly Weasley (Ron's mother) about the Quidditch World Cup.
- This letter, of course, has made Uncle Vernon furious.
- First, it's covered with stamps, and Uncle Vernon hates anything that looks at all out-of-the-ordinary or unusual.
- Second, Uncle Vernon hates bothering about Harry.
- Uncle Vernon asks Harry what Quidditch is.
- Harry replies: "It's a sport [...] played on broom –" (3.43). (Maybe Harry should have fudged the truth about that one.)
- "'All right, all right!' [says] Uncle Vernon loudly" (3.44).
- To stop Harry talking about wizarding culture, Uncle Vernon quickly tells Harry he definitely can't go to the Quidditch World Cup.
- But Harry threatens to write to his godfather, Sirius Black (who's still wanted for murder) to say that Uncle Vernon won't let Harry go.
- Uncle Vernon quickly changes his tune. Harry is allowed to go to the Quidditch World Cup and spend the rest of the summer with the Weasleys.
- Harry runs up to his room.
- He finds two owls. One is his owl, Hedwig, and the other is a tiny owl, "small enough to fit into the palm of his hand, whizzing excitedly around the room like a loose firework" (3.62).
- This tiny owl, "Pig," belongs to Ron.
- He is carrying a letter from Ron saying that the Weasleys are going to arrive at 5:00 the next day.
- Hermione, Ron and Harry's other best friend, is already staying with the Weasleys.
- Harry writes a quick reply: "Ron, it's all okay, the Muggles say I can come. See you at five o'clock tomorrow" (3.70).
- Harry sends Pig back to Ron with his answer.
- Harry also attaches his letter to Sirius to Hedwig's leg, and she flies off.
- Harry is feeling pretty great: all seems right with the world. (For now.)