It's been 10 full years since Harry was left to live with his Aunt & Uncle. Since then, living with the Dursleys has been a nightmare. Harry has been treated very badly, getting "hand-me-down" clothes from Dudley, forced to live under the stairs, and getting leftovers from supper. Harry was always picked on by Dudley and his bully friends from school.

On Dudley's birthday, they all went to the zoo and were forced to take Harry long. There, Harry did something strange. He was able to talk to a snake. After talking with the snake for a bit, Dudley came flying in and pushed Harry aside, then in anger, Harry someone made the wall of glass to the snake cage disappear and the snake escaped, scaring poor Dudley in the process. When they got home, Vernon was so angry and locked Harry in his room under the stairs with no lights.