The Scar (GF)

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The Scar is the second chapter of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Waking up

Harry Potter wakes up panting from the vivid dream (GF1) he's just had. His scar is burning. He reaches for his glasses and tries to remember details of the dream; he cannot recall Voldemort's exact appearance (GF32), nor can he place the old man he saw. He attempts to switch his attention back to the book he'd been reading (Flying with the Cannons), but he is far too preoccupied.

Privet Drive is quiet on this Saturday morning, and the boy wonders whether it is possible for the Dark Lord to be nearby. He considers telling someone about the pain in his scar: not the Dursleys, of course, that would be ridiculous; Hermione Granger would worriedly advise him to talk to Albus Dumbledore (Harry doesn't even know where the Headmaster goes during the holidays) and start researching in book such as Common Magical Ailments and Afflictions; Ron Weasley would be frightened and offer to ask his father.

Writing to Sirius

Harry longs to have a parent with whom he can talk about this sort of thing—and then the idea to write to Sirius Black, his godfather, occurs to him. Sirius, though in hiding, has been very helpful this summer: the Dursleys were terrified to hear that Harry's godfather is a dangerous murderer (PA1), and even let the boy keep his school items in his room, unlike the previous year (CS1).

Sirius has sent Harry two letters this summer, brought not by owls but by large tropical birds. Hedwig had been reluctant to befriend the intruders, but they made Harry happy; he hopes Sirius has been enjoying himself, wherever he is. Both letters had sounded cheerful.

Fetching his eagle-feather quill, he writes the following letter:

Dear Sirius,

Thanks for your last letter, that bird was enormous, it could hardly get through my window.

Things are the same as usual around here. Dudley's diet isn't going too well. My aunt found him smuggling doughnuts into his room yesterday. They told him they'd have to cut his pocket money if he keeps doing it, so he got really angry and chucked his PlayStation out of the window. That's a sort of computer thing you can play games on. Bit stupid really, now he hasn't even got Mega-Mutilation Part Three to take his mind off things.

I'm OK, mainly because the Dursleys are terrified you might turn up and turn them all into bats if I ask you to.

A weird thing happened this morning, though. My scar hurt again. Last time that happened, it was because Voldemort was at Hogwarts (PS16). But I don't reckon he can be anywhere near me now, can he? Do you know if curse scars sometimes hurt years afterwards?

I'll send this with Hedwig when she gets back, she's off hunting at the moment. Say hello to Buckbeak for me.

Harry

Harry thinks that there is no need to tell Sirius about his dream. Setting the letter aside for now, he gets dressed to go have breakfast.