Both Harry and Dudley had been rather displeased to see her change the channel to some gardening show. Dudley knew nothing about plants, and was therefore bored out of his mind. Harry, thanks to his chores, knew way too much about gardening than he would have liked. Unfortunately, Harry wasn't exactly capable of persuading his aunt not to change the channel. He wasn't even supposed to be watching in the first place.
Harry had been surprised to see that Aunt Petunia wasn't even willing to change the channel when Dudley threw one of his many temper tantrums. If there was one thing that was true at number four, Privet Drive (as far as Harry knew, anyway), it was that whenever Dudley wanted something, he got it. Harry had also been rather annoyed that Dudley was denied the one time Harry actually wanted him to get his wish.
Harry snapped out of his thoughts, looking back at the lock. It seemed to have been put in place rather hastily. Perhaps it would fall off with a bit of good luck? Harry hoped so, as there wasn't much else that he could really do. Banging his door was certain to attract the attention, and ire, of the Dursleys.
Unlock, just unlock so I can get some food . . . just open!
Harry watched with wide eyes as the lock shifted slightly in place, causing the cupboard door to open slightly. He was never this lucky, one could easily realize that when they saw the room he slept in every night. But the door was quite obviously open, allowing a small amount of moonlight entry into the cupboard.
A half hour later Harry had returned to the cupboard and was happily munching on a bowl of mac and cheese. It had taken him much longer than was necessary to make, but he had done so on purpose, not at all interested in attracting the attention of the Dursleys.
He had also snuck quite a few snacks into his cupboard, including donuts, cakes, cookies, and chocolates. Harry was never allowed any sort of confectionary item, largely due to Dudley complaining whenever Harry received one. Harry would be sure to spread these out for as long as possible.
Harry Potter happily went to sleep that night, having had one of the best meals of his life. His young mind continued to dream of his meal, even as he went to sleep.
When Harry woke up the next morning, he had forgotten all about the unlocking of the door, too happy to finally have decent food by his side.
" - and once you have put your books in your bags, you may head off to the yard for your snack break." said the teacher, standing at the front of the classroom.
The students of Harry's year two class all roared with delight, before each sprinting out of the classroom. Harry, however, was not nearly as interested.
The now seven year old Harry was still as skinny and frail as he was years ago, his eating habits not having been changed by his aunt or uncle. His facial features, however, had improved. His cheekbones had become slightly more defined, and his emerald eyes often gave a soft and beautiful glow.
Regardless, Harry was very lonely. When he and Dudley had started their schooling, Dudley had been sure to cement Harry's reputation as a loser, and had quickly succeeded. Harry now had zero friends of his own, and he could think of absolutely no one who even remotely liked him.
All of the boys at the school either ignored him or bullied him. The girls were mostly the same, although a few did send him occasional glances of sympathy. That annoyed Harry the most; it was as though they really wanted to help him, but decided against it. Why couldn't they just help him out when Dudley and his gang weren't around?
But there was another reason as to why nobody liked being around Harry, and even he knew it. Strange things often occurred when Harry was around. A few months ago, Harry had managed to completely regrow his hair, which his Aunt Petunia had chopped off. A bit before that, he had somehow shrunk a sweater his aunt tried to force him to wear.
Just last week, he had managed to turn his teacher's wig blue. He had absolutely no idea how he could have possibly done that, and neither did anyone else - but they all still blamed him.
That, combined with Dudley's favourite sport of Harry Hunting, was why Harry despised recess breaks. Whenever he was being chastised by Dudley and his gang, he occasionally managed to cause something strange to happen, which always ended with him being locked in his cupboard for days on end.
"Harry?" asked Miss White, Harry's teacher. She was a fairly attractive teacher in her mid twenties, who had somewhat recently moved to Surrey a few years prior. Miss White knew very well why Harry did not seem in a rush to head to recess, but that didn't mean she could keep him in the classroom, nor did that mean she particularly wanted to. Even she, as his teacher, had to admit that boy was strange in a way that slightly unsettled her.
Harry nodded slowly, knowing that she would not allow him to stay inside. They had had this conversation many times before, and they each ended in the same way. Harry could only hope that nothing strange would happen to him today.