Chapter 2 Summary

The start of Chapter 2 takes the reader into the future; it is almost 10 years since Harry was dropped off on the Dursleys' doorstep. The reader meets Dudley on his tenth birthday with Harry close behind in age. Dudley is a spoiled, overindulged child who is overweight and quite a bully. He is very upset that he has received only 36 gifts for his birthday this year, which is two less than the previous year. He manipulates his parents into making up the difference, and they are glad to oblige. Conversely, Harry is berated and forced to sleep in a cupboard under the stairs in small quarters with an abundance of spiders for company.

The family is about to depart for Dudley's annual birthday outing, when Harry's Aunt Petunia finds out that the "sitter" cannot take Harry for the day as planned. They are forced...