"Do you know if curse scars sometimes hurt years afterwards?"
-- Harry Potter
Harry awakens from a bad dream with his scar burning, we recap his previous adventures, and Harry writes a letter to his godfather.
Calendar and Dates
The entire action of the chapter takes place in Harry's bedroom at number four, Privet Drive, before breakfast on a Saturday morning in August of 1994.
Interesting facts and notes
The title, of course, is a reference to Harry's curse-scar. This chapter marks the first time that Harry becomes aware of his mental link with Voldemort. (The spasms of pain he experienced in his first year weren't accompanied by detailed visions of this kind, in which Harry sees what is currently happening where Voldemort is.)
The main purpose served by this chapter is to recap some of the main points of the preceding books and provide brief character sketches of some of the main characters. The exposition is handled rather gracefully, as Harry mentally runs through his wizarding acquaintances while trying to decide whom to ask for advice about his curse-scar pains.
A skinny boy of fourteen looked back at him...
Consequently, the date is sometime during the month of August in 1994, since Harry's birthday was 31 July and term starts on 1 September.
Asleep was the way Harry liked the Dursleys best; it wasn't as though they were ever any help to him awake.
Ironic, since the very presence of Harry's blood relatives has been a primary factor in keeping Harry alive (if not well and happy) for most of his life.
...he heard his cousin Dudley give a tremendous grunting snore from the next room.
As Harry will learn the following year, this works both ways; Dudley can hear Harry's nightmares.
...Voldemort - the most powerful Dark wizard for a century, a wizard who had been gaining power steadily for eleven years...
That is, Voldemort's first rise to power began ten years before Harry was born, which dates it c. 1970.
Exceptional character moments
Harry's reluctance to admit to being worried about his curse-scar pains, because he cares so much about the Weasleys' good opinion of him. It says a lot about how quickly his relationship with Sirius has developed that he's willing to write to him and ask his advice.
Memorable lines
Asleep was the way Harry liked the Dursleys best; it wasn't as though they were ever any help to him awake.
They were Muggles (non-magic people) who hated and despised magic in any form, which meant that Harry was about as welcome in their house as dry rot.
But their attitude had changed since they had found out that Harry had a dangerous murderer for a godfather - Harry had conveniently forgotten to tell them that Sirius was innocent.
I'm OK, mainly because the Dursleys are terrified you might turn up and turn them all into bats if I ask you to.
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