; 
then, to Harry's and Hermione's great surprise, he held him out for 
Crookshanks to sniff. 

"What do you reckon?" Ron asked the cat. "Definitely an owl?" 

Crookshanks purred. 

"That's good enough for me," said Ron happily. "He's mine." 

Harry read and reread the letter from Sirius all the way back into 
King's Cross station. It was still clutched tightly in his hand as he, 
Ron, and Hermione stepped back through the barrier of platform nine an (' 
three-quarters. Harry spotted Uncle Vernon at once. He was standing a 
good distance from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, eyeing them suspiciously, and 
when Mrs. Weasley hugged Harry in greeting, his worst suspicions about 
them seemed confirmed. 

"I'll call about the World Cup!" Ron yelled after Harry as Harry bid him 
and Hermione good-bye, then wheeled the trolley bearing his trunk and 
Hedwig's cage toward Uncle Vernon, who greeted him in his usual fashion. 

"What's that?" he snarled, staring at the envelope Harry was still 
clutching in his hand. "If it's another form for me to sign, you've got 
another ---" 

"It's not," said Harry cheerfully. "It's a letter from my godfather." 

"Godfather?" sputtered Uncle Vernon. "You haven't got a godfather!" 

"Yes, I have," said Harry brightly. "He was my mum and dad's best 
friend. He's a convicted murderer, but he's broken out of wizard prison 
and he's on the run. He likes to keep in touch with me, though... keep 

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up with my news... check if I'm happy..." 

And, grinning broadly at the look of horror on Uncle Vernon's face, 
Harry set off toward the station exit, Hedwig rattling along in front of 
him, for what looked like a much better summer than the last. 

THE END 

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