Chapter 1: 1. The Man Whose Name Cannot Be Mentioned
The weather in London is as changeable as the mood of a young woman in a new relationship. One moment the sky is clear, and the next moment it begins to drizzle. The rain mixed with dust creates a unique odor.
Located in Surrey County, southwest of London, stands a primary school with a long history, St. George's Primary School.
Inside the outer wall, three greasy and disheveled-looking upperclassmen were lazily leaning against the wall. Their faces showed complete decadence, in stark contrast to the youthful and vibrant campus atmosphere, displaying their 'individual' characteristics.
Just then, a 'pipsqueak' wearing large black-rimmed glasses, an oversized school uniform, and with a lightning-shaped scar on his forehead, hurried past the three while holding bread.
After two of them exchanged glances, the taller one quickly followed.
The person put his arm around the 'little pipsqueak's' shoulder and said in a very familiar tone: "Look, isn't this our Mr. Kate?"
"The 50 pence you owed me last week, when are you planning to pay it back this week?"
The 'pipsqueak' had never encountered such a situation and was frightened, lowering his head, not daring to look at them, and could only weakly argue: "I'm sorry, sir, you must have mistaken me for someone else, my name is not Kate."
As soon as he finished speaking, he was slapped across the face, his glasses flew to one side, and his hair was messed up.
The tall one said viciously: "Are you saying my eyesight is bad? I say you're Kate, so you're Kate."
Perhaps because the commotion was quite loud, the surrounding children all cast inquiring glances. At this time, the other two leaning against the wall also stood up, one responsible for driving people away and one for keeping watch, while the remaining one dragged the little pipsqueak toward a secluded area of the school.
Their movements were very skillful and smooth, obviously not the first time they had done such a thing.
Schools always have those who like to bully others, especially in a school like St. George's Primary School where there are even more. For example, these few who took away the 'pipsqueak' were such people.
The surrounding children had never seen such a scene and were all frightened and ran away.
"Hand it over." The short, stout boy next to him snatched the bread from the 'pipsqueak's' hand: "I haven't had breakfast yet, so I'll just have a taste. Ugh. This damn bread is as hard as a rock, who would like to eat such a crappy thing."
Despite using all his strength, he could only leave a tooth mark on the bread, and it hurt his cheek.
"That's my brother's favorite baguette." The 'pipsqueak' quickly picked up the discarded bread, hugging it to his chest for fear that the other would take it again. Looking at the faint tooth mark on the bread, he said in a slightly tearful voice: "It's over, Dudley will be angry if he knows someone touched his food."
The 'pipsqueak's' excessive concern for the bread did not attract the attention of the three, considering that he had not reacted at all when slapped in the face just now.
Among them, the short, stout boy said with full disdain: "What is your brother anyway?"
Who in St. George's would dare to provoke our Hobbit Trio?
"Yes, yes, yes, it's your brother's bread." The tall one's eyes rolled, and he bent down to pat the 'pipsqueak's' face, saying 'kindly': "So your brother Moses also owes us 50 pence, you see, now you two brothers owe us a total of 1 pound."
"My brother is not named Moses, and I am not named Kate." The 'pipsqueak' was clearly trembling with fear, but still tried to argue strongly.
He knew that if he compromised out of fear, even more terrifying things would happen.
"Didn't you understand what I just said?" Hearing that the 'pipsqueak' dared to contradict him, the tall one immediately changed from his previous kindness, his expression turning fierce: "Then please tell me now what your name is?"
The speed of his change of face was truly remarkable.
"Harry. Harry Potter!"
"Smack!" Harry was slapped across the face again.
The tall one said cursing: "Still don't understand what I said? Your name is Kate, and you and your brother owe us a total of 1 pound."
The tall one insisted on changing the name because if admitted, even reported to teachers, they could claim mistaken identity. After all, they were collecting debt from 'Kate,' not extorting Harry. As for the money? Harry gave it voluntarily.
But upon hearing the name from the pipsqueak, the silent trio member paled urgently stopping the tall one: "Jim, stop! He said Harry Potter."
"So what? Harvey." Jim asked confused, missing the point.
"Leave now!" Harvey pulled them away.
The short stout boy, sensing tension, quickly asked: "What do his parents do?" He feared provoking someone dangerous like police or gangsters.
"Heard his parents died in a crash," Harvey blurted, urging again: "Not the time. Go!"
Relieved, the stout boy sighed while Jim snapped: "Then what's the scare?" He thought his companion was mad—soon they'd get 1 pound!
Harvey nearly cried at their stupidity: "His brother's Dudley."
"Dudley? Which Dudley?" Jim remained clueless.
"How many Dudleys at St. George's? Obviously... Dudley Dursley!" Harvey raised his voice but lowered it saying the name, despairing at their slowness.
"Who's that?"
The stout boy still didn't understand, hating the riddles. Why not speak plainly? Poke once, move once—like squeezing toothpaste?
Jim, sharper, turned to Harry: "Hey Potter, how old's your brother?"
"S-same as me, fourth grade," Harry answered honestly.
"What's scary about a fourth-grader?" Jim relaxed, baffled by Harvey's tension: "We graduate this year. What's wrong, Harvey?"
"Then perhaps you've heard this name." Seeming to steel himself, Harvey motioned them closer, whispering. He spoke a name with extreme slowness.
"Food Guard Dursley!"
His words unlocked a taboo. Everyone hearing it, including Harry, froze mid-breath.
(End of Chapter)