Happy Birthday

The sea stretched endlessly, the sky overcast with gloom, and a tall tower stood in the heart of the island, surrounded by the sea.

Another muffled thunderous explosion echoed through the rough sea, and the wind and rain battered the windows.

On the tower's second floor, Penny sat on a chair in her pajamas, her face showing signs of weariness. She looked at her husband, Vernon, who was a bit on the heavier side, and said, "Vernon, are you absolutely sure that everything your business partner and you heard is true? Can we trust it?"

Vernon rolled over from the bed, sitting up and listening to the worry in his wife's voice. He couldn't help but feel a surge of anger against those wizards. "Penny, you have to believe me. My business partner has been in negotiations with our Dursley's drill company for over a decade and has had many private dealings. He told me that he's encountered similar situations himself and resolved them using this method. Don't worry; we'll be safe!"

Penny's anxiety eased slightly with her husband's repeated reassurances. "Vernon, I haven't been at ease lately. Even though I don't believe in sixth senses, since we moved to this island, things have not been..." She trailed off, unable to put her unease into words.

Vernon sighed and responded, "We should have realized that this island, surrounded by the sea, without electricity, signals, and limited food and water, was delivered to us in advance. Living conditions are a bit harsh, and the noise of the waves keeps us awake at night. But the culprits are those 'wizards,' and if they don't show up, our family should be enjoying a comfortable life by now, dining on bread and cream at the table."

Penny felt a bit annoyed by her husband's focus on food and retorted, "Vernon, don't you see?"

Vernon looked puzzled and asked, "See what?"

He continued, "Dudley has been locking himself in his room on the top floor for a while now, and he appears quite unhappy about our decision to move."

"But that's normal," Vernon mused. "He's had a relatively easy life since he was a child, and the living conditions on this island are far from luxurious, with no comfortable bedding or milk and meat products. It's natural for him to feel a bit negative, especially as a mother..."

Vernon looked at his wife with understanding and waved his hand dismissively. "Penny, don't worry. I trust Dudley. He just needs some time to adjust. He'll come to appreciate the benefits of our life in London, and the pros will outweigh the cons."

Penny sighed and said, "Okay, you're right. I shouldn't pressure Dudley too much. Let him adapt at his own pace. He's just a child, and children can adapt to their surroundings quickly. But I can't help but feel uneasy."

Vernon comforted her, "I understand, Penny. Let's not worry about it for now. We'll give Dudley some time, and he'll adjust. Our focus should be on staying safe here."

As they spoke, the ominous weather outside the window seemed to match their concerns.

"Vernon, have you noticed that Dudley's health is deteriorating rapidly? In recent days, he hardly comes out, and every time I bring his food, he asks me to leave it at the door, not returning the plates until the next day. But today, at noon, when I checked on him, I found that the food I left yesterday remained untouched. If I hadn't heard Dudley responding through the door's crack, I'd be genuinely worried about his well-being. He's always been such a polite child..."

As Penny shared her concerns, Vernon got out of bed and walked to the table, determined to address the situation.

"Alright, Penny, you don't need to worry. Dudley's situation is like a rebellion due to him not able to study with Morisson. Tomorrow, I'll bring him lunch and have a talk with him. Allowing him to have too much freedom in his education might not be a good thing."

Just then, there was another loud rumbling noise downstairs. This sound was harsh and distinct, unlike the earlier distant thunder. It made Vernon frown.

Penny, now looking frightened, stepped behind her husband.

Vernon casually grabbed a shotgun that he had prepared earlier from under the wall. He reassured Penny, "Don't worry, just follow me, and let's find out what's going on."

With the oil lamp in her hand, Penny followed her husband as they descended the stairs.

The lobby on the first floor of the tower was quite spacious. At that moment, they saw a small figure lying on the ground.

Since moving to the island, Harry had been sleeping on the first floor without a proper bed, only a carpet covering the cold floor beneath. He checked the time on his digital watch, and it read July 30, 11:59:10 p.m.

With just 50 seconds left, Harry gazed at a birthday cake he had drawn with his fingers in the sand and whispered to himself, "Happy birthday to yourself... Harry."