The constable headed toward the pantry. Vernon's bulk loomed in his path. Mr. Dursley spread his arms and said nervously:
- He's just a child, don't listen to him, he's lying out of spite.
"But it's true!" Dudley screamed hysterically and stamped his feet.
Petunia tried to grab her son, but he eluded her grasp.
"Dudley, shut up!" Mrs. Dursley hissed in anger.
"Mr. Dursley, step aside, or I will be forced to perceive your actions as resistance to a representative of authority," the policeman said calmly.
Vernon had no choice. He turned even paler and stepped aside.
The constable, Madam Taylor, and Mr. Connor approached the cupboard under the stairs and flung open the door. There, the three of them stood frozen like statues, their huge eyes filled with utter amazement.
"Oh my God!" the old woman from the child protection services exclaimed in shock. "You actually put a child in a closet! You monsters!"
Harry watched the unfolding events with trepidation. He'd never seen his aunt and uncle so frightened. Even Dudley realized something terrible was happening, and he fell silent.
Vernon sighed heavily and walked closer to Harry. He said to the boy:
"Uh... Harry, about that cupboard. Your aunt and I have been thinking about it for a while and decided that you're old enough to continue living there. We thought it would be better if you moved into Dudley's second bedroom."
Madam Taylor gave Vernon a disapproving look and said:
"Mr. Dursley, this won't help you anymore. We're filing a case for improper custody. Now the judge will decide your fate and that of your wife."
"Please..." Mr. Dursley groaned softly, "we'll improve. Don't look at how the boy lived. We just thought it would be better for him. He's... Uh... afraid of large spaces."
"Don't make up nonsense!" Madam Taylor snapped. "I've seen guardians treat adopted children like this more than once in my career."
The old woman approached Harry, squatted down and asked in a soft tone:
- Harry, tell me, did your uncle and aunt beat you?
"Um... No, ma'am," Potter mumbled.
"Really?" Mrs. Taylor asked. "Don't worry, they won't hurt you again. You can tell me everything."
"No, definitely not, ma'am," Potter shook his head.
"Perhaps your uncle touched you in different places, sat you on his lap?" the guardianship representative continued her questioning.
Petunia muttered something quietly and rolled her eyes. It seemed as if she had stopped breathing. The woman was on the verge of fainting.
Vernon's eyes widened, and he was so scared he held his breath.
"No, ma'am," Potter replied. He plucked up his courage and added, "The only people who ever beat me were Dudley and his friends."
"I told you: your son has been brought up terribly!" Madam Taylor stated, turning to Petunia. "It's perfectly clear: you need to be stripped of your parental rights, and both children should be immediately placed in foster care."
"I don't want to go to an orphanage!" Dudley howled, realizing things were getting serious.
Petunia leaned against the wall and, with some incredible effort of will, remained conscious, but was ready to collapse unconscious at any moment.
"My son... Harry... How can this happen?!" she sobbed hysterically.