After getting tired of having to ask Hermione for everything concerning Hogwarts, he gave 'Hogwarts: A History' a read (if only to appease her). Upon arriving at chapter forty-seven, titled 'Hogwarts During the Summer', he quickly learned it was more than within the power of the Headmaster to allow students to stay over the summer. Harry still had the excerpt crinkled up in his pocket, tear marks indicating where he had ripped it from the textbook. He had taken to carrying it with him, a sort of bitter reminder for himself.
' - during the end of the seventeenth century (around 1692), witch burnings were an activity often practiced by muggles. They had been practiced since the beginning of Hogwarts' history, but never to such a large degree.
Although they never actually managed to burn a true witch or wizard (relatively basic spells allowed a magical to withstand the heat of muggle fires), they did manage to get a fair amount of wizarding children, who were unable to protect themselves. As such, the ministry (specifically Hogwarts' Board of Governors) allowed students the right to remain at Hogwarts during the summer if they felt the need to protect themselves.
This rule is still in place today, although rather than needing the approval of the Board of Governors (which would be a rather lengthy process), you simply need approval from the Headmaster or Headmistress of the school. Due to this being an issue of student safety, this only requires the approval of the Headmaster/Headmistress, and nothing from the Board of Governors, or anyone else. If a student is incapable of procuring permission from the Headmaster or Headmistress, they will not be allowed to stay, regardless of what anyone else - '
It was rather irritating to find out that Dumbledore had the power to help him, and still did nothing. To be fair, Dumbledore had not denied that it was out of his power, and even said that it was for Harry's betterment. Regardless, Harry was rather annoyed that Dumbledore could have potentially had Harry stay somewhere else, and still sent him to the Dursleys. He was beginning to understand why the Tom Marvolo Riddle of the diary had been so untrusting of Dumbledore. Of course, not to the same extent as Riddle had, but he wasn't nearly as blind to the headmaster's failings now as he was a few months prior.
Harry quickly stepped into the youngest Dursley's bedroom, looking around. It was a mess; clothes were thrown across the room, toys littered the floor, drawers were wide open. In the center of the room lay Dudley Dursley. Even while sleeping his resemblance to a swine remained, possibly even more than while awake; Harry couldn't help but compare Dudley's snores to the squeals of a dying pig.
Harry searched around the room, his eyes finally landing on a small box ten minutes later. It was the box Dudley had been using to store the money he stole from his father's wallet. Why he stole the cash, Harry would never know. He simply had to look at something and his mummy and daddy would buy it for their precious Diddykins. Harry opened the box slowly and took out the bills. There were around seventy to eighty bills, totaling up around five thousand pounds. Harry quietly swiped 5 hundred pound notes, as well as 5 twenties.
It's more than fair.
Harry had always known when Dudley had been stealing money from Uncle Vernon; it was always around the same time he got locked in his cupboard for thievery by his uncle and aunt. He suspected that they both knew it had been Dudley, but they wouldn't let that stop them from punishing the Harry. Harry quickly felt rage build up in his mind, caused by the unfairness of it all.
Boom.
Harry once again cursed his luck, turning around to see if Dudley had been awakened by the noise. It has been a clap of thunder, something that for some reason occurred every few weeks at Privet Drive; it was made particularly strange due to the fact that it was currently summer.
Aunt Petunia had informed him, with the usual snobbish air, that it was merely the weather releasing its frustration that there was a freak in their lovely town. He responded by asking his dear aunt whether she thought he might be able to get the lightning to smite her using his freakish powers. As far as he knew, that wasn't possible, but there was no need to tell her that. He hadn't received food for half a week after that comment.
It wasn't the only strange occurrence that had occurred in Privet Drive, and that was likely the reason his Aunt Petunia had believed him. Over the last few years, there has been rain, thunder, lightning, snow, and much more at the most unexpected of times. Even disregarding the weather, there had been other strange occurrences at Number 4, Privet Drive, but Harry knew that to be his magic occasionally acting up in fits of accidental magic.
Thankfully, Harry's whale of a cousin still lay asleep in his bed, undisturbed by the thunder. Considering the loudness of his snoring, Harry wasn't entirely surprised. Pocketing the money, Harry quickly made his way back to his room. From there, he took his Invisibility Cloak and wand, both of which would be useful when arrived in Diagon Alley.