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Worst Birthday Ever
Harry's reception at the Dursleys' home is even worse than the original timeline, with his careless words during the merger having provoked them to lasting anger against him. Harry does his best to keep his head down, despite outright violence from Vernon, and he succeeds in defusing Dobby's visit, persuading Dobby not to interfere and to return his mail.
However, one of Harry's birthday packages turns out to be malicious, containing several live doxies, which attack him and Hedwig, forcing him to use his wand to defend himself. The resulting Ministry owl (for underage magic use) proves to be the last straw for Vernon, who proceeds to viciously beat him into unconsciousness.
- In Spite of a Nail: Harry stops Dobby from triggering an underage magic warning, but it happens anyway due to the doxies, with even more serious results.
- You Got Murder: Harry receives several live doxies in a box wrapped up like a birthday present. By themselves, they would probably not be fatal, although Hedwig was nearly blinded by one, and their bites are mildly venomous. The real damage, however, was that they forced him to use magic in self-defence, thus triggering a warning from the Ministry, which lets Vernon know Harry is, essentially, defenseless.
