In this chapter, we fast-forward ten years from the initial events of Harry's life, and we find Harry Potter living with his aunt, uncle, and cousin, the Dursleys, in their home at 4 Privet Drive. The Dursleys are depicted as a typical, unkind family who treat Harry poorly, making him sleep in a cupboard under the stairs and subjecting him to a life of neglect and mistreatment. Harry's life is filled with chores and scorn; he is often bullied by his cousin Dudley, who is spoiled and overweight, reflecting the Dursleys' favoritism towards him.

Despite the harsh treatment, Harry remains a resilient character, exhibiting an innate sense of kindness and a deep-seated curiosity about the world. His life at the Dursleys is marked by a series of strange occurrences that hint at his magical abilities, although he remains unaware of his true heritage. For instance, he has experienced unexplained phenomena where his emotions seem to affect the environment around him, such as when he unintentionally makes Dudley’s friends' bullying tactics backfire.

The chapter also highlights the Dursleys' fear of anything out of the ordinary. This fear manifests as a frantic attempt to suppress Harry's unusual abilities, which they cannot comprehend. The narrative builds up to a significant event during a trip to the zoo, which is a rare outing for Harry, as the Dursleys usually prefer to leave him at home.

During the zoo visit, Harry is thrilled to be in a different environment and observes the animals with fascination. When Dudley and his friend Piers Polkiss bully Harry yet again, he finds himself in front of the snake enclosure. In a moment of desperation and excitement, Harry communicates with the boa constrictor, revealing his ability to speak to snakes. To his astonishment, the glass wall of the enclosure disappears, allowing the snake to escape and causing chaos in the zoo. This incident not only highlights Harry's magical powers but also symbolizes his longing for freedom from the Dursleys' oppressive household.

After the incident, the Dursleys react with anger and fear, punishing Harry severely by locking him in his cupboard without meals for a prolonged period. This punishment shows the lengths to which the Dursleys will go to maintain their control over Harry and suppress his identity.

Overall, Chapter 2 effectively sets the stage for Harry's eventual journey into the wizarding world, contrasting his current miserable existence with the exciting possibilities that lie ahead. It emphasizes themes of neglect, bullying, and the struggle for identity while hinting at Harry's special nature and the extraordinary life he is yet to discover.