Keep the spacing. I repeat keep the spacing!
Now with that out of the way I've got to agree with a few of the other's Harry has to react to the beating. Fleeing either to Hogwarts or the hospital, beating the crap out of Vernon, sending an owl for help He must react and not by cowering in the cupboard under the stairs.
Author's response
Unfortunately Harry doesn't have an owl or access to an owl. He will be rather resigned to his fate, what with the blood protection and all. -- pyrodaemon