A Shift in the Dursley Household's Mindset!

Petunia and Vernon were torn.

On one side was their rejection and fear of wizards and magic; on the other was little Dada's fervent anticipation.

They knew perfectly well that their son was stubborn and uncompromising. For a long time, they had indulged that trait without limits, doting on him to the point of near-blind obedience and faith.

Other than matters involving Harry, wizards, and magic, the Dursleys had never refused any of Dudley's requests.

This time...

"Fine! Dudley, but I'm coming with you!"

Vernon made up his mind and spoke with utmost seriousness. For his son's wish and safety, he actually considered setting foot in the wizarding world.

He had to know that he despised wizards and magic from the bottom of his heart.

For love, he broke his own principles once again.

"Vernon, you..." Petunia was deeply shocked, but she quickly understood why her husband was doing this and was even more moved.

Having parents who cared for him like this, Dudley was deeply moved as well.

But precisely because he was moved, he could not let Vernon and Petunia get involved in this Diagon Alley shopping trip.

After all, his purpose in joining this journey was far from simple.

He had been planning for this for years and had made targeted preparations. As long as this trip did not stray too far from the original storyline, there was a strong chance he could cross the boundary into the extraordinary in one fell swoop!

"Dad, Mom, neither of you is going!"

Dudley rejected his father's kindness with extreme firmness. "No matter what, the wizards on Dumbledore's side are still standing with Harry. Whoever he sends will ensure Harry's and my safety.

Besides, if we really encounter danger, you won't be much help if you get involved. You might even become..."

Dudley found it hard to say the words, but thinking of his mother Petunia's other regret, as well as the Dursley Household's future development, he hardened his heart and forced himself to continue:

"You'll become a burden!"

Vernon and Petunia's eyes widened, their mouths hanging open. Dudley's words left their minds blank.

They would actually become their child's burden!

A powerful wave of sorrow welled up inside them. Combined with what Dudley had said earlier, they understood what he meant.

Ordinary people had almost no ability to resist wizards who knew magic. They would be no help in the Wizarding World.

But... the truth always hurt, especially when it came from the lips of the son they loved most.

They were truly useless!

Amid their sorrow, the Dursleys, who spoiled Dudley so dearly, sank into agonizing self-doubt.

Dudley read his parents' thoughts from their expressions. Knowing his words had worked, he immediately struck while the iron was hot and laid the groundwork for what he would do next:

"Dad, Mom, the strong ruling the weak is a bloody fact!

Wizards' magic can alter our memories, confuse our perceptions, paralyze our bodies, and even control our minds and take our lives!

Harry's enemy is the most terrifying and evil kind of Black Wizard. Although White Wizards are in power now, the Black Wizards have not been completely wiped out. They might return at any time.

When that happens, our family will inevitably be targeted and held to account.

So instead of forcing yourselves to go shopping in the Wizarding World with Harry and me, you should completely overcome your resistance to wizards and magic, understand this miraculous power, and prepare to wield it in the future!

Growing from weak to strong and gaining the power to protect yourselves is the right path!"

Dudley's heartfelt and sincere words allowed the Dursleys to feel their son's love for them.

Their son was not looking down on them. He wanted to encourage them.

Yet that encouragement left the Dursleys even more bewildered.

Vernon did not know much about wizards, but Petunia had some understanding of wizards and magic.

As far as she knew, Muggles could not become wizards, could they?!

Dudley noticed the confusion and doubt in his parents' eyes and gave them a more straightforward hint:

"Trust your son. Just because others can't turn ordinary people into wizards doesn't mean I, Dudley, can't!"

Dudley's confident declaration gradually dispelled the confusion in the Dursleys' eyes.

If someone else had said that, they would have thought it was nothing but empty boasting.

But these words came from their son. That made all the difference; their credibility was instantly maxed out!

Dudley finally succeeded in persuading his parents. At that moment, Harry's reply had been completed as well.

Dudley took the letter and looked it over, paying special attention to the agreed time and the part confirming his role as an accompanying person. After confirming there were no mistakes or omissions, he tucked the paper into the envelope.

Then he fed two more strips of beef jerky to the pitiful owl messenger and let it out of the cage.

He opened the living room window on the first floor and released the owl messenger carrying the reply.

"Good bird, deliver the letter to Dumbledore!"

Watching the owl fly away with the letter clutched in its claws, then looking at the two pet cats silently departing by the street corner outside, Dudley wore an unreadable expression.

"Everything is ready. All that's left is the right wind!"

After bidding farewell to the still-worried Dursleys, Dudley and Harry went upstairs, intending to return to their respective bedrooms and rest.

After reaching the second floor, before entering his bedroom, Harry's expression was clearly troubled.

Dudley suddenly stopped and looked at Harry.

Harry understood at once that his cousin had seen through him, so he directly asked, "Cousin, has my existence brought trouble to you and Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia? If so, I..."

"What are you planning to do? Run away from home?"

Dudley directly cut off Harry's wild thoughts and said solemnly, "Harry, you are not a burden. Without you and Aunt Lily, we would be pitiful Muggles kept in the dark and left at the mercy of wizards.

Who knows? One day, we might get caught up in a fight between Black Wizards and White Wizards. We might either die without a sound, or have our memories erased by Ministry of Magic wizards and continue muddling through life.

Because of you and Aunt Lily, we have the right to know about the wizarding world. We even have White Wizards guarding the area nearby. That is a good thing!"

After hearing Dudley's explanation, Harry's expression improved considerably. "Then, Cousin, what about what you said about me becoming an Obscurial?"

Dudley chuckled and replied in a low voice, "Don't worry, Harry. You won't become an Obscurial. That was just something I said to make my parents face their own feelings!

To become an Obscurial, other people's rejection and mockery are not the key. The key is whether the wizard is influenced by the outside world into denying and suppressing their own magic.

Harry, your background is tragic, but you are naturally quite cheerful and have your own judgment. Even without my guidance, you would never deny yourself and become an Obscurial!

Of that, I am absolutely certain!"

After hearing Dudley's explanation, more than half of Harry's worries vanished. Hesitantly and somewhat embarrassed, he brought up the final subject: "Cousin, I think I may have misunderstood Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon in the past..."

"This isn't your fault, Harry!" Dudley comforted him, stroking his hair. "Given the way they used to treat you, it would have been stranger if you thought they loved you!

Everyone has their own limitations. Their attitude toward you was determined by the emotional grievances of their generation and by their personalities. You do not need to blame yourself.

Harry, enjoy the rest of your childhood to the fullest! Once you turn eleven, you will no longer be a child! From then on, my demands of you will become even stricter. You need to prepare yourself!"

Dudley's words dispelled the confusion in Harry's heart while also giving him an appropriate amount of pressure.

Harry nodded resolutely. Under Dudley's gaze, he returned to his small bedroom.

After pausing for a moment, Dudley stepped into the large bedroom separated from it by only one wall.

This room was his base of operations.