A Tactful Attempt to Keep Him

After her minor altercation with Ron in the Third Floor Corridor, Ginny confided in him about her thoughts at the time.

His aunt and uncle would reject her just as much as they rejected his father.

At the time, Harry thought it was nonsense.

Moreover, he was not liked by the Dursley family and was ostracized.

But, until I returned to this home.

Harry then realized that, deep down, he also longed for blessings.

Even if it weren't true, he didn't want it to be rejection.

So even though it was already June 18th, the day he was supposed to return to Sirius.

He still didn't say anything.

All they knew was that he would be staying at his godfather's house until the start of the school year, just like last year.

Harry mechanically changed his clothes, pushed open the door, and went downstairs.

The sizzling sound and the pungent aroma of oil made Harry realize that Dudley was already up.

Dudley has been preparing breakfast for me these past few days.

If Aunt Petunia and the others hadn't insisted, Dudley would probably have gotten all three meals.

Harry looked toward the living room, where Uncle Dursley, whose face had changed from round to angular, was looking at the newspaper— the Daily Mail that had been delivered that morning.

Perhaps because of exercise, his face no longer had that slightly unhealthy purple tinge.

From Uncle Vernon's sudden, unnatural shift of his buttocks towards the television, it was clear he had heard Harry's footsteps.

They also identified the owner of the footsteps.

Harry's eyes welled up with tears. He finally realized from Uncle Vernon's subtle gesture that Uncle Vernon disliked him.

Uh-huh!

The sound of someone clearing their throat came from behind Harry.

Harry quickly moved aside.

It's Aunt Petunia.

Perhaps it was from his heart, or even from the deep-seated affection he felt for his mother, that he failed to notice Aunt Petunia.

Harry also had a suspicion that Dudley and Aunt Petunia's unconscious change in attitude might be related to the magic of love that Harry had truly mastered.

As for Uncle Vernon, who is not actually related to Harry by blood? Ben...

He listens to his wife and unconditionally dotes on his son, so it's understandable that he would change himself for them.

Ignored by Uncle Vernon and with Aunt Petunia's stiff smile, Harry stepped over Aunt Petunia's favorite Persia rug and sat down on the sofa to the left.

Harry, however, realized that after developing the habit of exercising, Uncle Vernon's reaction time was slower than usual because he didn't eat breakfast in the morning.

Half of Uncle Vernon and Aunt Penny are much easier to deal with than the whole Uncle Vernon and Aunt Penny.

Dudley is here too.

This might be a good opportunity—to tell them that he is already engaged.

Sirius will pick him up before lunch today.

Even if Aunt Petunia reacts strongly, he'll be gone in no time.

So, in the silence of the three of them, Harry clasped his hands together and racked his brains to prepare his speech, "I'm getting engaged to Ginny, you know, the daughter of that red-haired Mr. Weasley."

"No, shouldn't we introduce Ginny first?"

"And one more thing." Harry cleared his throat, preparing to speak.

However, Dudley in, brandishing his wand, with plates of fried eggs, bacon, and sandwiches revolving around him like the earth revolves around the sun.

"My little Dudley!"

"You must be exhausted." Aunt Petunia welled up with tears, unsure of what to do with her hands.

"Not bad, very manly!"

"Dursley family man!"

"I heard you joined Quidditch, right? And you're the team's ace!"

"Gold really does shine wherever it is!" Uncle Vernon looked Dudley up and down.

I somehow found masculinity in Dudley, who looked like a virtuous wife and loving mother.

You should know that Uncle Vernon always believed that housework and cooking should be done by women.

So even though he listened to Aunt Petunia, he never helped her in this regard.

"Hello, Harry." Dudley waved his wand again, and the plate slowly landed on the chestnut table in front of the sofa.

He then greeted Harry.

"Kid, do you know what Quidditch is?"

"Ha ha."

"Just like football, it's a sport that only students who are good enough can join."

"How about we have Dudley teach you?" Uncle Vernon raised an eyebrow and said to Harry with a smile.

"Dad, Harry is the captain of the Ravenclaw Quidditch team, and they're the Quidditch Cup winners," Dudley whispered to Uncle Vernon.

Uncle Vernon coughed and started eating the fried egg on the plate in front of him.

He ate with great relish, as if he had never tasted anything so delicious before.

"Our Dudley so popular at school that his classmates even pulled some strings to get Floo Network for our family." Aunt Petunia pointed to a spot that should have been sealed off, where there should have been a fake coal-burning electric stove.

But now there's a hole there, and the black ash indicates that it was actually used when the weather was still cold.

It's unbelievable that Aunt Petunia, who has obsessive-compulsive disorder about cleanliness, would install a fireplace in front of her beloved Persia rug.

Harry was filled with wonder and awe.

Aunt Petunia, misunderstanding Harry's expression, proudly flashed her long, prominent teeth.

Clearly, she believed this gave Dudley an advantage over Harry.

Harry could also guess that during his time at home, Uncle Vernon and the others probably wouldn't mention Quidditch again.

Harry finally understood why Dudley had looked so disgusting before.

He should have thought of this a long time ago.

Faced with a barrage of almost flattering praise and parents who never pointed out Dudley's flaws, it's understandable why Dudley was originally so annoying.

"You have no idea who will come to our house after you leave?"

"Cedric Diggory, Dudley —well, Cedric's ancestors included the Minister for Magic, who was an even more powerful Prime Minister of Britain, a figure akin to the Queen of Britain." In the face of Harry's silence, Aunt Petunia continued with a beaming smile.

Dudley looked at Harry with an apologetic expression from the sofa opposite him.

So Harry decided not to mention that his friend Draco's family had once controlled a Minister for Magic, and that Ron's father was the Department of Magical Law Enforcement powerful department within the Ministry of Magic.

As Uncle Vernon grew increasingly proud, Aunt Petunia continued to go on and on about the influential classmates Dudley knew.

They also come here to play during the summer vacation (via the Floo Network).

Just as Harry was about to forget what he had originally planned to say.

He suddenly remembered Ginny's analysis of Aunt Petunia.

He then realized that Aunt Petunia's eyes didn't reveal much pride when she spoke.

Instead, she had been observing Harry.

Harry finally understood the true meaning of those words—many Hogwarts students will be coming to our house, would you like to stay?