Chapter 6: 6. Harry, We're Brothers
Since changing jobs, Vernon Dursley's business skyrocketed. Its growth became evident from the new appliances at home and how frequently the family updated their wardrobes.
"Oh~ My dear Dudley darling, look what I bought you!" Petunia held a black-and-white plaid shirt against Dudley. Already the largest size in stock: "Try it on. It'll fit perfectly."
'Black-and-white plaid shirt.' Petunia's taste was something else.
"Aunt Petunia." Harry emerged just then, calling her timidly. His eyes lingered on Dudley—or rather, the new shirt.
What you take for granted might be someone else's deepest longing.
For Harry, living with Aunt Petunia, having enough food daily was already fortunate. New clothes were an unattainable luxury.
Harry hid it well, but Dudley wasn't blind.
Beyond completing missions near the Savior, Dudley genuinely pitied Harry.
Orphaned as an infant, raised by relatives who disliked him. In such an environment, Harry learned early to read faces—his maturity was heartbreaking.
All Dudley could do was treat him better.
"Mom, what about Harry's?"
Dudley knew his mother's feelings for Harry were complex—not pure dislike. He'd once seen Petunia staring blankly at Harry's back, or lost in his eyes. Her gaze held tangled emotions: nostalgia, remembrance, sorrow—everything but disgust.
Of course, such moments were rare. Mostly, Petunia treated Harry coldly.
His father Vernon was similar, constantly calling Harry "freak," but usually only when Petunia was present.
When Petunia wasn't around, Vernon ignored Harry completely.
"H-Harry has one too." Petunia reluctantly pulled a smaller identical shirt from her handbag. She handed it to Harry without emotion: "This is yours."
Harry accepted it with delight, indifferent to Petunia's attitude. He had new clothes—just like Dudley.
With Dudley as a buffer, the four of them coexisted peacefully. Harry's living conditions weren't too harsh.
"Like it? But wait to wear it."
Dudley approached Harry, patting his shoulder. Seeing his confusion, he added: "Forgot? Today we're fixing your room. Didn't you always complain about dust falling whenever someone went upstairs?"
"Wearing new clothes now would be a shame if they got dirty."
As Dudley spoke, he grabbed a toolbox from the drawer and slung an arm around Harry's neck, heading toward his "little room."
The "little room" was just a cupboard under the stairs.
That was Harry's room.
The renovation took all day—clanging, banging, and hammering.
Thanks to the system's Renovation LV2 skill, Dudley was quite handy. After his efforts, it at least looked like a proper room.
When Harry pushed open the door again, his eyes widened in disbelief.
Was this really the same dark, cold, dusty cupboard where he once lived with spiders?
Not just transformed—it was utterly unrecognizable.
Dudley installed a night lamp—soft but bright enough. Harry no longer needed to endure darkness. The walls were freshly painted and papered, with a new ceiling. No more dust from above. Even the bed was replaced—soft and comfortable. Dudley added small decorations, using techniques from his past life to make the space feel dimensional.
What a cozy little room.
Under Dudley's meticulous arrangement, except for its small size, the room was impressive—especially in an era when interior design hadn't yet developed its own styles.
Seeing Dudley's chubby face covered in dust and grime, Harry felt deeply moved.
That cousin who was usually fierce and stingy seemed so approachable at this moment.
Especially since it was only an ordinary complaint, yet the other remembered it. This made Harry's heart even more touched.
'Just the ornaments must have cost a lot. That little cactus decoration I saw before was a whole pound. Decorating like this must have used up all of Dudley's savings.'
Dudley's past kindness appeared before Harry bit by bit.
"Thank you, Big Dud."
Dudley was slightly stunned at his words. He scratched his dirty head with his equally dirty hand, seemingly not expecting the usually wooden Harry to thank him.
This was a good start.
"What's there to thank? We're brothers."
"Brothers tied by blood, even if bones are broken, the sinews still connect. There's no need for politeness between family."
Dudley wiped the sweat off his face, making it dirtier since his hands were also grimy.
"Brothers, family." Harry did not mind this, only repeating those two words, his tone growing firmer.
If the whole world treats you poorly, yet one person treats you well, that person will always hold a special place in your heart.
Dudley patted Harry's shoulder and spoke meaningfully, "If you become successful in the future, Harry, you won't forget your cousin, right?"
"Big Dud, you'll definitely be better than me," Harry admitted honestly.
In Harry's eyes, Dudley was like an all-around prodigy. Whether in grades, sports, or anything else, he surpassed ordinary people. If not for the fierce reputation of the food guardians, he would surely be the most popular figure among the girls at school.
Compared to Dudley, Harry, invisible in school, felt endlessly ashamed.
"Each field has its own strengths. That's uncertain." Dudley was, after all, still just a Muggle. Even if he was stronger than average, he was only a slightly sturdier Muggle, at least by this world's standards.
The magus constitution from Matou Shinji had only given Dudley a slight boost in physical ability, with no other effects.
There was no such thing as magical surges.
Dudley believed that even if he did become a mage someday, he would still need his cousin's help. Harry's magical talent and accomplishments were by no means low, and besides, he was the protagonist.
Maintaining a good relationship could only bring benefits.
'Improved the young savior's living conditions, reward: one item lottery.'
Hearing this heavenly voice by his ear, Dudley beamed with joy.
Gaining goodwill and a reward—how could that ever be a loss?
Fortunately, Harry did not know about this.
"Come on, Harry. I'll buy you ice cream."
In high spirits, Dudley roughly ruffled Harry's messy hair.
"Alright, Big Dud, but you probably don't have—"
Before Harry finished, Dudley saw through his thoughts, rubbing his fluffy hair again. "Don't worry, cousin. Your big cousin can still afford an ice cream."
The ice cream was sweet, and Harry's heart was warm.
Thinking carefully, his big cousin was not stingy at all. Though he often sent Harry on errands, he also frequently bought him treats.
And whenever Harry was bullied, Dudley was always the first to stand up for him.
It truly felt good to have an older brother's care!
When you believe someone is good, then whatever they do will always seem good.
Petunia watched the two cousins with arms around each other's shoulders and was reminded of many years ago. She and her younger sister had once been that close too, sharing everything, talking all night about the future and their dreams, until the day Lily received her acceptance letter at eleven.
From then on, they became people of two different worlds.
Petunia finally let out a sigh, shook her head almost imperceptibly, and went back into her room.
(End of this chapter)