Chapter 26: The Little Brother Has Grown Up

"I, Harry Potter, will never go to Hogwarts!"

This statement shocked everyone in the room. Not only did it leave the Dursleys dumbfounded, but even Dumbledore and the tabby cat stood frozen in place.

This declaration was truly astonishing—the Savior of the magical world refusing to go to the magical world? What would happen now?

If it were just the Dursley family objecting, it would be manageable—ignore their opinions and proceed. However, Harry's own wishes could not be ignored.

After the initial shock, Dudley, surprisingly, felt a sense of joy. The little transparent boy who had always been submissive and never expressed his opinions had finally spoken up.

Looking at Harry with a face full of gratification, Dudley thought, 'My little brother has finally grown up.'

Wait a minute. Something seems off?

Dumbledore, who had been experiencing a headache since Hagrid's report the previous day, now felt a throbbing pain in his temples. Instead of responding to Harry immediately, he first expressed his apologies, "I apologize for the rudeness of the Hogwarts keykeeper earlier. Please believe that we had no ill intentions."

His words seemed to carry a certain magical charm, gradually calming down the initially agitated Harry.

"May we come inside and discuss this further?"

Dumbledore addressed this question to Dudley.

He had learned something through Hagrid's report—this family, outwardly led by the Dursley couple, was actually centered around their children.

"Of course, Professor Dumbledore."

It was true that Vernon Dursley's attitude toward Harry changed after the incident with Hagrid. He decided to let Dumbledore in, not only because of Hagrid's disrespectful behavior but also because he knew he couldn't win against this old man with a white beard.

After a pause, Dudley questioned, "Us?"

The tabby cat standing next to Dumbledore began to rapidly grow in size, transforming into a stern-looking woman.

Dumbledore promptly introduced her, "This is Professor McGonagall, Head of Gryffindor House and also the Transfiguration Professor."

"Hello, Professor McGonagall."

Dudley greeted politely, expressing his amazement, " It's amazing. Is this magic?"

"Hello, young Mr. Dursley." McGonagall responded respectfully, enjoying his polite attitude. She briefly explained, "Yes, this is a form of Transfiguration."

Dumbledore couldn't help but give Dudley a thoughtful look.

He handled the situation quite well.

The group entered the Dursley family's living room. Petunia sat on the sofa looking somewhat uneasy. After all, she had sent multiple letters to Dumbledore, expressing her desire to attend Hogwarts, but all were coldly rejected. Vernon, on the other hand, wore a gloomy expression, muttering something unintelligible. He didn't recognize Dumbledore, but in his impression, this was just a crazy old man with a white beard. The stern-faced Professor McGonagall made him uneasy.

The atmosphere was heavy.

Dumbledore took the initiative to break the awkwardness, "Please tell me, Harry, why do you not wish to go to Hogwarts?"

This was a crucial question.

For an ordinary young wizard, refusing to go to Hogwarts might not be a big deal. However, for Harry Potter, the Savior of the magical world, it could have significant consequences.

Seeing both Dumbledore and McGonagall looking at him, Harry felt the pressure intensify.

He was just an eleven-year-old boy, brave enough to express his opinions. "Because then I won't be able to go to school with Dudley!"

Upon hearing this answer, Dumbledore's gaze briefly shifted to Dudley. He then exchanged a glance with Professor McGonagall, and both of them breathed a sigh of relief.

'Good thing it's not something Hagrid did.' —McGonagall

'I didn't expect such a strong bond between the Dursley siblings and Harry.' —Dumbledore

"We promised to go to Smelting Middle School together." Harry emphasized stubbornly.

Going to school together with Dudley was currently Harry's biggest wish. If he could only go by himself, he wouldn't go, even if it were heaven.

"Harry, if that's the case, you need not worry."

McGonagall, now with a softer expression, looked at Harry and spoke gently, "Because your brother, Dudley Dursley, is also one of our new students this year."

At this moment, Dumbledore turned his gaze towards Dudley, saying, "Young Mr. Dursley, I believe you received the acceptance letter?"

"What? Dudley? Oh my goodness!"

Before Dudley could say anything, Petunia suddenly stood up from the sofa, exclaiming in a slightly uncomposed manner.

Going to Hogwarts to study was her biggest wish in the first half of her life.

'I have given birth to a wizard?'

Parents sometimes project their unfulfilled dreams onto their children. It's a common psychological reaction. If Dudley could go to Hogwarts, in a way, it would fulfill Petunia's dream that she couldn't achieve. Realizing her emotional outburst, she awkwardly sat back down. At this moment, her feelings were complicated.

If only Harry was going to Hogwarts, she would definitely object. However, with Dudley included, Petunia was momentarily indecisive.

 People sometimes have such double standards..

This could be understood. Petunia's attitude towards Lily was a mix of sisterly care and jealousy for Lily going to Hogwarts alone.

This led to the stark contrast in the treatment of Harry and Dudley during their stay with the Dursleys. Deliberately giving the good to Dudley and the bad to Harry created a strong contrast, ensuring that Harry wouldn't feel too abused, thanks to Dudley's mediation.

But this doesn't mean she didn't love Harry. The ancient protection spell Lily cast was based on 'love,' and without the presence of 'love' outside of blood relations, the spell wouldn't have continued to work.

In fact, we can sum it up with what Brother Xun said: "I'm afraid of my brother's suffering, and I'm also afraid of my brother driving a Land Rover."

This is human nature.

"Is this the letter you mentioned?" Dudley took out a corner of a burnt letter from his pocket and placed it on the table. "Unfortunately, it was already like this when I saw it."

Dudley wasn't sure if he could go to Hogwarts. The Magic Circuit and the 0.8 Magic Energy Value from Shinji Matou were quite a headache.

"Oh, Merlin! It's been burned like this."

McGonagall took out her wand and lightly tapped the almost-burnt letter.

With a 'swoosh,' it returned to its original state.

'It's really enviable.'

A little magic wand can do things that ordinary people can't do, and even make broken mirrors reunite.

'It's so mouth-watering. '

Dudley looked at the restored letter, clearly seeing the writing on it this time.

"Dear Mr. Dursley: We are delighted to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

The letter was genuine.

Even though he appeared calm, Dudley was still excited on the inside.

"Mr. Dudley Dursley." Dumbledore looked at Dudley and spoke again. His bright blue eyes were sharp, deep, and penetrating, "I have heard from Mrs. Figg that you have a strong desire to enter the magical world. Do you have the intention to attend Hogwarts?"

"On behalf of Hogwarts, I extend a formal invitation to you."

(End of this chapter)

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