Chapter 6: Harry, We Are Brothers

Since changing jobs, Vernon Dursley's business had been thriving, growing bigger and stronger. This was evident from the increasing number of electrical appliances at home and the frequency with which the family replaced their clothes.

"Oh, my dear Dudley, how do you like the shirt I bought for you?"

Petunia gestured with a black-and-white checkered shirt in her hands, the largest size available in the store. "Hurry, try it on. It must fit you perfectly."

Petunia's sense of aesthetics was truly unique.

"Aunt Petunia." Harry happened to walk out at this moment, weakly calling out. His eyes lingered on Dudley and the new shirt for a few seconds.

What was readily available to you might be something others wished for desperately. At least, for Harry, currently residing in Aunt Petunia's house, having enough to eat every day was already good enough. New clothes were a luxury.

Harry hid it well, but Dudley wasn't blind.

Regardless of the reason of staying with the Savior to complete the mission, Dudley felt sorry for Harr

Setting aside the fact that Harry often brushed off his complaints about dust falling whenever someone went upstairs, Dudley felt a bit sorry for Harry. Having lost his parents shortly after birth, he could only live with his aunt, who didn't treat him well. Growing up in such an environment, Harry had become accustomed to accommodating others and was sensible, making people feel sorry for him.

All Dudley could do was try to treat him a bit better.

"Mom, what about Harry's?"

Actually, Dudley knew that his mother's feelings toward Harry were quite special. It wasn't pure dislike. Dudley had seen Petunia staring at Harry's back, lost in thought, or gazing into Harry's eyes with a complex expression, a mix of nostalgia, memories, and sorrow. It was a myriad of emotions, everything except disdain.

Of course, this was a rare occurrence. Most of the time, Petunia didn't show a good face to Harry.

His father, Vernon, was the same. He constantly referred to Harry as a freak, but it was mostly done in front of his mother.

If Petunia wasn't around, Vernon wouldn't bother with Harry at all.

"Haha, Harry also has one." Petunia reluctantly took out a similar but two sizes smaller shirt from her bag and handed it to Harry. Without much emotional fluctuation, she said, "This is yours."

Harry received the shirt with a face full of joy, paying no attention to Petunia's attitude. After all, he had a new shirt, and that was the key.

With Dudley serving as a lubricant to ease the tension, the relationship among the family of four was relatively harmonious, and Harry's living conditions weren't too bad.

"Do you like it? But you'll have to wait a while before you can wear it."

Dudley walked to Harry and patted his shoulder. Seeing the puzzled look on Harry's face, he said, "Forgot, didn't you? Today, we agreed to help you redecorate your room. You often complain that whenever someone goes upstairs, dust falls into your room, right?"

"Wearing new clothes now would be a waste if it gets dirty later."

While talking, Dudley took out a toolbox from the drawer, put his arm around Harry's neck, and walked toward his "little room."

Although called a little room, it was just a cupboard under the stairs.

That was Harry's room.

A day of busy work ensued, with constant knocking and clanging.

After all, with the LV2 decoration ability provided by the system, coupled with Dudley's good hands-on ability, after his busy work, at least it looked more like a small room.

When Harry opened the door again, he couldn't believe his eyes.

Was this the small cupboard he used to live in, which was dark, cold, dusty, and inhabited by spiders?

Not to say it was a complete transformation, but it looked completely different.

Dudley installed a night light in the room, soft but not glaring, indicating that Harry no longer had to endure darkness at night. The surroundings were freshly painted, with new wallpaper added, a new ceiling, and a new, soft, and comfortable bed. In addition, Dudley also arranged some small decorations in the room, using some techniques from the previous world to make the entire room more three-dimensional.

A cozy little room.

Under Dudley's meticulous arrangement, except for the slightly reduced area, it looked quite impressive, especially in this era where a style of decoration had not yet formed.

Looking at Dudley, whose chubby face was still covered in dust, Harry was deeply moved.

The cousin who was usually a bit fierce and stingy was so amiable at the moment.

Especially considering that it was just a casual complaint, Harry was amazed that the other party remembered. Harry was greatly touched in his heart.

'Just decorating with small items must have cost a lot of money. I've seen that little wizard ball decoration; it costs a whole pound. Dudley must have spent all his savings on these decorations.'

The past kindness of Dudley to him gradually appeared in Harry's mind.

"Thank you, Brother D."

Dudley was slightly stunned at the words. He scratched his head with his dirty hands, seemingly not expecting Harry, who was usually reserved, to thank him.

This was a good start.

"Why thank me? We're brothers."

"Brothers are like bones connected by tendons. We are brothers by blood, We're family, no need to be so polite."

Dudley wiped the sweat from his face, making it even dirtier because of his dirty hands.

"Brothers, family." Little Harry didn't pay attention to this. He just kept chewing on these two words, and as he spoke, his tone became more and more determined.

When the whole world treats you badly, and only one person is kind to you, that person will surely occupy a significant place in your heart.

Dudley patted Harry on the shoulder and said meaningfully, "If you become successful in the future, you won't forget your cousin, will you?"

" Brother D, you will definitely be more outstanding than me in the future." Harry said with self-awareness.

The Dudley in front of him was truly an all-around talent, excelling in academics, sports, and other areas, far surpassing ordinary people. If it weren't for the infamous reputation of the food Keeper, he would definitely be the most popular figure in the school, admired by girls.

Compared to Dudley, who was like a transparent existence at school, Harry felt extremely inferior.

"Everyone has their own expertise; it's hard to say." He was just a big Muggle now. Even though his physical fitness was good, he was just a slightly stronger Muggle in the eyes of this world.

The magic practitioner constitution of Matou Shinji had no other effect besides enhancing Dudley's physical fitness a little.

No magic bursts or anything.

Dudley believed that even if he became a wizard in the future, he would still need his little cousin's care. Harry's magical talent and accomplishments were not low, and he was the protagonist.

Maintaining a good relationship would definitely bring more benefits and no harm.

'Improving the living environment of the young savior, reward: one item draw in the prop category.'

Hearing the heavenly melodious voice in his ear, Dudley's face bloomed with joy.

A wave of goodwill plus rewards; no matter how you looked at it, it was a good deal.

Well, fortunately, Harry didn't know about this.

"Let's go, Harry. I'll treat you to ice cream."

In a very good mood, Dudley rubbed Harry's messy hair vigorously.

"Okay, Brother D. But you probably don't have any."

As soon as Harry spoke, Dudley saw through his thoughts. He continued to rub Harry's chicken coop-like hair and said, "Don't worry, my little cousin. Big cousin has the money to treat you to ice cream."

Ice cream was sweet, and Harry's heart was warm.

After careful consideration, Dudley wasn't stingy at all. Although he would often make Harry run errands, he also frequently treated him to delicious food.

It felt great to have an older brother who cared for you!

When you think someone is good, everything they do seems good.

Watching the two brothers walk away with their arms around each other, Petunia's thoughts seemed to go back to many, many years ago when she and her sister were so close. They would share everything they had, talk all night about the future and dreams until the day Lily received her acceptance letter at the age of 11. Since then, they became people of two different worlds.

Petunia finally let out a sigh, shook her head imperceptibly, and walked into her room.

(End of this chapter)