Aunt Penny quickly dismissed this thought; after all, her sister and that greasy little bat had long since fallen out.
But every time she thought of that little bat, Aunt Penny couldn't help but grit her teeth.
The most vulnerable and private letter she had, was read by that greasy little bat and her sister, shattering her dignity to pieces.
Later, she heard that her brother-in-law had once taught that little bat a lesson at school, and it was quite a memorable one. Penny secretly gave her brother-in-law a thumbs up—even though he's arrogant and insolent.
"Your room upstairs, I've already tidied it up for you." Aunt Penny cleared her throat, looking rather serious: "A few days ago when your letter came back—I really didn't expect you to send it by owl instead of calling."
"Sorry, Aunt," Harry said helplessly. "There's no phone over there; it's quite backward."
Hearing this, Uncle Vernon raised his eyebrows.
"Exactly! You're right!" Uncle Vernon said loudly. "They're a bunch of old fossils. It's good that you can see this, very good... all that's spent on your years with the Dursleys is not in vain."
Harry thought to himself, "What a joke," but still gave Uncle Vernon a smile.
His mind was full of Vivi and Cassandra, all he could think about was rescuing them from time, and he really had no interest in bickering with the Dursleys.
"Your birthday is coming in a few days, right?" Uncle Vernon continued, "The 31st, if I'm not mistaken—at least that's what the letter said. At noon, your aunt can make you some cake as a celebration... In the evening, I have some important business to discuss."
"What kind of business?" Harry took a sip of milk.
"If it works out, it will be the biggest deal of my life." Uncle Vernon's beetle-like small eyes sparkled. "Heavens, if we're lucky, by this time on August 1st, we'll be picking out a villa in Majocca!"
"So I hope you can—well, keep your owl under control." Uncle Vernon turned to Harry. "Try not to let it make any noise, and I'll leave you a big room."
"Thank you," Harry said, trying to sound as sincere as possible.
"Alright." Uncle Vernon turned to Dudley: "His task is to not make himself seen, but not you, my precious Dudley—you're so charming, so adorable, I'm sure the Masons will love you."
Love Dudley?
Harry glanced at Dudley's flabby sides hanging over the chair and prayed that the Masons were devout followers of the Anglican Church.
After all, if they believed in the Anglican Church, they might not mind a pig wearing a wig.
"Cousin really is charming, I admit," Harry said, downing his milk.
Uncle Vernon's face showed approval.
"Lad, you're much more likable than your father."
Harry pondered for a moment.
All those years with the Dursleys, the times Snape picked on him in Magic Potion Class...
Harry kept silent.
Sometimes Harry wondered if his dad had made fewer enemies, would he have suffered less?
After breakfast, Harry saw Dudley wanting to leave with him but being stopped by Uncle Vernon.
Dudley looked disappointed. He could only rehearse over and over with Uncle Vernon on what to do when the Masons arrived.
It wasn't until almost lunchtime that Dudley was finally released.
"Heavens, I'm suffocating," Dudley said, plopping down on the doorstep, complaining to Harry. "You don't know, ever since a week ago, Dad's been forcing me to practice how to host guests... heavens..."
"Is that why you've slimmed down?" Harry's lips seemed coated in honey.
"I really didn't know that Wizard School teaches the art of speaking," Dudley said, throwing an arm around his cousin's slender shoulder. "Heavens, if only you had mocked me a bit less back then..."
"Would you have bullied me less?" Harry asked.
Dudley thought for a moment and honestly said, "No."
"Then neither could I," Harry said, equally honest. "But I've grown up now, ought to learn the adult world's hypocrisy."
"So you don't like me?" Dudley looked at Harry with a slightly pitiful expression.
"Not really, can't say I dislike you," Harry patted Dudley's chubby shoulder, which had more meat than a pig's knuckle. "You know, after all, wizards don't really believe in anything other than Merlin."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Dudley clearly sensed Harry wasn't saying something nice, but he had no evidence.
"Nothing, if you want to shed some pounds, I can get you some potion." Harry tugged at Dudley's love handles. "Look, they're all saggy."
Dudley squirmed under Harry's touch and laughed, breathless. "But Dad thinks... thinks it's very manly... haha... Mom always thinks I'm too slim."
"And what about the girls at your school?" Harry asked, delivering a critical hit.
Dudley opened his mouth and suddenly seemed to realize something.
"But I'm great at boxing," Dudley said. "No matter who dares to laugh at me at school, I just need one punch to shut them up."
Harry briefly imagined that scene...
Hmm, if cousin met Draco, it would surely be entertaining.
Just imagine, if cousin went to Hogwarts and got mocked by Draco as a Mudblood...