For a family that already had two one-year-old children, taking in another toddler was no small burden.
Petunia's feelings toward Lily had always been complicated. Admiration, envy, jealousy… even resentment.
And then there was that world. Those strange, unnatural forces.
This child was deeply tied to all of it.
Petunia didn't want her family to be dragged into something dangerous, something beyond normal life.
Vernon had been watching her closely.
He loved her, and because he loved her, he shared her likes and her dislikes.
He didn't know James very well, only that they were completely different types of people, in both personality and background.
He also knew that Lily and James belonged to that other world.
A world of strange powers.
To Vernon, that meant fear. And a deep discomfort toward anything that wasn't normal.
In that regard, he and Petunia had always been on the same side.
And that had always made him quietly relieved.
"Their affairs have nothing to do with us," Vernon said carefully. "Maybe… we should send him to an orphanage."
It was a test, but also his honest thought.
For a moment, Petunia hesitated.
But when she looked at the child, something softened.
According to the letter, if they didn't take him in, he might fall victim to those dark forces.
She could list a thousand reasons to dislike Lily.
A thousand reasons to reject this child.
But there was only one reason that mattered.
He was Lily's only son.
And that alone made it impossible for her to decide.
Ashley had been watching everything.
She saw Vernon's reluctance.
She saw Petunia's struggle.
If she had just arrived in this world, she would have tried everything to keep Harry here.
But now…
She didn't want to force Petunia.
She only hoped that Petunia would make her decision clearly.
Without resentment. Without regret.
Without letting hardship wear down the kindness that led her to take Harry in.
And most of all, without letting Harry grow up burdened by undeserved hatred.
Vernon didn't push her.
He was practical, but he respected his wife.
Seeing her hesitation, he chose to give her time and shifted the topic.
"Dear, where did you put the sweets? The neighborhood children will be coming soon. We can't send them away empty-handed."
"In the drawer by the door," Petunia replied. "Oh, and the pumpkin is outside on the lawn. You can carve it later. The candles are in the same drawer."
She forced a small smile, following his lead.
Only then did Ashley realize.
It was Halloween.
Unfortunately, she and Dudley were still too young to join in the "trick or treat" fun.
A pity.
Ashley had been standing too long and lost her balance, plopping down onto the carpet. Thankfully, it didn't hurt.
She turned and crawled toward Harry.
He really was a good child.
All this time, he hadn't cried or fussed. He simply sat quietly, playing with the toy given to him.
In contrast, Dudley, not far away, was smashing his toy car loudly, already having broken several, making enthusiastic engine noises.
The difference was… striking.
Ashley couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed on her brother's behalf.
Looking at Harry, she smiled instinctively and reached out to pinch his cheek.
Soft.
Very satisfying.
Harry looked up at her.
His green eyes were bright and clear, like fresh grass after rain. Gentle, cautious, and heartbreakingly pure.
He looked at the toy in his hands.
Then at Ashley.
After a brief hesitation, he extended the toy toward her.
Ashley didn't know whether to laugh or sigh.
Did he think she was like Dudley?
Even at this age, he was already watching others' reactions, already willing to give things up.
Too kind.
Too easy to hurt.
She gently pushed the toy back and patted his head.
"No. You play."
Perhaps sensing her kindness, Harry gave her his first real smile.
And just like that, Ashley melted.
Nearby, someone else had been watching.
Harry's real aunt.
Petunia stood frozen, her eyes fixed on the scene.
That temperament…
It was exactly like Lily's.
The familiarity struck her so deeply that her eyes stung.
She had always known.
Lily had never tried to hurt her.
If anything, she had always tried to get closer.
But back then, Petunia hadn't understood.
To her, Lily's closeness had felt like a kind of pain.
Perhaps Lily had come to understand that later.
She had built her own family and, as Petunia had wished, kept her distance.
But fate had other plans.
Now Petunia stood there, her thoughts tangled, her pale green eyes filled with conflict.
Lunch was eventually prepared, though clumsily, with several small mistakes.
Then came another problem.
There were only two children's chairs.
Vernon, carving a pumpkin outside, glanced at his wife and sighed quietly.
Ashley watched Petunia carefully.
Seeing her distracted, struggling, weighed down by emotion…
Ashley sighed too.
Alright.
Time to break the tension.
"Daddy, up… I want that."
She reached out to Vernon.
He happily picked her up.
Ashley pointed at the steak on the table, asking him to feed her.
Vernon would never refuse his little darling.
Ashley smiled slyly.
The children's meal was pumpkin porridge and apple pie.
Both of which she disliked.
Perfect.
Two problems solved at once.
Dudley immediately noticed.
His sister was getting extra food.
He wasn't.
He was just about to throw a tantrum when Ashley turned to him with wide, watery eyes and gently guided Vernon's hand toward him.
"Dudley… eat."
His anger vanished instantly.
Vernon placed the meat onto Dudley's plate, patting his head with satisfaction, his affection for Ashley growing even stronger.
Petunia, however, hadn't noticed.
After settling Dudley into his chair, she turned to Harry.
As she lifted him, her body stiffened slightly.
Harry stayed quiet, letting her place him into the remaining chair.
Then suddenly, he pointed at a vase on the table.
"We have one at home."
At first, Ashley didn't understand.
She thought it was just childish boasting.
Then she saw Petunia.
Her face crumpled.
She broke down completely, sobbing.
And Ashley understood.
There had been a vase like this at Harry's home.
When Lily married James, she had invited Petunia.
Petunia hadn't gone.
But she had sent a gift.
A vase.
Probably just like this one.
Harry panicked.
Clumsily, he leaned forward and blew gently, trying to comfort her.
"It doesn't hurt… it doesn't hurt…"
He must have thought she was injured somewhere.
That was the only reason he knew for someone to cry like that.
Petunia cried for a long time.
Slowly, she regained control.
Looking at Harry's worried face…
She made her decision.
"Vernon, I…"
She didn't finish.
"You don't need to say it," Vernon interrupted softly. "I agree."