"The little girl from the Dursley family actually got a patent for her furniture designs!"
By midday, the news had spread like wildfire through the school. Teachers, classmates, even parents, the security guard, and the cleaning staff anyone at school knew about it.
Ashley had never realized how fast news could travel.
Of course, she should have guessed. Usually, Vernon drove them to school, but today Petunia had come along. Naively, Ashley believed Petunia's excuse about checking out a new supermarket nearby for discounted goods.
Ha, women.
She didn't believe for a second that Vernon was unaware of Petunia's plan.
This was clearly a scheme orchestrated by both of them.
Ashley now understood exactly how Harry must have felt when people in the wizarding world called him a "savior."
It's that weird feeling when everyone admires you for something you didn't even do. You tell the truth, and people call you modest. The story spreads so fast that eventually, even you start believing it was your achievement.
Anyone younger or less mentally resilient could easily get carried away.
Luckily, Ashley was older for her age and had been through a few things on her own. She hadn't let it get to her.
But Dudley? He seemed to be floating on cloud nine, and Ashley was curious how he got there.
"Ashley has always been smart and quick… just a little timid and physically weak. That's why she admires me, her strong and mighty big brother. In her heart, I'm a hero…"
Passing by, Dudley, surrounded by a group of boys, overheard this.
Ashley: hmm… you're right…
Harry also looked out of sorts, his face flushed red with excitement, while a few boys and girls nearby were chattering animatedly.
"Ashley loves drawing. Her imagination runs wild, and she always comes up with such interesting ideas. She's skilled with her hands too. Last year for my birthday, she made me a little figure that could swordfight. It was so much fun!"
Was he bragging about his sister or showing off a toy? Either way, his enthusiasm was infectious.
Ashley looked at the child she had raised, now glowing with pride and a strange sense of satisfaction.
After a day filled with excitement, Ashley had officially leveled up from a well-behaved, obedient child to the "model child everyone else wishes they had."
Her new reputation brought attention sometimes overwhelming but it also had its advantages.
Her opinions would now be taken seriously by adults, sometimes even adopted.
And that was crucial. One of the biggest reasons children want to grow up is to have a voice, to be heard.
On that note, there was another development.
Vernon, ever proactive, had considered finding a top interior designer to mentor Ashley, hoping to cultivate her "talent" from a young age.
He had already contacted several people, and thanks to his promotion, many were intrigued at the prospect of taking on such a young prodigy as a mentee.
Ashley was speechless.
She was interested in interior design, yes, but only for her little personal space. Designing for clients? She simply didn't have the patience or endurance for that.
If she were to be honest, she was far more fascinated by fun and practical furniture than the act of designing a whole house.
Specifically, she loved mechanisms objects that were clever, versatile, and functional.
In China, she might have thought of it as the Lu Ban tradition, and here… she suddenly thought of alchemy.
Alchemy? Stop! Ashley's view of the magical world had become complicated after spending time with Vernon and Petunia.
No matter, it was still early; overthinking could stunt her growth!
She truly hadn't planned to pursue interior design seriously, so after a serious discussion, she finally persuaded Vernon to let her focus on a more agreeable skill drawing.
This was the importance of having a voice. Otherwise, a five-year-old's wishes would have been overruled by well-meaning adults.
After that, the Dursley household remained harmonious for a long time. Petunia and Vernon were in particularly good moods, and even Harry seemed more pleasant to be around.
Even when Dudley practiced boxing and Ashley studied her drawing, Vernon had asked Harry if there was anything he wanted to learn, making the boy feel genuinely special.
Harry, however, thought for a long time and still couldn't decide what he wanted to pursue, leaving him both frustrated and bewildered.
Vernon didn't push, telling him to speak up when he figured it out.
…
Before Ashley and Dudley's fifth birthdays, the furniture manufacturer finally completed all the pieces and delivered them.
Dudley and Harry's rooms, using standard furniture, had been ready early. Ashley's custom pieces, however, had taken much longer to perfect.
The delivery and installation happened on a weekend, with the whole family present.
The children eagerly anticipated their personal spaces, while the adults were excited to see the results of Ashley's design.
As furniture was moved in, the three bedrooms were completely transformed. The small room, in particular, dazzled. Harry and Dudley's eyes widened in awe.
Ashley's bed was elevated, with a lounge sofa and small coffee table underneath. Near the door, a hidden pull-out wardrobe provided hanging space, beside which was a display shelf and a small snack cabinet for Ashley.
By the window, a loft ladder led to the upper bunk. Though airy in design, it was sturdy, allowing sunlight to reach below.
Between the bed and window stood a rotating bookshelf and a pull-out desk. Sliding out the desk revealed a spacious writing area, while pushing it back left the window sill clear, perfect for stargazing.
Even the chair transformed into a small ladder.
All the furniture was carved with vines and flowers, giving the room an enchanted, fairy-tale forest feel.
Ashley was delighted. Petunia and Vernon were beaming with pride. Harry and Dudley, meanwhile, stared in sheer amazement.
"Mom, I think Ashley should get the largest room, the next one for Harry, and I'll take this small one," Dudley declared, arranging the rooms without realizing the assignments were already set. Ashley smirked with a mixture of disdain and satisfaction.
"Aunt Petunia, isn't this small room for me?" Harry asked, feigning confusion but secretly thrilled.
Petunia, Vernon, and Dudley froze. They had indeed planned it that way.
Ashley, though surprised by her "clever" siblings, took charge gracefully.
"Harry, this small room is for me. You and Dudley are boys and more active, so the larger rooms have always been for you," she explained kindly.
Harry felt touched, fully understanding the silent consent of Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, and Dudley. Ashley's thoughtfulness moved him even more.
Yet, looking at the cozy small room, he felt a hint of regret.
"No, I want this small room! Ashley should have the big one," Dudley protested. Clearly, the "little paradise" had captured his heart.
Ashley inwardly chuckled. Someone trying to steal her things deserved a lesson.
Just then, she noticed the installers leaving the other rooms. Smiling, she teased:
"Dudley, didn't you plan to have Pierre stay over once the rooms were ready? Imagine if he saw you in such a… girly room. How would he react?"
Dudley froze, embarrassed by the walls full of vines and flowers. He tried to argue, but Ashley's faintly disappointed voice rang in his ears:
"It's my fault, I didn't think about Dudley still being a child who likes fun things. I should have left out the flowers."
Dudley's jaw opened and closed several times, struggling to respond. Finally, he lowered his head, admitting:
"It's not Ashley's fault… I'm not a little kid. I shouldn't try to take her room."
Ashley felt a warm sense of satisfaction and affection, hugging Dudley.
Petunia and Vernon exchanged proud, contented smiles.
"Dudley, Harry, your rooms are ready. Don't you want to go see them?" Ashley asked, raising an eyebrow meaningfully.
Understanding immediately, Dudley and Harry dashed to their rooms.
Dudley marveled at his little punching bag, while Harry admired his baseball set. The joy of having their own rooms reached its peak.
Meanwhile, Ashley lounged comfortably on her sofa, quietly savoring her personal space, her mission accomplished without a word of boastfulness.