By the time Ashley was three months old, she had already realized that the Dursley household was heading for a housing crisis. Now, the situation was beginning to weigh heavily on her.
It all started after persuading, or rather coaxing, Dudley to learn boxing.
"Dudley, go take a bath! The stench of your sweat is about to knock me out."
"No, I'm too tired. I want to lie down for a bit."
"Oh no, if you do that, how are we supposed to rest?"
"You and Harry can just block your noses with some tissue."
Ashley and Harry exchanged a helpless, exasperated glance. Their minds screamed refusal and frustration.
This was only one of the many ways Dudley tormented them.
Perhaps boxing was so exhausting that even at just four years old, Dudley had developed a habit of snoring loudly enough to shake the walls.
As a result, whenever Ashley or Harry stayed up even slightly later than Dudley, they were treated to a nightly "symphony" of the most irritating snoring imaginable. By morning, they'd wake looking like they had been through some ancient torture ritual!
At this point, you might wonder why all three children shared a room.
The short answer: poverty.
The slightly longer answer: Vernon's salary and savings simply could not cover a bigger house.
Ashley had stumbled across Petunia's account book one day and realized just how underestimated the cost of raising three children had been.
Vernon's salary, as a supervisor, wasn't exactly low. Raising one child would have been lavish and comfortable. Raising two could still maintain a middle-class lifestyle with a modest surplus. But three children? That only just covered the basics.
The Dursleys' current home had only two bedrooms. Even converting the study wasn't enough for three kids.
Since the children were still young and generally got along well at least in Vernon and Petunia's eyes the smaller bedroom had been turned into a nursery-style space with three small beds. The study became an activity room for homework, crafts, and drawing.
Vernon's workspace had long since moved into his and Petunia's bedroom.
This arrangement had worked fine for the kids so far. At three or four years old, blood relations shared space without complaint. Ashley slept in the middle, Harry and Dudley on either side, and no conflicts arose.
But now, nearing five and approaching school age, personal habits and rhythms were starting to diverge. Dudley's stubbornness became a catalyst, and all three began craving their own space.
Two rooms were available, but how should three children split them?
Ashley naturally wanted her own room, but Dudley and Harry could never share.
Dudley did not hate Harry like in the original story, nor did he take pleasure in bullying him but he certainly didn't like him enough to share a room. Without Ashley as mediator, conflicts were inevitable.
Harry felt the same way. Dudley's size meant even a small accidental bump could hurt, and his unpredictable temper made the thought of sharing a room unbearable.
The three knew the situation, but no solution presented itself, so they endured.
Ashley, in particular, was on edge. Watching Harry, she often wanted to tell him everything and send him to Dumbledore or Hagrid to fetch the Potters' vault key, so they could finally access the buried gold. She fumed at the idea that mountains of coins sat useless underground while they suffered because of a lack of money for a larger home.
Even more frustrating, she knew the gold existed but couldn't touch it. The thought alone was infuriating.
Vernon, too, had been contemplating the problem. Seeing Ashley's daily complaints and Dudley's frustration, he realized it was indeed time to reorganize the children's rooms.
Yet Harry complicated matters. He wasn't considered for the attic, mainly out of consideration for Petunia. The issue dragged on until the end of the year, and Ashley, desperate, eventually came up with a plan though gaining agreement from everyone was no small feat.
On the evening of December 31, the Dursleys welcomed the new year.
The dining table was piled with food, and the family sat neatly around it.
Vernon looked around at his family, subtly ignoring Harry, and smiled warmly. Raising his glass, he said:
"The old year is almost over, and the new one is about to begin. This year, our brave little Dudley started learning boxing and has done wonderfully. His coach has praised him many times. Well done, Dudley!"
Dudley puffed out his chest, beaming. He was, after all, born to box. At this moment, he forgot entirely how exhausted he had been.
Ashley nodded silently, impressed that Dudley had persisted. With a dream, anyone could achieve greatness.
Harry looked at Dudley with faint envy.
"And our little Ashley has been as clever and capable as ever. Obedient and hardworking, she has received praise from all her preschool teachers. Even your mother frequently tells me how wonderful you are. My dear, I'm so proud of you!"
Petunia smiled, nodding in agreement.
Ashley was shy and unaccustomed to such direct praise, and her face flushed slightly.
Dudley, on the other hand, wore an exaggeratedly grown-up air, as if the praise were for him. Harry looked at Ashley with genuine admiration, clearly pleased on her behalf.
Ashley's face reddened even more.
"Finally, we must thank your mother, Petunia, for all her efforts. She keeps this house clean, cooks wonderful meals, and allows us to enjoy the best possible life without worry. Let's raise a glass to her."
Adults lifted their glasses, children their juice cups, and they all toasted together.
Harry, though expecting some of this, couldn't help feeling slightly disappointed.
Ashley coughed lightly, drawing Vernon's attention, and subtly gestured toward Harry. Vernon, unsure how to respond but not wanting to ruin the moment, awkwardly said:
"Harry… you've done well too. I hear you've helped with chores… keep it up…"
Excited, Harry jumped to his feet. "Yes, Uncle Vernon! I'll work hard!"
Vernon, startled, managed a stiff smile. Petunia and Ashley exchanged amused glances.
After dinner, the family gathered around the warm fireplace, waiting for midnight.
Ashley's eyes twinkled, and she asked: "Daddy, can we make wishes for the New Year?"
"Oh? My little one has a wish?" Vernon asked, both amused and surprised.
"Me too! And mine, and my…" Dudley jumped up and ran over.
Ashley shot him a sharp glance, and Dudley immediately quieted, knowing not to interrupt serious Ashley.
"Daddy, in just a few minutes we'll be five years old, and we're big kids now. I want my own room before starting school. Is that okay?"
Ashley glanced at the clock, then shamelessly tugged at Vernon's arm. Vernon couldn't resist, answering quickly: "Of course, my dear."
Petunia hesitated, planning to carefully manage Dudley's expectations. But Dudley was too excited to think about room assignments and focused only on his wish.
"This is perfect! Daddy, Harry and Dudley would love their own rooms too. Since we don't have enough rooms, could we use some unused space in your room to make a small one?"
Harry and Dudley were thrilled. Even a small private space was enough.
Vernon paused, not out of reluctance, but because he hadn't considered this option before.
"Clever little one! Let's do it!" he agreed.
Ashley grinned slyly. Step one of her plan was complete.