"Petunia—Petunia, are you alright?" Vernon rushed over, helping her up from the sofa and asking anxiously.
"Mom, how are you feeling?" Dudley also hurried to her side.
He could tell his mother was fine, just startled.
"I'm fine, that letter…" Petunia said, her expression complex as she eyed the letter in Dudley's hand.
"Don't talk about the letter's contents anymore. It's a lie!" Vernon said loudly. "Look, you've scared your mother half to death."
The more secretive they were, the more Dudley wanted to uncover the truth. He maximized his abilities. The Lawyer's power gave him insight into others' weaknesses, eloquence, and persuasiveness, while the Arbitrator granted authority and charisma, allowing him to influence others to achieve his goals.
"Dad, Mom, I think you know something," Dudley said. "Since Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry sent admission letters to Harry and me, we have a right to know the truth. If the letter's contents are real, we're dealing with wizards who have extraordinary abilities. What if they don't get a reply and send someone to seize us? Also, I've been experiencing strange things lately. If I lose control and blow up the house, I wouldn't know what to do."
Dudley spoke seriously, his spiritual power spreading. Though his extraordinary characteristics weren't fully digested, his prior high-sequence experience made influencing two non-extraordinary mortals easy.
Vernon and Petunia's expressions grew solemn. They agreed Dudley's concerns were valid, worrying that ignoring the letter might provoke wizards. Dudley's mention of blowing up the house evoked memories of Harry's parents, paling their faces. Petunia gasped involuntarily.
"So, tell me everything you know," Dudley urged, his invisible authority compelling Vernon and Petunia to share what they knew.
"Oh, my heavens, I knew this day would come," Petunia said, her voice trembling. "I thought if we hid that Harry was a wizard, he wouldn't become one, but…"
"What am I?" Harry stared at Petunia, shocked.
"A wizard! You're a wizard!" Vernon shouted, then lowered his voice, fearing neighbors might hear. "I've always known you were a freak. You and your parents are freaks!"
Dudley raised his eyebrows.
"You're just like my damned sister. I knew you were a wizard—after all, your parents were wizards!" Petunia, catching her breath, began recounting past events with agitation.
"When she got that letter, she vanished to that damned school. During holidays, her pockets were full of toad spawn, and she'd turn teapots into mice. Only I saw her for what she was—a complete freak! But my parents couldn't see it, always 'Lily this, Lily that.' A witch in the family, and they were delighted," Petunia said grimly.
Dudley noticed that despite her disgust, Petunia's eyes held obvious jealousy. Combining this with her earlier expression, he wondered if she'd wanted to be a wizard but failed.
Petunia then described Harry's parents and their demise in an explosion. Dudley finally understood what happened to his aunt's family—Harry's parents. He'd been told they died in a car accident, with little mention otherwise. Now he knew why.
"My parents were wizards, and they didn't die in a car accident, but…" Harry's face paled. The day's revelations were overwhelming. His parents, believed to have died in a crash, perished in an explosion and were wizards. For an ordinary boy, this was too much to process without losing his mind.
"Now you know what that school is—a place that trains freaks, and it's dangerous. One mistake, and an explosion could kill you," Vernon said fiercely. "So, don't mention it again!"
Dudley pondered, then said seriously, "I think that place sounds good. I want to go!"
How would this magical world differ from that strange world? Dudley was filled with anticipation.
"What? You—you—" Vernon, furious at Dudley's words, closed his eyes, then forced them open.
Petunia stared at Dudley in shock, silent.
"Dad, I think being a wizard is probably predestined," Dudley said. "The fact that I can become a wizard means I have wizarding power within me. If it's not controlled and learned, it could lead to disastrous consequences. So, I need to go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
Dudley employed his Arbitrator and Lawyer abilities again. He couldn't compromise; he had to attend that magic school.
"You…" Vernon, at a loss, turned to Petunia, hoping she'd stop Dudley.
"Dudley, my little darling, do you… do you really want to go to that school?" Petunia asked, her voice trembling.
"Yes, Mom," Dudley said, walking to her side and hugging her tightly. He whispered in her ear, "Mom, I'll fulfill the wish you couldn't."
Petunia's body stiffened visibly.
Dudley released her and smiled. "I think you won't stop me, will you?"
Petunia's expression wavered. Finally, she sighed and nodded.
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