Vernon hoped a change of schools would be good for Harry. But he forgot something important, telling Harry he could get good grades. He learned that when at a parent teacher conference when he asked about Harry.
"Yes, Harry's grades are absymbal. All Ds and Fs and he refuses to participate in class, we wonder if he needs help." "Boy, why is this? I know you can get better grades." "I thought I couldn't do better than Dudley." Vernon mused inside himself, "I'm sorry, boy, I forgot about that old rule you had. From now on, show your teachers what potential you have."
The teacher looked at him like he had two heads, "What does he mean, he couldn't do better than Dudley?" "Harry, Dudley, can you leave the room?" "Yes, Uncle Vernon." Harry agreed. Dudley was about to throw a fit until he saw his dad's stern face. After the boys left the room Vernon sighed and started explaining, "Please don't judge my boys for this, as this situation is completely my fault." Vernon continued when he saw the teacher brace herself for what news she would bare. "Recently, Dudley did something very bad to his cousin. This is when I realized I was abusing both of them. Child services did get involved.
It took a lot of work for me to regain custody of both kids. My ex-wife who I still love dearly was not regranted custody. I am learning now what damage we did to both boys. It was an old rule Harry couldn't do better than Dudley."
"Okay. Speaking of Dudley, his grades are only slightly better than Harry's. I expect you would turn that situation around and we have tutoring services for Dudley as some subjects he just struggles with like maths and biology." "Of course, does Harry not need tutoring?" "No, I been discreetly watching him and I suspect he could be a top student if he just tried." "I'll talk to both boys."
Vernon exited to Dudley pounding Harry. Did he break Harry's new glasses! "Dudley Vernon Dursley! How dare you hit your cousin!" Vernon shouted while pulling him off Harry, though Vernon's heart sunk hearing Dudley shout, "You're the reason dad divorced mom, and now I don't have a mother." at Harry. "Grounded for two weeks." He helped Harry up who he saw was hiding his broken glasses. "We'll get you new glasses, my boy. It will come out of Dudley's allowance."
Dudley was crying in the car. Vernon had to keep watch as neither boy was old enough to sit up front. Dudley still tried to hit Harry every now and then, "Dudley, I'm about to pull over young man!" Was said at Dudley hitting Harry for the umpteenth time. One more hit to Harry's side. Vernon did pull over the car. "Dudley, Harry, come with me." It was so hard to discipline a boy while keeping the other supervised. And he wanted Harry to learn how to get in trouble. And that wasn't happening.
"Dudley, you will treat Harry kindly. He is not a punching bag. You are grounded for two more weeks. Harry, you are allowed to hit back. And I want you to try in school. You are allowed to do better than Dudley. Dudley, I expect better grades too, I have signed you up for tutoring."
Next up was getting Harry's glasses. This meant a stop to his house to grab Harry's prescription. Vernon found it... In pieces. "Dudley!" Was shouted. "Must calm down. Must not kill the boy. Must show a good example." Vernon came out, "Dudley, why is Harry's prescription ripped, he needs that." "He should just tape his glasses. Spoiled brat." Vernon's face paled in contrast to his usual shade of purple that came when he was angry. "Dudley, you were the spoiled brat. Harry is just being treated fairly. It is best you get used to it." "Then why am I always grounded then?" "Do you think I want to ground you? No, I don't! I just want you to behave and be nice to your cousin!" Vernon took a breath to calm down his anger, "I feel bad, I let it get this far. Grounding you is a last resort. I am trying to be lenient, but I can't let your behavior go. It's not good for you. Please Dudley, show me that good kid I know is inside."
Dudley was silent when Harry was getting his eyes checked again. "Any glasses you want, my boy." Harry grabbed black glasses with lightning bolts on them. Why? "That is fine, my boy."