When both boys hit eleven, Vernon thought it was getting better. Harry was still cautious, and Dudley still did the bare minimum with his cousin, but that was a long way from where they were.
Vernon handed Harry his letter. Vernon did love Harry and hoped he would not go, but he wouldn't stop him. It was his right. "Uncle Vernon?" "Yes, Harry?" "Can I stay here?" Uncle Vernon hugged Harry, "Yes, of course. I'm so glad." Harry and Dudley went to the local public school. Vernon figured Smeltings wasn't good for either kid and they should continue in public school as Dudley needed to be shown he can't always have his way and Harry needed normalcy.
A knock on his door. "May I speak to Harry Potter?" "Yes." Vernon allowed Harry to speak to Dumbledore. Dumbledore looked at Harry, who was healthier than he expected, "I will respect your decision to not attend Hogwarts, but you still need a magical education. We need to set up a homeschool program for you, unless you want to go somewhere else." "Uncle Vernon, they're discussing a magical education, can you help?" Harry asked him about magic. Resisting the urge to jump for joy at Harry's progress, Vernon went into the living room. "Yes, Harry needs a magical education. Is homeschooling suitable or would another school be preferable?"
After some serious discussion, Vernon and Harry agreed to him being homeschooled by the ministry, under Dumbledore's supervision. Vernon hoped this would help his nephew. But he was still skeptical. His worst fear is that Harry will never be his true self and it would be his fault, if his worst fear came true.
Vernon emptied out the shed on Dumbledore's advice. Magic couldn't mix with electronics. Who knew? Dumbledore laughed when Vernon asked if that means Harry shouldn't be allowed electronics. He wasn't being mean, he just really didn't know. To his relief Dumbledore reassured him it was fine as long as Harry keeps his magic under control. He wouldn't have to explain things to Harry a third time. If it went the way he thought, he would confuse the poor boy again.
Vernon, trying to be fair to Dudley, told him to pick an extracurricular he wanted to join. Harry already had track and magic. Dudley had boxing to Vernon's dismay and he was stern about the, "If you hit Harry, no boxing lessons." rule. He would have added bullying at the time, but his therapist was careful to tell him to take it slow with both boys as it could take a while for them to learn.
To his gratitude, Dudley went a whole week without using his new skill to harm anyone. Vernon rewarded Dudley for it and kept doubling the time for his next reward. After a while, Dudley didn't need rewards to not bully anyone. Though that nagging part of Vernon's mind tells him he taught Dudley to bully, why would he change now? Can he really fix it now?
He just wished Harry's accidental magic wasn't so prominent. Harry turned Dudley into a frog by accident one time. He had to punish the boy for hiding it. "Harry, I'm not mad you did accidental magic, but you must tell me when you turn your cousin into a frog." Vernon said sitting next to Harry, "No television for a week." Some witch fixed it. He could tell she was struggling not to laugh.
He was so excited at the zoo, he let all the animals out. Talking to snakes is whatever, but letting all the animals out. The witch fixed it again.
His teacher made fun of Dudley and all her furniture mysteriously broke apart. Vernon had to tell Harry to take the month of detention and week suspension for that one, or it would look like he was allowing Harry to misbehave too much. Though long as he stayed inside and did his chores, he could do whatever, but when someone comes over, act like he's grounded.
When he asked Dumbledore about this, he saw the man's eyes twinkle. "That means he is magically powerful. It is a good thing." "Will he be like this forever?" Vernon said with fear, "Not able to control himself when angry?" "Of course not. That is what his magical education is for, so he can control himself. Though, I must warn you, Harry feels strong emotions by the sounds of it, so we must help him control that to keep his magic in check at all times."
Because of this, a week later, Harry was practicing blocking his mind, while Dudley was doing his new extracurricular of fencing. Dudley having a sword worried him but not as much as Harry being upset at school again. Apparently a few boys were picking on Harry and he ended up on the roof! When asked why, Harry explained the bullying and teachers ignoring it. When asked why he didn't tell him, "I didn't want to bother you, Uncle Vernon. I'm still a freak."
Vernon hugged Harry right there, "You are not a freak." Sure the teachers looked at him like he had two heads, but whatever. "How dare you let these boys bully my nephew!" Vernon turned an impressive shade of purple when the headmaster asked, "Why do you care? He isn't your blood." "My blood. I care because this boy has no one. His parents died in a car crash, and I am happy to have Harry with me. He is not a burden!" Vernon's fists slammed on the desk, "And he will not be treated like one here or anywhere! Why did you not inform me of the bullying sooner? My boy wouldn't be on the roof then!" "Your nephew isn't perfect." Harry's teacher replied, "He did break all my furniture." "And he got in trouble. I never said he was perfect. I bet you couldn't find one perfect being in this entire school.
Perfect or not, what I do know is Harry has never laid a finger on anyone. Why would he start now? Listen here, I moved my kids here to get away from the bullying, and I can sure do it again!" Harry was let off with a, "Don't do it again." At that.