Vernon and Petunia Dursley were not amused, to have been 'forced' to take in a most unnatural nephew into their loving house. Life had been perfectly normal, thank you very much. No freaky younger sisters, no funny business but just a true, normal British family. Individually, both adults had their own way of treating this particular nuisance in the form of Harry Potter. And the irony was, that the combination of these two methods and the very 'unnaturalness' of Harry would create the very personification of a True British Gent.
Petunia Dursley had the first crack of the whip when it came to Harry's upbringing. Both Petunia and Vernon agreed on this principle among many, that it was for the woman to look after the children. So, from the morning after little Harry Potter was brought into the house, Petunia's method of treating Harry was established.
Harry was taken out of the cupboard under the stairs at exactly 5.00. Petunia then proceeded to a strict routine. First Harry was brought to the guest bathroom, close to the exit. A sink, toilet and mirror were all that would be provided for Harry's hygienic needs. The hot water had been already removed, making the water feel frozen. Afterwhich, Petunia placed Harry back into the cupboard, shut the door but opened the hatch. Petunia left briskly to the kitchen and returned with a bottle of milk. The hatch was shut, the door bolted for good measure and Harry was left inside until 11.00, where the same would happen. Petunia would repeat this for the third time at 5.00.
Petunia's method, focused upon rules, order and a minimalistic approach to life. Repetition would reinforce this method and make sure that her rule was the law. Only when Harry grew in comprehension and physique would, more rules and orders be established. Yet, the cupboard under the stairs would remain the centre point of everything.
Vernon on the other hand took a silent collection of observations for the first 3-4 years of Harry's arrival. The extra stipend from the magical world was very happily received but his principals stood strong and led him to create his own method of paying the kid back. Vernon's method was two-fold. First, Vernon needed to establish his dominion over the boy. He had to know his betters and the hierarchy of power not only in the house but in the world. Second, Vernon wanted the boy to serve him and the family, and be grateful for it. Not just in housekeeping, but financially too.
What followed Harry's life after he turned 4yrs, was akin to child slavery only wrapped with a good appearance. Many of Harry's life lessons and knowledge were established in these early years. Harry learnt to read but not for any useless reason. Harry learnt to read, so he could make sure every receipt, contract and important document was without fault. Harry learnt numbers to help Vernon's business, to find the best and cheapest deals. Harry went through every academic book from primary to college, in order to create easy-for dummies-to-get-good-grades guides.
Harry was drilled into principals of efficiency, work ethic and humility. Perfection was the only thing that could be rewarded, but Harry was never rewarded, instilling an ever-growing scrutiny of works that seemed perfect. Soon, it became clear that every moment not sleeping, eating or taking care of hygiene was to be used for the betterment of the Dursley family and household. This was why over the years, Vernon became increasingly smug at the success of his "hard work".
Beyond Vernon and Petunia's methods of moulding Harry into something tolerable, Harry's mind was completely outside of their domain. A truth, that the boy learnt in the seclusion and isolation of the cold, dark cupboard.
From Harry's perspective, he was confused to wake up in an unknown place. No mummy or daddy, no Padfoot, moony, prongs or wormtail to find him. Then a huge collection of shocks smashed into his life, in the form of a tall, cold woman. This woman was the exact opposite of his mummy, she made him do things that hurt, made him shiver and helpless. That first time, when he was shut back into the cupboard, with just a bottle of ice, cold milk; Harry cried.
He cried and cried, but nobody came to him. He wouldn't know for a year or two, that the cupboard had been made as soundproof as possible.
Soon though, a collection of internal cues led him to stop his crying, to breath deeply and drink his milk. These cues in his head led his conscious mind through a 'magical' story that told him some hard truths.
The story started with a scene of his mother, being struck by a green light and falling down with a loud scream. It was incredibly hard to keep watching, but the internal cues had their fix into Harry, making him crave to know more. So the story widened, showing before the attack and just after. Here in the depths of his mind, held the truth that would later be used to free an innocent man, but for now, Harry intuitively understood what he could which was; "mummy and daddy are gone. Hurt by the bad man".
Then the magical story shifted to the present moment, showing the scenes of Petunia and the following actions. This time, Harry gained more truths. He realised that the woman was washing his body, but also waking him up really well. He also realised that this small cupboard was his room now. He would get food in here, he deduced that he would wash in the bathroom but the final truth hit, at the exact time his bottom released its waste, creating a foul and putrid smell to fill the room.
Somehow through the internal cues, Harry managed to stifle his cries, whilst allowing tears to fall down. He held on to the truth that he had to release his waste where he was, which brought with it, a wish that all the waste, smell and foulness disappear. The internal cues surged together out of his body and before his eyes, all of the waste had disappeared. Unknown to Harry, but the entire cupboard had several layers of dust, had several different insects scurrying in corners and holes, but his accidental magical effect removed all of this.
Harry sat, drinking the rest of his milk, whilst feeling amazed at the power inside of him. He was clean, his room was clean and best of all, his mind was completely his.
What followed after this, was an unseen genius unlocking more of his potential as a wizard. When clean of all waste, taint and grime; Harry would enter his mind and allow the internal cues to lead his mind. The internal cues were a combination of methodical, instructive and curious story, woven together to guide Harry to some truth. The more he delved into his mind, the more his consciousness fused with it. When he grew older, Harry's conscious mind had fused perfectly with his internal cues making him completely aware of himself and the world around him (like limitless, NZT, but natural. Meaning as he grows and stretches his mind and magic, he will be able to achieve and comprehend more.)
Note for future Rob.
Here is as far as I can go at the moment. This gives a different and interesting starting point for Harry when he goes to Hogwarts. In fact this story could take a more business, gentlemen/ butler Harry Potter, but I want his magical NZT to bring him to the realisation of what power and authority really mean, to someone like himself.
He could turn into a magneto and believe himself superior.
Or maybe take a more sophisticated approach.
Added notes (30/10/2021)
Thanks past Rob, very cool to have this link of communication. Now to Future Rob.
Have the idea for creating a cleansing power system for Harry, with slight touches of cultivation novels as it would allow the cleansing of internal impurities. This story, i believe could have the potential to add this into it and make it whole.
I will leave this note, and work on something completely different, for creative experession.