Harry's life was so heartbreaking that it made anyone who witnessed it cry and saddened those who heard about it. Hermione was outraged and pouting, "This can't be right! Why does Harry have to eat the same food as his obese cousin? Does weight loss progress double just because the family and oneself eat the same?"
"It's normal, after all, they're the Dursleys. Dudley gobbles up vegetables while Harry enjoys delicious feasts next to him," commented Tom, sympathizing with Harry's situation but finding it quite logical.
Speaking of people so obese that they can't fit into school uniform pants, is it possible for them to really lose weight just by starving?" Hermione raised a crucial question.
Of course, it's not possible. Weight loss is a constant battle that requires both exercise and a restrictive diet. Both must be carried out with determination to succeed. As they say, "close your mouth and move," right? If one relies solely on starving, they may get short-term results, but once food intake resumes, the rebound is quick. A person who has been hungry for a long time cannot resist the temptation of a stew, fried chicken, or soft drinks. Therefore, there is sometimes a strange phenomenon where some people get fatter the more they try to lose weight, like housing prices, which only go up and not down.
"I think surgery or magical potions are more reliable, or Dudley could go study in the United States, where there's no shortage of obese people or plus-size uniforms," said Tom, losing faith in conventional weight loss methods and considering surgery as the only solution for someone like Dudley.
"As long as the Dursleys aren't crazy, they won't send their son to the United States to study. I mean, how could someone like Dudley cross the ocean to go to school? His parents definitely wouldn't allow it," Hermione commented.
"Maybe studying abroad can help him grow," Tom and Hermione began discussing topics that deviated from the main issue.
In the evening, when Hermione told her mother about Harry's situation, Mrs. Granger gasped and exclaimed, "Poor child!"
"Perfect, let's have this owl deliver some snacks for him," Mr. Granger said, also feeling sympathy for what was happening to Harry. "Hermione, ask Harry if his cousin is interested in getting surgery. I know some reliable doctors who are experts in liposuction."
That sounds untrustworthy. The Dursleys would never allow those "rude, incompetent doctors" to endanger their "little treasure," even though their little treasure had already turned into a fatty liver.
Mrs. Granger acted quickly and brought a large box of sugar-free snacks. As dentists, she and her husband were very concerned about dental care, so they always opted for sugar-free snacks. They forced Hermione and Tom to brush their teeth in the morning and evening and rinse their mouths at noon.
In a family of dentists, the presence of people with dental problems was not allowed.
Mr. Granger lamented a bit because the Christmas turkey in his own house had already been devoured in various possible ways and couldn't be sent to help Harry.
"I think we can also send some canned food," Tom suggested, with experience in knowing how to provide supplies to people lacking them: high in calories, long-lasting, tailored to the circumstances and the person.
Harry was so hungry he could eat every last grain of rice, so it wouldn't be appropriate to send him a big bag of popcorn. Among all the supplies, canned food and soft drinks were the best choice. Cans and drinks have a long shelf life, and Harry would simply hide them under his bed once he received them. Harry had a secret storage space: a loose piece of floor. Lifting it up revealed a fairly decent space for storing food.
Harry's state also had to be taken into account. It's not that he lacked fresh fruits and vegetables in his daily life. His problem was that he couldn't cook, so he needed to be provided with ready-made, low-odor foods. If the smell was too strong, the Dursleys would find out, and Harry would be in big trouble.
"We'll prepare some canned deli meats, soft drinks, and canned meat for Harry. We can also add a jar of sweet pickles to offset the taste," Tom quickly expanded the list of supplies for Harry. Hedwig listened in amazement, having no idea what she was about to face.
Tom's suggestions surprised the Granger family, who looked at him as if they were meeting him for the first time.
"Where did you get all this knowledge?" Hermione looked at Tom in astonishment.
"From life."
Hermione fell silent, remembering that Tom had been a vagabond until she met him.
"I hope you never have to use that knowledge."
It was the most sincere of wishes.
Opening the refrigerator and finding plenty of food, not feeling like cooking and having food brought to you with a simple call, being able to go wherever you want, supermarkets filled with food... These small details, though they may seem insignificant, are where happiness resides.
"Wait a moment, Tom, you've broadened my perspective. Harry is only limited in his food, but he's not confined; we can send him some money." Hearing Tom's suggestion, Hermione opened her mind as if she were getting into a convertible.
She realized that Harry wasn't prohibited by his aunt and family from leaving the house; he just needed to find an opportunity to escape and enjoy a hearty meal at a nearby fast-food restaurant, which he probably hadn't done because he didn't have money.
The ways for Harry to obtain Muggle money were extremely limited. His deceased parents left him money from the magical world, not a single Muggle penny. He could only get pounds from the Dursleys, but the amount he received was practically zero.
Sirius gave him some money, but it wasn't enough to support Harry for the whole summer.
"Although giving money to a friend may seem strange, money can solve Harry's problems."
Hermione's proposal was accepted by everyone. Since it was still early, the supermarket was not yet closed, so Mr. Granger went out and bought the cans that Harry needed.
"Canned meat, beef, tuna, squid, mackerel cans, plus cola and several pounds in cash. It should be enough for Harry to get through the summer." Mr. Granger placed an oversized plastic bag in front of Hedwig.
Hedwig: ???
This bag was several times bigger than Hedwig; no matter how much strength she had, she couldn't fly over several counties to Privet Drive, where Harry was located.
If it can't be done in one go, then it can be done in several.
So, during the night, Harry, eagerly waiting, received Hedwig, who brought a large box of sugar-free snacks. But before Harry could praise her, Hedwig flew out the window.
On the second encounter, Hedwig brought over ten cans and then left again.
As the sky began to lighten, Hedwig returned for the third time, this time with a box of soft drinks.
Harry: ...