Chapter 114. Chocolate
Remus Lupin looked somewhat disapproving, but after a moment of silence, he ultimately respected Harry’s choice.
The Dursley Couple both exhaled in relief—yet their expressions twisted with discomfort at the thought of being “forgiven” by Harry.
“Um…” Harry looked at Remus Lupin, unsure how to address him, and turned to Wade for help.
“This is Mr. Remus Lupin,” Wade introduced, “my family’s tutor, and your father’s closest friend. You may address him as ‘Mr. Lupin.’”
Harry pointed to the spot below the stairs. “Can you help me open this lock?”
“Of course.”
Remus Lupin was eager to do anything for him. He swiftly applied an Unlocking Charm, opening the lock with a quiet click. He spared only a brief glance at the cramped, dim storage room before turning away.
Harry handed the owl cage to Wade, then crouched in front of the room and began pulling out various personal belongings from inside—his wand, robes, magical books, cauldron, flying broomstick, and finally, the Book of Friends, buried beneath everything else.
As soon as summer holidays had begun, Fernon Dursley had locked all of Harry’s things away in this tiny storage room. Harry had fought desperately to keep even this one item—his Book of Friends—out of his uncle’s hands.
“Just a couple of scraps of parchment!” he shouted, jumping up and reaching desperately—but still too short to grab the book from Fernon’s grasp.
But the very fact that Harry cared so much made Fernon snatch it first, hiding it deep within the darkness.
“Don’t even think about it!” Fernon roared at him, voice dripping with fear and hatred. “Don’t you dare let your filthy magic pollute our home!”
…
Harry shook his head, as if trying to purge the terrible memories and the suffocating darkness of the room from his mind.
He shoved everything haphazardly into the box, stood up, and smiled—a relieved, radiant smile.
“Wade, Mr. Lupin, let’s go,” he said.
He didn’t look back at the pale, rigid Dursley Couple. He didn’t spare a glance for Dudley, trembling in the bathroom.
Each step out of the house filled him with growing joy.
Wade walked beside him, then asked casually, “Did you hear what I said just now?”
“Yeah,” Harry replied, voice soft and quiet.
“You should know,” Wade said, “that even today, before your eighteenth birthday, the Children’s Act still protects your legal rights.”
The Dursleys turned ashen. They looked like they wanted to gag him.
Wade had said it on purpose—to make them squirm.
Harry had believed he could finally leave the Dursleys behind for good. But Wade knew better—he’d still have to return here every year until he graduated.
He warned Harry, “Don’t think losing your wand means you’re powerless against adults. In the ordinary world, law is a weapon you can use.”
“I understand,” Harry said gratefully. “Thank you… Wade.”
No one had ever told him before that he could protect himself this way.
Of course he understood—Wade had handed him a powerful tool.
And no one knew better than he did how terrified Fernon and Penny Dursley were of their home being “different.” If the police ever showed up at their door, it would be the same as sentencing them to death.
Remus Lupin followed silently behind them. As they reached the front door, he turned back to face the Dursley Couple.
“I know you and Lily never got along,” he said coldly. “But if… if something unexpected had happened eleven years ago… then James and Lily would never have treated your son like that.”
…
The group walked in silence for a while.
Harry’s eyes suddenly welled up. He blinked hard, fighting back tears, then quickly wiped his eyes with the sleeve of his robe.
Wade and Remus Lupin pretended not to notice.
When the wetness finally subsided, Harry heard Hedwig let out a loud, strange cry from inside the cage.
Wade lifted the cage, frowning at the snowy owl. “Is she hungry?”
“Oh no—she’s been locked up too long!” Harry hurried to unfasten the latch. “She hasn’t stretched her wings in ages!”
As soon as the cage opened, Hedwig shot out like a streak of white lightning, vanishing into the sky in an instant.
Harry watched her disappear, then suddenly his stomach growled loudly.
He clutched his stomach, grimacing in hunger, and glanced awkwardly at the others.
“Um… where are we going?”
Wade and Remus Lupin stopped, exchanging a glance.
“First, the farm,” Wade said. “Everyone’s waiting for you there!”
Remus Lupin nodded. “I need some time to prepare—something to live in… uh… I mean, I should at least have a proper house…”
He looked slightly nervous as he added, “Harry, I haven’t even asked you—would you be willing to live with me?”
“Even though you’re still a stranger to me,” he continued, “I was very close to your father. If you’re willing, I’d treat you like a son.”
“Live with you?” Harry repeated, eyes wide. “You mean… leave the Dursleys?”
“Of course,” Remus Lupin said, crouching down to meet his eyes. “I’ve been homeless for years. I still live in a tavern. But if you want, I can buy a house—conditions might not be perfect…”
“I’d love to!” Harry interrupted, his voice trembling with excitement. “Do you need money? I have savings in Gringotts Wizarding Bank!”
He was more than willing. Any chance to escape the Dursleys was a dream come true.
Even though he didn’t yet know Remus Lupin well, he trusted him—and the man’s presence was a thousand times better than Fernon Dursley’s cold, hateful glare.
“You don’t need to pay, Harry,” Remus said, chuckling as he ruffled Harry’s hair. “That’s your parents’ inheritance. And thanks to Wade, I’ve saved a little myself. Besides, houses in the countryside aren’t expensive.”
He looked at both of them. “I’ll take you to Gralin Farm first. Once I’m ready, I’ll come for you.”
“That’s wonderful…” Harry said, realization dawning too late. “The farm?”
“We’ll talk on the way,” Wade said. “You’ve missed a lot.”
He raised his wand, and almost instantly, the purple Knight Bus popped into view, rolling neatly onto the roadside. The trash bin beside it sprang aside with surprising agility—making Harry jump.
“Welcome aboard the Knight Bus,” announced a young man with oversized, floppy ears, leaning out of the window. “The emergency transport for witches and wizards in distress—”
Before he could finish, Wade had already tossed a few Galleons into the air and pushed Harry inside.
“Gralin Farm, please. And—chocolate, too.”
“Alright, alright… already acting like a regular,” Stan Sumpack grinned, pocketing the coins and handing over a steaming cup of hot chocolate.
Harry took a huge gulp. The rich, bitter-sweet aroma burst across his tongue, and for the first time in a long while, his empty stomach finally felt at peace.
A new life was beginning before him.
(End of Chapter)
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