Chapter 197: Christmas Holiday
Christmas Holiday had arrived.
Though it was called Christmas Holiday, the actual break wouldn’t begin for another week—Distance Christmas still had seven days left.
But on the day before, Wade received a Funeral Invitation from the Black family.
“Sirius Black isn’t planning to invite many people,” Remus Lupin told them. “But he wants it to be proper. He considers Regulus deserving of a solemn funeral.”
After discussing with his parents, Wade decided to stay until after the funeral before returning home. Ferdinand and Fiona both expressed their support.
Besides Wade, Harry had also invited every single Weasley from school. Their parents were using the holiday to visit their older son Bill, leaving the younger children behind at Hogwarts.
But the Weasleys felt that staying in a school they’d already grown tired of was worse than joining Harry for a change of scenery.
Apparently, Percy had wanted to stay behind—but the Weasley Twins had already stolen his request form, making sure he wouldn’t be alone.
Aside from that, most of the people in the Umbrella Room accepted the invitation, except Padma, whose parents insisted she return home with her sister.
“I really wish I could go with you,” Padma said, apologetic. “But my aunt and cousin are coming to visit, and my dad… well, you know how elders are. They always think our own matters aren’t important enough.”
“Don’t worry,” Michael said instantly. “I’ll tell you everything we find every day.”
Padma smiled at him.
Theo coughed sharply—forcefully.
The two still thought no one else had noticed their growing closeness.
But in truth, everyone except Harry had already sensed it.
On the final day of term, students still had to take the train back. The Night Kneazle Pull carriage rolled toward the station, but halfway through, Hagrid called out, and the carriages came to a stop.
They had reached Hogsmeade Village. Remus Lupin waited by the side of the road.
Wade and the others jumped down and greeted him.
Percy and Ginny Weasley, both seeing him for the first time, looked a little stiff, standing side by side.
“Welcome,” Remus Lupin said, offering a gentle smile.
“Harry!” Hagrid’s voice rang out from the carriage he was sitting in. “Enjoy your holiday! I’ll be over to the Black house in a few days.”
“Got it!” Harry called back, then noticed everyone staring at him, even busy Fred and George, who looked confused.
He still didn’t know about the funeral.
“Goodbye, children! Goodbye, Remus! Give my regards to Sirius Black!” Hagrid waved, and the carriages slowly departed.
“Come with me,” Remus said, leading them toward his home.
“Remus,” Harry asked, eager, “are we going to the Black Family Manor?”
“Sirius Black isn’t there?”
He’d expected to see his godfather the moment he stepped off the carriage!
“Sirius Black… he’s not doing well,” Remus said, his voice heavy with sorrow. “The manor’s condition is worse than we thought. It’s not safe to live there right now. You’ll have to stay at my place tonight. It’s small—everyone will have to squeeze in.”
“What’s wrong with Sirius Black?” Harry pressed, anxious.
Remus hesitated, then exchanged a glance with Wade—his eyes clearly saying:
You didn’t tell him?
You were supposed to.
Wade didn’t hesitate. He passed the blame right back.
So, as they walked, Remus slowly recounted Regulus’s story.
Of course, he didn’t mention the Horcrux.
The children didn’t know Regulus personally. Most had only heard of Sirius Black from newspapers.
But even so, hearing about the two brothers—both fighting against Voldemort, one imprisoned in the darkest prison of all, the other lost beneath the frozen lake—was enough to fill the silence with sorrow.
Both had carried the same burden: a stain on their names.
What kind of cruel joke was this?
No one spoke for a long while.
Finally, Harry said, “I want to be with Sirius Black. He shouldn’t be alone right now. Where is he?”
“In the Black Family Manor,” Remus replied.
“But you just said it’s not safe to live there.”
“Exactly. The house is in ruins! No one’s maintained it since Sirius’s mother died. And there’s a House-elf still loyal to the old ways—someone who’s been working against us. Sirius’s been trying to clean it up, just to give his younger brother a proper funeral.”
“I can help!” Harry said immediately.
“But—”
“We’re coming too!” Liam said. “Harry invited us in the first place. Didn’t he say we were here to help with the cleaning? Well, we’re here to do it.”
Harry turned slightly red. He hadn’t realized it would actually be hard work.
The group burst into laughter—even Percy, who had been scowling, couldn’t help a small smile.
Fred grinned. “Ha! Mum’s always wanted a House-elf. I’d love to see how these creatures mess with their masters.”
“I came here to see what an ancient wizard family is really like,” Michael said, scanning the group. “Honestly, the darker and more haunted it is, the better.”
Theo simply nodded. “More hands mean faster work.”
Hermione said, “We’re not the kind to just show up for fun and run when things get tough.”
“Oh, seriously,” Ron said, slapping his forehead. “I’ve been doing chores since I was three. I’m an expert.”
One by one, they all expressed their eagerness to help—no complaints, no hesitation, no fear of hard work.
Their kindness was so open and pure, Remus couldn’t help but smile, truly this time.
“Alright then. Let’s go. Just… don’t say you weren’t warned. I hope you won’t regret seeing the Black Family Manor.”
At that moment, the manor had not yet become the headquarters of the Phoenix Society, and so it wasn’t protected by the Priori Incantatem Charm.
Though generations of Blacks had layered it with magic to hide it from Muggles and wizards alike, Sirius had still managed to connect it to the Floo Network.
One by one, they stepped into the fireplace, tossed Floo Powder into the flames, and called out, “Number Twelve Grimmauld Place.”
They vanished into the green fire.
Wade lingered behind.
Just before stepping in, he turned and asked, “Remus, where’s Regulus’s body?”
“In the house next door,” Remus said. “Sirius wants the funeral preparations finished before bringing him back.”
Wade nodded slightly, then said, “I think he should be brought back now.”
“The Black Family Manor may be a place Sirius Black hates. But for Regulus, it was always the home he longed for.”
(End of Chapter)
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