Chapter 385: Harry Arrives
Chapter 385: Harry Arrives
"Really, thank you for the evidence. I think this will help clear Harry's name." The next morning, Liam was in the kitchen having breakfast when Sirius Black rushed in to thank him. Sirius Black had been very busy lately, contacting the Pureblood Families in hopes they would join their side in the upcoming war or at least remain neutral. When he heard about Harry's attack this morning, he immediately flew back from Marseille, France, without even stopping for breakfast.
"No need to thank me. Since Harry is a friend, I would definitely help him in a situation like this. It was nothing much for me", Liam said, feeling it was no big deal.
After finishing a piece of bread slathered with cranberry jam, Liam turned to Sirius Black, who was eating a strip of bacon across from him. "By the way, now that this has happened, I think it's no longer safe for Harry to stay with his aunt. After all, the fact that they released Dementors shows they've hit rock bottom. I'm worried something worse might happen."
"Dumbledore thought the same", Sirius Black said, swallowing his bacon. "Harry has double guards these days. Once we can spare more people, we'll bring Harry here directly."
"That's good to hear. I hope everything goes smoothly over the next few days." Liam lifted his glass of milk. "Mrs. Weasley's cooking always makes me feel at home."
After breakfast, Liam returned to the small parlor and study on the third floor, where he found Hermione telling Ron and Ginny about her adventure at Harry's place the previous night.
"Oh, you should have taken me along. Now Harry might think I don't consider him a friend", Ron said, sounding a bit annoyed after hearing about Hermione and Liam's adventure.
"Hermione already explained it to him. I don't think Harry will blame us for it", Ginny said from beside him. "Besides, Liam could only take one person without raising suspicion. If he had taken either of us, Mum would have noticed, and no one would have been able to go."
"Looks like in Hermione's absence, Ginny has become the brains of the trio! At least we don't have to worry about Harry and Ron acting without thinking." With that thought, Liam pushed open the door and walked in.
Everyone's attention quickly shifted to how Liam had captured the Dementor. When they learned how expensive it was, Ron sighed. For someone who couldn't even cast a Guardian Charm, any other method to combat Dementors would be worth trying.
Three uneventful days passed, and Mad-Eye Moody organized a small team to fetch Harry. Liam, with his considerable skills, could have been part of the escort, but his broom-riding skills held him back. So, he was left to be part of the final backup, lying in wait near Grimmauld Place.
"Do you think the Dark Lord and his followers will suddenly attack Harry?" Hermione asked, handing Liam an armed belt with a dagger attached. Her voice was tinged with tension.
Liam took the belt and slung it over his shoulder, then said in a relaxed tone, "Probably not, but since Mad-Eye Moody is in charge, he wants everyone to prepare for the worst. I think it's a good idea; it helps everyone get used to a full mobilization. If something does happen, we won't be caught off guard."
After saying goodbye to Hermione, Liam and Sirius Black, dressed in a black overcoat, went out to patrol the surrounding streets. They found a spot where they could see Grimmauld Place but stay hidden. Sirius Black, using the streetlight, examined Liam's wand. "You have a backup wand without a trace? I had one when I was young, bought it in Knockturn Alley."
"This one didn't cost me anything. I got it from a guy who tried to rob me while I was buying supplies in Knockturn Alley."
"Good job, kid. I didn't have the nerve to take on those scumbags in Knockturn Alley when I was your age." Sirius Black chuckled, then began sharing stories of his young days fighting Death Eaters and Voldemort, along with his battle strategies.
"Why are they taking so long? It only takes me an hour to get to Harry's place by car, and they've been flying for almost an hour and a half. What's taking them so long?" After waiting for a long time, Liam checked his pocket watch and voiced his concern, wondering if his presence had somehow caused a butterfly effect and put Harry in danger.
"Strange, they should have arrived 40 minutes ago." Sirius Black was a bit worried, but at that moment, several shadows fell from the sky, and the streetlights on Grimmauld Place went out one by one. Seeing this, Sirius Black finally put his mind at ease.
"Mad-Eye Moody has arrived. Dumbledore lent his Deluminator to Mad-Eye Moody. We need to watch the plaza to make sure no one is following them before we head back." Naturally, everything went smoothly with Harry's move. Ten minutes later, Liam and Sirius Black returned to the room.
"The meeting is still going on. Sirius Black, you should come with me. Liam, Harry and the others are in the large guest room on the second floor to the right. You can go up and find them. I'll come get you when the meeting is over." Mrs. Weasley said hurriedly to the two of them. Sirius Black immediately followed Mrs. Weasley to the kitchen, while Liam went upstairs to find Harry and the others.
When Liam entered the large guest room, he found Hermione, Ginny, Ron, and Harry inside. The house now belonged to the Weasley Twins, as they preferred living together rather than in separate rooms.
"Liam, you're back", Hermione said as she saw Liam enter the room. The others also turned their attention to him.
"I'm back, and everything went smoothly today", Liam said, looking at Harry. "I'm really sorry. I was right there that day but failed to help you detect those Dementors beforehand."
"No, you've already done a lot for me", Harry replied, seeming in good spirits, possibly because of the visit from Liam and the others. "Capturing those two was enough. After all, who would have thought Dementors would appear in a Muggle community? You and Hermione really don't need to apologize to me. At least because of your help, I don't have to worry too much about the Ministry of Magic's interrogation."
With two loud cracks, Ron's two older brothers, Fred and George, suddenly appeared in the center of the room, holding a shrunken Extendable Ear.
"Harry, it's great to see you", they greeted him. "Mom is too thorough. We've tried using the Extendable Ear to eavesdrop, but we've never succeeded. We've been trying to figure out what Snape is up to."
"Didn't you say Liam is almost a full member of the Order of the Phoenix? Why doesn't he know?" Harry asked, puzzled.
"But I'm not a full member yet", Liam replied, sounding a bit dejected. "I have the same privileges as many Order of the Phoenix members in this house, and I'm not confined here. However, I'm not allowed to attend their meetings unless I'm making something for them. As Dumbledore said, the situation isn't dire enough to involve us kids yet. The only information I have is that their recent activities might be quite dangerous and involve combat."
The conversation then became more relaxed. Although Harry knew the Daily Prophet had been slandering him since the summer vacation, he wasn't too bothered by it. He felt that these articles only proved the Ministry of Magic was running out of options and resorting to low tactics to attack him.
From the conversation, Liam learned that Bill had returned to London to be with Fleur. Percy, though not a member of the Order of the Phoenix, had been helping everyone a lot.
"Father thinks Percy isn't showing enough courage by not joining the Order of the Phoenix directly, but both our mother and Professor Dumbledore believe it's best for him to stay out of it for now. Father is still a bit upset about it, so don't mention Percy in front of him", Ginny said. "Of course, we think Father is being a bit stubborn."
As she finished speaking, Mrs. Weasley appeared at the bedroom door. "The meeting is over. You can come downstairs for dinner now. Harry, everyone is eager to see you."
Everyone tidied up and went downstairs for dinner.
(End of Chapter)
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