Chapter 114: Chocolate

Lupin looked somewhat disapproving, but after a moment of silence, he ultimately respected Harry's decision. The Dursleys both sighed in relief, but their expressions twisted a bit at the thought of being "forgiven" by Harry. "Uh..." Harry looked at Lupin, unsure of how to address him, and turned to Wade for help. "This gentleman is Remus Lupin, my tutor and one of your father's closest friends," Wade introduced him. "You can trust him." "Mr. Lupin," Harry pointed to the space beneath the stairs and asked, "Could you help me unlock that?" "Of course." Lupin, eager to do something for him, immediately kicked open the lock. He glanced briefly at the small, dark cupboard but didn't pay much attention to it. Harry handed the owl cage to Wade and crouched in front of the cupboard, pulling out various personal belongings—his wand, robe, spellbooks, cauldron, broomstick, and the Book of friends that was buried at the bottom. As soon as the summer holiday started, Vernon had locked all of Harry's belongings in this tiny cupboard. Harry had done everything he could to at least hold on to his Book of friends... "It's just a few pieces of parchment!" He jumped but couldn't reach the Book of friends in Uncle Vernon's hand, only able to shout in frustration. But because Harry cared about it so much, Vernon had taken the Book of friends first and hidden it in the deepest corner. "Don't even think about it!" Vernon had shouted at him in a terrifying voice, "Don't even think about using your wicked things to contaminate our house!" ... Harry shook his head, as if trying to rid his mind of those awful memories and the gloomy cupboard. He hastily stuffed everything into the trunk, then stood up, a relieved smile on his face, and said, "Wade, Mr. Lupin, let's go." He no longer looked at the Dursleys, who were pale and stiff all over, nor did he care about Dudley, who was shivering in the bathroom. With each step he took out of the house, joy swelled in his heart. Wade walked alongside him and asked casually, "Did you hear what I said earlier?" "Yes," Harry replied softly. "You should know, not just today, but until you turn eighteen, the Children's Act will protect your legal rights," Wade said. The Dursleys looked as if they wanted to shut him up. Wade was, of course, saying this on purpose for them to hear. Harry thought he could leave the Dursley household for good, but Wade knew that until he graduated, Harry would still have to return here for a period each year. Wade reminded him, "Don't think that without a wand, you're powerless against adults. In the world of ordinary people, the law is your weapon of protection." "I understand, thank you... Wade," Harry said gratefully. No one had ever told him before that he could protect himself this way. He realized Wade had essentially handed him a powerful weapon... No one knew better than Harry how terrified Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia were of their family being "different." If the police showed up at their door, it would be no different from a death sentence for them. Lupin followed them in silence. As they were about to leave, he turned to look at the Dursleys. "I know your relationship with Lily wasn't good back then," he said coldly. "But if... if something had happened to you two eleven years ago..." "James and Lily would never have treated your son like this!" ... They walked quietly for a while. Because of Lupin's last words, Harry's eyes suddenly felt wet. He blinked hard and quickly wiped them with his sleeve in secret. Wade and Lupin pretended not to notice. Once Harry had finally blinked away the moisture in his eyes, he heard Hedwig screeching loudly from inside her cage. Wade raised the cage, frowning at the snowy owl, and asked, "Is she hungry?" "Oh, she's been cooped up for too long!" Harry hurried to undo the latch on the cage. "She's been locked in there for ages without stretching her wings." As soon as the cage was opened, Hedwig eagerly flew out and disappeared into the sky in an instant. Harry watched her vanish, and suddenly, his stomach growled loudly. He quickly clutched his aching, hungry belly and looked awkwardly at the other two. "Uh... where are we going?" Wade and Lupin stopped walking and exchanged a glance. "First, to the farm," Wade said. "Everyone is waiting for you over there, Harry!" Lupin nodded. "I need some time to prepare, at least to get a house... uh..." With some awkwardness, he asked, "Harry, I don't think I've asked you yet—would you like to live with me?" "Even though we don't know each other well, I was really close with James... If you're willing, I'd take care of you like a father would..." "Live with you?" Harry asked. "You mean... leave the Dursleys?" "Of course." Lupin bent down and said seriously, "I haven't had a stable home for the past decade or so, and I'm currently staying in a small inn... but if you want, I can buy a house. It might not be in the best condition..." "I'd love to!" Harry interrupted excitedly. "Do you need money? I've got some savings in Gringotts..." As long as it meant leaving the Dursleys, Harry was more than happy. Even though he didn't know Lupin well yet, he trusted him, and Lupin had already made a far better impression than Uncle Vernon ever could. "You don't need to pay, Harry. That's the inheritance your parents left for you." Lupin, half-amused and half-emotional, patted Harry's head and said, "Thanks to Wade, I've saved up a bit myself... and houses in the countryside aren't expensive." He glanced at the two of them and said, "I'll take you both to Granian Farm first... Once I'm ready, Harry, I'll come and pick you up." "That's great... The farm?" Harry only now realized what they were talking about. "You've missed a lot," Wade said. "We'll talk on the way." He raised his wand, and in no time, a purple double-decker bus appeared with a bounce. The trash can by the side of the road nimbly hopped out of the way, startling Harry. "Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergency transport for stranded witches and wizards—" Before the young man with large ears could finish his spiel, Wade had already tossed him a few Galleons and ushered Harry onto the bus. "Granian Farm, please. And—chocolate as well." "Alright, alright... seems like you're a regular," Stan Shunpike said with a wide grin as he pocketed the Galleons and handed over some hot chocolate. Harry eagerly took a big gulp. The rich, bittersweet taste melted on his tongue, and he felt his painfully hungry stomach finally begin to settle. It was as if a new life was gradually unfolding before him. -------------------------------- ????????Please consider supporting this translation project by becoming a P@treon member!!! 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