Chapter 72: The Witch Shadow Empire
For the next few weeks, Harry never left the confines of the Burrow's Gardens. He spends most of his time in the Weasley family's orchard playing two-for-two Quidditch (he and Hermione vs. Ron and Ginny. Hermione played badly, and Ginny was pretty good, so it was a good match).
And for Andrew, all this is very comfortable, he has never been so easy to come into this world--- he has never had such an easy time he does not need to face the deadly threat of hell, he does not have to think about saving the world for the time being, and he does not have to face any destructive forces--- as if he is just an ordinary Hogwarts student.
One day, Andrew came to the humble house for breakfast, and most of the others had already finished breakfast by this time, so Andrew was the only one at the table. By this time, Andrew had become acquainted with the Weasleys.
Speaking of which, the Li family and the Weasley family are two completely different types of families, the Li family has a short history in the wizarding world and is a rising star, while the Weasley family is an old traditional family in the wizarding world, although it has been a little embarrassing in recent years, but its influence has not decreased much.
Earl Lee intends to cooperate with Albus Dumbledore's forces, and Andrew has relied on this delicate relationship to get closer and closer to the Weasley family during this time. Of course, there is credit for Andrew's deliberate approach.
"It's not a good habit to wake up at ten o'clock every day, Andrew. Mrs. Weasley said mildly, as she set up the dishes that had been washed.
"No way, Mrs. Weasley. "I always have insomnia every night, but isn't it just thinking about things, and it's normal not to want to get up in the morning, isn't it?"
"I understand, kid. Mrs. Weasley smiled, but she frowned again, "I don't think a child should always have such a heavy job. I'll need to find a good chance to talk to Albus about you. β
"βββWhat are you going to talk to me about?Molly, I heard you talking about me as soon as I arrivedβββ"
"Albus!"
"Professor. β
Dumbledore came in through the doorway, he was tall and thin, with silver-white hair and beard that hung down to his waist. He wears a pair of half-moon-shaped glasses on his hooked nose, a black traveling cloak, and a pointed hat.
"I'm here for Andrew. Dumbledore said, and then he looked at the breakfast in front of Andrew, "Looks like you're still having breakfast, maybe I'm not here at the right time?"
"No, Professor. Andrew ate the last half of the sausage on the plate, "Just in time." β
"Andrew!" exclaimed Mrs. Weasley, angrily, "don't eat like this!"
"I'm sorry," Andrew said embarrassedly, using his wand to clean the plate, "not next time." β
"Albus, that's what I was going to talk to you about!" Mrs. Weasley ignored Andrew and said to Dumbledore, "Andrew is still a child, I don't think he should βββ"
"What happened?" Andrew asked.
"Oh," Dumbledore looked apologetically at Mrs. Weasley, "I'm sorry, Molly, we need Andrew at this moment. β
"I understand," said Mrs. Weasley, "it's just that Andrew is still a child, and he's always late for your business. β
They left the Burrow, and as they passed, they saw Harry playing Quidditch not far away, and Sirius had arrived, watching from the sidelines, clapping his hands and laughing happily.
"Hey, Andrew. Sirius greeted Andrew warmly when he saw him, "How are you doing?"
"It's okay," Andrew said with a smile, "why don't you go and play with them?"
"That would be too much of a bully for them. Sirius said with an exaggerated smile.
Then they came to Andrew's house, "Nice home." Dumbledore's gaze looked over the furnishings of the house from his hooked nose, "I must admit that the tulips are in full bloom. He hung his cloak and hat on the hook of the hanger.
Andrew brought two cups of black tea, "Try this tea, Professor." β
Dumbledore took a gentle sip of the black tea and complimented, "It tastes really good, did you make it?" I haven't drunk this kind of black tea in a long time. β
Andrew smiled softly, looked through the window at Hermione, who was flying the broomstick, and said, "Hermione cooked it, I like it." β
Dumbledore smiled too, but the beard on his face trembled even more, "She's a nice girl, I think you're a good match." β
"yes," Andrew retracted his gaze and turned to Dumbledore, "what's going on? you're not here to have tea with me, are you?"
"Of course, you should have received those messages from the owl, right?"
"Yes, I've seen it all. β
"And what do you think about Malfoy joining the Death Eaters?" said Dumbledore solemnly, playing with the gadget on top of Andrew's teacup, a smiling cloth doll that looked very much like Andrew.
Andrew smiled, looking unconcerned about Dumbledore's question, "Do you need to talk about it, Professor, I think you're already clear, right?"
"I just wanted to be a little more precise. Dumbledore said.
"No need to pretend, Professor," Andrew stood up and walked to the window, looking at Harry outside playing with Sirius, "in the end only Harry can do it, as for Malfoy?" he sneered, "I hope he doesn't do anything ridiculously stupid." β
"I just hope you'll show mercy to the last guy, Andrew. Dumbledore said softly, "He's an innocent man, too. β
"I understand, Professor. Andrew turned, and the sun shone in through the window. His shadow was pulled on the ground, "I won't kill anyone again until I have to." β
"I hope so, boy. Dumbledore stood up as well, "I just hope you don't have to kill you anymore." β
"Oh, it's Harry's birthday," Andrew said with a smile, "Let's celebrate?"
"I still have a lot to do, but I don't mind staying for lunch. Dumbledore replied with a smile.
It's Harry's sixteenth birthday, and Mrs. Weasley decides to throw a party for him.
"Albus, I didn't expect you to stay. Mrs. Weasley handed him a large piece of birthday cake and said with a smile, "It's a lively day. β
"Well, it looks delicious," Dumbledore said as he took the cake, "Oh, Harry, your giftβ"
He pulled out a fancy box from behind him, "I hope you'll like it." β
"Thank you, Professor. β
"Harry, you're as good as your father, and of course, Jaime is a little worse than me. Sirius said happily that he was getting drunk.
"I'll always remember Jaime teaching you how to play, Sirius. Mr. Weasley said that he was also a little dizzy.
"You've drunk a little too much," said Mrs. Weasley, "Arthurβββ Bill! β
At this time, Fleur was pouring Bill glass after glass of wine, "It's okay, Mommy βββ is having another drink, happy today, isn't it?"
In the afternoon, Dumbledore was gone, and Sirius had to stay in his room to sleep.
The next day, Hogwarts sent them letters and a list of books.
Andrew put them away with just a quick glance, as Harry was happily spinning in circles as he had been chosen captain of the Quidditch team.
"Then you'll be on the same level as a prefect!" Hermione said happily.
"Wow, I remember Charlie wearing this. Ron looked at the badge with joy and said, "Harry, that's cool, you're my captain - if you can get me back, that's fine, haha......"
"I say, now that you've received this," Mrs. Weasley said with a sigh as she looked down at Ron's book list, "we can't delay any longer, we have to hurry to Diagon Alley." As long as your father doesn't work overtime, we'll go on Saturdays. I wouldn't be there without him. β
"Mom, do you really think the mystery man would be hiding behind a row of bookshelves at the Blotted Bookstore?" Ron said with a wicked grin.
"Shut up!" Mrs. Weasley immediately became angry, and said in vain, "If you think security is a child's play, you can stay at home and I'll buy something for youβ"
"No, I'm going, I'd like to see Fred and George's shop!" Ron said quickly.
"Then raise your awareness, young man, lest I think you are too immature to come with us!" said Mrs. Weasley, angrily, grabbing her large bell and placing it on a pile of towels that had just been washed, the nine needles on which were still pointing to mortal danger. "It's the same with going back to Hogwarts!"
With that, Mrs. Weasley picked up the laundry basket and walked out of the room in a rage, the clock swaying on top of it.
"Looks like your joke isn't funny at all, Ron. Andrew said with a wicked smile.
However, in the days that followed, Ron became very careful and no longer dared to talk about Voldemort casually. Mrs. Weasley had not been angry again until Saturday morning, but she seemed very nervous at breakfast. Bill stayed home with Fleur, handing Harry and a full money bag across the table, and then Andrew a slightly smaller bag.
"Although I knew Andrew's family was rich, I didn't know that Andrew was so rich..."Ron said immediately, his eyes wide open.
"These are Andrew's, but they are Andrew's own, not his family. Bill said, "Have you forgotten who Andrew is now?"
"That's right," Ron smiled sheepishly.
It was a dark, cloudy day. When they came out of the house wrapped in cloaks, a special purpose car from the Ministry of Magic was already waiting in the front yard, and it looked much better than the last time.
"Luckily, Dad was able to send us a car. Ron said wryly, stretching his limbs comfortably. The car sped briskly away from the Burrow, and Bill and Fleur waved at them from the kitchen window. Andrew, Ron, Harry, Hermione, and Ginny all sat in the spacious, comfortable back seats.
"Don't sit still, it's just for Harry. Mr. Weasley turned his head. He sat in front with Mrs. Weasley and the driver from the Ministry of Magic. The passenger seat next to the driver is thoughtfully widened, like a two-seater. "He now enjoys level 1 security. When we get to the Leaky Cauldron Bar, we have to strengthen the security. β
"It's here. It didn't take long for the driver to say that it was the first thing he said. He slowed down into Charing Cross and stopped outside the Leaky Cauldron. "I'll wait for you to come back, do you know how long it will take?"
"About two hours. Mr. Weasley said, "Ah, great, he's here!"
Outside the bar stood a large, black-bearded Rubeus Hagrid, the Hogwarts hunting ground warden, wearing a long beaver fur coat and smiling with joy at the sight of Harry's face, ignoring the astonished stares of the Muggles passing by.
"Harry!" he said in a gruff voice, looking delighted.
"The Ministry of Magic was going to send a group of Aurors, but Dumbledore said I'd do it. Hagrid said triumphantly, puffing out his chest and putting two thumbs in his pockets, "Alright, let's go inβyou please, Molly, Arthurβ"
The Leaky Cauldron was the same as the last time: the people were silent, just concentrating on their own business, and Tom was glad to see them coming.
But Hagrid said, "It's just a passing day, Tom, and you're sure to understand." It's Hogwarts business, you know. β
Tom nodded sullenly and continued to wipe his glass. A group of people walked through the bar and into the small, gloomy courtyard behind the bins. Hagrid held up the pink umbrella in his hand and tapped on a brick on the wall, where a doorway immediately appeared, leading to a winding cobblestone path. They stepped through the doorway, paused and looked around.
Diagon Alley has completely changed. The windows used to display spell books, potion ingredients, and cauldrons, all of which were now invisible, but were obscured by large notices posted by the Ministry of Magic. Most of these intimidating purple notices were enlarged versions of the safety advisories in the pamphlets that the Ministry of Magic had distributed over the summer, and some of them had black-and-white photos of wanted Death Eaters active, and several windows nailed shut.
On the other hand, many dilapidated stalls suddenly popped up on both sides of the street. The nearest stall was set up under a stained striped canopy outside the Blotts, with a cardboard sign nailed to it:
Amulet: Effective against werewolves, dementors, and necromancers.
A scruffy little wizard peddled a string of silver mascots chained to passers-by and shook them to the ground.