Chapter 112
Chapter 112
“The Polyjuice Potion is finished. The colour is difficult to describe, and it doesn’t look remotely pleasant to drink. Nothing much has happened in the castle lately. Perhaps the monster in the Chamber of Secrets needs a Christmas holiday too.”
“Very few wizards have stayed at the castle. Many who originally planned to remain chose to go home because of the attacks. Fortunately, Malfoy and his two followers are still here. We plan to act in a couple of days. Wish us luck.”
“There’s another letter underneath. Please give it to my mother.”
“Don’t you dare read it!”
“–Hermione Granger”
After reading the letter Hermione had sent by owl, Suer curled his lip. Did she really think he had so little integrity?
He placed the other letter to one side, ready to give it to the Grangers when they returned home.
He took out a fresh sheet of paper, uncapped his pen and thought for a moment.
“I would never read your letter!”
“Everything is fine at home. Uncle and Aunt Granger are both well.”
“I plan to return after Christmas. I left presents in the room on the eighth floor. Please give them to Fred, George, Harry and Ron for me. The pink one is yours.”
“I’ve been eating dinner at your house lately because I forgot that Mum, Dad and Angel had gone to Germany and wouldn’t be back for several days.”
“It’s terribly boring to stay alone in an empty house. I have to make my own breakfast and lunch. It would be wonderful if I could use magic to prepare meals, but unfortunately I can’t.”
“I miss the time we spend together.”
“Merry Christmas.”
Suer blew over the paper to dry the ink a little, folded it and slipped it into an envelope. He fed Gray, who had flown such a long way, a few nuts and instructed the owl,
“Don’t leave just yet. There will be another reply and some things for you to take back to school later.”
“Hoot…” Gray spread its wings and tilted its head.
Having finished his reply, Suer stretched, took some money from the drawer and went downstairs.
He had already eaten everything in the refrigerator. He needed to visit the supermarket for supplies, as well as buy a Christmas tree and decorations. In previous years, Mr Ellison had gone into the woods to find a tree himself, but Suer would have to buy one this year.
One Transfiguration spell could have solved the whole problem…
Damn the Trace…
There was a shopping street not far from Lily Street. Suer wandered along it alone, cradling a cup of hot milk tea and looking around.
Christmas was as important to people here as the Spring Festival was to the Chinese. The street had been hung with lights and completely redecorated long ago.
Festive red and flurries of artificial snowflakes were everywhere.
“I’ll take this one, and these, and these. Please deliver them to my house.”
The shopkeeper nodded repeatedly. With an attentive smile, he wrote the address on a sticky note and called for an employee to pack Suer’s large pile of purchases into boxes. They would deliver everything to the address later.
Delivery was free! Customers this generous were rare.
After buying the Christmas decorations, Suer continued wandering along the street until one shop caught his attention.
Oh, he had not prepared Christmas presents for Mr and Mrs Granger.
Suer considered the matter for a long time and finally decided to give Mr Granger an electric razor.
Mrs Granger was much easier. Suer simply chose the most expensive set of skincare products.
Naturally, he could not forget his own parents.
When he returned home, he was still alone, but a young man in a cap was already waiting outside. Without further discussion, Suer paid the remaining balance and gave him a five-euro tip.
The young man enthusiastically helped carry everything into the house.
Looking at the large box of decorations and the carefully trimmed spruce tree, Suer sighed. This was going to be a substantial undertaking.
For the second time, he missed magic.
The ritual ought to have involved the entire family, but Angel and the others would not return until Christmas Day. By then, most of the shops would close early so their staff could reunite with their families. It would be too late to buy anything.
There was nothing for it. He had to get to work.
The sky gradually darkened, while the setting sun lingered stubbornly in one corner.
From time to time, the sounds of brakes and children’s laughter carried along Lily Street as people returned from work and reunited with their families.
At last, Suer placed a golden five-pointed star at the top of the spruce.
He stepped back several paces. No matter how he looked at it, he was satisfied.
He planted his hands on his hips and smiled smugly. How could he be so capable?
Oh, right. One final step remained: checking the lights. He could not afford to make a mess of that.
Fortunately, Suer had read every word of the shopkeeper’s instructions and had not wired anything backwards.
Perfect!
“Suer, come and eat.” A knock sounded, followed by Mrs Granger’s gentle voice.
“Coming, Aunt Granger.” Suer called back. He ran upstairs and put Hermione’s letter to her family in his pocket. Naturally, he could not forget the Grangers’ presents either.
It would be best to give Christmas presents on the day itself, but a few days early would do no harm.
He had imposed on his future parents-in-law quite a lot these past few days… No, wait. Uncle and Aunt Granger. The gifts could count as thanks.
While preparing Hagrid’s Christmas present, Suer had also fished a bottle of red wine from Mr Bones’s cellar.
Mr Granger rather enjoyed wine. That counted as choosing something to suit his tastes, didn’t it?
And so, carrying two bags of presents and cradling a bottle of wine, Suer went to Hermione’s house.
There was no need to recount the entire conversation. Before Suer left to go home and rest, Mr Granger had written a reply and handed it to him.
Hmph. The boy had at least shown proper sense. Very well, Mr Granger would not tell his daughter to stay away from him in the letter.
After watching Gray feast, Suer entrusted the owl with the reply and Hagrid’s Christmas present. Full and satisfied, Gray solemnly promised to complete the task.
The owl spread its wings, seized the letter and gift firmly, and took flight.
Suer watched it disappear beneath the moonlight, drew a deep breath and closed the window. After washing, he casually switched off the bedside lamp and fell into a deep sleep.
Late at night, faint rustling sounds came from downstairs.
But they soon faded into silence.
Suer rolled over in bed and mumbled a few words.
It was not that he lacked vigilance. Before coming upstairs, he had checked the doors and windows repeatedly, making certain they were tightly closed and locked.
It was probably a mouse.
Early the next morning, the sun sprang eagerly into the sky. Suer was still asleep when his bedroom door quietly opened.
Then came that familiar flying body-slam and a ringing cry of, “Bwuvver!”
Suer woke under the impact and opened his eyes blankly. With practised ease, he lifted the little girl by the scruff and set her neatly outside the bedroom door.
Bang…
The sound of the door striking its frame brought Suer, who had been about to return to bed, fully awake.
Wait. Wasn’t Angel supposed to be in Germany?
Had they returned early? Joy rose in his chest, and Suer quickly turned and pulled open the door.
Hmm? Where was she?
He looked back and saw the little girl hanging from the door handle, her large eyes blinking at him.