Chapter 164
Chapter 164
Overwhelming strength could shatter any technique. The principle held true everywhere.
The Taoists also taught that anything done in accordance with one’s true heart might itself be what fate wished one to do.
Whether one lived in a world of mysterious powers or a world governed solely by technology, personal strength was the foundation for facing everything.
A weakling might know how events would develop, but without the power to act, disturbing the threads of fate and producing an unwelcome result would only add to his troubles.
Suer was weak, at least for the moment. Yet he was also strong, because he had a powerful patron to rely upon.
He could not control the entire course of events as Dumbledore did, but he could still work quietly behind the scenes.
It had never been a serious problem. Suer had simply thought himself into a corner for a time.
After a wonderfully “refreshing” night’s sleep, Suer expertly caught Angel by the back of her collar and tossed her out of his room. By now, this had become his little sister’s standard way of wishing her brother good morning.
Another year had passed, and children grew at an astonishing rate. In only a few months, Angel had shot up in both height and weight. Fortunately, a steady diet of meat at Hogwarts had also made Suer sturdier, so he could still withstand her habit of dropping onto him like a mountain…
The next visitor was Miss Hermione Granger herself.
Hermione had come to Suer’s house every day since the holidays began, spending the entire day there. Perhaps it was because she and her family would soon be travelling abroad for some time.
Mr Granger had been invited to attend a six-week exchange programme organised by the International Federation for the Advancement of Dental Technology. The exchange was merely the excuse; the real purpose was a holiday.
Hermione could not bear to be apart from Suer, so she wanted to spend as much time with him as possible before leaving. Finishing her summer homework early was only an incidental benefit, since fewer than seven days of the holiday would remain by the time she returned.
“Are you certain you won’t come with us? Mum and Dad have both agreed that I can bring you.” Hermione’s eyes sparkled.
“Dad says we’re going to spend some time in the Maldives. It’s beautiful there.”
Hermione asked the same question every day. Suer wanted to go, but unfortunately, he had already made plans for the summer.
“I would love to go, Hermione.” Suer shook his head. “You know I have other things arranged. If only I had known there would be a chance to travel with you…”
Suer adopted an expression of profound anguish.
A trip to the Maldives with Hermione would mean seeing her in a swimsuit. He could picture himself drinking chilled fruit juice beneath a sunshade while Hermione laughed in the pool.
What a wonderful prospect.
Unfortunately, as soon as Hermione left for her holiday, Suer had to visit the old bat’s lair and submit himself to training — or torment. Worse still, he had asked for it himself.
“Perhaps we can go together next time?”
“Hmph.” Hermione had known what his answer would be, but she was still displeased. She chose to let the matter drop, though in her mind she had already given him his chance. He had missed it, and there would be no next time.
…
“Spinner’s End…” Suer held a slip of paper bearing an address scrawled in sweeping handwriting. The strokes were deep and the ink heavy; whoever had written it had probably done so with considerable reluctance.
Hermione had already left for the Maldives. Her flight departed at eight in the morning, but she had come to Suer’s house at half past six to say goodbye.
Suer had still been in bed. When he opened his eyes and saw a head of bushy hair, he instinctively pulled back the covers to check that all his clothes were intact.
The result went without saying. Mortified and angry at his reaction, Hermione stormed away.
Mrs Ellison laughed especially loudly downstairs. She had clearly sent Hermione up on purpose.
Under Mrs Ellison’s teasing gaze — which also carried the satisfaction of a mother whose little pig had finally rooted up a fine cabbage — Suer swiftly finished breakfast and left the house.
Before he could go, Angel naturally subjected him to another round of clinging and pleading.
Only after Suer promised her a long list of things did Angel withdraw her pitiful, tearful expression.
One could hardly make a first visit without bringing a gift. Suer’s gift was the embarrassing photograph of Harry taken on the train. He had developed it as soon as he returned home and treated it with a special developing solution supplied by the ever-helpful Colin Creevey.
The photograph was even more lifelike now. Harry’s humiliation and fury were unmistakable.
Suer only hoped Professor Snape would not be reminded of the past by it.
The more immediate question was: where exactly was Spinner’s End?
Suer asked numerous taxi drivers, but unfortunately, not one of them had ever heard of the place.
It did not matter. He still had one final option.
Suer sighed and resignedly raised his wand, hoping the driver of the Knight Bus would not be quite so wild today.
Suer had forgotten the conductor’s name, but the man clearly remembered him. Or perhaps he treated everyone with the same instant familiarity. Either way, Suer found the eager conversation rather awkward.
“Oh…” Suer noticed a large photograph on the second page of the Daily Prophet. A slightly balding, middle-aged man beamed at the camera.
“Arthur Weasley, Head of the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office at the Ministry of Magic, Wins the Annual Grand Galleon Prize”
“Just look at that. Enough to make anyone jealous.” The conductor noticed Suer’s gaze and handed him the page. “Lucky devil! If I had that much money…”
The Knight Bus suddenly bounced on the spot, frightening Suer into grabbing the brass rail in front of him.
The Knight Bus was as fast as ever. Throughout the journey, the conductor’s feet seemed glued to the floor. No matter how the bus swayed, drifted, or slammed to a halt, he remained perfectly steady and continued telling Suer all the dreams he would fulfil if he were the lucky winner…
Eventually, Suer could only see the man’s mouth opening and closing. The words went in one ear and immediately out the other.
All his attention was fixed on the breakfast rising into his oesophagus.
Oh… It would be disastrous if it came back up.
If Snape’s address had been written clearly, Suer would never have taken the Knight Bus.
Bloody Spinner’s End!
His legs trembling, Suer stepped off the bus and watched the gaudy purple vehicle vanish. In his heart, he naturally blamed Snape for everything.
His dear Professor Snape had definitely done it on purpose. Suer cursed him roundly.