Chapter 171
Chapter 171
Suer could not believe that his adoptive father, ordinarily such a steady, dependable and mature man, could do something so childish.
When he answered a telephone call from North Wales in the sitting room the next morning, the news left him speechless.
“Has Dad’s rebellious phase arrived this late?”
Angel blinked her large eyes at her brother as he spoke on the telephone. Her puffed cheeks moved like a little hamster’s while she chewed, her expression filled with curiosity and confusion.
“It looks as though the two of us have the house to ourselves for the next couple of days.” Suer spread his hands towards the adorable little girl.
Angel was not upset that their parents had left the two children at home while they went away to enjoy themselves. If anything, she was pleased. It meant she could spend all day with her brother.
“How would you like to come with me to collect someone later, then go to an amusement park?” Suer asked gently.
“We can have your favourite steak burger for lunch.”
“Yes, yes!” Her childish voice rang with delight. “I want chips, and lots and lots of tomato ketchup.”
“All right.” Suer nodded.
“Then let’s hurry and eat. We can leave as soon as breakfast is finished!” Angel began eating faster, though she did not forget to ask, “Who are we collecting?”
“One of my schoolmates. You’ve met him before. He visited our house last summer,” Suer said.
After resting for one night at Hogwarts, Little Gray tapped at Suer’s window before dawn, woke him, and delivered Dumbledore’s reply.
The old bee readily approved Suer’s request to collect Harry from the Dursleys, though he attached one condition: Harry could relax away from the house for several days, but not for too long.
Relax. What an interesting choice of word.
Dumbledore could not possibly be unaware of Harry’s circumstances.
Perhaps this was another part of Harry’s trial. A person who encountered light during adversity would naturally cling to it with all his strength. It was a dangerous game, but fortunately Harry had endured it.
At number four, Privet Drive in Surrey, a taxi stopped outside with a squeal of brakes.
The Dursley house was filled with shouting. Even from outside, Suer could clearly hear Mr Dursley’s booming voice.
“Boy, don’t say I didn’t warn you. If that damned owl brings another letter, I’ll cook it and eat it!”
Angel shrank back and clutched Suer tightly with both hands, plainly frightened by the shouting inside.
“It’s all right. As soon as my friend comes out, we’ll leave.” Suer crouched and comforted her softly, sighing inwardly.
Before long, Harry burst through the door with an excited expression, a small shoulder bag on his back, and all the speed of someone whose trousers had caught fire.
Even after climbing into the taxi, he felt as though he were dreaming. Only heaven knew how delighted he had been to see Uncle Vernon force an unwilling smile while sending him out.
What bliss.
“How did you do it?” Harry finally turned to ask Suer in the back seat. “I mean, how did you make him…”
Suer blinked. “Perhaps because my dad owns a company?”
“Ha!” Harry was overjoyed. “I thought you wouldn’t come for me. Where are we going now?”
The driver wanted to know the same thing. He had originally been reluctant to take three children who looked unable to pay the fare, until the well-dressed young gentleman produced several large banknotes.
Money settled the question immediately.
“The amusement park!” Angel raised her hand and announced in her small voice.
Only then did the deliriously happy Harry notice the little girl. He looked at Suer in confusion, and his expression gradually became strange.
Harry had completely forgotten seeing the child when he visited the Ellison family with the Dursleys the previous summer.
Angel had grown considerably since then, so perhaps it was understandable that he did not recognise her.
“She’s my sister.” Suer glared at Harry. “Angel Ellison. You’ve met her.”
“Oh, right.” Harry nodded with an awkward laugh. His mind had briefly leapt to the wrong conclusion after Aunt Petunia spent the past several days watching loud romantic dramas.
“Hello. My name is Harry Potter. I’m your brother’s friend.”
Angel nodded with great seriousness and imitated an adult. “Hello, Mr Potter.”
Then she found her own formality hilarious, burst into giggles, and threw herself into Suer’s arms.
The adorable child brought smiles to everyone in the taxi.
The car puffed exhaust as it carried the three children towards the place where laughter gathered.
Happy hours always passed quickly. To Harry, it seemed that no more than a single meal had gone by before darkness fell.
He had never imagined that on his birthday he would eat chicken legs and hamburgers — food he could never hope to receive at the Dursleys’ — and play at an amusement park until sweat soaked his hair, even if they spent most of their time on rides such as the merry-go-round.
But night had arrived, and he supposed he had to return to that prison.
“Why would you go back?” Suer asked in confusion when Harry said goodbye.
Harry froze. An enormous surge of joy rushed into his mind and left him dazed.
“You’re staying at our house tonight.”
“R-really?” Harry stammered. “I mean, I truly don’t have to go back tonight?”
The Dursleys had left a deep shadow upon Harry. Dumbledore bore the blame; he could easily have improved Harry’s circumstances.
“Didn’t you hear me when I collected you this morning? I told Mr Dursley to come to my house for you in a few days.”
“That means you’re staying with us tonight, tomorrow, and the day after.”
“I… I didn’t hear.” Harry shook his head. He had been so excited by the prospect of leaving that he had paid no attention to Suer’s conversation with Uncle Vernon.
Could he stay for only a few days? Could he not remain until the start of term? Harry wanted more, but quickly changed his thinking. A few days were already wonderful.
“In that case, dinner is my treat,” Harry said cheerfully. “I have money.”
“You have pounds?” Suer gave him a strange look. When they left the taxi earlier, Harry had nearly frightened him by pulling several Galleons from his pocket.
“No,” Harry answered confidently. “But I can take you to dinner in Diagon Alley!”
“We can eat anywhere you like. I have plenty of money!”
It could be his birthday celebration. After all, today was his birthday.
“Are we going to the magical street?” Angel’s eyes lit up as she listened to the two boys. She raised a small hand. “Angel wants to go!”
“All right.” Suer nodded.