Days at Hogwarts

Chapter 705 Dawn is Approaching

Beneath the lush cedar branches, the young wizard, whose body had grown taller but whose face still held a touch of childishness, sat down. Mist and sweat dampened his hair, which clung messily to his forehead. He sat before his mother and softly recounted his experiences over the years.

Uncle Vernon's scolding, Cousin Dudley's bullying, Aunt Maggie's harassment, the vicious dog that waited under the tree all afternoon... The Dursleys' childhood as dependents.

Harry tried his best to sound nonchalant and recount the events in a witty and humorous way, but his mother's calm and gentle gaze was like a surging undercurrent, stirring up those images that had sunk to the bottom of the lake of memory, bringing them up in a muddy and turbulent way.

Harry had always appeared strong in front of Dumbledore, Sirius, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, all of whom cared about him. But now, sitting in front of his mother, he was just a wronged child.

Harry's attempts at lighthearted banter were always halting and stuttering. He realized then that things he thought he had let go of still inevitably made him feel wronged.

A warm, wet liquid covered his cheeks; Harry touched them and found they were covered in tears.

Lily's eyes were filled with heartache. She reached out to wipe away his tears, but her slender fingers, formed by the moonlight, could not touch anything. She could only repeat those childish, comforting words over and over again, hoping to bring him some comfort, even if it was just a little bit.

His mother's soft, comforting words soothed Harry's heart, and he sniffed, wiped his face, and began to talk about his new life.

"My Hogwarts acceptance letter was sent to Privet Drive, but Uncle Vernon kept preventing me from signing for it, and then Hagrid showed up at my door..."

Hagrid, a kind and honest man; the Weasleys, a family with all red hair; a classmate who likes to play pranks; a professor who cares about him...

He was exceptionally admitted to the Quidditch team, wandered the forbidden section of the library at dawn, encountered a centaur while exploring the Forbidden Forest at night, and set fire to Snape's robes...

Harry boarded the red train to the castle, where he met many people and experienced many things, some good and some bad, but overall the good things outweighed the bad. Harry spoke of these things with a smile on his face.

"..."

Lily gazed silently into his eyes, as if she could never get enough of them.

The evening breeze stirred the clouds and mist, causing them to sway gently in the woods. The pale moonlight cast shadows on the trees and people, and the mother and son whispered softly to each other.

When Harry started talking about the Quidditch match from a few weeks ago and his girlfriend who played Quidditch with him, his mouth was dry and his throat was sore. He paused, racking his brains but couldn't think of anything new or interesting, and he became a little impatient.

Lily said softly, "We're so happy to hear that you're doing well, really happy."

"you?"

"And your father."

Harry's lips moved slightly, his voice muffled, but he knew in his heart that it was time to say goodbye.

"Don't go...don't leave me..."

"We will stay with you until the very end."

"..."

"Harry, my brave child, we will meet again."

Lily said with a smile, opening her arms as if to hug him, and then leaning down to kiss his forehead.

Harry closed his eyes, as if he could really feel his mother's lips pressed against his forehead, the touch slightly cool, yet giving him a warmth and peace of mind he had never felt before.

A gentle breeze blew by, and the concentrated moonlight quietly dispersed, countless silver specks of light flying with the wind, gradually fading and disappearing into the distance. Loren and his companions watched this scene silently from afar, the boy's figure under the tree resembling a lone young animal.

Harry sat silently for a while, then slowly got up and walked towards the group. The tear stains at the corners of his eyes had not yet dried, and his red eyes and nose were not concealed. He reluctantly handed the Resurrection Stone back to Dumbledore.

Dumbledore casually put away the black gem and muttered to himself.

"It's time to go back and get a good night's sleep. Let's go. Horace will be happy to see you; he always complains that he's too old to handle the teaching duties..."

"I'm not going back to school."

The group turned to look at him. Snape stood motionless, shaking his head as he met their gazes. "I want to take a break for a while."

"Have you decided where you want to go?"

"Not sure yet." "Will you leave Britain?"

"Probably, I'd like to visit other places."

"Don't go back to Spider's End. Voldemort is seriously injured and needs to recuperate. He might send Death Eaters to hunt you down." Dumbledore paused. "If you haven't decided where to go yet, why don't you go to Ephamonny and check on that snake tree for me?"

"Can."

"If you've rested enough, you're welcome to return anytime. Hogwarts needs a younger Potions professor." Dumbledore's eyes narrowed, his smile gentle. "Have a pleasant journey, Severus."

"Um."

Harry said quietly, "Have a pleasant journey, Professor Snape."

"Um."

Loren blinked, glanced at Harry, then at Professor Snape, and met his cold gaze. He immediately composed himself; this professor was a bit intimidating.

He also offered his sincere blessings: "Have a pleasant journey, Professor Snape."

Snape glanced at him, snorted, and turned to leave. His tall figure no longer seemed lonely, and his steps were no longer heavy. He quickly disappeared behind the layers of shadows, heading in a completely different direction from where he had come from.

Once Harry was sure the professors were far enough away that he could no longer hear them, he asked in a low voice, "Sir, why doesn't Professor Snape want to go back to Hogwarts?"

"I don't know either, maybe it's because he feels lost."

"confused?"

"For many years, he has been following a path laid out for him by others. Now that no one is guiding him, he has to find his own way."

Loren pondered silently.

"..." Harry looked thoughtful, clearly not understanding.

Dumbledore placed his hands on Loren and Harry's shoulders, the phoenix flames flashed and disappeared, and the forest returned to its usual silence.

……

Back at the castle, ignoring the hesitant expressions of the two students, Dumbledore ascended the spiral staircase, pushed open the door to the headmaster's office, and immediately saw Grindelwald sitting at his desk.

"Gellert, I didn't see you after the Death Eaters left. I thought you came back to sleep."

Grindelwald watched as he casually picked up the teapot and poured out steaming hot cocoa: "I know without even thinking that what follows is a scene of confession, repentance, and tears. How tedious and boring..."

"I actually find it touching."

Tell me about that battle.

"I should rest now. Let's talk about it after I wake up."

"Sleep! You still want to sleep?" Grindelwald scoffed. "The commotion caused by that spell could be heard throughout most of London. Do you think the Ministry of Magic couldn't see it? You won't be getting a good night's sleep for the next few days."

"So you should make the most of your time to get a good night's sleep."

"..."

Outside the window, the east was already showing a hint of dawn.

It was getting light.

(End of this chapter)