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HRHL# CHAPTER 215
🕑 Added 2025-06-17 06:29:33 +0000 UTCSebastian had always been a bit of a know-it-all, and now, as a ghost, he needed something to occupy his time. Naturally, he didn’t refuse Draco’s request.
Besides, the Malfoy family had an extensive library, and he could search for books that might hold the key to breaking the dark magic curse on Anne.
Draco, ever the opportunist, saw Sebastian’s willingness and pushed further, inviting him to come home with him.
“In principle, I wouldn’t refuse,” Sebastian had said, “but you’ll have to let me take a look at your family’s library.”
Draco agreed readily. It was just a matter of looking at books, and what harm could a ghost do by browsing a library? Draco saw no reason to object.
That very evening, he wrote to his father, informing him that plans had changed and that he needed to be picked up.
Lucius, upon receiving the letter, fell silent.
Narcissa, noticing her husband’s stillness, asked with concern, “What’s wrong, Lucius? Is something the matter with Draco?”
Lucius offered a faint smile and handed her the letter.
“Draco says we need to pick him up,” he said.
Narcissa read the letter carefully, her expression hardening with resolve.
“I think we do need to pick him up,” she said through gritted teeth. “That boy… he needs a lesson!”
That night, the Malfoys arrived at Hogwarts by carriage, fully prepared to give their son a stern talking-to. But when they saw the translucent form of Sebastian, they froze.
Why was their son bringing a ghost home?
“Father, Mother,” Draco said cheerfully, introducing them. “This is my new friend, Sebastian Sallow. He’s agreed to teach me some interesting charms…”
Lucius had been wary at first, but Draco’s next words put him at ease.
“Oh, and he’s also friends with Harry and my great-aunt.”
“I see,” Lucius said, his tone refined as he offered a polite smile. “It’s an honor, Mr. Sallow, that you’re willing to teach Draco some charms.”
“It’s what friends do,” Sebastian replied smoothly.
After a few courteous exchanges, the Malfoys and Sebastian boarded the carriage together.
Meanwhile, Harry stood by the tower window, a letter from Draco and Sebastian in hand, watching as Sebastian climbed into the Malfoy carriage.
“I never would’ve thought Sebastian would end up at the Malfoys’,” Harry mused.
Poppy Sweeting, standing beside him, twitched her nose, greedily sniffing the pie in Harry’s hand.
Harry broke off a small piece and twirled it in the air. Poppy, entranced, followed the pie’s movement, her head spinning in circles as Harry teased her.
“He’s looking for a book to break Anne’s dark magic curse,” Harry explained. “Maybe the Malfoys have something in their collection.”
“And you? What are your plans for the holidays?” Poppy asked, still circling the pie.
“I’ll search for Merlin’s relics, maybe track down Cassandra’s resting place.” Harry rubbed his eyes. “There’s a lot to do—Anne’s curse, your magical beast issue…”
“Don’t worry, Harry,” Poppy said, her eyes spiraling like mosquito coils from chasing the pie. “I can come with you. I think there’s something in the Forbidden Forest, too. It’d be easier if you rode me…”
Harry popped the pie into his mouth, ignoring Poppy’s indignant glare. He scratched her chin and said, “Don’t worry. If I need you, I’ll bring you along.”
“You’d better keep that promise!” Poppy huffed. “I’ll be with Newt and the others during the holidays. If you need me, just write to him.”
“Got it,” Harry agreed.
In the blink of an eye, it was time for Hogwarts students to board the Hogwarts Express and head home.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, Fred, George, and Ginny claimed a compartment to themselves. Ron was already rambling about what he’d do in Egypt.
“You should have a nice chat with a sphinx,” Fred teased, grinning. “You’re a bit of a dim lion, after all, and sphinxes are clever. Maybe she’ll share some wisdom so you don’t seem quite so thick.”
“Fred!” Ginny snapped. “How can you say that about your brother?”
“Then how should I say it?” George asked, curious.
Ginny’s expression turned mischievous. She paused, then said, “You should say, ‘Oh, Ron, I think a sphinx would make a brilliant tutor for you!’”
The compartment erupted in laughter. No one expected Ginny, the youngest and seemingly gentlest, to deliver the sharpest jab.
Ron, eager to change the subject, grabbed Fred and George and set off the last of their smuggled Filibuster Fireworks. In the magical world, a train wasn’t like the Muggle ones—carrying a few fireworks was no big deal.
And a fire in the compartment? Easily handled—unless it was Fiendfyre, of course.
“See you at school, Harry,” Ron called, waving from the platform at King’s Cross.
“See you,” Harry replied with a grin.
To his surprise, the Dursleys were waiting for him at the platform, standing awkwardly beside the Grangers, the two families looking utterly out of place together.
“Uncle Askin, Aunt Claire,” Harry greeted the Grangers warmly.
“Hello, Harry,” they replied, smiling as they took Hermione’s suitcase.
“Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia,” Harry said to the Dursleys, suppressing his surprise.
Vernon cleared his throat, looking uncomfortable. “Right, well, we’re here to pick up Dudley, and, er, you too, since you’re back. Let’s go.”
After a polite farewell to the Grangers, Harry followed Vernon and Petunia to their car.
Inside, Dudley was engrossed in a handheld game, oblivious to the world. He didn’t notice Harry until he failed to clear a stack of blocks on the screen, startling and yelping, “Oi!”
“When did you get here, Harry?” he asked, clutching his chest.
“I’ve been sitting here for a while, cousin,” Harry said, smiling. “You were so focused on your game, I didn’t want to interrupt. Is that a game console?”
Dudley held it up, waving it in Harry’s face. “This? Yeah, it’s a Nintendo Game Boy. Not the newest one, mind you—it’s been out for a few years.”
He handed it to Harry. “Here, give it a go. It’s fun, especially Tetris. Though I don’t get why it’s called Tetris…”
“Because it’s probably from the Greek word tetra, meaning four,” Harry explained. “Not sure about the ‘is’ part, though.”
“It’s tennis,” Vernon called from the driver’s seat.
Back at Number 4 Privet Drive, Harry stepped into the Dursley household as usual.
“Your trick last time worked wonders,” Vernon said, his face flushed not with anger but with delight.
Harry hadn’t seen him this happy since Dudley got into Smeltings—father and son thrilled to attend the same school.
“Thanks to that little gadget of yours, we’ve closed deal after deal,” Vernon continued, chuckling. “We’ve bought a villa in Majorca and even upgraded to a Bentley—all because of you, Harry.”
“I’m glad,” Harry said, smiling.
“So, to thank you,” Vernon said, clearing his throat again, “we’re not ungrateful, you know. We’ve set aside a fund for you. When you’re of age, you can use it for whatever you want—a car, a house, it’s enough. But I’m warning you, boy, if you’re buying a car, don’t get one of those German brands, got it?”
Harry laughed. “Got it. Thank you, Uncle Vernon.”
He was tactful enough not to let his sharp tongue slip when everyone was in a good mood. What did Muggle cars matter to him? It was a kind gesture from Vernon, and that was enough.
That evening, the Dursleys prepared a lavish dinner.
Vernon kept insisting that Dudley had “wasted away” at Smeltings and needed to bulk up to maintain his “manly vigor.”
Since Vernon was being decent for once, Harry refrained from any mental barbs or complaints. He even played along, tossing a few compliments Dudley’s way.
But only he and Dudley knew the real reason Dudley had slimmed down: the weight-loss potion Harry had sent him.
Dudley was thrilled with his new look—lean, a bit handsome, and, at the very least, no longer someone girls would avoid. Single forever? Not likely.
“I’ve taken up boxing,” Dudley said, grabbing a piece of steak. “My coach thinks I’ve got what it takes to be a boxer. I think so too.”
Harry’s face darkened.
Oh, great. His cousin’s boxing skills had mostly been honed by using Harry as a punching bag.
“Sorry, Harry,” Dudley said, noticing his expression. “Didn’t mean it like that. Haha… though, yeah, I did practice on you a bit back then.”
“Let’s drop it,” Harry said, rolling his eyes. “It’s good to have something to do. I’ll wish you luck in advance—hope you win a boxing championship!”
“Not just a championship,” Dudley said, waving his fist. “I’m going for world champion!”
T/N: If you find any typos or incorrect names, please leave a comment. Thanks, and enjoy reading!
