After the end-of-term feast, Hogwarts was officially on holiday.
Vid and the others also saw their exam results.
And this time, Vid got first place in all subjects.
In fact, Hermione also did very well, but during the practical exams, Vid demonstrated skills far beyond his peers, and the professors all gave him extra points.
The next morning was the day to take the Hogwarts Express train home.
The students packed their luggage, and the House-Elves would send these trunks to the train. Everyone went downstairs for breakfast as usual.
The SSC group still sat at the Hufflepuff table.
"I really envy you, Harry." Padma poked at the cake on her plate, looking glum. "You can just turn around and go home after getting off the carriage, while we have to sit on the train all day."
"I envy you too." Harry said with a smile. "I think it's quite fun to sit in the compartment with everyone."
He enthusiastically invited everyone to come over during the holidays and promised that this time they wouldn't need to help with chores.
Everyone politely declined.
In the long summer holiday, almost everyone had plans to go on trips and vacations.
Harry looked at them discussing with a pitiful expression, seemingly very envious.
"Don't worry, I guess Remus and Sirius will definitely take you out to play too."
Vid comforted him: "For a wizard, distance is not an issue, and traveling abroad isn't expensive either."
Hearing this, Harry felt both expectant and a bit apprehensive.
While they were talking, a gray owl delivered a note to Harry. He opened it and was momentarily stunned.
"Who sent you the letter?" Hermione asked.
"Dumbledore." Harry stood up with the note. "He needs to see me."
The boy walked along the passage between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff, passing by students having breakfast, and then through a small door.
Vid watched him leave, vaguely guessing what it was about.
...
In a room adorned with many portraits, Dumbledore was sitting on a bench, with his lake-blue robe covered in patterns of circles, triangles, and hexagrams.
Harry knocked on the open door and walked in.
"Professor Dumbledore?"
"Oh, Harry, you're here."
Dumbledore gestured for him to sit down. Behind his half-moon glasses, his blue eyes looked at him kindly.
So gentle, it was almost pitying.
Harry avoided eye contact, instinctively feeling uncomfortable with such a gaze, as if something bad was about to happen.
"Professor, what did you want to see me about?" Harry asked.
"I noticed something, Harry."
Dumbledore said: "The House-Elves told me you left a note on your trunk, asking them not to load it onto the train but leave it on the platform?"
"Yes." Harry said blankly. "I don't need to take the train, you know… the Black Family home is right in Hogsmeade."
After half a year, Harry finally got used to the fact that he had a godfather and understood that compared to Remus, Sirius was his legal guardian.
"Yes, I know."
Dumbledore interlaced his fingers and said softly, "But I must tell you, Harry—you have to return to the Dursley Family."
"What?!"
Harry stood up immediately, unable to control his voice as he shouted at the headmaster. "Why?! I hate them, they hate me! And… and Sirius is my godfather! He's willing to take me in!"
"Yes, that's why I've discussed this with both Sirius and Remus." Dumbledore said. "Initially, they opposed the idea just like you, but eventually, they agreed with me."
Harry was stunned, his hands and feet growing cold. After a long pause, he asked softly, "…Why?"
"It relates to the magic your mother left behind," Dumbledore said. "I believe you remember—last year in the hospital wing, when you asked me why Quirrell couldn't touch you, the words I said?"
"Yes." Harry recalled the scene and muttered, "You said… my mother's intense love left me with a protective talisman… It's hidden in my skin… So Voldemort feels excruciating pain when he touches me…"
"Yes, your mother employed a very ancient magic, which protected you when you were one, and did the same when you were eleven. However, this magic's continuance has conditions."
Dumbledore said: "Lily's magic resides in your blood, connecting you by blood to Petunia Dursley. You need to return to her place and stay for a while each year for the barrier of magic to remain intact."
Harry stared blankly into Dumbledore's eyes, his heart aching.
He couldn't figure out if the pain was due to his mother's sacrifice or because he had to return to that place he thought he'd escaped.
...
When Harry, looking lost and disheartened, returned to the Great Hall, everyone was getting ready to depart.
Seeing him in such a daze, Ron, who was chatting with their dorm mates, felt uneasy and ran over to put an arm around Harry's shoulders.
"Hey, mate, what's wrong?"
He asked, eyeing the others suspiciously.
"I have to go back to the Dursley Family..." Harry's face was visibly filled with despair. "At least for a month..."
"What?" Ron was even more shocked than he was. "Are Sirius and Remus too busy to take you?"
"No… it's not about that… it's because…"
Harry looked at the many students around him and swallowed the rest of his words.
"You're the one who managed to stab a Basilisk in the eye with a venomous fang!" Michael said, puzzled. "What could those Muggle relatives possibly do to you?"
"No magic during the holidays," Ron explained.
"But…" Michael was not convinced. "When you took down the Basilisk, you didn't use magic either!"
"But I can't very well stab Uncle Vernon in the eye with a table knife, can I?"
Harry said helplessly, his spirits lifted a little, almost amused by Michael's remark.
"Why not tell them about everything you've done this year? I'm sure they'd feel proud of you," Hermione said optimistically. "It might even improve your relations."
Harry shook his head. "They'd only think I'm threatening them and get furious. If they heard that Basilisk venom didn't kill me, they'd be even angrier..."
"Don't worry, remember why they backed off before?"
Vid also suggested: "The Dursley's treatment of you is illegal. If they abuse you again, you can report it to the police. People like that fear nothing more than the police showing up."
"But…" Harry was worried, "what if Uncle Vernon takes away my magic wand and locks me up? Then I won't be able to report it."
"Rip a page out of the Friendship Book in advance and hide it where it won't be found."
Vid said, "If you're really imprisoned, send a message to any of us, and we'll come to your rescue immediately."