Since learning how to be an Animagus, Vid gradually fell in love with this way of traveling.
The damp and icy air of the morning, the free wind, the city gradually waking from its slumber, and the countryside below resembling an oil painting—these are all experiences that people relying solely on two legs cannot truly appreciate.
Sometimes, he would encounter owls and have a bit of a tussle; other times, he would come across a flock of pigeons and scare them into scattering, which was a rare delight.
Ahead of his view, many city buildings appeared with an orderly charm.
The Thames River flowed quietly, narrow alleys intertwining with broad plazas to form the city's unique texture; glass curtain walls reflected the morning sun, adding a layer of opulence to this ancient city.
Vid gradually lowered his altitude, following the direction, crossed the city center to Surrey, and then found Privet Drive.
Among several rows of identical houses, there was one decorated in gold and red, with a giant lion's head embedded in the wall between the second-floor windows, so lifelike it seemed ready to roar at any moment.
Vid couldn't help but laugh, imagining the expressions of the Dursleys when they saw this house.
The Peregrine Falcon lowered its altitude again, landing in an alley between the houses, and then a thirteen-year-old boy emerged from it.
Vid's attire wasn't particularly conspicuous even in a regular neighborhood; he walked up to that unique house and knocked on the door.
Lupin quickly came out.
"Good morning, Vid," Lupin said happily. "I told you you'd arrive soon."
"Morning, Lupin," Vid replied with a smile. "Has Harry arrived?"
"Not yet..."
Before Lupin could finish his sentence, both turned their heads simultaneously.
"Alright, go ahead—"
A loud, rude voice roared from a house not far away:
"You better warn your freaks not to come to my house in broad daylight! Don't visit at night either! Don't associate those shady things with us! We're an honest family!"
"Great! Why don't you say it yourself?"
Harry shouted back, and without waiting for a response, he dashed out of the house and ran straight toward them.
Behind him, Vernon Dursley stood at his door, glaring angrily at the group.
His words had been meant for Lupin and Sirius to hear—Vernon feared and loathed wizards, dared not speak to them directly, but wouldn't pretend to be friendly either.
Their family wanted nothing to do with the oddities, but ever since those two wizards moved in, Vernon Dursley worried about becoming the talk of the town.
He loathed it.
Harry explained to the Dursley family that Sirius and others had moved over for their protection. But whether the Dursleys couldn't understand or wouldn't accept, their attitude worsened.
However, after finishing shouting, Vernon Dursley realized that standing there wasn't just the annoying wizards, but also the kid who threatened to call the police last time.
Dursley's expression changed slightly; he said nothing more and slammed the door shut.
To Dursley, the Dark Wizards Harry mentioned seemed like characters from a story, far removed from their lives, whereas the police posed a real, immediate problem that could be at the doorstep in minutes.
"Hey Vid, great to see you."
Harry appeared lively, greeted warmly, and asked Lupin, "Is there any breakfast left, Remus?"
"There's some sandwiches," Lupin said angrily. "Didn't they give you breakfast?"
"Yes." Harry shrugged. "A lettuce leaf, half a piece of toast, just enough to keep me from starving to death."
Lupin started to fume, clearly wanting to curse but restrained himself, then asked Vid what he wanted to eat.
Vid naturally declined.
He didn't ask if Harry had given the Dursley family living expenses—
According to local laws and social customs, the Dursleys had an obligation to raise the underaged Harry and Dudley, but even if Harry were adult and working, he wouldn't need to support the Dursleys, let alone talk of living expenses.
Moreover, Harry was still a minor.
Besides his extra household chores, the Dursleys received some tax relief and allowance subsidies from the government for adopting Harry, and schooling was completely free, which didn't really increase their economic burden.
In this situation, suggesting to the Dursleys that they be given living expenses would sound quite strange.
…
Today, breakfast was prepared by Kreacher.
When Vid entered, the House-Elf specially came out to bow.
It seemed especially groomed, with a clean pillowcase wrapped around its body, and even the white fur in its ears was neatly brushed.
"Welcome, Young Master Gray and Master Potter... Today's breakfast is oatmeal and sandwiches. Would you like some roasted potatoes?"
"Anything, just hurry up," Harry mumbled, "I'm starving."
"Just a cup of tea for me, Kreacher," Vid said.
The elderly House-Elf bowed again, then vanished with a snap.
Soon, the table was piled with food, and Vid's tea was freshly brewed.
After Harry finished breakfast, Sirius returned from outside.
He was dressed in a black suit, tied with a bow tie, his slightly long hair was tied in a low ponytail, combining elegance with a hint of melancholy.
Sirius also carried the portrait of Regulus.
"This was his last wish," Sirius said in a low voice. "I want him to witness this."
Lupin silently patted his shoulder.
At the agreed eleven o'clock, a sudden flash of fire appeared in the room, followed by Fox's arrival.
It flapped its wings, one claw grasping onto Sirius's shoulder.
"Harry, hang onto Sirius!"
Lupin said as he grabbed Sirius's arm with one hand and tightly held Vid with the other.
Harry immediately clung to Sirius's other arm, and Kreacher unhesitatingly held onto Sirius's left leg.
The dangling Sirius had no choice but to reach for Fox's claw, and seeing they were all ready, Fox let out a gentle song.
A flash of flame occurred, Vid blinked, and the surrounding environment transformed.
Dark, damp caves, an endless dark lake, remnants of the last Inferi burning by the wall.
Harry curiously looked around, softly asking Vid, "Is this where you last came?"
Vid nodded, "We discovered Regulus here."
Harry had heard that tale, and upon hearing it, felt a slight tingle down his spine.
Where they stood, there had once been at least hundreds of Inferi.
Dumbledore emerged from the darkness, his silver beard seeming to shimmer.
He took out the Pendant Box, quietly saying, "Let's begin from here... and end from here."