Chapter 197: Christmas Holidays
The Christmas holidays had arrived.
Though they were called the Christmas holidays, the break actually began a week before Christmas itself.
The day before the break, Wade received a funeral invitation from the Black Family.
"Sirius isn't planning to invite too many people," Lupin told them, "but he wants it to be formal. He believes Regulus deserves a dignified funeral."
After discussing it with his parents, Wade decided to go home after the funeral, and Ferdinand and Fiona both expressed their support.
Besides Wade, Harry had also invited all the Weasleys from school.
Their parents were going to visit their other son, Bill, during the holidays, leaving the other children at school.
But the Weasleys felt that instead of staying at a school they were already tired of, they'd rather go with Harry.
Apparently, Percy had wanted to stay, but the twins had snatched his application form for staying at school, preventing him from being alone there.
Additionally, most of the people in the Umbrella Room also accepted the invitation, with only Padma's parents insisting she go home with her sister.
"I really wanted to go with you, I really did," Padma said apologetically. "But my aunt and cousin specifically came to see us, and my mom and dad… sigh, you know… adults always think our own matters aren't important enough."
"Don't worry," Michael immediately said. "I'll tell you what we find every day."
Padma smiled at him.
Theo cleared his throat loudly.
Those two thought no one knew about the change in their relationship. Actually, everyone but Harry had noticed.
On the last day of the term, the students still had to leave school by train. The Thestral-pulled carriages drove towards the station, and midway, Hagrid yelled, and a few carriages stopped.
They were already in Hogsmeade Village, and Lupin was waiting by the roadside.
Wade and the others quickly jumped off the carriages and greeted Lupin. Percy and Ginny, seeing him for the first time, seemed a bit reserved, standing together.
"Welcome," Lupin said with a gentle smile.
"Harry!" Hagrid, who was in a separate carriage, poked his head out and shouted, "Enjoy your holiday! I'll be at the Blacks' in a few days too."
"Okay!"
Harry, seeing the other students looking at them in surprise, quickly called out, a bewildered expression on his face.
He didn't know about the funeral yet.
"Goodbye, kids! Goodbye, Remus! Give my regards to Sirius!"
Hagrid waved his arm, and the carriages gradually drove off.
"Follow me," Lupin said, leading the group towards his home.
"Remus, are we going to the old Black family home?" Harry asked proactively. "Where's Sirius? Isn't he there?"
He had thought he'd see his godfather as soon as he got off the carriage!
"Sirius… sigh, he's not doing so well…"
Lupin said sadly, "The old Black family home is in worse condition than we expected, so it might not be suitable for living in for now. You'll have to stay at my place tonight; it's not big, so you'll probably have to squeeze in."
"What happened to Sirius?" Harry pressed anxiously.
Lupin hesitated, exchanging a look with Wade, an unspoken message passing between them—
You didn't tell Harry?
I thought you would.
Wade unhesitatingly pushed the blame back.
So, along the way, Lupin slowly recounted Regulus's story.
Of course, his story didn't mention the Horcrux.
The children didn't know Regulus, and most only knew Sirius's name from newspapers. But combining the experiences of these two brothers, anyone could feel the weight and sorrow of it.
For over a decade, two brothers, both fighting against Voldemort, one imprisoned in the world's most terrifying prison, the other submerged at the bottom of a cold lake.
The common thread was that they both bore infamy.
What kind of sick joke was this?!
No one spoke for a long while.
After a moment, Harry said, "I want to be with Sirius… He shouldn't be alone at a time like this. Where is he?"
"At the old Black family home," Lupin said.
"Didn't you say that place isn't suitable for living in?"
"Yes, the house is in terrible condition! No one has looked after it since Sirius's mother passed away. And there's a House-elf dedicated to opposing us… Sirius has been working hard to clean it up, hoping to give his brother a respectable funeral."
"I can help!" Harry immediately said.
"But…"
"We'll go too!" Ryan said. "Didn't Harry say he hoped we'd help with the cleaning when he invited us? That's what we're here for."
Harry's face flushed immediately. He hadn't expected there to be so much work to do.
Everyone burst out laughing, even Percy, who usually kept a straight face, couldn't help but crack a smile.
Fred said, "Haha, my mom's always wanted a House-elf. I'd love to see how those creatures manage to cause trouble for their masters."
"I came here to see what an ancient Wizard family is like. Honestly, the more eerie and spooky, the better, don't you think?" Michael looked at everyone, not bothering to hide his excitement.
Theo simply nodded and said, "More people means the work gets done faster."
Hermione stated, "We're not the type to just look for places to enjoy ourselves and then back away when trouble strikes."
"Oh, seriously," Ron slapped his forehead. "My mom's had me doing chores since I was three. I'm an old pro!"
Everyone chimed in, eager to help and not at all bothered by a little extra work.
Seeing the children's kind and pure intentions, Lupin couldn't help but break into a genuine smile.
"Alright then, let's head over there. I hope you won't regret it once you see the old Black Family home."
At this time, the old Black Family home hadn't yet become the Order of the Phoenix headquarters, and naturally, it wasn't protected by the Fidelius Charm.
Although the Black Family had, for generations, cast numerous spells on it to prevent it from being discovered by Muggles or Wizards, that didn't stop Sirius from connecting it to the Floo Network.
One by one, everyone sprinkled Floo Powder, loudly declared "Grimmauld Place Number 12," and vanished into the green flames.
Wade remained behind.
Before stepping into the fireplace, he turned and asked, "Remus, where is Regulus's body?"
"In Sirius's house next door," Lupin replied. "Sirius wants to wait until the funeral arrangements are ready before bringing him back."
Wade nodded slightly but then said, "I actually think he should be brought back now."
"The old Black Family home might be a place Sirius dislikes, but for Regulus, it must have been the home he longed for."
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