Wild child

For most of the dinner, the adults chatted about work from point to point, while the younger generation listened to Ginny's description of what was going on at school-it was the best way to avoid involving as much as possible friends and brothers whose whereabouts were unknown. safe topic.The current situation at Hogwarts is worse than Fanny imagined: the Muggle studies class has become a blood theory propaganda class, the corridors are full of wiretapping magic, all correspondence no longer conceals the traces of being flipped, and the Death Eaters have become blatant A legitimate professor who requires students to use the Cruciatus Curse on rebels.Compared with the current level of high-pressure terror, Umbridge is like an angel.

The rebel movement is also in full swing, with Neville, Seamus, Ginny and Luna taking the lead, while Hermione's wisdom continues to benefit the school despite leaving the school.The Canon contact method she created in fifth grade has never been discovered, and so far no student has been able to completely replicate those Canon. The limited coins are in the hands of key members of the three colleges.

They proudly call themselves Dumbledore's Army.

Due to all kinds of mistakes, Fanny has never been able to join this army.She did have another contact coin, which was lying in her pocket at the moment, and even Sirius didn't know that she wanted to send a short message of "Merry Christmas" before going out.

The urge passed quickly, and when Fanny examined the memories related to it, she found herself almost using the perspective of a bystander, and she realized how far away it all was.Still, she allowed herself to take a moment to think about the Christmas Draco would have - at least glad that he and his closest family members were safe, even if there was nothing "happy" about it, it was to him Probably enough.But not with the many people who stood with her like she did, probably without the fireworks, laughter and roars that exploded in the small restaurant.

Being smacked by their mother with a spoon didn't dampen the twins' spirits, and they jumped up to catch Snape's wig and false nose blown out of the fireworks, performing a farce until Mrs Weasley finally burst into laughter amidst a table full of laughter. He couldn't hold back his angry expression.Satisfied that their mother had finally forgotten their sentimentality and worries for a while, George and Fred sat back at the table in a heroic manner, and began to enthusiastically introduce to Ginny how this plan could be used in the offices of the Carlo brothers and sisters.Sirius listened with interest, and his expression didn't know if it was more "formidable for young people" or "far from it".

It is said that fireworks with various skipping candy effects have been blown up all over Hogwarts - including Hagrid's cabin. When encountering this friendly prank, the disgraced half-giant laughed loudly, and clapped his black hands Rubbing Ginny's hair and nearly pulling her head off.

Fanny wiped away the tears of laughter, and then noticed that Mrs. Conwell was still smiling faintly, and Smith put away the blank smile and continued to eat.Fanny had told him more about magic than she had told Mrs. Conwell, but neither of them had ever seen Snape sneer viciously through his greasy hair, or that his grim gaze was How to scratch like a hook where it looks.They know it's a "nasty guy" and that's it.Smith didn't even have much idea of ​​"Snape killed Dumbledore". To him, Dumbledore was just a kind old man who met him once. This incident might not have the same impression on him as it was played on TV in a loop. The Sirius murder-at-large news is profound.

Mrs. Conwell and Smith hadn't planned to have Christmas dinner at the Burrow, but stayed because of Mrs. Weasley's kind invitation and Fanny's promise that they would eat there themselves.With Smith feeling increasingly depressed from months of being stuck indoors and working on-and-off, Fanny thought it might be good for him for a change of scenery and a good meal, but it didn't seem like such a good idea.They were now the only non-wizards in the room, and Smith could do nothing but fiddle with the food on his plate while Mrs. Conwell discussed work with the rest of the Order.Arthur tried to chat with him about electrical issues several times, sensing his obvious impatience, but gave up.

Fanny moved closer to Smith, but Smith spoke before her, without looking up at her.

"I'm fine." Smith put a piece of turkey into his mouth. "This is very delicious, a great Christmas dinner."

"It is, but you are not well at all." Fanny wiped her hair behind her ears, leaned forward, "Listen, I..."

"I never had a choice anyway, when you said 'listen'."

She froze for a moment, "I'm sorry..."

"For that, I could get an apology." Smith finally put down his knife and fork. "For a meal, and a 'listen'—I don't even think about how much I'm used to that word."

Fanny was a little dazed. It had been a long time since she had a non-working conversation with anyone other than Sirius. The conversation between them was never lubricated by any warmth, it was straightforward and always full of sharp sarcasms of mutual ridicule.But the last time she saw this look on Smith's face was during the summer vacation of the second grade, after which Fanny didn't come home for a whole year, and that memory reminded her to handle the situation in front of her carefully. "...Then why should I apologize?"

"Nothing." One of Smith's hands tensed up, fingertips pointed towards Fanny, as if pointing some kind of weapon at her. "It's all because of you, and it's not your fault. Just leave me alone, okay? Don't approach me out of sympathy and pretend you're happy to talk to me."

Fanny frowned and was about to say something, but Mrs. Conwell had finished talking with Hastia, and she only took a glance to realize that there was something wrong between the two children.Before asking, she put her hand on Smith's shoulder and pulled him slightly closer. After receiving no response, she gave Fanny a comforting smile.This series of inadvertent little actions made Fanny feel a slight sting: Mrs. Conwell did not hesitate to believe that in the conflict between the two, Smith was the one who needed protection, and she was the one who was accommodated.Well, that's usually the case, isn't it?

She returned to the topics she knew.Ginny happened to be talking about how she and Neville went to the headmaster's office to steal the Gryffindor sword, and Mrs. Weasley was listening, looking like she was about to have a heart attack the whole time.

It was quite an action, even by Fanny's standards, as they wore the invisibility cloak that George and Fred had smuggled them into Hogsmeade every night for a week—for which the twins received almost Their piercing stares - squat next to the stone beast in front of the principal's office, and after figuring out the password to enter the door, Colin Creevey and Seamus Finnigan used various Weasley products to create a very wonderful combo, Led more than half of the professors and Snape to the basement.

Unfortunately Snape discovered the culprit of the basement mess almost immediately, throwing Seamus and Colin to McGonagall and rushing back to the office just before Ginny and Neville flew out the window on their broomsticks with their swords. live them.

"I shouldn't have tried to talk to Dumbledore," Ginny said, biting her lip. "I couldn't help it... Miss him so much. If he's still around..."

"We miss him," said Mr. Weasley gently. "That's understandable, Ginny. We all wish he was with us."

Ginny let out a sigh. "And I probably should have done it alone. It took Neville a minute to get on his broomstick."

"Doing this kind of thing alone?!" Mrs. Weasley's voice rose uncontrollably.

"Then the old bat punished you to work with Hagrid?" George interrupted hastily.

"Have you entered the Forbidden Forest?" Fred asked again.

"Well, it's mainly chores." Ginny glanced at her mother carefully, "help him prepare for his next Magical Creature Care class..."

When the news of Snape taking over as headmaster of Hogwarts came out, the community of the Phoenix was excited, and the more impulsive ones, such as the twins, even went to the Ministry of Magic to reason with the case—of course, it was just talking.For some reason Fanny didn't respond to that, and her hatred of Snape more than for killing Dumbledore stemmed from diverting Harry from the night he killed George - if it wasn't for that Weasley outfit For protection and diversion spells, what George lost was definitely not his ears.

The last time they met, Fanny had asked Dumbledore if he had made arrangements, and the old man had acquiesced to that.Dumbledore's arrangements never go wrong, let alone when it comes to such a big event as death.In other words, she didn't think being killed by Snape was an "accident" for Dumbledore, but just chose not to delve into his plans.

Now Ginny's words deepened her suspicion: Snape seldom handed over students who made mistakes to the Carroll brothers and sisters, which was no different from other teachers; Felony, but Ginny was only fined to work with Hagrid - it would be hell if Snape didn't know about the friendly relationship between Hagrid and the Rebels; Before he decided to do it, he was secretly transferred out. Snape punished the group led by McGonagall and Ginny Neville just after the job was completed—but why did he go there before?

Nobody had any doubts about Snape's identity, and Fanny figured he'd failed badly anyway.The password to enter the Headmaster's office was "Dumbledore", and like the Carrows and everyone else who knew the truth, members of Dumbledore's Army believed it to be a mockery.

At this moment, Mr. Weasley suddenly remembered something, took out a paper bag and handed it to Sirius: "Aberforth bought it from Mundungus, and he asked me to return it to the original owner."

Inside the paper bag was a very old looking mirror, apparently one of the trophies Mundungus had when he emptied Black's old house.

"I'll have to thank Dunge sooner or later." Sirius snorted, "Thanks, Arthur. Thank you for me too."

"And your motorcycle. Hagrid used it the day he picked Harry up. I picked up most of the parts and put them in the broom shed. I tried to fix them. If you still want..." Weasley Mr. obviously hoped to get a negative answer. The temptation of this magical Muggle item was too strong for him.

"Keep it, Arthur." Sirius fulfilled his wish absently, "I can't fly around on a motorcycle now."

Due to the "death" of Sirius, Black's old house, together with the house elves inside and the money in his account, became Harry's inheritance.Neither of them had any interest in pursuing Mundungus' theft. The house was of no value to them except for its function as the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix. They had far more important things to worry about.So Fanny was a little surprised by Sirius' gentle and sad expression when he rubbed the mirror. He simply explained that it was James' relic and put the mirror away properly.

After the third course of dessert, with the satisfaction brought by the fullness and sugar, the atmosphere finally became really relaxed.Everyone discussed the whereabouts of Harry and others. The absence of the youngest son also caused Mrs. Weasley to complain that the newly married eldest son would not go home for Christmas. On the second day of school, someone broke into the Ministry of Magic and released all the arrested The Muggle-born incident was brought up again, and by the time they parted, everyone seemed to believe with great enthusiasm that Harry would enter Hogwarts with unimaginable weapons like he broke into the Ministry of Magic, and save everything.

The way back was the same as when they came back. Fanny manifested with Mrs. Conwell's entourage, and Sirius left with Smith, who used the invisible device. They spent an hour in the house before setting off to study how to cooperate.Since arriving home, Fanny has been looking for an opportunity to talk to Smith alone, but the latter avoids it every time, and the situation does not seem to be serious enough to require a forced conversation.

Smith's birthday was three days after Christmas, and he had not been enthusiastic about Mrs. Conwell's proposal for a celebration, and had tried from the night before to persuade his mother to let the day pass.Smith has never been able to live without friends, and Fanny has learned from Joy how crazy they can be at the adult birthday party, compared to a deserted dinner in a small house. worth looking forward to.But Mrs. Conwell was very persistent on this matter, and even ordered a big cake from the best bakery in the town.

Fanny was in charge of receiving the cake. She asked Sirius to make a simple disguise for herself, then went upstairs and pushed open the door of Smith's room.When she proposed to go out together to complete this matter, she was somewhat proud to see that Smith tried his best to hide the changes in his face. He always had an expressionless face when facing Fanny these days.

"No." He quickly dismissed, "I can't go out."

"You can't be caught." Fanny said, "Bring on the concealment device, we can guarantee this."

Smith sighed, uncannily like Mrs. Conwell. "I know what you want to do. I appreciate it. But you can't put everyone in here in danger just to amuse me, okay? Have you thought about what Mommy would do?"

"Sirius is safe here." Fanny was a little offended, but glad to see Smith seemed reassured.During the few days when she was buried by the letter, the relationship between Smith and Sirius became much closer, perhaps because of the resonance brought about by the similar experience in the trapped house. "Just to get a cake, you don't think I'm going to pack you up and send you out."

"I appreciate it, I said I was grateful. But no." Smith said irritably, obviously hoping that Fanny would leave the room.

"Listen...I mean, trust me." Fanny didn't miss the sneer that flashed across Smith's face when she changed her words, "Please? I promise it will be worth it."

"Of course you say that, as long as it's exciting enough, it's worth it to you."

For a moment, Fanny didn't know whether she should be angry or amused, "Uh, do you really think it's exciting for me to take you out?"

"My fault, of course not, you are so amazing!" Smith pointed sharply at the door, "Now, please, get out of my pathetic Muggle's room!"

Fanny crossed her arms. "Oh, I won't. Unless you go out with me and get your cake back."

"Otherwise? What magical spell do you use to control me?" Smith stood two steps closer, "Then do it, monster!"

As soon as the words were finished, both of them froze. Smith began to shrink back, but when Fanny spoke again, she was very calm. "I don't have that plan, but if you have any opinions on me, just say it. Of course, you still have to go to that damn bakery with me after that. Maybe you forgot, but if you can't drive you away, I won't What magical magic is needed."

There's a moment's silence, they stare at each other, and then Smith sighs in frustration and exasperation.

"Okay, okay, you win! Same as ever."

"Just like old days." Fanny repeated, shrugging and tossing the hider to him, "Then let's move."

The two appeared in an abandoned building on the east side of the neighboring town. After confirming that they were safe, Fanny let Smith out from under the invisibility cloak. Smith glanced at Fanny's direction suspiciously, but obviously didn't want to talk to Fanny yet.He paused as the two walked out into the sunlight and took a deep breath.Since then, he has been silently following Fanny's soft instructions until Fanny asked him to stop by a telephone booth.

"Aren't we going to the bakery?" Smith asked.

"We're going after you receive your birthday present." Fanny put a note into his pocket.

There were two lines on the note, "Reacher's Flower Shop," and a phone number.Smith looked in the direction where Fanny was in shock.

"It's just as you can see. Kingsley is responsible for the transfer of Muggle-borns. I asked him for a favor when I went to deliver the medicine a few days ago." Fanny quietly avoided his eyes, feeling that the other party It's so convenient not to see yourself. "Happy birthday. Say hello to Amelia for me."

"But..."

"It won't give her any trouble. And I bet she misses you as much as you miss her." She gestured to the phone booth, knowing she couldn't see it. "Go ahead, I'll watch outside. Or are you worried about me eavesdropping?"

The tenseness of months seemed to return to Smith's face in an instant, and he forced a smile. "I don't even know where you are."

"It's too conspicuous to hang around outside the phone booth all afternoon. Come on, it's just calling my girlfriend. I've seen you hug my thigh and cry for mother."

"I was 7 and I was having nightmares!"

"I remember only once?"

Embarrassed and annoyed, Smith walked into the phone booth and closed the door behind him.Holding the wand in her pocket, Fanny quietly walked 100 meters before and after the alley where the phone booth was located, occasionally avoiding passers-by.It took a full two hours before Smith came out, just in time for Fanny to go back and forth to the phone booth for the first time after she finished.

As if being illuminated by a particularly strong beam of sunlight, Smith's whole body seemed to light up. Various emotions such as joy, distress, and shyness were intertwined on his face into a look that made people want to smile unconsciously.Fanny walked forward unhurriedly, watched him look around, her expression gradually turned nervous and worried, then she patted his shoulder, then ignored his protest and walked into the phone booth, taking off the invisibility cloak .Smith's face turned red the moment she saw Fanny, and she responded with a narrow wink.

In the bakery where Fanny gave Smith the main job, he presumably jumped at the chance to talk to anyone who wasn't family, and even accosted the girl in the next seat eating a cupcake.Fanny was surprised to find that Smith was naturally generous and humorous, which was completely different from when she was facing her or when she was facing other people in her impression.But thinking back to the days when Smith talked about work with Mrs. Conwell and Sirius, apart from the different and more sullen topics, there seemed to be no conflict with the scene in front of him.

"You know, Fanny," Smith said as he walked into the Apparating house, "when I said you were... I didn't mean that."

"Did you mean 'bastard' or 'monster'?"

Smith snapped, "...why didn't you just tell me?"

"Magic interferes with the use of Muggle products, you can't make calls at home. Then I guess you get into a deep struggle about whether to contact her, and you end up keeping this note in some secret place and looking at it several times a day."

The summary made Smith laugh. "That sounds like me."

"Almost? At least as far as I know you." Fanny took out the invisibility cloak, "Even if I'm wrong, this is the safest way."

"Is your definition of 'safest' is 'most asshole'?"

"You'd be surprised how much trouble you can save by being an asshole." Fanny shrugged, "Although you probably have no hope in this life."

"Sorry, Fanny."

"Oh my God, I'm so afraid of this." Fanny held up a hand, "I'm not going to say that didn't hurt me, but stop. Seriously, you're one of the few people who can really make me feel I'm an asshole myself."

"I...?" Smith smiled nervously. "You're kidding, right?"

"Unfortunately not." Fanny used the invisibility cloak to transform herself into a floating head, and Smith, unsurprisingly, seemed a little uncomfortable at the sight. "That's how I felt just now. When you started talking to that Lila, I suddenly felt that I don't understand you anymore. And Mrs. Conwell, too. I don't even know what you're like now."

"We're the ones who don't know you anymore!" retorted Smith. "You never told us anything. We were all freaked out when Mr. Dumbledore suddenly informed us that you were injured. You didn't see what Mommy was at the time." Look, but we have to find out from Millie what's going on! Even if you haven't talked to us at home these past few months, you don't know how worried your mother is when you are outside!" He blushed and said Huff up. "You haven't said anything to us since... since the time you left the house."

"I..." It seemed inevitable that the conversation would go in the direction Fanny least liked. "...I thought the subject of magic would make you uncomfortable."

"Our family are witches! Didn't you ever think we'd 'want' to know?"

Fanny opened her mouth and closed it again.Mrs. Conwell's desire for magic and Smith's vague jealousy were well known to her, and she didn't want them to worry about their experiences, but that was far from the whole reason for her silence.

"I know...I'm sorry."

Smith paused for a moment, shaking his head. "You've always been like that, making decisions without thinking about other people's feelings — sometimes even your own."

"Sounds like I'm scary." Fanny smiled wryly.

"You're a nice guy, the best. You just..."

The rest of the words and himself disappeared under the invisibility cloak. After checking, Fanny confirmed that the invisibility cloak had been pulled properly, and reinforced the cake box to avoid damage during the apparition, and then reminded Smith to prepare.The two spun together and disappeared from the spot.