---
When Harry and Darren rushed to the Entrance Hall, Dumbledore had already been waiting there for so ti.
Seeing Harry panting, a smile appeared on his face.
"Harry, you still need more exercise. Darren seems perfectly fine…"
Darren hadn't even rumpled the corners of his clothes.
Harry nodded helplessly.
Honestly, he thought his stamina was already better than most boys.
Yet…
Darren, who looked like a delicate cream-skinned boy, sohow had terrifying physical strength.
Harry could only conclude that Darren must be naturally gifted.
"Alright, you two put on the Invisibility Cloak. Don't let anyone see you…
Of course, Darren, if you feel it's too cramped, you can use the Disillusionnt Charm instead. I know you've mastered it quite well."
Darren nodded.
He imdiately cast the Disillusionnt Charm on himself.
Although the Invisibility Cloak was the Deathly Hallow, he still preferred his own magic.
Wearing an extra layer of fabric affected his appearance, and Darren disliked anything that ruined his look.
"Very good. Then let's go!"
Dumbledore led them past Hagrid's hut.
Blue smoke curled from the chimney—Hagrid was clearly cooking sothing inside.
At that mont, Dumbledore smiled and said, "Usually I tell people I'm going to the Hog's Head or the Three Broomsticks for a drink.
It's the best way to hide my true purpose."
Harry nodded vaguely.
He only felt that Dumbledore truly thought things through.
Of course, it might also be because he was wrapped in the Invisibility Cloak on such a hot sumr day.
Sweat was already running down his back.
He desperately wished Darren would cast a Disillusionnt Charm on him as well—that would at least make him cooler.
He suspected the heat was lting his brain.
As they walked along the path toward Hogsade, Dumbledore suddenly asked, "You two can already Apparate, can't you?
I heard Darren succeeded on his very first Apparition lesson.
Twycross even asked whether Darren had secretly learned it beforehand!"
Darren smiled.
He said a little embarrassedly, "My brother and I can do it, but we're not of age yet, so we can't get the licence."
"I know, about adulthood…"
Dumbledore hesitated, then continued.
"Darren, you won't be able to visit Nicolas again this year.
I persuaded them for a long ti, and they finally decided to seal themselves away until the war ends.
But don't worry—their house-elves will keep watch on the outside.
I expect they'll write to you soon, asking if you want to hide with them.
That would be your last chance to stay out of the battlefield…"
Darren shook his head.
"If my brother or you were willing to hide with them, then I would go.
But are you willing?"
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
Both Harry and Dumbledore shook their heads.
Darren smiled as well.
"Exactly. The people I love, and the people who love , are not hiding—so why should I?
Mr. Flal is retreating because his magic is fading and he can no longer fight.
But I'm different. I'm young, my magic is strong. I should stand in front of everyone."
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
---
At last, they arrived in Hogsade.
Harry saw Madam Rosrta chasing out a shabby-looking wizard.
"Get out of here!"
she snapped angrily.
Then she noticed Dumbledore.
"Albus, co in for a bit?"
"No, Rosrta. I'm heading to the Hog's Head… I need a quieter atmosphere…"
A little while later, they reached the vicinity of the Hog's Head Inn.
"Alright, from here we must avoid being watched…"
Dumbledore placed a hand on both Harry and Darren's shoulders.
He smiled.
"This ti I'll take you with Side-Along Apparition."
After a violent squeeze—
Harry and Darren suddenly slled the fresh, salty scent of sea wind.
"This was near Voldemort's orphanage.
They used to bring the children for picnics around here… not exactly here, but in the little village beyond that cliff."
Harry stared at the waves and the towering cliffs.
They were standing on a jagged rock that jutted out of the sea.
Dumbledore pointed toward a dark crack in the cliff face.
"That's it. Harry, take off your Invisibility Cloak and swim with us!"
Then Harry watched in astonishnt as Dumbledore stuck his wand between his teeth and slid into the water like a young man.
As for Darren—
He waved his wand, quietly cast a Water-Repelling Charm on himself, and followed into the sea.
Harry didn't notice the charm.
He assud both Darren and Dumbledore were simply enduring the water without magic.
So he jumped in anxiously as well, trying desperately to keep up.
The icy seawater soaked his clothes, and Harry shivered violently.
But there was no way he could stop now.
He swam with all his strength, afraid of being left behind.
Finally, he saw Darren and Dumbledore stand up inside a sea cave.
Neither of them looked wet or miserable.
Harry assud he looked the sa.
So he stood up too.
Splash!
Water poured from his robes.
The soaked fabric clung to him, heavy and freezing.
Harry didn't even dare hug himself for warmth.
The cold bit into his bones, yet he didn't dare make a sound.
Because he saw Darren and Dumbledore tapping the rock wall repeatedly with their wands.
"It's here!"
Darren nodded.
Dumbledore smiled.
"Clearly, Darren, you've also sensed the powerful magical aura."
"Yes. This must be the entrance.
If we want to get in, we'll need to find the chanism… it should be here!"
Darren pointed his wand at a specific spot.
Dumbledore touched it.
"Indeed, the entrance is concealed.
Step back—let try!"
"Headmaster, I should—"
"No, Darren. You must listen to . Have you forgotten?
For dangerous things like this, the elderly should go first.
We are already walking toward death. You are still children."
Dumbledore said gently.
Then he aid his wand at the entrance.
A large hole appeared in the cliff wall—
But a mont later, it sealed itself again.
"Achoo—!"
Harry finally couldn't hold back a sneeze.
Darren turned around in shock.
He said in a tone full of sudden realization:
"Ah—brother! I completely forgot you don't know the Water-Repelling Charm or the Warming Charm!"
---
Reviews
All reviews (0)