"I... I'm going to rest now. I have classes tomorrow, hahaha..." Hoare's voice was a bit guilty.
He turned around, "Headmaster, Dean, I'll head back first. See you tomorrow."
He decisively turned and bolted!
Run!
"Stop!"
Failed to escape—Hoare put down his raised leg.
Forcing a smile, he turned around, "Mrs. Weasley, is there sothing you need?"
Molly Weasley crossed her arms, pacing around Hoare twice.
Hoare was a bit nervous; he still looked like himself.
He hadn't imdiately turned into Henry William, feeling it might make him seem guilty.
Molly just stared at Hoare, not saying a word.
Hoare chuckled awkwardly, "Mrs. Weasley, if there's nothing else, I'll go rest now."
In the wizarding world, matters concerning Squibs are handled discreetly, never spoken of openly.
So, even soone like Dumbledore had only heard rumors about the Weasley family having a Squib, but didn't know the details.
He thought Molly was blaming Henry because of the diary incident.
Dumbledore spoke up to explain for Hoare, "Molly, don't misunderstand. Henry is a good child, and Ron's involvent this ti was purely coincidental."
George and Fred, hiding in the back, leaned in upon hearing Dumbledore's words, "Yes, yes, it had nothing to do with him."
"Of course it had nothing to do with him! Don't think I don't know it was you two!" Molly glared fiercely at George and Fred, then turned her gaze back to Hoare.
"Is there nothing you want to say to and your father?"
Everyone was stunned by Molly's words, except for Arthur Weasley.
Hoare understood imdiately from Molly's words that she had recognized him.
But he still didn't speak, holding onto a glimr of hope.
"Albus," Arthur spoke, "could you give our family a place to talk?" His gaze flitted to the Malfoys opposite and Snape beside them.
Snape's face darkened, wanting to curse, but Dumbledore stopped him with a gesture. He turned Molly's words over in his mind and understood.
"Alright, Molly, Arthur. How about we talk in my office? It will also give the children a chance to rest." Dumbledore gestured invitingly.
Molly and Arthur nodded gratefully at Dumbledore.
Molly turned to the twins and Percy, "You all go back and rest. Percy, keep an eye on them."
The twins, of course, were unwilling, their hearts filled with curiosity!
Molly's implication was clear!
If it really was him!
The twins exchanged a glance, their eyes brimming with excitent.
Then Percy held them down, one in each hand, "Let's go."
The twins struggled but were defeated by Molly's gaze, reluctantly following Percy out.
---
Inside the Headmaster's office.
Arthur Weasley, Molly Weasley, Snape, and Dumbledore.
The four of them sat around Hoare, their eyes fixed on him.
"I want to ask—" Arthur spoke first, "why is he here?" He pointed at Snape.
"Foolish, because I'm Henry William's headmaster! I need to know what's happening with my student!" Snape sneered, glancing disdainfully at Arthur.
Then he glared fiercely at Hoare, "My mysterious student, surely you're willing to tell your poor headmaster the truth."
Hoare nodded repeatedly, not daring to voice any objection.
Though Snape was harsh and sarcastic, Hoare had benefited greatly from him in Potions over the past half year.
So rare potions, even those unavailable for purchase, were left for Hoare to experint with.
"Hoare."
Molly spoke.
Hoare swallowed.
"Mom..."
At the top of the Weasley family food chain was Molly Weasley.
Not just because of Molly's abilities, but also out of respect for her dedication to the family.
Not to ntion Hoare calling her mom, Snape's expression had already turned rigid.
Headmaster Dumbledore was utterly shocked.
He hadn't expected this at all.
He was about to speak when Hoare's previous words echoed in his mind.
Dumbledore suddenly understood why Hoare was so invested in the Squib Potion.
Because he had suffered, he wanted to help others?
Dumbledore was moved, knowing that Henry—no, now Hoare—was a good child, completely different from Tom.
He completely forgot about Hoare's exorbitantly priced long-lasting Squib Potion.
"Hoare, what's going on?" Molly asked coldly, "Your guardian told you were doing well at school?"
The guardian Molly ntioned was soone sent by the Squib Support Association to manage and care for Hoare's life in the Muggle world.
"Mom," Hoare said honestly, "he mistook another orphaned student for ."
He then gave a sweet smile, looking at Molly with a hint of flattery.
That guardian was truly irresponsible.
Though called the Squib Support Association, they actually looked down on Squibs or pitied them.
Hoare had an orphan who couldn't attend school pretend to be him, taking his place.
That person would forward any letters sent to Hoare. He was puzzled why Hoare's family used owls to send letters.
In half a year, Hoare received three letters, one of which told him not to co ho for Christmas because they were visiting Charlie.
After reading the letters, Hoare would reply, and the orphan would help send them.
This was why the Weasley family hadn't realized Hoare wasn't in the Muggle world.
As for that guardian, Hoare never received any ssage saying soone ca to see him.
Molly felt a headache coming on seeing Hoare's expression.
Arthur asked, "When did you start using magic?"
"The day Ron received his acceptance letter," Hoare explained slowly, "I don't know why, but I suddenly had magic. But I was afraid you'd look at differently."
Hoare's voice was low, cautiously watching Molly and Arthur.
"Oh!" Molly couldn't bear Hoare's gaze, pulling him into her arms.
"Hoare, we're family. We'd never look at you differently," Molly said, heart aching for her cautious son.
Before discovering he was a Squib, Hoare would run around with Ron, carefree, sotis giving Molly a headache.
Until that result ca.
Hoare grew up overnight, becoming exceptionally well-behaved.
"We never didn't want you because you're a Squib. To us, you're always our child." Molly held Hoare tightly.
"But..." Hoare looked up, "didn't you think I was an embarrassnt?"
Before, Arthur would proudly take him and Ron out, but later, only Ron and Ginny went.
Hoare's range of activities beca smaller.
Hoare never thought being a Squib was the end of the world.
But he knew many families in the wizarding world saw Squibs as a family sha, locking them away, not allowing them contact with the outside world, or letting anyone know they existed.
This was what Hoare feared.
More than having or not having magic, he feared losing his freedom.
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