pertwk Chapter 124 The Uncle and Nephew Recognize Each Other in the Gourd-Shaped Carriage
Chapter 124 The Uncle and Nephew Recognize Each Other in the Gourd-Shaped Carriage
Chapter 125 The Uncle and Nephew Recognize Each Other in the Gourd-Shaped Carriage
Hermione was entrusted by the prophet from the East to bring Harry a special gift.
As she reached out from the bundle, she held a purple-gold gourd in her palm. It was no bigger than the palm of her hand, but it was shimmering with light and had cloud patterns engraved on its surface. It was clear at a glance that it was no ordinary item.
Ron stared in disbelief, clicking his tongue in amazement. "It's so exquisite!"
Hermione nodded proudly. "Of course, this gourd cost me fifty pounds."
"Wait, isn't this a gift for Harry? Why do I have to pay for it?"
"No, no, no, this gourd is just a container; their gift is inside."
Harry was filled with doubt. He picked up the gourd and shook it gently, but found it to be empty.
He pulled off the stopper and looked closely, only to find it completely dark and empty. He couldn't help but bow and say, "Elder sister, please don't play riddles. This gourd contains neither elixir nor medicine. What kind of opportunity does it hold?"
Ron nodded in agreement, "That's right, the way you're talking right now is like those prophets with crystal balls and tea leaves."
"Alright, I'll get straight to the point then." Hermione looked hesitant and confused. "The gift they gave you was... a drop of water."
Before the words were even finished, Harry narrowed his blue eyes and remained silent, but Ron couldn't help but shout:
"A drop of water? What kind of gift is that?"
Hermione shook her head and said, "I don't know, but that Chinese Professor Dumbledore said that this drop of water could help Harry solve a big problem."
Ron curled his lip. "It seems that prophets are all the same in every country; you can never get a straightforward answer from them."
He was grumbling when Harry suddenly asked, "Does Big Sister know where this water comes from?"
"Ah, that's right!" Ron slapped his thigh. "Maybe it's a very special drop of water? Like a phoenix's tear."
"I don't think so. It was just a plant branch that he randomly pulled out of a bottle."
Upon hearing this, Ron immediately deflated, and said indignantly, "Fine, next time you go to China, you must call me."
"I can give a gift to every wizard in all of China, no, I can even count Muggles."
Harry pondered silently for a long time, but could not find an answer. He wished he could go to the East to find out for himself.
Unable to recall the words, he tied the gourd to his waist, waved his hand, and laughed, "Since you can't fathom the secrets of heaven, why bother yourself with troubles? Today, brothers reunite, let's feast on meat and drink wine in large bowls!"
Ron and Hermione echoed in unison, raising their glasses to clink against Harry's. The night was filled with revelry; the three drank until the moon was high in the sky, truly enjoying themselves to the fullest.
Enough of this digression. Now that the two of them had just returned to England, and had not yet purchased any school supplies or books, Harry accompanied them on another stroll through Diagon Alley.
Ronte went to the pet store and selected top-quality tonics and spot treatments.
Just then, a large, ginger-colored cat resembling a mythical beast was seen lying in the shop. Its name was Crookshank, and it had bristling fur and bared its teeth and claws at the sight of Spot. Fortunately, Ron was quick-witted and used a binding spell to immobilize it.
Hermione, seeing that no one was interested in the cat, felt sorry for it and immediately took out her money to buy it.
After lingering in Diagon Alley for four or five days, on September 1st, the three packed their belongings and, escorted by Scrimgeour and his Aurors, headed to Station 9¾.
As they were about to board the train, the Aurors, seeing that they were about to part ways with Harry, all looked distressed and pitiful. Their sighs and groans filled the air as they helped carry the crates.
Harry laughed at the sight, pointed his wand at the bag, and saw three or five stacks of Galleons fall into everyone's palms like snowflakes.
Harry cupped his hands in greeting and laughed, "Why bother with such formalities, gentlemen! When we meet again someday, I'll surely drink three hundred cups with you all!"
Goodbye, Harry, and watch out for Black.
"It's a deal! Next time we meet, I'll treat you!"
"Oh my God, I wasn't even this sad when my grandmother passed away..."
Although the Aurors received the gold, they were even more heartbroken. A wave of sorrowful cries swept through the area, and a somber atmosphere enveloped the platform.
Scrimgeour's face darkened, and he roared, "Look what you're doing! Do you even have a shred of Auror dignity?!"
"I really should reconsider whether any of you are suitable to continue as Aurors!"
Upon hearing this, everyone was startled, hurriedly straightened their clothes, and stood solemnly like pine trees.
Scrimgeour went up to Harry, shook his arm in farewell, and said, "Goodbye, Harry."
"Take care, brother."
As their hands clasped, Harry suddenly felt something in his palm. Scrimgeour leaned in and whispered:
"This is my personal address. If you encounter anything strange at school, remember to write to me."
Harry cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and said solemnly, "I understand."
"This year is destined to be another extraordinary one, Harry. Be extra careful."
Harry exchanged a few more words with him, then, together with Nagini, Ron, and Hermione, they boarded the carriage and drove away.
Because they had been delayed by saying goodbye to Scrimgeour and the other Aurors, when Harry and the others boarded the carriage, they found that all the compartments were already full.
Originally, all the students were willing to make way for Harry when he arrived. The female students, in particular, blushed and their eyes sparkled, wishing they could sit on Harry's lap.
Upon catching sight of a large, green-scaled python slithering beside him, they were all terrified, their romantic thoughts vanishing, and they cowered in their seats, silent as cicadas in winter.
"These people are really crazy." Hermione gripped the cat tightly, stroking it vigorously. "I think they're just short of giving Harry a love potion."
Ron grinned. "But Harry also has Miss Nagini with him. Perhaps only Slytherin students would do that."
Upon hearing this, Harry thought of Pan Jinlian again and spat, "Ha! If she really tries to drug me, I don't care if she's a man or a woman, she'll eat my three hundred swords first!"
The three chattered all the way to the back of the car, where they finally found a spacious compartment.
Inside, a thin man was dozing by the window. Although his clothes were patched, they were washed clean.
"Who is he?" Ron muttered as he sat down. "He doesn't look like a student."
Before she could finish speaking, Crookshanks suddenly leaped out of Hermione's arms, jumped onto the luggage rack, and meowed twice.
Hermione looked up and saw a worn-out leather trunk on the shelf with a name branded on the side.
"R.J. Lupin...wait, Harry, I remember your father's friend was named Lupin, wasn't he?"
Lupin, who was feigning sleep, twitched his eyelids slightly, and Nagini raised his head and hissed, "I saw him in Godric's Valley; he came to visit your parents."
Harry was astonished. "It really is my Uncle Lupin!"
Upon hearing the word "uncle," Lu Ping felt a surge of emotion welling up in his chest and his eyes sting with tears.
He opened his eyes to recognize Harry, but upon seeing the coiled blue python on Harry's shoulder, he quickly closed his eyes and frowned.
What the hell?
Why is he keeping a snake as a pet?
Didn't Harry go to Gryffindor?
Am I still not awake?
(End of this chapter)