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"The questions were too easy. I finished the exam in only an hour."
After the final exam ended, Ron walked out of the classroom looking completely relaxed as he spoke to Harry.
It was hard to imagine such words coming from Ron.
But that was the truth.
Someone who could spend time with top students might not be a top student himself, but he would at least become stronger at studying.
"Especially the Potions exam. I did not expect Professor Snape to set such simple questions. I finished in forty minutes..."
Ron continued speaking excitedly, completely failing to notice Harry stiffen or desperately signal with his eyes.
"It seems our Mr. Weasley believes he is already a Potions master."
The calm, emotionless voice sounded behind him.
Ron turned stiffly and saw Snape standing there. He met those eyes, which held no warmth at all.
"In that case, Mr. Weasley will give us the first lesson next term."
"If you cannot do so, I imagine you will be delighted to clean every bedpan in the hospital wing for an entire year."
Ron was so frightened that he could only nod instinctively. By the time he reacted, Snape had already swept away.
At that moment, poor little Ronnie regretted everything.
Why had he said the Potions exam was easy?
What had he done to himself?
On the train back to King's Cross, Draco hesitated for a long time before speaking.
"Brother D, Harry, Hermione, Neville, and Ron. Would you like to visit my home during the holiday? None of you have been to Malfoy Manor yet."
For once, Draco did not call Harry by his full name or mangle Ron's name.
Ron froze. He had originally wanted to invite everyone to the Burrow, but Malfoy had beaten him to it.
"Of course. I would like to visit the ancient Malfoy family," Dudley said, nodding at once.
Hermione and Harry naturally had no objections.
"Draco, will Mr. Lucius welcome us?" Neville asked. "I think you should tell him about this first."
Neville thought a little more carefully than the others. Among them, he had grown the most, especially in personality. He had changed from timid and weak into someone steadier and much more mature.
"Father will have no problem with it," Draco answered immediately. "I can decide something this small."
His tone and expression made it sound as if he were already the head of the Malfoy family.
"Then that is fine."
Hearing that, Neville and Ron also agreed to go.
Ron was quite interested in Malfoy Manor.
The train reached the station, and the young wizards gradually left. Soon, only Dudley, Harry, and Hermione remained.
Just as the three of them were about to go home on their own, an unexpected person appeared before them.
"Hey, Harry. And Harry's friends."
Sirius, dressed in a new outfit, greeted them and patted the motorcycle beside him. "Need a ride? Or would you like to come sit at my place?"
Leather jacket.
Necklace.
A clearly modified motorcycle.
What a splendid middle-aged delinquent.
"Mr. Black, I remember telling you not to appear in front of Harry again."
Dudley stepped in front of Harry and Hermione. "Your stupidity might be contagious."
Sirius became anxious. He truly wanted to get along with Harry.
"I am his godfather. James and Lily personally chose me. Since they are gone, I should be raising Harry."
"Is that so? This godfather was absent for twelve full years and fulfilled none of his responsibilities. I do not think you are capable of raising Harry."
Dudley disliked Sirius. Not only because of his recklessness and arrogance, but even more because of his stupidity.
"How can that be? I am an excellent adult wizard!"
"Yet this excellent adult wizard cannot even beat me, an underage wizard."
Sirius tried to argue, but Dudley's sentence choked him off for a long while.
Even reckless as he was, he knew Dudley was telling the truth.
Then Sirius suddenly thought of something and grinned.
"It is summer holiday now. Young wizards who have not graduated are forbidden to use magic."
So what if you are stronger than me?
You cannot cast spells.
That remark made Dudley look at him differently.
'Well now. The brainless one has started using his brain.'
Sirius looked very pleased with himself.
He felt no shame. If anything, he was proud.
"Unfortunately, as a member of the Wizengamot, I am not included in that restriction. I have Ministry documentation, Mr. Black. Would you like to see it?"
Sirius froze.
'Wizengamot member? How old is he?'
Before Sirius could say anything else, a heavy force slammed into him from the side. Before he could react, he was sent flying.
"You damned murderer! Stay away from my children!"
No one knew where Vernon had come from, but he had rushed over and used his broad body to shield the three children. His face was red as he roared at Sirius.
Back then, Sirius had not only been declared a criminal in the wizarding world. The ordinary world had also been told he was a dangerous criminal who had blown up a street and killed thirteen people.
Even if Vernon was the weakest of the group, and even if Dudley and the others did not need his protection, the moment he saw Sirius, he instinctively rushed forward to protect them.
He did not know that his son could now easily crush Sirius.
Even if he knew, he might have done the same thing.
"Damn Dursley!"
Sirius climbed up from the ground. His temper rose, and he even pulled out his wand.
Vernon's face went pale at the sight of the wand, but he still stood firmly in front of the children.
"Oh? Is our Mr. Black planning to cast spells on an ordinary person? Let me see what you can do."
Snape's cold, sinister voice sounded from one side of the station.
"Snivellus? Why are you here?"
Sirius looked at him with open hostility.
Snape glanced sideways at Sirius. "With Mr. Dursley, of course. They invited me this evening."
"Do not worry, Mr. Dursley. With me here, this... tsk... person will not dare do anything to you."
As he spoke, Snape stepped in front of Vernon without making it obvious, placing himself between Vernon and Sirius.
That action immediately eased Vernon's pressure and won him a great deal of goodwill.
"Thank you, Mr. Snape."
Vernon let out a breath.
His wife's old neighbor was reliable after all.
Snape looked cold, but he was polite enough to Vernon and had stepped forward to help.
Then look at this friend of his sister-in-law's husband.
Criminal.
Scoundrel.
Layabout.
Several words flashed through Vernon's mind.
They were both wizards. Why was the difference so large?
If Sirius knew Vernon was comparing him to Snape like this, he might explode on the spot.
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