Chapter 1,145

"She must be joking..."

Harry woke up to find a bulging stocking lying at the end of his bed. He put on his glasses and looked around. The small window was completely covered with snowflakes. Ron was sitting upright on the bed in front of the window, looking at a thick gold necklace.

"What's that?" Harry asked.

"It's from Lavender," Ron said, sounding a little disgusted. "She doesn't really think I would wear it..."

Harry looked closer and laughed loudly. The letters dangling from the gold necklace read "My Sweetheart."

"Not bad," Harry shook his head, trying hard not to think about the bad scene in his previous dream.

The children's cries, the corpses... Voldemort must have done nothing good, but in fact, Harry didn't know what Voldemort was doing. The connection between them had become weaker recently, and Harry hadn't had such a bad dream in a long time. .

"It's beautiful. You must wear it in front of Fred and George." Harry shook his head to stop himself from thinking about those bad things.

"If you tell them," Ron said, tucking the necklace out of sight under his pillow, "I - I - I'll -"

"Just stammering at me?" Harry grinned, mocking Ron wantonly.

"Think about it, would I say it?" Harry said seriously, looking at Ron with burning eyes.

"Maybe..." Ron curled his lips, regarding the credibility of Harry's words... when placed on Fan Lin...

"But...how could she think I like that kind of thing?" Ron asked the air, looking quite shocked.

"So, think back," Harry said. "Have you ever accidentally told her that you like to be seen in public with a necklace that says 'My Sweetheart' around your neck?"

"Ugh...we didn't really talk much," Ron said. "Mainly..."

"Kiss," Harry said.

"Well, yes," Ron hesitated. This was obviously not something that could be shared casually. "Lavender is really..."

"Oh, she likes you so much." Harry completed Ron's unfinished words, "Okay, so I know it clearly, so..."

"so……"

"I think we can unpack it first," Harry said, interrupting Ron's chances of continuing...

Among the gifts Harry received were a sweater with a giant golden snitch on the front, hand-knitted by Mrs. Weasley, a large box of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes products from the twins, and a sweater that smelled amazing. It was a damp, moldy package with a label that read: "For the owner, from Kreacher."

Harry stared at this gift from Kreacher with a critical eye. If it was Dobby, Harry would feel more reliable. Although it was not anything good, but if it came from Kreacher...

"Do you think it's safe to open this thing?" Harry asked.

"There won't be anything dangerous, our mail is still being checked by the Ministry of Magic," Ron replied, though he also looked at the package suspiciously.

"I didn't think of giving Kreacher anything. Do people usually give their house elves Christmas presents?" Harry asked, nudging the package cautiously.

"Hermione will," said Ron. "But before you feel guilty, find out what it is."

Moments later, Harry jumped out of his camping cot with a yelp; a load of maggots was inside the package.

"That's nice," said Ron, grinning wildly. “The concept is great.”

"I'd rather have these than that necklace," Harry said, and Ron stopped laughing immediately.

"MMP!"

"What?"

"Nothing," Ron said, shaking his head, and then checked his gift...

"Do you think Hermione is really angry?" Ron asked.

"What?" Harry was looking at the large box of chocolate candies Hermione gave him.

"Oh, of course, so, what's up?" Harry asked.

"Here I am..." Ron looked at the almost opened gift.

"Hermione didn't give you a Christmas present?" Harry asked, "So, are you ready?"

"...forgot..." Ron said, "Lavender..."

"Oh, it's not Lavender's fault..." Harry interrupted, "So, I think before Fanlin and Hermione come, I think you'd better figure out how to apologize to Hermione. "

"Are they two coming? When?"

"I don't know." Harry said, "Before school started, Fanlin and Hermione left with the vampire. I heard they were looking for Nicolas Flamel."

"France?" Ron thought for a moment, "Maybe soon. Dumbledore asked them to go?"

Harry paused...

"Of course." Harry said, then pulled out a large package from underneath.

"What is this?" Ron glanced at it, then dug out the same package on the ground.

"This is a gift from Fan Lin." Harry said, pulling out a card from the top, "The latest product may give you some surprises."

"Surprise?" Ron said, pulling out a black cloak from the package...

"Uh... the same one as Snape?" Ron looked at the material similar to black sand. Fortunately, it was not transparent. "Invisibility cloak?"

"If you think the invisible beast is easy to catch..." Harry paused and immediately put the cloak on him. "How about it?"

"Not bad." Ron nodded, "I didn't expect Fan Lin's craftsmanship..."

"Wait..." Harry looked at the cloak carefully, and there were dark lines one after another under the black... "I think I may know what this is. Fan Lin told us, Fred and George The product, he is responsible for improving..."

"Defense cloak?" Ron said in surprise, "The latest model?"

"That's how it should be..." Harry stood up, "Ron, use the spell to attack me."

"Attack you?" Ron hesitated, "We won't..."

"Oh, it's okay, we..."

With a swipe, a stun spell was thrown out of Ron's wand. Harry had almost no possibility of thinking. He just felt something twitching his magic power, and then he lay down on the bed.

"MMP!" Harry said without any hesitation.

"This thing..." Ron's eyes lit up, "I think this is much easier to use than Fred's one."

"It's precious, okay." Harry said, looking at Ron angrily, "Do you want me to try it for you?"

"Uh..." Ron looked at the cloak carefully, "I think maybe we can study other magical uses. By the way, didn't Fanlin give me an instruction manual or something?"

"He just said that there was a surprise..." Harry said, "I think Fanlin is not very reliable in what he does now. I think he may just be imitating Dumbledore's way."

"In what way?"

"Inscrutable (pretend...)!" Harry shrugged, "I think I'll find out when he comes back."

…

As everyone sat at the table preparing Christmas lunch, everyone was wearing a new sweater, except for Fleur (Obviously Mrs. Weasley didn't want to waste one on her) and Mrs. Weasley herself, who was showing off a brand new sweater A dark blue witch hat with sparkling diamonds like small stars, and an eye-catching gold necklace.

"Fred and George gave them to me! They're beautiful, aren't they?"

"Well, we find ourselves grateful to you more and more, Mom, now we're washing our own socks," said George, waving his hands cheerfully. "Some parsnips, Remus?"

"Harry, there's a maggot in your hair," Ginny said cheerfully, leaning over to pull the maggot out; Harry felt goosebumps on his neck that had nothing to do with the maggot.

"How terrible," Fleur shuddered artificially for a moment.

Ron said. "Want some broth, Fleur?" Ron was eager to help Fleur, but he knocked over the saucer containing the broth; Bill waved his wand, and the broth flew back to the saucer obediently.

"You're just as bad as that Tonks," Fleur said to Ron after kissing Bill in thanks. "She always knocks over—"

"I have my dear Tonks as my guest today," Mrs. Weasley put down the carrot unnecessarily and glared at Fleur.

"But she doesn't want to come. Have you spoken to her lately, Remus?"

"No, I don't have much contact with anyone right now," Lupine said. "But Tonks also needs to stay with her family, doesn't she?"

"Huh," said Mrs. Weasley. "Maybe. In fact, I seem to remember her planning to spend Christmas alone."

Weasley glanced at Lupine angrily, as if it was his fault that her daughter-in-law became Fleur instead of Tonks, but Harry glanced at Fleur who was feeding Bill turkey with a fork. Mrs. Sly opened up old accounts again.

However, he remembered a question about Tonks. Who else could give a better answer besides Lupine, who knew the Patronus well?

"Tonks' patronus has changed," he told Lupin. "Anyway, it was Snape who said it. I didn't know it was possible. Why does the Patronus shapeshift?"

Lupine chewed the turkey leisurely, and when he had swallowed it he said slowly, "Sometimes...a hard blow...a sudden change of feelings..."

"It looks big, with four legs," Harry lowered his voice as if something suddenly occurred to him. "Hey...could it be——?"

"Arthur!" Mrs. Weasley said suddenly. She stood up from her chair; she put her hand on her chest and stared out the kitchen window.

"Arthur - it's Percy!"

"What?" Mr. Weasley turned his head. Everyone looked quickly toward the windows; Ginny stood up to get a better look. It was indeed Percy Weasley, his horn-rimmed glasses glinting in the sun as he strode across the snowy yard. However he is not alone.

"Arthur, he-he's with the Minister!" It couldn't be clearer. The man Harry had seen in the Daily Prophet was following Percy, slightly lame, and he had a long head. Thick gray hair, black cloak stained with snowflakes.

Before anyone could say anything, or Mr. and Mrs. Weasley exchange a shocked look, the back door opened and Percy stood there.

There was an agonizing silence. Then Percy said stiffly, "Merry Christmas, Mum!"

"Oh, Percy!" Mrs. Weasley said, going over and letting Percy hug her. Rufus Scrimgeour stood at the door, leaning on his cane and watching this touching scene with a smile.

"Please excuse our intrusion," Scrimgeour said, and Mrs. Weasley turned to him, smiled and wiped her eyes. "Percy and I were around - working, you know - and he couldn't help but want to come over and see you all."

But Percy made no move to greet the rest of the family. He stood up straight and stared above each of their heads looking embarrassed.

Mr. Weasley, Fred and George looked at him expressionlessly.

"Please come in and sit down, Minister!" Mrs. Weasley looked a little embarrassed and adjusted her hat. "Come and eat some lame chicken, or some pudding...I mean-"

"No, no, dear Molly," said Scrimgeour. Harry assumed he had found out her name from Percy before entering the house. "I don't want to disturb you. If Percy didn't want to see you all so much, I wouldn't have come here..."

"Oh, Perth!" Mrs. Weasley tearfully reached up and kissed him.

"...We're only visiting for five minutes, so you and Percy go on and I go for a walk around the grounds. No, no, I promise you I don't want to intrude! I wonder if anyone would like to show me around your lovely gardens...ah "That young man has finished eating. Why don't you take a walk with me?"

The atmosphere at the table changed visibly. Everyone's eyes flickered between Scrimgeour and Harry. No one believed that Scrimgeour didn't know Harry's name, or that the Minister had just happened to choose him to accompany him around the gardens, because Ginny, Fleur and George's plates were also empty.

"Yeah, okay," Harry broke the silence. He wasn't stupid; even though Scrimgeour kept saying that they happened to have offices nearby and that Percy wanted to see his family, that was the real reason for their trip, Scrimgeour wanted to talk to Harry alone.

"That's okay," Harry said, as Lupine seemed to stand up as he passed.

"It's okay," he quickly added when he saw Mr. Weasley opening his mouth to speak.

"Brilliant!" Scrimgeour stepped aside and let Harry walk out the door. "We'll just walk around the garden, and then Percy and I will take our leave. You all, carry on!"

Harry walked across the yard to the overgrown, snowy Weasley garden, Scrimgeour limping slightly beside him. Harry knew he had been the head of the Auror office; he looked tough, his face covered in battle scars, a far cry from the fat Fudge beneath his bowler hat.

"Charming," said Scrimgeour, stopping at the garden railing and looking at the snowy grass and indistinguishable plants. "Very charming."

Harry said nothing. He knew Scrimgeour was watching him.

"I've wanted to see you for a long time," said Scrimgeour after a moment. "do you know?"

"Don't know," Harry said honestly.

"Oh, yes, a long time. But Dumbledore was very protective of you," said Scrimgeour.

"Normal, of course, it's normal, after what you have experienced...especially what happened at the Ministry of Magic..." He waited for Harry to say something, but Harry did not meet his request, so he Then he said, "I have been looking forward to having a chance to talk to you since I took office, but Dumbledore - as I said, I understand - prevented this."

Harry just waited silently.

"Rumors are flying!" said Scrimgeour. "Well, of course we all understand how these reports can be distorted...all the gossip about prophecies...that you are 'Mr. Right'..." (To be continued)