Chapter 64: George's Gift
Over the next few weeks, Dudley could no longer bully Harry as he had for the past eleven years. The once-pint-sized Dudley had become an awkward, bumbling wizard—always muttering spells under his breath. Dudley felt like Harry was about to turn him into a pig, just like the creature that had come after him.
Aunt Petunia was now completely flustered. This wasn't how the morning's plan had gone. Their plan had been simple: Vernon would play the gracious host, Dudley the adorable obedient child, and she the diligent, caring housewife. The "creature" would remain quietly in the house, and life would proceed as smoothly as it had last year.
But now, despite reciting lines she had practiced countless times, she felt as if she had entered the wrong scene. The head of the household sat on the floor, the creature had rushed out, brandishing a terrifying weapon. It was nothing short of a nightmare. She felt dizzy, wishing she could just wake up.
The Masons seemed to have encountered some unexpected chaos at the house. They didn't know how to respond and could only face the silent, watchful guest honestly.
Harry held his wand tightly, cautiously defending against the little creature upstairs. The Vernon family guarded Harry while the Masons quietly stayed on the sofa.
"Knock, knock, knock!" The sound of someone at the door shattered the room's silence. Dudley seemed startled, rushing to open it, only to be bounced back, colliding with the person outside and recoiling again.
He sat on the floor, arms and legs tucked in, shrinking backward. Clearly, he was intimidated by whoever stood outside the door.
The person who entered was far from threatening—in fact, he was a handsome, amiable young man. The only slightly unusual thing was the combination of his delicate facial features with a robust, strong physique.
He strode in confidently, scanned the room, and said, "Harry! Your relatives are so… welcoming."
Harry, focused on guarding the little creature upstairs, was suddenly startled by an impossibly familiar voice behind him—George's voice.
Harry turned in disbelief and saw a handsome, determined man standing there.
"I originally just intended to bring a gift, but when Granny heard it was my friend's birthday, she insisted I come personally," George shrugged helplessly. Granny and Anna apparently didn't believe he could make it. He had only meant to prepare the gift in advance, but friends had to deliver it in person.
"You coming to see me is the best gift," Harry said, his voice choked. Wiping his eyes with his sleeve, he slowly stepped forward.
"By chance, your things are all here. I'll show you the gift I prepared," George said, glancing at the varied expressions around the room. He had some ideas about their reactions and stepped forward to help Harry lift the box.
"Wait, wait… and my Hedwig!" Harry said as he headed upstairs, pausing halfway. Though George was here, the creature upstairs didn't yet know if Harry had fled.
George noticed Harry stop suddenly, carrying the box, and said from behind, "Take whatever else you need. I'll even prepare a new house for you."
"A house?" Harry felt confused, wondering if his ears had deceived him.
"You're twelve now, almost an adult—you should have your own house so you can host friends," George said, carrying the trunk into the attic. "I'll stay at school, but your new house will be at 18 Privet Drive for now."
"18 Privet Drive?" Harry followed George into his bedroom. The little creature had already fled.
Harry remembered 18 Privet Drive—it was the finest building on the street, near a bustling avenue, a newly built small villa.
"Do I need to prepare anything?" George looked around the attic, noting the cramped, dark space where he could almost touch the ceiling.
"No, just take Hedwig with you," Harry stepped forward and grabbed the cage holding her.
George opened the window and took the cage from Harry. No extra effort was needed—the cage automatically opened. Hedwig spread her wings and flew out the window. "Looks like it's really time to close the door," George said.
Harry chuckled bitterly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uncle Vernon and the others despise everything magical. I wasn't allowed to mention magic at all. Hedwig's been trapped in her cage all this time."
"Alright, let's have one last look at this place—you won't be coming back," George said expressionlessly, carrying the trunk downstairs.
Harry followed without a backward glance, feeling no nostalgia.
Uncle Vernon got up from the floor. He, Dudley, and Aunt Petunia looked like prisoners awaiting judgment, standing dejectedly at the door, waiting for Harry's wrath.
"Harry, do you want to say anything?" George asked, leaving the decision to him.
"No, let's go," Harry said, with no trace of sentimentality—he just wanted to leave.
"There are a few formalities," George said, pulling a document from his coat and sliding it into Vernon's suit pocket. "This is a legal notice regarding the change of Harry Potter's guardianship, covering his eleven years under Petunia, and the final statement is a hospital report documenting the prolonged abuse Harry suffered during his time there."
"I've hired lawyer Jones Douglas. Whether to pursue a case is up to Harry himself," George added as he led Harry out the door. "From now on, Harry will live at 18 Privet Drive. As for allowing you within five kilometers of him, I'll consider that carefully."
Night fell, and George and Harry finally collapsed with relief. The Vernon family was powerless to resist. This time, the child's friend hadn't even drawn a wand, and they could finally breathe.
But Vernon's relief was short-lived.
Mr. Mason stood, still somewhat confused by the day's events. Yet years of business experience told him one thing—this family was in deep trouble, especially when he heard the name Jones Douglas.
"That's a matchstick man who eats you alive and never spits out the bones," he thought to himself, though he kept his tone polite.
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