Chapter 834

She has no impression of the event at all. That's that, no major trouble caused."

Fudge smiled at Harry from over the rim of his teacup, like an uncle admiring his favorite nephew.

Harry could hardly believe his ears; he opened his mouth to speak, but didn't know what to say, so he closed it again.

"Ah, you're worried about your aunt and uncle's reaction, aren't you?"

Fudge said,

"Well, there's no denying they were absolutely furious, Harry, but they are still prepared to have you back for the summer next year, though they require you to spend Christmas and Easter at Hogwarts."

Only then could Harry find his voice:

"I have always spent Christmas and Easter at Hogwarts."

He said.

And then, Harry waited to hear how they intended to deal with him next.

"Now, what remains,"

Fudge said, taking a second crumpet and buttering it,

"is where you will spend the last three weeks of the summer holidays. I suggest you rent a room here at the Leaky Cauldron—"

"Wait,"

Harry asked suddenly,

"if you know that 'I' performed the magic, how will you punish me?"

Fudge blinked.

"Punish?"

"I broke the law!"

Harry said,

"The Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery!"

"Oh, my dear boy, we wouldn't punish you for such a small matter!"

Fudge said loudly, waving his crumpet impatiently,

"It was an accident! We don't send someone to Azkaban just because they blew up their aunt!"

This was very different from Harry's past dealings with the Ministry of Magic.

"Last year, I received a formal warning just because a house-elf smashed a cake at my uncle's house!"

Harry frowned and said,

"The Ministry said if anyone used magic there again, I would be expelled from Hogwarts!"

Whether Harry's eyes were deceiving him or not, Fudge suddenly appeared very embarrassed.

"Circumstances change, Harry... we must take into account... in the current situation... needless to say, you wouldn't want to be expelled, would you?"

"Of course not."

Harry said.

"Exactly, so why are you still dwelling on this?"

Fudge said with a light laugh,

"Now, have a crumpet. Harry, I'm going to see if Tang Mu has a room for you.

And then, I need to have a word with Mr. Green.

I have waited a long time for this moment."

Fudge strode out of the private room, and Harry stared at his back.

This was truly suspicious. If Fudge didn't want to punish him for his actions, why wait for him at the Leaky Cauldron?

Harry thought about it more carefully; the Minister for Magic himself personally handling a case of underage magic abuse was inherently abnormal, wasn't it?

"It's... Sirius Black."

Harry finally figured it out.

He jerked his head up, staring in shock at the moonlight outside the window.

It was a pale halo, permeated with a vague sense of unreality.

"Xiang Xien, is it Sirius Black?"

Harry knew who was best to ask.

"Mm."

Xiang Xien nodded.

"He is Voldemort's most loyal assistant, he escaped from Azkaban, he wants to..."

What did he want to do?

Did he even need to ask!

He blew up a street, and if a boy named Harry Potter happened to be inside when he blew it up, he would probably laugh until he couldn't stand straight.

Harry felt a surge of immense panic.

A fugitive, a powerful fugitive, had escaped from the most dangerous prison.

No one knew how he did it, but everyone knew he was coming to kill Harry Potter!

"That's the reason Minister Fudge came...

It wasn't because we blew her up at all..."

Harry's throat felt dry, and he couldn't speak.

Ever since he arrived in the Wizarding World, someone had always been trying to kill him.

"Yes, Harry."

Xiang Xien said calmly.

"Xiang Xien, can I go back to Hogwarts with you?"

Harry asked carefully and tentatively.

It would be great if he could be with Xiang Xien.

To Harry's dismay, Xiang Xien shook his head.

"I understand."

Harry didn't know his voice could sound so hoarse.

"Harry, listen to me."

Just as Harry was lost in thought, Xiang Xien spoke,

"You will not be in danger."

"What?"

Harry was a bit dazed.

But before he could figure out the key to it, Fudge and the pub landlord Tang Mu returned together.

"Room 10 was just occupied, but Room 11 is free, Harry,"

Fudge said,

"I think you will be very comfortable. Only one thing, which I'm sure you'll understand:

I don't want you wandering off into Muggle London, understand?

Don't leave Diagon Alley. You must be back here before dark every night.

I'm sure you understand. Tang Mu will keep an eye on you for me.

Oh, now, Mr. Green, may I have a moment of your time?"

Having said that, without waiting for Harry to react, Fudge left, beaming and almost clinging to Xiang Xien.