Chapter 192

After dealing with the Dementor attack incident, Dumbledore invited John and Hermione to stay temporarily at the Order of the Phoenix.

Because they were children from Muggle families, they couldn't prepare as many defenses as wizarding families, especially when facing sudden magical threats.

So it would be much safer to go to the Order of the Phoenix for centralized protection.

And he also promised the safety of their Muggle families, although there was no real-time protection, he would arrange for people to patrol nearby.

And the location of John's home was next to King's Cross Station, which was also within the patrol range.

This was the first time John knew about this, so he felt much more at ease.

However, because the Grangers were still waiting at home for Hermione to return to report that she was safe, John and Hermione indicated that they wanted to go back first.

Dumbledore nodded at this, and before leaving, he told them the address of the Order of the Phoenix.

The headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix was at 12 Grimmauld Place.

According to Sirius, the Order of the Phoenix headquarters had been placed under the Fidelius Charm, just like the residence of Harry's parents back then.

John looked at Sirius with some concern, asking him if he wouldn't change the Secret-Keeper to someone else this time, would he?

Hearing Sirius say with a dark face that the Secret-Keeper this time was Dumbledore, he felt relieved.

No wonder Dumbledore had to specifically mention it before leaving.

Afterward, John and Hermione left together from the fireplace in the Ministry of Magic Atrium.

It is worth mentioning that the main passage connecting the Ministry of Magic to the Muggle world was those two rows of magnificent fireplaces in the Atrium; he had come through the fireplace before.

Standing in the fireplace, one could directly use a magic called the Floo Network to connect to a fireplace at a designated location.

It was a bit like a portal.

Of course, one could also use Apparition directly to get into this fireplace; these fireplaces were the only locations in the Ministry of Magic where Apparition and Disapparition could be used.

They used the Floo Network to get to the fireplace in the Leaky Cauldron, and then returned to Hermione's home by Muggle transportation.

Because of the delays back and forth, it was long past dinner time.

The lights in Hermione's living room were still on, and the curtains were half-drawn.

When the two pushed the door open and entered, the Grangers, who had been waiting in the living room, immediately stood up and walked quickly toward them, their faces full of worry and relief.

"You're finally back!"

Mrs. Granger pulled Hermione and John into her arms at the same time, her voice trembling slightly.

Originally, today was just a normal family picnic, and no one expected to encounter that kind of thing.

To be honest, regarding today's events, the Grangers had been in a state of confusion.

The sudden abnormality in the weather, the chill, and the sudden loss of consciousness that led to the car losing control, all left them with lingering fears.

After coming to their senses, it was John who walked out of the car and cast a bright white magic, which immediately dispelled their discomfort.

Their daughter explained to them that a creature called a Dementor had attacked them, and that they, as Muggles, could not directly see those Dark Magic creatures.

They could only see John waving his wand, conjuring a translucent shield, inside which it seemed like something terrifying was constantly struggling, causing ripples to constantly appear on the shield.

Afterward, three wizards they didn't know appeared; they didn't know what they talked about, only knowing that a middle-aged wizard came over, saying sorry while saying he wanted to erase their memories.

But he didn't erase them for a long time, until later when John and they broke out into a conflict, and John took all three of them down.

Then John said he was going to that Ministry of Magic thing to demand an explanation for them, and told them to go home first and he would be back later.

They didn't know the ins and outs of the wizarding world, and could only watch the two children leave.

It wasn't until now, with the night deep, that they finally waited for their safe return.

"Alright Mom, it's okay, we're both back."

Hermione patted her mother's back and comforted her softly.

After a while, Mrs. Granger let go of the two.

She looked them up and down, confirmed that they were both safe and sound, and finally let out a long breath.

Although Mr. Granger was also very worried about them, he didn't show it like his wife; he placed his hand on John's shoulder.

"Thanks to you this time, John."

Feeling the weight on his shoulder, it seemed like recognition and also gratitude.

John shook his head and said softly: "If I really have to say it, it was actually me who dragged you into this storm."

"Those monsters were coming for me..."

After John subdued Jielier, perhaps holding the attitude that John wouldn't dare do anything, Jielier didn't run away, but followed John to the Ministry of Magic.

Little did he know that John was arrogant beyond measure and directly used Legilimency on him.

One must know that this was not magic that Hogwarts taught students, but something only high-level wizards would master.

So he hadn't guarded against this move at all.

John thus directly read Jielier's memory; although he didn't know who the mastermind behind the scenes was, it also made him understand that the Dementors came because of him.

The purpose was probably the same as dealing with Harry, just to take the opportunity to expel him and Harry.

He was very confused; he could understand Harry being targeted, because as the Savior and the main witness to Voldemort's return, both Death Eaters and the Ministry of Magic wanted to mess with him.

But he himself was unremarkable, so why target him?

He didn't have time to think about it in detail, because hearing John's self-reproachful words, the Grangers looked at each other and both chuckled.

Mr. Granger patted John's shoulder and said again.

"What's this, my daughter has already blown you up to the sky; if you weren't special, we would be disappointed instead."

"But next time, don't say things like that again."

"You are not alone, John; Hermione and we are all your family, and we will face difficulties together."

Listening to Mr. Granger's free-spirited words, John was slightly stunned, not expecting his uncle to say this, but...

Family? Me?

Did my father-in-law approve of me?

He turned his head to look at Hermione, who was pursing her lips and giggling, her face a little red again.

"Alright Mom and Dad, don't just stand there, we're hungry, is dinner ready yet?"

Hermione changed the subject at the right time.

"It's been ready for a long time, we were just waiting for you."

Mrs. Granger said with a smile, while pulling her husband toward the dining room.

John and Hermione looked at each other, smiled tacitly, and went together to enjoy this late dinner.

Afterward, John and Hermione also told the Grangers about going to the Order of the Phoenix in two days.

Although they didn't know about things in the magical world.

But they could more or less feel from the tone of the two children that the current magical world didn't seem to be very peaceful.

However, one was a daughter who had been very excellent since she was a child, and the other was John, whom even their daughter praised highly; they believed that these two children would definitely be able to handle everything well.

So they didn't interfere too much, just kept urging them to pay attention to safety.

Afterward, John specifically went home once, because he had to pack his luggage for school.

He only wanted to stay at Hermione's house for a few days and then come back, but now going to the Order of the Phoenix, he would probably stay there until school started, and then go directly to Hogwarts.

He also took the opportunity to say goodbye to his parents.

Until a week before school started, John and Hermione finally arrived together in front of 12 Grimmauld Place.

Because Dumbledore had already told them this address, they could see very clearly that the old house, sandwiched between buildings 11 and 13, with even the wall paint faded, was standing there quietly.