Perhaps this was the adult world.
Ever since Harry had openly told everyone last time that he needed Dumbledore's portrait's permission before satisfying their curiosity,
everyone's reactions had become rather strange.
None of them seemed willing to let Dumbledore's portrait learn about it.
After that, everyone seemed to have lost the desire to keep pressing him for answers, which Harry found rather amusing.
The former members of the Order of the Phoenix had actually become like children afraid of being scolded by their teacher. Even their habit of eavesdropping had vanished, as though nothing had ever happened.
"I never thought this would be enough to kill everyone's curiosity and solve our problem so easily," Ron said with a sigh.
Honestly, Ron and Hermione had both been startled by Harry's decision earlier, but after seeing the matter resolved so effortlessly, they could not help admiring his choice from the bottom of their hearts.
No one liked living under someone else's watch.
When they had returned to the Order of the Phoenix headquarters some time ago, they had discovered that it was barely any different from a prison.
This was the Order of the Phoenix headquarters, a very safe refuge, not Azkaban. Having to guard against their own people every day was hardly pleasant. The feeling of worrying that even a private conversation might be overheard was simply awful, leaving all three of them constantly ill at ease.
Things were much better now than before. At least they no longer had to guard against the others.
"This is probably what Albert meant by picking on the weak and fearing the strong!"
Harry took the Golden Snitch from his pocket and toyed with it in his hand. His helpless tone carried a trace of self-mockery. "I didn't quite believe it before, but now..."