Ron's Birthday Present

"How did you do?" Ron asked Harry hurriedly after class. "I think I felt something during the last try. Hmm. I think my feet stung a bit."

"I think your trainers are too small. Mm-hmm, hahaha." A voice came from behind them. Hermione approached with her head held high, saying happily.

"I didn't feel anything," Harry said, ignoring Hermione's mockery. "But I don't care about that right now."

"What do you mean, you don't care... Don't you want to pass the Apparition test?" Ron asked in confusion.

"I really don't care that much. I prefer flying," Harry said. "I... I'm still worried about Occlumency."

"Don't worry, Harry," Hermione comforted him. "You'll definitely learn it."

"Yeah, Harry, don't worry. Even if you can't learn it, Tierra will protect you," Ron reassured him.

"Ron!" Hermione cried out in displeasure. "You can't always make Harry think like that! Harry needs to learn to stand on his own too!"

"Mm," Harry replied listlessly.

"Now I just hope I can find Professor Dumbledore and see whether he has time to teach me Occlumency," Harry said.

Though Harry said that, he did not hold out much hope.

Ever since making an appearance at Christmas dinner, Dumbledore had barely shown himself publicly at Hogwarts throughout January.

Whether it was the welcome-back feast after Christmas or other important occasions, Professor McGonagall or Tierra had attended in Dumbledore's place.

It had nearly made Harry, Hermione, and Ron suspect that Dumbledore was either sick and close to death, or that Tierra had placed him under house arrest.

But that speculation quickly fell apart. Several times, when Harry came out after Snape's Occlumency lessons on Saturday nights, or when Hermione returned to the dormitory late after staying in the library, they would see Dumbledore coming out of the kitchens, or House-elves