Chapter 62: Spinner's End
Winter often brought no sunlight at all. Clouds filled the entire sky, and a cold snap had swept through a few days ago, bringing plenty of snow. Under the gloomy weather, the brick houses beneath the snow looked even more dilapidated.
Charles had never expected Petunia to say first thing that morning that she was taking him somewhere, only to step on the gas after they got in the car and drive all the way to the outskirts of Cokeworth. She parked beside the old Evans' house, then walked to Spinner's End.
On the way, Petunia told Charles, "I heard wizards have ways to hide houses from ordinary people. If his house is hidden like that, I'll need your help finding it."
Charles had no idea what expression he should make. Being taken to his teacher's house on the second day of the holidays—was he supposed to be happy, or should he just burst into tears?
As it turned out, Petunia's judgment had been correct.
Charles and she walked along the cobblestone road. There was no sign of life anywhere around them. Then they discovered that, at some point, a house had appeared at the end of the lane.
The curtains looked very old, and a faint light shone through them.
Petunia stood outside the house for a long time, seemingly trying to steady her emotions. Only after quite a while did she step forward and knock on the door.
The door opened, and Professor Snape's face, colder than the temperature outside, appeared behind it. His black eyes were filled with puzzlement as he looked at Petunia.
Charles forced a smile and greeted him. "Good afternoon, Professor Snape."
Snape merely glanced at him, then continued silently staring at the somewhat flustered Petunia, showing no intention of