Midnight Visitor

"Emily, what made you think of reading a book like this?" Allen asked, truly curious.

"Big brother Albert brought this book home a few days ago. I saw him reading it even while he was eating, so I got really curious. Since he's not home today, I wanted you to read it to me. Allen, don't tell big brother, okay?" Emily tilted her little head, her smile sweet and irresistibly cute.

Allen smiled and agreed, bringing his sister some milk and cake, and Emily sat obediently to the side to eat.

Allen opened the book again and discovered a few lines on the first page: "Now I understand that acting without considering the cost, or rushing into things without estimating one's own strength, is truly foolish, but it is too late for regrets." The date was exactly one week ago. This had to be his big brother's handwriting. What had happened to him? Wait, this passage was very familiar! Wasn't this a quote from Robinson Crusoe? What did this have to do with the Moonstone? Allen was filled with questions and worried about his brother, as Albert was an Auror who often had to take on dangerous missions.

After Allen looked through the relevant books in the Ravenclaw Treasure collection, his worry for Albert only deepened. According to the records, this yellow diamond had suffered through hardships since the 11th century, and everyone who had coveted or laid hands on the gem had met with misfortune.

Allen's anxiety reached its peak when Albert failed to appear for dinner. Mr. Harris believed Albert must have been on an urgent mission and hadn't had time to notify the family. Mrs. Harris was genuinely worried about her eldest son; since Albert began his job, such a lack of communication had never happened before.

"Knock—knock—knock-knock!" Who would choose to visit on such a snowy, windy night? Mrs. Harris signaled for Daisy to take Emily back to her room; no matter what was happening, it was better for the little girl to go to bed.

Mr. Harris drew his wand, walked over, checked the peephole, and pulled the door open. A tall, bald, dark-skinned wizard stepped in, bringing the wind and snow with him. "Apologies, Owen, for disturbing you so late, but I have no other choice." His deep, slow voice echoed in the room, and Allen noticed the golden earring on one of his ears.

"Kingsley, what brings you out in such a storm? Has something happened to Albert?" Mr. Harris asked, deeply concerned. The whole family stared intently at the uninvited guest, and Mrs. Harris even clutched the fabric at her chest.

"Er, yes," Kingsley Shacklebolt said, gathering his thoughts. "It's like this: last night I received notice from the Ministry to pick up Albert today for a debriefing at the Auror Office. If I didn't find him, I was to wait here. But some unexpected circumstances have arisen, and I must come in and talk to you."

Allen noticed his hesitation; it seemed Mr. Kingsley Shacklebolt was hiding something. Mr. Harris noticed it too. "Whatever it is, we can handle it, but what we want to know most right now is whether Albert is safe."

Although Mrs. Harris was also desperate for news of her son, she politely poured Kingsley a cup of tea, which was steaming with hot white mist. Kingsley took a small sip and let out a satisfied sigh. "Thank you, Mrs. Harris. I've been watching from outside all day; the weather is truly freezing! Owen, Albert should be safe, at least for the moment. Otherwise, I wouldn't have discovered those people looking for him earlier today."

"Someone is looking for Albert? Why?" Mr. Harris caught the key point, signaling for Mrs. Harris to prepare some food. Allen held his mother back; as a mother worried for her son's safety, it was better for her to stay here. Allen stood up and headed to the kitchen. Fortunately, since he had started practicing the Basic Body Refining Technique, his senses had become increasingly sharp, so he didn't worry about missing the conversation in the living room.

"Albert accepted a mission assigned by the office, though I cannot disclose what it is at the moment." Kingsley saw Mrs. Harris's confusion. "This is top secret." Allen guessed it must have something to do with the so-called Moonstone.

"Today in your village, I spotted three Indians wearing reddish-brown turbans, dressed in white linen robes and trousers, followed by a handsome British boy with light-colored hair. The boy seemed to be coerced and used by them, and he didn't look very willing." At this moment, the aroma of fried sausages filled the room, and Kingsley couldn't help but swallow. "Sorry, I've been hungry all day!"

"It's quite alright, sir. You are enduring this hunger and cold for our sake." Allen understandingly handed him a plate of fried sausages and toast, then refilled Kingsley's tea.

"What a polite and good child. I was hiding behind the hedge that separates the road from your house when I saw those three Indians, after checking that no one was around, staring fixedly at your home. They ordered the little boy to hold out his hand, poured some pitch-black, ink-like substance into his palm, then touched his head and made a few gestures over it. They asked him if Albert lived here, if he had returned yesterday, and when he went out today. Then they gestured over the boy's head again; the boy was awakened, and he walked unsteadily to a house about three miles away. The three Indians muttered for a while and then left. I thought they would return, but they haven't been seen since. After consulting with the Ministry, we all agree that you should leave for a while; the Ministry has approved your leave of absence." Kingsley finished, addressing Mr. Harris and Lenn.

"Have you noticed anything different about Albert lately? For instance, who he met or what books he read?" Kingsley asked next.

The Harrises looked at each other, feeling they had neglected their eldest son too much. Allen thought for a moment and handed Kingsley the book he had been reading to Emily, which contained the legend of the Moonstone. "Albert has been very fond of reading this book lately. I don't know if it will be of any help to you."

"Thank you, Allen. We will resolve this matter as soon as possible and will not delay your return to Hogwarts." Kingsley promised. It seemed this capable Auror had already figured out the basic situation of the family.

"I will stay here tonight to protect you. Mrs. Harris, I'm sorry for the trouble." It was hard to imagine that such a polite man was a battle-hardened Auror.

"Of course, it is our pleasure," Allen heard Mrs. Harris reply. If he hadn't seen her hands tightly clenched under the table, he would have thought she was still perfectly calm.