Night Talk

With worries for Albert weighing on their minds, everyone returned to their rooms. Perhaps only little Emily could sleep soundly in the entire house.

In the dead of night, Allen, who had yet to fall asleep, keenly heard murmurs coming from the living room. He quietly climbed out of bed and hid behind the porch pillar of the living room door. It turned out to be Mr. Harris and Kingsley Shacklebolt talking.

"Owen, you know the Ministry's confidentiality regulations. I cannot disclose the specific details of Albert's current mission, but please believe that we are truly doing everything in our power to search for and rescue him." Kingsley Shacklebolt rubbed the space between his brows, looking deeply troubled.

"Kingsley, please understand the feelings of a father facing the uncertainty of his son's life or death. From your words tonight, I sense that Albert is undertaking an extremely dangerous mission. You don't have to tell me the specifics, but could you at least reveal what might happen to my son? This is a father's request." Mr. Harris pleaded, refusing to give up.

"Hmm, Owen, this is the book Albert loved reading most before he left. You can take a look at it first." Kingsley seemed moved, yet he remained firm in his principles, refusing to disclose the details of the mission.

Mr. Harris flipped through the book quickly, intending to find a moment to talk to his younger son. Allen had given this book to Kingsley, so he must have read it. Mr. Harris knew of Allen's photographic memory and was well aware of his intelligence and clarity of thought.

"Owen, what do you plan to do tomorrow?" While Mr. Harris was flipping through the pages, Kingsley suddenly asked.

"What do you mean, what do I plan to do?" Mr. Harris was deeply confused; he was fully occupied with trying to figure out how this book, which read like a myth, could be entangled with Albert.

"Your children—forgive my bluntness, but those Indians will surely return once they fail to track Albert. It might be disadvantageous for you; you must make plans early." Kingsley leaned forward, offering his advice sincerely.

Mr. Harris faced the issue squarely. "Emily can stay for a short while at my cousin Josephine's house. Allen can perhaps return to Hogwarts first. Grace (Mrs. Harris) and Daisy can temporarily stay at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Lenn and I can commute between the Ministry and home. Please don't rush to object; just hear me out." Mr. Harris stopped the dissuasion Kingsley was about to blurt out.

"I know you and the Ministry are worried about my family's safety, but as you said, if those three Indians cannot find Albert, they will inevitably come to our home. If the house is empty, they will realize we are prepared. In that case, they might commit more manpower and resources to hunt Albert, making his situation even more dangerous. Furthermore, if they dare to break in, I would very much like to capture those Indians and interrogate them for information about my son. Lenn and I have both passed our N.E.W.Ts, and being in our own home, we are capable of ensuring our own safety." Mr. Harris's expression was resolute; it was clear he had made up his mind.

"Very well, since you insist. I will communicate with the Ministry to temporarily open the Floo Network from the Ministry to your home to reduce the possibility of accidents while you are on the road. It is late, Owen; let us stop here for now. I still have to file a report with the Ministry." Kingsley conceded to Mr. Harris's arrangements.

"Thank you, Kingsley. Goodnight, and I wish you pleasant dreams." Mr. Harris gratefully gripped Kingsley's hand and bid him goodnight.

Allen hurried back to his room and climbed into bed. He had a premonition that Mr. Harris would definitely come to talk to him.

Sure enough, not long after, Mr. Harris knocked on Allen's door. Allen opened it, pretending to be half-asleep.

"Sorry to disturb you, Allen. You must have been asleep, but I have some very important things to ask you." Mr. Harris felt pained and apologetic, but with Albert's safety at stake, he had to ask.

Allen stepped aside to let Mr. Harris in. The two sat at the table; outside, snow swirled, while inside, the lights were dim and yellow. Behind the quiet and comfort lay layers of crisis, like the calm before a storm.

"Dad, you must want to ask about that book, right?" Allen had long since guessed Mr. Harris's intent. He explained the ins and outs of how he had obtained the book clearly.

Mr. Harris looked thoughtful. "Dad, have you ever heard of the Indian moon god?" Allen asked softly.

Mr. Harris looked intently at his youngest son; Allen was not the type to speak without purpose.

"In India, the moon god is known as Chandra, meaning 'bright and shining.' According to records: the moon god is male, has four arms—one holding a scepter, one holding the nectar of immortality, the third holding a lotus, and the remaining hand in a defensive posture. The three-wheeled chariot he drives is pulled by an antelope or ten horses as white as jasmine flowers." Allen stopped there, looking at Mr. Harris with profound meaning.

"What are you implying?" Mr. Harris asked suspiciously.

"In this world, who desires immortality the most?" The words Allen whispered softly made Mr. Harris shudder.

"Are you talking about He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?" Mr. Harris's heart was in turmoil. How could this be? Wouldn't Albert be in mortal danger? Seeming to think of something, he asked again, "But hasn't he already been defeated by Harry?"

"Who knows? Perhaps it is him, perhaps it is the Death Eaters; anything is possible, but we must prepare for the worst. Dad, how do you plan to settle us?" At this moment, Allen was so mature that Mr. Harris almost forgot he was just a student.

Mr. Harris briefly explained his plans. No sooner had he finished speaking than Allen raised an objection. "No, Dad, I cannot return to Hogwarts, even if it is the safest place."

Mr. Harris was greatly surprised, though he seemed to grasp Allen's intention in an instant. "No, Allen. Although you are indeed very capable, you are still a child after all. You must—you will stay at Hogwarts. You are not allowed to go looking for Albert."

Facing the suddenly agitated Mr. Harris, Allen remained calm and unhurried. "Dad, think about it. Emily is still young. Are you comfortable with her living alone at Aunt Josephine's? Won't she feel abandoned? Won't she be sad? If you think she is safe at Aunt Josephine's, wouldn't it be the same if I were there too?" Allen's logical and clear explanation made Mr. Harris hesitate.

"Besides, with the situation at home, who would take me to Hogwarts? It would be better to let me go to Aunt Josephine's with Emily." With this final straw, Mr. Harris finally agreed. "Fine, but you must take good care of Emily and don't go running off."