Parents' Old Acquaintance

Harry did not know what had happened. He only knew that his aunt and uncle's family stared at Canopus as if mice had seen a cat, occasionally glancing at him as well.

By the time he came back to his senses, he was already seated at the dining table, enjoying a lavish lunch. Not only did Uncle Vernon not dare glare at him, even Dudley no longer tried to steal his food.

Canopus Black—this remarkable person was benefiting him in ways he could not understand. Though Harry did not know why, the abundant meal before him was real enough.

"Oh, perhaps I've imposed for too long."

Canopus glanced at his wristwatch. Vernon took one look at it before silently covering his own wrist.

Don't ask. If you did, it would only be embarrassing.

"I wonder whether Harry would be willing to visit my home. My mother works during the day, and she would like to meet you tonight as well."

Thinking of the child welfare worker identity Canopus had fabricated for his mother, Vernon's heart and liver trembled.

"I... I think he might be rude."

"It's all right, Mr. Dursley." Canopus shook his head calmly. "Harry is a good child. I'm very certain of that."

Confused by the look in Vernon's eyes, half threatening and half pleading, Harry was pulled out of the house by Canopus.

The two walked down a street and entered Canopus's lavishly decorated yet comfortable home.

Canopus smiled as he took off his coat. The old butler conjured by Kreacher came out to greet them.

"Make yourself at home, Harry."

Canopus raised his coffee cup, signaling for him to help himself.

Harry cautiously took a sip and stuck out his tongue at the bitterness. Kreacher added several sugar cubes for him, finally saving the drink.

"Mr. Canopus, I wanted to ask..."

"Harry, don't be so formal." Canopus waved a hand casually. "My uncle and your parents were very good friends. Your parents sacrificed themselves for a great cause."

"They were heroes."

Harry felt a rush of heat shoot to his head. His aunt had always told him that his parents had died in a car crash.

Aunt Marge was forever slandering his mother, saying she was not a good person, while Vernon said his father had been an idle layabout.

But now, the person before him was saying that his parents had been heroes.

In a daze, Harry lifted his coffee cup and took a huge gulp. Even the intense bitterness could not calm him down.

He wanted to run into the street and shout, grabbing every passerby to tell them.

My parents were heroes.

Canopus concealed Sirius Black's relationship with Harry as godfather and godson, as well as the existence of magic.

But that did not stop him from telling Harry that he should be proud of his parents, and that there were people in this world who cared for and loved him.

"My uncle really wants to see you, but he's caught up in something very complicated right now and hasn't been able to come all these years."

"I was only able to come this year. Perhaps I'm too late."

Those were Canopus's sincere words. Harry's aunt and uncle's family had caused him far too much pain. From confinement, beatings, and insults to starvation, any one of those things could twist a person's mind.

If Harry had not been kind by nature, Dumbledore's long-standing neglect would only have nurtured a serial killer.

Even later, after Harry had friends and family, he would still feel hurt by the distrustful looks of others, and even become irritable.

The reason was simple: he lacked any sense of security. Who could say that had nothing to do with his childhood experiences?

Harry had never imagined there would come a day when someone treated him like a person. Yesterday, he had been locked in the cupboard under the stairs without dinner. Today, he had his own bedroom in this house.

There was a television here, a game console, wonderful food, and most importantly, friends who respected him.

Harry had never been so happy before. But when the sun set, it seemed to take his happiness away with it.

"I... should probably go home."

From the bottom of his heart, Harry did not want to return to that cramped cupboard, but he did not have the courage to resist his aunt and uncle's family.

But why had Canopus's mother not returned yet?

Canopus shook his head. "My parents died many years ago. Everything I said earlier was to fool your aunt and uncle's family."

"Still, the identity I fabricated for my mother was that of a child welfare worker. Do you know about the law that's about to be introduced?"

Harry shook his head blankly. He never had the chance to watch the news.

Britain enacted the Children Act in 1989. Harry's situation could absolutely serve as a textbook example.

As long as Canopus remained in contact with Harry, Vernon would never dare abuse him again. The expressions they had worn earlier, as though they had swallowed flies, had not been fake.

Harry was sent home in a daze, where Vernon roared questions at him.

"You didn't say anything, did you, boy?"

Harry shook his head blankly, and Vernon seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Petunia! Clear out one of the upstairs bedrooms."

Tall and skinny Aunt Petunia sprang up as if she had been electrocuted, staring at her husband in disbelief.

"What if young Mr. Canopus wants to see Harry's room next time? How can we let him see that doghouse?" Vernon's face reddened. "If his mother really finds out, we'll be sued."

"Then we'll really make complete fools of ourselves!"

Leaving aside how Vernon threatened Harry to keep his mouth shut, Harry's life had indeed changed greatly.

He had his own room now. Dudley still bullied him often, but as long as he shut the door, Dudley had a hard time getting in.

He still often didn't get enough to eat, but just across the street, Canopus had plenty of food.

Canopus often took him through physical training. Harry had shot up in height recently, and faint traces of muscle had begun to show on his body.

By mid-July, one night, a huge flying motorcycle landed in the yard of Canopus's house.

Kreacher screamed and charged forward. Canopus merely crooked a finger, and vines shot out of the ground, dragging Kreacher back.

"Don't get worked up, Kreacher. Just a somewhat reckless guest."

Kreacher glared fiercely at the uninvited visitor. Stepping down from the enormous motorcycle was a burly figure over two meters tall.

His face was covered in a thick beard, and he wore a heavy, somewhat tattered coat.

"Oh, Dumbledore said I could stay here for a while. Hello, Canopus. I'm Hagrid, the Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts."

Hagrid extended a fan-sized hand, and Canopus reached out to shake it.

"Harry hasn't had a very good life these past few years." Canopus gestured for him to come inside.

"I know... I know all about it. But Dumbledore said this was something he had to go through." Hagrid shook his head, his thick beard swishing back and forth like a broom.

"I can't understand it, so this time I'm going to teach his relatives a proper lesson."

Hagrid spoke viciously, while Canopus revealed an odd smile.

"Then let's get started."

At that moment, the Dursley Family was on edge. Canopus had recently, deliberately or otherwise, let slip that his mother was planning to pay them a visit.

Harry knew perfectly well what that meant, and he woke up laughing from his dreams every day.

But he didn't know that something even happier was still waiting for him.