Vacation

Kingsley had always been chiefly responsible for protecting the Muggle Prime Minister. Now that Dumbledore had told him to strengthen security, he was merely being asked to fulfill the duty he ought to have fulfilled anyway.

And Kingsley could not stay at the Muggle Prime Minister's side at all times. Besides the Prime Minister, there were other ministers and the royal family to consider.

Moody was still running all over the place for the Order of the Phoenix, so Eli was the only Wizard capable of taking on this task.

"When the time comes, Kingsley will take you there. You can also have a proper Christmas dinner with your family at home."

"Okay, Professor."

By the time Eli returned to the dormitory, Harry was still suffering Snape's inhumane torment in his office...

Two days later, they boarded the train home. This time, Draco Malfoy did not appear in their compartment at all, and Astoria was absent as well.

The compartment felt somewhat deserted without Draco Malfoy and Astoria, but the joy of going home always drove away some unpleasant emotions.

Harry especially had been angry over Dumbledore's avoidance of him, but now he finally understood that Dumbledore had been worried about his connection to Voldemort.

But whenever he thought of the torment Snape had inflicted on him that night, Harry shuddered.

And that torment might continue for a long time. How long depended on how quickly he learned Occlumency.

When the train arrived, the parents from each family were already waiting.

Only Molly Weasley had come for the Weasley family. She did not look to be in very good spirits, but at the sight of the children, her familiar smile still appeared.

The Weasley family was currently living at Grimmauld Place. Since Number 12 Grimmauld Place had become the headquarters