Successful Rescue

When the car returned to the Burrow, day was already breaking.

The time was still very early, and Arthur Weasley definitely had not returned yet, as he had written a letter earlier saying the Ministry of Magic had to work overtime.

The group tiptoed, only able to pray that Molly Weasley had not woken up yet, or at least that she had not discovered they had disappeared along with the car.

Pity that an excellent housewife like Molly Weasley, who could single-handedly keep a family of nine in order, how could she possibly not notice?

"Where have you all been!"

Molly Weasley appeared before them as if by Apparition, her sharp voice startling even Harry, who was still admiring the cozy atmosphere of the Burrow.

"Oh, so glad to see you, Harry."

Molly Weasley's facial-expression-switching skill instantly activated, leaving Harry completely bewildered.

"The beds were empty, no note, and even the car was gone! You could have died or been seen!"

"Of course I don't mean you, Eli, Harry."

This wave of pure double standards was truly a large-scale event, and Eli indicated that he liked it.

"Hehehe..."

Eli just kept silly-smiling, while Harry felt somewhat at a loss.

He wondered why, since they were both parents, Molly Weasley could be so good to him, while his aunt...

Right, she was still his aunt, his mother's own sister.

Ron always had a bit of a reckless streak, and at a time when even the twins dared not chime in, he still wanted to argue a few points.

"They wouldn't give Harry food, locked him up, and even boarded up his window!"

Molly Weasley, who was currently in a fit of rage, didn't want to listen to Ron's explanation at all, practically pointing right at his nose.

"Careful or I'll board up your window too, Ron Weasley!"

Finished, once you heard your full name in your mother's mouth, you were basically done for.

Fortunately, however, there was a rule: when there are guests at home, it is not a good time to beat the children.

Ron very luckily escaped a severe beating, but he didn't know whether it was still waiting for him later.

The time was early enough that Molly Weasley hadn't even prepared breakfast because she was worried about the few of them.

Now that they had safely returned at least, Molly Weasley still wanted to let the children have a hearty meal.

One had to admit that as a member of the Order of the Phoenix, Molly Weasley's proficiency in magic was not low at all.

Just based on this marvelous household magic, it was well worth killing the Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange in the final decisive battle.

The advantage of waking up early was being able to enjoy the delicious breakfast first.

Before Molly Weasley could even set the plates down, the few of them sat at the table and started eating.

"Eat, Harry, eat your fill."

As a mother, she hated most to see children suffer, let alone someone as kind-hearted as Molly Weasley.

Although she hadn't said anything just now, upon hearing Ron recount Harry's treatment at the Dursley family, her heart still ached terribly.

A burst of light footsteps sounded from the stairs. "Mum, have you seen my jumper?"

"Oh, I saw it, on the cat."

The newcomer was Ginny Weasley, who had just gotten out of bed and was still wearing a set of pyjamas.

"Good morning, Ginny!"

With a fried egg stuffed in his mouth, Eli greeted her indistinctly.

Harry hurriedly put down the knife and fork in his hand. "Hi, good morning!"

Ginny saw Harry sitting nearby and suddenly looked as if she had seen something incredible, turning around and running away without saying a word.

Eli chuckled secretly; Ginny's biggest idol was The Chosen One Harry Potter, and when she met a live one back at the Hall Family, she couldn't even speak.

Now she had appeared before her idol looking all disheveled, so naturally she would be even shyer.

The twins exchanged glances, both wearing teasing and sneaky smiles.

"Did I do something wrong?"

Harry asked Ron, who was currently fighting with the food on his plate, with a blank expression.

"She's been going on about you all summer, dead annoying."

Eli cast Ron a look of disdain. Was his little-sister-protection attribute showing already?

"Didn't you say she'd been going on about crisps all this time?"

Eli wasn't having that. Could Harry possibly be as appetizing as crisps?

Ron shrugged. "Both at the same time."

Eli nodded with satisfaction. Harry was just as important as crisps.

"Good morning, Weasleys!"

Arthur Weasley returned carrying his bag, looking travel-worn and exhausted to the point that he hadn't even noticed the two extra kids in the house.

"It's brutal, the Ministry raided nine places in a single night—nine!"

Arthur Weasley worked in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office at the Ministry of Magic, and recently the Ministry had been acting like madmen, searching everywhere for Dark Magic artifacts, even private residences.

"Oh, Harry, Eli, so glad to see you. When did you get here?"

Only until he sat down at the table did he notice Harry and Eli sitting nearby.

"Your sons flew your car all the way to Surrey yesterday with Eli! That's how they fetched Harry back!"

The subtext was quite obvious: you had better quickly display the majesty of the head of the house to properly discipline your lawless sons.

Who would have thought Arthur Weasley suddenly asked the few of them with an expectant look on his face, "Well, how did the car perform!"

He hadn't driven it many times since buying it, but he was exceptionally fond of this car that looked like a Muggle artifact.

Molly Weasley responded with a backhanded slap that knocked the hat of her good-for-nothing old man completely crooked.

Only then did Arthur Weasley put on a serious face and say, "Ahem... That is a very dangerous thing to do, and you are not allowed to do it again in the future!"

There wasn't a trace of reprimand on his face.

An owl soon arrived carrying some letters, among which were ones for Harry and Eli.

These were precisely the school supply lists from Hogwarts.

"Oh dear, so many things, this won't be cheap."

Since the previous Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, Quirrell, had turned to ashes, a new professor was coming this time.

Judging by Eli's knowledge of the plot, this fellow was a narcissistic fraud.

By using a superb Obliviate to claim other people's adventures as his own and writing them into novels, he was currently a wildly popular figure.

This time's Defense Against the Dark Arts textbook consisted entirely of his novels!

This posed a challenge for the Weasley family.

Eli felt somewhat heavy-hearted at the moment; his semester might not be easy.

Because there was also a Basilisk in the school that could kill anyone with a single look waiting for them!

Voldemort's first Horcrux—the diary—had entered Hogwarts, and it would be obtained by Ginny Weasley.

Under the bewitchment of Voldemort's soul, Ginny opened the Chamber of Secrets, released the Basilisk, and attacked half-blood wizards everywhere.

Many students fell victim, only having good luck without a direct gaze, so they were merely petrified.

Ginny would eventually have her life force drained by Voldemort, and Hermione Granger would also be petrified!

Who knew whether an accident might happen and one or two people would die?

Aside from figuring out a way to deal with the Basilisk, Eli also had to secure land to build a factory as soon as possible.

Therefore, his tasks this semester would not be light.

However, he seemed to remember that the diary had been placed into Ginny's books by Draco Malfoy's wicked old man, Lucius Malfoy.

Then perhaps he could get the diary in advance.

As long as he didn't let Voldemort stir up trouble, he could relax quite a bit, at least being able to focus on the factory.