An Argument

"That vase must be a gift from Aunt Petunia," Harry joked, wiping his eyes.

The vase in the photo, with its uniquely ugly style, was clearly the work of his aunt.

Harry was very familiar with it; the Dursley family's carpets, and even their tablecloths, were quite similar to that vase.

They were also Aunt Petunia's favorites, but only she liked them.

Harry knew that Uncle Dursley had tried to change these things many times.

However, his aunt genuinely liked Harry's mother and was willing to give the vase as a gift.

Given Harry's familiarity with Aunt Petunia, this vase was to her what Nimbus 2001 was to Ron.

"It's that woman's. I've never understood why Lily likes her sister so much."

"She was sharp-tongued and hated people like us, and even considered us ugly," Sirius said.

"It is inappropriate to judge a person by their appearance," Dumbledore said seriously, drawing his wand and waving it, a chair flying behind him. "You have forgotten to invite me to sit down when you are facing a guest."

"If you don't understand Lily."

"Then you probably don't understand why Petunia would risk adopting her sister's child."

"You might say it's Lily's bloodline magic, but Petunia doesn't know anything about that."

"She adopted her sister's only child after her family was assassinated by terrorists (I didn't use the wrong word, Harry)."

"And, to be honest, Petunia was quite nice to Harry before Harry grew up," Dumbledore said in a light tone, turning to look at Harry as if recalling what he looked like before he grew up, using Harry's current face as a reference.

"Maybe," Sirius muttered reluctantly.

To be honest, Sirius's tone and expression when he muttered were exactly the same as Kreacher's.

That's understandable, though. Kreacher probably looks much older than Sirius, and Kreacher might spend more time with Sirius than his parents did.

Harry suddenly thought of this.

"Wait, what did you just say? A cat?" Harry suddenly asked.

They had a cat...it might have died in Godric's Hollow like its parents...or it might have left because no one was feeding it... By the way, he had never been to Godric's Hollow, his real home.

Thinking about this, Harry felt as if his internal organs were convulsing.

"There was a cat, and I remember its name was Snowflake," Sirius said.

He didn't think there was anything special about a cat.

Sirius himself probably didn't realize that the Black House's upbringing had, in some ways, deeply ingrained itself in his soul. He didn't believe that cats, or House-elf, were creatures with the same emotions as them.

"I know why, Harry especially hates cats."

"Because when the Dursley family go on trips, they leave Harry with an old Muggle lady named Figg, who has a lot of cats," Ron said.

He glanced smugly at Draco, pleased that only he and Harry knew his secret.

It seems there's another person?

No, it must be an illusion.

"Come on, Ron, you just knew Harry a long time ago."

"Speaking of cats, I doubt any Hogwarts student would really like them," Draco remarked.

He wasn't jealous at all about the little secret between Ron and Harry.

In his view, it was only because of Ron's initial slander against their family, plus his own slight attitude.

"What about Millicent? She's from Slytherin too, right? Not to mention Hogwarts has the most cats."

"They just don't usually let the cats out of the dorms," Ron said in an exaggerated tone.

"You don't have a crush on her, do you?"

"That's good, because apart from Harry, we both have girls we like."

"That way, our parents won't think there's anything wrong with our relationship with Harry." Draco smiled.

"Hey! That's a great idea."

"But I don't like Millicent, you're crazy!"

"It might be Crabbe or Goyle, but Millicent is about the same size as them, and he even has a double chin." Ron frowned.

"If you didn't like her, why would you pay so much attention to her appearance?" Draco retorted sarcastically.

"Sometimes, being too good-looking, or like Millicent."

Harry sat to the side, watching Ron and Draco start arguing again with a gossipy expression.

Kreacher weaved through the flowers and plants, panting as he laid out a sumptuous spread of delicious food next to the cake.

Meanwhile, outside Regulus's room at the top of the stairs, Sirius and Dumbledore arrived.

"We need to hurry, while Kreacher is preparing lunch," Sirius said, looking very anxious.

"Sirius, don't worry, I will never hurt Regulus under any circumstances."

"He can be considered a hero—he did a lot for us in defeating Voldemort," Dumbledore said.

He keenly sensed the real reason behind Sirius's anxious appearance—his worry for his younger brother.

"Alright, I'll just get straight to the point."

"I trust you, Dumbledore, but not in this respect."

"Harry can be considered a hero, but what was his childhood like?" Sirius said softly.

He didn't want to wake Regulus, who was replenishing his energy in the dark, so soon.

Moreover, he wasn't actually planning to let Dumbledore into Regulus's house until they had a clear understanding of the situation face-to-face.

"I understand the importance of a loved one I thought was gone."

"As for Harry's arrangements, I think I've said it many times: the Dursley family are the best and most suitable place for Harry." Dumbledore's pale blue eyes revealed utmost seriousness.

That's exactly what I'm worried about!

"What if Regulus leaving this world was the best choice?"

I don't want to know!

"I just want things to stay the same—even if he's a fake—even if he is—" Sirius couldn't hold back his sobs.

The door creaked open, and an impossibly fair-skinned, handsome man in pajamas walked out.

Although he looked like an adult, he acted like a three-year-old child, trembling as he walked toward the only person he felt close to, and awkwardly wiped away the tears on Sirius's face with his hands.

"I think you understand what I mean." Sirius hugged his younger brother, his eyes revealing a determination, a determination to protect him even at the cost of his life.

"I understand what you mean." Dumbledore sighed. "But if—I mean if—his very existence is unstable, or if releasing his soul trapped in his body would be the better option—you should understand what I mean."

"If that's really the case, please give me some time." Sirius took his brother's hand and pushed open his bedroom door. "Come on, Dumbledore."