Shawn held the withdrawal application and watched Theodore slowly disappear around the street corner, his white hair drifting and his coat fluttering in the wind.
The warmth in his eyes gave way to calm as he considered whether someone had incited Theodore's sudden decision.
Gloria, perhaps?
Theodore's sister must have told him the suppressed news of Old Nott's escape, but she did not seem capable of stirring him into action.
And Theodore was surely heading for Albania, where the situation was complicated. Could Tom still not have given up?
Shawn pondered this all the way back to the old house. There was no chance of Tom betraying him, though it was only natural for him to have a few private schemes.
He was not particularly worried about someone poaching Theodore, either. Never mind. Even if he kept Theodore at school, the boy would not go out and make friends anyway.
After some thought, he sent Tom a message asking him to take good care of Theodore.
After washing up, Shawn went to his bedroom.
He saw the Christmas gifts Kreacher had screened laid out on a square table.
Shawn set aside his earlier thoughts. Everyone had their own path to follow.
He stepped forward with interest and began unwrapping the presents.
Dumbledore had once again sent him a cup of milk tea, enchanted to stay warm and fresh!
It was a new creation of his, and he had even given it an elegant name: Tadpole Abode.
Shawn held up the cup and examined the black pearls inside. Every one looked like a lifelike tadpole, swimming about with a little tail trailing behind it, set against the creamy, coffee-colored milk tea.
Shawn's imagination was far too vivid. He nearly threw up his dinner.
Dumbledore really was a formidable man who could