Chapter 826
Memory Modification and the Return Journey
Chapter 826 Memory Modification and the Return Journey
Harry rode on a fire bolt and flew upwards at an incredible speed, higher and higher, until suddenly, with a "pop," he seemed to be squeezed out of a giant soap bubble.
In an instant, the surrounding sky changed from azure to pitch black studded with stars. The blazing sun burned to his left, and the moon to his right was incredibly large, covered with cratered marks.
"My God..."
Harry stared in amazement at the sun and moon, which seemed within reach, and couldn't help but pull the broom up even higher, afraid that he might accidentally be roasted into a dried-up corpse.
But the terrible heat did not harm him at all; Harry only felt an unparalleled sense of freedom and tranquility enveloping him.
Suddenly--
"Wake up, Harry, wake up..."
A distant yet familiar voice pierced the silence of the universe and rang in his ears, while Harry also felt his body being gently shaken.
Harry jolted awake, opened his eyes, and saw Lupin's somewhat blurry face.
"...Remus?"
Harry rubbed his eyes and mumbled, "When did you get here? Wait... didn't you fly off the plane?"
Harry suddenly remembered what had happened, fully regained his senses, and asked in shock.
"The plane has landed, and we're at the airport now," Lupin said succinctly. "Let's go, we should leave."
Harry was completely bewildered by the abrupt time jump, and stood up in a daze, reaching for his luggage.
"Harry, your luggage is here!"
Hermione's voice came from ahead. She stamped her foot in frustration, pointed to the backpack beside her feet, and said:
"I've packed everything for you! Hurry up, everyone else has left!"
Harry picked up his backpack, filled with confusion, and followed Lupin and Hermione, stumbling out.
"Where's Wade?" he asked, confused. "Isn't he with us?"
“Wade has other business to attend to,” Lupin said. “He’s going to see Dumbledore.”
"Oh……"
Harry responded, not at all surprised.
As he passed by the other passengers, he saw some wizards spread out, tapping their wands on the temples of the sleeping passengers and whispering complex incantations.
A faint silver light flickered, and something ethereal, like moonlight, was being drawn out, hovering in the air for a while before returning to everyone's minds.
This scene looks like scientists on TV conducting some kind of evil and mysterious experiment.
Harry held his breath and whispered, "What are they doing?"
“Modify memories,” Lupin said quickly. “We can’t let so many Muggles walk off the plane with memories of magic.”
Harry nodded, and led by Lupin, they quickly left along a pre-arranged passage.
The surroundings were unusually quiet. The wizards who were busy working were mostly silent, their faces showing deep fatigue, as if they had been working for a long time. Harry noticed that a witch with bright pink hair immediately gave them a bright smile and waved.
Harry recognized her; he knew her name was Tonks.
Just as he was feeling somewhat surprised by Tonks' enthusiasm, Lupin coughed, waved his hand haphazardly, and turned his head away awkwardly.
Tonks' smile immediately became even brighter, as if all his fatigue had been swept away.
After ascending the long gangway, the group boarded a pre-arranged shuttle bus. Before even stepping onto the ramp, Harry heard the Weasleys' voices:
“…Shoot the shapeshifting gummy into that guy’s mouth. It’ll be hilarious when he turns into a slug while he’s about to cause trouble!” Fred said loudly, waving his arms.
George said, "That would be a waste of a Shapeshifter Gummy. If you ask me, it would be better to just give them a Vomit Gummy. I've never seen anyone who can stand up straight while vomiting nonstop!"
Ron laughed heartily and chimed in, while Ginny rolled her eyes as if she couldn't stand it and muttered under her breath, "Childish!"
Mrs. Weasley's sensitive nerves were suddenly triggered; she turned her head sharply, her voice instantly rising in pitch:
"Wait... what vomit candy? You two! What have you made this time?"
The twins' smiles froze instantly, and they exchanged a knowing look.
The next second, Mrs. Weasley's angry roar echoed from inside the shuttle bus:
“I’m warning you, Fred! George! You’re not allowed to smuggle those unknown things into other people’s stomachs again! You’re not allowed to turn your father’s garage into a horrific accident scene again! And you’re not allowed to use your brothers… or any living creature, for your so-called tests!”
“If I receive another letter from Professor McGonagall this year saying you’ve done something bad again, I’ll personally throw all your ‘treasure trove’ along with the cauldrons into the mud puddle in the backyard to feed the goblins! I mean it! Do you understand?!”
The twins immediately began to wail, and the somewhat somber atmosphere in the car was stirred up by this familiar family storm, which did lighten the mood somewhat.
At the end of the shuttle bus, the Kona couple sat quietly in a corner, embracing each other.
The bruises on their bodies from being pushed and trampled had disappeared under the effects of the potion, but both of them still looked exhausted and pale.
They were too exhausted to speak, and simply stared silently at the airport lights outside the window, still processing the terrible experience they had just had.
Michael silently stayed with his parents, turning his head to look at the dense red and blue police lights still flashing on the runway, and the faint sound of sirens could be heard in the distance.
"What a big fuss..." Harry casually found a seat and sat down, saying, "It seems the hijacking has attracted quite a bit of attention."
“Of course, it’s being broadcast live all over the world.” Hermione slumped into her seat, rubbing her sore neck, and said worriedly, “I hope my mom and dad don’t watch TV today, or they’ll be really worried.”
Harry felt a pang of envy and suggested, "Why don't you use the Book of Friends to let them know you're safe?"
“It was burned.” Hermione sighed. “I packed my friend’s book in my suitcase last night so I could take a couple more books.”
Harry: "..."
Although he felt sympathy for Hermione, he couldn't understand her actions at all—
During the long flight, Hermione didn't even think about chatting with her friends to pass the time; instead, she wanted to make the most of every minute to read.
His gaze swept around the car, and he suddenly noticed something amiss:
Aside from those who knew each other, the only outsider on the bus was Lev Zakharov, who sat alone in the back corner with an inscrutable expression.
(End of this chapter)