Struggling to survive at Hogwarts

Chapter 343

Lupin arrived around the same time as Harry and the others.

Before the dizziness from Apparition had subsided, Lupin spotted the person being half-supported and half-carried among the group.

In that instant, Lupin felt his headache, which had been throbbing ever since he received the owl's letter, suddenly disappear, because his heart started to ache.

It seems that werewolves have more durable hearts than wizards; at least I haven't collapsed from a heart attack yet.

No one knew what Lupin was thinking; Harry and the others only saw his solemn expression, as if the wrinkles on his face had deepened in that instant.

"Professor Lu Ping..."

"Let's go in first and talk about it later."

Oh no, Professor Lu Ping is definitely angry!

Looking at Lupin, who was so angry that he wouldn't say another word, Harry felt a little guilty, but he didn't regret it.

Harry's eyes darkened as he felt the weight on one shoulder and the unfamiliar breath so close to his.

He then gave Ron a look, who understood, and the two of them half-supported Thea in the middle and walked towards the Burrow, while Hermione helped Lupin inspect the protective shield above the Burrow.

"Oh my God!"

The first to come out was Mrs. Weasley, who was still plump and kind, but Harry keenly sensed the worry beneath her smile.

"How was the journey?"

"You must be freezing in this cold weather!"

"Come inside and calm down! You're freezing!"

Watching Mrs. Weasley's familiar movements, Harry's memories of "home" began to slowly resurface, and he smiled with restraint and demureness.

"Long time no see—"

Before the greeting was even finished, the person being supported let out a soft moan. The sound wasn't loud, but Harry suddenly turned his head sharply as if facing a formidable enemy.

The movements were so exaggerated that Mrs. Weasley could no longer ignore the thin girl with half-down hair between the two of them.

"...Let's help her to the sofa over there first, she doesn't look...well."

Now, even Ron noticed that something was wrong with Mrs. Weasley.

But everyone present knew the reason.

Because of Thea, because she was a Death Eater.

The reason her son and husband are in danger is largely due to the Death Eaters.

She was powerless to change their thoughts and choices, nor could she ignore Harry's pleas.

So she opened the protective shield at the agreed time and, in her own home, welcomed a Death Eater, a notorious... criminal.

The atmosphere in the room began to slowly stagnate, like a pot of soup about to solidify. Harry could almost see the thick layer of fat floating on the surface of the soup gradually taking shape.

The grease never solidified.

Because of one of Ginny's actions.

The observant girl had noticed the most conspicuous person among the group as soon as they entered the house.

Dorothea Black.

Ginny knew her, but to be precise, it was a one-sided acquaintance.

Thanks to having an older brother who is good friends with the savior, even she, an "outsider" from a roundabout way, had the opportunity to say a few words to this "senior sister Blake" who was almost being elevated to a pedestal.

"You're Ginny? Ginny Weasley?"

"I've seen your grades, and they're just as good as yours."

"I hope I'll see you in the class monitor group."

"Go for it, Miss Weasley."

With just a few words, Ginny's goodwill towards this senior student instantly reached its peak.

She called her Ginny Weasley, not someone's sister or daughter. She called her that casually, her tone suggesting that the surname "Weasley" was less important than her as a person.

“In her eyes, I am unique.”

At that moment, she seemed to understand why so many unruly senior students were willing to follow her lead.

Because no one will refuse someone who truly sees you as a person.

Regardless of your surname or appearance, in her eyes, you are simply yourself.

Unfortunately, that brief conversation seemed to have used up all her luck.

Ginny later tried to "bump into" him, but without success.

The reason is simple: Thea is very busy.

Every time we met, it was either at the library or on our way to the library or classroom.

The latter is usually accompanied by hurried steps, often giving people a sense of guilt that disturbing the person is an unforgivable sin.

Therefore, she could only watch as an observer slowly ascended to the altar, becoming a god in the hearts of the people, and ultimately, in front of everyone, she became a fallen god.

She fell so fast and so hard that no one dared to speak up for her. Even those few who did speak up were ultimately silenced by the revelations of "truths."

The "truth" about those who kill without hesitation, are ruthless and belligerent, and are ungrateful.

But... is the "truth" really true?

If it's true, then why is Harry, who was chosen by everyone as the "savior," now allied with her?

If it's true, then why has she ended up in such a miserable, emaciated state?

Wherever she is, shouldn't she always be the kind of person who is high above and mighty, commanding the world?

Ginny didn't understand the "truth," but when she saw the person being carried and supported by others as they struggled to walk, she suddenly didn't want to understand anymore.

She hurried back to her room, ignoring the aching and numbness in her legs from standing for so long, her mind only on the blanket she had prepared.

It's so cold outside, she must be suffering.

Ginny only breathed a sigh of relief after she had completely wrapped the person on the sofa in the blanket that had been ironed many times, and only then did she have time to notice the gazes of those around her.

Surprised? That's the most common reaction.

Confused? There are several bunches.

But the rest remained silent.

After repeatedly checking everyone's eyes, Ginny slowly lowered her head.

"It's too cold outside... I'm afraid... I'll catch a cold..."

Ginny stammered her explanation, perfectly portraying the image of a simple and kind-hearted young girl, at least in Mrs. Weasley's eyes.

She waved to Ginny, the words she had just swallowed now urging her to speak again, but her thin figure nestled on the sofa made her hold back her words of dissuasion.

Oh well, the lid's already on.

"Let's eat first, it's already prepared."

Mrs. Weasley, who was calling everyone to dinner, belatedly realized that the blanket was Ginny's most treasured possession.

"Thank you."

Harry's thanks interrupted Mrs. Weasley's reverie, instantly dispelling her earlier doubts. She greeted him with practiced ease:

"Why are you being so polite with me? Here! Another one, look at you, you've gotten so thin!"

And so, the people at the table watched as Harry was given another plate of fried sausages by the enthusiastic Mrs. Weasley.