"Do you understand?" Skoll said as he looked at the three people seated across the sofa. "You must vacate this place by March 31st, the day after tomorrow."
He tapped a piece of parchment on the table with his right hand. "You have two choices: one, move to the address we've arranged for you; or two, go wherever you like, but you won't be able to return for at least a year."
Vernon, dressed in a light tan zip-up jacket, jiggled his chin fat as he stared at the parchment on the glass table. After a long moment, he finally looked up, avoiding the two wand-wielding individuals standing behind Skoll.
"We, we're not leaving," he said hesitantly. Then, as if summoning courage, he repeated louder, "I don't believe a single word. We're not going anywhere."
Harry turned to Skoll with a look that seemed to say, See? I told you they wouldn't believe you.
Skoll sighed. "It seems you still don't fully understand the danger you're in."
A wand slid from his sleeve into his hand. With a flick, a vase in the room floated into the air. A barely visible shimmering shield enveloped it.
"Because of Harry, Professor Dumbledore cast a protective spell on this house, similar to the shield around this vase. It hides you from You-Know-Who."
The vase vanished instantly.
"It also protects those living here."
Suddenly, the tea in the cup before Petunia was sucked into the air, making her scream and clutch Dudley. The tea bounced off the invisible shield and scattered before reforming into a large drop and returning to the cup.
"But at the end of March, the day after tomorrow, this protection will fail. It will vanish automatically."
The shield shimmered once more, then disappeared.
"After that, Harry, and you, will be exposed. We have strong reason to believe You-Know-Who wants to kill Harry. If he finds you, he'll likely capture and torture you for information about Harry's whereabouts. Or worse, "
A sharp crack echoed as the floating vase shattered into pieces.
"Death."
Vernon, Petunia, and Dudley screamed and huddled together in panic. As the shards fell, they reassembled mid-air and floated back to their original place.
"Moving away is the best choice," Skoll said calmly. "We in the Order of the Phoenix will protect you."
Vernon was speechless for a while, then muttered, "Isn't there a Ministry of Magic?"
"There is," Skoll nodded.
"Then why can't they protect us? We're innocent victims here. All we did was raise a suspected threat. We deserve government protection!"
Harry couldn't help but laugh. That was so like Uncle Vernon, always trusting the authorities, even in a world he distrusted.
"The Ministry is no longer trustworthy. There are likely dark wizards in high positions."
Vernon turned to glare at the vase in the corner, his face red with anger. "Fine, fine. Let's say we go along with this. But can't we get a better place than the one you've offered?" He pointed to the parchment. "It's horrible. What about my job? What about Dudley's school?"
Skoll narrowed his eyes. "I believe your lives matter more than those things, Mr. Dursley. But if you're not afraid, you're free to choose the second option."
"No, Dad. Let's go with the Order!" Dudley suddenly shouted.
Petunia tugged at Vernon's sleeve. His round face had turned ghostly pale. After glancing around the house, he sighed. "Fine. But I refuse to live in a house with only two bedrooms."
Skoll raised a brow. "Since you've made a request, I do have another address, four bedrooms." He pulled out a wrinkled piece of parchment from his pocket and handed it to Vernon.
Vernon took it, grumbling but finally nodding.
"Good. That settles it. Pack up, you're leaving tonight," Skoll said, standing up. "Harry, go get your things. Dumbledore will pick you up later for the Burrow. It's all ready."
Mr. Weasley stepped forward with relief, wand in hand. "Need help packing, Harry?"
"No, thanks, Mr. Weasley. I've got it. But maybe ask them if we could use magic to help move?"
Dudley quickly jumped up and waved his hands, No, thank you.
In the end, Vernon called a moving company, and by the afternoon, most of the furniture was gone. Mr. Weasley and Dedalus (a senior member of the Order) went along in the moving truck to cast protective spells at the new house. Mr. Weasley was thrilled to ride shotgun in the truck.
Skoll and Harry stood at the front door, watching the truck and the Dursleys' car drive off. Dedalus's tall top hat was clearly visible between Petunia and Dudley in the back seat. At the end of Privet Drive, the cars turned right, the setting sun flashing red across the windows, and then they were gone.
They turned and walked back into the house. The empty living room was bathed in dusk. Most of the furniture was gone. The only sound was Hedwig's wings flapping overhead.
"I heard you used to sleep in the cupboard under the stairs?"
Harry nodded and walked over to a small door beneath the stairs. "Right here," he said, pulling it open. "Wow, it's way smaller than I remember."
Skoll peeked in. It had clearly been long abandoned and was now stuffed with empty shoeboxes, broken umbrellas, and cleaning supplies.
Harry looked around and suddenly picked up a tiny plastic toy soldier from a corner. "Look! This was my only toy when I was little."
One arm of the toy was missing, but the other still held a gun, ready for battle.
"Dudley broke it, then gave it to me," Harry said. "I used to keep it right here. I thought it was gone."
"Hmm," Skoll murmured. He glanced at the wall clock. "Half an hour. Dumbledore will be here soon."
Harry nodded, still holding the toy soldier, and shut the cupboard door.
"Skoll?"
Skoll pushed his glasses up and looked at Harry.
"Why did you join the Order of the Phoenix?"
Skoll's dark eyes narrowed. "Why do you ask?"
"Just curious. You're so young, not even thirty, right? Why would you suddenly become the Order's leader? Why would Dumbledore trust you so much?"
"What if I said I was forced into it, would you believe me?"
Harry shook his head slowly. "No. Dumbledore would never force anyone."
"Heh. You really are one of his people." Skoll gave a cold chuckle, then his expression softened. "If you must know, I joined the Order to protect the people and things I care about."
Before Harry could ask more, the doorbell rang.
Both of them drew their wands and exchanged a glance before approaching the door. Skoll peeked through the peephole, then relaxed and opened it.
Dumbledore stood there, eyes twinkling beneath his half-moon glasses. "I'm early. Harry, are you ready? Let's head to the Burrow."
"Yes, sir." Harry nodded and gestured to the luggage in the center of the room. "It's all packed. Hedwig— go."
Hedwig flew into her cage. As Harry shut it, Dumbledore waved his wand and both the luggage and cage disappeared.
"That'll let Molly know we're on our way," Dumbledore said. "I'm sure she's made a feast."
As they stepped outside, Harry took one last look at the house. He was leaving it, forever.
Dumbledore and Skoll said nothing.
"Professor," Harry said, turning back. "Let's go."
Dumbledore raised his uninjured hand, and Harry placed his hand on top.
A crooked, oddly charming house appeared at the end of a small path. Because of the heavy protective enchantments, the trio could only Apparate a hundred meters away from the Burrow.
Outside the Burrow, Mrs. Weasley, Hagrid, Lupin, Ron, Ginny, Hermione, and the twins were craning their necks, looking toward the road. As Harry approached, Mrs. Weasley ran to him and wrapped him in a tight hug. "Oh, Harry, welcome home."
Hagrid patted his shoulder with a massive hand.
"Oh, wonderful, another lively night," said Mrs. Weasley brightly. "Fred, George, Bill!"
Bill's head poked out of a third-floor window. "What's up, Mum? Oh, evening, Harry!"
"Come down and help set the tables in the yard. Your dad will be home soon, we're about to eat."
"I'll help too!" said a voice behind Bill, it was Fleur, her silver hair glinting in the evening light.
Skoll followed Dumbledore and greeted the Order members with a nod.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione huddled together, whispering.
"That's the Order's leader?" Hermione asked.
"Yep. That's Skoll."
"He looks like an Egyptian wizard," Ron said. "We went to Egypt once, loads of them looked like that."
Hermione frowned. "He seems calm and serious, but far too young, "
"Are you talking about Skoll?" George cut in. "Don't be fooled by his age. He's brilliant. Most of our recent successful operations were his doing."
"What operations?" Harry asked eagerly.
"Can't say." George winked. "But you're not the only ones curious. No one knows what country he's from, where he came from, or if 'Skoll' is his first or last name."
"Wow," Ron breathed. "That's so cool."
Hermione looked skeptical. "A mysterious background and no one's investigated?"
"We tried. But Dumbledore shut it down hard. Once, in a meeting, he said Skoll was someone he'd trust with his life, and after that, no one dared ask again."
George clapped a hand on Harry's shoulder. "We've come to accept him. He's a sharp one."
"I think he's alright," Harry said. "I asked him why he joined the Order. He said to protect the people and things he cares about."
George whistled. "Nice. That's one more detail we know!"
"George! What are you doing?" Mrs. Weasley called. George scurried away.
Later, as the sun set, the Burrow's backyard came alive with floating candles, steaming dishes, honey mead, butterbeer, and juices. Aaron even brought a cake, proudly saying, "Anne's recipe, it's amazing!"
The cake was gone in minutes.
Even Skoll got a slice. As he picked up his fork, many watched him quietly.
George blurted, "Well? Is it good?"
Everyone turned.
Skoll placed his fork down and dabbed his mouth with a napkin. A slight smile tugged at his lips. "It's delicious. The cream isn't overpowering."
A few forks clattered onto plates in shock.
"You can smile!" Fred laughed. "I thought you were a wooden mask. Always in that hood. Seriously, who are you? How do you know Dumbledore?"
Skoll glanced at Dumbledore before replying, "We met at Hogwarts. I've known him a long time, though we only recently started talking."
The group looked stunned. No one expected Skoll to answer.
Fred and George exchanged excited glances.
"How old are you?"
"Where are you from, Britain?"
"Which magic school did you go to?"
"Do you have a girlfriend?" Ginny asked suddenly, spotting a ring on his middle finger.
Silence fell.
Then Fred and George burst out laughing and whooping, banging on the table.
Skoll sipped his juice, then smiled faintly. "So many questions? Alright, I'll start with the last one."
Fred and George blew horns that appeared from who knows where.
"Yes, I have a girlfriend."
Mrs. Weasley dropped her spoon, again, and looked over, intrigued.
"I joined the Order at Dumbledore's invitation. He trusted me, and I accepted the position of leader. We all know the Order's mission. But personally, I'm also here to protect the people I love, including my girlfriend."
Bill reached for Fleur's hand. Fred and George's plates and cups started dancing.
Ron, Hermione, and Harry all looked amazed, and strangely touched.
"As for school? Hogwarts, of course."
The adults exchanged glances.
"I'm British, though I don't care much for London weather. As for my age, that's a secret."
He raised his glass. "It's been a long time since I've been to such a lively gathering. This toast is for all of you, for this beautiful night, the moonlight, the cake, the food, and for life, even when it's difficult."
Dumbledore lifted his glass first. "Cheers!"
"Cheers! " echoed all around.
After dinner, Skoll and Dumbledore strolled down the path.
"A fine gathering," Skoll said. "Helped with my image after you're gone."
"For an old man like me, it's a memory to treasure," Dumbledore smiled.
Anne shrugged. "Let's hope the next gathering still has everyone at the table."
"They will," Dumbledore said. "You'll make sure of it. You handled the last task well."
"Oh? I thought you'd call me cold-blooded."
"There's always a cost. I understand that."
Skoll looked at Dumbledore, hesitated, then turned away. "Tomorrow, come with me somewhere."
"Alright."
"Aren't you going to ask if it's personal or business?"
"Doesn't matter."
"Hmph. Not bad for a free bodyguard," Skoll muttered. "Get ready. Tomorrow we're going to the Pyrenees."
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