Chapter 123: Chapter 123: My Bed at Home is Big and Comfortable
In the following days, except for some Gryffindor cubs, most of the young wizards avoided Harry, fearing that Harry would hold a grudge against them and have the Basilisk petrify them like Mrs. Norris.
Many young wizards also whispered about Harry behind his back, making him feel very uncomfortable.
He didn't understand why he was being accused of being the Heir of Slytherin and a murderer, when he had actually saved Justin.
If the young wizards were just gossiping about Harry at first, then after Harry confronted Justin and Justin coincidentally got petrified by the Basilisk right in front of Harry, the young wizards became convinced that Harry was the culprit.
Even the fact that Nearly Headless Nick was petrified along with Justin fueled rumors at Hogwarts that anyone, human or ghost, who offended Harry Potter would suffer.
After all, many young wizards knew that Harry had unhappily left Nearly Headless Nick's Deathday Party on Halloween night.
To the young wizards, this was evidence that Nearly Headless Nick had incurred Harry's wrath.
This ridiculous reasoning bothered Harry greatly.
During this time, roosters kept getting killed at Hagrid's hut, but Hagrid never suspected the so-called monster in the castle, thinking instead that foxes or vampires were secretly killing them.
With Justin and Nearly Headless Nick both petrified, in the days leading up to the Christmas holidays, young wizards scrambled to book seats on the Hogwarts Express, even those who had originally signed up to stay at school changed their minds last minute and decided to go home.
Although Irina understood Harry's innocence, at Lynn's insistence she did not sign up to stay at school over the holidays. So this Christmas, apart from the professors, Hogwarts castle would likely only have Harry, Ron, and Hermione, as well as Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle.
Finally, Christmas Eve arrived, with a silence as heavy as the snow blanketing the entire Hogwarts castle.
As the trio plotted using Polyjuice Potion to sneak into the Slytherin dormitory, Lynn and Irina had already boarded the Hogwarts Express with the other students going home for Christmas at King's Cross Station.
"Hmm, why did you ask me to come out? My parents are having a romantic Christmas getaway, so if I don't stay at Hogwarts, I'll have nowhere to sleep..." Irina looked at Lynn curiously.
Back when they registered to stay for the holidays, Lynn had told her he would take her out during Christmas, but when she asked what it was about, Lynn just said it was a surprise and kept it secret.
Lynn shrugged and teased, "I could invite you to spend Christmas at Rowle Manor. Let me tell you secretly, the beds at my home are big and comfortable!"
Irina's pretty face turned red as she playfully punched Lynn's arm. "If you have something to say, just say it. Don't joke around!"
Lynn chuckled and said, "You mentioned wanting seeds for Venomous Tentacula and Chinese Chomping Cabbage last time, so I'm taking you to Knockturn Alley to buy some during this Christmas."
Irina was stunned, not expecting Lynn to still remember the magical plants she had casually mentioned before.
"Are we going now?" Irina asked expectantly.
Lynn glanced at the evening glow in the sky and shook his head, "It's too late today. Let's go together tomorrow on Christmas Day."
"Where will you stay tonight? Going back home?" Lynn asked.
Irina replied, "I didn't tell my family I would be out this Christmas, they've probably gone on a trip already. I don't have a key so I can't get back home."
"Then come to Rowle Manor," Lynn invited. "There are plenty of empty rooms in the castle that can be cleaned up for you to stay in."
Irina thought about it and nodded, "Okay, it's better than staying at those overpriced hotels in London."
"Follow me."
After Irina agreed, Lynn led her to a nearby corner where they saw the house-elf Gale waiting.
Lynn held one of Irina's hands and grabbed Gale's shoulder with his other hand.
Snap! Gale snapped his fingers and with a loud crack, the three figures vanished from the spot.
In a swirl, they appeared at the entrance of Rowle Manor.
Since Lynn was bringing a guest today, Gale didn't directly apparate them into Rowle Castle, but brought them to the manor's entrance instead.
"Your home is so big!" Irina exclaimed in surprise as she looked around the vast Rowle Manor stretching as far as the eye could see.
Lynn smiled and nodded, leading Irina towards the very prominent large castle in the distance.
Bang! Bang! Bang!...
On the way, Irina noticed a small wooden shack to the right of the path, with constant thumping sounds coming from inside.
Gale walked over and opened the wooden door.
"Dobby?!" Irina said in surprise at the scene inside.
Dobby was tied up and lying in the bare wooden shack, with food provided for him to the left of the door.
"Gale, didn't I tell you to lock it in a room underground in the castle? Why is it here?" Lynn asked in confusion, as he didn't remember this wooden shack being here before.
Gale bowed to Lynn and said, "Young Master, this bad elf called Dobby was being very unruly in the castle, constantly making noises through various means. Gale was afraid it would disturb the Mistress's peace, so I took it upon myself to build this small room in the manor to contain it. Please punish me..."
Meanwhile, Dobby in the room struggled against the ropes binding him, shouting "Release Dobby! Release Dobby! Harry Potter is in danger, Dobby must go protect Harry Potter!"
Lynn frowned slightly and gave Dobby a cold look. "You're the one putting Harry in danger!"
As Lynn's words fell, a non-verbal, wandless Full Body-Bind Curse struck Dobby, preventing him from shouting further, while another burst of magic slammed the wooden door shut.
Lynn turned to the head-bowed Gale and said reassuringly, "You did nothing wrong, Gale. It would have been a major mistake to let Dobby disturb Mother. As for this wooden shack, we'll tear it down after releasing Dobby at the end of the school year."
Hearing this, Gale raised his head happily and bowed gratefully to Lynn.
After seeing the bound Dobby at Rowle Manor, Lynn led Irina all the way to Rowle Castle and opened the large doors.
"Lynn, you're back? Hmm? And you brought a guest?"
Sitting on the living room sofa, Rowena looked up at the sound of the castle's doors opening.
However, upon seeing the timid Irina following behind Lynn, Rowena was rather surprised that her son had actually brought a young lady home!
(End of Chapter)
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