章節 50: Winds of Change: A Winter Reunion

Winter had settled over Hogwarts, covering the grounds in a thick, sparkling blanket of snow. As Christmas approached, Hogsmeade bustled with holiday cheer. For Harry, this winter promised something even more thrilling—a chance to spend time with his godfather, Sirius Black, now cleared of all charges and free to be a part of Harry's life.

Raja and Lupin had made discreet arrangements for Harry and Sirius to meet at the Three Broomsticks Tavern. As Harry walked through Hogsmeade, excitement and nerves mixed in his stomach. His breath clouded the chilly air as he neared the familiar sight of the tavern, where a tall, thin man with a warm smile awaited him.

"Harry!" Sirius called, waving him over with a grin.

"Sirius!" Harry hurried over, and Sirius pulled him into a tight hug.

They sat down at a small table in the corner, where Sirius ordered two steaming mugs of butterbeer, and Harry's shyness melted as the two talked. Sirius shared stories of his time at Hogwarts, and Harry listened, enchanted by stories of his father's pranks, his mother's wit, and the friendship that had bonded them all.

"Your dad and I caused enough trouble to last a lifetime," Sirius laughed, his eyes twinkling. "But, truth be told, Lily was the one who kept us all in line."

Harry's face lit up, delighted by stories he'd never heard before. "I wish I could've known them. But… well, having you here feels like having a part of them, too."

Sirius's gaze softened, and he placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. "You have them in you, Harry, more than you know. And now, we'll make more memories together. You, me, and your friends. There's a lot of good in store for you, I promise."

As they shared stories and laughter, Sirius revealed a small, neatly wrapped package and slid it across the table. "Merry Christmas, Harry."

Harry unwrapped it slowly, eyes widening as he saw the glint of silver letters: Firebolt. His hands shook as he lifted the world's fastest racing broom, his jaw dropping as he ran a hand over the polished handle.

"Sirius… this is… amazing!" Harry's voice was filled with awe.

"You deserve it, Harry," Sirius replied. "After all you've been through, you deserve to fly faster than anyone else in the world."

Back at Hogwarts, Harry's spirits soared even higher as he resumed classes. With the new Firebolt stashed in Gryffindor Tower, he began practicing the Patronus Charm under Lupin's guidance. Despite Harry's initial struggles, Raja often joined to offer encouragement and tips. Between Lupin's expertise and Raja's subtle guidance, Harry steadily improved.

"The Patronus isn't just about the charm," Raja advised one afternoon after practice. "It's about what's behind it. Focus on a happy memory, Harry, something so powerful that it breaks through the Dementors' darkness."

Harry nodded, taking Raja's advice to heart. With his friends and the promise of Sirius's support, his Patronus took form over time, growing stronger with each attempt.

Meanwhile, Ron found himself grappling with the truth about Scabbers. Knowing the family pet was actually Peter Pettigrew, a traitorous Animagus, disturbed him to his core. The betrayal cut deeply, and the realization left him feeling violated.

"I can't believe that rat lived with us, slept in my bed!" Ron exclaimed, shuddering in disgust. "It's creepy, Raja! He was listening to everything, watching us!"

Raja nodded sympathetically, though he couldn't suppress a small smile. "I know it's hard to take in, Ron, but just think—he's gone now, and we won't let him get close to you or your family again."

Ron huffed, his eyes narrowing. "If he ever comes back, I'll hex him myself."

As spring approached, the Gryffindor Quidditch team prepared for their final showdown against Slytherin. Harry's new Firebolt was the talk of the school, and everyone eagerly anticipated seeing him take to the skies with it.

The match was fierce. Slytherin's tactics were ruthless, with players shoving, elbowing, and doing anything they could to unnerve the Gryffindor team. But Harry's Firebolt lived up to its reputation, allowing him to outmaneuver the Slytherin Seeker with ease. The crowd roared as he spiraled through the sky, finally catching the Golden Snitch and securing Gryffindor's victory.

The Gryffindor stands erupted into cheers. Raja cheered along with them, a sly smile on his face as he watched Harry being hoisted into the air by his teammates. "Looks like you earned that broom, Harry," he muttered to himself.

Raja continued to work in the shadows, refining the old hideout beneath the Whomping Willow to make it his personal base. With enchantments, hidden compartments, and new magical devices, the hideout transformed into a sophisticated sanctuary. One of his creations was a magical device called the Quadra-Lion Compass, a compass that spun its needle to point toward one's deepest desire within Hogwarts. It was incredibly useful for navigating the castle and locating secret rooms and passages.

Raja also took up a personal project for Professor Lupin. Together with Snape, whose skills in potion-making were unmatched, he crafted a new seal rune. It was created using a blend of ancient runes, rare potions, and powerful mantras Raja had learned from his studies. This rune, along with a custom potion, helped stabilize Lupin during his monthly transformations, reducing the violent effects of his werewolf curse and preventing it from being contagious.

As a result, Lupin could safely transform without the fear of harming anyone or spreading the curse. The gratitude in Lupin's eyes made all the work worthwhile, and Raja felt a sense of accomplishment as the professor became more at ease with each passing month.

"Thank you, Raja," Lupin said one evening, his voice filled with gratitude. "This… this has given me a life I didn't think I could have."

Raja offered a small smile. "You've earned it, Professor. And besides, Hogwarts is a better place with you teaching us."

The school year drew to a close, and Raja continued to excel academically, coming first in every subject and securing the House Cup for Gryffindor with his consistent top marks. His achievements were a point of pride for Gryffindor, and Raja enjoyed the satisfaction of seeing his housemates' proud faces as they celebrated their win.

Harry's bond with Sirius continued to grow, and by the end of the year, the two began discussing the possibility of finding a place to live together. Harry would finally have a home, a family, and a place where he felt he belonged.

One evening, Harry approached Raja with a mixture of excitement and hesitation. "Raja, Sirius and I… we're looking for a place to stay together after next year," he said, his voice soft but hopeful.

Raja's face lit up. "That's wonderful, Harry. You deserve it. Sirius will be there for you, and it'll give you both a chance to start fresh."

Harry looked down, a bit embarrassed. "I know it's a big step, but… it feels right."

Raja placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You're family, Harry. Blood or not, family finds a way to be there for each other. And you'll always have mine."

Throughout the year, Raja maintained his role as the "Black Hand Behind the Curtain," subtly influencing events, helping his friends, and nudging things along without overtly disrupting the natural course of Hogwarts life. His interventions were careful and precise, ensuring Harry's journey continued without significant deviations from the story he knew.

But as summer approached, Raja found himself thinking of his own plans and goals. Hogwarts had become a second home to him, but his ambitions stretched beyond the walls of the castle. He knew he had a purpose that reached into realms of magic that even Hogwarts didn't fully explore.

For now, though, he was content to remain a steady, guiding presence. He watched over his friends with the quiet strength of someone who understood the importance of balance. Raja didn't need the spotlight; he preferred to observe, plan, and protect from the shadows.

At the end-of-year feast, Dumbledore addressed the students with a warm smile, congratulating Gryffindor on their well-deserved House Cup victory and acknowledging the year's unique challenges. As Dumbledore's words filled the Great Hall, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Raja exchanged smiles. They'd faced incredible trials, won the Quidditch Cup, uncovered truths, and found new allies in places they hadn't expected.

Dumbledore's gaze lingered on Raja for a moment, as if he could see through the young man's quiet demeanor to the mind working tirelessly beneath. Raja nodded respectfully, acknowledging the silent understanding they shared.

As the students gathered their things and prepared to leave for the summer, Harry walked up to Raja, offering a shy but heartfelt smile. "Thanks for everything this year, Raja. I know you helped… even if I didn't always see it."

Raja returned the smile, clapping Harry on the shoulder. "Anytime, Harry. This year was just the beginning. Next year will be even more interesting, I'm sure."

They parted with laughter and promises to write over the summer, but Raja knew that while Harry would enjoy a peaceful summer with Sirius, he would be busy pursuing new knowledge, new power, and new mysteries.

As the Hogwarts Express chugged away from the castle, Raja watched the familiar landscape roll by, a quiet determination settling over him. He had been a shadow, a quiet force shaping events from the background. But next year… next year would be different. He would be ready for the challenges that lay ahead, and whatever role fate had in store for him, he would meet it head-on.

For now, though, he was content. Hogwarts had changed him, and he had left his mark on it as well—a silent guardian, a loyal friend, and a hidden protector.

Deciding to express his gratitude to the professors who had supported him along the way, he prepared gifts—a series of meticulously crafted textbooks for each of his professors. These weren't just any textbooks; they were unique, customized versions of the standard Third-year material.

As the train carried them toward the next chapter of their lives, Raja closed his eyes, knowing that wherever the path led, he would continue to walk it with purpose, watching over those he cared about and wielding his gifts with wisdom, patience, and a quiet strength that was uniquely his own.