Love Spanning Years

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"I was not sure about Voldemort's death. Is he dead, or is he lurking again?"

"To protect you, your mother used very ancient and powerful magic," Dumbledore explained.

Harry was curious; he hadn't realized his mother played a part in this.

"When your mother gave her life to protect you, she triggered a powerful protection magic. This protection flows in your blood until you become an adult. Because of this magic, I entrusted you to your aunt."

"But my aunt didn't protect me!" Harry said in surprise.

"She wished I was dead!"

"But she still took you in," Dumbledore replied.

"Despite her feelings, she accepted you."

"After she took you in, your mother's sacrifice allowed the bloodline magic to work."

"What exactly is this magic?" Harry murmured.

"As long as your mother's bloodline exists, this protective magic will remain, and Voldemort won't be able to harm you within that range," Dumbledore explained.

"But my mother is already dead," Harry said.

"Your aunt and your mother are sisters. They share the same bloodline. This protective magic will still be effective if you are at your aunt's house."

"As long as you return there, this magic will protect you."

"I explained all this to your aunt in a letter. She knew she might face danger by taking you in, but she chose to protect you," Dumbledore said.

Harry was stunned. He couldn't believe that his bitter and mean aunt had made such a sacrifice for him.

"Is this true?" Harry asked in disbelief.

"I promise, Harry," Dumbledore said, looking Harry in the eyes.

"This is the absolute truth." Harry felt a mix of emotions and didn't know what to say.

"Your relatives might care for you in their way," Dumbledore concluded softly.

"But Harry can't—" Sirius began, upset that Harry couldn't live with him.

"I think I have a solution," Ethan interjected, drawing both Sirius and Harry curious looks.

"You can buy a house near Harry's aunt. As long as Harry sleeps at his aunt's every night, the magic will still work," Ethan suggested.

Harry's and Sirius's eyes lit up. They felt Ethan's idea was feasible.

They both looked at Dumbledore expectantly.

Dumbledore frowned slightly, considering it carefully. Finally, he felt Ethan's proposal was indeed workable.

"I think it can be done," Dumbledore agreed after pondering.

"Yeah!" Harry cheered, and Sirius broke into a broad smile.

Dumbledore watched the happy Harry, and a smile crept onto his face.

I was having resolved the matter concerning Sirius and Harry, the three prepared to leave Dumbledore's office.

"Ethan, can we talk alone?" Dumbledore suddenly asked.

Ethan stayed behind, curious about what Dumbledore wanted to discuss.

"Ethan, I heard you made an Unbreakable Vow with Sirius Black?" Dumbledore asked cautiously.

Hearing Dumbledore's question, Ethan couldn't help but pout. Despite previous conflicts over similar issues, Dumbledore still needed to change his nosy tendencies.

Ethan always felt that Dumbledore was wary of him.

"I did it to investigate the Horcrux," Ethan replied, using this reason to placate Dumbledore.

Sure enough, Dumbledore's curiosity was piqued.

"What are you planning, Ethan?" Dumbledore asked.

"The Black family has always had close ties with Voldemort—whether it's Regulus Black, Bellatrix Lestrange, or Narcissa Malfoy," Ethan explained.

"The old Black family house likely holds clues about the Horcruxes. However, the house is protected by the Fidelius Charm, making it inaccessible."

"But Sirius Black, as the male heir of the Black family, can enter the old house," Ethan continued.

"You're right, Ethan," Dumbledore said, looking intently into Ethan's eyes.

"However, I remember the Unbreakable Vow involves more than one promise."

"The rest is personal, Dumbledore. I'm not as selfless as you; I have my interests to protect," Ethan admitted candidly.

Dumbledore's eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't expected Ethan to be so forthright.

"Ethan, I think—" Dumbledore began hesitantly.

"Dumbledore, I assure you, I won't harm any innocents," Ethan interrupted firmly.

"Okay, Ethan," Dumbledore said helplessly.

"Perhaps I've been too worried. Please forgive me."

"I'm not blaming you, Dumbledore," Ethan replied.

With that, Ethan said goodbye and left the office.

Meanwhile, Harry returned to the Gryffindor common room in high spirits. As he entered, he was shocked by the scene before him.

Ron and Hermione stood in a corner while Percy was slumped on the sofa, yelling at them.

Percy had been in the Great Hall when Gryffindor lost a significant number of points, seeing their score plummet like a rock. Unable to cope, he had fainted.

Unfortunately, it was Christmas, and few people were at Hogwarts. Percy had been unconscious for a long time before a ghost discovered him and alerted the others.

Percy prided himself on being Hogwarts's most hardest-working prefect. However, his house's continuous loss of points, mainly due to his younger brother, made him desperate.

He could imagine the ridicule he'd face if Gryffindor remained at the bottom of the rankings this semester.

Now, Percy was even considering resigning as Gryffindor prefect.