25

The Smith family spent the Christmas break in the hospital room at St Mungo's, and although the therapists said Mr Smith had not been irreversibly and permanently damaged by the Death Eaters' attack, the damage was real and it would take some time to recover. Mr. Smith would need to take almost a week off from school after the Christmas break before he could recover and get back on the podium.

The situation was much better than they had expected at first, and both Mrs. Smith and Eli were grateful for the result. Only Mr. Smith was a little glum. He had now recovered his arms and legs, and his chest did not hurt when he did not touch it. It was more or less boring to be stuck in the ward.

Fortunately, his boredom was soon saved: Arthur. When Weasley arrived at the hospital with the blessings of his wife and eldest son, Eli pulled him over to question him seriously.

"Wouldn't it be terrible if an ordinary, well-behaved person -- a Muggle or wizard -- could only be squashed when they met a Death Eater?" "Asked Eli, frowning, quite incomprehensively." I've read the papers and asked the healers at St. Mungo's, and I've found that resistance to these spells depends only on the excellent personal qualities of individual wizards. It doesn't make any sense, the Death Eaters are going after the whole population, they're not going to be gentlemanly enough to make sure you can fight them."

"Yes, I think so. It's a really dangerous time." Arthur agreed with him, but was at a loss as to what he was trying to say. "But there really doesn't seem to be anything else we can do, and that's a pity..."

"That should be changed!" Eli said, shaking his head in disbelief. "I suppose no spell has ever been invincible since it was invented. There must be some way of subduing it. Take the Muggle world's most powerful personal weapon, a bullet-proof jacket and bulletproof glass. Isn't there anything like it in the wizarding world? The environment is much more dangerous."

'What's that? Arthur asked with interest, his eyes shining. "Bulletproof? Can you defend against weapons? How did it do that, Muggles aren't magical!"

"Sort of like a shield Charm effect," said Harry. Mrs. Smith chimed in with a more vivid explanation. It must be said that her presence made the conversation of the three men (and boys) a lot easier, because she knew both the general level of Muggle technology and a lot of wizarding wizarding magic, and she was perfectly placed to compare the two sides.

"But body armor only protects against physical attacks, not mental ones." "It's certainly good enough in the Muggle world, but not in the wizarding world, where there's a lot of mind-attacking magic."

"But the Shield Charm can actually do some resistance, can't it?" "Rebound Charms and protection Charms might be a good idea too... This sort of thing happens in the wizarding world, too, usually when old pure-blood wizarding families cast jinxes on family items to teach non-kin who covet them. Others will attach common objects to troublesome magic and then circulate them back into the Muggle market to try and trick Muggles, which is basically what our Misuse of Muggle Artefact Department deals with."

"So why don't they cast these protective spells on some objects and carry them around with them? It kind of keeps you safe, doesn't it? It will at least give you time to pull out your wand in case of an attack, so you don't have to react and get killed." "Said Eli, frowning." It's -- it's wasteful of them to use such useful magical transformations only for punishment and mischief."

Mrs. Smith and Arthur looked at each other, and both of the grown wizards found it difficult to answer.

"Or it was arrogance." "Wizards put too much faith in their own magic and wands, but we went to Hogwarts to know that it's unrealistic to expect everyone to be good at Defense Against the Dark Arts, and some won't even be able to cast a decent defensive spell."

"It does sound practical." Mr. Smith joined them excitedly, thinking, "Do you need a flak jacket for research? I can buy one, and hopefully that will help broaden your thinking."

"Really? That's great!" Arthur, whose fascination with Muggle objects had been noted at school and was still unabated, responded with great delight. He loved all things Muggle-related and dissected them with great interest. He was excited to know that he would soon be able to acquire a new Muggle item.

He grinned for a moment, but the expression on his face began to freeze a little. The Smiths in the hospital room chuckled at his unabashed excitement as he looked at them and took a deep breath.

"I'm happy to be involved in the research and development of new products -- but don't ask people to come to me for orders this time, and I won't say yes. Your family really deserves this income, and has helped make it happen. This money doesn't belong to me... And I'm still working on my list of magic phones, which has taken up a lot of my energy outside of work, which is true, I do have a formal job at the Ministry after all."

Eli looked at Arthur, listened to his troubles, hesitated, and shook his head.

"No, Arthur." He looked at his parents again and said calmly, finally making up his mind. "I don't think such a shield, if it can ever be developed, should be for a fee -- how much better are we than the Death Eaters if there's a price at which people have to pay to buy their lives from us because they're afraid of them? Even the Death Eaters didn't do it for the money."

Arthur opened his mouth. He looked at Eli in shock and stammered. "But... But it certainly requires an investment of time and money??"

"I know we can't teach it how to do it, so the Death Eaters can easily learn it. It loses the point of protection." Eli sighed, and said without hesitation. "But I think it will be a useful defense. As the Death Eaters grow larger and larger, it's necessary to be prepared. I wonder if I can get an official order from the Ministry of Magic - the government has a duty to protect its citizens. If you have that money, and you spend it on R&D and production, then it goes into a virtuous cycle that always gives us solid preparation and logistics."

His order was clear, he had clearly thought it through, and his ideas and statements were mature and clear. Mr. And Mrs. Smith looked at each other. Knowing his partner's attitude, Mr. Smith nodded, smiled and stroked his son's hair.

"That's a good idea, Eli." "Of course making money from war is a favorite way for many people, but if you have a better option, don't hesitate. You don't have to give up your ideals to make a living if you're not destitute," he encouraged.

"Do what you like." Mrs. Smith simply said, "We have a good financial situation, enough for you to go back and forth several times, so don't worry about doing it, it doesn't matter if you are wrong, Mom and Dad will stand behind you."

That's great. Eli smiled with delight, and Arthur shut his mouth and stared at him, marveling at his selflessness and justice.

"It can't be your family. It's too much." 'he said.' So can our family! Please do let me join in! We now have a little money saved, and we are all proud and honored to contribute to such a noble cause."

'Why don't you go back and ask Molly when you say that? "Mrs. Smith said mockingly.

"She won't mind." "Answered Arthur, smiling." No doubt, exactly as I think, we are made for each other."

"I think we're made for each other." 'said Sirius Black, sitting idly in his room, staring lazily out of the window with a corner of the heavy curtain open and talking to his brother.' Why in the world is there a man like Jaime so in line with me? His mother says she almost suspects I'm her out-of-town bastard, that Jaime and I are really twins who were switched at birth -- look, we've both got black hair."

"Mother won't be pleased to hear that." "Warned Regulus, who was reading the book between his hands and frowning slightly at the noise of his brother." Will you be quiet for a moment, Sirius, you have mentioned Jaime six times in half an hour. Potter, but I'm your brother."

"Of course I know you are. Silly boys like you don't come around very often these days. Don't talk about your mom all the time like you haven't grown up. If you really like her that much, go downstairs now and let her lead you off to smile-and-pleasantries -- this crowd can't do anything new, and no wonder it's boring even for you." 'said Sirius absently. He involuntarily sat up and stared out of the window.' Hey, look, Regulus, something interesting seems to be happening -- is there a Knight bus outside? I can't think of a mother whose guests would arrive so late and in the civilian transport they despise."

What? Regulus looked up from his book. Before he could look out, Sirius sprang to his feet.

'James! "He cried, throwing open the window and waving down.

'Jaime! James -- I'm here! '

'Nonsense, Sirius, of course I knew you were here.' 'said James, grinning, as Mr. Potter stood not far behind him, smiling as his son sprinted down the stairs and waved warmly to his friends upstairs.' Merry Christmas - it's past Christmas, but the holidays aren't over yet, are they? You wrote that you were in prison at home, bored out of your mind, and I decided to come to your rescue, Princess Black in the Tower. '

'Don't say that! 'said Sirius angrily.' I'll hit you when I get downstairs. '

You probably have a chance to do it. James waved casually, his white teeth showing in a grin. 'Coming to my house? You're cordially invited by my parents and me -- I was going to pick you up on a broom and take you to my house, there's no cooler way! But my parents don't agree. They think I'm still too young for such a long manned ride. They're looking down on people, aren't they?"

"I think your parents are right." 'said Sirius rationally.' You're only in your second year, mate. '

"I'm Gryffindor's best chaser in fifty years, man! Tomorrow's star!" 'said James defiantly.

They exchanged a few words, and James began to get tired of talking with his neck up. He raised his hand to rub his hair to make it look more tangled and urged it bluntly: "Why don't you come down? Go and tell your mum and dad, and then we're going back to my house. My mum's got creme brulee waiting for us."

'You've got to be joking,' said Sirius. 'You think my mum's going to be as happy as yours and send me away? It was as if he thought I was a source of infection, dangerous if not isolated... Get out of the way and I'll get down."

Can you do it? James raised an interested eyebrow and watched with interest as he pushed open the window completely and mounted the steps with one foot -- a figure suddenly appeared behind him again and began to speak.

'Sirius! Regulus frowned and stopped him. "What are you doing? Mother won't like it --"

'She's always unhappy to see me. You're enough of a good boy in this house.' Sirius shrugged and turned to look at him briefly. 'I'm off to a free holiday - close the window for me, Regulus.'

"You..." Regulus would add that Sirius had climbed all the way up to the window and had leapt from it with a strong gust of wind, and that there seemed to be a definite sense of freedom inside.

"See you at school!" Sirius called to him, then turned without hesitation and followed his friend off into the distance. Their faces and voices faded away. Regulus stood at the window for a few moments, and then reached out his hand and closed the open window. The curtains closed out the bright light outside, and the room reverted to a dull dark color.

Sirius, who had escaped from this room, was so happy that he and James were sitting on adjoining bunks in the Knight bus, hanging together at the Windows and enjoying the view.

"There's still a week to go before the Christmas break, and I feel like I can get a lot done." 'said James cheerfully.' But I've been missing my dear friends for so long, I wonder what they're up to -- or more than just friends, I could say hello to Snivel if I had him standing in front of me right now. '

"Can't you think of anyone better for this wonderful holiday?" Sirius pursed his lips, but followed his train of thought for a second. "Nobody cares what Snivellies are up to, but perhaps our Remus is ill again -- it's the full moon, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it's really strange what's wrong with him, why he disappears for a few days every month on the full moon. It seems to run in the family. Every time he goes back to visit his mother, he seems to be seriously ill himself." 'said James thoughtfully, rubbing his chin. He rolled his eyes and looked at Sirius.

'Curious, isn't it, Sirius?

"Yeah." Sirius raised an eyebrow. 'When's the next full moon again? Why don't we call Peter and spy it out together."

That's a good idea! James responded gleefully, and they stood next to each other, smug as if they were about to do something great.

"I hope I haven't bitten anything this month either." Remus Lupin was curled up pale on the ground, his robes torn. His emaciated body is riddled with scars, old and new, giving the young kid the look of a veteran.

"Of course not, Remus." 'said Mrs Lupin gently, dabbing some essence of dittany on her son's wounds. Her hand shook uncontrollably over her son's wrist, which had been torn and swollen by the rope, and the movement of her hand grew softer.

"Don't keep asking that question." "Remus," she said gently, "you're not like the other werewolves -- you're so gentle and kind that you wouldn't hurt anyone. Don't be so worried about doing something wrong all the time."

"I think it's necessary, Mother." 'said Lupin quietly. The sweat of his fringe clung to his face, and he exhaled slowly. It was a long breath, but it did not remove the sadness from his heart.

"When I became a werewolf, I was unconscious, unconscious, and I knew I was really a Wolf at that time, just like any other werewolf." "It's really dangerous, Mom -- if I wasn't a werewolf, I'd be afraid of myself, too."

Mrs Lupin moved her lips and failed to speak. She paused and touched her son's hair.

"You've done a good enough job." 'she said.' The rest of the time you're very nice, aren't you? You've made some very good friends at school. That's enough to say how good you are. '

A faint shadow fell over Lupin's face as she mentioned her friend.

"They care about me." 'said Lupin very quietly.' But I... I'm not sure I deserve the attention, and if they find out about the fact that I'm a werewolf, they'll be scared, too. Nothing good can come of being involved with me, and if it wasn't for me, Dad wouldn't have to go out to work over the Christmas break -- dangerous work too. '

He gave an involuntary shudder, and Mrs. Lupin, heartbroken, bent down to embrace her child.

"Don't worry so much, Remus." "Your father and I know how good you are, Dumbledore knows, and I'm sure your friends will too."

Will it? Lupin wasn't sure. He thought of his three best friends, of the heavenly peace of Hogwarts, of the friendly Gryffindors, of Eli and Lily, all of which made him uneasy, and of the excess of kindness he seemed to have stolen by concealing everything.

"I've made so many friends at Hogwarts! They are very, very good people!" "But Seve's not like them. Seve and I know each other earlier and live closer -- I'll be back in a minute! My quill broke by accident, and he kindly found me one of his -- he didn't want to come yet, but I insisted, and we haven't seen each other all holiday."

She said goodbye to her parents and sprinted down the steps, stopping stunned when she caught sight of Snape.

"What's the matter with you, Seve? 'she asked, startled and frowning with concern.' You don't look like you're having a very good Christmas... '

It's more than bad. If Snape at Hogwarts was a slightly disinclined, slightly ill-dressed man, he looked at least ten times better than Snape at Spidertail Alley. He was now wearing dirty Muggle clothes that were too big to fit him, he was too thin to fit a man's clothes, and the excess dangled beneath him, making him look like a fluttering bat.

His face was sallow, he was thinner than he had been at school, and Lily did not think he had eaten a full meal at home.

"My mother is ill." "Said Snape wearily, straining at the corners of his mouth, which seemed to have taken all his strength. He had always tried to be with Lily at school, but now he didn't seem to want to stay a second longer than she needed to see him, saying hurriedly, "I'm going back to take care of my mother... See you at the station, Lily."

'Wait! Without thinking, Lily called out to him, squeezed her shell into his face, and then said quickly, "You really helped by sending the quill, Seve! I owe you a lot of thanks -- I'm embarrassed to say this, but would you like some apple pie? I baked some under my mother's guidance, and it was OK. Will you accept it as my thank-you? I know it's not very formal to give anything as a thank-you gift, but I..."

'I do! "Said Snape at once, his eyes lighting up." I'm sure I'll enjoy it -- I mean, I'm not much of a sweet tooth, but my mother quite likes it, I remember she really likes apple pie."

"That would be wonderful! "Lily said briskly." You wait, I'll get it for you!"

She ran home to the kitchen, where Petunia was eating pie, swept up the rest of the apple pie and bagged it.

"Give it to Snape?" Petunia asked her, frowning.

Lily nodded hastily, apologetically. "I'm sorry, Petunia," she said. "I'll beg Mom to do it again tomorrow, but right now I..."

"It doesn't matter." Petunia shrugged and looked at her. "I think I'm starting to understand, Lily. I still don't like him very much, but after all, kindness is never a bad thing."

When she had finished her mother's delicious apple pie, she went upstairs to her room, pulled out her chair and sat down, looking at the things on the table.

The crystal ball containing Hogwarts Castle lay beside her, along with the windless swaying plants, and she leaned over the table to look at them for a moment, with an unconscious smile and a distinct feeling that her whole being was becoming strangely soft.