Chapter 87: Going Home
When Ethan arrived at the Headmaster's office, Dumbledore was eating ice cream.
"Do you want some? Lemon flavor. It's quite good." The old man offered it enthusiastically, but his scrunched-up face made it clear the ice cream was sour.
Ethan was in no mood for this. He asked directly, "Headmaster, you can send me home now, can't you?"
Seeing Ethan's serious expression, Dumbledore sobered as well. He set aside his ice cream.
He leaned forward slightly. "What's wrong? Is there an emergency at home that requires you to go back? Cyril wrote to me that he would meet you in the Headmaster's office at seven tonight."
"That's exactly the problem. He went to my parents, told them everything, and got them to agree to let him meet me."
Ethan was still angry about Cyril's behavior.
"Child, I understand how you feel. You had already refused to meet Cyril, yet he went behind your back to your adoptive parents and played on their emotions to win them over.
"Your anger is understandable. After all, this has damaged your relationship.
"But please also understand. For lonely, helpless old people like us, it is painful to have a descendant you can't acknowledge.
Though he had no children of his own, Dumbledore could still understand some of Cyril's behavior, and he did his best to defend him.
"I think I'll judge this matter myself when we meet tonight."
"Provided, of course, that I can return before then."
Although Dumbledore hadn't said whether he could manage it, the fact that he hadn't refused meant there was a way.
"Of course. I think once you've spoken with Cyril, you'll understand his struggles. There's still plenty of time. I'll get you some chocolates, and we'll leave shortly."
Dumbledore hurried to the study to fetch some chocolates for Ethan, lifted Fawkes from his golden perch, and let him settle on his shoulder.
"Ethan, we're going to Apparate away from Hogwarts, but the Anti-Apparition Charm prevents me from casting the spell, so we'll need Fawkes's help. Apparition is dangerous, so you must hold Fawkes's claws tightly and never let go. Do you remember?" The old man looked grave.
"I remember." He extended his hand and grasped Fawkes's warm claws tightly.
Dumbledore took hold of the other claw. Fawkes beat his wings, hovering in place.
"Ready?"
"Ready." He took a deep breath.
"Very good, let's go, Fawkes."
A loud bang filled the Headmaster's office, and Ethan, Dumbledore, and Fawkes vanished.
Ethan gripped Fawkes's claws tightly, fighting the force that threatened to tear his hands away.
Darkness pressed in from every side, squeezing him until his eyes and ears felt as if they were being forced into his skull. Iron bands seemed to constrict his chest, leaving him unable to breathe.
His eyes blurred with tears as he gasped for air.
"All right, Ethan, we're here. Have some chocolate; you'll feel better." Dumbledore's voice seemed to come from very far away. After a few seconds, the world snapped back into focus.
He opened his eyes to find himself standing at the gate to his yard. The people nearby didn't seem to notice their strange attire, not even glancing at them.
"This is a Muggle-Repelling Charm, to keep us from being noticed. I'll lift it before we leave," Dumbledore explained.
Ethan drew his wand and cast Alohomora to unlock the courtyard gate. With Dumbledore beside him, he didn't have to worry about getting a warning letter from the Ministry of Magic.
Inside the house, he heard his mother, Sofia, sobbing.
"Albert," she sobbed. "I'm so scared."
"Don't cry. I know our son wouldn't be that kind of person. Didn't he just send gifts a few days ago?" Albert said, comforting her.
"Mom, Dad!" Ethan shouted and ran towards them.
Dumbledore stood at the door, looking relieved.
"Ethan?!" Sofia, her nose red from crying, cried even harder.
Albert strode forward, hugged him tightly, and patted his back.
Feeling the desperate intensity of the embrace, as if his father feared he might disappear, Ethan wrapped his arms around him and patted him gently. "I'm back, Dad."
Albert couldn't hold back any longer. Tears fell like raindrops onto Ethan's head.
"Good to be back, good to be back," Albert said, stroking his hair, his voice choked with emotion.
Sofia stepped behind him and embraced him, sobbing.
Dumbledore turned away and wiped the tears from his eyes beneath his glasses.
Perhaps at that moment, he also remembered his own youth, when his parents and siblings were still alive.
The three embraced and wept together for a time.
Comforted by Albert and Ethan, Sofia gradually calmed down.
"Sorry for the outburst," Albert said, regaining his composure, once again looking like a business tycoon, though his red-rimmed eyes undermined the effect.
Dumbledore stepped closer and smiled. "Not at all. It was a sincere and beautiful display of family affection. I was quite moved."
"This is Headmaster Dumbledore, as in the acceptance letter."
Ethan introduced the elderly man with long silver-white hair and a beard to his parents.
"Hello, hello. We've given the servants the day off today. Please, sit down. I'll make some tea."
Ethan had been wondering why the house was so quiet. Apparently, his parents had sent the staff away, not wanting them to know about this.
The three sat on the sofa, Ethan in the middle, Sofia on his left and Albert on his right.
The two of them held his hands tightly.
Albert chose his words carefully. "Thank you for bringing Ethan home. It's given us the chance to... clear the air."
"You're quite welcome. It was Ethan who rushed to my office and asked me to bring him here. He's already thanked me." Dumbledore was stirring a generous amount of sugar into his tea.
They chatted with the old man about Ethan's performance at school again, as though Dumbledore were paying them a home visit.
It was almost noon. Ethan couldn't stay any longer, so he hugged them. "Mom, Dad, I need to head back to school now. Wait for me to come back for the summer vacation."
"Of course, I'll keep writing to you."
Sofia smiled through her tears. "Mm, see you this summer."
Ethan looked back and waved to them one last time, took hold of Fawkes's talons, and vanished from the living room.
Sofia buried her face in Albert's arms and couldn't help but cry again.
"He came back to us, so why are you still crying?" "Didn't he say that himself?" "He doesn't intend to leave us." Albert comforted her, tears gathering at the corners of his eyes.
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