Chapter 31 - Notice from Wizengamot (2/2)

As Neal looked at him for answers, Edward replied, ”it's a long story”. Meanwhile, The Weasleys walked for a few steps following Arthur who was dragging Ginny while she was looking back at the cauldron and the book she just bought which fell on the ground during their fight.

Lucius, ”Arthur, wait”. Arthur stopped after hearing Lucius and turned around. He picked up the cauldron and put her second-handed Transfiguration book and slipped Tom-Riddle's diary quietly inside of it and raised it towards him, ”it's your daughter's isn't it? I know that you won't have enough money to buy another one, anyway, just take it”.

After buying everything else, Neal and Edward returned to the Hotel. Life went smoothly after that. One fine morning at the end of July, Edward was thinking seriously without paying attention to Neal who was calling his name several times.

As Edward came to his senses, Neal asked, ”what are you thinking so seriously in the early morning?”. Edward threw a letter on the table, ”you may have to move into a new home, soon”. Surprised Neal looked at the letter which is a notice from the Wizengamot.

After reading the entire notice, Neal said, ”can I reject it?”. Edward shook his head, ”No. According to Dumbledore, your Mother has ȧssigned her brother, Leon Avery as your legal guardian before she died.

While the House of Avery declined to accept you as their family member mentioning they disowned your mother when she was at 8 or 9. I'm not sure about the reason though. Anyway, your uncle, Leon Avery was still in Azkaban as he facing his life imprisonment. So, he wasn't able to take custody of you.

The House of Avery changed their statements now that they heard about your heritage and wanted to take custody of you claiming it's their right. Dumbledore is fighting on our side and asking for the support of the majority as he doesn't want you to live with the family of Death Eaters who most of them are serving life imprisonment in Azkaban”.

Neal then asked, ”so, my Uncle was a Death Eater, right? Then why did my mother picked him as my guardian? After all, you said they might have killed by you-know-who”. Edward replied, ”no, he isn't a death eater and your parents aren't killed by the Death Eaters”.

Neal felt something amiss in his heart, he asked, ”then?”. Edward replied, ”your Uncle. He was the murderer of your parents”. Neal stood up from the seat in a shock, ”What?”. Edward grabbed his shoulders, ”calm down. First. I know you are confused and have a lot of questions. But I told you everything I know”.

Neal sat down and the atmosphere turned silent for a while. After calming himself down, Neal spoke, ”I want to visit him. Is it possible?”. Edward replied, ”he's dangerous, you know. It's better if you don't get close to him or his family”.

Neal then said, ”still, I want to visit him once. Don't worry, I'm not angry at him or anything. I grew up as an Orphan without any parents or friends. So, I don't have any feelings such as love towards my parents who I didn't even remember, to feel hatred towards him”.

Then, suddenly Neal remembered something and asked Edward, ”By the way, did you find out the reason for that fire?”. Edward replied, ”there's a wizard involved in it. The Matron and the other worker don't even remember that you existed.

Someone must have erased their memories of you. Dumbledore said that he knew the person but it wasn't the time to reveal it”. Neal sighed while thinking, ”well, at the very least, it isn't Dumbledore or those two. I'm satisfied with that. If he doesn't want to tell me, I can't force him but I will find out the answer sooner or later. But I should be strong enough for that”.

A Month later, Neal and Dumbledore sat in the courtroom where around 50 members sat in the Jury section who are filled with curiosity. There is an old man in his 70's sat in his seat before him. His face is devoid of all expressions as he stared at Neal.