The owl was naturally the same one Hagrid had left behind years ago.
Only now…
Its vision and thoughts were completely under Charlie’s control.
Inside Charlie’s mind…
A magnificent scene unfolded.
Above the clouds.
Between towering buildings.
The owl glided effortlessly through the sky.
Everything below…
People.
Buildings.
The entire city…
Looked incredibly small from Charlie’s perspective.
To be honest…
Charlie himself had long been capable of flying.
After all…
He could transform into his Animagus form—a Fire Dragon—whenever he wished.
But in the Muggle world…
That simply wasn’t practical.
If a giant fire dragon suddenly appeared in the sky…
The Ministry of Magic’s Aurors would probably be hunting him down before noon.
Controlling an ordinary animal was far more convenient.
Charlie had wanted to check on his little brother for a long time.
Deep down…
He still cared about Harry.
But in the past…
Traveling had been inconvenient.
His body had also been far too young.
So he had always put it off.
Now…
Things were different.
After mastering Soul Possession, traveling anywhere had become effortless.
It felt almost like going home.
…
Privet Drive.
Inside one of the houses…
Laughter and noise filled the air.
A birthday party was in full swing.
A plump woman dressed in bright, flashy clothes swayed her body enthusiastically.
Calling it dancing would have been generous.
She was really just flailing around.
“Hey, Dudley!” “What do you think of your Aunt Marge’s dancing?” The woman was Marge.
Vernon’s older sister.
Which also made her Dudley’s aunt.
Harry called her Aunt Marge as well.
Today…
It was Dudley’s birthday.
Marge had come all the way from the countryside to celebrate with him.
Dudley didn’t even bother looking up.
He was completely absorbed in the present she’d brought him.
A toy robot.
“Oh, it’s wonderful, my great Aunt Marge.” He answered absentmindedly.
Harry’s aunt Petunia and uncle Vernon were busy stuffing themselves with food.
Neither of them spared Marge a glance.
Yet they never stopped flattering her.
“Marge, your dancing is the most unique I’ve ever seen.” “Oh, you all have such wonderful taste!” “I simply adore you!” Marge continued dancing, completely intoxicated with herself.
Off to the side…
Harry sat quietly with his own meal.
A single dry bread roll.
He chewed it slowly, each bite tasting like dust.
Looking at Aunt Marge with unconcealed disdain.
She had brought Harry a present too.
A box of dog biscuits.
Naturally…
Harry had no intention of eating them.
He glanced at the box once…
Then ignored it.
Harry was ten years old now.
Unlike Charlie…
When their parents died, Harry had been too young to retain any memories.
As far back as he could remember…
He had always lived with Uncle Vernon.
His aunt and uncle never treated him particularly well.
Especially Vernon.
Who could often be downright rough with him.
Harry had never understood why.
Sometimes…
He wished they would treat him the way they treated Dudley.
Celebrate his birthday.
Love him as their own son.
But after so many years…
He had long since given up hoping.
Now…
He only wished Dudley and Aunt Marge wouldn’t create trouble that involved him.
Unfortunately…
The things one least wanted often happened anyway.
Aunt Marge had brought one of her bulldogs.
She took it everywhere she went.
Today was no exception.
Even for Dudley’s birthday…
She had driven all the way from the countryside with the dog.
Harry stood up.
He wanted to pour himself a glass of water.
The bread was simply too dry.
As he walked…
He accidentally stepped on something.
“WOOF!
WOOF!
WOOF!” A furious bark exploded behind him.
Harry jumped in fright.
Turning around…
He saw the massive dog crouched in an attack posture.
Fear instantly gripped him.
He turned and ran.
“Aunt Petunia!
Help me!” The dog lunged after him.
Harry was only ten years old.
Being chased by such a large dog terrified him.
He desperately called out to his aunt.
But she never answered.
Petunia glanced toward Harry.
A trace of hesitation flashed across her face.
“Just leave him.” “The dog won’t hurt him.” “They’re only playing.” Before she could speak…
Vernon’s voice interrupted.
Still licking grease from his fingers…
He casually wiped his hands on his napkin.
“Honey.” “Bring me another pizza, would you?” “Oh…
alright.” In the end…
Petunia said nothing.
She simply walked to the oven to fetch another pizza for her husband.
As for Dudley…
He never looked at Harry even once.
And the dog’s owner…
Aunt Marge…
Not only showed no concern…
She actually looked rather pleased.
As though her dog’s behavior was something to be proud of.
“Little brat.” Marge muttered coldly…
Then continued dancing.
Outside the house…
Harry sprinted as fast as he could.
His eyes were already beginning to sting with tears.
He felt utterly helpless.
Why…
Why wasn’t anyone helping him?
The dog stayed right behind him.
Ready to pounce at any moment.
Finally…
A glimmer of hope appeared ahead.
A tree.
It wasn’t especially tall.
Only a few meters away.
If Harry could climb it…
The dog wouldn’t be able to reach him.
Fortunately…
Harry was agile.
With one leap…
He grabbed the trunk…
Pulled himself upward…
And scrambled into the tree.
“Haa…” Harry gasped heavily.
Sweat soaked his entire body.
He struggled to catch his breath.
The frantic sprint had nearly exhausted him.
It was fortunate…
He had found the tree.
Otherwise…
The dog would have torn into him.
But it was also unfortunate.
Because the dog had no intention of leaving.
Instead…
It sat beneath the tree…
Its eyes fixed on Harry.
Slowly circling the trunk.
Patiently waiting…
For him to come down.
After recovering his breath…
Harry looked at the stubborn dog below.
Despair filled his heart once again.
It seemed…
His aunt and uncle had no intention whatsoever of calling the dog back.
…
Meanwhile…
Charlie remained inside the owl’s body.
He had been flying for quite some time.
In the peaceful night sky…
The owl streaked across the heavens like a shooting star.
“Almost there.” “It’s been nine years.” “The little guy must have grown quite a bit by now.”