"HP: Too Late, System!"Chapter 362: Harry's Youthful Spirit
Sirius's expression froze mid-performance.
He kept up that wounded, disappointed posture, gray eyes still clouded with lingering fatigue and heartbreak, staring blankly at Harry.
For a few seconds, the air in the office was perfectly still.
A metaphorical question mark slowly appeared above Sirius's head. Then, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, he nearly sprang out of his chair.
"I've gone bad? I picked up bad habits from Douglas?"
He jabbed a finger at his own nose, looking utterly incredulous.
"Harry, hand on your heart—who do you think I'm doing all this for?"
Watching Sirius get so worked up, Harry fought back a grin, forcing an expression of wounded innocence onto his face. His voice dropped to a pitiful, slightly teary register:
"Yeah, I know you're doing it for my own good… Just like Professor Holmes always says. When he docks my points, or makes me write eight hundred lines of essays, it's all about building my character, making me stronger…"
He paused, sniffed dramatically, gaze drifting as if lost in some tragic memory.
"Every time he gives me that 'it's for your own good' look and announces some ridiculous punishment, I can feel the depth of his love.
Sirius, that speech just now, that look, that tone…"
As he spoke, Harry's lips twitched into that familiar, half-mocking smile. He stepped forward, circling halfway around Sirius's desk, eyeing him as if he were an exotic exhibit—making Sirius squirm under the scrutiny.
Finally, Harry stopped, tilted his head, and declared,
"You're practically cut from the same mold—just missing a bit of subtlety. A little too theatrical."
He reached out and tapped the mess Sirius had made of his hair.
"Next time, try messing your hair up in advance…"
Sirius hastily smoothed his hair, mumbling,
"I was just getting into character, you know, setting the mood. Turns out Doug's teaching style isn't so easy to copy. I really thought I'd fooled you—did you catch on from the start?"
Harry nodded.
"His style is all about keeping you guessing—one minute you're getting a sweet, the next it's the cane. Yours… well, you went a bit overboard. But…"
He sniffed again, voice wobbling with mock misery.
"I really did think you'd started to hate me for a while there. You kept finding ways to dock my points—I even wondered if you were Professor Snape in disguise.
Director Black, you're not going to dock my points for mentioning Professor Snape, are you?"
Sirius clapped Harry on the shoulder, all traces of forced authority and gloom vanishing.
Then he burst out laughing.
"All right, all right, you win! Now you even dare tease me to my face."
Harry finally dropped the act, grinning cheekily.
"But honestly, Sirius, your acting is terrible—way too over the top. You've got Douglas's performance style all over you.
Heh, have you been taking lessons from him on how to play the strict administrator?"
Sirius gave a mock scowl.
"Cheeky brat, now you're lecturing me?"
But as he looked at Harry pulling faces, Sirius's eyes softened, warmth and affection shining through.
For years, no matter what Harry did, he always seemed weighed down by a maturity no boy his age should carry.
But now, at last, Sirius could see a spark of youthful energy in him—not the reckless kind, but genuine, carefree vitality.
Seeing Harry like this, Sirius felt his own mood lighten immeasurably.
"All right, out with it. You didn't sneak up here just to banter with me—what's on your mind?"
Harry pulled up a chair across from Sirius, scratching his head sheepishly.
"Honestly, I came to find Cousin Holmes, but talking to you works just as well.
It's about this summer—I want to go to Godric's Hollow and fix up the old house. You know, I want to give it a bit of life again.
Most importantly, I want to invite the Charon Detective Society to help out. All the other clubs have summer plans, and I want to do something different for once."
At the mention of Godric's Hollow, Sirius's gaze grew gentle.
That place held too many memories of his and James's youth. It was also where Harry had lost his parents.
He was silent for a moment, then nodded.
"Of course, Harry. That's your home. You can do whatever you want with it. You don't need Doug for this—I'll help you myself."
Harry's grin nearly split his face in two.
Seeing Harry so happy, Sirius flicked his hair and declared,
"I'll send out a notice from the Administrative Office: any young wizards who want to organize club gatherings over the summer can apply for approval in advance.
Mainly for Muggle-born families—the office can provide official school documentation for club members.
But every club gathering needs an adult wizard to supervise."
Harry shot him a thumbs-up.
"Professional!"
Sirius chuckled.
"You'll need to submit an application too—let me know how many people are coming. Don't worry about the money; I'll even cover everyone's travel expenses. I just made a tidy profit recently.
As for your club's adult wizard, I'll take on that job. Doug has business elsewhere—he might not even be in Britain this summer."
He stroked his chin meaningfully. Before Harry could ask what Douglas would be up to, Sirius leaned in, lowering his voice conspiratorially.
"And as for the Ministry… you know what they're like. Fixing up an old house like that is bound to draw attention, and their rules are a nightmare."
Harry blinked, a mischievous glint in his eyes—so reminiscent of the prankster he used to be.
"So what do we do?"
"Don't worry—Doug has more tricks than a barrel of pixies! He's bound to have something that'll block Ministry detection. I'll sort it for you!"
A wave of warmth swept over Harry. He nodded vigorously.
"Thanks, Sirius!"
Sirius waved it off, a broad, genuine smile on his face.
"No need to thank me, mate."
He looked at Harry, a meaningful twinkle in his eye.
"So… what about our little 'show' at school?"
Harry immediately caught on, flashing a grin full of white teeth.
"Of course we keep up the act!"
He stood, puffed out his chest, and mimicked Sirius's earlier posture with exaggerated seriousness.
"Director Black, you have my word—I'll turn over a new leaf and try not to cause you any more trouble!"
Sirius couldn't help it—he burst into hearty laughter, the office echoing with genuine joy.
"Good lad!"
He got up and clapped Harry on the shoulder.
"Then it's settled."
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