Lupin looked somewhat disapproving, but after a moment of silence, he ultimately respected Harry's choice.
The Dursleys simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief, but the thought of being "forgiven" by Harry twisted their expressions.
"Um..."
Harry looked at Lupin, unsure how to address him, and sought help from Wade.
"This is Remus Lupin, my tutor, and a close friend of your father's."
Wade introduced him, "You can trust him."
"Mr. Lupin," Harry pointed to the space under the stairs and asked, "Can you help me unlock this?"
"Of course."
Lupin was more than eager to do something for him at that moment. He immediately used an unlocking charm on the padlock, glancing casually at the small, dark cupboard without much attention.
Harry handed Hedwig's cage to Wade, then crouched in front of the cupboard, pulling out various personal belongings—his wand, robes, magic books, cauldron, Firebolt (this is an anachronism for first year, but keeping it as it is in the source for now), and at the very bottom, the Book of Friends.
As soon as summer holiday began, Vernon had locked all his things in this tiny cupboard. Harry tried his best to at least save the Book of Friends from him...
"It's just a parchment or two!"
He couldn't reach the Book of Friends in Uncle Vernon's hand even by jumping, only able to yell in frustration.
But because of his concern, Vernon was the first to snatch the Book of Friends and hid it in the deepest part.
"Don't even think about it!" Vernon shrieked terrifyingly at him. "Don't think about polluting our house with your evil things!"
...
Harry shook his head, as if trying to shake those terrible memories, and that gloomy cupboard, out of his mind.
He haphazardly shoved everything into his trunk, then stood up with a relieved smile and said, "Wade, Mr. Lupin, let's go."
He didn't look back at the pale, rigid Dursleys, nor did he bother with a trembling Dudley in the bathroom. With every step out of that house, joy swelled in his heart.
Wade accompanied him, asking casually, "You heard what I just said?"
"Mm," Harry replied, his voice very soft.
"You should know that, not just today, but until you're eighteen, the Children Act will protect your legal rights," Wade said.
The Dursleys' faces turned green, looking as though they wanted to gag him.
Wade, of course, had said it deliberately for them to hear.
Harry thought he could leave the Dursley home forever, but Wade knew that he would still have to return and stay there for a period each year until he graduated.
He reminded Harry, "Don't think that losing your wand means you can't stand up to adults. In the Muggle world, the law is a weapon that can protect you."
"I understand, thank you... Wade."
Harry said gratefully.
No one had ever told him he could protect himself like this.
He certainly understood that Wade had given him a powerful weapon... No one knew better than he how much Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia feared their family being "different."
If the police showed up at their doorstep, it would be no different than a death sentence for those two.
Lupin silently followed behind them. As they were about to leave, he turned and looked at the Dursleys.
"I know your relationship with Lily wasn't good back then," he said coldly. "But if... if you two had had an accident eleven years ago..."
"James and Lily would never have treated your son like this!"
...
The few of them walked quietly for a while.
Because of Lupin's last words, Harry's eyes suddenly welled up. He blinked hard, secretly wiping them quickly with his sleeve.
Wade and Lupin both pretended not to notice.
When the dampness in his eyes finally subsided, Harry heard Hedwig squawking loudly in her cage.
Wade lifted the cage, frowning at the snowy owl, and asked, "Is she hungry?"
"Ah, she's been cooped up!" Harry rushed to pull the cage bolt. "She's been stuck in that cage for ages, she hasn't stretched her wings in so long."
As soon as the cage opened, Hedwig eagerly flew out, disappearing into the sky in an instant.
Harry watched her disappear, then his stomach suddenly rumbled loudly. He quickly clutched his aching, hungry stomach, looking embarrassed at the other two.
"Uh... where are we going..."
Wade and Lupin stopped, exchanging glances.
"To the farm first," Wade said. "Everyone's waiting for Harry there!"
Lupin nodded. "I also need time to prepare, at least find a house... uh..."
He said with a touch of awkwardness, "Harry, I don't think I've asked yet, would you be willing to live with me?"
"Although you're still a stranger to me, James and I were very good friends... If you're willing, I'll look after you like a father..."
"Live with you?" Harry said. "You mean... leave the Dursleys?"
"Of course," Lupin bent down, saying earnestly, "I've been without a fixed home for the past ten-odd years, and I'm still living in a small pub now... But if you want, I can buy a house, though the conditions might not be too good..."
"Of course I'm willing!" Harry interrupted him, excitedly. "Are you short on money? I have some savings at Gringotts..."
As long as he could leave the Dursleys, Harry was naturally more than happy.
Although he still didn't know Lupin well, he trusted him, and Lupin's impression on him was a thousand times better than Uncle Vernon's.
"You don't need to pay, Harry, that's your parents' inheritance."
Lupin touched his head, a wry smile on his face. "Thanks to Wade, I have some savings now... and houses in the countryside aren't expensive."
He looked at the two of them and said, "I'll take you to Grani Farm first... When I'm ready, Harry, I'll come pick you up."
"That's great... The farm?"
Harry belatedly realized.
"You've missed a lot," Wade said. "We'll talk on the way."
He raised his wand, and soon, the purple Knight Bus bounced out, the roadside rubbish bins nimbly jumping aside, startling Harry.
"Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard—"
The young man with prominent ears leaned out. Before he could finish his opening line, Wade had already tossed a few Galleons, pushing Harry onto the bus.
"Grani Farm, please. And—chocolate too."
"Alright, alright... already like a regular, are we?"
Stan Shunpike pocketed the Galleons and, beaming, offered hot chocolate.
Harry eagerly took a large gulp. As the bitter-sweet, rich aroma melted on his tongue, he felt his hungry stomach finally relieved.
A new life seemed to be gradually unfolding before him.