When Gemini received the letter, she was furious. What was this? Food already on the table and he still wanted to specifically torment Harry?
Gemini didn't indulge him. Fired back a sharply worded letter.
The gist: If Dumbledore had gotten too old to move, then she—a young person—could help go to Hogwarts and deal with Quirrell. Worst case, they had an idle Sirius at home. Pair him with werewolf Lupin. Handling one Voldemort-possessed wizard? Absolutely doable.
Never mind Dumbledore's expression receiving that letter. Gemini turned and wrote Snape another. Tactfully mentioned Dumbledore wanting Lily's only child to directly confront Voldemort. Also sent quite a bit of rare Chinese medicinal herbs.
After sending the letters, Gemini sneered coldly. If Harry still ended up facing Quirrell like this, then every single one of these adults should go bash their heads in!
Under Gemini's efforts, Harry's half-year passed very easily. No Quidditch. No troll. No three-headed dog. Only Professor Quirrell teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts disappeared after teaching less than a month. Professor Green arranged by Dumbledore instantly made Defense the most popular course at Hogwarts.
Outside Hogsmeade village—quiet for half a year—welcomed bustling crowds again on Christmas Eve. Some Hogsmeade vendors pushed carts at the station hawking products. Students eager to go home helped carry luggage. Quite a few lower-year students surrounded those vendors. After all, only third-years could go to Hogsmeade.
Harry helped Hermione put away luggage. Wiped sweat from his forehead. Quickly ran to the vendors. Started picking through items. They'd already agreed this holiday to return to China. Harry and Dudley still had many childhood friends in China. When writing to Dudley before, they'd agreed: Dudley would get new stationery and such. Harry would handle getting fun magical snacks to bring back.
Finally before the train started, Harry returned satisfied. Arms full of snacks. Even got a product list from the Honeydukes vendor. After getting home would discuss with Dudley. Use their allowance to order another batch. Taking back to China—taking too little would make people say they were stingy!
On the train, Harry also earnestly promised Draco: If after returning from China there was still time, he'd definitely visit Malfoy Manor!
At the station, fully recovered Sirius stood on the platform. Held up a sign with Harry's name written on it and waved. Made Harry involuntarily cover his face. Suddenly felt so embarrassed.
Parents at the platform picking people up all looked at Sirius with amusement. Only he alone had taken such a sign. The magical world originally didn't have many people. Plus some staying at school for Christmas. Even fewer returning. Almost as soon as you got off the train you'd be recognized. Who needed this kind of name sign?
Harry covered his face. Ignored his friends' teasing words. Directly rushed to Sirius's side. Made him put the sign away.
Sirius looked confused. Reluctantly put away the sign. Took Harry's luggage. "Don't Muggles all pick people up like this? Did I do something wrong?"
Harry was speechless. "How many Muggles? How many wizards? Muggles have too many people so they can't recognize them. Wizards are just these few people. Who doesn't know who?"
Sirius had a sudden realization. "So that's it!"
Returning home, Gemini had already instructed Coby to prepare a welcome feast. Harry ate almost tearfully. After all, Hogwarts didn't have house-elves skilled at Chinese food. He hadn't eaten Chinese food in half a year.
This meal left Harry's belly completely round. Forced himself to fight off sleepiness to Dudley's room. Pulled out that product list to discuss with Dudley. Before Harry fell asleep, they finally calculated the selected candy and quantities. Harry had Hedwig fly once. Brought back the Gringotts withdrawal slip and what he wanted.
Hurriedly washed up. Then went to bed.
Next morning, Harry received the order that took five owls to deliver back. Huge piles of candy wrapped in gift boxes nearly filled the living room.
Harry and Dudley beamed. Pulled out the Qiankun bags Sun Aihua gave them. Soon finished packing.
After arranging the Christmas gift matter, Gemini took the two children plus Sirius and Lupin onto the plane.
Though Sirius really resisted going to China, Harry said he wanted to go back for New Year. Refused to stay in Britain no matter what. For his godson, Sirius could only pinch his nose and go along. Lupin was very curious about Sirius when he'd just returned to Britain back then. Really wanted to know what exactly Sirius experienced to become like that. Of course, most importantly—he wondered if he could give Sirius another round. Recently his letting-himself-go degree was a bit deep.
After several hours on the plane, they finally returned to North City. Got out and boarded the special minibus that came to pick them up. Harry and Dudley kept looking out the window. Making amazed sounds.
"We only left a year and a half ago, right? Why does this place look like ten years already passed?!" Harry exclaimed while looking.
"Look at that building! I remember when we left, that area was still just wasteland!" Dudley pointed in shock at a brand-new high-rise.
Harry quickly looked where Dudley pointed. "Wow! Really!"
The two shouted and exclaimed like country kids just entering the city the whole way.
And Sirius—didn't know why, but the moment he stepped into China, those years nearly forgotten by him suddenly became familiar.
Lupin looked at Sirius strangely. Even sitting on the sofa, his body appeared straight. Simply like he was possessed.
"Hey! How was it? Smooth on the way back?" Sun Aihua walked in smiling and asked.
"Chief, hello!" Sirius jumped up with a whoosh. Shouted a greeting.
Sun Aihua choked. Mouth twitched slightly. "Hello, hello. This is at home, not a government prison."
Sirius also looked somewhat embarrassed. Scratched his head laughing. Sat straight on the sofa.
Lupin showed a sudden realization expression. Looked at Sirius with strange eyes.
No wonder whenever anyone asked where he disappeared those two years, he never said. Every time showed a weird expression. Turns out he just changed locations and sat in prison for two years!
This side's Sirius completely didn't acknowledge Lupin's meaning. The Daoist aura Sun Aihua's body revealed was identical to the prison guards back then. Sirius only felt his skin tighten. Afraid if he didn't do something right, lightning would strike down.
Watching Sirius's appearance, Gemini laughed until she could barely straighten her waist. Not that she was gloating. Really that what happened back then was too memorable.
Technically China celebrated Lunar New Year—had to be February to really celebrate New Year. But by that time Harry and them would already be back in school. Might as well prepare according to celebrating New Year on January 1st.
Aunt Wu started preparing things from the 23rd. Fried meat, meatballs, tofu, etc. Baked flatbreads, sesame cakes, plus various snacks. Every day's preparations were different.
The day before New Year's, Aunt Wu also prepared lots of flour and fillings. Everyone learned to make dumplings together.
After the solar New Year, Sun Aihua also came to the courtyard. Under Lupin and Sirius's amazed expressions, Dudley and Harry both plopped down kneeling. Thud thud thud—three loud kowtows. Each received a big red envelope.
Watching the eager Sirius, Sun Aihua hurriedly stood up. Also gave the two one each. Hurried away. Kids kneeling she could still accept. Adults—Sun Aihua expressed she couldn't handle it. These foreigners wanted to learn everything.
After distributing the candy they brought back, Harry and Dudley sighed sitting on the doorstep. Not a bit of New Year atmosphere. Those childhood friends' winter break hadn't even started yet. Though there was also a New Year's holiday, only three days. Coming back felt pointless. Not to mention the Lantern Festival fireworks show—they definitely couldn't see it.
Thinking of this, both sighed in unison again.
Didn't stay many days. Gemini took everyone back. After all, no one here was on break. Not the right time either. Harry and Dudley had nothing to do every day. Like they just came back to take a midterm exam.
Neither slacked off. Except Harry needed to completely self-study so grades were slightly worse. But placed in a proper middle school, he'd still be among the top.
Sun Aihua looked satisfied at their test papers. Based on their situations, gave new exercises and textbooks. Came full, left full. Though Harry expressed he really didn't want this kind of return gift.
The pleasant holiday life ended like this. Harry ultimately didn't make it to visit Malfoy Manor. Could only send Draco various pastries brought from China. To block his chattering mouth.
The second half of the year—except being brutal during exams—had nothing worth mentioning.
Carrying a nearly all-O report card, Harry returned home.
Gemini frowned looking at the report. "Potions being an A I won't say anything. But why is your Defense Against the Dark Arts also an A?"
Harry shrugged. "My written exam was all correct. During practicals, Professor Green seemed very displeased with me. I don't understand what I did to offend him. Came up and said, 'You're Dumbledore's current most favored student? Just this?' I almost couldn't hold back from using talismans."
Gemini thought a while. Gasped. "Professor Green from Germany?!"
Harry nodded. "Right. Looks as old as Dumbledore. But the classes he teaches are very popular. Even inside Slytherin, they praise him highly."
Gemini opened her mouth. Suddenly felt envious. The first-generation Dark Lord personally teaching! Though teaching all textbook stuff, that was Grindelwald! If while teaching he casually revealed a bit—huge profit!
But now it seemed Gemini had no hope at all. Could only look at Harry enviously. "Forget it. Getting an A from that person is pretty good!"
Harry nodded in agreement. "Right. Many upperclassmen only got P from Professor Green. Someone even got the legendary T! Those upperclassmen cried so miserably on the train."
Harry paused. "Strangest was Professor Snape. I heard he coveted Defense Against the Dark Arts for a long time. This time someone took it but he didn't say a word. Even warned Slytherin students not to cause trouble. Study properly."
Gemini thought privately: Of course study properly. If that person blamed Slytherin's trouble on Snape's head, he'd definitely panic.
Because vacation times differed, Gemini decided to go to China in the second month of summer. Their summer break there was just over a month. First month of summer: watch these two do homework. Also contact magical world friends.
Hearing Harry would spend remaining summer in the ancient mysterious East, that group of friends were so envious. Pestered their parents.
Narcissa had no concerns about Gemini. Forcibly suppressed Lucius who had objections. Wrote Gemini.
Hermione's parents also came apologetically. Just said if inconvenient, forget it.
Gemini looked. Good grief. Almost formed a whole group. Asked Harry if there were other classmates who wanted to go. Write and ask. Might as well organize an Eastern summer camp.
Dudley looked very tempted. But thinking this group were all wizards, plus he had to go back for Daoist assessment—could only give up. Said his classmates all went traveling to other countries.
Before departure, Gemini looked at a room full of kids. Head throbbing. Following Draco came Zabini, Pansy, plus the Greengrass sisters—all sent by ladies close to Narcissa. Molly threw over the Weasleys including Ginny. Neville hesitantly brought Cedric. Hermione invited her House senior—heard she was also Chinese descent—Cho.
If flying, would need to charter a plane. Not cost-effective no matter how you thought about it. Gemini decisively called Sun Aihua. Got a Flying Ark travel permit. Taking advantage of late night, directly put her Flying Ark on the road.
This group of young wizards who'd never seen Eastern Flying Arks all gaped. Marveled at those carved railings and jade pillars.
Since she said summer camp, Gemini felt they couldn't go to the city to enjoy themselves. Only stayed at the courtyard over a week. Then took this group of kids out. Also accompanying were some Daoist assessment disciples. This time going to Southwest mountains. Heard that area was uninhabited. Just right as their summer camp location.
Only Gemini received Sun Aihua's notice: Could only stay in outer areas. Inside were where those disciples took assessments. Don't approach lightly. People who died there every year weren't few.
Gemini solemnly expressed she'd definitely watch these kids. In front of Sun Aihua, put temporary marks on this group's arms. If they left her a certain distance, they'd automatically teleport to her side.
This made the twins so sad. They still wanted to go explore inside.
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