"Finished talking?" Harry poked his head out from the stairs.
Gemini could vaguely see Dudley's tentative foot. "Yes, finished. Something wrong?"
Harry bounded down the stairs. Looked at Gemini expectantly. "Draco invited me and Dudley to a Malfoy family banquet. Can we go?"
"Dudley got invited too?" Gemini asked, surprised. Though Dudley spent summer camp with young wizards, a Slytherin like Draco suddenly inviting a seemingly Muggle kid to a banquet? Something felt off.
"Yeah, Draco said he asked his family. They had no objections." Harry nodded. "Plus Dudley wants to see Malfoy Manor. Heard they have French Abraxans—winged horses from fairy tales. We both want to see!"
Gemini narrowed her eyes. "You can go."
"Really?" Eavesdropping Dudley couldn't hold back. Bounded down the stairs. Asked excitedly.
"Dudley, how's your spell practice?" Gemini asked with a smile.
Dudley scratched his head. What did spells have to do with visiting?
"Pretty good. Took the outer disciple exam during summer. Passed. Master Sun said my aptitude's not great, but I work hard. After I'm an adult, I can try for inner disciple. Though I'll probably stop at inner disciple this lifetime." Dudley said honestly.
Gemini stroked her chin. An outer disciple's lethality equaled a fresh Hogwarts graduate. But for a twelve-year-old? Enough.
"Then pack your clothes. You represent the Daoist Sect's reputation. Wear your disciple robes properly. Master Sun gave you a sword, right? Bring it!" Gemini decided firmly.
Dudley scratched his head again. "Bring the sword? Isn't that weird? We're just visiting?"
Gemini patted his head. "When have you seen Harry without his wand? Isn't your sword your casting tool?"
Dudley looked at Harry uncertainly. "Same thing?"
Harry stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Should be similar. Bring your talismans too. They're all casting tools. Malfoy Manor can't ban people from bringing wands, right?"
They quickly reached consensus. Gemini contacted Tuofan directly. Sent her and Harry dress robes each. Dudley crouched in the laundry room watching Dobby help organize his disciple robes. A complete set of blue-white Daoist robes. To wear the Daoist crown, Dudley even asked Gemini for hair growth potion. Followed videos Sneezewort played. Studied all afternoon. Finally pinned his golden curls atop his head. The hair he yanked out made Harry wince. Kept patting his chest, grateful he didn't need to pin his hair.
Time quickly reached the banquet day. Gemini compared Apparition. Decisively had Kreacher pull out the Black family carriage again.
Three boarded the carriage. Dudley sat most upright. In his words: wearing Daoist robes made him a Daoist disciple. Bearing and demeanor couldn't lack. Not saying he'd outshine everyone, but at least not embarrass himself.
Gemini just wanted to cover her face. Was "outshine everyone" used like that? His homework definitely wasn't copied?
Snowflakes drifted sparsely. Outside scenery changed from city to mountains. Evergreen trees partially covered by snow. Clearly rarely visited. Animals kept emerging from snowdrifts. Hopping around seeking food.
"Seems we're close! I see the manor outline!" Harry pointed outside.
"Where? I don't see anything." Dudley looked blankly where Harry pointed. Only blank snowy plains there.
Harry turned back, surprised. "You can't see it?"
Gemini snorted coldly. "Pure-blood tricks. The manor has magical defenses up. Can't be seen by non-wizards."
Dudley realized. "I see. Good thing I brought everything!"
Dudley pulled a talisman from his sleeve. Held it between fingers. Muttered a few words. The talisman self-ignited. Burned to ash. Dudley smeared the ash on his forehead. Gray marks formed a vertical line at his brow. Then vanished.
Dudley looked that direction again. Immediately wrinkled his nose in disgust. "Ew! Why's Malfoy Manor all dark?"
"Dark?" Gemini immediately grew alert. She knew the Heaven's Eye spell. But seeing dark things? Proved Malfoy Manor definitely had problems!
"Stop!" Gemini immediately called Kreacher to halt. The carriage paused. Floated quietly in the sky not far from the Malfoys'.
"You both wait in the carriage. I'll go check." Gemini said seriously.
Harry panicked. "How can that work? Maybe we should go back for backup! Didn't Dumbledore and Professor Green come to our house two days ago?!"
Dudley nodded agreement. "That darkness looks wrong. How can we let you go alone?"
Gemini looked at them irritably. "Shut up. Listen to me. You two together aren't worth one of my hands. When you can beat me, then your words have value!"
Harry and Dudley immediately shut up, aggrieved. Watched pitifully as Gemini instructed Kreacher: if she didn't return in thirty minutes, or the manor had an incident, immediately take the kids home. Contact Dumbledore for rescue.
Though Kreacher hated abandoning Gemini, she used a command. He couldn't disobey. Could only watch helplessly as Gemini pulled a broom from her bag. Sat sidesaddle. Flew leisurely toward Malfoy Manor.
Upon landing, Gemini immediately noticed differences. The space was locked. Couldn't Apparate. Though ancient manors generally banned Apparition, no one banned it this far from the gate!
Malfoy Manor had trouble! Gemini's heart chilled. Her right hand quietly reached for her left wrist.
Next second, red light shot straight at her.
Gemini leaned back. Controlled the broom with one hand. Did a barrel roll. Dodged the Disarming Charm. Her right hand smoothly reached her left wrist. Drew her wand. Without looking, fired back where the spell came from.
Next moment, Gemini cast protective charms on herself. Without looking back, flew outside. Once she escaped this area, she could Apparate back to the carriage!
"Catch her!" A hoarse voice suddenly rang out. The originally silent Malfoy Manor entrance instantly revealed over ten black hooded figures. Shrieked shrilly. Fired various curses at Gemini.
Gemini's Shield Charm lasted only two hits before vanishing. But she'd reached the edge. One more step and she could Apparate!
Black light silently struck Gemini then. She shuddered. Lost control of the broom. Fell straight to the ground.
Gemini clenched her teeth. Tried controlling her landing position. Good thing she wasn't flying high. A fall wouldn't hurt much.
Ground quickly approached. Gemini protected her head with her arms. Rolled with the momentum. Rolled right out of the Anti-Apparition range. Next second, she appeared in the carriage.
"Kreacher! Go!" Gemini ordered. This place wasn't far from those people. If not fast enough, none of them would escape!
Kreacher yanked the reins hard. The black Abraxans neighed. Galloped madly skyward. Vanished instantly.
Gemini panted heavily. Leaned against the carriage seat. Checked her body condition. Finally sighed in relief. Good thing falling off the broom interrupted the spell. Otherwise she definitely couldn't escape.
Trembling hands opened her potion bag. Pulled out a Calming Draught. Poured it in her mouth. Finally relaxed.
"How are you? Okay?" Harry looked at Gemini worriedly.
Gemini waved her hand. "Fine. Nothing serious. Just grazed by the Cruciatus Curse."
Harry's lips pressed tight. Since learning his parents' death method, he'd specifically researched it. He naturally knew what the Cruciatus Curse was. Though never experienced, books described the curse's pain plenty.
"I'm not the priority now. The priority is—what happened to the Malfoys!" Gemini's expression grew grave. Those black figures? She didn't recognize any. So probably not from Azkaban. Then very likely, what's in Malfoy Manor was that missing ring!
"Harry! That necklace you've worn since childhood—still wearing it?" Gemini asked seriously.
Harry quickly pulled open his collar. Yanked out a red cord from his neckline. A crystalline jade pendant hung on it. "Here. You said it many times. Can't take it off. I've always worn it!"
Seeing this, Gemini relaxed. "Remember, until it shatters itself, don't remove it! No matter what happens!"
Harry nodded quickly. Showed he understood.
Soon, Kreacher delivered them to Privet Drive. Gemini directly kicked both off the carriage.
"Listen carefully. Without my permission, you two must stay in the house. No matter who knocks, don't open the door. Pretend you're not home! Understand?" Gemini said seriously.
Harry and Dudley realized this wasn't time for tantrums. Nodded seriously. "We remember! You must be careful! We'll wait at home for you!"
Gemini showed a slight smile. "Good. Then go inside!"
Harry and Dudley obediently returned home. Watched Kreacher's carriage vanish quietly.
Dudley ran quickly to the study. Harry followed.
A black telephone sat on the study desk. Dudley picked up the receiver. Quickly dialed the number memorized in his heart.
Ring—
Ring—
The receiver kept ringing. Dudley never felt the pre-connection ring sound so unbearable.
Soon, click. The other end connected. An irritable voice with thick sleepiness came through.
"Who is it?! Early morning! What?!" Sun Aihua said irritably.
Dudley heard the familiar voice. Couldn't help sobbing. "Master Sun!"
"Dudley? What's wrong? Why crying? Did Gemini beat you? Can't be. Didn't she say she doesn't hit kids?" Sun Aihua immediately heard. Rattled off questions.
Dudley sniffled. Explained the past few days. Sun Aihua's expression grew serious. "Good child. It's okay. Don't be scared. Stay home with your brother. I'll apply to go abroad now. Already said you should stay in North City. Insisted on going back. Now look what happened. Don't be scared. Master Sun will bring people immediately! International law be damned! Bullying our family is unacceptable!"
Dudley sobbed heavily in agreement. Hung up. Wiped his tears. Met Harry's red eyes. "Anyone you need to contact?"
Harry pursed his lips. "Everyone I can contact needs owl letters. But writing now—if intercepted, we might both be in danger!"
Dudley sighed. "Can't you wizards learn from the Daoist Sect?"
Harry sighed too. "I'm just a second-year student. My words don't matter!"
"Wait!" Harry suddenly remembered something. Opened the desk drawer. Pulled out something like a compact mirror. Opened it on the desk.
"Sneezewort?" Harry called tentatively.
"I'm here, Mr. Potter. How may I help?" Sneezewort's electronic voice responded.
Harry and Dudley high-fived excitedly. "Great!"
"Sneezewort! Can you contact anyone? Gemini's in danger!" Harry carefully leaned on the desk. Spoke to the AI mirror.
"Crisis event detected. Sending distress signal immediately! Time: December 25, 1992, 8:48:19 PM!" The mirror carrying Sneezewort suddenly emitted blinding red light. Started shattering piece by piece.
Harry and Dudley quickly stepped back. Dudley drew his sword. Both stood in the corner. Watched Sneezewort warily. Didn't understand what was happening.
Meanwhile, Gemini reached Grimmauld Place. Rushed inside. Saw Walburga safe at home. Finally relaxed. "Where's Sirius?"
Walburga narrowed her eyes at the disheveled Gemini. "Trouble? He and his werewolf friend were called away by Dumbledore two days ago. Said he needed help. Two weeks needed."
"Dumbledore?" Gemini's tone grew dangerous. Did he know all this? What was he planning?
"What happened? Are you in danger? Did the Dark Lord return?" Walburga—once Black family matriarch—guessed eight or nine out of ten just from Gemini's expression and questions.
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