Gemini briefly explained the attack at Malfoy Manor. Walburga's expression turned ugly.
"You think Dumbledore knew about this? Sent people away so you'd walk straight into a trap?" Walburga asked, tone unfriendly.
Gemini nodded. Then shook her head. "You said Sirius left early. I had that thought. But the timing doesn't match. I only learned about Draco's invitation yesterday. Sirius left earlier. Plus Dumbledore values Harry highly. If not for Dudley's accidental discovery, we might've walked right in. He wouldn't sacrifice Harry."
Walburga nodded. "Good. Proves Sirius is still safe. Wait a moment. As allied families, we have special contact methods with the Malfoys. Let me try."
Walburga instructed Kreacher to fetch an antique bronze mirror from the study. "Family-made two-way mirror. Unregistered. Can contact any mirror near the called person's location. Only related family members can use it."
Walburga explained to Gemini. Had Kreacher set the mirror on the table. Called into it: "Lucius Malfoy! Draco Malfoy!"
Soon, the mirror responded. Lucius appeared.
"Oh? Emergency two-way mirror?" Lucius wore a garish floral shirt. Looked at the mirror, surprised. From his background, he wasn't home.
"Lucius? Where are you?" Walburga asked. "Is your location safe?"
Lucius glanced at the empty bathroom. Then at his flower-print shirt. Expression soured. Felt his image was ruined. But using this method? Something serious happened.
"Narcissa saw the world atlas Draco brought home. Thought Christmas needed celebrating differently. After picking up Draco, we took a Muggle plane to Hawaii." Lucius said, embarrassed. "This is a beachside Muggle bathroom. Should be safe enough."
Gemini narrowed her eyes. "Are Draco and Narcissa both with you?"
Lucius nodded. "They're on the beach outside."
"Then listen carefully. Don't go home! Malfoy Manor's temporarily occupied by the Dark Lord. I don't know how he invaded successfully. But for now, stay away. Continue your trip. One more thing—don't stay anywhere too long. Keep moving. Consider it tourism." Gemini said seriously.
Lucius's expression changed. "You're joking? Malfoy Manor was invaded? I received no word!"
Gemini explained Harry receiving the invitation and their manor visit. Lucius's face turned ugly. Letters fooling Draco's friends? Proved the invaders entered internally. Found Draco's letters to imitate. Malfoy Manor truly became the Dark Lord's base.
Thinking this, Lucius grew frantic. "Why's everyone targeting our family?! Is Lestrange Manor not big enough? Is Nott Manor not luxurious enough?!"
"The problem now: you must pretend ignorance. Keep Draco and Narcissa traveling. If you have other ways to completely seal the manor, that works too." Walburga said calmly.
Lucius paced irritably by the sink. "Sealing the manor's simple. But the current head must perform the ritual in the secret chamber. I'm certain—once I return to Britain, I'll be arrested immediately."
"You left no protections before leaving? Even Muggles lock doors and windows!" Gemini couldn't help complaining.
Lucius glared at Gemini. "How do you know I didn't? That's Malfoy ancestral home! My protections guard against common situations. Even a full Auror team attacking continuously might not break through. But the Dark Lord knows Malfoy Manor too well! I suspect he even knows the secret chamber exists!"
Gemini frowned too. This was unsolvable. The Malfoy family of three could only drift abroad.
Walburga said a few more words. Told them to stay safe. Avoid leaving traces. If necessary, hide in the Muggle world. The Dark Lord wouldn't dare act too boldly now.
Lucius humbly accepted Walburga's advice. Hastily cut the call. The mirror image vanished.
"Seems this has nothing to do with the Malfoys." Walburga said after having Kreacher return the mirror. Looked disdainfully at Kreacher's back. "The Malfoys decline with each generation. Look what Lucius did—let someone occupy his home!"
Gemini played with her wand. Didn't respond. Though she agreed, that was Voldemort. Who knew what methods he used? Maybe the Malfoys had an inside traitor. Gemini thought darkly.
"Bring those two children here. I'll seal Grimmauld Place immediately. No one can find us!" Walburga said seriously.
Gemini thought carefully. "That won't work. We can't hide forever. This is something Harry must face. No matter how much I protest to Dumbledore, it's unavoidable."
Paused. Gemini looked at Walburga seriously. "Please seal Grimmauld Place. Sirius can temporarily stay at Lupin's. Privet Drive has Harry's mother's magical protection. I'm fine too. Only you remain. Easily tracked down. After all, that one's no pushover. Who knows—after the Azkaban breakout, here might be next."
Walburga naturally disagreed. They argued back and forth. Still couldn't win against Gemini. After personally escorting Gemini out, Walburga sealed Grimmauld Place. Unless she willed it, even if Sirius returned, he couldn't find his home.
Watching Number 12 Grimmauld Place gradually vanish, Gemini vaguely relaxed. Prepared to Apparate home.
Time rewinds two hours. When Sneezewort sent the distress signal and shattered.
Number 4 Privet Drive's first-floor parlor suddenly erupted with violent noise. Scared the already alert Harry and Dudley pale.
"What's happening? Didn't you say Aunt's magic protects this place?" Dudley couldn't help asking quietly. Both moved slightly. Alert focus shifted from Sneezewort to the doorway.
Harry stayed calm. Called softly: "Dobby?"
This time Dobby didn't cause trouble. Appeared quietly before Harry, covering his mouth. Eyes full of tears. Looked at Harry fearfully. Accused in a shrill whisper: "Harry Potter must leave! Escape with his brother! Coby is a bad elf! He sided with people who suddenly appeared downstairs! He said they're friends!"
Harry and Dudley exchanged glances. "Impossible! Isn't Coby Gemini's exclusive house-elf?!"
"Dobby saw it himself!" Dobby couldn't help raising his voice. Next moment hastily covered his mouth. Said quietly: "Dobby saw Coby happily greet those strange people who appeared! Some had wands!"
Just then, heavy footsteps sounded on the stairs. A steady male voice seemed to be scolding someone.
"Keep it down! If you keep acting out, go back! We're here on business!"
A young voice replied sheepishly: "I didn't mean to! It's just a broken teapot! Coby didn't even say anything!"
Harry and Dudley's expressions grew more horrified. These people weren't even hiding anymore?!
Dudley's expression turned resolute. Pulled Harry behind him. Talismans in one hand, sword in the other. Stared at the study door.
Maybe a second passed. Maybe several minutes. Dudley couldn't tell. Sweat from tension slowly dripped into his eyes. Made him blink constantly. But didn't dare relax.
Finally, the study doorknob moved. The door was locked from inside. Naturally didn't open.
"What are you doing?! Why so slow?! Can't do anything right!" Another voice rang out.
Harry hesitated. That voice sounded familiar.
"Alohomora!"
The study door burst open. Nervous Dudley didn't hesitate. Didn't even see clearly. Threw a stack of various talismans.
"Whoa!"
With a shout, several white unknown objects swept past. The talismans Dudley threw weren't activated yet—stuck to walls and ceiling.
Dudley gaped. Watched a brown-haired boy in spider-patterned clothes jump through the doorway.
"Nice alertness! This is Harry's cousin?" Peter looked at Dudley in neat Daoist robes with interest. Patted himself. "Here. Heard first meetings need gifts. This is a puppet talisman my good friend made. He's from the Maoshan lineage!"
Dudley dumbly accepted the talisman Peter handed him. Instinctively examined it. Thick paper. Clear runes. Top-quality talisman, no mistake!
"Mr. Stark?" Harry watched people file in. One looked especially familiar. Thought carefully. Finally remembered—the visitor the day before he got his letter.
"Aha! See! I said little Harry would remember me!" Tony in full armor but no faceplate walked into the study proudly. Stepped on the floor. Left a hole.
"Tony, put away the armor. Probably no enemies here. You damaged Gemini's floor. When she comes back and sees, you'll be in trouble." Steve wisely stood outside the study door. Carefully leaned his shield against the wall. Found it didn't damage the wallpaper at all. Finally relaxed.
Coby appeared on cue. Held a long list.
Harry's sharp eyes caught some entries: Broke Chinese blue-and-white porcelain teapot, compensation required: $100,000 USD. Damaged stair step, compensation required: $150,000 USD.
And Coby's current writing: Damaged antique mahogany floor plank, compensation required...
"Alright Coby, stop recording. I'll definitely pay! I'll pay when I get back!" Tony said irritably.
Coby contentedly put away the bill. "Mr. Stark, Miss often says even brothers settle accounts clearly. What we should collect, we must collect!"
Tony slapped his forehead. "How long since we met? Why'd you become like this?!"
Coby sighed too. "Our income here decreased a lot. Miss without big income doesn't dare buy things!" Actually just spoiled by future prices. Looked down on many things from this era.
Tony sighed. "Fine, fine. Good thing Stark Industries didn't collapse. I'll pay when I get back!"
"Stop digressing, Tony. Let's ask what happened. Where's Gemini?" Steve entered the study. Asked Harry and Dudley gently.
Harry and Dudley quietly conferred. Confirmed these were Gemini's friends. Rescue they called via Sneezewort. Finally relaxed. Explained tonight's events back and forth.
Barely an hour passed. For them felt like ages.
After hearing their explanation, Tony's expression turned ugly. "Gemini's injured?! Where's Sirius? Where's Snape? And that Dumbledore? How can so many people not protect one woman and two kids?!"
Even good-natured Steve's expression soured. "So where is Gemini?"
Harry shook his head. "I don't know. She just told us to stay quietly at home. Pretend we're not here. Don't open the door for anyone!"
"Good thing my positioning was in Gemini's parlor. Otherwise we'd still be on the street looking for the house!" Tony said gratefully.
Peter laughed cooperatively. Then Coby handed him a broom.
"Mr. Peter, please clean your webbing. Otherwise you'll receive a cleaning fee bill!" Coby said seriously. Hand already rubbing the parchment scroll at his waist.
Peter shuddered. Quickly pulled out a vial. Jumped lightly. One-handed support. Easily hung from the ceiling. Put his feet on the ceiling too. Crouched upside down, carefully dissolving his webbing. Afraid of using too much reagent and damaging things. He couldn't afford to pay.
"Wow!" Harry and Dudley watched Peter. Eyes went wide. Never seen such a scene.
"Alright kids, have you eaten? I came straight here without lunch. Starving! Mind showing me the dining room?" Tony lifted his foot to walk. Saw Coby's eager paper and pen. Stopped sheepishly. Tapped his chest. The gold-red armor flowed away like water. Drew another exclamation from the two children.
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