Silence.
After Mr. Lovegood's words, everyone fell quiet—on both sides of the dimensional gate. Only the rhythmic clack of the printing press continued.
How could a father be so at ease with his daughter staying over at a male classmate's house?
Strictly speaking, eleven or twelve was middle school age in China—too young for dating. Still, who hadn't had a childhood crush? Even in conservative cultures, it happened. And abroad, children matured even faster thanks to different education systems.
So for Mr. Lovegood to encourage Luna to spend the night at a boy's house?
It was shocking.
Frankly, it made Mr. Worley's suspicion toward Blake—treating him like a thief—seem far more reasonable.
But of course, Blake had no objections.
Such a golden opportunity? Thank you, Nature!
After the awkward pause, Blake kept his expression calm—barely restraining the smirk threatening to creep across his face.
"Alright," he said smoothly. "But we're visiting Mr. Scamander tomorrow. Since Luna planned to come along anyway... might as well bring her luggage now!"
His intentions were so obvious that even Dumbledore, all the way at Hogwarts, could've heard his thoughts. Even Dobby probably guessed what he was up to.
Nagini tugged Blake's sleeve, silently urging him not to overplay his hand.
"Of course!" Mr. Lovegood beamed. "I'll get Luna's suitcase."
"I'll help, sir!" Dobby dashed off eagerly.
Two minutes later, Luna stood by with a cup of hot tea, watching in confusion as the dimensional door sealed shut. Her suitcase rolled toward the guest room behind Baker, Blake's house-elf.
What… just happened?
She had only come over for a visit. Why was the door shut? Why was her suitcase here?
On the other side of the portal, Mr. Lovegood smiled smugly.
Luna blinked. "So… Blake, I guess I'll be troubling you again."
Blake shrugged. "It's no trouble. Baker's already prepared your room. We're heading to Mr. Scamander's tomorrow anyway."
Luna tilted her head. "Didn't you say last time that you were going to build a magical zoo with Mr. Scamander? It's done already?"
Blake nodded. "The groundwork's been laid for months. Once we secured the funding, the rest was easy. The construction was handled by some truly skilled wizards."
Wizarding construction was far quicker than Muggle methods.
"So what's left for us to do tomorrow?"
"Well," Blake said, "the infrastructure's finished. Now we need to get the magical animals to behave and stay where they're supposed to. That's my job."
"Most of them were rescued from poachers," he explained. "We can't just release them—like that venomous leopard whose breath can poison a whole village."
"These animals are incredible, but dangerous. That's why we built a zoo."
Luna nodded. For someone like Blake—who could communicate with magical creatures—it made perfect sense.
Just imagining all the creatures she'd only ever read about… she couldn't wait.
"Alright!" Blake grinned. "Now that we're three, why don't we play a game?"
"What kind of game?"
Blake flipped over his hand, revealing a fresh deck of cards. "Poker!"
—
The next morning, sunlight streamed through Luna's window. She stirred under warm blankets, her mind still lingering on last night's card game—"Fight the Landlord."
She'd lost badly—her face had been plastered with forfeiture notes—but it had been fun.
Maybe it wasn't the game itself… maybe it was the feeling of laughing with someone else.
When Luna entered the living room, Blake was already at the table, reading the newspaper. Nagini and Baker were busy in the kitchen.
"Morning, Luna," Blake said cheerfully. "How'd you sleep?"
"Really well, thank you. And… your game was so fun! Can we play again sometime?"
"Definitely!" Blake smiled. "It's simpler than Wizard's Chess, but it's one of Ma's favorite games."
He tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Actually, I have another fun game—but we need four people."
Luna's eyes sparkled. "What game?"
"Mahjong!"
In the wizarding world, entertainment was rare. No TVs or computers—just radios and books. Games like poker and mahjong? Practically luxury.
Luna glanced at Baker. "Let's make him the fourth!"
Blake sighed. "You had him play poker yesterday. Do you really think he'll let me lose?"
Baker would never disobey his master. There was no way he'd win against Blake on purpose.
"Well, that makes sense…" Luna pouted.
"It's fine," Blake said, stretching. "We'll eat breakfast, pick up a fourth person, and head to Mr. Scamander's."
Luna's eyes widened. "Four people… you mean?"
—
A black-glassed Ford cruised through the streets of London.
Inside, Luna and Nagini sat in the back, chatting with Blake—who'd swiveled around in the driver's seat. They marveled at how the gearshift moved on its own, and the steering wheel turned without Blake's hands.
"Wait, are you using magic to drive?" Nagini asked.
"Nope," Blake said, pointing to the dashboard, where two lights blinked in response. "It's driving itself."
"It… what?"
"This car has a mind of its own," Blake explained. "It even has a name."
"What's its name?" Luna asked.
Blake knocked on the wheel. "I installed a language module. Answer for yourself."
A deep, smooth voice filled the car. "Hello, Miss Lovegood. My name is Megatron. I am a Transformer."
"…Megatron? That's a weird name. What's a Transformer?"
"According to Blake," said the car, "Transformers are a series of alchemical constructs capable of transformation."
"You can transform?! Like, into a human?"
"Only into a humanoid form," Megatron clarified. "But not right now. I'm on a mission—delivering you. Besides, Blake said I need permission before transforming in front of others."
Blake felt two pairs of eyes lock on him.
"…Fine, fine," he relented. "I'll find a quiet place later so he can show you."
Inside, he was just as excited. The AI tech—infused with soul magic—was working better than expected.
The car stopped in a quiet Muggle neighborhood.
Blake jumped out first, checking to make sure no one was watching. Luna and Nagini followed, all three now dressed in Muggle clothes.
Blake rang the doorbell.
—
Hermione lay on her bedroom floor, bored, flipping through a book. Her parents chatted in the living room, planning a trip to Australia.
"If only I could go too…" she muttered. "Stupid blockhead…"
Ding dong!
The doorbell rang.
Hermione paid no attention—probably one of her parents' friends.
But then she heard her father's voice:
"Ah—Blake! You're here for Hermione?"
"Yes, sir."
"I'll call her. Please, come in!"
Hermione sat bolt upright.
Did I hear that right? Blake's here?!
She heard footsteps approaching her room.
"Hermione!" her mother called. "Your classmate Blake is here!"
She jumped to her feet—then dashed back for her slippers.
Opening her door, she was met with her mother's knowing smile.
"Blake's here?" she asked.
"Of course, dear."
Hermione started walking toward the living room.
But her mother caught her wrist. "Honey, are you sure you don't want to change clothes first?"
Hermione glanced down at her pajamas.
"No ne—" she began, but her legs were already racing for the closet.
—
In the living room, Mr. Granger chatted with Blake and the others.
"You said the old man you're visiting is called Newt Scamander? What does he do?"
"He's a legendary magical zoologist," Blake replied. "He even wrote the textbook we use in Care of Magical Creatures."
"Oh! So he's like the Einstein of your field?"
"Exactly," Blake smiled. "That's the perfect comparison."
Just then, Hermione entered the room.
Blake's eyes lit up.
She wore a white dress, barefoot, smiling softly.
Mr. Granger turned to her. "Blake said he wants to take you along to visit Mr. Scamander. I think that's wonderful!"
"If someone offered me a chance to meet Einstein, I'd go—even if I knew nothing about physics!"
Hermione blinked. "You… you want me to come with you?"
"Of course," Blake said. "Are you in?"
Hermione beamed. "Okay!"
Back on the train, she'd known Blake planned to visit Mr. Scamander—but she never imagined he'd invite her in person.
All her earlier irritation toward him vanished in that moment.
Mr. Granger added, "Your mum and I are going on a trip this holiday, and we were worried about leaving you alone. But now that you're going with Blake, we feel much better."
Blake has always left a good impression on Mr. Granger. Therefore, he still trusts Blake.
Moreover, Blake didn't just take Hermione to visit Mr. Scamander.
In Mr. Granger's opinion, this is more like a study group organized by classmates during the holidays. There's really no need to stop it.
"How are you going to visit that old gentleman? Do you need me to drive you?" Mr. Granger asked curiously.
"Oh, no, thank you, we have a car to pick you up." Blake waved towards not far away.
I saw a Ford car running over.
"Oh! Do you wizards all travel by car?"
"Actually, we take the train to school," Blake said with a wink.
"Ha! I forgot." Mr. Granger looked at the driver's seat of the car. But the car's glass was very dark and he couldn't see clearly the people inside.
"Hello, my name is Megatron... My name is William, and I am the driver of the Green family." A voice came from the car.
=============
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