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Banner froze momentarily, bending forward to bury his face in his hands. "I know—I know. If it weren't for him, I probably would have died the instant I was exposed to that gamma radiation. But living like this, I could harm anyone around me at any moment. I'm absolutely exhausted by it all. Even if it meant death, I'd willingly accept that fate."
Snape released a contemptuous snort. "Tch. Another self-righteous martyr."
With that dismissive comment, he pivoted sharply and vanished entirely from the portrait frame.
Banner stared in bewilderment at the now-empty canvas. "He's gone?! What am I supposed to do now?"
Gemini had observed this dramatic exchange with considerable fascination and finally seized her opportunity to interject. "Please don't panic. I believe you should pursue the second option. Once you two achieve complete separation, I possess methods that could facilitate communication between you. Perhaps there's genuine hope for resolution? After all, I suspect he has no desire for your death either—otherwise, why would he have saved your life initially?"
Banner spread his hands in helpless resignation. "The fundamental problem is my complete inability to maintain self-control. If I were to lose control in a crowded area, the resulting destruction would be catastrophic. I refuse to endanger innocent people."
Gemini touched her chin with thoughtful consideration. "What methods have you discovered for maintaining control? After enduring this condition for so long, surely you've developed some insights?"
Banner responded with eager desperation. "As long as I maintain emotional equilibrium—avoiding stress, stimulation, or life-threatening situations—I can retain control of my faculties."
"Well then, I happen to possess something that could provide exactly that assistance. I'm willing to lend it to you temporarily. You may utilize it until you two achieve complete separation, at which point I'll help facilitate that crucial conversation. Does this arrangement appeal to you?" Gemini asked, her eyes narrowing with calculating interest.
Banner inquired with understandable wariness, "What would such assistance cost me? You must understand—I'm currently penniless and living as a fugitive from federal authorities."
Gemini dismissed his concerns with an airy wave. "That's hardly relevant. Do you possess advanced degrees in biology or chemistry?"
Upon seeing Banner's confirming nod, Gemini's expression brightened with genuine delight. "Perfect! I recently acquired a fascinating device that requires someone with sufficient intellectual capacity to assist with experimental trials. You appear ideally suited for such work. Here's my proposal: I'll provide the protective item you need, you remain here to help complete my research. Should the experiments prove successful, you'll be obligated to remain and work off your accumulated debt. How does that sound?"
Banner's eyes widened with alarm. "Aren't you concerned about military pursuit? I'm a wanted fugitive!"
Gemini curled her lip dismissively. "First, they'd need to locate this establishment. As long as you refrain from wandering into public spaces, there shouldn't be any complications."
"I can absolutely do that—I mean, I have no intention of leaving!" Banner agreed immediately, terrified that Gemini might reconsider her generous offer.
"Excellent. You can share accommodations with Ethan—he should have available space." Gemini nodded with evident satisfaction.
"Coby, please retrieve Pandeia's Gaze from the collection vault," Gemini instructed.
Within moments, an exquisite velvet box materialized on the coffee table. Gemini lifted it with reverent care, opening it to display its contents to Banner. "This represents one of my family's most treasured heirlooms—the base is crafted from goblin-wrought silver, adorned with a pearl that is actually an Eastern mermaid's crystallized tear. The pendant itself has been carved from genuine unicorn horn, containing a single drop of blood willingly donated by the creature."
Banner listened with mounting bewilderment to this catalog of mythological beings, studying the magnificent pendant before him. Even merely observing it seemed to emanate waves of profound tranquility.
Gemini slid the box across the table toward him. "This pendant's primary enchantment enables the wearer to maintain absolute clarity of will—what Eastern philosophers might describe as a state of perfect detachment from worldly desires. Additionally, it provides comprehensive protection against most forms of mental manipulation. Unfortunately, one of my ancestors discovered that prolonged wear completely eliminated his... reproductive inclinations. Since then, it's remained a collector's piece. However, for your specific circumstances, it should serve as an ideal transitional solution."
"So all those materials you described—they're genuinely real?" Banner examined the pendant with scientific skepticism.
"What else would they be—elaborate fabrications?" Gemini rolled her eyes with theatrical exasperation. "Please put it on, and for the love of Merlin, don't lose it. You couldn't afford replacement costs across multiple lifetimes. Eastern mermaids withdrew from human contact centuries ago, unicorns no longer offer their blood willingly, and combined with the ancient runic enchantments, this artifact is literally irreplaceable."
Banner carefully extracted the necklace and fastened it around his throat. The metallic chain immediately contracted and adjusted itself, settling securely without causing discomfort or risk of accidental removal.
The moment the pendant touched his skin, Banner experienced a wave of crystalline coolness flowing from his chest directly to his consciousness. Instantly, he felt more mentally acute than ever before in his existence—as though he'd never truly experienced genuine clarity until this moment. Surveying the room's contents, his emotional state remained perfectly serene, untouched by even the slightest ripple of agitation.
"Thank you. What specific experiments require my participation?" Banner inquired with newfound tranquility.
Gemini rose gracefully, directing Coby to return Snape's portrait to the wardrobe. "Please accompany me. I'm Gemini Black—you may simply call me Gemini."
Banner followed her movement, standing with fluid composure. "Understood completely."
The pair descended to the cellar level, where Gemini guided Banner into her private potions laboratory.
Had Banner entered this chamber without Pandeia's Gaze protecting his psyche, he would have immediately transformed from sheer terror. The dimly illuminated space radiated cold dampness, its surrounding shelves lined with countless glass containers. The preserved specimens floating within appeared absolutely nightmarish under the flickering torchlight—the entire setup could have served as a ready-made horror film set.
Gemini approached her work table, positioning a wooden box directly before Banner. "My shop requires substantial potion quantities, but I prefer not to dedicate all my time to brewing. When Ethan joined as my assistant, I conceived this solution. Unfortunately, he possesses absolutely no aptitude for potioneering—every single experiment ended in failure, destroying several of my cauldrons in the process. Given your doctoral expertise in relevant fields, you should certainly surpass Ethan's performance."
She opened the container, revealing gloves of gossamer thinness inscribed with intricate magical runes. "Traditionally, Muggles cannot brew magical potions because success depends on trace magical elements that wizards unconsciously infuse during material preparation and stirring. These gloves utilize ancestral runic magic to absorb ambient magical energy and release it in controlled measures. While insufficient for spellcasting, they provide adequate magical conductivity for basic potion work. This stirring rod operates on identical principles. The formula is documented here—please attempt brewing the most elementary Boil-Cure Potion."
Banner accepted the equipment without comment, donning the enchanted gloves and studying the provided recipe with methodical precision.
After thorough examination, Banner set aside the parchment and began processing the arranged ingredients. He sliced the dried nettles with surgical precision, added snake fangs to the simmering cauldron, stirred clockwise exactly four times, removed the vessel from heat, and carefully introduced the final porcupine quills. Wisps of aromatic steam rose as the potion achieved its final consistency—a perfectly transparent emerald liquid that Banner decanted into a waiting crystal vial with practiced expertise.
"Outstanding! The experiment appears remarkably successful!" Gemini observed the completed Boil-Cure Potion with obvious satisfaction. "Even Professor Snape would award this at least an 'Exceeds Expectations' grade!"
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