"Really won't consider moving back?" Walburga looked at Gemini disappointed. "Even if you bring that Muggle brat, I have no objections."
Gemini looked at her recovered grandmother with amusement. "Can't do that, Grandmother. Those two children must stay together. They're each other's only blood relatives in this world. Plus magical society's turmoil hasn't ended. I can't let Harry return to this world. It's not safe. Only in the Muggle world can he hide."
"Then does that mean you need to hide too?" Walburga looked more disappointed.
"Not necessary. Even Voldemort can't trace my origins. Dumbledore vouches for me. That house is protected by Fidelius Charm. Unless I'm willing, no wizard can find it. So even if I loudly tell everyone the Savior lives with me, they can't find where." Gemini explained. "Of course, if you feel lonely alone, you could consider moving there. After all, you've lived here your whole life. Don't you want to see what Muggles have become now?"
Walburga curled her lip disdainfully. "What's good about Muggles? Look at the Muggles around here. Lazy, filthy, and rude! I've seen the man across the street beat his wife and children more than once."
Gemini was speechless. The environment here really was much worse than Little Whinging's middle-to-upper-class residential area. "Where I live is different. You should know—I've never shortchanged myself."
Walburga looked at Gemini suspiciously. Sighed. "Fine. I'll seriously consider it. After my health improves, I'll go see. Are Muggles really that good?"
Gemini couldn't help thinking of her time wandering the cosmos. And the rapid changes in her original world. "I think you really should look. Muggle technology is quite good."
Leaving the Black ancestral home, Gemini didn't go elsewhere. Returned directly to Number 4, Privet Drive. Checked on the two sleeping children. Gemini relaxed and started resting.
Until someone knocked on the door. Flicker woke Gemini from her dream.
Looking out the window, a police car was parked outside. Two familiar officers waited at the door.
Gemini quickly got up, made herself presentable. Told Flicker not to appear before people. Only then opened the door.
"Hello?" Gemini put on a timid appearance. Looked at the officers outside.
"Hello, young lady. Do you remember us?" The female officer asked gently.
Gemini opened the door. "Of course I remember. Can I help you? Want to come in?"
"That would be appreciated. You can call me Nina." The female officer said. Led her colleague into the house.
Gemini went to the kitchen, took the tea Flicker had poured. Brought it to the parlor, placed it on the table. Kept guessing their purpose.
"It's like this. Because of the Dursleys' incident, their only son has become an orphan. I remember you're also quite young. So I came to ask your plans. Here are some good orphanages I've collected..." Nina placed several documents on the table. Started explaining their purpose.
Gemini's eyes widened. The Muggle world had such rules? Wasn't this house the Dursleys' property?
Though she wanted to throw them out, since she'd decided to stay here, better not offend these official people too much. Thinking this, Gemini pinched her thigh hard. Tears instantly filled her eyes. "Isn't this house my aunt and uncle's? Can't we live here anymore?"
Nina looked at teary-eyed Gemini. Immediately felt like a villain. "Of course not. This is naturally your aunt's house. Just you're quite young. If you're caring for two children, how will you live? You know, children's expenses aren't small. As for this house, it's Dudley Dursley's property. The government will seal it until he comes of age. After paying inheritance tax, he can truly inherit this house and Mr. Dursley's estate."
Gemini breathed a sigh of relief. Good, good. She'd already renovated this house. As long as she wasn't really kicked out. "I'm fine. These two children are my only relatives left in this world." Speaking here, Gemini couldn't help apologizing to Sirius still in Azkaban and Walburga at the Black ancestral home. Expedient measure, no offense! "I'm capable of raising them. Though I came with my brother to seek refuge with my aunt, we have assets. Enough to raise them!"
To Nina, Gemini looked both fragile and strong saying this. Immediately maternal instincts overflowed. Unconsciously walked over and hugged Gemini. "Oh, poor child. Don't worry. Since you've decided, I'll help you handle the paperwork. But are you sure? These two children will affect your whole life."
Gemini's mind blanked. Besides Mrs. Weasley, this was the first time being hugged like this. Suppressed discomfort. Showed the police officer a beautiful smile. "Then thank you, Officer Nina. They've already affected me. I'll be responsible for them!"
After settling things, Gemini even gave some cookies Flicker baked to the two officers to take back. Stood at the door maintaining a smile, waving goodbye. After closing the door, Gemini limped toward the room. Just now, afraid tears wouldn't come, pinched too hard.
Lifted her skirt. Gemini hissed looking at the bruise on her thigh. Secretly added another mark against Sirius! All his fault! If he'd properly fulfilled his guardian duties, she wouldn't be injured dealing with Muggle police! Applied ointment to herself. Gemini muttered resentfully. At the latest when Percy started school, they'd catch that rat. Then someone could share the burden. Thinking this, Gemini's mood finally improved a bit.
After two more chaotic days of childcare, Gemini had to follow a neighbor lady's reminder. Bought a huge pile of parenting books to study. Gemini was devastated. How did she get through childhood?! Why were children so troublesome?!
Early this morning, Kreacher appeared at Number 4, Privet Drive. He came following Walburga's instructions to remind Gemini not to forget the Malfoy banquet.
After just one night, the view outside became pure white. Gemini flipped through the calendar. Only then realized—it was already Christmas. She'd been in this world two months!
Pure-blood family banquets generally started in the afternoon. Gemini wasn't rushed. Really impatient with those grooming procedures. Before leaving, applied simple makeup. Tilted her head back, downed a bottle of her improved Beautification Potion. Only then let Kreacher take her Apparating back to the Black ancestral home. She needed to depart from here to the Malfoys.
Gemini appeared directly with Kreacher in the Black family parlor. Walburga was already sitting there waiting. Looking at dressed-up Gemini, nodded satisfied. "Worthy of being the Black family head. This dress and makeup are quite good. Just missing some things. Come here."
Gemini obediently walked over. Sat on the low stool placed before Walburga. Watched her pick up a silver tiara inlaid with emeralds from the small table beside her. Gently placed it on her head. The originally loose hair seemed to have its own mind. Automatically flew up braiding itself. Fixed the tiara firmly on her head. Walburga took out matching earrings for Gemini to wear. Only then smiled satisfied. "This is good. Go. Let Kreacher take you. I won't appear. By the way, say hello to Narcissa for me. She hasn't visited me in a long time."
Gemini nodded obediently. Stood up, bowed to Walburga. Turned and followed Kreacher toward the back door in the kitchen.
Kreacher walked trembling through the kitchen corridor. Carefully explained to Gemini. "Master, the front door has been occupied by Muggles. Our family's carriage isn't suitable to appear there. Can only trouble you to walk through the back garden."
Gemini held her skirt. Looked at the clean kitchen. "No problem, Kreacher. You've cleaned the kitchen very well. We need to speed up. Being late for the first appearance would be too rude."
Kreacher was so excited he almost jumped. Loudly agreed. Jogged to open the door. Invited Gemini out.
A pure black carriage was parked in the garden. Looked very similar to the Malfoys' white one. Just different patterns on the carriage. And those horses. The Malfoys had white Abraxans. The Blacks' were pure black. Not a single stray hair.
The carriage door opened. Gemini entered. Looking at the similar layout, couldn't help thinking—this was definitely ordered from the same batch as the Malfoy carriage!
Kreacher jumped onto the coachman's position. After getting Gemini's signal, flicked the reins. The black horses neighed. Lifted their feet and ran. Following an invisible path straight into the sky.
Gemini glanced out the window. Those black horses hadn't spread wings. Didn't look like Abraxans. Probably some other variant. Rare that the Black family could find variants matching their family.
Kreacher's driving skills were quite good. Gemini didn't feel any shaking. Arrived comfortably at the destination—Malfoy Manor.
Malfoy Manor was located in the mountains. A hidden valley. Surrounded by rivers, grasslands, and dense forest. Not far outside the mountains was a Muggle town. When Gemini got off, she looked that direction. Wondered when that town would expand here.
The carriage stopped right at the main building entrance of Malfoy Manor. Lucius and Narcissa were greeting guests at the door. Seeing Kreacher, both froze. Until Gemini got off. Only then did Lucius compose his expression. Smiled welcomingly.
Gemini politely greeted Lucius. Took a letter from her handbag, handed it to Narcissa. "Aunt Narcissa, this is from Grandmother for you. I think we need a talk."
Narcissa looked at Gemini surprised. Someone who could call her aunt shouldn't be this grown. Could it be some branch member? But gaining Walburga's recognition—shouldn't be a branch member.
Good breeding made Narcissa only surprised for a moment. Recovered. Smiled and took the letter from Gemini. Just one glance confirmed it. This was indeed Walburga's letter. Not fake.
Lucius looked at Gemini thoughtfully. "Then Miss Black, before the banquet starts, can we talk in the study? We should have an hour."
Narcissa checked the guest list. Besides Gemini who arrived early for business, other families would arrive before the banquet started. Nodded to Lucius. Indicated they indeed had time. Then looked at Gemini.
"Of course. I'm honored to tour the Malfoy family study." Gemini showed a smile. Followed the Malfoy couple into the house.
After settling in the study, Gemini indicated Narcissa could read Walburga's letter first before they talked.
Narcissa naturally had no objections. Carefully opened the letter through the password. If someone didn't know the password and forced it open, the letter would self-combust. So Narcissa was certain—this was absolutely Walburga's letter.
After reading, Narcissa looked at Gemini shocked. After getting Gemini's confirming nod, she stood up abruptly. Quickly walked toward Gemini. Excitedly wanted to ask something. But didn't speak.
Gemini smiled. "Looks like Aunt Narcissa understands. Some things can't be said. But some can. Like Scorpius."
Narcissa repeated it several times. Immediately beamed. "Really? Such a good name. Is he well?"
Gemini thought of that blond boy who made Malfoy Manor chaotic. Immediately got a headache. "He's very good. Very, lively. Just his personality is quite different from previous ancestors."
Narcissa was almost blooming with smiles. "No problem! Children—lively means healthy. That's very good!"
"What are you talking about?" Lucius looked bewildered at the two suddenly familiar people. Only he was excluded.
Narcissa then remembered her husband. Quickly walked over to show Lucius the letter.
After reading, Lucius matched their earlier conversation. Immediately beamed too. "That's good, that's good. Really nice. Everyone's different. Not being like ancestors is fine. Anyway, there aren't many good role models among ancestors!"
The two looked at Gemini much more warmly. This was family. Much better than the imagined impoverished branch member!
"By the way, Uncle Lucius, I must ask—your coming-of-age gift, did you receive anything special?" Gemini thought of her main purpose for coming. Asked.
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