"So you've decided to take your sister and leave the Carrow family?" Gemini asked.
Skulban nodded silently. Still looked at Gemini firmly.
"You can use any magic you know on me. As long as it makes you feel safe. I need this job." Skulban said.
Gemini's fingers tapped the table. "Alright then. Don't resist."
Skulban closed her eyes. Spread her arms. Made herself completely vulnerable.
Gemini took out her wand. Tapped the table lightly. Drew out an ancient parchment. Used her wand to cut her finger. Took a drop of blood and let it fall on the paper. A blinding red light flashed. Blood-colored text appeared on the parchment. Formed a special contract.
"Done. You can open your eyes." Gemini said. Dropped dittany on her finger.
Skulban opened her eyes in surprise. She hadn't felt any magical traces. Or was Gemini's magical skill so high she couldn't detect it at all?
Seeing her expression, Gemini couldn't help smiling. "Don't worry. I didn't do anything to you. Look at this contract. If you're willing, drop your blood on it. If not, the door's right there."
Skulban picked up the parchment from the table doubtfully. Read it carefully.
After a long while, she put the contract back on the table with trembling hands. So carefully, as if it were some priceless treasure.
"You—I mean, are you sure? I, my sister and I, we're just Squibs! Are you sure you want to do this?" Skulban stammered. Eyes fixed on that contract. Full of longing.
Gemini raised an eyebrow. "Seems the Carrows aren't all reckless idiots. You actually know this obscure knowledge?"
Skulban took a deep breath. "Because I have no surname, I've been researching this information. So I learned a bit more. Are you really sure?"
Gemini gestured with her chin. "Isn't the contract already out? I should be asking you. Are you really willing to become a Black? Signing this contract means from now on, even your life, body, and descendants will belong to the Black family. As property."
Skulban looked at that parchment with awe. Suddenly stood. Left hand on her chest, knelt on one knee before Gemini. "I will forever be your loyal property. Whatever your future holds, I will be behind you. I swear on my life."
Gemini helped her up. "Skulban isn't a good name. The Black family has always named by constellations. Since you're certain, let me give you a new name."
Gemini thought a moment. Found the right name. "From now on you'll be called Sterling. Sterling Black. Sterling means freedom."
Skulban—no, now Sterling Black—obediently stood. Put her fingertip in her mouth and bit hard. Blood welled up. Dripped drop by drop onto that parchment.
After another flash of red light, the parchment dissipated. Only Gemini as family head could feel the contract's pull.
"That's done. Number 5 next door—you can bring your sister over. Of course, if she also has no surname, you'll need to figure that out yourself. If she wants to join the Black family after coming of age, that depends on whether the head at that time is willing. She's too young now. I don't want to care for more children." Gemini said. Then thought of something. "Right, if Dumbledore hadn't found you, what would you have done?"
Sterling pressed her lips together. "I'd already decided. Take my sister and escape to the Muggle world. At least she could grow up freely. Not like me, living or dying by chance in that dark home."
Gemini also fell silent. Those pure-blood families' attitude toward Squibs was almost uniformly horrifying. Very few could safely grow up. Many were just thrown out. Some were exchanged to other families as servants. Treated worse than house-elves.
"Well, let me explain what you need to do. Can you use Muggle electronics?" Gemini changed the subject.
Sterling stood respectfully behind Gemini. "I can. When I decided to escape, I already started secretly familiarizing myself with Muggle life."
Gemini nodded with satisfaction. "Then very good. What needs doing here is quite simple."
Next, Gemini explained everything to Sterling. Various contact methods. Of course, didn't let her see the children at home. Though the contract was signed, Sterling as a Squib had no self-protection ability. If caught by dark wizards, they could easily extract what they wanted from Sterling's mind.
Gemini took Sterling to Number 5 next door. Introduced the items she'd need to operate. Said she'd leave tomorrow at the latest. Told her to bring her sister over the day after. This street had very strong protective charms. Would block any malicious wizards from entering. So unless necessary, better not leave this neighborhood. House-elf Flicker was left behind to care for their lives. As for living expenses, Gemini wrote directly to Gringotts. Opened a separate vault for Sterling. Put in 200 Galleons. Every month Gemini would put the shop profits' spare change in. That was enough for two people to live on.
Handed Sterling the key to Number 5. Told her to bring her sister and move in after she left. Watched her walk out of the neighborhood. Only then did Gemini return to Number 4's reception room.
Dumbledore was already waiting there. "Let me guess—you used Veritaserum? After all, that's the gentlest method."
Gemini rolled her eyes at Dumbledore without courtesy. With a fake smile plastered on. "So sorry. You guessed wrong."
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows. "You chose none of them? That's not how Slytherins do things."
Gemini turned around. Picked up the kettle and slowly poured a cup of tea. "I gave her a surname."
Dumbledore first froze. Then suddenly reacted. "Wow, you actually made that decision. Walburga won't object?"
Gemini put down the kettle. Holding the teacup, walked toward the sofa. Ignored Dumbledore's outstretched hand. Leisurely leaned on the sofa. Lightly sipped the perfectly brewed black tea. Made a satisfied sigh. "Isn't this best? The Black family has no one anyway. This girl seems smart enough. And knows gratitude. Even if I leave later, with her watching Sirius, I can relax. As for Grandmother—the Black family only has these few people. What's to fear?"
Dumbledore withdrew his hand reaching for tea without embarrassment. Pulled out his wand and waved. Soon he also had a cup of tea in hand. "Sigh, young people these days really don't know how to respect elders."
Gemini sneered. "You're drinking top-grade black tea I bought at great cost. That cup in your hand is worth at least 20 Galleons. If you don't want to drink it, put it down!"
Dumbledore's hand froze. He'd seen good things before. But this? Didn't taste anything special.
Dumbledore asked bluntly.
Gemini showed a sweet smile. "The tea leaves aren't worth much. But this cup of tea is 2023's top Ceylon highland black tea. Crossed time and space. Doesn't that deserve 20 Galleons?"
Dumbledore fell silent. What could he say? Nothing. Decisively changed the subject. "So decided how to leave?"
Gemini looked out the window. "More or less. Someone's coming to pick us up. I really like this. Not like you. Ha."
Dumbledore focused on drinking his tea. Completely ignored Gemini's disdain.
"Then what about Severus? He's been researching various children's potions lately. The school's all guessing if he got married." Dumbledore asked.
Gemini looked at him in surprise. "Did I say I'd cut myself off from the world? I'm just going to China. Not taking people back to my world. What makes you think I'll just disappear?"
Dumbledore was stumped. Asked somewhat worriedly: "Then what about safety? Though two children together have love's protection, if your whereabouts are found by them—"
Gemini immediately thought of the Daoist sect's thunder magic, fire magic and such spells. Immediately sneered. "Let them come! If they can touch my doorstep, I lose!"
Dumbledore blinked. "Is China's magical world that powerful?"
Gemini smiled. "Wait a moment. Coby! Did you bring my Pensieve?"
Coby immediately appeared carrying Gemini's small Pensieve. Carefully placed it on the table then disappeared.
Gemini picked up her wand. Aimed at her temple. Drew outward. A memory like silver thread was pulled out. Carefully placed in the Pensieve. Looked at Dumbledore with anticipation. "Want to look?"
Dumbledore readily agreed. Dove headfirst into Gemini's memory.
Coby appeared again. Looked at the Pensieve worriedly. "Miss Gemini, which memory did you show Dumbledore? Don't scare him!"
Gemini leisurely sipped her tea. "Don't worry. Just the 2012 New York battle. Small scene. That's Dumbledore. How could he be scared? He's seen so much."
Coby relaxed. Only then disappeared again.
Soon Gemini was proven wrong. Dumbledore rushed out urgently. Excitedly pointed at the Pensieve. "What were those things?! Insect-like people?! Aliens?! What were all those? We don't have those superheroes. If these monsters come, how should we respond?!"
Gemini looked at Dumbledore speechlessly. "Stop first. Feel this—are we being punished by the world?"
Dumbledore instantly calmed down. Poured himself a large cup of tea. "Your world really seems full of disasters."
"Saw those Chinese Daoist methods? That was just a junior disciple's abilities. Where I'm going this time can be said to be China's headquarters." Gemini said.
Dumbledore thought of that half-sky of thunder. Smiled. "Now I'm really relieved."
"Speaking of which, your blue fire phoenix—I find it very familiar." Dumbledore suddenly said.
Gemini shrugged. "Oh, the Fire Shield. Modified Fiendfyre. Learned from your collection. Heard it was Grindelwald's signature spell back then. Who knew the learning method would be in your collection. Right, did he get out of the tower?"
Dumbledore was suddenly choked by tea. Coughed several times before putting down his cup. "It's getting late. I'll go first. I won't come see you off! Remember to send a letter with your address! So we can send mail!"
Finished speaking, Dumbledore bounced up like his butt was bitten. Grabbed Fawkes and instantly turned into a flash of fire.
Gemini sneered. "Runs really fast. Just an old flame. What's there to hide?"
Louder coughing came from outside the window. A package was thrown through the window into the reception room. Then no more sound.
Gemini picked up the package. Opened it to look. Inside were various magical protective accessories.
Gemini picked out a few and gave them to Flicker. Had him pass them to Sterling. Only then collected the rest. Packed them into luggage. Now everything was ready. Just waiting for Sun Aihua to pick them up.
Didn't make Gemini wait too long. Sun Aihua knocked on Number 4 Privet Drive's door.
Gemini looked at the Flying Ark stopped on the street. Sighed nostalgically. "I thought you didn't have these things."
Sun Aihua paused. Then nodded in understanding. "We have them. Just didn't know how to use them before. The materials Diting brought had information on this. Only then did we restart them."
"Did you do the secrecy work?" Gemini looked at the surrounding neighbors. All seemed unable to see the situation here. "Seems you did."
Sun Aihua nodded. "Shall we leave now? Where are the children? You said there were children and elderly. I specially found an outer sect disciple's mother from our cultivation world. Best at caring for elderly and children."
Gemini looked in the direction Sun Aihua pointed. A woman in her forties or fifties stood somewhat nervously on the Flying Ark. Seemed a bit afraid of this thing. Wore a new green military uniform. Hair combed neatly. Pants slightly short. Exposed ankles in white socks. Cloth shoes on her feet also clean. Obviously worn old shoes. From this care, Gemini could imagine this woman was absolutely diligent and particular.
At this time, Walburga, notified by Gemini, also came with Kreacher. Coby and Dobby each carried a sleeping child and came out.
"Everyone's here. Get on the ark quickly. Where are the things? Need our help moving them?" Sun Aihua rubbed his hands together and rolled up his wide Daoist robe sleeves.
Gemini shook her head. "No need. Let's go up. Coby and Kreacher will move them."
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