"Alright," Alan Ashe nodded solemnly. "I'll join you."
"Excellent, Alan," Thetis spread her arms. "Welcome to our Free Warriors!"
A century ago, elves who followed Lanrock called themselves the Loyal Warriors. Thetis, however, did not adopt that title—loyalty is the most unreliable thing. True trust comes from comrades who share a common goal.
"Thetis, what should I do now?"
Thetis placed a belt and a thin booklet on the table.
"This belt is made of elf-metal; it will help you control your magic more easily and make it stronger. And this is a guide to the three Unforgivable Curses."
"Unforgivable Curses?"
"Trust me, Alan," Thetis said. "Although ancient magic far surpasses Unforgivable Curses, our enemies may very well be the entire wizarding world. Before obtaining the power of ancient magic, without sufficient strength, success will be difficult."
Green light bloomed at her fingertips. "You probably won't have a chance to learn this at school. Don't you want to try?"
She smiled, then snuffed out the green glow. "Don't reject this. I believe your father must have been skilled in this area; otherwise, he couldn't have thrived in the smuggling business!"
Alan nodded and picked up the booklet. "So… I just need to learn these spells?"
"Of course not. The belt and spells are gifts. You also need to prove your value—" Thetis lowered her hands, allowing a drooling Alan to relax a bit, "Nothing difficult. We just need to know Audrey Astley's personality and preferences. You've been classmates for a few months, so you must know something, right?"
Thetis exuded undeniable charm. Though not human, Alan felt she was like an old friend.
This was no coincidence—Thetis was a natural Legilimens.
"I know," Alan said. "She's greedy, everyone knows that. But I've heard she's lazy… I don't believe that. How could a lazy person achieve such great things?"
Thetis smiled in satisfaction. Alan was being honest, speaking from the heart.
…
…
Harry Potter had still become Gryffindor's Seeker.
He wanted to share the news with his idol.
However, since Audrey had received the Comet 2000 in the Great Hall, she hadn't appeared there again.
Besides her successful exemption from Potions, she had also exempted herself from Herbology. Months of "collecting benefits" were over; attending class again held no meaning.
With only two classes to attend, Audrey hardly looked like a student preparing for OWLs.
Harry couldn't find the elusive Audrey, so he turned to Hagrid to share his joy—his friends were already annoyed with him.
"Harry," Hermione said, "this is the forty-fifth time you've mentioned becoming Gryffindor's Seeker—the first first-year in Hogwarts history to join the team."
She closed Ancient Runes Made Easy. "But I must remind you: the first first-year to join a team was Audrey. She's already in fifth year."
Hermione's comment stung Harry less than expected. Losing to Audrey wasn't shameful—he even felt a sense of pride: both he and Audrey were new team members!
The hardest part for the Boy Who Lived: Christmas break arrived, most students went home, and he chose to stay behind.
Staying at Hogwarts was better than going to the Dursleys, but without friends, these two weeks would be lonely.
So when he learned that Ron and his two older brothers wouldn't go home either, Harry nearly jumped for joy.
This Christmas might be the best he had ever had.
…
…
At the Astley mansion:
"Bro, I'm home!" Rick shouted, popping his head out from the second-floor railing. "Audrey!"
He hurried downstairs, losing a slipper along the way. He didn't bother retrieving it, tossing the other slipper aside and running barefoot.
"Why didn't you let me pick you up? I wanted to experience escorting my little sister from school!"
"No, you wouldn't understand," Audrey laughed. "I didn't ride the slow, boring Hogwarts Express—I simply Apparated home."
"Hmph," a cold voice came from behind Audrey. "Your Apparition is sloppy, loud enough to scare people. Some might think you're a house elf!"
Rick grinned. "Ah, you must be Professor Snape mentioned in Audrey's letter! Nice to meet you!"
Snape nodded slightly, while Audrey scowled.
This "big bat" insisted on accompanying her home under the guise of protection—clearly, he wanted to monitor her.
Why focus on me when that giant Quirrell at school does nothing? Even if I told the truth, I'm just your enemy's daughter… but at school, that's your actual enemy~!
The most absurd part: Dumbledore agreed!
Well, no shadows to fear for a righteous person. If Snape's suspicions were eased and he stopped bothering her later, that was a good thing.
Just as Audrey imagined a carefree half-month vacation, Peter Wortman arrived.
"Audrey!" His hair half-white, he gave her a big hug. "How's the Royal Music Academy? Is Professor MacMillan treating you well?"
Audrey paused, then realized Dumbledore had arranged this. To Muggles, she had been receiving advanced music training.
"All good, all good."
Audrey smiled awkwardly. Wortman didn't care. "Audrey, now that you're back, you must appear in public this Christmas. Otherwise, everyone will forget you!"
Rick interjected, "Mr. Wortman, in the past months, my single sold well. People won't forget the Astley siblings! Audrey is just home for a rest—let her be!"
During Audrey's absence, Rick had created his hit single Never Gonna Give You Up, skyrocketing his fame in the Muggle world.
Wortman rubbed his hands together anxiously. "Because Audrey hasn't appeared for months, fans eagerly await her. If she does a ten-day Christmas tour, tickets and ads could net us £15 million—not a small sum…"
He glanced at Audrey. "I only need £500,000 as a fee. The rest goes to you two."
"I'm in!" Audrey agreed immediately.
Rick shook his head. His sister had been obsessed with money since childhood—never outgrown it.
Snape's face darkened. £14.5 million. Even splitting with her brother, Audrey could receive £7 million—roughly 1.4 million Galleons.
So that brat wasn't exaggerating!
Muggles really are that rich?
And I bought her a Comet 2000!
The money earned in ten days could buy the entire Comet 2000 company!
What a level of money-hoarding! Damn it!
…
…
Snape shamelessly joined the Astleys for Christmas Eve dinner, cooked by Momo.
But he didn't eat for free. After the meal, he reminded Audrey:
"Tonight, you must open your window."
Audrey tilted her head.
"Tomorrow is Christmas! Has your brain been filled with braised intestines?"
Of course!
That night, thousands of owls descended on the Astley mansion.
Without Snape's warning, the news—"Thousands of Owls Loitering Near the Astley Siblings' Home"—would have spread worldwide.
The next morning, Audrey awoke after a full night's sleep to find herself buried in gifts… and countless owl feathers.
"Alright," Alan Ashe nodded solemnly. "I'll join you."
"Excellent, Alan," Thetis spread her arms. "Welcome to our Free Warriors!"
A century ago, elves who followed Lanrock called themselves the Loyal Warriors. Thetis, however, did not adopt that title—loyalty is the most unreliable thing. True trust comes from comrades who share a common goal.
"Thetis, what should I do now?"
Thetis placed a belt and a thin booklet on the table.
"This belt is made of elf-metal; it will help you control your magic more easily and make it stronger. And this is a guide to the three Unforgivable Curses."
"Unforgivable Curses?"
"Trust me, Alan," Thetis said. "Although ancient magic far surpasses Unforgivable Curses, our enemies may very well be the entire wizarding world. Before obtaining the power of ancient magic, without sufficient strength, success will be difficult."
Green light bloomed at her fingertips. "You probably won't have a chance to learn this at school. Don't you want to try?"
She smiled, then snuffed out the green glow. "Don't reject this. I believe your father must have been skilled in this area; otherwise, he couldn't have thrived in the smuggling business!"
Alan nodded and picked up the booklet. "So… I just need to learn these spells?"
"Of course not. The belt and spells are gifts. You also need to prove your value—" Thetis lowered her hands, allowing a drooling Alan to relax a bit, "Nothing difficult. We just need to know Audrey Astley's personality and preferences. You've been classmates for a few months, so you must know something, right?"
Thetis exuded undeniable charm. Though not human, Alan felt she was like an old friend.
This was no coincidence—Thetis was a natural Legilimens.
"I know," Alan said. "She's greedy, everyone knows that. But I've heard she's lazy… I don't believe that. How could a lazy person achieve such great things?"
Thetis smiled in satisfaction. Alan was being honest, speaking from the heart.
…
…
Harry Potter had still become Gryffindor's Seeker.
He wanted to share the news with his idol.
However, since Audrey had received the Comet 2000 in the Great Hall, she hadn't appeared there again.
Besides her successful exemption from Potions, she had also exempted herself from Herbology. Months of "collecting benefits" were over; attending class again held no meaning.
With only two classes to attend, Audrey hardly looked like a student preparing for OWLs.
Harry couldn't find the elusive Audrey, so he turned to Hagrid to share his joy—his friends were already annoyed with him.
"Harry," Hermione said, "this is the forty-fifth time you've mentioned becoming Gryffindor's Seeker—the first first-year in Hogwarts history to join the team."
She closed Ancient Runes Made Easy. "But I must remind you: the first first-year to join a team was Audrey. She's already in fifth year."
Hermione's comment stung Harry less than expected. Losing to Audrey wasn't shameful—he even felt a sense of pride: both he and Audrey were new team members!
The hardest part for the Boy Who Lived: Christmas break arrived, most students went home, and he chose to stay behind.
Staying at Hogwarts was better than going to the Dursleys, but without friends, these two weeks would be lonely.
So when he learned that Ron and his two older brothers wouldn't go home either, Harry nearly jumped for joy.
This Christmas might be the best he had ever had.
…
…
At the Astley mansion:
"Bro, I'm home!" Rick shouted, popping his head out from the second-floor railing. "Audrey!"
He hurried downstairs, losing a slipper along the way. He didn't bother retrieving it, tossing the other slipper aside and running barefoot.
"Why didn't you let me pick you up? I wanted to experience escorting my little sister from school!"
"No, you wouldn't understand," Audrey laughed. "I didn't ride the slow, boring Hogwarts Express—I simply Apparated home."
"Hmph," a cold voice came from behind Audrey. "Your Apparition is sloppy, loud enough to scare people. Some might think you're a house elf!"
Rick grinned. "Ah, you must be Professor Snape mentioned in Audrey's letter! Nice to meet you!"
Snape nodded slightly, while Audrey scowled.
This "big bat" insisted on accompanying her home under the guise of protection—clearly, he wanted to monitor her.
Why focus on me when that giant Quirrell at school does nothing? Even if I told the truth, I'm just your enemy's daughter… but at school, that's your actual enemy~!
The most absurd part: Dumbledore agreed!
Well, no shadows to fear for a righteous person. If Snape's suspicions were eased and he stopped bothering her later, that was a good thing.
Just as Audrey imagined a carefree half-month vacation, Peter Wortman arrived.
"Audrey!" His hair half-white, he gave her a big hug. "How's the Royal Music Academy? Is Professor MacMillan treating you well?"
Audrey paused, then realized Dumbledore had arranged this. To Muggles, she had been receiving advanced music training.
"All good, all good."
Audrey smiled awkwardly. Wortman didn't care. "Audrey, now that you're back, you must appear in public this Christmas. Otherwise, everyone will forget you!"
Rick interjected, "Mr. Wortman, in the past months, my single sold well. People won't forget the Astley siblings! Audrey is just home for a rest—let her be!"
During Audrey's absence, Rick had created his hit single Never Gonna Give You Up, skyrocketing his fame in the Muggle world.
Wortman rubbed his hands together anxiously. "Because Audrey hasn't appeared for months, fans eagerly await her. If she does a ten-day Christmas tour, tickets and ads could net us £15 million—not a small sum…"
He glanced at Audrey. "I only need £500,000 as a fee. The rest goes to you two."
"I'm in!" Audrey agreed immediately.
Rick shook his head. His sister had been obsessed with money since childhood—never outgrown it.
Snape's face darkened. £14.5 million. Even splitting with her brother, Audrey could receive £7 million—roughly 1.4 million Galleons.
So that brat wasn't exaggerating!
Muggles really are that rich?
And I bought her a Comet 2000!
The money earned in ten days could buy the entire Comet 2000 company!
What a level of money-hoarding! Damn it!
…
…
Snape shamelessly joined the Astleys for Christmas Eve dinner, cooked by Momo.
But he didn't eat for free. After the meal, he reminded Audrey:
"Tonight, you must open your window."
Audrey tilted her head.
"Tomorrow is Christmas! Has your brain been filled with braised intestines?"
Of course!
That night, thousands of owls descended on the Astley mansion.
Without Snape's warning, the news—"Thousands of Owls Loitering Near the Astley Siblings' Home"—would have spread worldwide.
The next morning, Audrey awoke after a full night's sleep to find herself buried in gifts… and countless owl feathers.