Tony suddenly stopped. Watched several witches in the distance laughing and leaving.
Gemini walked a few steps. Found no one behind. Turned back. Just saw Tony staring at a group of witches in a daze.
"What are you looking at? Let me tell you—don't think just because Pepper's not here you can flirt with women. I'll watch you for Pepper!" Gemini said mischievously.
Tony snapped back. Rolled his eyes at Gemini. "I just think that witch looks familiar. Like Maria."
"Where? Where?" Gemini immediately perked up. Quickly looked that direction. Only saw a few backs.
"Those witches just now—where are they from? Look unfamiliar!" Gemini asked a street vendor.
The vendor looked up. Gemini showed the Black family ring on her hand. The vendor immediately smiled. "Miss Black! Those seem to be from America. Some Picquery family. Isn't there going to be diplomatic relations with America? Many wizards from there have been touring lately. I only know from hearing them talk."
Gemini tossed a silver Sickle. "Thanks."
Ignoring the beaming vendor, turned and led the group away. "Want to catch up? Say hello?"
Tony looked at that direction for a long time. "Forget it. Seeing her from afar is good enough. Better not disturb."
Gemini shrugged. "Since you've decided, just don't regret it."
Soon, when they returned to Privet Drive, Gemini received a flashy invitation. From Lucius. Inviting Gemini to Malfoy Manor.
After that soul fragment was destroyed, Gemini notified Lucius. For safety, they still wandered abroad until before school started. Organized their manor. Updated some protective spells. Only then invited familiar families to tour their newly organized house. Supposedly Voldemort made the manor a complete mess. Completely redecorated.
The invitation said there'd also be guests from American noble families. Everyone should be careful. Don't be rude.
Gemini originally didn't want to go. Tossed the invitation aside. Tony picked it up. Looked. Eyes flickering constantly.
"You think it could be them?" Tony couldn't help asking.
Gemini scoffed. "Didn't you say not meeting was fine?"
Tony grinned. "Isn't this a heaven-sent opportunity? Missing it would be bad!"
Gemini rolled her eyes. Called someone to make formal robes for everyone at home. Steve and Hawkeye said they wouldn't go. Wizards' gathering plus two Muggles would be difficult. If they upset the host—not good.
Gemini tried persuading. Didn't work. Let them be.
Took Peter and Tony. Changed into custom formal robes. Didn't use the Black family carriage. After all, Black Manor was still sealed.
Apparated near Malfoy Manor. Lucius immediately sensed through magic. He arranged house-elves to greet them. Had them Apparate to Malfoy Manor's front gate.
Lucius and Narcissa were greeting guests.
"These two are?" Lucius looked warily at Tony and Peter behind Gemini.
"My friends. From the same place as me. Don't worry." Gemini said.
Lucius immediately became enthusiastic. Shook hands with Tony. "Welcome to Malfoy Manor!"
Tony reservedly shook Lucius's hand. "Very glad to see the new Malfoy Manor. After all, this is quite different from what I remember."
Lucius's smile grew. This clearly meant he'd be a Malfoy family friend in the future. Otherwise how would he say "what I remember"?
Narcissa hugged Gemini. "Go in. Many people have already arrived inside. If you don't want to socialize, eat something. Many small pastries today are new varieties I improved. You can help me taste. Also those American guests arrived. I met them traveling abroad. I'll introduce you later."
Gemini smiled and nodded to Narcissa. Followed the guiding house-elf into the manor.
Lucius and Narcissa still had to continue greeting guests.
Entered the manor main building's hall. Already decorated. Gorgeous dance floor. Melodious music. Wine and various pastries along the walls.
Male and female wizards in small groups quietly talking about something.
Gemini's entrance attracted everyone's attention. A few ladies Narcissa had introduced Gemini to raised glasses in greeting. Gemini smiled and nodded. Quickly but politely blended into the crowd. Led Tony and Peter to hide in a corner.
"Whoa! This is just like in movies!" Peter saw no one around. Whispered in amazement.
Tony smiled. "Spider-kid, looks like you've experienced too little. I'll hold a few formal banquets later. You come. After attending more, you'll know—it's just that."
"Pfft!"
A suppressed laugh startled them. Gemini narrowed her eyes. "Who?! Eavesdropping on others isn't good manners."
"Sorry, I didn't mean to. I've just been here a long time. You didn't notice me." A witch looking at most thirty-something lifted the curtain. Walked out. Smiled apologetically at them. "Hello. I'm from America. Picquery family. I'm Maria. Nice to meet you."
Gemini raised an eyebrow. "This really is quite a coincidence. I'm Gemini. Gemini Black. These are my friends. Tony Stark and Peter Parker. Also from America."
Maria smiled. Lifted her skirt. Curtsied to the two. Startled Tony and Peter into fumbling their return greeting.
"From America? I thought Mr. Stark looked familiar. Very warm. Have we met somewhere?" Maria smiled at Tony.
Tony's usual eloquence seemed eaten by someone. Stammered for a long time. Couldn't speak. Maria didn't mind. Still looked at him gently.
"Ahem, I believe you're a Seer?" Gemini forcefully interrupted Tony's incomprehensible words.
Maria looked at Gemini surprised. "How do you know? I don't remember mentioning it to anyone."
Gemini smiled. "Because we're somewhat special. If you calm down, you should be able to see."
Tony stopped talking. Looked at Maria eagerly. Peter awkwardly touched his nose. Found he should've stayed home like Steve and them.
Maria smiled. "Then excuse me."
She drew her silver lime wand. Held it before her. Eyes gradually covered by silver mist. After a while, Maria swayed. Almost couldn't stand.
Gemini quickly reached out. Supported her. "Enough! Don't look anymore!"
Maria's hair visibly whitened a strand. The white mist in her eyes dispersed. She weakly leaned on Gemini. Looked at them strangely. "How strange. I can't see your futures. Can't see your pasts either. You're not from this time. So the legendary timelines really exist!"
Tony looked at her worriedly. "You, are you alright?"
Maria smiled and shook her head. "Nothing. I just need to rest a bit. You're from another timeline, right? Trusting me so much—someone among you is related to me. That'd be Mr. Stark? After all, you've been distracted since seeing me."
Tony almost choked up. He nodded tearfully. But didn't dare say more.
"It's okay. I know. You must have had it hard. Look older than me. Clearly not as old." Maria said with a smile.
Gemini heard the disdain in those words. Barely held back laughter. Indeed, Maria was Maria.
Tony awkwardly looked at pastries on the nearby table. Pretended very interested in them.
"Do you have some purpose here? Need my help?" Maria recovered a bit. Left Gemini's support. Stood straight and asked.
Gemini shook her head. "Our business is basically resolved. He just saw you on the street that day. Today the Malfoy banquet said they invited American guests. We just came to see."
Maria's expression changed. Looked at Tony with some pity. "I see. That's good. If you need anything, feel free to ask. I'll consider helping."
"Are you doing well now? Married? Have children?" Tony couldn't help asking.
Maria smiled looking into Tony's eyes. "I'm doing well. I'm not married. Naturally no children. I'm a Seer. No wizard wants to be with a Seer. And I don't like those arrogant people. Being alone is quite nice."
Tony relaxed slightly. He smiled. "I have a daughter. Called Morgan. I brought her photo. Want to see?"
Maria was delighted. "Really? May I?"
Tony grinned. "Of course. Friday!" He tapped the watch on his wrist.
A small virtual screen appeared before them. Little Morgan on it laughing. Riding a children's broom flying over the lawn.
"So cute." Maria showed a moment of tenderness. Immediately collected it.
"Is there a physical copy of this photo? Can you send me one?" Maria looked at Tony.
Tony turned to Gemini. "No problem. I'll get it ready when I get back. Mail you one. Your address?"
Maria left her group's temporary address in Britain. Just then someone came to the corner looking. Maria smiled and said goodbye to them.
Tony stared at Maria's retreating figure. "Good. No children and that dried-up old man dragging her down. Look how young she looks!"
Gemini couldn't help rolling her eyes. The dried-up old man he mentioned should be Howard.
Guests soon all arrived. The Malfoy couple came out from the main hall. Made a brief speech. Introduced new guests to everyone.
Some interested people went over to chat. While Gemini's trio silently watched from the corner. Until the banquet ended. Everyone started saying goodbye. Only then did Gemini lead people out. Borrowed the Malfoy fireplace. Returned home.
As soon as home, Tony couldn't help urging Gemini to make a moving physical photo. Made Gemini so angry she wanted to hit Tony with a spell.
"Wake up! It's late at night. Where do I find a reliable photographer!" Gemini said impatiently.
Tony sheepishly got kicked out of the house. Returned to his room. Started carefully selecting video clips.
Then he had a flash of inspiration. Started making it himself. Who says moving physical photos must find a photographer?
Next morning, Tony sat in Number Four's dining room with dark circles. Proudly drinking strong coffee Kreacher made. Waiting for Gemini to appear.
"What did you do last night? Didn't really go find a photographer?" Gemini coming downstairs saw Tony's dark circles. Got a shock.
Tony proudly showed her what he held. "Do I need a photographer? Isn't it just this little thing? Can it stump me? The great inventor! Tony Stark!"
Tony held a palm-sized metal card. Front side playing a little Morgan compilation. Back side—golden stripes forming the letters STARK.
"Look, isn't this better than photos? Thickness only 5mm more than photos. Not afraid of creases. Not afraid of water. Classic solar power. Completely no energy worries." Tony introduced his little toy endlessly. "And I used magical metal. Completely won't be interfered with by magic."
Gemini's mouth twitched. This person really—couldn't wait one night. Directly pulled an all-nighter developing it himself.
What else to say? Gemini directly called an owl. Under Tony's gaze sent the thing with Tony's handwritten instructions together.
After that, Tony started being distracted.
"You think the owl really delivered it? Didn't lose it halfway?" Tony suspiciously eyed the owl assigned to deliver that day.
Made the owl shriek sharply at him. Even pecked him several times.
Until a package arrived. Only then did Tony stop being paranoid.
The package contained two scarves, one large, one small. Stitches not very tight. Both gold and red.
Also a brief letter. Said they'd already departed for America. Could tell Maria had many hesitations. The short letter had many scratch marks.
Tony tapped Friday lurking on his arm. Separately separated a thin metal layer. Put this short letter inside.
Picked up the large scarf. Carefully wrapped it around his neck. Stroked it for a while. Then asked Gemini for a box. Put Morgan's share inside too.
Finally stuck on Ant-Man's small disc. Shrunk the box. Put it in the same place as the letter.
Tony returned to normal. Looked at Gemini. "Hey! Sweetheart, how's that scarf? I think it's perfect!"
"Sweetheart?!" A surprised voice came from the door. Gemini turned. It was Sirius.
Tony immediately felt overwhelmed. Why every time he got carried away sweet-talking Gemini did he run into Sirius?
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