"Okay," Alan Ash nodded solemnly. "I'll join you."
"Excellent, Alan," Thetis opened her arms. "Welcome to our Free Warriors!"
The goblins who followed Ranrok a hundred years ago called themselves Loyal Warriors, but Thetis did not adopt that title—so-called loyalty was the most unreliable thing. Only comrades who shared a common goal were truly trustworthy.
"Thetis, what should I do now?"
Thetis placed a belt and a thin booklet on the table.
"This is a belt made of goblin metal. It can make your magic easier to control and more powerful. And this is a manual for the three Unforgivable Curses."
"Unforgivable Curses?"
"Trust me, Alan," Thetis said. "Although ancient magic is far more powerful than the Unforgivable Curses, our enemy is likely the entire wizarding world. Before acquiring the power of ancient magic, if we don't master sufficient strength, it will be very difficult for us to succeed."
Green light bloomed from Thetis's fingertips. "I imagine you wouldn't have the chance to learn this at school. Don't you want to try?"
She suddenly smiled slightly and extinguished the green light in her hand. "Don't be repulsed by this. I believe your father must be very proficient in this way; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to live so comfortably in the smuggling business!"
Alan nodded and picked up the booklet. "Okay, so now I just need to learn these spells?"
"Of course there's more. This belt and these spells are our gifts. Naturally, you also need to prove your worth—" Thetis pressed her hands down, relaxing Alan who was gulping nervously. "It's nothing major. We just need to know Audrey Astley's personality and preferences. Having been classmates for a few months, you must know a little bit, right?"
It had to be said that Thetis was a very charismatic female. Although she wasn't human, Alan felt as if Thetis were a friend he had known for many years.
It wasn't strange for him to have such an illusion, because Thetis was a natural-born Legilimens.
"I know," Alan Ash began. "She's very greedy for money; everyone knows that. But I heard people say she's lazy. I don't believe that, because how could a lazy person achieve such great accomplishments?"
Thetis was very satisfied because Alan Ash was telling the truth. At this moment, his words matched his heart.
...
...
Harry Potter still became the Gryffindor Seeker.
He really wanted to share this with his idol.
However, ever since Audrey came to the Great Hall that day to collect her Nimbus 2000, she had never appeared in the Great Hall again.
Because besides her application for exemption from Potions being approved, Audrey had also gotten exempted from Herbology—after several months, all the wool that could be gathered had been gathered, so there was no point in going to class anymore!
This way, Audrey, who only needed to attend two classes, didn't seem at all like a student taking her O.W.L.s this year.
Unable to find the "elusive" Audrey, Harry had to go find Hagrid to share his happiness—because his little friends were already annoyed with him:
"Harry," Hermione said, "this is the forty-fifth time you've mentioned to me that you became Gryffindor's Seeker, the first first-year to join a team in Hogwarts history."
She closed the Easy Introduction to Ancient Runes in her hands. "But I have to remind you, Harry, the first first-year to join a team in history was Audrey, although she is already in her fifth year."
Hermione's retort wasn't what made Harry saddest. After all, "losing" to Audrey wasn't shameful. Harry even felt somewhat honored—Audrey and I are both first-years who joined the team!
What the little savior found most unbearable was that the Christmas holidays had arrived, and most people were going home, but he chose to stay at school.
Although staying at school was better than going back to the Dursleys', without the company of friends, perhaps these two weeks would be quite difficult to endure.
So when he heard that Ron and his two brothers were not going home either, Harry almost jumped for joy.
This Christmas might be the best Christmas he had ever had in his life!
...
...
The Astley Manor.
"Bro, I'm baaaack!"
Rick rushed out of his room, poking half his head out over the second-floor railing, and shouted, "Audrey!"
He hurried downstairs, even losing one slipper. Too lazy to go back and pick it up, he simply kicked off the other slipper and ran down barefoot.
"Why didn't you let me pick you up? I also really wanted to experience what it feels like to pick up my little sister from school!"
"No, you won't experience it," Audrey laughed. "I wouldn't take the slow and boring Hogwarts Express. I Apparated directly back."
"Hmph," a cold snort came from behind Audrey. "Your Apparition is too crude; the sound is frighteningly loud. Someone who didn't know would think you were a house-elf!"
Rick's face was piled with smiles. "Ah, this must be Professor Snape mentioned in Audrey's letter! Pleased to meet you, pleased to meet you!"
Snape nodded slightly, while Audrey curled her lip.
This giant bat insisted on coming home with her under the guise of "protecting her." Wasn't this clearly to monitor her?
Leaving a massive Quirrell at school unattended to stare at me—what for?
Even if I told you the truth, I'm just the daughter of your enemy, but that one at school is your bona fide enemy\~!
The most ridiculous thing was that Dumbledore actually agreed!
Fine, an upright person doesn't fear a crooked shadow. Being able to dispel Snape's suspicions so he wouldn't bother her anymore in the future was also a good thing!
But just as Audrey was envisioning her relaxed and happy half-month holiday, Peter Waterman came to the door.
"Audrey!" Waterman, whose hair was already half white, gave the girl a big hug. "How was the Royal Academy of Music? Was Professor Macmillan good to you?"
Audrey froze for a moment, then immediately realized. This was the cover story Dumbledore cooked up earlier. In the eyes of Muggles, she had gone to receive advanced musical education during this time.
"Ah, all good, all good."
Audrey laughed awkwardly, but obviously Waterman didn't care about that. "Audrey, it's good that you're back. This Christmas, you must make an appearance in public, otherwise everyone will forget you!"
Rick interjected, "Mr. Waterman, in these past few months, my single sales have also been very good. Everyone won't forget us, the Astley siblings! Audrey rarely comes home to rest, just let her off!"
It turned out that with Audrey not around, Rick had created his famous song from the original universe, Never Gonna Give You Up, which instantly made his value skyrocket, allowing people to truly see his talent. Both the person and the song instantly became hits throughout Britain.
Waterman rubbed his hands together in conflict. "But because Audrey hasn't shown her face for months, the fans are looking forward to it very much. If Audrey could do a ten-day Christmas tour, with tickets plus advertising, we could perhaps have a profit of fifteen million pounds. That is not a small amount..."
He glanced sideways secretly at Audrey. "I only want to earn a labor fee; fifty thousand and I'm satisfied. The rest can all go to you siblings."
"I'll do it!" Audrey agreed readily.
Rick rubbed Audrey's head helplessly. This sister had fallen into the hole of money since she was little and had never climbed out.
Snape's face was ashen. Fourteen million five hundred thousand pounds. Even if she split it half-and-half with her brother, Audrey could get over seven million. Converted into Galleons, that was about one million four hundred thousand...
So this brat wasn't bragging before!
Were Muggles this rich?
Why didn't he notice this when he was young?
Damn it, I even bought her a Nimbus 2000!
The money she earned performing for ten days could buy the Nimbus Racing Broom Company (the manufacturer of the Nimbus 2000)!
What level of miser was this! Bastard!
...
...
Snape thick-skinned ate Christmas Eve dinner at the Astley home, cooked by Momo.
But Snape didn't eat their food for free. After the meal, he specifically reminded Audrey, "You must open the window tonight."
Audrey tilted her head in confusion.
"Tomorrow is Christmas!! Is your brain filled with braised intestines?"
So that was it!
That night, thousands of owls descended upon the Astley Manor.
If Snape hadn't reminded her, news of "Strange Occurrence at Famous Singing Duo Astley Siblings' Home, Thousands of Owls Linger Near Their Mansion" would have spread all over the world.
Early the next morning.
Audrey, who had slept with her head covered all night, opened her eyes.
She found herself drowning in gifts.
Of course, there were also many owl feathers.
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