Christmas Eve.

  No business partners or workers came looking for Scarlet today - she had decred the day off for herself, vowing not to handle any pany matters until the 27th December, the day after Boxing Day.

  Percy sat by the firepce, absorbed in a book. Fred and Gee were engrossed in their study of game meics by relentlessly pying video games, while Ron had bee addicted to horse riding. To his surprise, Scarlet was better at physical activities than him.

  “I’ve been training in martial arts for years. It’s no wonder you ’t keep up,” Scarlet teased with a ugh.

  Roantly admitted he wasn’t as fit as Scarlet, though he tered, “If we were on broht now, I’d definitely show you a few moves!”

  “I’m sure you’d beat me, no test,” Scarlet shrugged. “I’m not really into brooms or Quidditch.”

  After tiring of the outdoor activities, they strolled leisurely back toward the house. Ron g Scarlet, giving her a peculiar look.

  “What?” Scarlet asked.

  “It’s just...rare to see you not busy with something,” Ron remarked, recalling all the times they’d met. “Ever since I’ve known you, you’re always in the middle of something - homework, reading, reports, or replying to letters.”

  Not to mention my spear training...which you don’t know about at all. Fred and Gee are really good at keepis. Scarlet smiled at the thought and replied, “I don’t think I’m that busy.”

  “No, you’re always busy, Scarlet,” Ron insisted, staring at her. “It’s like something’s driving you, pushing you to keep going. You’re always telling Hermio to push herself, but you’re the same.”

  “Really? That’s how you see me?” Scarlet was genuinely surprised.

  “You’re the only person I’ve ever seen who never scks off. Not even Percy keep that up,” Ron added with a frown.

  Scarlet reflected oime at Hogwarts, then sighed, “Maybe you’re right. I guess I just haven’t been happy about attending Hogwarts.”

  “Why?” Ron asked, incredulous. “Hogwarts is the best wizarding school!”

  “But it wasn’t in my pn,” Scarlet said, analysing her own mi. “I think I value my pns and schedules too much. Going to Hogwarts disturbed everything, and I’ve been trying to mah worlds ever since, hoping I bahem.”

  Ron, always carefree, couldn’t uand why anyone would live such a busy, exhausting life. Just like how he couldn’t grasp why Percy was so eager to work at the Ministry, he struggled to fathom why Scarlet chose such a difficult path. But perhaps that was why Percy had gotten on so well with Scarlet from their first meeting. Percy, who was ofteical of people Ron’s age, seemed to see something familiar in Scarlet.

  “Rex, Scarlet. Nothing’s chasing you,” Ron said.

  “Yeah, you’re right.” Scarlet smiled. “Thanks for pointing it out. I’ll adjust my schedule and ease up a bit.”

  “You’d better,” Ron warned. “Don’t be like Hermione. She always says she won’t read when she’s with us, then ends up borrowing aon of books.” Ron rolled his eyes, making Scarlet chuckle.

  As she ged out her snow-soaked coat in the mudroom, Meiko approached, holding a cordless phone. “Midy, a Taoist priest from a wishes to speak with you.”

  “a? A Taoist priest?” Scarlet was baffled. She had no ties to a, not even Hong Kong, aside from a few Feng Shui masters - most of whom she sidered frauds and scammers; she could easily pick a better spot for an office for her dad without their help, even though she didn’t know much about ese Feng Shui at all. Yep, that’s how inpetent those scammers were.

  “Yes, from one of the hidden realms,” Meiko crified.

  Scarlet’s fusion deepened.

  Unlike Japan, where temples and shrines were everywhere and most elderly people had some knowledge of mystical forces, a’s mystical word was far more hidden - like the British wizarding unity – only a few have some knowledge about them. Taoist priests were a broad category, much like wizards, who could be specialists in various fields like potion-making, Auror work, or alchemy. They cealed themselves deep within mountains and forests, i encves known as “hidden realms”, accessible only through portals.

  As far as Scarlet khere were three well-known hidden realms in a, each with its own traditions, possibly even schools or academies. Moderronics couldn’t reach those areas, as no power liehat far. So, why would they want to tact her?

  After a moment’s mental preparation, Scarlet picked up the phone and spoke in tonese. “Hello, this is Scarlet Hong. I was informed you wish to speak with me?”

  “Lady Hong, a pleasure to meet you,” the voi the other end replied, sounding slightly surprised at her nguage choice. “I deeply apologise for calling at such a time. Please five the intrusion during this festive season. I hope I haven’t interrupted anything.”

  The speaker’s tone olite and measured, with an old-fashioned, almost a style of phrasing - like something out of a Hong Kong Wuxia drama set iuries ago. Could the person she eaking to really be that old?

  “No, not at all,” Scarlet replied just as politely. “It’s an honour to receive a call from one of the renowned hidden realms. How may I assist you?”

  “Yes, regarding that matter,” the man began cautiously, “we uand you’ve been seeking assistance from a mystical beast - a creature with sun attributes. We have es withisushi Academy, and I believe our lecturers offer you the best possible aid.”

  Scarlet frowned, “May I ask why you would offer such help? I don’t believe we have anything to exge that would be both sides.”

  “A decade ago, perhaps not. But things have ged since you began to shihe stars told us so.”

  Astrology? About me? “I’m sorry, but could you please expin further? I have no knowledge of your need.”

  “You are a priestess,” the voi the phone decred, catg her off guard. “And riests and priestesses as well. It has been a long time since we’ve heard of a new Western priestess. We are eager to sointers with you, Lady Hong, just as we do with Jutsushi Academy every five years.”

  Scarlet’s mind raced. Whoever she eaking to was not someoo uimate. She had kept her identity as priestess well hidden; most people only knew she ied a magiot that she had the ability to summon the Queen.

  After a moment’s thought, she responded, “I accept the invitation, but on my terms. I’m still attending school, so I only meet during school breaks.”

  “As you please,” the man chuckled pleasantly, his tone more like a friendly neighbour than a threatening figure. “We shall bring the mystical beast to you in a few days, after Christmas. May I request that our representative withe ritual?”

  “You have my permission.” Scarlet passed the phoo Meiko, who stepped aside and quietly discussed the details with the caller.

  Well, that was quick. Guess I don’t o craft a temporary item with rooster now. Various thoughts flickered through Scarlet’s mind, but they quickly vanished wheiced Ron staring at her, wide-eyed and speechless.

  “You’ve got business in other tries?!” he finally blurted out.

  She raised an eyebrow. “I thought you’d picked up on that from my st name.”

  “Blimey, this is insane!” Ron excimed, his disbelief palpable.

  Scarlet chuckled before expining, “It’s not business. It’s more...treatmeed. I o perform a ritual.”

  “A ritual? Magic?” Ron looked stunned. “But we ’t do magi the Muggle world, or the Ministry will e after us! And besides, we’re underage!”

  “They won’t notice,” Scarlet said as they walked back toward the living room. “The Ministry ’t detect my magic. It’s different from theirs - the Trace doesn’t work on me.”

  Ron’s eyes grew even wider.

  “And, I suspect you won’t want to learn it,” Scarlet tinued, before Ron could even ask. “Though Hermione might. It requires a deep uanding of a runes and plex magic, which means a lot of bookwork. Not really your thing, eh?”

  Ron pressed his lips together. “Yeah, definitely not.”

  “The ritual will happen before we return to Hogwarts, but after Christmas. You’ll get to see it yourself...I’m thinking of inviting Neville and his grandmother as well. Don’t ask why - it’s a private matter for them.”

  As they reached the dining room, her father and the other adults were arriving too.

  “And I think you’ll be ied to see someone who’s here,” Scarlet added.

  Ron looked puzzled. “Who?”

  “Remus Lupin,” Scarlet replied with a smile, gesturing toward the gentlemen now grinning at them, “He’s one of our seniors from Hogwarts. I hear he’s excellent at Defence Against the Dark Arts. Maybe you could ask him a few questions.”

  Should I mention the werewolf thing? Scarlet wondered. Nah.

  Qiya