No one chat for nine hours straight. Apart from Scarlet, who remained calm and posed throughout the journey, everyone in the partmeually dozed off. They hadn’t slept well the night before, too excited about going home for the holidays.

  Half an hour before reag their destination, the Weasley twins knocked on the door, waking everyone up to get ready for their arrival.

  It wasn’t particurly cold in the partment, so most of them had taken off their coats when they first settled in. Now, as they checked their belongings and began putting their coats ba, Scarlet, stood out – she ged her clothes effortlessly by anding her pendant to do the work.

  Everybody cast envious gnces her way, especially Hermione, whose curiosity was obvious.

  The protagonist trio had witnessed Scarlet’s clothing entment during their ride to Hogwarts, but the excitement of starting school had made them fot about it until now.

  Amelia and Maya, as Scarlet’s roommates, had seen this little magic trick many times before, but they still couldn’t help feeling envious.

  Scarlet smiled at them. “I’ve taught you how to do it. You just o master the entment.”

  Both girls shook their heads.

  Amelia admitted, “It’s too plicated.”

  Maya added, “I’ve tried, but I just ’t seem to get it right.”

  Scarlet gnced over at Fred and Gee, whed in unison and said, “We’ve tried it. Takes a lot of practice to your head around it.”

  Ron, looking fused, asked, “Since when did you two learn that trick from her?”

  Harry tilted his head. “Not even Fred and Gee master it? How about you, Hermione?”

  Hermione looked at Scarlet eagerly, and Scarlet smiled. “I’ll teach you all when you have some free time. Who knows, maybe you’ll be able to pull it off. But for now, let’s get ready to disembark.”

  The train soon came to a stop, and the doors opened. Some students rushed out to meet their families, while others, like Scarlet and her friends, walked casually, greeted by their retives.

  Harry’s godfather, Sirius Bck, ran up to them, full of excitement. He hugged Harry tightly and even lifted him off the ground, spinning him around.

  “Harry!”

  “Sirius! I missed you!”

  came Amelia’s parents, another round of enthusiastic hugs.

  As introdus were made, Mr. Bck shook hands with Scarlet, staring at her as though he were trying to memorise every detail of her face. “I must invite you to dinner. You have no idea how grateful I am.”

  “Thank you,” Scarlet replied with a smile. “I’d love to, but my holiday schedule is packed. Maybe ime, during the school break, we’ll have more time to catch up properly.”

  “Yes, we must. The pleasure is all mine,” Mr. Bck responded, giving her another firm handshake.

  Just as he and Harry were about to leave, Draco appeared with his parents trailing behind him.

  Mr. Bd Mr. Malfoy immediately locked eyes, their gres sharp. Mr. Bck was the first to strike. “Well, well, if it isn’t the cowardly followers. I was hoping to see you ba Azkaban - what a shame.”

  Mr. Malfoy, looking like an older version of Draco, raised his and sneered, “I don’t waste my words on the dishonour of the Bck family. I’m here for Ms. Hong.”

  He extended a graceful hand to Scarlet, who shook it politely, while Sirius ground his teeth in frustration. “I uand Ms. Hong has given my son some sound advice, and I greatly appreciate it.”

  “It was nothing,” Scarlet replied, her eyes briefly flig over Mr. Malfoy’s fad his left arm. “I was just helping a cssmate where I could. It’s a pity I won’t have much time this holiday, or I’d love to have a deeper discussion with you...about the embroidery on your sleeves.”

  The Malfoys often adorheir clothing and accessories with their family crest, but Mr. Malfoy sehat Scarlet was hinting at something more...something beyond just the crest.

  “Hello, Ms. Hong.” Mrs. Malfoy greeted with a graceful smile. “I hope you don’t mind if I call you Scarlet? Oh, I’m just so thrilled that Draentioned you fondly in his letters. He seems to value your friendship.”

  Scarlet returned her smile with a polite nod, “The pleasure is mine. He’s quite the clever boy.”

  Mr. Bck, still fuming, couldn’t seem to uand why Scarlet eaking so cordially with the Malfoys. Even Ro them with disdain. Fred and Gee, however, exged knowing gnces, while Percy remained quiet and observant.

  The Malfoys left soon after, with Draco throwing a smug smirk at Ron and Harry. As usual, Ron bristled with anger, but Hermione and Harry mao hold him back. Hermione rolled her eyes, while Harry, lost in thought, asked, “Scarlet, are you pnning to do business with them?”

  Scarlet raised an eyebrow, “Nht now, but it’s wise to maintain proper es. You never know when you might hem iure, right?”

  “Bah! I bet they’ve got a shop in Knockturn Alley, selling all sorts of dark artefacts,” Mr. Beered.

  “Well, it ’t be dehat as a pureblood family with geions of wealth and power, they have access to resources others don’t,” Scarlet expined. “For example, they have rare books that are limited to their families and close friends. I’m particurly ied in their colle, and they’re fully aware that’s part of the reason I maintain ties with them.”

  Ron looked fused, “That’s...plicated.”

  Even Harry seemed unsure of what she meant, but Hermione nodded in uanding – the clear intellectual of the trio.

  Amelia’s parents, while not fully grasping the nuances of pureblood society, reised that Scarlet, their daughter’s roommate, ahe respect of even the haughty purebloods. This reassured them that their daughter was in good pany at Hogwarts.

  Amelia and Harry soo with their parents, followed by Hermione and Maya after exiting Ptform 9?.

  Eventually, only the Weasleys were left, trailing behind Scarlet as they followed her through the station. They approached a side door leading to a bustling pick-up spot where cabs and cars lined up to collect passengers.

  A bck-haired Asian man in beige coat stood nearby, sing the crowd as if waiting for someone. Wheurned and spotted a group of redheads with Scarlet in the middle looking small in parison with the other tall boys, he broke into a smile.

  “Scarlet!”

  “Dad!”

  They hurried toward each other and shared a tight hug.

  Kyle smirked, “Thought my indepe daughter wouldn’t miss me at all?”

  Scarlet pyfully punched him. “Shut up, I’m underage, and my hormones need some quality time with family, okay?”

  “Sure, whatever you say.” Kyle chuckled, patting her head before turning to the Weasleys. He extended a hand. “Hi, I’m Kyle Hong. o meet you.”

  “o meet you too, Mr. Hong.” Percy responded as the eldest, shaking hands first, followed by Fred, Gee, and finally Ron.

  “Please, call me Kyle.” He grihen motioned for them to wait. “Let me make a quick call - our ride will be here shortly.”

  The Weasleys exged puzzled looks as Kyle pulled out a Motoro MicroTAC cell phone and made a call. Notig their stares, Kyle raised an eyebrow, “I’m guessing you don’t have these in the wizarding world.”

  “Magical, but a bit outdated to be ho.” Scarlet remarked bluntly, “It feels like their creativity is restricted, though I ’t pinpoint why. Fred and Gee, for example, are very creative thinkers. They’ve even started iing things. But I rarely find anyone simir to them.”

  Kyle nodded, giving the twins a thumbs-up, “I’m looking forward to your future iions! It’d be great if you could e up with something like this,” he said, waving the cell phone. “It’s such a hassle using owls to unicate...Not that I don’t love our Faye, but it’s ridiculous how long it takes just to send Scarlet a message.”

  The Weasleys exged fused looks. Fred and Gee spoke up before anyone else, “Sorry, Mr. Hong, but...what exactly is that thing you’re holding? Some kind sound-rec device?”

  Kyle’s eyes widened in disbelief before he turo his daughter. “They don’t even have phones?”

  “I doubt they’ve ever used oher,” Scarlet replied with a shrug.

  Kyle said in surprise, “I thought they’d at least have something simir. Like the talking mirror in Snow White?”

  Scarlet chuckled. “The talking mirror just tells you how to dress ire fashion, not to ect with someone else who has one.”

  As a white van approached, Scarlet motioned for the Weasleys to follow her, “Just walk naturally, and try to blend in.”

  Although the Weasleys were dressed iers, scarves, and coats like everyone else, their old-fashioned luggage made them stand out.

  Kyle opehe van door, and one by ohe Weasleys climbed in, wide-eyed with awe. Scarlet was the st to enter, while Kyle and William, her manager, loaded the luggage into the boot.

  “What is this?” Ron asked, tentatively toug the seat.

  “It’s a van,” Scarlet responded casually. Notig Kyle’s raised eyebrows, she added, “I thought I mentio in my letter?”

  Kyle shrugged with a grin, “I never expected it to be like this. Bet this will be one of their most memorable Christmas holidays.”

  As the van headed toward the Hong family manor oskirts of the city, the Weasleys exged excited whispers.

  The houses became sparse, and the streetlights more distant. After an hour, they finally arrived at a well-lit manor, warmly furnished and inviting. A woman stood beside the front door, smiling as she waved them over, signalling the servants to e forward.

  When everyone had exited the van at the manor’s entrahe servants quickly approached to take their luggage. Another man took over the driver’s seat and drove the van away, while William and Meiko, the head housekeeper, opehe entrance for them.

  Scarlet introduced them as they entered, “That is William, my manager. He handles everything on my behalf. And this is Meiko, the head housekeeper. She’s in charge of all the servants and house matters. Let her know if you need anything.”

  The Weasleys could only stare in awe.

  “Are all Muggle families like this?” Ron muttered, eyes wide.

  “No, this is because I’m rich. I’m a daughter of a businessman, after all.” Scarlet expined, leading them to the mudroom he entrance, “Here, you’ll o ge into house slippers. My household follows a more Asian style, so shoes are not worn inside.”

  The Weasleys clumsily ged into the slippers provided. William announced, “It must have been a tiring day. Dinner is ready. And, perhaps a film afterwards?”

  Scarlet sidered for a moment. “Any suggestions?”

  “I reend Studio Ghibli’s Kiki's Delivery Service,” William said with a warm smile. “I think it would be a good introdu for them.”

  Fred and Gee's eyes lit up. “Did you say films?” Fred asked, excitement evident in his voice.

  “What’s a film?” Ron asked, puzzled.

  “Film, or movie, is like a moving picture that tells a story!” Fred expined eagerly.

  “Lee Jordan told us about them. We’ve always wondered what they were like, but mum and dad never let us go on our own.” Gee added.

  “I bet they don’t even know what it is.” Fred said with a chuckle.

  Scarlet frowned slightly. “But I thought you guys would know more about the Muggle world - sidering your dad works in the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office.”

  “Nah.” Fred and Gee said with a dismissive wave, while Ron pined, “That’s the most b department, and he’s always w overtime. It’s a small office with very few members.”

  Scarlet turo Percy, “How about you?”

  “Mind-blowing.” Percy said, clearly pting. “I’m still trying to process everything since we got into your van.”

  His emphasis on “van” suggested he was unsure of the pronunciation.

  “Alright,” Scarlet o William. “Please go ahead and prepare the film you suggested. And what about my dad’s friends?”

  “Mr. Lupin is still weak, and Mr. Hawk is taking care of him. They won’t be present tonight, but you see them tomorrow m,” William said, handing Scarlet a notebook, “Here’s your schedule for the holiday.”

  Scarlet nodded and made a few notes iebook, “Alright, proceed with the schedule.”

  “Yes, midy.” William replied with a slight bow before leaving.

  The Weasleys stared at Scarlet, wide-eyed. Ron was the first to speak. “He called you midy?”

  “Well, that’s his preference, I told him not to, but he insists!” Scarlet replied, her cheeks flushing pink.

  Meiko, who had been standing quietly in the er, grinned, “Midy, it suits you very well.”

  “You shut up too!” Scarlet’s face turned even redder, “Follow me now, I’ll take you to the dining room.”

  “Wait for us, midy!” Fred and Gee chorused as they chased after her. Ron hurried to keep up, while Percy shook his head with a faint smile.

  The echoes of Fred and Gee’s questions filled the hallway, “What’s our film about tonight?”

  “It’s about a young witch, from a Muggle’s perspective, if I’m not mistaken. It was a hit when it came out; children love it.”

  “Really?!”

  “Well, at least in Japan...” Scarlet’s voice trailed off as she led them toward the dining room.

  Qiya