Lucius's heart jumped. Not many people knew about this. Most were either dead or in Azkaban. Was something wrong with that gift? Thinking this, he asked directly. No need for roundabout probing now. Voldemort had vanished. Though the Dark Mark remained, it was barely visible. Better to distance himself from uncertain factors quickly.
"There is one thing. I don't know what it means. Voldemort just ordered me to guard it carefully. Is there a problem?" Lucius asked.
Gemini nodded. "There is. Can I see it? If it's what I think, I need to take it. This thing isn't good for the Malfoy family."
Lucius didn't doubt her. Apologized to Gemini. Left the study. Walked quickly toward where he hid things.
Soon, Lucius returned holding something wrapped in dragon hide. "This is it. My father saw it once. Then told me to wrap it in dragon hide and store it. Never touch it."
Gemini used her wand to lift the dragon hide. Revealed the black diary inside. An ordinary diary. Besides being old, nothing special. Gemini breathed easier. No wonder the Malfoys changed sides later. Abraxas had seen this.
Worthy of a pure-blood family. Could recognize even ordinary-looking Horcruxes.
Gemini recovered the dragon hide. Held the diary. "This concerns Voldemort. Uncle Lucius doesn't want trouble, right? I'm taking it today. No one mentions it. Act like you never received it."
Lucius nodded solemnly. "I remember Bellatrix also received such a gift. The Dark Lord used them to show favor. Is this thing important?"
"This determines whether Voldemort completely disappears from this world." Gemini said bluntly.
Lucius gasped. Gemini's words meant Voldemort really hadn't died. Just temporarily vanished. But the Malfoys had openly changed sides after his disappearance. If he returned...
Thinking this, Lucius's eyes hardened. "Need help finding that thing? It should be in the Lestrange vault. Narcissa's the only one who can enter now."
Gemini looked at Lucius surprised. This world's Lucius was decisive. To eliminate threats to the family, could go this far. Impressive.
"Why not write Dumbledore? Uncle, this is dangerous. If Aunt Narcissa goes personally, I'm afraid there'll be danger." Gemini reminded.
Lucius nodded. "Right. Dark Lord matters should go to Dumbledore. We can only do what we're capable of. He's the great white wizard."
The two looked at each other. Both smiled like foxes. Why take on thankless tasks? Hand it over.
"Time's up. Gemini, want to tour Malfoy Manor? Or are you familiar already?" Narcissa saw things settled. Interjected immediately.
Gemini smiled. "Aunt Narcissa, I'd love to tour the current Manor. What I've seen was the rebuilt version. Voldemort wasn't a good tenant."
Both Malfoys changed expressions. This was their home. If it needed rebuilding, who knew what Voldemort would do. This strengthened their resolve against him.
After calming down, Lucius said he'd write Dumbledore immediately. Narcissa took Gemini to tour the intact Manor.
After touring the main building, Narcissa suggested the greenhouse. She wanted to check if the rainbow roses from France had cultivated successfully. Gemini became interested. The two headed there while guests hadn't arrived.
Before reaching the door, they heard noise from inside. A house-elf's shrill scolding and crying.
Narcissa frowned. Embarrassing. Rarely bringing guests to the greenhouse, yet encountering this.
She strode forward. Pushed open the door. Looked inside authoritatively. "What's the noise?"
Gemini followed. Hesitated whether to step forward. Heard the elf's shrill voice. "Mistress! It's Dolly's fault! Dolly shouldn't disturb Mistress! Dolly will punish herself!"
"Explain what's happening." Narcissa ignored the apology. Ordered directly.
Dolly's whole body shook. Stammered, afraid to speak.
Narcissa's face darkened. "So I can't command house-elves anymore? Or do you want clothes?"
Dolly immediately smashed her head on the ground. "Bad Dolly! Bad Dolly! Dolly shouldn't hide from Mistress! All Dolly's fault!"
Narcissa's face grew impatient. "Stop and explain. Last time I'm saying it."
Dolly fell dizzy. "It's Dobby! Mistress, Dobby wants wages! This is wrong! Terrible!"
Dobby? Gemini blinked. Was this the Dobby she knew? Harry had mentioned—Dobby was the Malfoy family's house-elf.
"Oh? Our family produced an elf wanting wages?" Narcissa's eyes narrowed. She felt embarrassed. Such things were rare. Right when she brought a guest. What would Gemini think?
"Is it Dobby? Aunt Narcissa, how many elves named Dobby do you have?" Gemini spoke quickly. Afraid one step late would lose Dobby.
Narcissa's expression softened. "If I remember right, only this one Dobby. What's wrong?"
Gemini showed a big smile. "Aunt Narcissa, can you give me this Dobby? Just wanting wages. In America, elves not given wages get sent to court. This isn't strange. I'll buy this elf at market price. How about it?"
Narcissa was surprised. "Is Kreacher not serving well? Right, just Kreacher alone isn't enough. I have many capable elves. How about another? Why buy? This is Auntie's meeting gift."
Gemini shook her head. "I want this Dobby. Auntie, for certain reasons, I need to raise our Savior. Dumbledore provided one elf. But not enough. I need another. Just happened to meet Dobby. Not selling to me—selling to the Savior. How about it?"
Narcissa looked thoughtful. Turned to trembling Dolly and confused Dobby. Now she understood. Since Gemini specifically wanted Dobby, he must have future use. Related to the Savior. Why not do a favor?
"Then no need to buy. I can give to Harry. By blood, Harry should call me cousin. One of my aunts married his grandfather." Narcissa smiled. Pulled out this decades-old relation.
Since she said this, Gemini couldn't refuse. Could only say when Harry was older, she'd bring him to play. After all, he and Draco were the same age.
Narcissa was willing. Suitable playmates weren't many. Little Dragon connecting with the Savior was perfect.
Under Gemini's witness, Narcissa gave Dobby suitable clothes. Told him he was free. Issued the last command—not allowed to reveal anything about the Malfoys to others.
Confused Dobby stared at the clothes. Became frightened. Though he wanted freedom, wanted wages, suddenly getting clothes left him lost.
"Dobby, I'll hire you at 1 Galleon monthly. Are you willing?" Gemini asked. "The work is housework, maintaining the house and caring for children. Can you do it?"
Dobby's eyes lit up. "Dobby is willing! Miss! Dobby is happy to work! Just, 1 Galleon!" He shivered. "1 Galleon is too much, Miss! Dobby only wants 1 Sickle!"
Gemini looked at Dobby amused. She'd never seen him. Only heard from Harry. Didn't expect this. "1 Galleon, Dobby. Every two months you get one day off. These are in law. Dobby doesn't want me punished, right?"
Dobby shook his head frantically. Big ears slapping his face. "Dobby is willing to work! Dobby doesn't want Miss punished!"
Gemini placed a gold Galleon in Dobby's palm. "Then change clothes first. Clean yourself up. Find Kreacher at the parking area. Wait with him for me. Can you? Right, don't punish yourself without my knowledge."
Dobby bowed excitedly. Nose almost touching ground. "Yes! Kind and noble Miss!"
After sending off floating Dobby, Gemini looked at Narcissa embarrassed.
"Looks like this elf really is unusual. Born in our family, yet walking with the Savior." Narcissa smiled.
"I've only heard of him. Never seen him. This is the first time. He sacrificed himself." Gemini said casually. Didn't elaborate.
Narcissa heard enough though. Using "sacrifice"—this elf's role was significant. A war even elves joined must be brutal.
"By the way, does America's magical world really have laws about house-elves?" Narcissa asked curiously.
Gemini thought. Answered: "Not just house-elves. Because of conditions there, they emphasize human rights. Very favorable to intelligent beings."
After chatting, they toured more. Narcissa was notified guests were arriving.
Gemini declined joining Narcissa to greet guests. She wasn't Malfoy family. Only agreed to let Narcissa introduce her to friendly families. Perfect—she needed to open her shop. These families were customer sources. As for what to sell, Gemini had decided. Alchemical items newly researched in her world and improved potions. Could accept custom orders. Like clothing styles and jewelry designs. Her vision was decades ahead. Plus she'd seen accessories from various cosmic races. Borrowing a few wasn't hard.
Clothes and jewelry came from Narcissa. She really loved Gemini's dress. Asked several times.
Soon came the formal banquet. Narcissa had brought Gemini to the small dining room to eat something first. Such occasions had lots of food, but no one really ate. At most tasted small pastries.
Following Narcissa, she met various family ladies. Subtly promoted her shop business. Even developed new business—makeup design. Those ladies waving Galleons made Gemini's heart bloom. Women and children's money was easiest!
Speaking of children, Gemini recalled Tony's toys for Morgan. Some with lower tech content—she could make them herself! Great, new business! But now wasn't suitable to introduce. Better wait until the shop opened. Could give customers novel experiences.
Halfway through the banquet, Lucius finally emerged from the study. Dumbledore came with him. The entire hall quieted. Until Lucius respectfully escorted Dumbledore out. Everyone started discussing. All praising the Malfoy family's vision. Looked like they'd latched onto a new patron.
Invisibly, families friendly with the Malfoys all quietly decided. The magical world's winds really needed to change.
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