Everyone hurriedly cast spells, then watched the messy kitchen become clean at a speed visible to the naked eye.
The heavy iron pots and pans gradually became shiny, and the old grease on the stone walls and floors were quickly dissolved and removed; the wooden table gradually turned into a bright champagne color from the bottom up.
The dark, greasy furniture was passed amongst several small poppets, sprayed with cleaning agent, scrubbed, rinsed, wiped, and when the last one put them back into the cupboard, they were already spotless.
Even Neville and the Weasleys, from traditional wizard families, had to admit that there was nothing more "magical" than the scene before them.
Michael said tearfully, "Vid... you should have come to help earlier, I didn't know you had prepared so many things..."
"Not all of it was my preparation - Mr. Machioni lent me a new batch of products to use," Vid said, "also as a chance to test their performance."
Neville said enviously, "I've always wanted to buy one... but poppet pets are too expensive, my grandma won't agree to buy one for me."
"Aslan Magic Workshop has been trying to lower costs and increase production, poppet pets will definitely get cheaper in the future."
Vid said, "I've been struggling to decide what Christmas gift to give everyone, now that's settled, saves me the headache..."
"How can that be?" Neville blushed, hurriedly waved his hand to refuse, "That's too valuable! I can't accept it."
"These sell for a lot in stores, but with me, they're always just cost price, about two Galleons," Vid said.
Neville breathed a sigh of relief.
With a cost of two Galleons, he knew how to return the favor.
The boy was both excited and embarrassed, muttering thanks.
"No need to be so polite," Vid laughed, "as long as you don't mind, everyone receives the same gift."
Everyone laughed, remembering last Christmas, Vid gave everyone a Friendship Book as a gift.
Of course, nobody would think he was being perfunctory, or measuring the value of the gift by cost price. Amid the laughter, there was also mild envy.
Who wouldn't want to be such a person? Making useful and fun little things that bring great surprise to others.
...
When the house's magic no longer resisted, Cleaning Crabs and small poppets were highly efficient, with the wizards only playing a supporting role and taking care of things they couldn't do.
For example, dealing with the Doxies hiding behind the curtains, or the Boggarts in the writing desk.
Two adult wizards gave the young wizards a lesson, if it hadn't been so late, Lupin would have wanted each of them to try facing a Boggart.
"It can see into your heart and become the thing you fear most," Lupin said, "the spell to deal with it is simple, but don't underestimate this creature; I know some wizards forget how to use magic when facing a Boggart out of fear."
As he spoke, he chased the floating full moon into a box, seemingly intending to keep this Boggart.
There were also ordinary objects like snuff boxes or tweezers, which would suddenly move during cleaning, clearly enchanted with powerful Dark Magic.
One small poppet was caught off guard and had its neck broken, and two others were damaged beyond repair, making the young wizards feel utterly sorry.
These poppets are not like mere broom-and-dustpan tools; they have human-like appearances, are diligent and capable, and let out realistic screams of pain when hurt.
Thus, their death feels almost like losing real companions, Hermione couldn't help but shed a few tears. Embarrassed to be seen, she turned away and discreetly wiped her eyes.
Everyone pretended not to notice.
When Ginny first arrived, she was very reserved, like an ordinary, shy little girl. But soon, her prowess in vanquishing Doxies far exceeded her peers, impressing everyone.
Vid was even more surprised by Percy.
The Weasley depicted poorly in the original book now displayed extraordinary ability.
After going through the initial adaptation, he quickly began directing everyone's work, assigning tasks, transforming the team from doing anything they liked to working collaboratively.
Though Vid thought that playing while working wasn't bad either, this sort of efficiency was clearly higher. After sorting out the bedrooms, they still had time to move to the garden.
Percy's flaws were also apparent, mentioning his Prefect status every three sentences, maintaining a Prefect's demeanor all day, but soon being triggered by the twins.
The dinner was prepared by Kreacher.
This House-Elf easily prepared a feast for everyone, its cooking skills were excellent, with everyone unanimously praising the French onion soup it made.
Unfortunately, joy turned to sorrow - their boisterous laughter was too loud, accidentally waking Mrs. Blake.
The portrait emitted a piercing scream: "Bastards! Filth! Damned Mudbloods! You rotten vampires dare to enter our home! Traitors! Kreacher! You've betrayed me too! Betrayed the Black!"
Other portraits started screaming along.
Kreacher's face immediately turned extremely pale, his frail body tottering, through tears he said, "Kreacher... Kreacher has been loyal to the great Black Clan for generations!"
Suddenly he rushed to the fireplace, grabbing the red-hot poker and stabbed it at himself.
"Wait, stop!"
Harry rushed forward, directly pinning Kreacher to the ground, trying to seize its arm to prevent it from hurting itself, but Kreacher had already branded its belly, leaving the room filled with the smell of burnt flesh.
The girls were stunned, then saw several boys rush over, collectively restraining Kreacher, preventing him from continuing his cruel act.
Lupin hurried to pull the curtains, but this time it proved extremely difficult. While Sirius sat in his seat, dumbfounded, head hanging and not moving.
Vid covered his ears with one hand, then quickly drew out the Friendship Book, swiftly writing a sentence on one page.
He then tugged Lupin, shaking his head, signaling everyone not to draw the curtain yet.
Before long, a shadow appeared in one of the third-floor bedroom's blank portraits. It quickly moved through several frames, soon arriving at the hall.
As the shadow passed each portrait, the individuals within rapidly quieted. Before long, it reached the portrait of Sirius's mother - Walburga Black.
"Walburga!" the shadow said.
The old lady's scream abruptly stopped, her swirling eyes fixed on the newcomer, her expression no longer mad, but instead proud and defiant.
After a pause, she said in a hoarse voice, "Phineas, why have you come?"
Lupin was startled, it was the first time he realized the portrait besides screaming and cursing, could actually speak normally.
And the shadow entering the portrait sighed, saying, "Walburga, you ought to address me as great-grandfather."