A violent sense of rotation, like traveling through time and space, hit them—even more intense than when they had come.
When Hermione and Lia stumbled out of the fireplace, they were no longer greeted by the cold, damp air of Malfoy Manor.
Instead, it was a vibrant scent mixed with frosting and some kind of peculiar plant.
They seemed to have landed in a storage room piled high with clutter, surrounded by half-finished prank props and potion bottles with strange labels.
The storage room door was carefully pushed open a crack, and two identical red-haired heads poked in.
"Welcome, our most distinguished customers!" The twins stepped in, announcing in unison before giving Hermione and Lia an exaggerated bow.
Lia was amused by them, her blue eyes curving into crescents.
She didn't hide behind Hermione as usual; instead, she reached out her small hand, pulled a Galleon from her pocket, and handed it to George.
This Galleon bore no Goblin mark; instead, it was engraved with a coiled snake—a commemorative coin circulated within the House of Malfoy.
"For you," Lia said. "Payment for the Floo powder."
The twins' eyes widened as they stared at the exquisite gold coin.
They exchanged a glance, seeing the wild joy in each other's eyes.
"No, no, no, this is too precious!" Fred demurred verbally, but his hand honestly reached out and took it.
"We're friends; friends are supposed to help each other!" George added, while stuffing the gold coin into his own pocket.
"Alright, take us out quickly, it's suffocating in here," Hermione urged.
"As you command, Miss Granger!"
The twins pushed open the storage room door, and a wave of heat mixed with the roar of a crowd rushed toward them.
The shop was packed with people, far more crowded than Hermione had imagined.
All sorts of weird inventions hung from the ceiling, and snack boxes that walked on their own wove through the legs of the crowd.
A giant puppet in a suit stood at the door, bowing to every guest.
The air was filled with laughter and the slight crackle of magical explosions.
In this environment, Lia's Danger Intuition didn't sound any alarms; instead, it felt as relaxed as if it were soaking in a hot spring.
There were no schemes here, no malice—only creativity, happy magic, and a love for life.
This made Lia feel more relaxed than ever before.
"Go on, have a look around, we've prepared plenty of treats," Fred said to Lia.
Hermione thought Lia would grab her sleeve and stay close, as she usually did.
However, Lia merely nodded to her and actually walked toward the bustling crowd alone.
Her pace was elegant and steady; her small figure showed not a hint of hesitation or timidity.
Watching her back, a strange sense of pride and an unfamiliar feeling welled up in Hermione's heart.
She had the look of a parent thinking, 'The child has grown up.'
Lia picked up a glass of butterbeer from a waiter's tray and took small sips, imitating those around her.
Her gaze curiously scanned everyone present.
The party was filled with guests; besides the Hogwarts students who came to show support, there were actually several low-level officials in Ministry of Magic uniforms—likely colleagues dragged along by Mr. Weasley.
Lia's gaze locked onto a wizard who looked the youngest and had a somewhat stiff expression.
Pinned to his chest was a badge for the 'Department of Magical Law Enforcement.'
Lia set off and walked toward him.
"Good evening, sir." Lia's voice was soft and innocent, enough to disarm anyone.
The young clerk, who had been dealing with several students trying to sell him prank products, looked a bit impatient; but when he looked down and saw such a cute and exquisite girl with cat ears, his impatience instantly turned into a bashful smile.
"Oh, hello there, little girl."
"May I ask you a question?" Lia tilted her head, her sky-blue eyes full of curiosity. "I heard that... well, 'magical creatures' like me need to register with the Ministry of Magic, right?"
She intentionally emphasized the words 'magical creatures,' sounding a bit aggrieved and confused.
This appearance immediately triggered the young clerk's protective instincts and desire to show off.
"Yes, theoretically that's true. But the process for companion magical beings is simpler." He cleared his throat and began to talk incessantly. "It's mainly for risk assessment and census purposes. You know, Minister Fudge has been particularly concerned about these things lately..."
"Will the process be very tedious?" Lia blinked. "I heard from my master that when Ms. Umbridge was there, it seemed to be very strict."
At the mention of Umbridge, the young clerk's face instantly soured, and he instinctively lowered his voice.
"Oh, don't mention that crazy woman. That wasn't strict, it was radical. She wanted to label all non-human beings as 'dangerous'; many in the department were dissatisfied with her. Now that Minister Scrimgeour has taken office, things are much better; at least he's a pragmatic man."
"Really? That's great." Lia gave a relieved smile. "I was worried Mr. Fudge would... well, would think I'm dangerous because of some rumors in the newspapers."
"Ahem, Minister Fudge... he's a bit... right now..." The clerk looked around, his voice dropping even lower. "You know, the rumors of You-Know-Who's return have put him under a lot of pressure. Sometimes he can be a bit... paranoid. "
But don't you worry, little girl. As long as you stay at Hogwarts with Professor Dumbledore and Miss Granger, no one can do anything to you."
"Thank you, sir. You're such a kind person."
Lia thanked him sweetly, then turned and walked away elegantly with her butterbeer, hiding her success.
With just a few words, she had teased out the general ill-will toward Umbridge within the Ministry, Fudge's increasing paranoia, and the pragmatic attitude of the new Minister, Scrimgeour.
This information was far more direct and vivid than what Hermione could analyze from the newspapers.
Hermione, standing by the drinks table not far away, took all of this in.
She watched Lia's ease, watched her use the most innocent expressions to speak the most leading words, and watched her easily extract the intelligence she needed from a nervous Ministry official.
That composure, that elegance, that quiet calculation... Hermione suddenly remembered Lia's coldness and sharpness when analyzing Voldemort's psychology in the Headmaster's Office.
That was Tom Riddle's knowledge, his way of thinking.
But at this moment, it was Lia's own will that was controlling it all.
When had she learned all this?
Even with those memories, she wouldn't have changed this much.
Something she didn't know about must have happened.
Hermione watched Lia, who was moving through the crowd with ease, her heart filled with doubt.
Having experienced her seventh death and gained 'Resilient Spirit,' Lia was emerging from her cocoon like a butterfly in a way Hermione had never imagined.
She had learned to use every weapon she possessed—the beast's instinct beneath an innocent and cute exterior.
And the dark wisdom of Lord Voldemort.
Hermione picked up her glass of pumpkin juice and took a sip. The cold liquid slid down her throat, but it couldn't suppress the strange, burning tide in her heart.
Hermione's gaze followed that petite figure weaving through the crowd, unable to look away for a long time.
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