Anne was curled up on the couch, completely absorbed in a thick book titled One Hundred Unique Properties of Rare Potions, when Aaron suddenly appeared in the fireplace.
"Good afternoon, Anne. It's almost time, shall we head out to pick up Diana?"
She slipped a bookmark into her book and closed it, giving Aaron a quick glance.
"Good afternoon, Uncle Aaron. But before we go, I think you'll need a change of clothes."
Aaron looked down at his outfit, then gave his forehead a little smack.
"Ah, right. Got so busy I completely forgot." He pulled out his wand and cast, "Skollgify!"
The dirt and dust on his clothes vanished in an instant. Meanwhile, Anne went upstairs, skillfully selected a smart-casual suit from Aaron's wardrobe, and came back down.
"Wear this today," she said, holding it out.
"Perfect." Aaron took the suit with a smile and affectionately ruffled Anne's hair.
As soon as he disappeared into the bathroom, Anne reached up to smooth her hair back down.
They drove to Heathrow Airport in London. Diana's flight still had a bit of time before landing, so they sat and chatted while they waited.
"Aaron," Anne asked, "now that Diana's been appointed, will she be staying in London long-term?"
"Most likely," Aaron replied. "The Department of International Magical Cooperation has loads of official business to handle at the Ministry. She'll still have to travel now and then, but as the Head of Department, she won't be needed for every public appearance. Still, it's been a while since she's lived in the UK, so she might need time to adjust. The working style here is completely different from France's Ministry of Magic. And lately, Fudge has been a bit... over the top."
"Minister Fudge? What's he done now?"
Aaron paused, thinking for a long moment before letting out a sigh.
"There's been a lot of negative news about Dumbledore lately. All I'll say is... things at Hogwarts might change drastically this year."
The Ministry interfering with Hogwarts... wasn't that done through the so-called High Inquisitor? Anne vaguely recalled the term.
"For you, Anne, that's all a bit premature. The real challenge this year is your O.W.L.s. Ordinary Wizarding Levels are no joke. You've always had great grades, but don't get complacent," he said, chuckling. "My fifth year was absolute chaos. I had to beg your parents for help so many times, between Quidditch training and revision, and every professor throwing mountains of homework at us, it was madness. Still gives me nightmares."
Anne made a face. She wasn't worried about most subjects, except for Transfiguration. She had a strong feeling Professor McGonagall would be particularly strict this term.
"Thinking about Transfiguration, are you?" Aaron guessed. "Come on, Anne. Just get through this year, and then you can say goodbye to that class forever."
That wasn't much comfort to Anne.
Seeing her expression, Aaron tried a different approach.
"Maybe you could find a Transfiguration genius to tutor you, like how I used to beg your dad for help in Astronomy. Oh! What about Hermione Granger? She's top of your year, isn't she? From Gryffindor. I'm sure she'd be happy to help."
"Actually… I've been passing Transfiguration these past few years thanks to her." Anne admitted it plainly. Thinking it over, Hermione really was her best option, her notes were clear, well-organized, and her grasp of wandwork and spell mechanics was razor-sharp.
"Well, there you go!" Aaron beamed. "If you do well on your O.W.L.s, maybe you can invite her over. Let me thank her properly! I could take you both to Ireland to see some magical creatures. And the basement's pretty cool, too..."
Invite Hermione over?
Anne nearly choked on the idea. Cough, cough. If Fanny found out, there was no telling what she'd say.
But then again… maybe it wasn't a big deal. Inviting a friend over was perfectly normal, especially someone who had helped her so much.
Oh! I still need to get her a proper birthday gift… Wait, I don't even know when her birthday is! I need to find out, maybe invite her out during the summer holidays?
Her thoughts drifted toward planning an outing before Aaron's voice pulled her back.
"Anne, Diana's flight just landed."
"Right."
Through the crowd, Diana was easy to spot, tall, stylish, sunglasses on, wheeling a single suitcase. Anne waved eagerly, and Diana's pace quickened as soon as she saw them.
Diana removed her sunglasses with a bright smile.
"Happy birthday, Anne."
Aaron stepped forward quickly to take her suitcase.
Now hands-free, Diana reached out and ruffled Anne's hair.
"I can't believe how much you've grown in just one year!" She held her hand up to measure.
"Another year or two and you'll be as tall as me. And prettier, too! Any boys chasing after you yet? I heard from your Uncle Aaron that a few asked you out over Christmas. Anyone catch your eye~?"
Anne gave Aaron a sharp look, What exactly did you tell her?, before quickly changing the subject.
"You must be tired from work. How about we go eat? I found a restaurant I'd love to try, remember the one I mentioned before?"
"Sure! It's your birthday, whatever you want." Diana slung an arm around Anne's shoulders with a smile.
After a satisfying meal, they got back in the car. Diana, still cheerful, asked,
"So, what's the plan for the afternoon? Got anything in mind?"
"A whole afternoon?"
"Of course," Diana replied confidently. Aaron nodded in agreement.
"Then I'd like to go to the British Museum, Westminster Abbey, and the National Gallery. If we have time, maybe catch a movie, then dinner, at Tang Tea House on 15–17 Broadwick Street. They serve the most amazing black pepper venison pastries. It's a Michelin one-star Chinese restaurant."
"Done!" Aaron and Diana said in unison.
They spent the day strolling through museums, wandering around street corners. Whenever Anne spotted something tasty from a street vendor, she'd excitedly shout for Aaron to stop the car, then run over to buy some. They sat on a bench with three different-flavored ice creams, chatting casually about people and weather, then moved on to the next spot.
By the time they stepped out of the restaurant, it was well past 8 p.m.
"That was so good..." Anne sighed in satisfaction, patting her stomach and flashing a big smile.
Aaron looked at her with warmth in his eyes and ruffled her hair again.
Diana chuckled. "That was delicious. Your restaurant choice was spot on, Anne."
"Hehe…"
"So, what's the plan for tonight?" Anne asked Diana, knowing full well there was an unspoken arrangement. Now that she was older, she was expected to start accepting some responsibilities within the family.
"There's a meeting at Roland Manor tonight," Diana said simply.
"Perfect. I've been dying to learn more. The Roland family's always been so mysterious. There's barely anything about them in the Hogwarts library."
"By the end of tonight, you'll know everything," Diana said with a smile.
Anne's eyes lit up with curiosity and anticipation.
Back at Aaron's house, Diana picked up her suitcase, bid Aaron farewell, and disappeared with Anne through the fireplace in a swirl of Floo powder, bound for Roland Manor.
"Good evening, Master. Good evening, Young Mistress!"
Six house-elves stood on either side of the fireplace, bowing deeply. Diana gave a nod.
"Begin preparations. Gooka, stay."
"Yes, Mistress," the six elves answered in unison.
Gooka was the head elf and the oldest in the household, sharp-minded despite his age.
"How has the manor been in my absence?" Diana asked.
Gooka handed her a parchment-bound logbook. She took it and flipped through.
"Mistress, during your 269-day absence, nothing significant occurred. All minor matters and daily notes are recorded here," Gooka said, producing a smaller book. "Also, the magical plants the Young Mistress cultivated, growth and trimming have all been recorded per her instructions."
Anne gave him a grateful smile and accepted the book, flipping it open to read.
Gooka then briefed Diana on the evening's meeting logistics, guest list, and materials to prepare. Diana listened carefully, giving occasional feedback.
"Let's proceed with that. The meeting starts at nine. When they arrive, take them straight to the meeting room."
"Yes, Mistress."
"I'll take Anne to the basement first. You may go."
With a pop, Gooka vanished.
The basement housed the Roland family's archive, filled with magical artifacts and ancient tomes collected over a century. Anne had been twice before, but today, Diana took her past the storage room, toward a blank wall.
"This time, we're not going to the archives. We're visiting the room that holds the reason the Roland family is what it is."
Sure enough, when they reached the wall, Diana walked straight through it.
"Whoa! Just like at King's Cross!" Anne exclaimed, hurrying through after her.
Beyond the wall was another corridor. At the end stood a heavy stone door with the Roland family crest, a raised elephant on a shield, with the initials RL etched beneath it.
As they approached, the elephant opened its mouth and spoke.
"Time? Place? Name?"
"1873. India. Johnny Depp Roland."
"Correct. Purpose?"
"Disagreement is inevitable, but respect is essential."
"Stay true to what's been decided," the elephant replied in a deep voice. The stone door groaned open.
Anne tried hard to memorize the passphrase, though she still didn't fully understand it.
As they walked, Diana began explaining quickly.
"Anne, what you just heard were two of the Roland family's principles. I'll teach you all seven now. Remember them."
"I will."
"The Roland Family Code:
Never make promises lightly.
Disagreement is inevitable, but respect is essential.
Recognize your mistakes, admit them, and correct them.
Public opinion reflects the majority's view, but not necessarily the truth.
Stay true to what's been decided.
There are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests.
Strength doesn't guarantee victory, but the victor is always seen as strong.
Remember what should be remembered; forget what should be forgotten. Change what can be changed; accept what cannot."
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