Ancient Wizards Return to Hogwarts...

Chapter 226 Undercurrents and Bustling Greengrass Manor

Normally, there aren't many magical creatures in the valley of Greengrass Manor. The most common animals here are nothing more than ordinary birds, rabbits, and perhaps a few serpent snakes.

But today, to celebrate Christmas, Mr. Henry ordered a batch of glow-in-the-dark deer, fairies, little golden beetles, and white peacocks from somewhere and placed them in the valley to make it even more Christmassy.

Looking at the valley that was becoming lively, Rice nodded: Mr. Henry did a pretty good job with the details!

"Speaking of which, it seems you don't usually have many magical creatures around here?" Rice heard footsteps behind him. He didn't need to turn around to know that it must be Daphne and Astoria. The Henrys were currently outside the main house setting up the estate and preparing to receive guests, so they wouldn't be here at all.

Sure enough, Daphne's voice rang out: "There are still quite a few Bowtruckles, Nifflers, Flobber Caterpillars, and maybe even some goblins?"

"No way, DouDou would never allow goblins in the house," Astoria's voice also appeared.

Bean is the house-elf of the Greengrass family, and she is currently supervising the chefs in the kitchen.

"I mean large magical creatures, like unicorns, Thestrals, griffins, and the like." Rice turned around, and two figures, one silver and one green, came into view.

Today was an extremely important occasion, and Daphne and Astoria had to take it seriously, so the two sisters changed into brand new gowns. Their gowns were the same style, only different colors. Rice also noticed that they were both wearing high heels with ribbon bows dangling from the heels, making them appear taller and slimmer.

It was clear they had dressed up carefully. Rice did the same; he had changed into a green formal robe he had prepared beforehand, with silver sleeves. The robe was simple, without much decoration, but it suited his temperament quite well.

Before the guests arrived, various branches of the Greengrass family began to arrive one after another.

Rice stood by the window, watching Henry and his wife welcome groups of colorful wizards into the mansion. Daphne stood beside him, whispering to him about these people's origins.

"That's my aunt's family. They moved to France a few years ago. She looks like a tomboy, but she's actually a nice person. She's been married twice and has a child from each marriage, who are my cousin and my younger cousin. They're both interesting people."

"That old woman is my great-aunt, she's a really annoying person, don't tell her any gossip!"

"Well... I don't remember quite clearly, but it seems to be a relative of my mother's—oh, my distant cousin who lives in Switzerland. His father and my maternal grandmother were siblings. His father was no ordinary man; he followed Grindelwald when he was young, and he still wears a necklace with Grindelwald's mark around his neck, which is not a pleasant sight."

Daphne rattled off the identities and characteristics of each group of guests in rapid succession—the complicated and difficult-to-pronounce names were actually the easiest to remember. In this respect, she demonstrated an astonishing memory.

Rice glanced at Daphne with surprise: This girl has such a good memory? Looks like I can give her more responsibilities in the future...

Poor little Daphne had no idea that she was being arranged in such a clear and unpredictable way.

A commotion gradually rose from downstairs, indicating that relatives from all walks of life had entered the Greengrass mansion.

Daphne glanced at Astoria and gestured for her to quickly lock the door to Rice's bedroom.

"I can't be bothered to see those guys. I always have to put on a straight face, give them fake smiles, say things I don't mean, and then watch them do the same thing. It's so annoying—" Daphne grumbled on and on, while Rice looked at her with a smile: This child is a qualified heir to the family.

And her words... I feel like I've heard them somewhere before, oh, it's Adrian...

【Teacher, entertaining those aristocratic guests and relatives is so annoying! They're all awful; they smile at you but stab you in the back. I really don't want to deal with them anymore! Even if the countesses and baronesses they bring are incredibly beautiful, I won't go—it's too exhausting!】

In his memory, the girl in front of him gradually merged with a spirited young man.

They're so alike... wait, no! They're just a little similar in their attitudes towards socializing!

Rice was startled by his own reaction: What kind of person is Adrian? How dare he compare to Daphne? These two are not alike! Back, back, back! He pulled the boy's figure out of Daphne's image in his mind, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it away.

Adrian is Adrian, and Daphne is Daphne. Apart from sharing the same surname, Greengrass, they have nothing in common. Yes!

Rice was convinced: one student like Adrian is enough!

As night fell, guests began to appear in groups.

The first to arrive were the Weasley family and Potter. The Weasleys were truly numerous; their arrival even seemed to dye the valley red. From above, the valley looked as if it were ablaze.

Appearing behind the Weasleys was a middle-aged man with impeccably ironed clothes and a mustache that looked as if it had been trimmed with a ruler. He immediately began talking to Mr. Henry. However, judging from their appearance, the two were not having a casual chat, but rather discussing official business.

After that workaholic, members of pure-blood families such as Malfoy, Flint, and Ollivander began to appear one after another, and in the end, even Minister of Magic Fudge appeared.

Greengrass Manor became incredibly lively.

A loud "pop" rang out in the air, and the house-elf DouDou appeared in the bedroom.

"Miss Daphne, Miss Astoria, you two should go out now. The guests outside are eager to see you!" She first bowed to the three of them, then reminded the Greengrass sisters in a high-pitched voice that they really shouldn't stay hidden here any longer. It would be a bit impolite not to go and greet the guests.

Daphne wanted to ask if Astoria could handle it, but she swallowed the question back—she knew it was completely impossible.

She could only sigh and leave the room with her sister.

As for Rice, a nobody like him could easily stay here until the dinner party begins.

Meanwhile, in another corner of the earth, just as lively as Greengrass Manor...

In the warm banquet hall, dozens of men and women gathered together, slowly enjoying the Christmas dinner to the sound of music.

"Speaking of which, the operation over there has begun, hasn't it?" a voice rang out.

"Of course, Gemini, Pisces, Aries, and Taurus are probably already in Azkaban by now," another voice replied.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The first update is here; please wait a while for the second.

It feels like it fits the temperament of a young Slytherin:

(End of this chapter)