224- Dark Tide and Bustling Greengrass Manor

On most days, there weren't many magical creatures in the valley of Greengrass Manor. The most common sights were ordinary birds, wild rabbits, and perhaps a few grass snakes.

But today, in celebration of Christmas, Mr. Henry Jamison Greengrass had somehow arranged for a batch of Luminious Deer, fairies, Golden Beetles, and white peacocks to be brought in and released into the valley, enhancing the festive atmosphere.

Seeing the now lively valley, Rhys nodded in approval—Mr. Henry certainly had an eye for detail.

"Come to think of it, you don't seem to have many magical creatures here usually, do you?"

Hearing the sound of approaching footsteps behind him, Rhys didn't even need to turn around to know that it had to be Daphne and Astoria. The Greengrass couple was still outside the manor, busy with final preparations to welcome the guests, so they wouldn't be here.

Sure enough, Daphne's voice rang out: "We do have quite a few Bowtruckles, Nifflers, Flobberworms, and maybe some gnomes?"

"No way! Doudou would never allow gnomes in the house," Astoria immediately countered.

Doudou was the Greengrass family's house-elf, who was currently in the kitchen, overseeing the chefs at work.

"I meant large magical creatures, like unicorns, Thestrals, or hippogriffs," Rhys said as he turned around—only to be met with the sight of one silver and one green figure standing before him.

Today was an important occasion, and Daphne and Astoria had to take it seriously. Both sisters had changed into brand-new formal robes. Their outfits were identical in design, differing only in color.

Rhys also noticed that they had swapped their usual shoes for high heels with ribboned bows at the heels, making them appear taller and more slender.

It was clear they had put effort into their appearance.

Rhys was no exception—he had changed into a green formal robe that he had prepared beforehand, with silver-trimmed sleeves. The robe itself was plain, without excessive embellishments, but it suited his temperament quite well.

Before the main guests arrived, the extended branches of the Greengrass family began to show up one after another.

Standing by the window, Rhys watched as Mr. and Mrs. Greengrass welcomed groups of colorfully dressed wizards into the manor. Beside him, Daphne quietly introduced them in a hushed voice.

"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 son from each marriage—my cousin and my half-cousin. Both of them are quite interesting."

"That old woman over there? My great-great-aunt—a terribly annoying person. Never share any gossip with her!"

"Him? Hmm… I don't remember too well. I think he's one of Mom's relatives—oh, right, he's my distant great-uncle from Switzerland. His father and my grandmother were siblings. His father wasn't just any wizard, though—he followed Grindelwald in his youth. Even now, he still wears a necklace marked with Grindelwald's symbol around his neck… Not exactly a popular choice."

Daphne rattled off the identities and characteristics of each arriving guest like a machine gun—ironically, the long and complicated names were actually the easiest part to remember. Her memory in this regard was astonishing.

Rhys cast a surprised glance at Daphne. This girl's memory is that good? Looks like I can start giving her more responsibilities in the future…

Poor Daphne had no idea that she had just been thoroughly assigned future tasks without her knowledge.

From downstairs, the sounds of chatter and commotion gradually grew louder—clearly, the relatives had officially entered the Greengrass Manor.

Daphne glanced at Astoria, signaling for her to quickly lock the door to Rhys's bedroom.

"I can't be bothered to deal with those people. Every time, I have to keep a straight face, put on some phony smile, say empty words, and watch them do the same—it's absolutely exhausting!" Daphne grumbled non-stop.

Rhys listened with a smile—this kid is a perfect heir to the family.

And somehow, her words sounded awfully familiar…

Oh, right.

Adrian…

["Professor, dealing with those noble guests and relatives is such a pain, okay? None of them are good people—all smiles to your face, knives to your back. I really don't want to interact with them anymore! Even if they bring along beautiful countesses and baronesses, I'm still not going. It's just too tiring!"]

In his memory, the girl in front of him gradually overlapped with the image of a high-spirited young man.

They're so similar… Wait, no! It's just their attitude towards socializing that's a bit alike!!!

Rhys startled himself with that thought. What nonsense—Adrian? Compared to Daphne? Not a chance!

These two must not be alike! Retreat, retreat, retreat! He forcefully yanked the boy's image away from Daphne's, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it out of his mind.

Adrian was Adrian. Daphne was Daphne. The only thing they had in common was the Greengrass surname—nothing else!

Rhys reaffirmed his belief: One student like Adrian is already more than enough!

As night fell, the guests began arriving in waves.

The first to appear were the Weasley family and Potter. The Weasleys were truly a thriving family—their arrival instantly dyed the valley red. From a high vantage point, the valley even looked like it had been set ablaze.

Following the Weasleys was a middle-aged man with perfectly pressed clothes and a mustache so neatly trimmed it might as well have been measured with a ruler. The moment he arrived, he immediately engaged Henry Greengrass in conversation. But judging by their expressions, they weren't exchanging pleasantries—they were handling official business.

After that workaholic, the Malfoys, Flints, Ollivanders, and other pure-blood families started making their appearances.

By the end, even Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge had shown up.

The Greengrass Manor had officially come to life.

A sharp pop echoed through the air as the house-elf Doudou appeared in the bedroom.

"Miss Daphne, Miss Astoria, you two must go out now—the guests are eager to see you!"

She gave the three of them a deep bow before shrilly reminding the Greengrass sisters that hiding here any longer would be impolite.

Daphne almost asked if Astoria could go handle the guests alone, but she swallowed the words before they left her lips—she already knew the answer.

Absolutely impossible.

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

As for Rhys? He was practically invisible in this situation—he could easily stay here until dinner began.

...

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, another place was just as lively as Greengrass Manor…

Inside a warmly lit banquet hall, dozens of men and women gathered, slowly enjoying their Christmas feast to the sound of music.

"Speaking of which, the operation over there should have started by now, right?" a voice asked.

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

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