A Matchmaking Scheme

The first day of the holiday wasn't actually the Christmas break. After dropping Harry off at home, Sirius hurriedly left to return to the Ministry of Magic to Fudge... no, to go to work.

After all, Sirius has not yet succeeded in taking control of the Ministry of Magic, and he still has a long way to go.

Anne asked for a room that wasn't too far from Harry. She was quite smart; she didn't choose the conspicuous next-door room, otherwise that would definitely attract the attention of that European vinegar king.

That afternoon, Pabbie arrived at Grimmauld Place, Number 12 to celebrate the holiday with Harry.

"I still don't understand," Pabbie said, sitting on the sofa, kicking her little white legs. "Why do we wizards have to celebrate Christmas? We don't believe in Jesus Christ, and look, even Diagon Alley has a nailing machine hanging there..."

"A nail press?" Anne didn't recognize what that was.

"The cross," Harry explained quickly. "You see, Jesus was nailed to that, wasn't he?"

Anne tried to stay calm, but finally couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.

"We'll have a few more people celebrating this holiday season," Sirius winked at Harry during dinner. "And, to be honest, my Old Pal Moony has fallen in love..."

"Professor Lupin is in love?" Harry looked up immediately.

Anne was somewhat bewildered; she didn't recognize Lupin —when Lupin was teaching at Hogwarts, she was still asleep in some secret realm.

"Yeah, everyone has their day," Sirius said with a double entendre—after all, Werewolf is a dog in some ways. "You might not believe it, but Lupin's girlfriend is Tonks Tonks Nymphadora Hufflepuff, though she doesn't really like being called by her first name, so keep that in mind."

Harry was no longer that innocent boy; he knew that the word "Nymphadora" did indeed have a bad meaning, referring to both a woman with a lewd personality and Poussy.

Nobody wants to be called that, right?

"Okay, I got it, Sirius," Harry said with a shrug.

"By the way," Sirius asked again, "How's your school doing? I heard they just passed Educational Decree No. 25, is that right?"

"She's still struggling," Harry said, turning over the mashed potatoes. "But she's like a grasshopper in autumn, she won't be able to jump around for much longer."

Yes, it's also a bump on Scabbers's tail, but there's not much pus left.

"If you ask me, Harry!"

Suddenly, Phineas's face appeared on the blank portrait in the restaurant. "You should have gotten rid of that Umbridge a long time ago! Ha! Where's your courage when you drank the Polyjuice Potion and impersonated me? Listen, don't let her steal my title of most unpopular person!"

"Why are you still so fixated on this title?" Harry asked, looking exasperated.

"Black and red are still red," Phineas laughed heartily. "Anyway, get rid of it quickly, okay? Consider it a request from an old friend..."

"I will, Phineas," Harry said with a polite nod.

He then turned to Sirius and asked, "Now that I've seen Phineas, I also have a question for you—the kind of question Phineas asked before."

"What's wrong?" Sirius suddenly had a bad feeling.

"When are you getting married?" Harry asked with a grin. "Look, even Professor Lupin has found the love of his life. Are you really planning to stay single forever?"

"Oh, don't mention Remus." Sirius rolled his eyes. "Tonks isn't from our generation. In fact, Tonks ' mother is my cousin— Andromeda Black, who should be called Andromeda Tonks now."

Harry remembered that Sirius had mentioned Andromeda when he talked to him about the names that had been erased from the family tree.

Andromeda is actually quite similar to Sirius; both are rebellious. She dares to challenge family traditions and rules, pursuing her own happiness and love. This personality trait is fully reflected in her marriage to Ted Tonks.

Despite facing pressure and opposition from her family, she resolutely chose to stand with Ted and face the challenges and difficulties of the future together.

Andromeda is always kind and compassionate towards others, which earns her the respect and affection of many in her family, especially Sirius, who speaks of his cousin with a hint of reverence.

Even after losing her family's protection, she was still able to maintain her independence and dignity, providing solid support and protection for her family.

"It's fine." Harry shrugged. "Anyway, she's your niece, not Professor Lupin's— "

Sirius snorted through his nose and didn't respond.

On Christmas Eve, the gifts were delivered to Grimmauld Place, Number 12.

That evening, Veratia and Cassandra arrived together, followed by Gemma Phally.

Miss Farley was still holding documents in her arms and looked somewhat absent-minded, as if she was thinking about official business at the Ministry of Magic.

"Harry".

When she saw Harry, Veratia went up to him and hugged Harry.

"Merry Christmas, half a day early!" She smiled slyly and winked at Harry.

"Oh," Harry said, "Happy holidays to you too—and to Cass." He hadn't forgotten Cassandra.

Upon hearing this, Cassandra's lips curled up slightly, and she rolled her white eyes at Harry.

Oh, that's the expression!

"Looks like you haven't decorated the room yet?" Veratia took off her coat and handed it to the Elf beside her.

Harry watched as the Elf took Veratia's clothes and disappeared from the spot, saying, "Yes, that's Sirius's idea. He said he originally wanted Kritcher to decorate, but then he thought it better to leave the room for us to decorate, so it would have a festive feel."

"The Godfather is very thoughtful," Veratia nodded, then glanced back at the absent-minded Gemma: "Gemma, this is a holiday, you don't need to think about work."

"Oh, oh." Gemma looked up in confusion, nodded, and put the documents she was holding on the table. But when she sat down on the sofa, she started to drift off into her own thoughts again.

"Look at what you've done to them," Harry said, shaking his head helplessly. He then looked up at Cassandra and asked, "How's life in Vienna?"

"It's much better than seeing you being intimate with your new girlfriend, Potter." Cassandra stretched lazily, and with that movement, her little shirt couldn't cover her body at all, revealing a section of her snowy little belly.

"I didn't get a new girlfriend," Harry said, waving his hand dismissively. "Don't talk nonsense, Cass."

Cassandra glanced at Anne, who sat calmly in place, then at Harry, and curled her lip in disdain.

She didn't say anything, yet it was as if she said everything.

"By the way, where's the Godfather?" Veratia looked around the room but didn't see Sirius.

"He's probably still working overtime at the Ministry of Magic," Harry said, glancing at his watch. "He should be back in a bit."

Veratia stood up and walked over to Harry.

"Come with me for a moment, Harry," she said softly.

"Oh." Harry stood up and followed Veratia to the corner.

He touched his head and asked, "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, it's just..." Veratia thought for a moment, then said to Harry, "Do you remember when you and I talked about the Godfather on the phone the day before yesterday?"

"What is it?" Harry thought for a moment and then remembered. "Oh, I know, it's about Phineas's troubles, isn't it?"

"Yes." Veratia glanced back at Miss Farley, who was still deep in thought, and asked in a low voice, "What do you think of Miss Farley?"

"Miss Farley?" Harry looked up at Miss Farley, scratched the back of his head, and said, "I don't know her very well, but... you mean, introduce her to the Godfather?"

It wasn't out of a survival instinct that Harry was acting this way; he genuinely wasn't familiar with Miss Farley. Their only interactions were when Miss Farley challenged him in his first year and when she helped him handle an emergency in his second year.

Oh, I think I even helped him gather information about Voldemort, the Voldemort man, from within Slytherin.

"Yes," Veratia said softly, putting her arms around Harry's shoulders. "I think it's a good choice. Miss Farley is excellent enough and beautiful enough; she's at least a good match for the Godfather, don't you think?"

"That's true, but the problem is..." Harry said, grinning, "But the Godfather is getting on in years. Wouldn't that be considered an old cow eating young grass? Or... uh, um..."

"No way." Veratia covered her lips and laughed. "I heard that Professor Lupin and Miss Tonks got together, right? Aren't they quite a few years apart? And if you really want to talk about it, Miss Tonks is the Godfather's niece, and Lupin is the Godfather's good brother. There's a generational difference between them."

"That's true." Harry smiled with relief. "But does Miss Farley agree?"

"She really likes the Godfather." Veratia rubbed Harry's forehead with her thumb. "Oh, that's why I trust Miss Farley; she's hopelessly obsessed with good looks."

Harry looked at Veratia with a dark expression. "You mean, I'm not handsome enough?"

"Oh, baby." Veratia cupped Harry's face in her hands and said with a smile, "You know, I'm not a superficial woman, and looks don't hold much appeal for me..."

"So you think I'm not handsome enough," Harry said, pursing his lips.

"Sweetie," Veratia ruffled Harry's hair and said with a smile, "Some things can be hurtful if you say them out loud, you have to understand me."

Harry took a deep breath...

Never mind, never mind.

Don't stoop to her level!

"I'm a little hurt, Veratia." Harry gave him his classic beady eyes. "I'm really hurt, feeling all fuzzy inside."

Veratia's eyes flickered, she smiled faintly, leaned forward and whispered something in Harry's ear.

Harry looked up sharply, his face filled with surprise, and asked, "Really?"

"You got off easy, you little rascal," Veratia snorted. "Didn't you pester me for ages?"

"Actually, I also think I'm not handsome enough," Harry said, rubbing his shoulder.

Harry simply couldn't refuse Veratia's promise.

As they walked back, Sirius also returned home.

Seeing so many people, Sirius clapped his hands happily.

"Looks like everyone's back, that's great."

Harry glanced at Sirius, then looked down at Veratia and asked, "Would the Godfather agree?"

"I don't know," Veratia said casually. "You can ask him."

Harry took a deep breath.

Dinner was cooked by Kritcher, the same old dishes, and the taste was alright.

After all, Walburga had already forgiven Sirius, and Kritcher would not continue with nonviolent noncooperation.

After dinner, Harry called Sirius to his study for a private chat.

"What's wrong?"

Sirius thought Harry was going to ask him about how Anne integrated into the family—he was thinking to himself, "Don't ask me that! I'm just Animagus, not a Veela..."

"It's about you," Harry said, sitting on the sofa. "I'd like to talk to you about some important things in your life..."

"My life's big event?" Sirius was a little confused. He didn't know what important life event he should discuss with his godson.

"Yes." Harry cleared his throat, trying to ease the awkwardness of arranging a marriage between his parents. "Do you know Miss Farley? You mean Miss Farley from Slytherin, the one who's Veratia's secretary now?"

"I know," Sirius nodded. "I have some impression of her. She's a very pretty girl, very serious about her work, and very reliable—you're not going to tell me you've got a crush on her, are you?"

Sirius's expression was still somewhat frightened as he said this.

Harry:...

What do you take me for?

"No," Harry tried to organize his thoughts, "It's just... Veratia and I think you really should settle down. Look— Professor Lupin has found his partner, and as his good friend, you can't fall behind. So, after some consideration, we think Miss Farley is quite nice. What do you think? Are you interested?"

"Am I interested?" Sirius was stunned.

He thought for a moment about Miss Farley, then carefully considered her age, and quickly shook his head, saying, "Forget it, Harry, she's not even twenty yet! I'm almost forty, this is ridiculous! No way!"

"Look at what you're saying, Godfather." Harry used an example to illustrate his point. "Didn't Professor Lupin also have a younger girlfriend? And she's your niece, no less?"

"Remus is Remus, and I am me." Sirius rubbed his face. "No, this is too reckless... Besides, how could she possibly be interested in me? I'm so old..."

Harry thought to himself, "It seems like there's a chance."

If Sirius refuses outright, it means he has no interest.

But now... Sirius is just using his age as an excuse, and he also says that Miss Farley would definitely not be interested in him, which is quite intriguing.

(Sorry, I was a little drunk around 9 pm yesterday and thought I'd take a nap, but I overslept...)

(End of this chapter)