Epic-Level Deep Inhale

"I don't have any good ideas either." Harry stretched out casually on the sofa. "Anyway, whatever we eat shouldn't be Britain food, am I right?"

"Yes, anyway," Veratia replied.

Just then, the door was pushed open, and instead of House Elf, Cassandra walked in.

She wore a pearl-grey wizard's robe, classic and exquisite in style, which accentuated her cascading blonde hair. Her gaze swept across the room, and when she saw Harry and Veratia sitting side by side on the sofa, her eyebrows rose slightly.

"I just arrived in the lobby on the first floor and ran into Minister Black being surrounded by a group of members from the Bowtruckle Rights Protection Association. It looks like he won't be able to get away anytime soon," Cassandra said in a clear voice.

She walked in and nodded slightly to Veratia.

"It seems you've been here for a while, Grindelwald."

Veratia's lips curled into a slight smile.

"Harry was asking about dinner, so it seems the three of us can discuss it. As for that Minister surrounded by the enthusiastic crowd—well, he doesn't have anything important to say, so let's not let him interrupt our time together."

Cassandra walked to the armchair on the other side of the sofa and sat down gracefully. The House Elf immediately appeared silently and served her a cup of unsweetened black tea.

"I'm easygoing. But since we're in Britain, perhaps we could try something less international. Last month, Mrs. Black told me that our Godfather said the Yorkshire pudding at the Ministry of Ministry of Magic's restaurant looked like a Petrifying Spell wool sock."

Harry couldn't help but laugh; he could imagine Sirius's expression when he said that.

"He's always been very picky about food, even when it's Kritcher's cooking."

"So, what suggestions do you have, Mr. Potter?" Cassandra turned to Harry, her gaze fixed on him. "You surely know better than your Godfather, who's busy dealing with the rights of Magical Creatures, what restaurants are worth eating in London's Magical World."

Harry thought for a moment, "The Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley is too noisy, and the Three Broomsticks at Hogsmeade are a bit too far. Maybe we could try the newly opened Obscurial's Rest on the edge of Knockturn Alley? I heard it's quiet, the food is a modified version of classic Britain cuisine, and the owner is a retired Potions Master who has some knowledge of ingredient fusion."

What he didn't say was that the place was secluded enough for the three of them who didn't want to attract too much attention.

Veratia raised an eyebrow. "The Obscurial's Rest? The name sounds unassuming enough. Hopefully, their food isn't as somber as the name suggests. What do you think, Cass?"

Cassandra took a small sip of tea and pondered for a moment. "This sounds much more interesting than continuing the discussion of the South America rainforest ecology report. I have no objection. Do we need to make a reservation?"

"I'll arrange it."

As Veratia spoke, she drew a simple Runes in the air with her wand, and a silver ray of light shot out of the window, presumably to notify her assistant.

"Perfect, we can chat a bit longer. Harry, tell us, what happened to that first-year student named Lingard? And what about your friend who's a demolition expert with zero points, is he really going to France to train animals?"

The conversation thus veered from heavy official duties and magical politics to the much more relaxed daily life at Hogwarts.

Harry recounts how Jesse Lingard demonstrated leadership potential during subsequent training, Seamus's expression when he received the emotional counselor card from the Twins, and also touches on Seamus's changing feelings.

Veratia listened with a mixture of amusement and disbelief, occasionally offering a sharp comment.

Cassandra, on the other hand, listened quietly, her gaze gentle as Harry O. chattered on about his daily life.

Sirius couldn't shake off the enthusiastic citizens until the sun was about to set, so he had to send someone to tell them he was taking leave.

"Looks like it's just the three of us now," Harry said with a shrug.

When I left the restaurant after dinner, the night in Knockturn Alley was already deep, and the magic streetlights flickered with a hazy glow.

The early autumn evening breeze carried a chill. Veratia naturally took Harry's arm and looked at Cassandra beside her, whose posture remained upright but who seemed ready to Apparition away at any moment.

"So, Cass," Veratia began, "are you going back to your manor, or—"

"I'm going back to the hotel," Cassandra scoffed. "I won't disturb your time together. See you tomorrow—"

After she finished speaking, she nodded slightly and turned to leave.

"Wait." Harry suddenly spoke, releasing Veratia's hand, taking a step forward, and grasping Cassandra slightly surprised gaze.

The touch was slightly cool, and he could feel her stiffen momentarily, but she didn't immediately pull away.

"Let's go back to 13 Grimmauld Place together," Harry said, looking into her eyes. "Isn't it much more convenient than a hotel?"

Cassandra raised her chin slightly. "Potter, I don't think this is the right time. That woman might—"

"Veratia has no objection." Harry interrupted her, glancing back at Veratia. Veratia stood a few steps away, arms crossed, a teasing smile on her face, as if enjoying an amusing tug-of-war.

She even shrugged, indicating her agreement.

"And," Harry turned back, "That's your home too, Cass, at least."

"I don't plan to stay there often," Cassandra tried to maintain her last bit of composure, but the confidence in her voice was waning.

"We can make some plans tonight." Harry said without waiting for a reply, pulling her towards the public Floo Network.

The force was just right, not too light or too heavy, so as not to hurt her, but also not too heavy or too light, so that she could not easily break free.

"Veratia, you're gone."

Veratia followed with a smile, walking to the other side of Cassandra, her tone relaxed. "Yes, Cass, I had my House Elf put two pots of Moonlight Orchid on your study windowsill, the ones you mentioned liking last time. It would be a shame not to go see them."

and----"

She lowered her voice, with a hint of mockery.

"Can you really bear to let me have my little male servant all to myself?"

Cassandra, flanked by the two men, her ears slightly red, finally gave up her futile resistance. She simply turned her face away from Harry, muttering under her breath, "----Rude and impolite Gryffindor."

But this complaint sounds less like a complaint and more like the last bit of stubbornness before compromise.

The green Floo Powder flames died down in the fireplace of the spacious yet cozy Living Room at 13 Grimmauld Place. The house was quiet, save for the crackling of the fireplace and the occasional calls of nocturnal Magical Creatures from outside the window.

Unlike the gloomy 12 Grimmauld Place, this townhouse, cleverly shrouded in Confundus Charm, is bright and comfortable inside.

Cassandra broke free from Floo Network, she immediately shook off Harry's hand and hurried toward the stairs leading to the second floor, as if trying to escape the moment of forced intimacy she had just experienced.

"I'm going to the study," she said without turning around.

"Your room is always stocked with pajamas and toiletries by the House Elf," Veratia called out from behind her, only to be met with Cassandra's even faster retreating figure.

Harry and Veratia exchanged a smile, and Veratia leaned over and poked Harry's chest.

"I never imagined Mr. The Savior could be so domineering, but well done. That's how you deal with a tsundere like her."

"I just feel," Harry, putting his arm around Veratia and looking at the light shining through the crack in the study door upstairs, "That she shouldn't always be alone, especially on nights like this."

"So you want the three of you together?" Veratia's smile was full of domineering authority. "I've figured it out, you little rascal, your head is full of unhealthy ideas."

Harry smiled without saying a word.

Late at night, after finishing his workout with Veratia, Harry came out of his room, intending to see what Cassandra was doing.

As I passed the small Living Room on the second floor, I saw that Cassandra was not in the study, but was sitting quietly on the windowsill of the bay window facing the back garden, with her knees drawn up to her chest.

Moonlight streamed through the glass, illuminating her platinum blonde hair and pearl-grey silk robe, making her look like Sprite descended to earth, completely out of place with her surroundings.

She heard footsteps and turned around.

"Still not asleep?" Harry walked over and leaned against the windowsill.

"I'm not very sleepy." Cassandra's gaze drifted to the blurry outline of the garden in the night outside the window. "It's very quiet here; I like the atmosphere."

"This is our home," Harry said softly.

Cassandra remained silent for a long time, then gave a very soft "hmm," her voice so low it was almost inaudible.

She didn't look at him, but her tense shoulders seemed to relax a little.

"Go to sleep, Potter," she finally said, her tone returning slightly to its usual cadence, but without the resistance. "Aren't we going to discuss tomorrow how to keep your pitiful Warming Charm from blowing away by the Norway winds?"

"This isn't real, Cass." Harry snapped his fingers, Elf immediately poured him a glass of water.

He tilted his head back and gulped down the glass of water, then walked over to Cassandra.

It smells amazing, truly amazing. Harry couldn't help but lower his head and breathe in the aroma of Cassandra's hair in an epic way.

"Hey, you—" Cassandra looked up, somewhat embarrassed and annoyed, "How could you be so lewd—"

"I have some important things to do." Harry grinned mischievously, then scooped Cassandra up from the windowsill with both hands. "Veratia sent me out to find you. She said the nights aren't complete without you, so I—"

"Shameless!" Cassandra turned her head away, her face flushed, but she only cursed and did not struggle or object.

It seems she's enjoying it, isn't she?

Cassandra very light. Despite her tall stature, she is as light as a feather and weighs almost nothing when you hold her.

Of course, Harry also thought it might be because she was too barren.

But he could only think that to himself; if he actually said it aloud, Cassandra would probably kill him.

Harry carried Cassandra steadily back to the master bedroom. The only sounds in the hallway were his soft footsteps and Cassandra's labored but still rapid breathing.

She buried her burning cheeks in the crook of his neck, a few strands of her platinum blonde hair brushing against his chin, carrying the same cool and lingering fragrance as she did.

The bedroom door was ajar. Pushing it open, Veratia, now dressed in a comfortable silk nightgown, sat against the headboard, holding a thin Ministry of Magic bulletin, but clearly not reading much of it.

Seeing Harry carry Cassandra, whose face was flushed and turned away, into the room, she put down the briefing and a meaningful smile appeared on her lips.

"Looks like we've found our lost moon Sprite?" Veratia's voice was softer than usual as she patted the empty space beside her. "Is the windowsill cold?"

Harry carefully placed Cassandra in the middle of the bed, and Veratia naturally reached out and pulled a soft down comforter over her legs. Cassandra remained silent, only glancing quickly at Veratia before averting her gaze. Her fingers unconsciously tugged at the corner of the blanket. Her feigned composure coupled with her utter helplessness was so adorable it was almost irresistible.

Harry lay down between the two of them and naturally reached out to pull them both closer.

Veratia obediently leaned closer and rested her head on his shoulder.

Cassandra stiffened for a moment, but in Harry's warm and firm embrace, and under Veratia's meaningful smile, she finally relaxed her tense back, allowing herself to lean against Harry's other side in a slightly awkward position.

The room fell silent for a moment, with only the sound of their breathing mingling.

The moonlight outside the window was filtered into a soft halo by the curtains, and the magic wall lamp automatically dimmed its brightness.

"So we're just going to lie here like this, without saying a word?" Veratia spoke first, leaning closer to Cassandra, their eyes meeting. "Or, shall we find something to do first?"

"What—what did you say?" Cassandra asked knowingly, her voice nasal.

"What do you think, my dear Cass?" Veratia said, gesturing to Harry with her eyes.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony!" Harry said with a grin as he stood up.

(20,000 words omitted here)

Two days later, Harry, Veratia, and Cassandra left Grimmauld Place, Number 13, preparing to use the International Portkey to travel to Norway.

The location was a secluded and quiet office in the Ministry of Magic's Floo Network Coordination Room, which was not frequently used.

Veratia changed out of her serious Minister suit and into a set of dark travel casual clothes that allowed her to move around easily. Her long hair was tied into a neat ponytail as she examined a small suitcase that was protected by multiple layers of Protective Charm.

"Hopefully, Mr. Scamander hasn't moved his protected area to some Volcanic Crater or glacial crevasse."

Veratia said to Harry behind her.

"Given Newt's style, it's entirely possible," Harry said with a smile as he approached.

Just then, the door on the other side of the Coordination Room was silently pushed open, Cassandra walked in.

She also changed out of her usual elegant robe and chose a sophisticated yet tailored dark gray travel suit, covered with a Windproof Cloak with subtle silver patterns, and her platinum hair was neatly tied back.

She held a small, well-preserved leather handbag that looked old, and her gaze calmly swept over Veratia's casual clothes and Harry, giving a slight nod in greeting.

"Hopefully, the target organisms for this academic expedition at least know some basic etiquette." Her tone was ambiguous, neither serious nor sarcastic, perhaps both.