Manor Tour

The carriage moved very slowly, as if deliberately allowing him to see every tree, every lawn, the main castle, and the two guard castles, even the two mountains behind the main castle, all within the estate's boundaries.

"That grove of trees over there was planted in the seventeenth century," Mrs. Greengrass said softly.

"Back then, the connection between Muggle and wizards was still very strong. Our family acquired this castle, along with the surrounding land, from the Duke of Norfolk."

She pointed to several buildings in the distance, "Those are the shooting range, the fencing range, and the wooden stakes. Several of my ancestors liked to practice this."

Tom looked in the direction she pointed, and saw that the shooting range was abandoned, with moss growing on the targets.

The fencing arena still retains some of its original appearance; several Scabbers longswords lean against the corner of the wall, and the wooden stakes are marked with knife marks of varying depths, as if they have been hacked over and over again.

"Were soldiers ever stationed here?"

"Not a soldier, but a forester." Mrs. Greengrass took a sip of tea.

"Back then, Werewolf still roamed the Forbidden Forest, and the people in the castle dared not go out. The forest rangers lived next to the logs and patrolled day and night."

Daphne and Astoria listened in stunned silence; they had never heard their mother talk about these things before.

As the carriage circled around to the back of the castle, Tom saw a small figure busy in the garden.

House-elf dark green skin, bulbous eyes, and wearing a tea towel printed with the Greengrass family crest.

He manipulated more than a dozen watering cans to water the fruit trees, his movements very light and careful.

"That's Tap," said Mrs. Greengrass. "He's in charge of everything outside the castle—planting trees, watering flowers, buying ingredients, preparing the carriages—he's a very capable boy."

Tom looked at Tap, and Tap saw him too, bowing deeply so that his forehead almost touched the ground.

"Just tell him what you want to eat or where you want to go," Daphne said, leaning closer to offer her suggestions.

As soon as he finished speaking, Astoria's soft, sweet voice rang out, barely audible yet clear. "I know this house very well, Tom. You can ask me too."

Tom shrugged, teasing Daphne, "Then I'll choose Astoria. Looking at House-elf always makes me feel tainted and uncomfortable."

This remark amused everyone, and no one thought it was inappropriate. House-elf should be so well-behaved that their presence is barely noticeable.

Just like at Hogwarts, many people have been there for seven years without knowing that there are 917 House-elf in the school.

Only the work in the orchard could be done during the day so that Tom could happen to see it.

Daphne laughed and said, "You look like you've eaten a sour lemon."

"I was just wondering, doesn't he need to rest?"

"House-elf don't rest," Astoria suddenly spoke, her voice very soft. "They think work is rest."

Tom glanced at her, and Astoria lowered her head after speaking, pretending that she hadn't said those words.

Tom took the opportunity to observe her condition, trying to find clues about the Blood Curse, and even secretly asked Andros and Gellert Grindelwald to come out and help.

But after looking for a long time, the two of them couldn't find anything unusual. Gellert Grindelwald's voice rang in Tom's mind.

"I have encountered Maledictus before, but the curse of this family is far more evil than that of the Maledictus."

His tone was somber. "This is no longer just a matter of her life force being excessively depleted; her magical aptitude has also been affected, preventing her from becoming an outstanding wizard."

Andros's furious voice chimed in, "Killing someone is just a matter of a head falling to the ground, but this torture has lasted for centuries."

He was always upright and honest, and he hated this kind of insidious curse, especially one that was hereditary. He turned around and confronted Gellert Grindelwald.

"You're a wicked, rotten Dark Lord, more knowledgeable about Dark Magic than I am. Do you know who created this curse?"

Gellert Grindelwald was already used to Andros's bluntness, so he didn't argue with him. After thinking for a moment, he shook his head.

"Blood Curse have many origins: some come from the backlash of Dark Magic, some from failed alchemy, and some from curses of ancient creatures."

"As for this one," he paused, "I don't recall any wizards skilled in curses in Britain, but who knows."

Two King of the Century, one who lived for over a thousand years and the other for more than half a century, together could not break a Blood Curse.

"Useless," Tom casually remarked, leaving the two speechless.

Andros opened his mouth as if to say something, but then closed it again.

It seems they're really quite useless; two powerful individuals who have lived most of their lives can't even understand a curse.

It's heartbreaking, so heartbreaking! The King of the Century and the former Dark Lord were actually told they were useless by a little kid. Their faces turned green, but they couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal.

The carriage stopped at the castle gate. Pushing open the heavy oak door, a Entrance Hall of more than 200 square meters came into view.

Tom felt as if he had returned to Hogwarts. Although Greengrass Hogwarts was half the size of Hogwarts, its grandeur was in no way inferior.

This time, Mrs. Greengrass didn't take Tom on a tour. There were too many rooms in the castle to see everything in a day or two. She had the two sisters take Tom to the prepared bedroom first.

"We're here! We're here!" Daphne exclaimed excitedly, pushing open the two carved wooden doors. "Tom, look, this is your suite!"

Tom walked into the room and was stunned. The room was ridiculously large, with a bedroom, bathroom, study, living room, and dining room—all fully equipped.

Several oil paintings hung on the walls of the study, and a bouquet of flowers sat on the dining table, the petals still glistening with dew.

The room was filled with European classical furniture, all of which looked priceless. Daphne peeked out from behind.

"I live to your left, Astoria is diagonally across from you. Parla will come and hang up the house number for you in a bit, so you won't get lost."

Tom reached out and tapped her little head, teasingly saying, "My memory isn't as bad as yours; I wouldn't go the wrong way."

"Astoria," Tom suddenly spoke, and the silver-haired girl turned her head in confusion, her big eyes sparkling.

"May I examine your body? I want to see the extent of the curse within you."

Astoria nodded obediently and walked quietly to Tom's side, like a well-behaved doll.

Daphne also held her breath instantly, not daring to even breathe loudly, for fear of disturbing Tom.

Tom gestured for Astoria to sit on the sofa, then gently placed his wand on her shoulder.

In Transfiguration, there is a discipline called Magical Deconstruction, which involves using one's own magic to perceive the other person's body without using one's eyes.

Being able to detect the flow of magical energy within the human body allows for a more precise understanding of its essence, and is an essential foundation for advanced Transfiguration.

He told Astoria to close her eyes and relax. Then his magic flowed slowly through his wand Astoria Astoria's body.