Mudblood

"Lockhart's new book is out today! First come, first served, ladies!"

"Imported copper cauldrons, on sale from 30% off!"

"Want a vacation for an intimate encounter with vampires? Only three spots left for the summer tour!"

The promotional activities from various shops were becoming increasingly fierce, which was also related to the growing liveliness of Diagon Alley recently.

In the past two days, Gemini had a general understanding of the wizarding world.

The entire British wizarding population was only a few thousand, less than ten thousand. Hogwarts' total student population was about eight to nine hundred, less than a thousand.

And there weren't many of Harry's classmates described in the original work, less than a hundred in total. This was also true, after all, the wizarding world was then under Voldemort's shadow, and just surviving every day was enough to be on edge, who had the mood to have children?

The wizarding world itself had a small population, and with Voldemort stirring things up, it almost died out. Such a small population really couldn't withstand any more damage.

Gemini felt that the Ministry of Magic should strongly support a two-child policy and give subsidies to families with multiple children, because with a larger population, the market could grow.

Just look at the Weasley family, how prosperous!

As he was thinking, a pair of red-haired twins giggled and ran past outside the window.

Red hair, twins.

You couldn't find another pair like them in the entire wizarding world.

"Are you a new Hogwarts student this year?"

A curious question sounded in his ear. Gemini turned his head and saw a girl with a delicate appearance blinking her eyes and looking at him curiously.

The girl was from the next table. A faint blush on her face, the other girls were raising their little fists to cheer her on. It seemed she had mustered a lot of courage to come and strike up a conversation.

"Ah... yes, a new student this year." Gemini nodded politely and said gently.

"My name is Nina Flint, what's yours?" the girl asked politely.

"Gemini Fox, it's an honor to meet you." Gemini said softly.

Nina's small face turned red, and she looked at Gemini nervously, fidgeting with her hands behind her back: "I hope you get sorted into Ravenclaw, I'm in Ravenclaw, and I should be a second-year... I mean, Ravenclaw is a good house, you'll definitely like it there."

Gemini nodded gently: "If I can be sorted into Ravenclaw, it will be my honor."

"Nina!"

Before Nina could say anything more, a loud voice sounded from outside the door. Gemini followed the sound and saw a tall, sturdy boy walk into the shop: "We should go, say goodbye to your friends."

Nina then turned around in a hurry, said goodbye to the giggling girls at the next table, and then waved to Gemini: "That's my brother, Marcus. I have to go. See you at Hogwarts."

"Who are you talking to?"

Marcus walked through the tables in the ice cream parlor and came before them. His gaze swept over the group of girls, finally landing on Gemini's face.

"Gemini Fox, my new friend." Nina smiled nervously and introduced him to Marcus: "He's a new student at Hogwarts this year."

"Fox?" Marcus frowned and glared at Gemini with a stern face: "Never heard of that surname. Muggle-born?"

Gemini thought for a moment: "No matter from what angle you look at it, being Muggle-born isn't a bad thing, especially compared to my background."

"You know best, kid. Stay away from my sister." Marcus's tall and sturdy physique stood beside Gemini, looking very intimidating.

Gemini looked at the timid Nina, then at the domineering Marcus, and nodded: "You're right, we are indeed not from the same world. If that's your request, then I'll be careful."

He didn't want any conflict. If possible, he hoped everyone could get along.

If they couldn't get along, then they shouldn't interact. But there was no need to hold a grudge over a little unpleasantness; harmony brings wealth.

But as it turned out, many times, people needed a bit of backbone. Sometimes, if you took a step back, the other party would push forward.

Marcus nodded with satisfaction: "You're perceptive, you little Mudblood."

"Marcus!"

Almost the moment the words fell, Nina screamed. Her face, which had been shy and flustered, was now full of shock and anger: "How could you say that? Apologize to him! Marcus! Now!"

The girls at the next table also had unpleasant expressions. Although none of them were Muggle-born, they had relatives who were. In the wizarding world, tracing back, within three generations, except for those fanatical pure-blood supporters, almost every family had a few Muggle or Muggle-born elders. The theory of pure blood was not popular in the mainstream wizarding world, unless it was during some special periods—like the Voldemort era.

"Little... Mudblood?" Gemini's smile slowly disappeared, and he looked at Marcus seriously: "That's not a nice thing to say, but if you apologize to me, I'll forgive you."

Marcus started to laugh, revealing a mouthful of buck teeth.

"Don't even think about it, Mudblood! Don't you ever! Try! To approach anyone from the Flint family!"

Bang!

It was as if a slow-motion shot from a movie.

At this moment, people in the ice cream parlor looked up. Everyone saw Marcus's tall and sturdy figure flying sideways, spitting blood from his mouth, one arm twisted into a pretzel shape.

It seemed like an instant, and yet it felt like a long time. Marcus finally fell from mid-air, smashing the table in the corner, and landed on the ground, clutching his chest and howling miserably.

Screams erupted all around. Nearby wizards quickly dodged, not daring to approach.

Nina stood there blankly, completely forgetting all her previous shyness and anger. Her eyes were fixed on Gemini in terror.

Just a moment ago, she had watched Gemini grab Marcus's arm and twist it into a pretzel shape. White bone fragments pierced Marcus's arm, and then Gemini kicked him in the chest, sending him flying backward.

The blood Marcus spat out in mid-air splattered onto Nina's pale little face, making her look somewhat pitiful.

Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, Gemini walked with steady steps to Marcus's side.

Marcus writhed on the ground, howling in pain.

Gemini's kick had broken at least five of his ribs.

Grabbing Marcus by his hair and lifting his head, Gemini crouched down, meeting Marcus's terrified gaze, a gentle smile returning to his face. "What they call growth is... when you realize that sometimes, saying the wrong thing or doing the wrong thing comes with a price. That's when you've grown, Lord Marcus."

"I've already crippled your arm, so I'll let the matter of your insults slide this time. I forgive you."

Gemini reached out and gently patted Marcus's tear-streaked face. The physical damage was minimal, but the insult was profound. "As for helping you grow, you don't need to thank me."

Speaking with refined politeness, Gemini stood up and gave Nina a slight, apologetic nod. "I'm sorry to have disappointed your kind intentions, Miss Flint. As for which house one is sorted into, I believe it ultimately comes down to fate. I hope our friendship lasts forever."

Meeting her blank stare, Gemini walked past her and left the ice cream shop.