Mudblood

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

"Imported copper cauldrons, starting at thirty percent off!"

"Want to take a vacation trip for an intimate encounter with vampires? Natsuhi Travel Group only has three spots left!"

The promotions at every shop were growing ever more intense, which was also related to Diagon Alley becoming increasingly lively lately.

Over the past two days, Gemini had gained a rough understanding of the Wizarding World.

The entire British Wizarding World had a population of several thousand, less than ten thousand. Hogwarts had roughly eight or nine hundred students in total, fewer than a thousand.

There were not many of Harry's yearmates described in the original story, fewer than a hundred in total, and that was true. After all, the Wizarding World had been under Voldemort's shadow at the time. Simply staying alive each day was nerve-racking enough. Who had the mood to have children?

The Wizarding World already had a small population to begin with, and after Voldemort's upheaval nearly wiped out the next generation, such a tiny population truly could not withstand any further devastation.

Gemini felt that the Ministry of Magic ought to strongly support a two-child policy and provide subsidies to families with multiple children. After all, only with more people could the market grow.

Just look at the Weasley family. How prosperous they were!

As he was thinking this, a pair of red-haired twins ran past the window, laughing and playing.

Red hair, twins.

There was no second pair like them in the entire Wizarding World.

"Are you a new Hogwarts student this year?"

A curious voice sounded beside him. Gemini turned his head and saw a delicate-looking girl blinking at him curiously.

The girl was from the next table. A faint blush colored her face, while the other girls raised their little fists to cheer her on. Apparently, she had needed to muster quite a bit of courage to come over and strike up a conversation.

"Ah... yes, I was a new student this year." Gemini nodded politely, his tone gentle.

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

"Gemini Fox. It was a pleasure to meet you," Gemini said softly.

Nina's little face reddened. With her hands clasped behind her back, she looked at Gemini nervously. "I hope you get sorted into Ravenclaw. I'm in Ravenclaw too, and I should be in my second year this year... I mean, Ravenclaw is a great house. You'll definitely like it there."

Gemini nodded warmly. "If I can be sorted into Ravenclaw, it would be my honor."

"Nina!"

Before Nina could say anything else, a booming voice rang out from outside. Gemini looked toward the sound and saw a tall, burly boy enter the shop. "We should go. Say goodbye to your friends."

Only then did Nina turn around in a fluster and bid farewell to the giggling girls at the next table. Then she waved to Gemini. "That's my brother, Marcus. I have to go. See you at Hogwarts."

"Who were you talking to?"

Marcus passed through the rows of tables in the cold drink shop and came before them. His gaze swept over the girls before finally landing on Gemini's face.

"Gemini Fox, a new friend I made." Nina smiled awkwardly as she introduced him to Marcus. "He's a new Hogwarts student this year."

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

Gemini considered it. "No matter how you looked at it, being Muggle-born was not a bad thing. Compared to my origins, it was even less so."

"Good that you knew it, kid. Stay away from my sister." Marcus's tall, bulky frame stood planted beside Gemini, looking quite intimidating.

Gemini glanced at the timid Nina, then at Marcus, who looked like a little tyrant, and nodded. "You're right. We really aren't from the same world. If that is your request, then I'll be mindful of it."

He had no intention of creating a conflict. If possible, he hoped everyone could simply mind their own business.

If they could not get along, then they did not need to. But there was no need to become enemies over a minor unpleasantness. Harmony was what brought prosperity.

But reality proved that people needed a bit of edge sometimes. Once you gave an inch, the other side would take a mile.

Marcus nodded in satisfaction. "You've got good sense, little Mudblood."

"Marcus!"

Almost the instant the words left his mouth, Nina screamed. Her formerly shy, awkward face was filled with shock and anger. "How could you say something like that? Apologize to him! Marcus! Now!"

The girls at the next table also looked grim. None of them were Muggle-born, but there were still such people among their elders. In the Wizarding World, if one traced back three generations, nearly every family could find a few Muggles or Muggle-born relatives, aside from those fanatical pure-blood supporters. The theory of pure blood was not actually popular in the mainstream Wizarding World, except during certain special periods—such as Voldemort's rule.

"Little... Mudblood?" Gemini's smile slowly vanished as he looked seriously at Marcus. "That wasn't a nice thing to say. But if you apologize to me, I'll forgive you."

Marcus laughed, revealing a mouthful of large buck teeth.

"Don't even think about it, Mudblood! Don't ever! Try to! Get close to anyone from the Flint family!"

Bang!

It was like a slow-motion shot from a movie.

At that moment, everyone in the cold drink shop looked up. They all saw Marcus's tall, burly body fly sideways through the air. Blood sprayed from his mouth, and one of his arms had been twisted into the shape of a pretzel.

It seemed like an instant, yet it also seemed like an eternity. At last, Marcus fell from the air, smashing a table in the corner before landing on the floor and clutching his chest as he howled miserably.

Screams immediately erupted all around. The nearby wizards backed away, too afraid to come closer.

Nina stood rooted to the spot, having completely forgotten all her earlier shyness and anger. She stared at Gemini in terror.

In that instant just now, she had watched Gemini grab Marcus's arm and twist it into a pretzel shape. White bone fragments had pierced through Marcus's arm, and then Gemini had kicked him in the chest, sending him flying backward.

The blood Marcus had sprayed in midair splattered across Nina's pale little face, making her look somewhat pitiful.

Under everyone's stunned gazes, Gemini walked steadily over to Marcus.

Marcus rolled around on the floor in agony, howling in pain.

That kick from Gemini had broken at least five of his ribs.

Grabbing Marcus by the hair and lifting his head, Gemini crouched down to meet Marcus's terrified gaze. A gentle smile returned to his face. "What they call growing up is... when you realize that saying the wrong thing or doing the wrong thing sometimes comes with a price, that is when you grow up, Lord Marcus."

"Your arm has already been ruined by me, so let's just leave your insulting me at that this time. I forgive you."

Gemini reached out and lightly patted Marcus's tear-streaked face twice. It did little damage, but the humiliation was immense. "As for helping you grow up, there's no need to thank me."

Speaking in a refined and courteous manner, Gemini rose to his feet and gave Nina a slight nod of apology. "I have failed to live up to your kind intentions, and for that I am sorry, Miss Flint. As for which house I am sorted into, I suppose that will ultimately depend on fate. I hope our friendship lasts forever."

Under her vacant gaze, Gemini walked past her and left the cold drink shop.