Hogwarts, Damn It

"My name is Minerva McGonagall, Head of Gryffindor House at Hogwarts. You may call me Professor McGonagall."

The moment Gemini returned to the Orphanage, he saw Professor McGonagall, who had been waiting for some time.

Every year, Muggle-born students enrolled at Hogwarts. Since Muggle families had never come into contact with the magical world, someone needed to communicate with them and help them purchase the books and other supplies required for school. As a result, this was always Professor McGonagall's busiest time of year.

"My name is Gemini Fox. Hello, it is an honor to meet you, Professor McGonagall." Gemini gave Professor McGonagall a slight, courteous bow, as elegant as a little gentleman.

A hint of amusement flashed through Professor McGonagall's eyes as she looked at Gemini.

Her first impression of Gemini was quite favorable. Polite, handsome people were popular wherever they went.

"I assume you have read the letter we sent you, Mr. Fox," Professor McGonagall said. "You are a little wizard. Did you know that?"

"I didn't." Gemini smiled. "But I can accept it."

"Then you agree to attend Hogwarts?" Professor McGonagall asked.

Gemini's attitude made her feel quite comfortable. This visit had not caused any trouble, and the whole process had gone unexpectedly smoothly.

Gemini nodded. "If it means learning magic, then I would be very willing."

Professor McGonagall finally smiled. The stern, rigid air she had worn earlier vanished, and her smile looked quite gentle. "Hogwarts is the greatest school of magic. You will certainly like it there."

"Make your preparations. I will come for you tomorrow morning and take you to Diagon Alley to buy the things you will need for school. Is there anything else you would like to ask?"

Professor McGonagall asked.

Gemini shook his head. The more he said, the more likely he was to slip up. There was no need to talk too much right now. All he needed to do was act like an ordinary child—preferably a well-behaved one.

After seeing Professor McGonagall off, Gemini stood silently at the entrance to the Orphanage for a long while.

The Priest, the head of the Orphanage, appeared behind Gemini. Looking at his back, he let out a drunken burp. "So... you really plan to go to that... what was it..."

"Hogwarts."

"That's right, Hogwarts, damn it."

Gemini: "..."

"You are the smartest child in this place, Gemini." The Priest rubbed Gemini's little head. "And the one who has caused me the least worry. Ever since you were little, I have barely needed to worry about you, because you never required it. You had your own goals and a clear understanding of yourself. You even saved up a considerable fortune. I know that even this time, you must have prepared for your future already."

Gemini looked up at the Priest. "Will you blame me? Uh... I mean, for being some kind of heretic?"

"No." The Priest laughed. "Nothing can stop a man from setting out on his journey through life. Not a priest, not even the Lord."

"Isn't the Lord omnipotent?" Gemini laughed.

"Of course. When necessary, the Lord is omnipotent."

The Priest took a sip from his flask, then nodded at Gemini through bleary eyes. "But honestly, the Lord will not blame you for becoming a wizard. Wizards really do exist, after all. I believe the Lord exists too, but I have never seen Him, and I do not know Him that well..."

The headmaster muttered as he turned and walked away. Watching the old man stagger off in a daze, Gemini broke into a grin.

Early the next morning, just as Gemini finished breakfast, Professor McGonagall appeared at the entrance to the Orphanage.

"Good morning, Professor McGonagall."

"Good morning, Mr. Fox." A faint smile appeared at the corner of Professor McGonagall's lips as she gave Fox a slight nod. "Just as I expected, it seems that drunken Priest had no intention of accompanying you to Diagon Alley."

"Here, wizards are heretics. But once we reach Diagon Alley, it will be wizard territory. I imagine he would not want to see a street full of wizards." Gemini smiled gently.

"Quite right." Professor McGonagall smiled. "Then come with me, Mr. Fox. Someone is already waiting for us."

As Professor McGonagall spoke, she stepped aside. Gemini saw two cars parked at the far end of the street behind her.

Through the window of one of the cars, Gemini saw Hermione, her little face flushed bright red with anger.

What a small world...

Still, Gemini had not failed to anticipate this possibility, so he remained perfectly composed and followed Professor McGonagall into the car.

"Lyle! You stood me up! You swore you would wait for me!"

The moment the two got into the car, Hermione could no longer hold herself back. Her voice was full of fury as she glared at Gemini.

"You... know Lyle?" Gemini looked at Hermione with an utterly baffled expression.

Hermione stared at Gemini indignantly. "Stop pretending."

"Miss Granger." Professor McGonagall turned to Hermione. "This is Mr. Fox, Gemini Fox."

"My younger brother is named Lyle." Gemini smiled gently at Hermione, then put on a disappointed expression. "Unfortunately, he has no magical talent."

Hermione froze. Had she really mistaken him for someone else? Were these two twins?

Realizing her mistake, Hermione hurriedly apologized to Gemini. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I think I must have mistaken you for someone else."

Beside Gemini, Professor McGonagall gave him a strange look.

She had memorized every incoming student's file. Where had Gemini gotten a younger brother?

It looked as though Gemini had fooled Hermione and left her a fake name.

He looked refined and courteous, yet he was also a troublesome one...

Gemini noticed Professor McGonagall's gaze and gave an awkward smile. Professor McGonagall shook her head helplessly.

"You really should keep your younger brother under control. Yesterday, I saw him beating someone up in my garden." Hermione chattered on about what had happened the day before, but Gemini let her words go in one ear and out the other, ignoring her completely.

"He even swore to me, saying he swore on Lyle's name that if he left, Lyle would die a horrible death!" Hermione said indignantly. "Now I want to see whether that oath comes true."

"It will not, Miss Granger." Professor McGonagall seemed to find Hermione rather noisy, and impatience faintly showed on her face. "I must tell you something: Mr. Fox has no blood-related brothers. So even if the Lyle you mentioned died a hundred times, it would not affect him in the slightest."

Hermione was stunned upon hearing that. She seemed to carefully consider Professor McGonagall's words. A few seconds later, her entire little face rapidly turned red at a visible rate, and the anger in her gaze at Gemini was practically about to explode.

In the front seats, Mr. and Mrs. Granger burst into laughter. Gemini propped his chin on his hand and looked out the window, ignoring Hermione's embarrassed and furious stare.

"You liar!"

The little girl was so angry that she trembled all over.