Edward teased Lilith in his arms with a piece of dried fish. The little creature leaped up and down but could never reach it, until she grabbed his hand and gnawed on it in frustration: (?`灬'?)
"We can definitely get back, right?" Audrey drew a breath, looking uneasy.
Edward tossed the dried fish away, and Lilith sprang after it and caught it. He asked with a smile, "You're only starting to think about that now?"
"Not exactly. Before, all I could do was reassure myself that we could. But now that we're going back tomorrow, I'm scared instead."
"That's what we call 'growing anxious as home draws near.'" Edward said it first in Chinese, then repeated it in Loenese.
She tilted her head slightly and asked, "Was that the language in Emperor Roselle's handwritten notebooks?"
"Uh, you could even guess that? Isn't your sixth sense a little too accurate?"
"It wasn't a guess. I looked through all the books in your leather pouch enchanted with the Undetectable Extension Charm. Apart from English and Ancient Latin, that was the only language left."
"You even know Ancient Latin?"
"Ancient Latin is essential if you want to read more books on magic, isn't it? And don't change the subject!"
Edward shrugged helplessly. "All right, all right, you guessed correctly. That really is the language in Emperor Roselle's manuscripts."
She immediately raised her hand with enthusiasm. "I want to learn!"
Edward knocked her hand down in exasperation. "Weren't you just 'growing anxious as home draws near'? You're already over it?"
"The thought of being able to read the emperor's manuscripts someday made me stop feeling scared all at once. Instead... I'm rather excited."
"Next time. We'll talk about it next time." When Audrey finally read about Roselle's romantic escapades with all that anticipation, along with his remark that demonesses tasted pretty good, her entire worldview would surely shatter!
"Oh, right." Edward slapped his forehead. "Do you have any suggestions about my potion?"
"Actually, I've only just entered the world of mysticism myself. If it weren't for..." Her heart skipped a beat. Audrey, oh, Audrey, you almost blurted out the Tarot Club.
But Edward has selflessly shown me another world. Should I really be hiding the Tarot Club from him? But I already promised Mr. Fool.
Perhaps... at the next Tarot Club meeting, I could ask Mr. Fool whether I can introduce Edward... But it's already been two weeks. I've missed two meetings in a row. Could I already have been expelled?
After her thoughts wandered for a while, she hurriedly took a deep breath and composed herself.
"Actually, I only became a Beyonder by chance, with a friend's help. Oh, right, my friend said he would take me to a Beyonder gathering. We could see what potion formulas they have there."
At that, Audrey's expression dimmed. "But that was two weeks ago."
Edward was astonished to hear this.
"Huh? Didn't I tell you? While we're in this world, time on your side is essentially frozen. In other words, when we return, we'll arrive at the moment you left."
"Really?!" Her eyes widened in delighted surprise, and she felt an overwhelming sense of having recovered something lost. Wonderful! I haven't missed the Tarot Club meetings! I haven't been expelled either!
Edward continued, "What I wanted to ask was, how am I supposed to leave your house once we return to your world? I've mastered Apparition now, but I can't go somewhere I've never been."
"That's easy. First, have Susie keep watch outside. Then you hide in the leather pouch, and I'll come out instead. After that, I'll find a chance to take you outside. Also, you don't need to worry too much about Father having you wanted."
She thought it over carefully. "I'll find a way to persuade him. If nothing else, I'll tell him you're a Beyonder friend of mine and that it was all a misunderstanding. After all, you haven't done anything particularly outrageous."
Edward coughed and raised his hand. "Actually, I have."
"I... blew up your room."
"???"
Audrey's emerald eyes were filled with confusion and shock.
Edward briefly explained what had happened after she entered the leather pouch.
"You... really did think of everything." Even she couldn't tell whether she meant it as genuine praise or sarcasm. "Can we restore it with the Mending Charm?"
"If the scene hasn't been badly disturbed, it should be possible." Edward grew serious. "But although Reparo is a beginner's spell, its actual effect is like turning back time. I wouldn't recommend revealing it so openly."
"Then I can only say goodbye to all my gowns." She suddenly laughed. "I've long since had enough of those cumbersome clothes that are such a hassle to put on and move around in!"
"But I'm sure your parents will buy you twice as many gowns to make up for it. That's the world of the rich for you."
Audrey pursed her lips. "Thank you for reminding me."
"Hahahaha!"
After two weeks of living in another world, Audrey's personality had clearly changed considerably from how she was in the original story. Here, she didn't have to worry about other people's opinions or deal with all sorts of nobles. In the end, she was only a seventeen-year-old girl.
Still, with over a decade of education and ingrained habits, she would probably become "Backlund's most dazzling gem" again the moment she returned to her old surroundings.
The next day.
The Room of Requirement at Hogwarts.
Edward took out the Polyjuice Potion, sipped a little, and waited for it to take effect. Audrey asked curiously, "The book says everyone's Polyjuice Potion tastes different. What does mine taste like?"
"Why don't you try it yourself?"
"No. It must taste awful."
"Hmm, honestly, the texture really isn't great, but there isn't any strange taste. It's much better than the ones I've had before."
As he spoke, Edward's body began to change. Soon, he looked like Audrey again, and his previously well-fitting clothes were a size too large.
"I've seen it once already, but it still feels so magical. It's like looking in a mirror." She gently poked Edward's cheek with a finger. "Is my skin really this nice?"
Edward pointed his wand at his clothes. "Quick Change."
His wizard's robes quickly transformed into a dress identical to Audrey's. She froze for a moment, then puffed out her cheeks and huffed.
"So you did know that spell!"
Edward knew she was referring to the time he had made her take off her clothes, so he argued, "Quick Change's transformation only lasts half a day. I didn't know we could come back then, so changing clothes was obviously safer."
She stared into Edward's eyes with her emerald gaze, as though saying:
Are you sure you want to lie in front of a Spectator?
"Ahem." Edward looked away and pretended to check their things. "There's less than half an hour left. Have you packed everything?"
"...I only brought my wand, a few books on magic, and two bags of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans."
Edward said in surprise, "You actually like eating those?"
"Of course not. I'm going to give them to my friends."
She smiled, narrowing her eyes. Annie, Hibbert, Viscount Glaint, for instance... Just imagining them tasting some of those peculiar flavors is entertaining.
"Then... good luck to them."
Audrey thought for a moment, then asked, "Are you sure you won't consider bringing Lilith along? It'll be fifteen days before you come back."
"Your world is too dangerous. Since I can't even guarantee my own safety, it's better to play it safe. Don't worry, I've already entrusted her to Professor McGonagall."
She looked disappointed. "I wanted to introduce Lilith to Susie."
After chatting a little longer, Audrey entered the leather pouch, leaving Edward all alone in the vast Room of Requirement. He stared at the clock on the wall, watching the seconds tick by.
"Merlin bless us. I hope everything goes smoothly."
When the hour hand reached five, Edward vanished into thin air.
Chapter 11: I'm Just a Dog
This crossing had none of the dramatic "special effects" or intense reactions he had experienced when returning to the Harry Potter World fifteen days earlier.
Edward's vision merely blurred for a moment, and he was back in the room he had left.
Color swiftly returned to the gray, empty world, and time began to flow again.
Susie, the golden retriever, was staring at him. "Is she... still alive?"
She arched her back, ready to pounce and bite, her eyes utterly serious.
"When you used your Beyonder abilities earlier, you had to wave that stick. But I've already confirmed that you don't have it on you now. I don't want to hurt you, so please tell me where Audrey is!"
Edward silently took out his wand-before crossing over, he had deliberately hidden it in his sleeve as a precaution.
Susie: "(;'Д｀)"
She quietly backed away, sticking out her tongue and looking utterly clueless. "Would you believe me if I said I'm just a dog?"
Edward didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Actually, I'm Audrey's friend. What happened earlier was all a misunderstanding."
"You're right!"
"Really."
"I believe you."
Edward pressed a hand to his forehead. "Is anyone still watching outside?"
"The Beyonders have all left. You're safe now."
He waved his wand and cast a Muggle-Repelling Charm on the room, then jumped off the bed, took out the leather pouch, and placed it on the floor.
Susie hid in the shadows of a corner, warily observing his every move. Her muscles were taut; clearly, she hadn't relaxed.
"We really came back?!"
When Audrey climbed out of the leather pouch and saw the familiar surroundings, she let out a long breath of relief. Only then did her heart finally settle. But she frowned. "They really need to do something about Backlund's air."
"The air in your wealthy district is already quite good. You really ought to visit the Poor District."
"I will!"
Susie ran out in delight. "Thank goodness, Audrey! Are you all right? Is this person really your friend?"
"That's right." Smiling, Audrey stroked the golden fur on her neck. "Long time no see, Susie. Your Loenese has improved so much~"
Susie: "Huh?"
It had been less than half an hour since they last saw each other. Besides, Audrey seemed a little different, but her scent was right.
"Are there any Beyonders nearby?"
Susie wagged her tail, her liveliness restored. "There aren't any in the villa, but I don't know about farther away. Do you need me to check?"
"Go ahead."
She opened the door with practiced ease and hurried away.
Edward walked over to the leather pouch and set one foot on the stairs. Looking at Audrey, he said, "Sorry for the trouble. I'll leave the rest to you."
Before you continue