"Fastest delivery would be this time tomorrow. You've got to at least tell me which country, right?" Ted's voice carried through the magical mirror with barely contained curiosity.
"Excellent. The family tent is in the second-floor storage room—find Kreacher and have him send it immediately! I'm in America. That's final!" Gemini's tone brooked no argument. Without waiting for Ted's response, she flipped the mirror face-down, severing the connection with decisive finality.
Ted Lupin—whose godfather was the legendary Harry Potter, Gemini's legal guardian. According to family lore, Narcissa Malfoy had fought bitterly for custody rights but ultimately lost to the Boy Who Lived, forced to watch the last of the Black bloodline be raised by a Gryffindor. Whether through ancestral throwback or sheer perversity, Gemini had embodied pure Slytherin traits from earliest childhood, inheriting the Black family's legendary obsession and barely-contained madness. Her years living under Harry's guardianship had been marked by daily chaos—their explosive relationship was the stuff of Daily Prophet gossip columns.
Ted sighed heavily, staring at his reflection in the now-silent mirror. What choice did he have? "Kreacher!" Despite carrying only a trace of Black blood, Ted could still summon the family house-elf when necessary.
"Werewolf spawn! Family disgrace! What does the little beast want with old Kreacher?" The sharp crack of Apparition accompanied the house-elf's characteristic grumbling as the ancient creature materialized, his bulbous eyes glaring with undisguised contempt.
Ted rolled his eyes, forcing himself to ignore the familiar insults. "Gemini requires you to send the camping tent from storage via international express to America. Her direct orders."
"Miss Gemini's commands?!" Kreacher's entire demeanor transformed instantly. "Of course old Kreacher obeys! My poor, dear Miss Gemini, exiled to that barbarous wasteland—how the noble Mistress would weep to know her precious daughter suffers in foreign lands..."
With another sharp crack, Kreacher vanished, still muttering his lamentations.
Ted grimaced with distaste. He definitely preferred Gemini's personal house-elf Coby—compared to Kreacher's perpetual bitterness, Coby was practically angelic.
Gemini stared morosely at the single Galleon in her palm. If the shop renovations hadn't completely drained her finances, she wouldn't need to request family assistance—she could simply purchase whatever she required. The eternal problem: insufficient funds.
The following evening, an owl delivered a carefully wrapped package. Inside, Gemini discovered a neatly folded magical tent, complete with all necessary enchantments. She nodded with satisfaction—perfect timing. Now she simply needed to wait for payment and she could depart.
After a restful night's sleep, Gemini methodically examined her portable potion collection. As a true Slytherin, she refused to enter any situation unprepared. Knowing her destination harbored armed Muggle militants, she'd require comprehensive medical supplies: Dittany for wound treatment, general Healing Potions, universal antidotes for unknown toxins. Additionally, she packed Acromantula venom for offensive purposes, Aging Potion for disguise potential, and her personal favorite—Cursing Draught for truly desperate situations.
She instructed Coby to pack the tent into her small traveling case—an expensive purchase enhanced with Undetectable Extension Charms that created roughly room-sized interior space. She added preserved foods, purified water, and selected two books from her library for entertainment during inevitable waiting periods.
In her private chambers, Gemini donned her full complement of protective jewelry: enchanted necklace, defensive rings, and a delicate hair ornament that deflected minor hexes. Her wand secured itself in the magical holster strapped to her wrist—one fluid motion would summon it to her hand, and it would automatically return if separated by more than three feet. Brilliant engineering.
Fully prepared, Gemini descended to the parlor wearing her signature dark emerald dress, looking more suited for afternoon tea than desert rescue operations. When Pepper Potts arrived with Happy, they found her seated regally beside a deceptively small carry-on case.
"Please verify these items," Pepper said, suppressing her urge to comment on Gemini's impractical attire. Happy opened multiple cases, revealing stacks of cash and an impressive collection of precious gems.
Gemini delicately lifted a sapphire, examining its clarity in the afternoon light streaming through the windows. "Excellent quality—I approve." She gestured toward the payment with satisfaction. "Your compensation is accepted. Return home and wait. When I've completed the rescue, this parchment will notify you." She placed a blank sheet of magical paper on the table. "Collect your employer at the designated location."
"When do you depart? We have a private jet standing by—we can transport you directly to Afghanistan," Pepper offered hopefully.
Gemini set down her teacup and lifted her traveling case with practiced ease. "I'm leaving immediately. Your aircraft won't be necessary—I have my own transportation methods." She walked purposefully toward the fireplace.
Pepper stared at the girl's elaborate dress, biting back her concerns. Extraordinary individuals presumably knew their own capabilities... right?
At the fireplace, Gemini turned back toward her bewildered clients. "Incidentally, aren't you departing? Or do you intend to remain and guard my establishment?"
Pepper followed, completely mystified. "We have other urgent business, but... aren't we leaving together?"
Gemini smiled with polite condescension. "We're definitely not traveling the same route. You're welcome to observe—Coby will escort you out afterward."
She reached into an ornate container beside the mantle, withdrawing a handful of emerald powder. The moment it touched the flames, they transformed into brilliant green fire that cast dancing shadows across the room. Gemini stepped confidently into the magical flames, speaking with crystal clarity: "International Travel Department."
Whoosh—she vanished completely. The flames returned to normal orange, wood crackling peacefully as if nothing extraordinary had occurred.
After several stunned moments, Pepper found her voice. "So... we're leaving now?" She looked around desperately for the invisible Coby. "We can use the stairs, right? We don't have to travel through fire?"
Snap—a single finger-click echoed through the room. Pepper and Happy's vision blurred momentarily, and they found themselves standing on the sidewalk outside. The shop door bore a new sign: "Proprietor Absent - Temporarily Closed."
They returned to their vehicle in dreamlike silence, minds reeling from experiences that shattered every assumption about reality. That had definitely been magic—real, undeniable magic existed in their world.
Meanwhile, Gemini emerged from the fireplace at the U.S. Magical Congress International Travel Department, brushing soot from her dress as she approached the registration counter.
"Name and destination for the record. Present your wand for standard inspection," the curly-haired witch behind the desk commanded without looking up, sliding a form across the marble surface.
Gemini completed the paperwork with efficient precision:
Name: Gemini Black
Destination: Afghanistan
Declared Items: Undetectable Extension Charm suitcase, one house-elf companion
She submitted both wand and documentation to the official, who placed the wand on an enchanted scale. It immediately produced a detailed analysis: "Elder wood, dragon heartstring core, 10¾ inches, crafted by Ollivander of England."
The witch attached the verification slip to Gemini's wand with bureaucratic efficiency. "Fourth fireplace from the left. Standard fee: three Galleons for one witch plus house-elf. Currency exchange for Afghan Afghanis available if required."
Gemini's heart sank as she checked her nearly empty coin purse. "I'm slightly short on Galleons. Would U.S. dollars be acceptable? And no currency exchange necessary—I understand American money is widely accepted in the region."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
Read up to (15+ ) advanced chapters on Patre\on
Visit us here: patreon.com/DarkGolds
Happy reading, everyone!