"Speaking of which, where's Grin(drift)de(wild)?," Cassandra asked, "In my impression, she should've been stuck to you, lovebirds cooing together, not a shadow to be seen for days?"
This was also why Cassandra had always thought Harry would be the first to find her—because in her impression, Vivi would stick to Harry every day, so how could she leave him behind once she came out?
However...
Now it seems, that's not the case.
"Oh, I get it." Cassandra covered her lips with her hand, suddenly enlightened: "Looks like Grindelwald, after so long, has already forgotten about you... Tsk tsk, poor Potter..."
"Alright, Miss Malfoy." Mr. Leme looked up at Cassandra: "Before you interrogate Harry, I think you should explain to me—why is there a page missing from my Alchemy Notes? That's not something a lady would do."
"Apologies, Mr. Leme." Cassandra stood upright and curtseyed gracefully, "Please forgive my recklessness. I deeply regret that matter."
"Oh~" Mr. Leme smiled: "Rest assured, I haven't taken it to heart, because your father, Mr. Septimus Malfoy, has already compensated me."
"Compensated?" Cassandra asked.
"Oh, yes." Mr. Leme said, taking small steps to one side.
Amongst a pile of things, he found a vintage ladies' wallet.
After retrieving this item, Mr. Leme trotted back and handed the wallet to Cassandra.
"This is something your father, Mr. Malfoy, asked me to pass on to you; it contains a sum of money." Mr. Leme said, wiping his eyes: "Ah, the compassionate hearts of parents worried you'd be all alone in this era."
At this point, Mr. Leme truly appreciated Mr. Septimus' deep paternal love for Cassandra.
"Thank you, Mr. Leme."
Cassandra solemnly accepted the wallet, deeply bowing to Mr. Leme.
"You're welcome." Mr. Leme smiled, turning and winking at Harry.
Harry inhaled almost imperceptibly.
Indeed, a person who has lived for hundreds of years...
Look how effortlessly he sidetracked the conversation!
Mr. Leme, you're the best!
He gave a thumbs up to Mr. Leme in his heart.
"Oh, by the way, Harry." Mr. Leme looked at Harry again, "The computer you gave me, I've mostly upgraded it to be more suitable for wizard use— see, whether it's the monitor or the case, I've deeply modified them..."
As he spoke, Mr. Leme showcased his new results to Harry.
The monitor had been transformed into a much larger screen than before, yet unlike its original protruding design, it appeared flat; Harry estimated it to be 32 inches.
The display was much clearer than Harry's previous computer, and the operating system had also been upgraded.
"I dare say, even in ten years, Muggles might not design a device better than this computer." Mr. Leme said proudly: "Additionally, after my upgrade, the operating system has been named 'Hogwarts 1.0 System'.
"Why is it called Hogwarts?" Harry curiously asked, "I recall your alma mater is Beauxbatons?"
"Because I'm at Hogwarts now, and this computer was given to me by you, a Hogwarts student." Mr. Leme explained to Harry.
"Furthermore," he continued, "I've added many practical features, like online divination, magic potion simulation, herb simulation, ensuring users can enhance their abilities this way, though... it's a bit tedious."
He even chuckled at this point.
"Then why not make it all into a game?" Harry tentatively asked, "Like the Civilization 1 you played, but in a different style... this way, wouldn't learning be more fun?"
You know, after hearing this, Mr. Leme thought it made some sense.
"You're quite right, I'll try that." Mr. Leme nodded.
Being a doer, he was about to turn when Harry held him back.
"Of course, there's no rush." Harry said, "I still need your help, I'm worried about Cassandra's health."
Upon hearing Harry's words, a subtle flicker of satisfaction passed through Cassandra's eyes.
Just then, a burst of firelight flashed on the eighth floor of Hogwarts.
Vivi appeared in front of the Room of Requirement, clutching a message from Dumbledore, urging her to return quickly due to an urgent matter.
She knew what had happened because during class earlier, she received a call from Mrs. Granger, saying Cassandra had returned to Hogwarts.
Mrs. Granger didn't know who Cassandra was, but Vivi certainly did.
Vivi knew this day would come, but didn't expect it so soon.
She hadn't anticipated that Harry would go find Cassandra himself without calling her along.
After hearing the news, Vivi returned to her room, only to find Fox arriving late—though Fox had been sent out by Dumbledore the previous night, it couldn't enter Vivi's room strengthened with Ancient Magic that night.
And in the morning when Vivi left, Fox was conveniently dozing.
Vivi didn't blame Fox, as it wasn't its fault.
She entered the Headmaster's Office, where Dumbledore was already waiting.
"Professor Dumbledore." Vivi curtsied, acknowledging him—whether by birth or considering relatives from Gellert's side, this wasn't impolite.
"You're finally back." Professor Dumbledore was slightly weary, succinctly saying: "Harry and Miss Malfoy are in Mr. Leme's Alchemy Room, I believe if you go now, you'll see them both."
Having confirmed the location, Vivi left the Headmaster's Office without hesitation.
Dumbledore watched Vivi's back and the revolving door still spinning, comfortably taking a candy jar from the drawer.
He picked an orange-C cream candy, unwrapped it, and popped it in his mouth.
Mmm... quite nice.
Hope Harry's alright, he thought.
(Requesting monthly votes)
(The following 4000 words are an extra for last month's 24,000 votes)