The young girl was dressed in a little wizard's outfit, her eyes violet and crystal-clear like amethyst. She carried with her an ethereal aura, a natural charm that was utterly captivating.
After enduring hardship, she had transformed, like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, blooming with elegance...
Maria was no longer the helpless, despised little girl she once was.
Previously, she had been targeted at school, and this had been part of the reason.
Her charm had grown, attracting many boys. In an attempt to capture her attention, these boys had caused trouble, but they were naïve, unaware that the more they acted this way, the more they pushed her away.
Their actions were destined to end in tragedy.
The few wizards observing her regarded her with the affection of elders, valuing her deeply, to the point that they ignored the ladies present, the fierce, unnatural beasts, and even the fragrant tea on the table.
Wizards were a close-knit community, and in their eyes, only wizards mattered. The younger wizards, especially those with great potential, were protected and cherished by the elder ones.
In recent years, the wizarding world had been expanding its protections for young wizards, and Zhao Lun believed that once the Dark Lord was dealt with, these protections would increase to help more wizards flourish.
Maria clung to Zhao Lun's sleeve, following him closely, hiding behind him, and stealing glances at the wizards.
"Heh heh, little girl, what's your name?"
"Maria Zhao."
"You can come to Hogwarts."
"Miss Maria Zhao is quite impressive; she will certainly become an outstanding witch in the future!"
Maria's arrival lightened the atmosphere, and the group sat for a while, sipping tea. Upon tasting the tea, their eyes lit up, instantly enchanted by its fragrance.
This tea was extraordinary! The well-traveled wizards immediately sensed its allure. Even Mad-Eye Moody, in his excitement, nearly dropped his wand. His movements grew a bit too large, drawing everyone's attention.
"This is the best tea I've ever had!"
He steadied his wand, said with calm enthusiasm, and drank it all in one go. Then, he poured himself another cup. Seeing this, the other wizards silently increased their pace, finishing their tea as well. Even when they had had their fill, their composure remained intact, which was truly marvelous.
Zhao Lun and Maria watched them, making the professors feel a bit embarrassed, before they finally took official action.
First, they reassured him that for the time being, they would keep watch over the area. He could use his wand, but only if it remained discreet, to avoid alarming the Muggles.
Zhao Lun gave his guarantee, and the wizards checked the manor, casting protective charms that shimmered with brilliant light, silently blending into the surroundings. After some time, when they had worked up a sweat, Zhao Lun offered more tea, and the professors became even more diligent.
Zhao Lun watched, finally understanding why they were so eager. He said nothing and allowed them to continue with their work.
Wizards did not want Muggles to know of their existence. After leaving the manor, they discreetly sat in the car Zhao Lun had arranged, heading to the town for further inspections.
Finally, they examined the bodies of the victims and returned to Zhao Lun's manor.
"Some protective charms have already been placed here. Evil creatures will not be able to detect this place."
"The charms will keep you safe and shield you from dark magic."
After giving their instructions, they bade farewell to Zhao Lun.
"Grow well, and remember to come to Hogwarts."
"In the future, you will become a great witch!"
As they departed, the wizards continued to offer their blessings to Maria.
Before leaving, Snape, with Zhao Lun's approval, collected some unfamiliar herbs.
The wizards had come, set up their defenses, and secured a safe space for them, leaving Zhao Lun in awe of their magical control. The strength of a wizard truly showed in their precise mastery of spells, a feat that was astonishing.
Wizardry was not simple, and its power was enough to deter any lowly creatures!
Two days later, the atmosphere settled. The manor regained its serenity, and even the previously absent house-elves started to appear occasionally, sneaking around and playing games of hide-and-seek with the fierce dogs.
During this time, Zhao Lun received letters from some friends, expressing their concern for the manor. He replied to each one with gratitude and noted their words.
After the case was closed, the town slowly returned to normal. The young girls, even the women and elderly, who had been hiding, were once again seen walking around.
Perhaps it was because of Zhao Lun's efforts that there were more Chinese people in town, many of whom were here looking for work, though a few were simply here for leisure.
At night, on the town's streets, one could occasionally spot some newly-formed ghosts. No one had been harmed, and normally, these apparitions shouldn't appear here, but they did, making Zhao Lun feel that something was amiss.
Unfortunately, their forms were ghastly, lacking consciousness, and vanished quickly after appearing. Zhao Lun wanted to investigate but found no clues to explain it.
Unable to find an answer, Zhao Lun decided to set it aside and instructed Monica and the others to begin discreet renovations on the manor.
The residents of the manor were well taken care of, and everyone resumed their routines. Meanwhile, Zhao Lun maintained communication with his friends, gathering relevant information.
Once the situation stabilized, just as he was about to relax, more friends arrived as scheduled.
That morning, Zhao Lun arrived at the town's train station and sat quietly on an empty bench, awaiting his guest.
As the clock neared nine, the train rumbled into the station. Zhao Lun, full of energy, immediately turned his attention to the station entrance.
Soon, a beautiful girl in a milky-white robe and golden hair appeared at the exit.
Zhao Lun approached her with a gentlemanly invitation: "Hello, beautiful lady. How may I assist you?"
"Thank you, it's my first time here. I'm not sure what interesting places there are."
"Interesting places? Lovely lady, follow me."
Upon meeting, the two of them immediately began exploring together.
Zhao Lun showed her around the town, observing its changes and visiting the park. Eventually, he led her to the town's landmark, the Diamond Star, and they sat in a quiet alcove on the top floor to rest.
The alcove was filled with plants and flowers, making it feel like stepping into a secret garden.
The soft, soothing music added to the tranquil ambiance.
"This place is nice, very peaceful."
The girl elegantly cut the food on the table, listening to the music with a content expression.
"Where is this place? Is it part of the building or the town?"
Zhao Lun ordered a large steak and, while eating, responded, "Of course, it's the town."
"The town? It hasn't been very peaceful lately."
"I know, I saw it in the newspaper, but I thought it was better to come see it for myself."
"Thank you."
The town had developed, but it was still quiet. Overall, it appeared harmonious, and most people who came here enjoyed the calm atmosphere.
The recent murder cases had caused some disturbance, but things had settled down again in the past few days.
The girl in front of him appreciated tranquility, so she naturally liked this peaceful ambiance.
Afterward, they left.
"Come, I'll take you to a better place."
Zhao Lun gently took the girl's hand and led her down a path lined with maple trees.