The exams lasted for three days.

Scarlet hadn’t intended to extend her network during this time, but Justin - an old money boy with flair for being a loudspeaker - clearly had other plans. He proudly announced her success as an author and company owner to his childhood friends and their parents, who had also come for the exams. All of them, of course, hailed from the same affluent circles.

As a result, Scarlet endured unusually exhausted exam days. Between sitting for exams and engaging in non-stop socialising with future elites and their families, she found herself distributing more name cards than she had anticipated. Meiko had to fetch the extras Scarlet had wisely asked her to bring along “just in case”.

Initially, Scarlet though Justin’s action were unintentional - perhaps just his way to showing off his remarkable friend. However, on the last day of exams, as they parted ways, Justin winked at her and cheerfully exclaimed, “I knew you’d need it! Looking forward to seeing your company in the local papers! Save your thanks - just sign me a few copies of your book when you get a chance. See you in school!”

...I didn't ask for your help in broadening my network! Scarlet thought, forcing a smile while gritting her teeth as she waved the goof goodbye. Now, which of the Weasley twins’ products should I use to politely jinx you on the first day of school?

Despite her annoyance, Scarlet decided to make the best of the situation. The incident led to several follow-up calls and future plans for Willian to oversee. Given the volume of projects, he now had an assistant to help manage the workload, which was too much for one person to handle alone. While the extra workload was inconvenient, business was business. More profit meant she could fund additional charity project. With that thought, she resolved to tackle the new tasks swiftly and efficiently.

Twelve days before the start of term, the long-awaited school shopping finally arrived - a lot later than expected. According to older students, these letters usually arrived in mid-July, allowing ample time for shopping through August. Alexis’s list had arrived days earlier, so Scarlet had already helped her gather supplies to avoid last-minute rushing.

When her own letter finally appeared, she had received inquiries from Harry and Hermione asking if she knew anything about the delay. After investigating, Scarlet discovered that Hogwarts had adopted a staggered approach to sending out the lists this year.

The Weasleys confirmed this: Percy had received his list first, followed weeks later by Fred and George, and now it was their turn as soon-to-be second years. It was expected that Ginny, the youngest Weasley, would receive hers shortly after. Black, upon being sent to inquire, returned with a reply from the headmaster explaining the decision. This staggered system was meant to prevent crowds from gathering in one place, minimising potential risks.

“What kind of danger are they expecting?” Scarlet narrowed her eyes as she processed Black’s explanation.

He shrugged, his tone casual. “Who knows, Dumbledore always has something up in his sleeve. It’s probably for the best.”

Scarlet immediately suspected that Professor Dumbledore had sensed something unusual. Perhaps it was connected to the Death Eaters who had evaded capture a decade ago or the recent escape of Pettigrew. Likely lacking concrete evidence, the old wizard had kept his suspicions to himself, relying on instinct – an instinct Scarlet trusted implicitly, even if the Ministry of Magic would undoubtedly demand proof. Could professor’s political standing be facing challenges?

Her thoughts shifted abruptly. Wait...when was the book signing by that despicable author Alexis mentioned in her report? Scarlet grabbed the news summary Neville had sent her via owl post and compared it with Alexis’s report. While Alexis hadn’t remembered the exact date of Gilderoy Lockhart’s book signing, she had detailed the chaos of the day: Arthur Weasley’s fight with Lucius Malfoy, Ginny’s embarrassment over second-hand purchases as the Malfoys sneered at them, and Lucius Malfoy slipping the cursed diary into Ginny’s belongings. Neville’s summary, however, listed the date - 19th August.

It all started to make sense.

The staggered distribution of shopping lists had strategically avoided everyone gathering at the same time. Without the usual crowds on 19th August, Lucius Malfoy wouldn’t have the opportunity to approach the Weasleys. And since Scarlet had warned him to reconsider his actions, he wouldn’t dare plant another dark artefact. Additionally, the twins’ successful invention sales meant Ginny could afford new items, sparing her from any sneering remarks about second-hand goods.

Unfortunately, the book list still included Gilderoy Lockhart as their Defence Against the Dark Arts professor...The headmaster must truly out of options, she thought with a sigh. The jinx on the position persisted, leaving them with a charlatan for another year.

Her mind buzzled with racing thoughts until she finally shrugged and muttered, “Well then, good luck to the first-years - they’ll have to scramble to get everything done in just a week.”

Little did Scarlet know, she would soon find herself rushing shopping errands for a first-year just days after finishing her own.

It all started with a call from the orphanage days after her shopping trip.

“Scarlet, dear,” Madame Brown greeted warmly over the phone, her delight evident. “How are you? Oh, I’m so happy your chemistry professor decided to pay us a visit before the new term begins! You must’ve done wonderfully in his class.”

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“...What?” Scarlet froze, her mind reeling at the works. “You mean my chemistry professor is at your office now?! Professor Snape? The one in black robes?”

“Yes, he’s in my office right now!” Madame Brown replied cheerfully. “He certainly has excellent taste in robes. I’ll pass the phone to him, sweetheart.”

There was a pause, and then a familiar deep, stern, and menacing voice came through the receiver.

“Ms. Hong,” Professor Snape’s tone was as sharp as his gaze, even over the phone. “I trust you have an adequate explanation as to why the director of this orphanage is aware of my name and the school?”

“I can explain, Professor Snape!” Scarlet exclaimed in panic. “Just...don’t do anything with your wand! I promise everything can be resolved without magic. Just give me an hour - I’ll be there right away!”

“One hour,” Professor Snape warned, his voice cold. “One second late, and you’ll earn you an hour of detention.”

“I won’t be late!” Scarlet exclaimed, though her mind was already racing to come up with a plan. She needed something – anything – to keep the not-so-Muggle-friendly professor occupied in her absence. The last thing she needed was an incident worthy of making local headlines. “Um, could you pass the phone back to Mama Susan - I mean, the director of the orphanage - please, Professor.”

When the familiar voice of Madame Brown returned, Scarlet launched into her carefully crafted excuse. “Mama, Professor Snape has my address, but it wasn’t the most updated one. He’s trying to take inspiration from how I did so well in my chemistry exams. I remember keeping some of my old chemistry textbooks and exercise books there, right? Could you please pass them to him? Yes, the stack on the shelves...Thank you! I’m coming right now!”

With that, she hung up and immediately assessed her options. William was unavailable – he was busy at the company managing new projects. Black didn’t have a driver’s license, and while Meiko did, her skills weren’t suited for speeding to the orphanage.

“Milady, the ride is ready,” came Meiko’s calm voice, snapping Scarlet out of her spiralling thoughts. The head housekeeper sounded confident as she added, “Don’t worry. Matteo is an excellent driver, and he’s supposed to be your chauffeur.”

Scarlet blinked in surprise. Oh, right. I had almost forgotten about him.

Lady Sato and Mr. Hong, ever cautious about Scarlet’s safety given her mystical abilities, had meticulously chosen staff for the Red House. Each member was uniquely skilled. Meiko, a Jutsushi, served as both head housekeeper and bodyguard. Eko, the gardener, was a shaman attuned to nature spirits, capable of warding off intruders. Matteo, meanwhile, was a retired adventurer with a knack for speed – whether it involved vehicles or animals like horses. A skilled yet uneducated wizard, he had neither attended nor even heard of any magical school, relying solely on instinct to wield his magic throughout his life. With no interest in formal studies, Matteo had hoped for a quiet retirement, though his untamed streak remained intact.

Scarlet rarely used Matteo’s services, as William typically accompanied her to various locations, often for business matters. Now, however, she found herself grateful for her grandparents’ in dismissing her earlier objections to maintaining a large staff at the Red House.

She along with Black and Meiko, hopped into the car. The vehicle roared to life, speeding down the road like a gust of wind. Miraculously, despite the breakneck pace, the ride wasn’t bumpy at all.

“Do not vorry, Milady. Ve vill arrive soon!” Matteo’s cheerful Germen accent carried over the hum of the engine. True to his word, the usual hour-long trip to the orphanage was completed in just 20 minutes – all while adhering to traffic regulations.

Scarlet barely had time to thank him before she darted into the orphanage, Black and Meiko close on her heels.

“How does she even run this fast?!” Black wheezed, struggling to catch his breath in front of the director’s office.

Meiko, in stark contrast, remain composed. She cast a scrutinising glance at Black. “You lack exercise,” she stated matter-of-factly. “Wizards are useless without their wands.”

“Hey...” Black started to protest but paused as memories of past magical battles flooded his mind. After some reluctant reflection, he muttered, “Maybe I should exercise more. Learn some boxing, perhaps...”

Lost in his thoughts, Black seemed to forgot that Snape –the very man he and his best mate, James Potter, had mocked mercilessly during their days at Hogwarts - was inside the office they stood before.

Meanwhile, Scarlet burst into the director’s office after a hasty knock, quickly closing the door behind her to keep her bodyguards – especially Black – from entering. Alexis’s report had made it clear that Black and Snape were not on good terms, and the last thing she needed now was a confrontation between them.

Putting on her most polite smile, Scarlet greeted the two adults waiting inside. “Mama Susan! And Professor Snape! What a surprise seeing you here!”

“Scarlet?” Madame Brown glanced at the clock hanging on the wall, her expression puzzled. “You arrived surprisingly earlier, much earlier than I expected...”

“That’s because I was nearby,” Scarlet interjected quicky, cutting Madame Brown off mid-thought. Her gaze locked onto the director’s eyes, and she subtly move her fingers behind her back, tracing runes in the air. “Now, that’s just a small matter not worth your attention, isn’t it?”

Madame Brown demeanour shifted as she replied in a slightly dreamy tone, “...Yes, it isn’t important anyway...”

“Exactly,” Scarlet said with a bright smile, stopping her runes as if nothing had happened. “Now, Mama Susan, could I borrow your office for a moment? I’d like to have a private discussion with my chemistry professor.”

“Of course.” Madame Brown seemed to snap out of her trance, her warm smile returning. “Just don’t forget to update your address and contact details with your school once you’re back at Hogwarts, sweetheart. I’m sure they’ll appreciate being able to have a nice chat with your father.”

“Yes, I’ll take care of it,” Scarlet promised, waving her goodbye. She then turned to face Professor Snape, who had been silently observing the entire exchange.

He raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable as he closed the well-worn chemistry book he had been holding. The book, filled with annotations, suggested a serious attempt at understanding the Muggle subject. His cold gaze fixed on Scarlet, who remained standing before him, her posture calm yet slightly guarded.

“Ms. Hong,” Professor Snape began in his usual icy tone, “before I proceed with anything else, would you be so kind to explain what exactly my role as a chemistry professor--” his emphasis on the words dripped with sarcasm, “and this...Hogwarts School of Forest and Animal Conservation?”