The wheelchair-bound warrior is speedrunning Hogwarts.

The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the sky orange-red, a breathtakingly beautiful sight.

"Hemora!" Harley called out to the little dragon as usual.

However, the response she received was not the familiar sound of running, but a deep, resonant "Awoo?" filled with curiosity.

Harley was startled and looked in the direction of the sound. She saw a huge, unimaginably large figure slowly standing up by the lake not far away.

Three enormous heads turned toward them simultaneously, their six eyes gleaming with curiosity in the setting sun.

"Lo-Lowe?!" Harley gasped, her eyes widening in shock. She instinctively took a step back, almost falling over.

“Don’t be afraid, Harley,” Vera’s voice rang out promptly, carrying a reassuring tone. “It’s safe now, it’s mine… well, it’s my partner.”

Just then, a red figure rushed from the direction of the nest like lightning, affectionately nuzzling Vera, then domineeringly blocking their way, hissing at Lu Wei with a warning sound that was filled with sparks.

It is Hermella.

More than a month has passed, and it looks like it has grown quite a bit. Its scales are shinier and its wings are more powerful, but it is still not as big as the giant dog.

Luwei's three heads simultaneously let out a pitiful whimper, its huge tail sweeping the ground, but it didn't go forward, only staring longingly at Vera.

Vera couldn't help but chuckle. She stepped forward and first patted Hermera's head to soothe it: "Alright, Hermera, stop fooling around."

Then he beckoned to Lou Williams: "Lou Williams, come over here and say hello, be quiet, don't scare Harley."

Louie walked over cautiously, the ground trembling slightly with each step.

Its middle head lowered cautiously, sniffed Harry's scent, and made a friendly gurgling sound in its throat.

Harley stared at the nose, which was so close to her and bigger than her whole body, and held her breath in nervousness.

After a while, realizing that Luwei truly meant no harm, she grew bolder and cautiously reached out to stroke its head.

“Merlin…this is so cool!” Harley’s shock gradually turned into excitement. “Vera, how did you do that? How did it get here?”

"Hagrid sent it back to its original home, but it prefers it here."

Vera explained simply, her smile deepening as she watched Harley excitedly try to stroke all three of Louie's heads at the same time, while Hemera stood by, spitting sparks in annoyance and trying to get his attention.

The habitat was unusually lively that night.

With Harley joining the team, Vera's job of calming the two large magical creatures became much easier and more enjoyable.

Harley also said that she could ride her broom here and play with them tomorrow.

It wasn't until the night was deep that the two left the scroll world and returned to their room.

Lying on the soft four-poster bed, Harley gazed at the dim shadows on the ceiling and listened to the occasional soft creaks from the old mansion, feeling an unprecedented sense of peace and joy.

Although unknown dangers may be brewing at Hogwarts, at this moment, lying on her friend's bed, having just petted the dragon and the three-headed dog, she felt fearless.

She gently turned over, facing the wall, as if she could feel Vera's breathing through the wall in the next room.

"Goodnight, Vera," she whispered to herself.

Outside the window, the London moonlight gently spilled through the window frame, filling the room with a peaceful and beautiful ambiance.

Author's Note: The bounty has reached 11 chapters already, ah, a sweet and painful burden... The bounty will end tomorrow. Thank you all for your support. Those who want to squeeze the author dry can continue!

Chapter 140 Just two children who need love

The next morning, Harley was awakened by the cheerful chirping of birds outside her window.

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the heavy curtains, casting a bright strip of light on the floor.

She lay on the soft four-poster bed, staring blankly at the draped ceiling embroidered with intricate patterns for a few seconds before suddenly realizing that she was no longer in that cramped little room on Privet Road.

A feeling of freedom and joy welled up inside her. She jumped off the bed barefoot, ran to the windowsill, and pulled back the curtains with a whoosh.

Place Grimoire appeared exceptionally quiet in the morning light, yet it was quite different from the monotonous uniformity of Privet Avenue.

"Good morning, Harry," came Vera's voice from next door by the window.

Harley turned around and saw Vera, already dressed and sitting in a wheelchair, her long silver-gray hair neatly combed and a faint smile on her face.

"Good morning, Vera!" Hallie's voice was full of energy. "I can hardly believe I'm actually here!"

“You’ll get used to it,” Vera asked gently. “Kreacher has prepared breakfast. After you’ve eaten, is there anywhere you’d like to go?”

Harley's eyes lit up instantly, like emeralds illuminated by light: "Really? I mean... go out? Anywhere?"

She spent most of the summer at the Dursleys' house and developed an almost reflexive longing for the word "out."

"As long as it's within the limits permitted by the magical world and safety is guaranteed."

Vera smiled at her excited expression. "For example... we can go to the nearby Muggle shopping street, if you're interested."

“Okay!” Harley nodded without hesitation. “I want to pick out a birthday present for Hermione; her birthday is in mid-September!”

Last year, when Hermione celebrated her birthday, they had only known each other for a short time, so they simply helped each other with the celebration.

“Great plan.” Vera nodded. “Go change your clothes quickly, we’ll leave after breakfast.”

Harley cheered and dashed back to her room like a gust of wind.

At the breakfast table, she excitedly planned what she wanted to buy, barely eating anything. Vera had to remind her to slow down.

“Kreacher,” Vera turned to the quietly standing elf, “we need to go to the nearby shopping street today. You can wait for us at home.”

“Yes, Miss.” Kreacher bowed. “Kreacher will prepare whatever you need for your outing.”

After breakfast, Kreacher not only prepared the small items needed for the outing, but also thoughtfully prepared a lightweight shopping basket for Harley, which also contained some Muggle currency.

Although it was Vera's thoughtfulness, Halle quietly converted the pounds into Galleons, planning to return them to Vera when she started working.

“We can take the subway to Oxford Street,” Vera said, looking at the map and planning the route. “There are lots of shops there, we should be able to find a suitable gift.”

Guided by Vera, they successfully passed through the subway station and blended into the bustling crowds of London.

Oxford Street was bustling with activity, and Harry was dazzled by the dazzling array of shop windows.

She stayed close to Vera's wheelchair, her green eyes curiously observing everything.

"What would Hermione like?" Harley looked at shop after shop, struggling to choose. "What should I buy... a quill pen? Or... a nice backpack?"

“Perhaps we could start with her hobbies,” Vera suggested, “or some practical, ingenious gadgets unique to the Muggle world.”

They visited several stationery and gift shops. Harley looked carefully, but hesitated to make a decision.

Finally, Harley stopped in front of a shop window displaying a variety of exquisite scientific instruments.

A vintage brass microscope is displayed in the window, next to a set of small mineral specimens.

“Look at that, Vera!” Harley’s eyes lit up. “Hermione would love these two! They’re so…so special, and they look so scholarly!”

Vera glanced at the price tag; it wasn't cheap, but it was just pocket money for her.

“A very good choice, it suits Hermione’s temperament perfectly.” She nodded slightly in praise.

Harley walked straight into the shop and bought the beautifully packaged microscope with the pounds Kreacher had prepared, while Vera bought another set of specimen boxes.

As Harley walked out carrying the heavy gifts, a satisfied smile spread across her face.

"Mission accomplished!" Harley said happily. "I hope Hermione will like it."

“She’ll love it,” Vera said confidently. “It’s a gift we picked out together with great care.”

With the gift issue resolved, both of them felt relieved.

They ate ice cream at a nearby cafe, watching people come and go outside the window, enjoying a rare leisurely afternoon.

However, looking at the beautifully packaged shopping bag beside her, Harley suddenly remembered something she had forgotten.

“Vera,” she asked curiously, holding her ice cream, “when is your birthday?”

Although she knew Vera was probably a bit older than her, she didn't seem to have any idea exactly when Vera was born.

Vera scooped up a spoonful of ice cream, paused upon hearing this, and her long eyelashes cast a faint shadow under her eyelids.

"I don't remember," she answered softly, her tone as indifferent as if she were talking about something trivial. "My adoptive mother had been raising me for at least six months since I was born, and she didn't even know my exact birthday."

Perhaps only her long-deceased mother knew the exact date.

Harley was stunned, a hint of surprise and heartache flashing in her emerald eyes.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but didn't know how to comfort her.

She never imagined that someone as seemingly omnipotent as Vera wouldn't even know her own birthday.

The air seemed to freeze for a moment, with only the soft music from the café and the noise outside continuing.

Vera looked up and saw Harley's helpless expression. Instead, she smiled gently and stirred the ice cream in her cup with a spoon: "It's okay, it's just a date, it's no big deal."

Her tone was relaxed, as if she genuinely didn't care about such a trivial matter.

But Harley felt a tightness in her chest, and a strong urge to protect her and do something for her welled up inside her.

“No way!” Harley’s voice rose slightly involuntarily, drawing a glance from the customers at the next table. She lowered her voice, but her tone remained firm, “Birthdays are important! They must be celebrated!”

Vera looked at her with some surprise.

Harley's mind raced, her emerald eyes sparkling: "Since we don't know the exact day... let's pick a day!"

Let's pick a day you like, or... how about the day after school starts? That way we can celebrate for you at Hogwarts on the first day back to school every year!

The idea just popped into her head, and the more Harley thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. An excited blush spread across her face: "We can invite Hermione, Ron, Neville, and anyone else you like."

We can go to Hagrid's place for some rock cakes... they might not be very good, but we can bring our own cake! Oh, and a present too!

She became more and more excited as she spoke, her eyes shining with enthusiasm as she planned a bright future for her friend: "Anyway, we must celebrate! Vera, you have to have a birthday!"

Vera stared at her, at Halle's face, which was so vivid with eagerness and sincerity, and at the unreserved concern and enthusiasm in her eyes.

A warm current suddenly rushed into my heart and quickly spread to my limbs and bones.

Vera thought that, as an adult soul, she didn't really care much about dates like birthdays.

After transmigrating to this world, she had too many things to do, and she really didn't have the time or the inclination to think about what day this body's birthday was.

But Harley so readily believed that she "had to have" it, and so passionately wanted to "create" a holiday just for her, a holiday worth celebrating.

That clumsy yet sincere sentiment, like a ray of sunshine, fell upon her without warning.

She lowered her eyes slightly, concealing the emotions that were surging within her.

“…Okay.” After a while, she replied softly, “I’ll do as you say.”

Harley beamed immediately, as if she had accomplished an incredibly important mission: "Then it's a deal! Every year on September 2nd, it will be Vera Black's birthday!"

She excitedly started planning: "We're going to prepare a big cake, how about chocolate? Or fruit? And gifts, I need to think about those..."

Seeing Harley immersed in the joy of "creating" her birthday, Vera's heart melted.

Those endless daily routines of busying themselves and everything around them seem to gradually lose their weight in the face of Harley's pure passion.

She suddenly realized that having a "birthday" treated with such solemnity seemed... to be a really nice thing.

"Mmm." She nodded gently again, a clear and gentle smile curving her lips. "I'm looking forward to it."

Sunlight streamed through the café's glass windows, bathing the two women in a warm glow.

Harley was still enthusiastically talking about her birthday ideas, while Vera just listened quietly beside her.

After listening to all the strange and unusual ways she came up with to celebrate, Vera finally couldn't help but ask, "What about your birthday?"

As we all know, Harley's birthday is July 31st.

In other words, by the time Vera went to the Dursleys' house to pick her up, her birthday had already passed.

This was something Vera had always been concerned about.

However, for Harley's safety, she had to wait until the day after Dobby appeared to pick her up.

Harley was getting into the conversation when she heard this and stopped abruptly, her smile fading slightly.

She scooped up a large spoonful of ice cream and stuffed it into her mouth, saying indistinctly, "July 31st...it's long gone, anyway, I've never really celebrated it properly before, nothing special."

She tried to sound relaxed, but Vera still caught the fleeting hint of disappointment in her voice.

What good memories can you have from a birthday spent locked in the Dursleys' cupboard?

Perhaps only the time Hagrid broke in could be considered a surprise.

Vera was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly spoke: "Next year."

Harley looked up at her, puzzled. "Hmm?"

“July 31st next year,” Vera looked at her, her dark eyes appearing particularly serious in the soft light of the café, “we’ll plan ahead.”