Chapter 415: The Unreliable

Noon, the new home.

Hermione returned.

"John, I passed the interview."

As soon as she came back, Hermione ran excitedly to John, her face showing uncontainable joy.

She went to the Ministry of Magic for an interview this morning and was hired on the spot.

She arranged with the Ministry of Magic to start in two weeks.

Because in a few days she will be engaged to John and then go on a honeymoon together, the start date was set for two weeks later.

But before John could congratulate her, Yueer jumped up: "Sister‑in‑law, you're amazing! Hired so quickly!"

Hermione smiled appreciatively, reached out and patted Yueer's head: "Little girl, you have such sweet words."

But after only two pats, Hermione stopped.

Then she looked at Yueer, and then at the smiling John beside her.

As if repeatedly confirming something.

"Um… wait… Yueer? … John? How did you…"

It took a good while before Hermione realized something was off.

How could Yueer and John both appear at the same time?

Seeing Hermione's ghost‑like expression, Yueer couldn't help but burst into a giggle, diving into Hermione's arms to act cute.

"Hehe, sister‑in‑law, I can finally get out of my brother's body now!" Yueer looked up, eyes sparkling.

"I'm now in an Artificial Human body."

Hermione was stunned for several seconds before confirming the scene before her wasn't an illusion.

"Is this the Artificial Human Professor Dumbledore mentioned before, that Nicolas Flamel actually created?!"

She also looked very surprised and excited.

"Yeah, yeah, feel it—does it feel just like the real thing?"

Yueer pressed his face up like offering a treasure, and Hermione reached out to pinch it; the texture was warm and soft, indistinguishable from a real person.

"My goodness… this is simply unbelievable," Hermione murmured, then reached out to scratch John, who was watching, for comparison.

"It's even better than John's skin…"

John:......

What does it mean?

He wordlessly brushed Hermione's hand away, then reached out to pinch both of their cheeks.

"Only the two of you have good skin, huh?"

Both were squeezed into squeals.

"Alright, Hermione, to congratulate you on passing the interview, let's go out for a nice lunch at noon and celebrate!" John released his hand, suggesting with a smile.

"Sure." Hermione rubbed her reddened cheek, her eyes still sparkling.

But Yueer beside them was displeased.

"Brother, you're being biased; you know I can't eat food!"

Hearing that, Hermione was startled, curiously pressed for more, and Yueer recited all the precautions Dumbledore had given them.

Including the fact that Yueer's Artificial Human body cannot ingest food.

John, leaning aside, laughed: "This is a celebration for your sister‑in‑law; why are you joining in? Kids should go back to their parents, don't disturb your brother's and sister‑in‑law's private time."

Yueer instantly puffed up in anger.

Hermione, hearing that, was at a loss; the Artificial Human couldn't eat, so at the celebratory feast Yueer could only watch, which was pitiful.

The Artificial Human also ignored illusion magic; otherwise a spell making her binge eat would be better than staring blankly.

After thinking, Hermione's eyes lit up, and she said, "By the way, Yueer, I don't think we've ever bought you girls' clothes; you're still wearing only boys' outfits."

"Why don't you go back to your parents first, and we'll pick you up this afternoon to buy some clothes, okay?"

Hearing that, Yueer's eyes instantly lit up like two tiny ignited stars.

"Really? Sister‑in‑law, you're the best!"

She shouted with joy, lunged to hug Hermione's waist, nudged her shoulder, then turned back and stuck out her tongue at John.

"Brother, did you hear that? Learn more from sister‑in‑law!"

John, irritated, flicked her head with a "thwack": "You're the talkative one."

Hermione also laughed and patted her head.

Although Yueer is, in name, John's sister.

But with her innocent look and her circumstances, Hermione would subconsciously treat her like a daughter.

In her eyes, Yueer is just a child a bit larger.

And indeed she is a child.

Later John tossed Yueer back, then happily led Hermione out to eat.

At the restaurant, Hermione finally had time to tell John about this morning's interview.

Actually, there was nothing special.

Just some basic questions, and how she would handle certain situations.

"I answered everything I could; the interviewer seemed quite satisfied,"

Hermione paused, then added, "By the way, Harry and Ron have already joined the Auror Office, did you know?"

"That fast?" John, sitting opposite, was also startled.

Lately they've been busy setting up the new house, with no mind for outside affairs.

"Hmm, I ran into them at the Ministry of Magic today."

"It seems they were admitted by special exemption, said to be because they performed outstandingly in the war against Voldemort, and the Ministry of Magic gave them a special approval."

"\"That does sound quite reasonable, \" John said casually as he cut a piece of steak."

"\"John, what do you plan to do after graduation? If you also intend to go to the Auror Office, they'll surely throw open the doors for you, \" Hermione asked John curiously."

"\"Hmm... I'm not really interested in becoming an Auror... \" John shook his head."

"These civil positions have too many rules and too many constraints."

"Who knows, maybe one day I'm on a honeymoon with Hermione and an urgent mission pops up—that would be such a killjoy."

"But one has to find something to do; being overly idle isn't good either."

"\"I haven't decided yet; I've also looked at my OWLS Exam scores, and I can pursue any mainstream course, so I'm not in a hurry to decide for now. \""

"\"Indeed, \" Hermione nodded, spearing a piece of salad, \"Anyway, your abilities are never in short supply. \""

"\"Besides, if it really doesn't work out, I could support you~\""

"At that, Hermione playfully winked, lifted her fork, and waved it toward John."

"\"As long as you obediently call me 'big sister' twice and keep sister happy, I could raise you for a lifetime, it's not impossible~\""

John raised an eyebrow at her words, set down his knife and fork, and, feigning seriousness with his arms crossed, said, "Oh? Then I'll have to think this over—do you include the five insurances and one housing fund, sister?"

"Pfft—"

Hearing that, Hermione burst into laughter, nearly choking on the salad in her mouth.

She quickly lifted her cup of water for a sip, recovered, then scolded John with a glare.

"\"When sister becomes the Director-General, you'll be my personal assistant and bodyguard; the five insurances and one housing fund will definitely be arranged for you, plus meals and lodging, and you'll accompany me to and from work every day—how does that sound? \""

"Don't even mention it, really don't."

John was genuinely moved when he heard that.

He got up with a chuckle, sat beside Hermione, wrapped an arm around her waist, and, laughing into her ear, said.

"\"That's sweet, sister—don't even mention accompanying the class; I could even warm your bed for you~\""

Hearing that, Hermione's face flushed instantly; she gently nudged John's shoulder with little force and said, "You... be serious, we're still eating!"

But John didn't let Hermione go and continued speaking.

"\"So after we finish eating, can we be improper? \" John lowered his voice, his warm breath brushing her ear."

"\"Besides, Yueer is no longer inside me; I'll never have to worry about that little light bulb again. \""

Hermione's face turned red, and the base of her ears felt like they were burning.

"\"Then... that'll have to wait until we get home, \" Hermione's voice grew softer, almost a whisper, while her fingers unintentionally clenched John's hem.

Hearing that, John's smile deepened even more.

They finished their meal in a whirlwind and then John took Hermione home.

Only they both forgot about the promise made that afternoon to take Yueer out shopping for clothes.

When the two finally remembered it, it was already the next day.

They also became untrustworthy 'adults'.