Chapter 474: Engagement

At last, the tense day arrived; Harry sat upright on the living room sofa, wearing a brand-new dark blue shirt with silver buttons on the cuffs, while Sir Crowley, accustomed to grand occasions, sipped his tea calmly beside him.

The door opened, and Sirius entered with his freshly styled hair and an impeccably formal suit; he looked even more nervous than Harry, repeatedly loosening his emerald-green tie, then tightening it again moments later.

Finally, they heard the crisp pop of Apparition; all three rose and moved toward the entrance to greet them—then Zhang Qiu descended the stairs, Wanzhe her father. She wore a lavender robe, while her father, though dressed fully in suit and tie, wore a cheerful smile and seemed an easygoing man.

After a round of pleasantries, they all sat down, and Sir Crowley proceeded to introduce them as agreed: “As you see, I am Harry’s maternal great-uncle, George Crowley; this is his godfather, Raphael Crowley.”

“Pleasure to meet you. I’m Zhang Wei—you may call me John Smith,” Mr. Zhang said. “Of course, I fully understand your side has two elders present, since Qiu’s situation is rather unusual—I’m a regular wizard living in the Muggle world, but she does have a master, doesn’t she?”

“Master Xuanjun is currently occupied with something extremely important and cannot break away, so I’ve come alone to discuss—well, the children’s future.”

“Oh, let me speak first,” said Sir Crowley. “I am the current owner of this estate, and these Muggle assets will pass to Harry upon my death—that’s all I have to say. After all, I’m not a wizard, and this might complicate your secrecy laws.”

“I will support all of Harry’s and his godfather’s decisions,” he said before leaving.

The remaining three exchanged glances; then Sirius spoke first: “So, Mr. Smith, what are your thoughts on the children’s relationship? After all, I’m fully supportive.”

“Ha, ha, I’m supportive too,” Zhang Wei said after a long pause. “Master Xuanjun is supportive as well, so technically, we can begin preparing for the engagement.”

“That’s it?” Sirius said, surprised. “You don’t want to ask or discuss anything else?”

“Honestly, Qiu was taken in by Master Xuanjun when she was very young. So when he gave his approval, I had no objections. But as a father, I still need to ask—Mr. Harry Potter, what does he do in the wizarding world?”

A good question—one that left everyone speechless. Though Harry had defeated Voldemort, won the Triwizard Tournament, become Yubei president of the Order of the Phoenix, and secretly assumed the identity of the Dark Lord, soon to enter the Ministry, he was still, at heart, a seventh-year student.

“He’s still in school,” he answered honestly.

“In school, ah—then he has a promising future,” Zhang Wei glanced at Zhang Qiu beside him. “As for Qiu, since she insisted on staying here, I’ve arranged a position for her at the embassy. Income-wise, it’s fairly suitable. And since she has property in the Muggle world, I believe her financial pressure in the wizarding world will ease considerably.”

Sirius hesitated whether to mention the Wolf Group, simply describe the Black family’s savings, or just state the Potter inheritance.

“Yes,” Harry replied automatically, still lost in thought over the previous question—he hadn’t yet decided what career he wanted.

“And wizarding society probably isn’t as safe as here. I’d like to ask about Harry’s spell proficiency,” Zhang Wei said sincerely. “From what I’ve heard, there’s this fellow—Voldemort, I think—who might start another war. One needs skills to protect oneself.”

Harry hadn’t properly cast spells in combat for two full years. Faced with this question, he could only admit the truth: “I can defend myself.”

“Alright, no need to expect too much,” Zhang Wei sighed deeply. “Children can still build their own futures—bread will come, milk will come.”

Sirius suspected Harry was being underestimated and felt compelled to explain—

“And! Master Xuanjun mentioned to me,” Zhang Wei suddenly raised his voice, cutting Sirius off, “that Great Ming may be even more chaotic than here. Qiu is better off here—it’s good for everyone. That’s what he said, so now let’s discuss the date.”

“Great Ming?” Sirius’s attention snapped to the unfamiliar term.

“Oh, right—outside, you call it ‘Heavenly Dynasty,’” Zhang Wei smiled. “So, respecting both sides’ customs, Mr. Crowley, what’s your usual wedding procedure?”

Harry and Sirius recalled the wedding they’d just attended and exchanged confident smiles; Sirius said seriously: “First, guests sit at banquet tables…”

“No, no—that’s the final step. I mean the process before the wedding.”

This question had many answers, but before the vivid example they’d just witnessed, everything else seemed strange: no formalities at all—just a few words exchanged, then invitations sent and the wedding arranged.

Seeing their silence, Zhang Wei kindly offered: “If you have no objections, we can follow Heavenly Dynasty tradition—it has six steps. First, your side must send a relatively cute magical creature to deliver the betrothal letter; we’ll then return a gift. Next, you must find a divination master to offer an opinion, then send us the result. Those are the first three steps.”

Sirius rubbed his cheek, hesitantly asking: “A cute magical creature—would Kreacher count?”

“Hedwig,” Harry said uncertainly. “But can she fly that far?”

Zhang Qiu laughed helplessly: “It doesn’t have to be cute—even regular owls are fine.”

“What about Professor Trelawney?” Sirius asked.

“Unlikely—she’s never uttered anything good,” Harry swallowed hard.

Zhang Qiu offered another suggestion: “Lupin works—he’s the only true Seer here.”

Zhang Wei didn’t mind his daughter siding with the other side; he continued: “If the first three steps are settled, step four is presenting a gift symbolizing the betrothal. In modern times, this may involve substantial wealth—but since I’m receiving it, keep it…”

His eyes wandered over Tang Dun’s lavish décor, then softened into a relieved smile. “Under five hundred pounds. It’s the thought that counts.”

“Then we set the wedding date. Technically, there’s no rush—but since the groom’s procession and the bride’s return home both involve Heavenly Dynasty, and Heavenly Dynasty is likely to face turmoil…” Zhang Wei looked troubled. “I don’t know what to do. We can’t rush the children into marriage just because we fear war.”

“War?” Harry and Sirius sat up straight.

“Ah, Master Xuanjun had to enter seclusion, so some enemies of Heavenly Dynasty are stirring. That’s why I fully support Qiu staying here,” he said, his face heavy with worry. “But having the bride marry from an embassy? That would be humiliating—what would people think?”

“It’s fine—they have brides who walk out from the groom’s home here too,” Zhang Qiu shrugged.

Sirius grew unexpectedly serious: “Perhaps we can finalize the engagement—your first three steps. But I’d like to know more about this war. It sounds deeply concerning.”

“Shh!” Zhang Qiu made a quiet shushing gesture, as if wary of being overheard. “Let’s not talk about that. Whatever happens, it’ll work out. They handle things so casually here.”

“Of course, there’s still a long time before the actual wedding—at least until Harry graduates and settles into a job,” Zhang Wei said lightly. “Maybe by then, Master Xuanjun will have emerged from seclusion, and the situation will be different.”

Sirius’s understanding of war came from Voldemort—the lingering sense of dread among everyone still fresh in his mind. He said: “Mr. Zhang, if you ever face hardship, you’re always welcome here to seek refuge.”

“Thank you—you’re generous. I hope it never comes to that,” Zhang Wei sighed, stood, and shook Sirius’s hand. “Then let’s leave it at that—I’ll follow Qiu’s wishes.”

He left a business card, then, visibly relieved, turned and Apparated away.

“Your dad really came and went in a flash,” Harry remarked. “Is it because you two aren’t close?”

“Yes,” Zhang Qiu’s gaze drifted. “I lived with my master since I was very young.”

“I feel like you’re hiding something from me again,” Harry eyed her suspiciously. “What’s going on?”

Zhang Qiu gripped his arm, as if preparing to Apparate—but didn’t. Instead, she whispered: “Let’s go somewhere else to talk.”

“How about we visit Gilmour?” Sirius, sensing something was off, offered casually. “We can meet our Seer.”