Hermione and the others had never attended a Christmas feast quite like this in their lives.

Whether preparing the banquet as organizers or spending Christmas with the children as "angel sisters," many of these experiences were firsts for them. After all, the three of them were all standard only children. In their past Christmases, they had rarely experienced such liveliness, the satisfaction of being surrounded and needed, and of course, the unbelievably sumptuous dishes.

A dozen plump roast geese, roast fish, roast turkeys, mountains of roast meat and fried potato wedges...

Large platters of cocktail sausages, bowls of buttered peas, dishes of thick gravy and cranberry sauce...

It was as if Aileen had packed half of the Hogwarts kitchen into her chest's dimensional pocket.

In less than a quarter of an hour, she conjured up a sumptuous dinner.

In addition, every few steps along the table, there were piles of carefully prepared magical Christmas cracker surprises waiting for them.

These wonderful Christmas crackers were not the shabby little toys found in non-magical supermarkets.

After careful screening, this batch of magical Christmas crackers eliminated the magical props but retained the surprise element.

Luna pulled open a Christmas cracker with a child named El. Instead of making a soft popping sound, it went off with a bang like a gunshot, engulfing them in a cloud of blue smoke while a naval admiral's hat exploded from inside.

On the other side, Hannah, surrounded by a group of children, opened four or five Christmas crackers in one breath.

Amid the little ones' exclamations, they received a large pile of gifts that exploded from the crackers: including two chess sets, three stethoscopes, a bag of prank water balloons, two witch hats, and even a few lively white mice and hamsters...

At the end of the table, Benítez was chatting quietly with Hermione, the atmosphere particularly harmonious.

Hermione must have told him something because they both looked up at Aileen, who had been pushed to one side, and shared a knowing smile.

Ever since Benítez had mentioned Hogwarts, Hermione knew that she had most likely been deceived by Aileen. If this Father Benítez were truly some kind of fanatical religious maniac, Aileen would have been bound to the stake and burned to ashes long ago.

Obviously, Aileen's pre-departure intimidation had been rendered almost entirely ineffective.

Rarely having such an opportunity to tattle to a parent figure, Miss Granger naturally wouldn't let it go easily. Her bottom was still a little sore.

Keeping a wary eye on Hermione and Father Benítez, who were getting along so well, Aileen continued to move between the kitchen and the living room, like a pitiful house-elf providing a wonderful dinner experience for everyone present.

After the roast goose and turkey came the fiery Christmas pudding.

Then, there was the rum-soaked fruitcake and chocolate liqueur cake that Aileen had managed to smuggle out of the kitchen.

However, her only miscalculation was that, compared to last year, the orphans' appetites had increased by more than one notch.

With the dual sponsorship of Gringotts and Hogwarts, the children at the orphanage quickly began to compensate for their development. Besides their height, the most obvious change in just six months was their average food intake, which had doubled.

At first, Aileen wanted the little ones to eat more, but in the end, even she had to join the dessert scramble.

If she continued to be polite, she might not even get a bite of chocolate liqueur cake tonight!

It should be known that, unlike the absolute dominance of the "big sister" in the past, with the addition of Hermione, Hannah, and Luna, the three "angel sisters," the children at the orphanage quickly found a backbone.

They led several children respectively to fight against Aileen, and the dessert competition directly changed from sporadic搶夺 to an organized Boss fight.

Aileen more than once caught illusions, or was ambushed by children lurking on the side when she was deadlocked during the battle - even Hermione, whose skills were temporarily banned, found a way to sanction Aileen: Father Benítez's words were much more useful than Professor Dumbledore's.

Half an hour later, the Christmas snacks composed of turkey sandwiches, rum-soaked fruitcake, and Christmas cake on the table were wiped out.

Everyone finally felt too full and began to feel sleepy.

On Christmas Day, the children at the orphanage also had another privilege that they didn't usually have: they could each receive a bedtime story as a gift. If it were a weekday, they would have to be praised, have a birthday, or have excellent exam results to get a reward.

Before, it was mostly Aileen who sat by the bed and patiently coaxed them to sleep one by one.

And when Aileen was not there, José Benítez would take over, of course, his stories would usually be more hypnotic.

However, today was slightly different from the past.

Hermione, Luna, and Hannah took the initiative to go upstairs, and went to the bedrooms of the little guys to tell them the fairy tales they had heard at home and school, while Aileen had time to stay in the living room below and chat with Father Benítez alone.

"So, you sneaked out? Hmm... flew over?"

"Yes, after the little ones fall asleep, we have to leave here by midnight at the latest."

Aileen looked up at the attic above. She couldn't stay here too long, and couldn't even show too much attachment.

As the Gringotts Empress, the eldest lady of the Destiny Group... Aileen has too many responsibilities, she must become an unapproachable bright moon in the impression of most people - for Benítez and the children of the orphanage, the more she shows that she values ​​them, the more dangerous they will be.

Even if this is a bonus item in Dumbledore's place, Aileen is unwilling to use this emotion as a bargaining chip.

"Christmas gifts, I will let Destiny's people help deliver them later, you can give them to them in your name--"

Aileen stood up and wandered around the hall, looking at the brand-new walls and surrounding decorations and furniture, and finally landed on the football in the corner.

"Forget it, just say whatever you want. The situation is not as subtle as before. If a war really breaks out, the area around Loch Lomond will obviously be included in our sphere of influence as soon as possible. However, are you really not considering changing your focus?"

"Change the focus of work? Forget it, I'm not that material - just taking care of them is enough to make me burnt."

Benítez followed Aileen's gaze, sighed helplessly, and looked strange.

"However, I really didn't expect that you would be able to become the first shareholder of the Premier League after studying in the magic world for only one year - those board members finally believed that I didn't intend to interfere, but they still send documents from time to time, Can't you make me easier? Or find some more suitable and talented people... after all, there are so many in 'that world'--"

"Can not--"

Aileen turned to look at Benítez, her tone was so calm that there was no room for discussion.

"Apart from you, and the three girls above, I haven't found more people who can be trusted unconditionally."

"At this point in time, anyone who is talented must have their own position. They can become cooperative partners, but they must never become the supporter who entrusts their back, but if you really feel a little overwhelmed..."

After a few seconds of pause, Aileen's eyes lingered on Benítez for a few moments, revealing a sly smile.

"Dad, you know a little bit, right? After the collapse of the former Soviet Union, we seized a lot of resources there. In addition to those cold chips and various resources, there are also various professional talents. I will arrange a few secretaries for you in a few days?"

"Don't worry, they are definitely all first-class beauties, you should also consider your singleness - gul--"

Before Aileen could finish speaking, Benítez pinched the girl's nose angrily, instantly suffocating the rest of her words.

"That's not necessary - dear Miss Apocalypse!"

You know, last summer, this little girl brought him back a "cheap father" when she went home.

Just last night, "Otto Apocalypse" also sent him Christmas gifts, with a look of elder status between the lines.

If she doesn't firmly dispel her thoughts this time, maybe a large-scale "modern lord" audition scene will appear in the town next week. Benítez knows too much about Aileen's execution and mischief ability, and he doesn't want his reputation to be ruined.

More importantly, how can a daughter take the initiative to arrange a female secretary for her father?!

"Okay, okay, I know..."

Aileen pouted, glanced at Benítez with some disgust, the education on the Brotherhood side is seriously lacking.

Forget it, although it's a bit troublesome, I should first let those "intern secretaries" add a pre-job training in the field of theology, and then dispatch a few people to help through the Catholic Church's transfer order. She is still a little worried about letting Benítez take care of the children all the time.

As for the reason, it is too easy to find, with the Apocalypse family's investment, the church and orphanage here are also small in scale.

According to the regulations of the Catholic Church, there should be a few more official nuns here - in this regard, gold coins are more useful than magic.

"What's going on in that world? What exactly are you doing?"

After a moment of silence, Benítez finally couldn't help but stare into Aileen's eyes and asked in a deep voice.

"Didn't you say that this Christmas is helping to drive out the venomous snake hiding in the school's sewer? Why did you mention something... war?"

"Well, the venomous snake was found and killed today - it's a big one, a full thirty-seven feet long."

Aileen said lightly, as if they had just swept away a nest of annoying little spiders in the castle.

"As for the war, it's just an inappropriate metaphor."

"War must happen between two equal individuals, but the situation on our side is slightly different."

"We don't have a fixed enemy - what we are fighting against is history, is thinking, is... the magic world that doesn't exist in technology, and the technology world that doesn't exist in magic. And after more than a year of preparation, we are qualified to declare war, or kill it with one blow."

"We have prepared everything, even if the war starts now, there is a 98% chance of winning."

She said in one breath, ignoring the stunned expression on Father Benítez's face.

Aileen leaned on the back of the chair, rocking back and forth like riding a rocking horse, muttering to herself somewhat blankly and easily.

"We are promoting educational reforms in the magic world, and we are integrating the wisdom of the two worlds, this is on the wizard's side; and in the non-magic world, we can influence billions of people and have the ability to launch the Third World War at any time, and most importantly Yes, we are about to find the switch to let ordinary people touch magic. Do you know, I seem to be about to get everything, but..."

In fact, she didn't know what she was talking about.

But Aileen knew that she could only express these confusions and helplessness in front of Father Benítez.

Benítez pondered for two seconds, stretched out his thick hand and gently pressed it on the top of Aileen's head.

"So, girl, are you still thinking about how to go back?"

"Huh? Of course not, probably--"

Aileen's eyes flickered a few times, and for the first time, she didn't deny it, but muttered softly in a daze.

In this world, if anyone can guess that she is actually from another world, then it is likely that only José Benítez.

After all, when she first crossed over, there were too many flaws and strangeness - she didn't load the crossing language pack, her parents disappeared without a house, money, or even an identity. If Benítez hadn't taken her in, she might have started a miserable world script long ago.

"I can't help you answer this question, but I can give you a suggestion..."

Benítez took out the thick prayer book from his arms, put it next to Aileen, and cleared his throat.

"Matthew, chapter 16, verse 26: For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"

"For... a greater good? Or, to complete a world where no one is hurt--"

Aileen raised her eyebrows, glanced at the stairs above, and said thoughtfully in a low voice.

A moment later, the figures of Luna, Hannah, and Hermione appeared there.

And in the silent night wind, she could vaguely hear the steady breathing coming from above. Obviously, those little guys who had been playing all day and were full of food and drink had finally fallen asleep, which also meant that the time to say goodbye was almost here - they had to go back.

"Don't worry, Dad, I'm Aileen Kaslana! I won't suffer!"

Aileen jumped off the chair, raised her thumb triumphantly, and gestured proudly.

Then, in the middle-aged man's hesitant expression, Aileen opened her collar and pulled out four flying broomsticks from her chest.

"We should go back - girls, if Professor Dumbledore finds out that we are all mysteriously missing tomorrow, then he may not be able to last until the end of this Christmas. By the way, Father, I confiscated your bottle of wine. So, see you during the summer vacation..."

Before Benítez could react, Aileen drew out her wand and pointed it nimbly.

The bottle of red wine that had not been opened on the table fell into Aileen's hands like a swallow returning to its nest.

"Huh?! Wait! Aileen, this is the only thing that can't be done! Get down here for me!"

"Nyah nyah, I won't--"

Aileen stuck out her tongue, made a face, and winked at the surroundings.

"What are you still doing, hurry up and run, don't you want to go back to the dormitory to continue celebrating the second round?!"

After speaking, Aileen turned around and straddled her broom, flying towards the distant night sky outside the door.

The other little witches also flew up in a daze, subconsciously followed and flew out.

"G-goodbye. Mr. Benítez."

"Mr. Benítez, goodbye."

"Father, bye--"

Unlike a heartless little dumpling, under Hermione's leadership, the three little witches quickly said goodbye.

Of course, they didn't dare to stay in place and try to ask what happened.

Aileen has caused too many troubles, and they are not sure what happened. If they are foolishly left in place, then they might become "scapegoats" - during this time at Hogwarts, the three little wings have almost developed conditioned reflexes.

Benítez took a few steps forward, then stopped at the door of the yard.

In less than a few seconds, Aileen and the others' figures quickly became transparent and soon completely merged into the boundless night.

That child--

Benítez recalled the scene when he picked up the "little white wolf" with blue eyes on the streets of London.

He shook his head with some loss and worry.

Unconsciously, so many years have passed.

But…

Still so naive, sensitive, and loves to show off.

Fortunately, now, the "little white wolf" finally has its own companions.

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Yay!