Harry Potter: Reunion with the Enemy

"This pair of snake-shaped rings is made of gold, silver, glass and natural gemstones. The circular snake design represents eternity and endless life. It is said that this was found in the pyramid tomb of the Egyptian King Thutmose II, who gave one of them to his queen Rapesonvos to express love that transcends life and death."

The auctioneer looked around the venue, his spirits high, because the previous item had been sold at a very high price, and the auction house's 20% commission income also greatly encouraged all the staff in the venue.

"The starting price for this item is one million pounds." The auctioneer opened his arms, indicating that the auction had begun.

Harry took a deep breath when he heard the price. He didn't know much about the Muggle art market before - when he lived with Uncle Vernon, he only heard some numbers about large orders for drilling rigs.

Although James and Lily left him a large sum of gold in Gringotts, including the wealth of his godfather Sirius and his ancestral home, Harry was now considered a relatively wealthy wizard. But in fact, Harry's salary at the Ministry of Magic was 250 Galleons per week - a salary exchanged for a small part of his life risk, which was not bad, but the starting price of the rings would also require Harry to work for about 20 years, because the final transaction price would also include the auction house's high commission and additional taxes.

However, Harry had made up his mind to give Draco a surprise, and he had asked Mr. Weasley and Ron and Hermione to exchange enough Muggle currency.

"This sir, bid one million and a half pounds." The auctioneer noticed Draco's placard and loudly read out the current number.

"The telephone bid is 1.6 million pounds." The price was quickly raised.

Without any hesitation, Draco followed as the auctioneer loudly announced, "Back to the gentleman in the side section of the exhibition hall, two million pounds."

"The phone bid is two million, one hundred thousand."

"Two and a half million pounds! In the side area of ​​the exhibition hall!" The auctioneer raised his voice unconsciously.

Harry was silent for a few seconds, then decided to interrupt the internal price war between the two. Harry grabbed Draco's hand and motioned for him to turn around.

"What's wrong? Wait a moment." Draco was concentrating on the auction price on the stage at the moment, and said gently.

"Two million six hundred thousand pounds, from a telephone commission! This piece comes from the Carlos Giuliano family, an Italian jeweler family that traveled to Egypt in the early years. The Giuliano family later customized all kinds of accessories for the Egyptian royal family. The Egyptian royal family starting from Amenhotep III has been using the crowns, necklaces, and rings made by this family. With the complete disappearance of the Giuliano family more than twenty years ago, the valuations of these rare and highly sought-after antique jewels will continue to rise in the future. This is one of the few orphan pieces of this heterochromatic family in circulation!" The auctioneer stirred up the atmosphere on the scene in the hope that higher bids would appear.

Draco was halfway through his sentence when he felt Harry's hands grab his neck and gently pull his head in the other direction.

"What's wrong, dear?" Draco finally turned his full attention to Harry.

"It's me. The commission was mine. I asked Ron and Hermione to help me. I thought I couldn't make it in time." Harry explained helplessly. "I wanted to buy it for you. But the person who received the surprise is bidding against me now."

A hint of confusion appeared on Draco's face and then quickly disappeared, followed by a huge smile.

"I originally thought that since I didn't have to compete with Eugene, I could buy the ring with confidence." Draco looked very happy. "Since you have this intention——"

Harry nodded, signaling Draco to stop bidding.

"Of course I won't let you pay. You tell them to stop." Draco held Harry's hand and raised the card again, "Three million pounds."

Draco snatched Harry's phone, entered the unlock code expertly, and then quickly sent a message to Hermione and Mr. Weasley: "No no no no no stop."

"Please..." Harry tried not to make any noise as he tried to get his phone back. "Do you really have to give me the upper hand in this situation? I just want to -"

"As far as I know, you didn't give you those--" Draco seemed to feel that the word "ex" was too hot, and he skipped the word directly, "gave you these. This is enough for me. Very enough. I am more important than them, right?"

"Oh, but how did you know?" Harry felt his heart skip a beat.

"Yes, of course I know." Draco looked into Harry's eyes disapprovingly, "I have found out what you give to others every Christmas or birthday - and what you receive, but you don't open most of the gifts from strangers. When you came of age, I anonymously gave you a pair of very exquisite glasses frames with gemstones, which are probably worth much more than this pair of rings."

"I—" Harry seemed to be trying to remember something.

"You probably haven't opened the silver and green gift box yet. I thought you could use it." Draco lowered his eyes. "What did Ron give you that year? Let me think - 'Twelve Magical Ways to Charm Witches'? God, you can consider using it on me. In fact, you can attract me without any magic tricks."

Harry sighed, "If you really wanted to be friends with me before, you could have just told me."

"You've always been so popular in school, and so friendly to everyone except me." Draco replied, resting his chin on his hand. "But that doesn't matter now."

"It's not about the money." Harry took Draco's sign. "You know, it's just an important gift for an important person."

"Of course this is not about money. What I want is your time." Draco did not try to get the auction number back. "If you really want to make me happy, you can quit your job as an Auror and accompany me."

"..." Harry frowned slightly.

"I am here precisely because I don't want to interfere with your pursuit and wishes." Draco obviously anticipated Harry's reaction. "Just let me stand by your side, that's enough."

During the conversation between the two, another buyer had already bought the pair of rings for seven million. "Seven million once, seven million twice, seven million three times! Congratulations to this lady! This is one of the few remaining antique treasures after the fall of the Giuliano family! There are no more designs like this after the heir disappeared!"

The auctioneer congratulated in another direction of the exhibition hall. The mood of the auction was pushed to another high point.

At this moment, everyone's attention was temporarily drawn to the new buyer, because the price offered was far higher than the estimated value of the rings.

"Let's go. We all missed it. My feeling was right. I shouldn't have bothered with you during the auction—" Draco took Harry's hand and prepared to leave. "There are still many beautiful things. There's no need to regret."

In the rental house, Lancelot hung up the video link of the auction. He watched the snake ring being sold, and his heart was filled with mixed feelings. "The Giuliano family... the last glory of our family..."