Hogwarts: My Grandmother is the Queen

On Monday morning, when get out of class ended, Henry called out to Hannah, who was walking with her head down, carrying her books.

"Hannah, there's something I'd like to ask you for a favor." His tone was casual and gentle, as if it were just a casual chat between classes. "I'd like to get to know some Ravenclaw students, especially those interested in Muggle studies or the history of magic in different cultures. I remember you said you have friends in Ravenclaw?"

Hannah looked up, her face slightly flushed, seemingly pleased that Henry had struck up a conversation with her: "Oh, yes! I do have friends in Ravenclaw, and..." Her eyes suddenly lit up, as if she had remembered a particularly suitable person, "That's right! Cho Chang! She's a second-year student in Ravenclaw, and we met over the summer when we were buying textbooks in Diagon Alley. She's a very nice person, and—she's of Chinese descent, having grown up in England, so she has a particularly insightful understanding of the differences between Eastern and Western magical cultures!"

Hannah grew increasingly excited as she spoke: "She sometimes talks to me about the differences between Eastern magical philosophy and Hogwarts courses. Although I don't quite understand those profound concepts, I feel her perspective is very unique! And she can also speak Chinese. If Your Highness wants to understand a truly cross-cultural perspective..."

She suddenly realized she might have said too much, and her voice lowered as she added somewhat apologetically, "Of course, if you feel it's inappropriate..."

"Quite the opposite," Henry said with interest. "Ms. Zhang sounds exactly the kind of student I'd like to meet; a cross-cultural perspective can often illuminate our usual blind spots. If she'd like, I wonder if I could have the honor of inviting you both for tea tomorrow afternoon?"

"She'll definitely be willing!" Hannah almost jumped up, but quickly restrained herself, nodding vigorously. "Choi is happy to share her insights, and she always says that wizards know too little about non-European magical systems. I'll go ask her right now! Tomorrow afternoon at four, the usual place, right?"

"Yes, it's the same classroom." Henry nodded. "I'll ask Lucy to prepare some refreshments that have a magical touch while also reflecting a fusion of East and West. Perhaps Miss Zhang could offer some suggestions?"

"That's a fantastic idea!" Hannah's eyes lit up. "Qiu sometimes brings us Chinese pastries to try; she'll definitely know how to blend the two styles well! I'm going to find her right now!"

Watching Hannah's hurried departure, Henry knew that the last piece of the puzzle was about to be completed.

He doesn't need to build deep friendships with every college; he only needs to establish channels of communication, demonstrate an open attitude, and have influential people in different colleges. This in itself is a rudimentary form of influence.

On Tuesday afternoon, when Henry walked into the familiar empty classroom on the second floor, there were already four people inside.

Justin was enthusiastically showing Hannah and Susan his new quill pen, while sitting next to Hannah was a Ravenclaw girl he didn't know.

She had long, glossy black hair that cascaded down to her waist, with a few strands falling softly beside her cheeks. Her face was delicate, possessing a uniquely Eastern grace. She wore a neatly pressed Ravenclaw robe and was quietly observing the tea set on the table—today Lucy had prepared a fusion of East and West: next to a traditional English three-tiered pastry stand were several pieces of blue and white porcelain teaware, as well as a plate of exquisite Chinese pastries.

"Good afternoon." Henry walked in with a smile, his gaze only sweeping over Zhang Qiu for a moment before looking away.

"Your Highness!" Justin immediately stood up, and Hannah and Susan also quickly greeted him.

The Ravenclaw girl rose gracefully and gave a proper curtsy.

"Good afternoon, Your Highness. I am Cho Chang, a second-year Ravenclaw student and Hannah's friend."

Her distinctive accent made Henry feel like he was back in his high school classroom.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Zhang." Henry returned a polite smile, and then, to the surprise of Hannah, Susan, and Justin, he continued in clear and fluent Chinese, "I am Henry Wales, nice to meet you."

Qiu Zhang's beautiful black eyes widened instantly. She looked at Henry in disbelief, her lips slightly parted, and for a moment she forgot to respond.

Hannah, Susan, and Justin were completely stunned—they couldn't understand a word Henry was saying, but the unfamiliar intonation was clearly not English, nor any European language they had ever heard before.

"You...you can speak Chinese?" Zhang Qiu finally reacted and answered in Chinese as well, her voice filled with surprise and disbelief. "Your pronunciation is very standard, even a bit like a Beijing accent?"

Henry switched back to English and explained to the other three with a smile, "Miss Zhang and I were greeting each other in Chinese. I've learned some Chinese."

Then he turned to Zhang Qiu and said in Chinese, "My Chinese teacher is from Beijing. Please have a seat. Although we can communicate in Chinese, we should also consider the other friends."

A genuine smile bloomed on Zhang Qiu's face; it was the warmth and relaxation of suddenly encountering someone who could speak her mother tongue in a foreign land.

"Of course, Your Highness, your Chinese is really excellent, it truly surprises me."

Everyone was seated, and Lucy began to pour tea. Two kinds of tea were prepared today: traditional English black tea and jasmine tea.

"This is jasmine tea," Henry introduced to Hannah and the others in English, while speaking to Zhang Qiu in Chinese, "I think you might like the taste of home."

Zhang Qiu gently sniffed the aroma of the tea, a hint of longing flashing in her eyes.

"Thank you, Your Highness. This reminds me of my grandmother's teahouse in London's Chinatown."

She picked up the blue-and-white porcelain cup, took a graceful sip, and then said to the others in English, "This is a flower tea from the East. The aroma of jasmine is blended into the tea leaves, making it very refreshing."

Justin curiously tasted his own cup, his eyes lighting up: "Wow, it's really different! It's lighter than black tea, but the aftertaste is wonderful."

"Eastern tea ceremony focuses more on the aroma and layers of tea itself, while English afternoon tea is often more closely integrated with pastries and social rituals." Henry naturally steered the conversation, "Different cultures have developed different wisdom about tea."

Zhang Qiu nodded, adding in her slightly accented English, "In China, tea is connected with philosophy, literature, and even Zen meditation. Different teas are suitable for different seasons, times of day, and states of mind. It's a more introspective and personal enjoyment."

"Like Ravenclaw's pursuit of knowledge?" Susan asked softly, "...more focused on inner understanding and comprehension?"

"A good analogy," Cho Chang smiled. "At Ravenclaw, we do encourage in-depth exploration of a field, rather than just acquiring superficial information."