https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-108-Elves-and-Biological-Alchemy/13684833/
Chapter 107: Knight Bus
During the first week of summer holidays, Wade had already finished all his assignments. It was effortless—every piece of knowledge he needed was already in his mind, and he barely needed to consult his books to complete most of his essays.
On the eighth morning, Steven Mor, Professor Mor’s son, appeared at the front door.
Since the streets were still empty at this hour, he had Apparated directly to the vicinity rather than emerging from Wade’s fireplace.
The door suddenly creaked open in the early morning silence. Ferdinand, startled, stepped aside to let in a tall, broad-shouldered man.
"Hello, Mr. Gray. I'm Steven Mor—Is Wade here?"
The man grinned warmly.
"O-of course... please come in."
Ferdinand stepped back, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. Most wizards he’d met didn’t wear Muggle clothes—but this man was impeccably dressed.
Steven Mor—Ferdinand had heard Wade mention him before. He’d always pictured a chubby boy, but this man looked like a basketball player.
"Hey, Steven Mor—long time no see!"
Wade descended the stairs, waving.
"Wade, I’m here to take you to Sycamore Manor," Steven grinned, his smile stretching to his eyes. "I assume you’re ready?"
"Of course."
Wade grabbed the pen box from the cabinet, slipped it into his pocket, said goodbye to his parents, and the two departed the Gray residence.
A crisp morning light washed over the quiet streets. Most houses still had dark windows, and a light mist blurred the distant outlines of buildings.
"How are we getting there?" Wade asked.
"My father instructed me not to take you by Apparition—too risky," Steven said, raising his wand. "So there’s only one option left—Knight Bus."
With a sharp bang, a three-story bus materialized as if tearing through the air, its headlights blazing with intense light.
"Will that kind of noise wake up the Muggles?" Wade jumped, startled. "Seriously?"
"It won’t," Steven said calmly. "The bus is shielded. Muggles usually can’t hear it or see it."
"...Usually?"
Steven burst into laughter. "You’re sharp, Wade. I like that."
"Welcome aboard the Knight Bus! Just raise your wand and step on—anywhere you want to go, we’ll take you there. I’m Stan Sumpack, your conductor for the night—"
A wiry young man stuck his head out from the door, chattering a long, energetic welcome before finally noticing the two waiting by the curb.
"Come on in, gentlemen! What are you waiting for?"
Stan Sumpack’s enthusiasm was infectious.
"Waiting for you to give me a chance to speak," Steven retorted, handing Stan a Galleon and a few Sickles. "Ten Sickles each, right?"
"Need some chocolate, sir? Just two more Sickles!" Stan called out, forcefully pulling the door shut.
"No, thank you. Sycamore Manor," Steven said.
"Right away, sir!" Stan replied with a grin.
Wade glanced around the bus interior. Several beds with brass posts lined the walls, each with curtains drawn. Candles flickered on shelves beside the beds, casting a dim glow.
Only one bed was occupied.
A man in an old nightcap lay buried under blankets, breathing steadily. The conductor’s booming voice had no effect on him at all.
"Get some rest, Wade," Steven said, lying down on a bed. "This bus is wild."
Wade listened and lay down too.
Stan raised an eyebrow. "Speed is a man’s romance!"
"Thanks, but I’d prefer a gentler kind of romance," Steven muttered.
Before he’d even finished speaking, the entire bus jerked like a frog, then shot forward at breakneck speed. Wade nearly tumbled off the bed.
He quickly drew his wand and cast a Temporary Sticking Charm on his clothes—just enough to keep him anchored during the bus’s violent lurching.
"Whoa, student—you’ve broken Ministry of Magic regulations!" Stan declared, then burst into laughter.
Steven raised an eyebrow. "Are you really going to report me to the Ministry?"
"Of course not!" Stan said, pinching his lips shut. "My mouth’s permanently glued shut—just like a Permanent Sticking Charm!"
The driver, from the front, called out, "Now, Stan—professional ethics, remember? No jokes."
"Roger that, Earn!" Stan saluted with a mock salute.
Despite the bus’s chaotic, zigzagging motion, it moved at incredible speed. Before long, they arrived at the gates of Sycamore Manor.
Steven and Wade stepped off. The iron gates slid open silently, then closed behind them once they were inside.
Compared to a typical Muggle estate, the wizarding manor was eerily quiet. Maintaining such a property would normally require fifty or sixty servants—but wizards didn’t need that. House-elves handled everything.
"I actually wanted to invite you to my farmstead," Steven said. "Sycamore Manor’s a bit too quiet for my taste. But my father insists you need a few days of alchemy lessons first."
Wade frowned. "You don’t have to go to Mr. Scamander’s?"
"Mr. Scamander gave me two weeks off for summer," Steven said cheerfully. "Once your lessons are done, we’ll spend two days at the farm. After that, we’ll head to Dorset—Mr. Scamander says he’d love to meet you."
Wade was excited.
...
According to Steven, Sycamore Manor was served by a dozen or so house-elves—but Wade never once saw one.
The food was far more varied than at Hogwarts’ Great Hall. While the school’s long tables were always piled high with roasted potatoes, pan-fried steaks, roast chicken, and cakes—delicious, yes, but monotonous after a while—Sycamore Manor offered a global feast.
Professor Mor had traveled the world in his youth and still frequently attended international conferences, exchanged alchemical innovations, or even disguised himself to attend Muggle product launches.
As a result, the manor’s kitchen served dishes from every corner of the globe: Peking Roast Duck, Brazilian Roast Meat, Singaporean Chili Crab, Spanish Ham, Mexican Tacos…
The menu alone was a two-inch-thick book.
And better yet—guests could order food in advance. Just pick your meal, and within half an hour, a house-elf would silently deliver it to your table.
At noon, Professor Mor returned from outside. He didn’t waste time with small talk—he began teaching Wade immediately.
"Alchemy basics? You’ve mastered them all," Professor Mor said bluntly. "This summer, we’ll dive into something special—Biological Alchemy."
(End of Chapter)
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