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Chapter 237: Nicolas Flamel's Invitation
Chapter 237: Nicolas Flamel's Invitation
The Hogwarts Express sped through fields of wheat and quaint villages. Inside one of the compartments, Kyle carefully stowed away his Invisibility Cloak while Fred and George sat beside him, engaged in a serious game of Wizard's Chess, a stark contrast to their usual playful demeanor.
A few days prior, the twins had challenged Ron to a game to prove their mettle against Professor McGonagall's giant chessboard challenge. However, they had been thoroughly trounced, their defeat almost shattering their confidence.
Fred and George couldn't accept the fact that they had lost to Ron, and so they were now determined to reclaim their pride during the holidays, hence their intense practice session.
Kyle, however, doubted their chances of success. After all, the twins' talents lay primarily in pranks and inventions, and their skill at Wizard's Chess was merely passable.
"What are your plans for the holidays?" Cedric suddenly asked, breaking the silence.
"My dad promised to take me to France," Autumn replied eagerly. "Ever since you mentioned it last year, I've been wanting to visit."
Cedric's eyebrows rose in amusement. "I guess you're keen on seeing Beauxbatons..."
Autumn nodded without hesitation. She had read about the exquisite architecture and style of Beauxbatons in her books, and it was considered the most beautiful of the three major wizarding schools in Europe. Moreover, they boasted a stunning astronomy tower made entirely of crystal.
According to Autumn's sources, this crystal astronomy tower could not only replicate the trajectories of planetary orbits but also change its own color depending on the celestial phenomena being observed—a truly magical feat.
Kyle opened his mouth as if to say something but hesitated. He recalled that Beauxbatons was a hidden school, much like the Fidelius Charm. Unless one was a student or had received an invitation, they could search the entire Pyrenees Mountains and never lay eyes on it.
However, remembering that Cedric had already visited Beauxbatons the previous year, Kyle decided to keep his thoughts to himself.
"I plan to attend the game," Cedric continued, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "The clash between the Vratsa Hawks and the Chudley Cannons—a match of destiny. My dad agreed to take me, and it's happening at the end of this month. Are you guys interested in coming along?"
"I might still be in Paris at that time," Autumn said with a smile.
Conner shook her head as well. "I'll likely be attending a competition too, but it's not a Quidditch match. It's the Asian Potion-Making Competition, which is held once every three years."
Fred, who had been focused on the chess game, suddenly looked up and asked, "Is it Professor Snape who's taking you?"
The fact that Snape and Conner were relatives and that he had purchased a house near her family's home was already known to them, revealed by Conner herself.
It was unexpected, but not entirely surprising. After all, Conner was the only non-Slytherin student who consistently earned decent scores in Snape's class...
The twins had considered this possibility before but never dared to believe it.
And as for Conner's previous concern that Fred and George might distance themselves from her because of this connection—it hadn't come to pass.
They merely disliked Snape; it had nothing to do with Conner herself. In the wizarding world, it was common for people to be related in some way or another. Technically, the Weasleys and the Malfoys had some distant connection, yet it didn't stop their fathers from constantly feuding.
"Yes..." Conner nodded slightly. "He thinks I should witness these competitions firsthand."
"Well..." Cedric nodded in understanding.
Fred and George also declined Cedric's invitation, as they intended to spend their holidays refining their line of Weasley Wizard Wheezes products.
As for Kyle, upon hearing the name "Chudley Cannons," he scoffed and turned away, clearly unimpressed.
On the day they were in the Headmaster's office, MacFay had mentioned that Nicolas Flamel wanted to come along, but his current health condition didn't permit him to travel long distances, so he had to give up on the idea.
However, he had written a letter to Kyle, which MacFay helped deliver.
In addition to congratulations and blessings, the letter also included an invitation for Kyle to visit Flamel's home, saying that someone would come to pick him up in a week if he was willing.
Of course, Kyle wouldn't miss such an opportunity, and he immediately wrote a reply, which Fox helped deliver.
Flamel's address was strictly confidential and protected by the Fidelius Charm, only accessible to Dumbledore's phoenix.
To ensure the delivery, Kyle bribed Fox with a bagful of vervain leaves and five precious cloak grasses.
Unless something unexpected happened, he would also be going to France in a week.
"Oh... It seems like you're all busy," George sighed, suddenly reaching out and overturning the chess pieces in front of him. "This will make Fred and me look like loners."
Fred, who was holding the "Queen" and about to deliver the final blow to George's pieces, looked up and said through gritted teeth, "I was about to win!"
"Oh, sorry, I wasn't paying attention," George said with a smile. "I'm just too disappointed... Everyone is abandoning us. Do you understand how I feel?"
Fred responded with an expressionless twitch of his mouth.
He knew exactly what George was thinking because he had thought the same thing himself.
"It's fine..." Fred said with a smile. "The pieces can return to their original positions, and we can continue."
"Never mind, I'm not in the mood to play anymore," George turned away. "Besides, those pieces are not honest. Who knows if they'll choose a favorable position for themselves?"
"Heh!" Fred snickered.
What a brilliant excuse! He hadn't thought of that himself. Indeed, when it came to shamelessness, he couldn't compete with George.
...
As the train slowed down and approached King's Cross Station, Fred suddenly seemed to remember something. "If I write to you, will you get the letters?"
"I think so," Cedric replied after a moment's thought. "The post office offers long-distance delivery, but it's quite expensive."
"I'll pass," Kyle shrugged. "The owl might not be able to find my address. If you want to write to me, you can slip the letter into my... I'll see it when I get back."
"Ha, who would want to write to you!" Fred burst out laughing.
George also chimed in with a dismissive tone. "Yeah, we're not going to waste galleons on you."
The two, who had been on the verge of a fight over the chess game, had suddenly made up.
"Oh, I just remembered..." Kyle said casually as he looked at them. "Cedric, shouldn't someone be flying around Hogwarts with a trophy on their head?"
Cedric struggled to hold back his laughter. "Yes, and they should also be doing a tap dance."
"Wow, tap dancing on a flying broom... That's so cool. I'll definitely take pictures to commemorate the occasion."
Fred and George immediately fell silent.
This was indeed something they had said before... but they never expected Kyle to actually win the Merlin Medal in his second year.
It was too late for regrets now.
...
As the train pulled into Platform 9, the laughter of the group echoed through the carriage.
(End of Chapter)
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