Chapter 239: A Luxurious Way to Travel
Chapter 239: A Luxurious Way to Travel
It was only after Kyle realized that Fred and George were just joking that he handed Errol over to them.
But Errol still seemed uneasy, hovering in the air and warily eyeing the twins.
"Hey, we were just kidding," Fred said, a little embarrassed.
But Errol acted as if he hadn't heard.
"You shouldn't have said those things in front of a owl," Kyle explained. "But he has agreed to help you deliver your packages."
"What does he eat every day? Owl treats? Owl nuts?" George asked.
Errol didn't need owl treats or nuts; if necessary, they'd have to make a trip to Diagon Alley to buy some.
"You don't need to feed him," Kyle instructed. "He'll find food on his own. Just give him some clean water each time he returns from a delivery."
"I think we should buy some treats just in case..." Fred forced a smile. "As an apology."
"Sure," Kyle agreed.
It was no wonder Errol was wary of them after they had discussed tailing another owl right in front of him.
Not just Errol, even Kyle would give them the cold shoulder for a few days.
...
"By the way, when will you be back?"
Fred looked at Kyle's attic with a hint of nostalgia. "This week, Mom caught us making Skiving Snackboxes twice... It was a disaster."
"I'm not sure either," Kyle thought for a moment. "Maybe just a day or two. I'm only visiting this time, so it shouldn't be too long."
"That's good. We have lots of new ideas we want to try..."
"At home, Mom would never allow it," Fred added.
...
After seeing off Fred and George, Kyle prepared to return to his breakfast.
But as he stepped through the door, he noticed that there was someone else in the living room, someone he knew.
"Professor Dumbledore?" Kyle asked, surprised. "When did you arrive?"
"Just now, while you were chatting with the Weasley boys," Dumbledore replied with a smile. "Cristal was going to call for you, but I thought it would be best to let you finish your conversation. After all, we're not in a hurry for what we need to do."
"My apologies, Professor. I wasn't paying attention," Kyle said as he walked in. "So, this time it's you who's come to pick me up?"
"I wanted to take on this task myself, but some other trivial matters are keeping me from leaving here for the time being," Dumbledore explained.
Kyle nodded and didn't ask further questions. He knew that Dumbledore's visit wasn't a social call, and it was best to just wait patiently.
Kyle sat down nearby and said half-jokingly, "I suppose it's because of the Defense Against the Dark Arts teaching position."
"I must say, you are indeed very smart," Dumbledore sighed. "Finding a suitable professor is so difficult. I have to spend a lot of time on it every year.
These days, I've visited some old friends, but they were mostly not at home, and the few who were didn't even open the door for me.
To be honest, it feels rather terrible."
"This is just temporary, Albus," Cristal reassured him with a smile. "It won't be like this when you visit again in September. Would you like a cup of tea?"
She poured a cup of tea for Dumbledore, and Kyle passed the jar of sugar cubes that was nearby.
After drinking the tea, Dumbledore's tone noticeably brightened.
"However, these days haven't been completely fruitless. Doge recommended someone to me, and the person seems quite interested in the position.
"I have no doubt in your judgment," Kyle said with feigned seriousness. "So, we have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, then?"
"Not quite yet," Dumbledore pondered. "The person requested a rather extensive amount of new teaching materials, and they don't come cheap. I've been hesitating, wondering if there might be someone else willing to take on the job."
"And if there isn't...?"
"Then he's our only option."
After finishing his tea, Dumbledore glanced out the window.
"Oh, it's about time," he said with a smile. "You'll be staying there for quite some time, I presume? Do you have everything you need?"
"Of course, Professor," Kyle replied, patting his lizard-skin bag that had been enlarged with the Undetectable Extension Charm.
He had given Newt's case back to Dumbledore when he left school, and now it only contained regular luggage of a similar size.
"So, is Fawkes going to be my escort?" Kyle asked.
"That's one option," Dumbledore shook his head. "But I think you might not enjoy the phoenix's mode of transportation. To be honest, it's a bit too rough for wizards. Even I haven't been able to get used to it completely."
"We have a better alternative."
As he spoke, Dumbledore took out a fragment of a scarlet stone and placed it on the table.
"A Philosopher's Stone?"
"A fragment of the Philosopher's Stone, Kyle," Dumbledore explained. "The stone itself has been destroyed and no longer holds any magical properties. However, we've found another use for it... as a Portkey."
"Fascinating. A Portkey made from a fragment of the Philosopher's Stone is remarkably stable and the best choice for long-distance travel."
Kyle's eyebrow twitched.
Using a fragment of the Philosopher's Stone as a Portkey... what a waste, like skipping stones with gold coins.
Impressive, but extravagant—as expected of a wizard who's lived for over six centuries.
Dumbledore glanced out the window once more.
"Are you ready, Kyle... You know how to use a Portkey, don't you?"
Kyle nodded and reached for the fragment of the Philosopher's Stone on the table.
A cool sensation spread from the palm of his hand.
"Oh, and this."
Dumbledore suddenly remembered something and slipped an envelope into Kyle's pocket.
"Open it when you get to France..."
Those were the last words Kyle heard before he lost consciousness.
He felt a strong push from behind, and then he was airborne.
In the blink of an eye, Kyle vanished from the room, hurtling forward at an unimaginable speed, with his surroundings a blur.
This was Kyle's first time using a Portkey, and unlike Apparition, it felt like the Portkey was pulling him forward at a mind-boggling velocity.
However, compared to the spinning-in-a-washing-machine sensation of Apparition, this method was much more bearable.
While it wasn't exactly comfortable, at least it didn't leave him with a lingering sense of dizziness, falling within acceptable limits.
After an indeterminate amount of time, Kyle suddenly felt his body lighten, and then he landed heavily on the ground.
(End of Chapter)
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