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Chapter 736: Christmas Invitation
Chapter 736: Christmas Invitation
As December arrived, the weather grew colder, and one morning, people discovered that a thick layer of ice had formed on the Black Lake.
Snowflakes danced outside the windows, tapping against the glass with a crisp sound.
Christmas was fast approaching.
As usual, Hagrid brought in twelve tall Christmas trees to decorate the Great Hall, and the castle was filled with festive cheer as the stair railings and corridors were adorned with fresh holly.
"This won't do!"
In Herbology class, Kyle used his wand to make a glove dance on the table, grumbling, "I have to come up with something new to get out of Slughorn's excuse. I don't want to attend his dinner party even for a day."
"Is it really as boring as you say?" Cona asked curiously. "From the last ball, it shouldn't be that bad."
"That time, there were many people, and we could avoid him. But at the dinner party, there will only be seven or eight people, and we'll have to sit there."
Kyle sighed, "To be honest, some people genuinely enjoy it. For example, Daphne Greengrass and Mirison Berser from Slytherin, and Cormac McLaggen from Gryffindor... They love their Slug Club membership and wish there were dinner parties every day."
"But for me... I'd rather be detained by a professor for half a day."
"Then why don't you ask Professor Snape?" Cona suggested again. "You could say that you and I were both detained."
"Well... I don't like it, but it's not that bad," Kyle declined. "I'll think of something else."
He still preferred to find another solution.
The easiest way would be to approach the headmaster. As long as Dumbledore wanted to, he could certainly find the most suitable reason.
But the problem was that he was already trying to avoid Dumbledore, so how could he possibly go to him...
If the headmaster wasn't an option, a professor could also help.
Professor Filius, Professor McGonagall... He could discuss it with them and find a reason to detain him for a day, which shouldn't be too difficult.
But the problem was that this method could only be used once or twice; Kyle didn't feel comfortable repeatedly asking them.
What else could he do?
Whoever had such a loose tongue, why did they have to tell him that the Floo Network between the school and the Ministry of Magic had been canceled?
...
Kyle twirled his wand, then suddenly shook his head after a moment... Forget it, he didn't want to think about it.
The most urgent task now was to find an excuse to get through the Christmas ball that evening, and other matters could be dealt with later.
After class, Kyle, who had just left the greenhouse, hurried back to the castle to find Professor McGonagall, hoping she would detain him for the afternoon.
But as soon as he ran up the stairs, he saw a familiar figure standing in the entrance hall.
Dumbledore, in his purple-red robe, with his silver beard and a phoenix perched on his shoulder, seemed to be waiting specifically for him.
Kyle didn't hesitate and turned around decisively, ready to run out of the castle.
But the next second, Dumbledore appeared in front of him again, unperturbed, as if he had never moved.
Cona, standing next to him, was startled. She looked at the spot where Dumbledore had been standing, puzzled as to how he had disappeared and reappeared in another place in an instant.
"Don't doubt it, it's just Apparition," Kyle explained softly. "Remember? Before, Professor Trelawney said that the headmaster could temporarily lift the restrictions within the castle, allowing us to practice Apparition at school."
"At any time?" Cona asked. "Shouldn't the restrictions covering the entire castle be complex?"
"It's not as complicated as you think, Miss Prince," Dumbledore said, approaching them after hearing their conversation. He patiently explained, "These restrictions are not individual spells but inherent to the castle itself. The headmaster has special permissions, but they can only be used within the castle."
Cona nodded in understanding.
Then Dumbledore turned his gaze to Kyle, and the smile on his face quickly vanished.
"It seems you really don't want to see me."
His tone was flat, as if he had never known Kyle before, and there was even a faint sound of teeth grinding in his voice.
"How could that be, Headmaster Dumbledore..." Kyle's eyes wandered, and his steps unconsciously moved towards the Great Hall entrance, "Well... What did you want to see me about?"
There were many people in the Great Hall, and although it was uncertain if it would help, it still gave Kyle a sense of security.
Dumbledore stared at him for a while, then shook his head and said, "It's not me looking for you, it's Niko."
"Niko?"
"Yes," Dumbledore said, "Niko has invited you to spend Christmas at his estate if you're willing. It's the same as last time; you know the process, so I won't repeat it."
Dumbledore seemed very reluctant to see Kyle, speaking as briefly as possible. After finishing, he didn't even stay for a second longer and immediately prepared to leave.
"Wait, Professor," Kyle hesitated for a moment, then suddenly stepped forward and stopped him. "Can I bring someone with me?"
"Yes," Dumbledore continued walking without turning back.
So decisive?
Now Kyle became curious.
He ran after Dumbledore again and asked, "Professor, won't you ask who I'm planning to bring?"
"There's no need," Dumbledore walked into the Great Hall. "Those with ill intentions cannot see the estate's entrance, and even if they are brought, they cannot enter."
"Oh, right.
"At that moment, his footsteps paused. 'The last time you...' "
"I just remembered I left something in the greenhouse. I'll be back soon, Professor," Kyle said quickly.
By the time Dumbledore turned to look, Kyle had already dashed out of the Great Hall and into the Entrance Hall, moving almost as fast as Apparition.
...
In the Entrance Hall, Cona watched as Kyle returned with a smile. "So, you've decided to go to Niko Lemer's estate for the Christmas break?"
"Yeah, it's perfect timing. I won't have to attend the Christmas Ball," Kyle nodded and continued, "Let's head back to the Common Room first. It's not safe in the Great Hall right now; we'll come back later."
With Dumbledore around, the Great Hall was probably the safest place for everyone else.
However, Cona didn't expose Kyle's lie and followed him as they walked ahead.
When they reached the corridor leading to the kitchen, Cona's expression became conflicted, as if waiting for Kyle to say something, but he didn't bring it up.
After some hesitation, she finally asked, "Who are you going with?"
"What do you mean, who am I going with?"
"I mean, for the Christmas break," Cona whispered, "Did you ask Professor Dumbledore if you could bring someone along?"
"Ah, yes," Kyle said. "Cedric..."
Cona's expression quickly turned to disappointment, but before she could say anything, Kyle changed the topic.
"I received a letter yesterday, inviting me to his home for the Christmas break. It seems I'll have to cancel now."
"Also, you should quickly find Professor Snape to cancel your detention. We're leaving early tomorrow morning."
"Leaving... together?" Cona seemed to be processing the information.
"Yes, together. I can't possibly take Cedric, can I?" Kyle laughed. "Don't you want to visit Niko Lemer's estate? I assure you, it's very interesting."
Cona's expression changed again, and she nodded excitedly, running towards Professor Snape's office.
Kyle wasn't worried about Professor Snape refusing... unless he had been eaten by a Winged Serpent, he wouldn't refuse Cona's request to visit Niko Lemer's home.
Meanwhile, Kyle didn't return to the Common Room. Instead, he turned and headed upstairs.
He arrived at Professor Slughorn's office and used the excuse of preparing for his visit to Niko Lemer to skip the evening event.
...
"What? You said you were invited to someone's home?"
Upon hearing Kyle's words, Professor Slughorn, who had been calm, suddenly stood up with a start. "You mean the famous alchemist Niko Lemer, who has lived for over six hundred years?"
"Yes, I think so, unless there's another alchemist named Niko Lemer," Kyle nodded.
For a moment, Kyle could see Professor Slughorn trembling with excitement, his eyes turning red.
It was understandable...
Niko Lemer, the alchemist he had dreamed of meeting, even if it was just a glimpse from afar, without a word exchanged.
But unfortunately, this wish had never come true.
Now, hearing that Kyle was invited to his estate, Professor Slughorn couldn't help but be excited.
"Oh, can I come along?" he blurted out.
"I'm sorry, Professor," Kyle shook his head. "I was invited, and I can't make that decision."
"Oh, yes, that's right."
Professor Slughorn looked a bit embarrassed, as if he hadn't expected to say something as impolite as he had.
"You misunderstood..." he stammered, "I meant, um... please convey my greetings to Mr. Lemer."
"I will," Kyle said. "Then, Professor, if there's nothing else, I'll be on my way. I have a lot to prepare."
"Of course, no problem," Professor Slughorn quickly replied. "This is indeed the most important matter, and even with a day's advance notice, it's not enough. Go ahead, hurry back."
Kyle nodded and left the office.
In the Entrance Hall, Cona was already waiting.
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"How did it go?"
"You went to see Professor Slughorn?"
Both spoke almost simultaneously.
"Yes," Kyle replied first. "I won't be attending the Christmas Ball later, what about you?"
"Professor Snape agreed," Cona said happily. "Although he seemed a bit reluctant, he still agreed and even prepared a gift for Mr. Lemer."
Cona held up a bottle, similar in size to a Felix Felicis potion bottle, but containing a golden-red substance.
"What is this?" Kyle asked curiously.
"It's a Phoenix Elixir," Cona recalled. "Professor Snape said it's made from the ashes of a phoenix's rebirth, and it took two whole years to prepare."
Two years?
Kyle clicked his tongue. Felix Felicis only took half a year, but this elixir required two years?
Although he had never heard of this potion, the time and materials used indicated that it was something extraordinary.
But soon, Kyle realized he hadn't prepared a Christmas gift for Niko.
This included previous occasions as well; not only had he not prepared gifts, but he had also increased Niko's workload.
Although Niko seemed to enjoy the work, Kyle couldn't shake the feeling that it was a bit odd compared to what Professor Snape had prepared.
However, Kyle didn't dwell on it. They headed to the Great Hall, where they encountered Harry pacing in the Entrance Hall.
He didn't want to attend Slughorn's Ball, but he couldn't think of a good excuse. Ron, on the other hand, was quite excited.
The Christmas feast was as sumptuous as ever, and although the Great Hall had fewer people, making it seem more spacious than in previous years, it didn't dampen the festive mood.
...
The next day.
Due to the relationship with Voldemort and the Death Eaters, most students chose to stay at Hogwarts for the Christmas holiday, with only a small number deciding to return home.
Draco Malfoy was one of them, and he was the most eager. He left the castle early in the morning.
There was also Harry and his group, and Mrs. Weasley had invited them to spend Christmas at Number 12 Grimmauld Place before the start of school.
Of course, none of this concerned Kyle.
While everyone else went to the Hogsmeade station, he had already taken Cona to a field on the side of the castle.
"How are we going to get there..." Cona seemed a bit nervous, "Apparition or a door key?"
"Neither." Kyle said, "Niko's Estate, like Hogwarts, prohibits Apparition, and door keys are not allowed either, unless they are made by Niko himself, but Professor Dumbledore didn't give me one..."
He glanced into the distance, "Oh, Hagrid is here."
Cona turned and indeed saw Hagrid approaching, wearing his giant mole coat.
Beside him was a carriage pulled by a Niffler.
"Hey, Kyle!"
From a distance, Hagrid started waving, and when he arrived, he handed over the reins.
"It's still the Niffler, it knows the way." Hagrid whispered, "I originally wanted to invite you to spend the Christmas holiday teaching Grawp. He's made great progress now.
"But you'd rather go to that place, right?"
Kyle just smiled and didn't speak.
Even without Niko Lemer's invitation, he would most likely go back with Harry or stay in the castle with Cona, rather than accompany Hagrid to see his giant brother.
Not to mention the smell around the giant, which was not something ordinary people could bear. Perhaps only Louis would enjoy it.
Kyle took the reins, and after Cona got into the carriage, he jumped in as well.
Hagrid leaned towards the Niffler and whispered something, and the Niffler immediately ran forward a few steps and spread its wings to fly.
"So, Merry Christmas!" Hagrid waved from below.
"Merry Christmas." Kyle said.
The Niffler flew higher and higher, and soon Hagrid's figure became a small, blurry black dot.
At this moment, Kyle stepped into the carriage behind him.
Cona looked out the window, her face filled with excitement.
"I've never ridden in a Niffler carriage before." She said, "This feeling is amazing."
The Niffler led them, and soon they caught up with the Hogwarts Express below, which was emitting steam. In the blink of an eye, they left it far behind.
But even so, the two in the carriage didn't feel any bumps, as steady as if they had been standing still all along.
Kyle had ridden in a Niffler carriage before, and he was more composed than Cona.
The carriage flew through the cloud layer, and before they knew it, a thin layer of ice crystals had formed around them.
Apparently feeling a bit cold, Cona lowered the window and turned to Kyle, asking, "What kind of place is Niko's Estate?"
"It's interesting." Kyle thought for a moment, "Every item you see there, including the walls, ceiling, furniture, fireplace, even the watering cans for plants, are all alchemical items.
"They're like the portraits in Hogwarts, they can talk and move on their own."
"Amazing." Cona's eyes sparkled.
"I'm a bit nervous." She suddenly said.
"What's wrong?"
"You said Mr. Niko Lemer is a certain kind of person, what's his personality like?" Cona asked, "He's over six hundred years old, won't he be very serious? Should I have worn a more formal outfit?"
She looked down at her clothes... Originally, she was wearing a less flashy ball robe, but before they left, Kyle insisted that she change into regular clothes.
"No need to be so troublesome, Niko won't mind." Kyle waved his hand, "And if you wore a ball robe, it would only make him feel uncomfortable."
"But, Professor Snape didn't say that..." Cona whispered, "He told me yesterday that the older the wizard, the more they care about this."
"Snape..." Kyle said indifferently, "Has he met Niko?"
Cona shook her head.
"Then he's wrong, he hasn't met him, and he's making up ideas." Kyle said disdainfully,
"What he said only applies to ordinary wizards. After living for over six hundred years, Niko has seen it all, and he no longer cares about those so-called etiquette. He does what makes him comfortable, including when talking to him, you don't need to call him 'Mr.', he prefers people to call him 'Niko'."
"Is that so?" Cona was a bit skeptical, not because she didn't believe Kyle, but mainly because it was different from what she thought.
"Just trust me." Kyle said, "Also, you've actually met him before, you just don't know it yet."
"What, I've met Mr. Niko Lemer?" Cona widened her eyes, "When? I don't remember!"
"You'll know when we get there." Kyle said with a smile.
...
(End of Chapter)
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