https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-91-Conflict-and-the-Scrutiny-Eye/13439777/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-93-Say-It-Again-Which-House-Are-You-In-/13440444/
Chapter 92: This Turkey Has No Soul
Chapter 92: This Turkey Has No Soul
"Good to know." Alesia nodded, then curiously asked how Ivan managed to resist the probing gaze.
"Occlumency. I found it in the Restricted Section of the School Library", Ivan thought for a moment and then spoke without hesitation.
He had to thank Dumbledore for this. Several times, Dumbledore had used Legilimency to help him train his Occlumency, and because of this, Ivan had become accustomed to it and could react quickly.
"Good job. Looks like you've learned a lot in there. I only dared to sneak into the Restricted Section in my second year."
Alesia looked at Ivan with an approving expression, not at all reprimanding him for breaking the rules. She only reminded him to keep some knowledge in his mind and not to try anything without being fully prepared.
Alesia's reaction was exactly what Ivan had expected. In his memory, Alesia had never been too concerned about rules. However, her encouragement to sneak into the Restricted Section still made Ivan feel a bit embarrassed.
Next, considering that Ivan had just been frightened, Alesia started telling him some interesting stories from her school days, such as her first time sneaking into the Restricted Section and almost being caught by Filch.
Later, she managed to get back at Filch by hiding his cat, causing Filch to search for days.
Or occasionally using the Fear Spell to prank ghosts and fellow young wizards.
As Ivan listened, his gaze became increasingly strange. He suddenly remembered that the Sorting Hat had mentioned someone using the Fear Spell to cause mischief, which had given Dumbledore a headache.
He didn't expect it to be his mother, Alesia.
Ivan responded half-heartedly and then remembered a question he hadn't asked earlier.
"By the way, why didn't we just use Floo Powder to get to the fireplace at home?"
"The fireplace at home has been set with a spell. I remember I told you this", Alesia looked at Ivan suspiciously.
"That was a long time ago. How could I remember everything?" Ivan shrugged, hurriedly searching his memory.
Although Ivan had organized his memories through Occlumency, it was still a decade's worth of life experience, and he couldn't remember everything clearly.
Sometimes, he still had to think for a while.
To avoid saying too much and making mistakes, Ivan remained silent for the rest of the journey, only observing his surroundings with his eyes.
If Diagon Alley was a bustling market street, then Knockturn Alley was more like a slum, perhaps even more dangerous.
This was where Dark Wizards tended to congregate, and with the Second Wizarding War having ended only ten years ago, there were still many Death Eaters who had escaped punishment and were hiding here. The Ministry of Magic's rules had limited effect in Knockturn Alley.
On the way, Ivan sensed several overt and covert hostile gazes, but they quickly retreated, probably because Alesia was with him.
After about seven or eight minutes, Ivan finally saw the house he remembered. It was also a Dark Magic Shop. Perhaps because it was in a more remote area with cheaper land prices, it looked large and spacious.
Through the glass windows, he could see shelves filled with various Magical Items.
Unlike Borgin and Burkes, which was dark and terrifying, Ivan found that most of the items here were small things like Bracelets, Necklaces, and Cards, which looked ordinary but were actually enchanted with Triggered Curses.
The shop was divided into two levels. The first floor was for selling Magical Items, the second floor was the living area, and there was a Basement where Alesia made or researched Magical Items. Ivan hadn't gone in there much before.
"Rest for a while. I'll go make dinner", Alesia led Ivan inside and then walked into the Kitchen with ease.
After Alesia left, Ivan finally had some time to himself and breathed a sigh of relief. The anxiety of searching his memory and chatting with Alesia had left him mentally and physically exhausted.
Thinking about having to spend the entire summer like this, Ivan felt a headache coming on.
The clinking sounds from the Kitchen were like those in a hotel Kitchen, drawing Ivan's attention.
Ivan looked through the window and saw Alesia standing in the center of the Kitchen, gently waving her Wand. A plucked and cleaned Turkey hopped onto the cutting board on its own.
A Butcher Knife slowly floated over, slicing a Steak into large pieces as it passed by, then started processing the Turkey. Various jars of Seasoning were also active, pouring wine over the Turkey to soak it in a basin, and the Steak was seasoned and placed in a magic Oven.
Ivan even saw the Turkey turning itself over and lifting its wings to let the brush apply more oil, making it more aromatic when roasted.
Seeing this, Ivan's expression was quite strange. He searched his memory and found that Alesia had transformed the Kitchen into a magical Kitchen, where cooking was almost like an assembly line.
The dishes looked similar and were made very quickly. Without much movement from Alesia, a luxurious Turkey dinner was soon ready.
Ivan wanted to say that food made this way had no soul!
But when Alesia placed the plate on the table, Ivan couldn't help but swallow his saliva because it looked quite delicious.
However, Ivan was puzzled by the abundance of the dinner. Even with a magical Kitchen, Alesia rarely bought so many ingredients.
"This was originally for Christmas", Alesia's dark purple eyes stared at him intently, with a hint of resentment.
"Um, next semester, I'll definitely come back", Ivan stammered, because he had indeed stood Alesia up at Christmas, without even sending a letter.
Ivan could imagine Alesia preparing everything and waiting for him at the station.
He didn't expect her to keep the ingredients.
Wait, Christmas? That was a few months ago, right?
As Ivan ate the Turkey dinner, he suddenly froze.
So, how long had this Turkey been stored?
"Is this chicken still good?" Ivan turned to Alesia with a blank expression, asking.
(End of Chapter)
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