Chapter 997: Decision, Hogwarts Express (Conclusion)
Chapter 997: Decision, Hogwarts Express (Conclusion)
A delightful piece of news—Fred and George had not received the golden invitations they had been eagerly awaiting.
Instead, they received a talking trinket.
The trinket resembled a bowing Treelawney wearing a tuxedo and a top hat, somehow finding its way into the shabby cottage, where it stood before them and gracefully performed a hat-doffing gesture.
It was astonishing to witness such a polite moment from the 'bowing Treelawney.'
Magically, a line of text appeared from the top hat, glowing yellow and hovering in mid-air.
"Oh, Karl, you shouldn't..."
Before dawn, Sirius rushed to St. Cacklebury, knocking on Karl's door.
"Here comes another one, look what you've done..."
The door was opened from the inside, and Chris, holding his forehead, sighed, "Come in, but you'll have to conjure a chair yourself."
Sirius was taken aback for a moment before noticing that Karl's house was already filled with people.
The prominent red-haired group on the central sofa was the Weasley family, almost all of them, including Bill, Fleur, and Charlie, who were usually at the Shell Cottage or the Dragon Reserve.
Next to them were Kingsley, Lupin, Tonks, and other familiar faces from the Order of the Phoenix and the Ministry.
There were also people Sirius recognized but didn't know well, and some he didn't know at all.
Karl's living room wasn't particularly spacious, and now it was packed to the brim.
As Sirius stepped inside, a cat owl carrying a red envelope flew in from outside.
Wait, a red letter...
Before Sirius could relax, a box was thrown over, and a long tail emerged, scooping up the cat owl and the letter.
After a moment, the closed box jumped a few times on the floor and then became still.
"As expected, your mother's Howler," Chris picked up the box and handed it to Newt, rubbing his forehead as he looked at Karl in the box and handed it to Newt, looking towards Karl in the back of the room.
"Fortunately, if the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures had something urgent today, it wouldn't just be a Howler."
"It's the same," Karl said calmly.
Seeing the scene before him, Sirius's initially fierce demeanor softened, but he couldn't help but ask,
"Weren't you supposed to handle the invitations?"
"I couldn't help it," Karl spread his hands, "No one expected it, but as soon as we made our decision, Nico appeared and insisted on helping. We couldn't refuse, could we?"
"Nico?" Sirius frowned, "Nearly Headless Nick?"
"It couldn't possibly be a ghost," Karl said, "It's Nicolas Flamel, the alchemist?"
"So that little thing I saw earlier..."
"It must be Nicolas Flamel's doing."
Sirius fell silent.
He wanted to support Karl, but he wasn't arrogant enough to believe his influence surpassed Nicolas Flamel's.
"Then... I'll wait until Harry's wedding."
His quiet mutter caused Harry, who had just reached the door, to turn pale.
If the 'thing' Sirius mentioned keeping was the gold for the invitations, Harry might have to consider following Karl's example.
As expected, more people arrived.
Although no one had anticipated Karl and Connor's sudden wedding, they quickly accepted it, knowing Karl's impulsive nature.
"I'll go borrow the wedding tent!" Mrs. Weasley stood up and started towards the door, but was stopped by Tina.
"There's no need for that." Tina smiled,
"But we need a large space." Mrs. Weasley insisted, "This is Karl and Connor's wedding. There will be many guests, and St. Cacklebury can't accommodate so many wizards."
"No, you misunderstood. I meant we have a better option."
Tina turned to Newt.
Newt, uncomfortable with the crowd, had been hiding in the corner, trying to pass himself off as a ghost.
His only action during this time was using the box to contain Diana's Howler.
But faced with Tina's gaze, he had to step out of the corner.
"Leave it to me..."
Newt carried a suitcase.
When he returned, a grand door appeared out of thin air between the shabby cottage and the road.
Everyone was stunned,
"Hogwarts..." Harry exclaimed.
The two oak doors were identical to those of Hogwarts.
"I chose what I know best... and what most guests will be familiar with," Newt explained.
As everyone stepped through, they gasped in awe for the second time.
They found themselves in a vast plain, and more astonishingly, a continuous mountain range lay ahead, while a lush forest was just a turn away.
The vast lake was divided into two colors, with bright sunshine overhead, but the opposite sky held a full moon.
Several Mooncalfs were drinking from the lake, occasionally raising their bright eyes to curiously observe the visitors.
"This is..."
"I know, it's your box!" Fred exclaimed.
Despite slight changes in the surroundings, he instantly recognized they were inside Karl's box.
And...
He looked up and saw a nearly fifty-foot-long fire dragon flying overhead.
The wedding tent probably wouldn't offer additional fire dragon services.
Mrs. Weasley was initially scared, especially by the fire dragon and the black beast on a nearby tree, but she breathed a sigh of relief when she considered the identity of one of their companions.
The legendary Magizoologist, Newt Scamander, ensured their safety.
"Well, let's get started. We have a big task ahead of us." She put on her glasses, scanning the long list of tasks on a piece of parchment, including cleaning rooms and painting the house, totaling around eighty tasks.
Although Karl didn't understand why they needed to clean rooms for a wedding inside a box, he had no right to object since it was a plan devised by Mrs. Weasley and Diana.
Soon, everyone got to work.
With Newt's presence, they also had the assistance of various magical creatures.
The grounds were tended by lawn-mowing crabs, and birds-serpents hung balloons and streamers. House-elf Dobby arrived, dressed in gold with a new bowtie around his neck.
Unfortunately, Tata isn't here, otherwise they could have found something in common.
After all, besides Dobby and Tata, it's hard to find a third house-elf as formally dressed as these two.
...
Due to the large crowd, the venue was visibly transforming before their eyes.
From dawn to noon, the entire box had undergone a complete transformation, and the most significant change was likely Norbert.
The once ferocious Norwegian Ridgeback was now adorned with balloons, flowers, and ribbons, reluctantly hovering above the venue as a mascot.
Oh, and the Nundu had a row of fireworks launchers attached to its body, ready to light up every corner as it ran, making it incredibly convenient.
In the entire box, only the Nundu reacted swiftly, utilizing its innate ability to capture divine thoughts, and it fled the moment they decided to torment Norbert.
It darted into the forest, far away from the others.
...
With everyone's efforts, the venue was finally ready.
"Mom, aren't a hundred chairs a bit too few?" Bill looked at the freshly arranged hundredth chair, furrowing his brows.
After all, more than a hundred people had attended his wedding.
Moreover, Kyle had the identity of a Triwizard Champion, the youngest Merlin-classed Order of Merlin Second Class recipient. There was no doubt that many would attend.
Perhaps there would be foreign wizards as well.
A hundred seats were indeed too few.
"It's probably because of Kyle's insistence on setting up only a hundred chairs.
"It's probably because of... Nicolas Flamel." Minerva McGonagall couldn't help but say, "I heard he's coming to this wedding too. You know, he's not comfortable being seen by too many people."
"Nicolas Flamel..." Mrs. Weasley's mouth hung open, and she quickly covered it with her hand.
"Are you sure, Minerva? Mr. Flamel, a legendary wizard, is coming?"
Although she knew that the special invitation was in Flamel's handwriting, learning that he would personally attend was a different matter.
"If I'm not mistaken, Mr. Flamel hasn't made a public appearance in two centuries, right?"
"Something like that." McGonagall replied.
She wasn't an alchemist herself, nor was she particularly familiar with Flamel, but she hadn't seen him in a long time.
Mrs. Weasley was also excited.
Although she wasn't a worshipper of Flamel, she was very curious about this legendary wizard who had lived for over six centuries.
It felt like someone from a history book or a legend had suddenly appeared before her.
"Then we better prepare..." She grabbed the two people who had just run past and yelled, "Fred, George, put on your dress robes quickly! Don't embarrass yourselves in front of the guests!"
"Dress robes? That thing is hot and tight, I don't want it."
"But Kyle said he didn't want all this fuss, we can wear whatever we like."
The two laughed and ran off.
Mrs. Weasley was about to chase after them when more guests arrived, some of whom she recognized.
First were Cedric and Cho, and Hermione had also arrived.
Following them were several much older wizards.
"Dug..."
"Oh, Armando!"
The two old wizards recognized each other and greeted warmly.
Dug was Michael Corner, whom Kyle had met at Flamel's home, and they had become pen pals, exchanging many letters.
The other was an old acquaintance, Armando Dippet, one of the former headmasters of Hogwarts, and the only one still alive.
Although many believed he had passed away, he was indeed alive, and at over three hundred and sixty years old, he was still going strong.
The two had barely exchanged a few words when they were both captivated by the spectacle on the field.
"Hey, Dug, did Newt have a dragon at his wedding?" Armando asked quietly.
Even with his three centuries of experience, it was rare to see someone using a live dragon as a prop like this.
"Probably not." Dug replied.
His gaze was also drawn to Norbert above.
It was said that Kyle had a legal dragon license, and this was likely the only way he could have pulled it off.
Even if others had this ability, they would immediately be arrested by the Ministry.
"He said he'd be back, where's Kyle?" Armando looked around.
He knew a bit about the portrait at the headmaster's office, but he hadn't seen Kyle in person.
So, when he heard from the portrait that Kyle was getting married, he decided to come and meet Kyle.
But as the host, Kyle was nowhere to be found, and no one seemed to know where he was.
Had Kyle truly disappeared?
The original text has been omitted as it is not relevant to the translation.
At this moment, Kyle was on the other side of the box, looking helplessly at the person before him.
"It's just a simple wedding, you really didn't have to come all the way from Nurmengard."
"What, you're not welcoming me?" Grindelwald lifted his eyes.
"After all I did for you, not a word of thanks, and now you want to chase me away?"
"Is that how Dumbledore taught you?"
"Don't talk nonsense, it's been a long time since I've taught you."
Kyle watched as Dumbledore appeared, ghost-like, and smirked.
He had become numb to it.
His decision to do this was influenced not only by Sirius's factor but also by his desire to avoid these troublesome acquaintances.
Unfortunately, Grindelwald seemed determined to join the fun, unconcerned about being recognized.
But Kyle couldn't help but be concerned.
Among the guests were not only members of the Order of the Phoenix and former classmates but also many old wizards.
Not to mention, Newt would definitely recognize Grindelwald.
His wedding was about to become quite the spectacle... just not the kind he wanted.
And Dumbledore?
No one knew if he was dead or alive, though he appeared like a ghost, he was in color.
And like Grindelwald, being seen would be equally troublesome.
"Your eyes truly sadden me." Dumbledore spoke with feigned sadness, "I thought you'd be happy to see me."
"If you hadn't come with him, I'd be happy." Kyle shifted his gaze to Grindelwald, "So you two arranged this?"
"Not at all."
Grindelwald remained silent, but Dumbledore vehemently denied, "I came with Ariana, I've been with her recently."
(End of Chapter)
"Oh, right. Thank Ariana for that. Your mother is furious about your sudden announcement of marriage, and Ariana has been speaking highly of you."
Kyle chuckled twice.
On the other side, Grindelwald was getting a bit angry. He furrowed his brows and looked at Dumbledore, or rather, since Dumbledore's appearance, his gaze had not shifted elsewhere.
"Why couldn't you come with me? Is my name so repulsive to you?"
"Not exactly, I just have better options." Dumbledore replied.
"I thought that as long as Ariana was alive, we could reconcile." Grindelwald couldn't help but raise his voice, "Just like that summer in Godric's Hollow, when we didn't speak a word to each other.
"But I went to see you, many times, why wouldn't you meet with me?"
Dumbledore turned his head, his expression stern, "Ariana was saved by Kyle, and you wouldn't even see me."
"But at least you can confirm that I didn't kill her, isn't that enough?"
"This matter cannot be argued as right or wrong."
"Why..."
The two of them became more and more intense in their conversation, and Kyle tried to interrupt them several times, but failed. He could only silently retreat to the side.
Well, Grindelwald was here to attend this wedding, but he wasn't here for him... even though this was his wedding!
...
"Oh, Kyle, where did you go just now?"
As soon as he returned to the venue, Kyle saw Ron, Harry, and Hermione rushing over with something in their hands.
"What's up?"
"Just now, someone delivered this as a wedding gift for you." Ron handed over the item in his hand, "A middle-aged wizard, who didn't say a word, left quickly."
"But don't worry, I've already checked it, and there's no Dark Magic on it." Hermione added from the side, "Do you have any idea who sent it?"
"I'm not sure either." Kyle took the item from Ron with a puzzled look.
It was a book.
'The Minstrel in the Wind'
Kyle was not unfamiliar with this book. When he first entered Hogwarts, Dumbledore had recommended this book to him, which was filled with practical magical tricks.
But...
This book looked exactly like the one he remembered.
But why would someone send him a book...
Kyle casually opened it.
"What is this?" Hermione suddenly noticed something drawn inside and couldn't help but lean in to take a closer look.
"It's a flying broom." Harry suddenly spoke up.
Kyle also noticed it. After opening the cover, the first thing one could see was a drawing of a flying broom.
"But what does this mean?" Ron scratched his hair.
"I think I should be able to guess who sent this book." Kyle said.
"The meaning of this drawing is to remind you to always carry a flying broom with you, as sometimes it's more useful than a wand."
"Huh? I still don't get it." Ron still didn't understand, and even Hermione was a bit puzzled.
"It's nothing, this was just a little trick I learned in my first year in Defense Against the Dark Arts class."
Kyle casually closed the book, not explaining too much.
Olwyn, he was at least a professor at Hogwarts, and a minstrel.
Kyle almost forgot about him.
In fact, since Voldemort's disappearance, he had vanished without a trace.
Kyle had been guessing about his purpose for joining the Death Eaters, and even asked Dumbledore about it.
But Dumbledore didn't know either, as Olwyn wasn't his person, and he hadn't had any contact with him.
He only said that Olwyn had been inquiring about werewolves, and also about a map marked with Death Eater numbers that was received at Hogwarts before the final battle.
According to Dumbledore, "Minstrels are like the wind, you can't grasp the wind, nor can you guess what a minstrel is thinking."
Kyle casually put the book away, planning to ask Olwyn later what this meant.
He didn't care about the wind or minstrels, anyway, he wasn't going to let Olwyn off the hook.
But considering that he didn't make things difficult for Connor, this time...
"Oh, of course." Hermione quickly said, "The ceremony is about to start, I still have things to do..."
"Oh, of course." Kyle left along the corridor.
A moment later, the Weird Sisters' performance suddenly changed, and the violet balloons in the sky burst open, releasing countless fireworks.
Everyone's gaze turned towards the entrance.
But they waited for a long time, and nothing happened. No one came in from outside, not a single person, and they only heard a sound of angry growling.
It seemed to be Snape's, but who knows who made him angry.
Until McGonagall hurried in, they knew that the main characters, the groom and bride, had actually run away!
"So cool!" Fred stood up unconsciously and laughed loudly, "This is the coolest wedding ceremony I've ever seen!"
"That's right." Fred echoed, "When I get married, I also want..."
Before he could finish, his ear was caught by Mrs. Weasley.
The scene suddenly became lively.
Only in a corner away from the crowd, Nicolas Flamel and his wife Perenelle were sitting together, in front of them was a winged mirror.
In the mirror seemed to be the Hogwarts Express, in one of the compartments, Kyle and Connor were tightly embracing.
"So good, in the place where we first met, we fulfill our lifelong promise." Perenelle wiped the corner of her eyes.
But at this time, the image in the mirror suddenly disappeared.
At the same time, on the Hogwarts Express, Kyle took off a decoration from Connor's dress and casually threw it out the window.
"What's up?"
"Nothing." Kyle shook his head.
Connor wanted to ask something more, but her lips were kissed, and she could only close her eyes and hug Kyle's neck.
No one knew how much time had passed.
"Let's go on a trip." Kyle suddenly said, "A honeymoon trip."
Connor suddenly laughed, "A trip, or are you trying to hide? I guess many people are looking for you now."
"That's also part of the reason." Kyle also laughed, "So will you agree?"
"Of course, I'm very willing." Connor said.
No one knew what Kyle did, but the originally stationary Hogwarts Express suddenly moved, carrying the two away from Platform 9.
It was just like the first time they rode the train to Hogwarts.
...
(The End)
Chapter end
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