Chapter 736 Christmas Invitation

After entering December, the weather became colder and colder. One morning, people suddenly found that a thick layer of ice had formed on the Black Lake.

Snowflakes were flying outside the window, hitting the window and making a crackling sound.

Christmas was approaching.

As usual, Hagrid moved twelve tall Christmas trees to decorate the hall by himself. The railings and corridors of the stairs were also decorated with holly. The whole castle was full of festive atmosphere.

"This won't work!"

In the Herbology class, Kyle used his wand to direct a glove to jump around on the table, and said depressedly: "I have to think of a new excuse to get rid of Slughorn. He is the dinner party and I don't want to go to it for a day."

"Is it really as boring as you say?" Connor asked curiously: "From the last dance, it shouldn't be that bad."

"There were many people at that time, so we could avoid him, but there were only seven or eight people at the dinner party, so we could only sit there."

Kyle sighed, "Let's put it this way, some people really like it, such as Daphne Greengrass and Millicent Bulstrode from Slytherin, and Cormac McLaggen from Gryffindor... They like their identity as members of the Slug Club very much, and they wish there were dinner parties every day.

"But for me... I would rather be detained by a professor for half a day."

"Then you can find Professor Snape." Connor suggested again: "It just so happens that you can say that you were detained with me."

"Uh... Although I don't like it, it won't go to this point. "Kyle declined, "I'll think of other ways."

The same thing, for him, Snape's detention and Slughorn's dinner party are similar, it's hard to say which one is better.

He should think of other ways.

The easiest one is to find the headmaster. As long as Dumbledore wants, he will definitely find the most suitable reason.

But the problem is that he can't hide from Dumbledore now, how can he deliver himself to the door...

If the headmaster doesn't work, the professor can actually do it.

Professor Flitwick, Professor McGonagall... Discuss with them, find a random excuse to put yourself in detention for a day, it shouldn't be difficult.

But the problem is that this method can only work once or twice, and if it happens too many times, Kyle is embarrassed to keep looking for them.

But what else can be done?

I really don't know who is so quick to tell him that the floo network between the school and the Ministry of Magic has been cancelled.

...

Kyle stroked his wand, and suddenly shook his head after a moment... Forget it, Don't think about it.

The most important thing now is to find an excuse to get through the Christmas party in the evening, and other things can be discussed later.

After class, Kyle left the greenhouse and returned to the castle as soon as possible, ready to find Professor McGonagall to see if she could put him in detention this afternoon.

But as soon as he ran up the stairs, he saw a familiar person standing in the hallway.

A purple robe, a long silver beard, and a phoenix standing on his shoulder... Dumbledore seemed to be waiting for him on purpose.

Kyle did not stop at all, and decisively turned around and ran out of the castle.

But the next second, Dumbledore appeared in front of him again, calmly, as if he had never moved.

Connor on the side was startled. She looked at Dumbledore's position just now, and seemed to be confused about how he disappeared and appeared in another place in an instant.

"Don't doubt it, it's Apparition." Kyle explained in a low voice: "Remember? Texelos said before that the headmaster can temporarily lift the restrictions in the castle so that we can practice Apparition in school. "

"Anytime?" Connor asked, "Shouldn't the magic covering the entire castle be very complicated?"

"Not as complicated as you think, Miss Prince." Dumbledore, who heard the two talking, came over and explained patiently, "These restrictions are not separate magic, but come from the castle itself. The headmaster has some special powers. The only requirement is that you must be in the castle."

Connor nodded in understanding.

Then Dumbledore turned his eyes to Kyle, and the smile on his face quickly disappeared.

"It seems that you don't want to see me."

He said in a flat tone, as if he had never known Kyle before, and there was even a slight grinding sound in his voice.

"How could it be, Headmaster Dumbledore..." Kyle's eyes were erratic, and his footsteps moved towards the entrance of the auditorium intentionally or unintentionally, "Well... What do you want to see me for? "

There were many people in the hall. Although I'm not sure if it would be helpful, it could give Kyle a sense of security.

Dumbledore stared at him for a while, shook his head and said, "It's not me who is looking for you, it's Nico."

"Nico?"

"Yes." Dumbledore said, "Nico invites you to spend Christmas at his manor this year. If you are willing... it will be the same as last time. You all know the specific process, so I won't repeat it."

Dumbledore seemed to be reluctant to see Kyle. He was as frugal as possible. After he finished speaking, he didn't even stay for a second and was ready to leave immediately.

"Wait, Professor." Kyle hesitated for a moment, suddenly stepped forward and called him, asking, "Can I bring someone with me?"

"Sure." Dumbledore continued to walk forward without looking back.

So straightforward?

Now, Kyle became curious.

He jogged to catch up again, "Professor, why don't you ask me who I plan to take?"

"No need." Dumbledore walked into the auditorium. "People with malicious intentions cannot see the gate of the manor, and they cannot enter even if someone is carrying them."

"Oh, by the way." At this time, his steps paused, "Last time you..."

"I suddenly remembered that I forgot something in the greenhouse. See you later, Professor." Kyle said quickly.

When Dumbledore turned around and looked over, he had already run out of the auditorium and into the foyer, his speed no worse than Apparating.

…

In the foyer, Kangna looked at Kyle who was running back with a smile, and asked: "So, you decided to go to Nicoléme's manor this Christmas vacation?"

"Yeah, it's just in time. Finally, we don't have to go to any Christmas dance." Kyle nodded, and then said: "Let's go back to the common room first. It's not safe in the auditorium now. Come back later."

With Dumbledore around, the Great Hall was probably the safest place now, if only for everyone else, of course.

However, Kangna did not expose Kyle, but walked forward together.

When she came to the corridor where the kitchen was, her expression was a little tangled, as if she was waiting for Kyle to say something, but Kyle just didn't mention it.

After hesitating for a long time, she finally couldn't help but ask: "Who are you going to go with?"

"What and who."

"We're going this Christmas." Connor whispered, "Didn't you ask Principal Dumbledore if you could take someone with you?"

"This." Kyle said, "Cedric..."

Kangna's expression quickly became disappointed, but the next second, she heard Kyle change the topic:

"... He sent me a letter yesterday, saying that he invited me to his home during the Christmas vacation. Now it seems that I have missed the promise.

"Also, you'd better go find Professor Snape to cancel the confinement as soon as possible. We are leaving early tomorrow morning."

"Let's go...?" Kangna didn't seem to have reacted yet.

"Of course it's us. I can't take Cedric there..." Kyle said with a smile, "Don't you want to go to Nico's manor? I guarantee that it's really interesting there."

Connor's expression changed again, she nodded, and ran towards Snape's office happily,

Kyle wasn't worried that Snape would refuse...unless his brain was eaten by the Winged Demon, he would refuse to let Connor visit Nicolas Flamel's house.

At the same time, Kyle didn't intend to go back to the common room anymore. He turned around and walked upstairs.

He came to Slughorn's office and canceled today's party on the pretext that he was going to see Nicolas Flamel tomorrow.

…

"What? Whose house did you just say you were going to visit?"

After hearing Kyle's words, Slughorn, who was originally very calm, stood up with a groan and said excitedly: "Is it the famous alchemist Nicolas Flamel who lived for more than 600 years?"

"If there is no second alchemist named Nicoléme, I think so..." Kyle nodded.

For a moment, he could even see Slughorn shaking with excitement and his eyes turning red.

I don’t blame him for being like this...

That was Nicoléme. He always dreamed of meeting the other person, even if it was just a glance from a distance without speaking.

But unfortunately, this wish never came true.

Now that he suddenly heard that Kyle could be a guest in his manor, how could Slughorn not be excited.

"Oh, can you take me with you?" he blurted out.

"Sorry, Professor." Kyle shook his head, "I was also invited, so I can't make the decision."

"Ah, yes, that's true."

Slughorn looked a little embarrassed, as if he didn't expect that he would say the rude words just now.

"You misunderstood..." he hesitated, "I meant, um... take me to say hello to Mr. Nicoléme."

"I will." Kyle said, "Then Professor, if there is nothing else, I will go back first. There are still many things that need to be prepared."

"Of course, no problem." Slughorn said hurriedly, "This is indeed the most important thing. Even preparing one day in advance is not enough. Okay, go back quickly."

Kyle nodded, turned and left the office.

In the foyer, Kangna was already waiting here in advance.

"How about it?"

"You went to see Slughorn?"

The two asked almost at the same time,

"Yes." Kyle said first: "I won't need to go to the Christmas ball in a while, what about you?"

"Professor Snape agreed," Connor said happily. "Although he seemed a little reluctant, he agreed and also prepared a gift for me for Mr. Flamel."

As she said that, Kangna took out a bottle, which was about the same size as the bottle of Felixir, but it contained a golden-red substance.

"What is this?" Kyle asked curiously.

"Phoenix potion." Connor thought about it for a moment and said, "Professor Snape said it was made by boiling the ashes left after the Phoenix's rebirth, and it took two full years."

Two years?

Kyle smacked his lips. The elixir was only half a year old, but it actually took two years?

Although he had never heard of this kind of potion, based on the time it took to brew it and the ingredients, he knew it was definitely a good thing.

But soon Kyle thought that he seemed...it seemed...that he had not prepared a Christmas gift for Nico.

Including the previous few times, not only did he not prepare a gift, but he also added a lot of work to Nico.

Although Nico seemed to enjoy those tasks, he always felt a little strange when compared with what Snape had prepared.

But Kyle didn't think too much. The two came to the auditorium together, and they met Harry who was wandering in the foyer.

He didn't want to attend Slughorn's ball, but he couldn't think of any useful excuse, but Ron next to him was quite excited.

The Christmas dinner was as sumptuous as ever. Although there were fewer people in the auditorium and it seemed much emptier than in previous years, this did not affect everyone's mood.

…

the next day.

Because of Voldemort's relationship with the Death Eaters, most students chose to stay at Hogwarts for the Christmas holiday, and only a few decided to go back.

Draco Malfoy was one of them, and he was the most anxious and left the castle early in the morning.

As well as Harry and his group, Mrs. Weasley had invited them back to No. 12 Grimmauld Place for Christmas long before school started.

Of course, none of this has anything to do with Kyle.

While everyone else was going to the Hogsmeade platform, he had already brought Connor to a field on the side of the castle.

"How are we going to get there..." Kang Na looked a little nervous, "Is it going to be apparating, or is it a portkey?"

"No," Kyle said. "Nico's manor, like Hogwarts, prohibits disembodiment. In addition, door keys are not allowed unless they are made by Nico himself, but Professor Dumbledore did not give them to him." My..."

He glanced into the distance and said, "Oh, Hagrid is here."

Connor turned her head and saw Hagrid walking towards her in his huge moleskin coat.

Next to him was a carriage pulled by a Yeqi.

"Hey, Kyle!"

From a long distance away, Hagrid started waving, and when he came over, he directly handed over the reins in his hand.

"It's still the Thestral from before, it knows the way." Hagrid lowered his voice and said, "I originally wanted to invite you to teach Grawp with me during the Christmas vacation. He has made great progress now.

"But you'd rather be there, wouldn't you?"

Kyle just smiled and said nothing.

In fact, even if there was no invitation from Nicolas Flamel, he would most likely go back with Harry and the others, or stay with Connor in the castle, instead of going with Hagrid to meet his giant brother.

Apart from anything else, the smell around the giant is not something that ordinary people can stand, and Lu Wei might like it.

Kyle took the reins, and after Connor got into the carriage, he jumped on.

Hagrid whispered something into Theqi's ear, and Theqi immediately ran forward two steps, spread its wings and flew.

"Well, Merry Christmas!" Hagrid waved his hand below.

"Merry Christmas," Kyle said.

The Thestral flew higher and higher, and soon, Hagrid's figure turned into a fuzzy black dot.

At this time Kyle walked into the carriage behind him.

Kangna looked out the window with unconcealable excitement on her face.

"I have never been on a Thestral carriage like this," she said. "This feels great."

The Thestral led them and quickly caught up with the steaming Hogwarts Express below, leaving it far behind almost in the blink of an eye.

But even so, the two people in the car didn't feel any bumps. It was as smooth as if it had been parked in place without moving.

Kyle had ridden in the Thestral Carriage once before and was much calmer than Kangna.

The carriage passed through the clouds all the way, and unknowingly, there was a thin layer of ice crystals around it.

As if she felt a little cold, Kangna lowered the window, turned to look at Kyle and asked, "What kind of place is Nico Manor?"

"It's interesting." Kyle thought for a moment, "Everything you see there, including the walls, ceilings, tables, chairs, fireplaces, and even the kettles used to water the plants, are all alchemical items.

"They are just like the portraits in Hogwarts. They can talk and move on their own."

"It's amazing." Kangna's eyes sparkled.

"I'm a little nervous." She said suddenly,

"What's wrong?"

"Tell me, what kind of person is Mr. Nicoléme, and what is his personality like?" said Conner. "He is over six hundred years old. Is he very serious? Should I change into something more serious?" Formal clothes.”

She looked down at her clothes... Originally she was wearing a less fancy dress robe, but before setting off, Kyle insisted that she change into ordinary clothes.

"No need to go to such trouble, Nico doesn't care about this." Kyle waved his hand, "And you will only make him feel uncomfortable if you go there in a dress robe."

"But that's not what Professor Snape said..." Connor whispered, "He told me yesterday that the older the wizard, the more he cares about this."

"Snape..." Kyle said calmly, "Has he seen Nico?"

Connor shook her head.

"That's right, he hasn't seen it before, so he has some random ideas." Kyle said disdainfully,

"What he said only applies to ordinary wizards. Nico, who has lived for more than 600 years, has seen everything. He no longer cares about the so-called etiquette. He just does whatever is comfortable. When talking to him, you don't need to call him Mr., he prefers others to call him Nico."

"Is that so?" Connor was a little skeptical. It's not that she didn't believe Kyle, but it was mainly different from what she thought.

"Just believe me." Kyle said, "Also, you have actually seen him before, but you didn't know it yet."

"What, I have seen Mr. Nico Flamel?" Connor's eyes widened, "When? Why can't I remember!"

"You will know when you get there." Kyle said with a smile.

...