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 crackling sounds.

Christmas is just around the corner.

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

"We can't go on like this!"

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 at the dinner party and I don't want to go for a day."

"Is it really as boring as you say?" Kanna asked curiously, "Judging from the last dance, it shouldn't be that boring."

"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, "Well, some people really like it, like Daphne Greengrass and Millicent Bulstrode from Slytherin, and Cormac McLaggen from Gryffindor... They love being members of the Slug Club, and they wish they could have dinner parties every day.

"But for me... I'd rather be put in detention for half a day by a professor."

"Then go find Professor Snape." Connor suggested again, "You can just say you were detained with me."

"Um...even though I don't like it, it doesn't have to be that serious." Kyle declined, "I'll think of other ways."

Again, to him, Snape's detention and Slughorn's dinner party were similar, and it was difficult to say which one was better.

He should think of another way.

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

But the problem is that he is already too busy hiding from Dumbledore, so how could he possibly deliver himself to him...

If the principal isn't able to do it, then the professor can do it.

Professor Flitwick, Professor McGonagall... talk to them and it shouldn't be difficult to find a reason to put myself in solitary confinement for a day or something.

But the problem is that this method only works once or twice. If it happens too often, Kyle would feel embarrassed to keep looking for them.

But what else can we do?

I really don't know who spoke so quickly and told him that the Floo network between the school and the Ministry of Magic had been cancelled.

…

Kyle stroked his wand, and after a moment he suddenly shook his head... Never mind.

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

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

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

He was wearing a purple robe, had a long silver beard, and there was a phoenix standing on his shoulder...it was as if Dumbledore was waiting for him specially.

Kyle didn't stop at all. He turned around decisively and ran out of the castle.

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

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

"No doubt, it's Apparition." Kyle explained in a low voice: "Remember? Tycross said before that the headmaster can temporarily lift the restrictions in the castle so that we can practice Apparition in school."

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

"It's not as complicated as you think, Miss Prince." Dumbledore came over after hearing the two talking and explained patiently, "These restrictions are not from individual magic, but from the castle itself. The headmaster has some special powers. The only requirement is that you must be in the castle."

Kanna nodded in understanding.

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

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

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

"How could that be, Headmaster Dumbledore..." Kyle's eyes wandered, and his footsteps moved towards the entrance of the auditorium intentionally or unintentionally, "Um...what do you want to talk to me about?"

There were a lot of people in the auditorium, and although I wasn't sure if it would be helpful, it did give Kyle a sense of security.

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

"Nico?"

"Well," Dumbledore said, "Nicol invites you to spend Christmas at his manor this year. If you are willing... it will be the same as last time. You know the details, so I won't repeat them."

Dumbledore seemed to not want to see Kyle, and he spoke as little as possible. After he finished speaking, he did not even stay for a second and immediately prepared to leave.

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

"Okay." Dumbledore continued walking forward without looking back.

So simple?

Now, Kyle became curious.

He trotted after him again, "Professor, don't you want to ask who I'm going to take with me?"

"No need." Dumbledore walked into the hall. "People with bad intentions cannot see the gate of the manor. Even if someone leads them, they cannot enter."

"Oh, right." At this time, he paused, "Last time you..."

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

When Dumbledore turned to look, he had already run out of the Great Hall and into the foyer, his speed not much slower than Apparation.

…

In the hallway, Connor looked at Kyle who ran back with a smile and asked, "So, you decided to go to Nicolas Flamel's estate during the Christmas holiday?"

"Yeah, it's just in time. Finally we don't have to go to the Christmas ball." Kyle nodded, then said, "Let's go back to the common room first. It's not safe in the hall now. We'll come back later."

With Dumbledore here, the Great Hall is probably the safest place right now. Of course, that's only true for other people.

However, Kanna did not expose Kyle, but followed him forward.

When she reached the corridor where the kitchen was, she had a conflicted look on her face, as if 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 with?"

"What and who with."

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

"Well," Kyle said, "Cedric..."

Kanna's expression quickly turned into disappointment, but the next second, Kyle changed the subject and said:

"…I received a letter yesterday, saying that he invited me to visit his home during the Christmas holidays, but now it seems that I have to break the appointment.

"Also, you'd better go find Professor Snape and cancel detention. We have to leave early tomorrow morning."

"Let's go... us?" Kanna seemed to have not reacted yet.

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

Connor's expression changed again. She nodded and happily ran towards Snape's office. Kyle was not worried that Snape would refuse... unless his brain was eaten by a winged demon, he would refuse to let Connor visit Nicolas Flamel's house.

At the same time, Kyle had no intention of returning to the common room. He turned around and headed upstairs.

He came to Slughorn's office and canceled tonight's party on the pretext of preparing to meet Nicolas Flamel tomorrow.

…

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

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

"If there wasn't a second alchemist named Nicolas Flamel, I think so..." Kyle nodded.

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

It’s no wonder he’s like this…

That was Nicolas Flamel. He dreamed of meeting him, even if it was just a glance from a distance without saying a word.

But unfortunately, this wish has never been realized.

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

"I'm sorry, professor." Kyle shook his head. "I was invited as well. I can't make the decision on this."

"Ah, yes, that is true."

Slughorn looked a little embarrassed, as if he had not expected to say such a rude thing just now.

"You misunderstood..." he faltered, "I meant, um... take my regards to Monsieur Nicolas Flamel."

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

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

Kyle nodded, turned and left the office.

In the hallway, Kanna was already waiting there.

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"How about it?"

"You went to see Slughorn?"

The two asked almost at the same time.

"Yes." Kyle was the first to speak. "I won't have to go to the Christmas dance soon. What about you?"

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

As she spoke, Kanna took out a bottle, which was about the same size as the bottle of Felicis, but it contained a golden-red substance.

"What is this?" Kyle asked curiously.

"Phoenix Potion." Connor thought for a moment and said, "Professor Snape said that this was made from the ashes left after the phoenix's rebirth, and it took a full two years."

Two years?

Kyle smacked his lips. The Felixir only took half a year to make, but this thing took two years? Although he had never heard of this kind of magic potion, he knew it was definitely a good thing based on the time it took to make and the materials used.

But Kyle soon realized that he seemed... seemed... to have not prepared a Christmas gift for Nico.

Including the previous times, not only did he not prepare any gifts, but he also added a lot of workload for Nico.

Although Nico seemed to enjoy the work, he always felt it was a bit weird compared to what Snape prepared.

But Kyle didn't think too much about it. The two of them came to the hall together, and they met Harry who was wandering in the hall.

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

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

…

the next day.

Because of the relationship between Voldemort and the Death Eaters, most students chose to stay in Hogwarts for the Christmas holidays, and only a few decided to go back.

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

As for Harry and his group, Mrs. Weasley had already invited them to spend Christmas at Number 12 Grimmauld Place before school started.

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

While everyone else was heading 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..." Connor looked a little nervous, "Apparate, or Portkey?"

"Neither," said Kyle. "Nico's manor is the same as Hogwarts, where Apparition is prohibited. Also, portkeys are not allowed unless Nico made them himself, but Professor Dumbledore didn't give me that..."

He glanced off into the distance, "Oh, here comes Hagrid."

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

Next to him was a carriage pulled by a night martyr.

"Hey, Kyle!"

Hagrid started waving at him from a distance, and when he came over, he handed him the reins.

"It's the same Thestral as before. It knows the way." Hagrid lowered his voice and said, "I was going to invite you to teach Grawp with me during the Christmas holidays. He's making great progress now.

"But you would rather go there, wouldn't you?"

Kyle just smiled and said nothing.

In fact, even if Nicolas Flamel had not invited him, he would most likely have gone back with Harry and the others, or stayed in the castle with Connor, instead of going with Hagrid to see his giant brother.

Apart from anything else, the smell around the giant is something that not everyone can resist. Only Lou Williams might like it.

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

Hagrid leaned over to the Thestral and whispered something in its ear. The Thestral immediately took two steps forward, spread its wings and flew away.

"Merry Christmas, then!" Hagrid waved below.

"Merry Christmas," Kyle said.

The Thestral flew higher and higher, and soon, Hagrid's figure became a blurry black dot.

At this time, Kyle walked into the carriage behind him.

Kanna looked out the window, her face filled with excitement and excitement.

“I’ve never ridden in a Thestral like this before,” she said. “It’s such a great feeling.”

The Thestrals led them and quickly caught up with the steaming Hogwarts Express below, and in the blink of an eye, they left it far behind.

But even so, the two people in the car did not feel any bumps. It was so stable that it seemed as if it had been stationary and not moved.

Kyle had ridden in a Thestral carriage once before and was much calmer than Kanna.

The carriage passed through the clouds, and before we knew it, a thin layer of ice crystals had appeared around it.

As if feeling a bit cold, Kanna lowered the window, turned to look at Kyle and asked, "What kind of place is Nico Manor?"

"Very interesting." Kyle thought for a moment, "Everything you see there, including the walls, ceiling, tables, chairs, fireplaces, and even the kettle for watering the flowers, are alchemical items.

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

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

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

"What's wrong?"

"What kind of person is Nicolas Flamel? What's his personality like?" Connor said, "He's over 600 years old. Would he be very serious? Should I change into something more formal?"

She glanced down at her clothes…originally she was wearing a less fancy dress robe, but before leaving, Kyle had insisted that she change into normal clothes.

"Don't bother with that. Nico doesn't care about that." Kyle waved his hand. "Besides, he would feel uncomfortable if you wore a dress robe."

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

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

Connor shook her head.

"That's right. He hasn't seen it before, so why would he come up with such random advice?" 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 for him. Even when talking to him, you don't need to call him sir. He prefers others to call him Nico."

"Is that so?" Kanna was a little skeptical. It wasn't that she didn't believe Kyle, but it was mainly because this was not what she thought.

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

"What? I have met Mr. Nicolas Flamel?" Connor's eyes widened. "When? Why can't I remember?"

“You’ll know when you get there,” Kyle said with a smile.

…

(End of this chapter)