The Christmas dinner was sumptuous, probably to let Kael feel the holiday atmosphere. The house-elf Tata had prepared a table full of food.
"Don't be shy, child, eat as much as you like," said Nicolas's wife, Perenelle, with a smile.
As for herself, she only ate a slice of ham, a small dish of pea shoots, and half a pudding before putting down her cutlery.
Nicolas didn't even come to eat. Ever since he got the diadem, he locked himself in the previous room and hadn't come out all afternoon.
Fortunately, Kael carried a suitcase with him, and with Norbert around, there was no need to worry that this table full of food would go to waste.
After the dinner, Kael stayed at Nicolas Flamel's manor.
The manor was large, but there was always something interesting to be found here, so it never felt boring.
Kael particularly enjoyed lying on a sofa that could change shapes freely, dismantling and reassembling simple alchemy items.
Or lying on a sofa that could change shapes freely, appreciating operas and concerts from the previous century.
Just like the old house in Paris, there was also a room-sized "Pensieve" here, which Nicolas had specifically used to enjoy opera.
However, he had been busy with other things lately, Perenelle preferred to tend to the flowers and plants in the manor, leaving this place to Kael.
...
Just like that, a fulfilling and delightful holiday seemed to pass in an instant.
Two weeks later, Kael came here as usual, just to have one more look at that grand opera performance from 1791.
But just as he reached the door, Tata suddenly walked over from the side.
"Sir, Headmaster Dumbledore is here," Tata said.
"Professor Dumbledore..." asked Kael, "He should be here to see Nicolas, right?"
"Tata doesn't know," the little elf shook his head, "But the master hasn't come out, would you like to take a look, sir?"
"Sure, let's go have a look."
When Kael followed Tata to the foyer, Dumbledore was happily chatting with Perenelle.
"That's right, I knitted them myself, both the sweater and the gloves."
"Wonderful craftsmanship," Perenelle said with a smile.
"I'm thinking of retiring," said Dumbledore with a chuckle, "starting a sock shop in Hogsmeade sounds nice."
"I'm afraid some people wouldn't agree."
"Not now... but I'll have to retire someday."
At this moment, Dumbledore also saw Kael walking up with Tata, and immediately asked with a smile, "How's it going here?"
"Fantastic," Kael said, "The operas and concerts that Nicolas left are truly worth listening to over and over, I even want to take that room with me."
"Looks like you've found the greatest treasure here," Dumbledore winked and whispered, "and you're not the only one with that idea, I've wanted to add a music room to Hogwarts for a long time."
"I'm with you, Professor!" Kael laughed.
The two openly discussed how to whisk away that room, while Perenelle just smiled and watched them without saying a word.
Only Tata seemed a bit nervous, afraid they might really take that room.
"Seems I'll need to get a lock for the future..."
Just as the two were discussing how to transport the room back to Hogwarts, a door nearby suddenly opened, and Nicolas staggered out, looking as if he might collapse at any moment.
However, his spirits seemed good, and he joked: "Those operas and concerts are my most precious things, I can't let you steal them."
Then he looked at Kael.
"I've prepared the materials for the magic potion, but the brewing time is quite long, it should take about half a year, I'll write to you then."
"Magic Potion?" Dumbledore looked at Kael, curious, "Did you come here to have Nicolas brew Felix Felici for you?"
As far as he knew, only Felix Felici required half a year.
"No, it's a different magic potion," Nicolas said.
For some reason, he didn't mention Ravenclaw's Diadem and the Soul Artifact, only vaguely mentioned helping Kael restore an ancient magic item.
Dumbledore didn't suspect anything, he had guessed before that Kael coming to Nicolas was most probably related to alchemy, there was nothing strange about it.
Besides, he had another thing on his mind at the moment.
"I see," Dumbledore nodded, casually saying:
"I was just about to say, if you need Felix Felici, you could look for Professor Snape, I don't think he'd refuse you."
Seek Snape?
Felix Felici?
Kael shrugged, not quite agreeing with Dumbledore.
Let's just say, if he dared to make such a request, the best outcome would probably be being chased out... or first enduring some sarcastic remarks, then being chased out.
And even if Snape miraculously agreed and really gave him a bottle of Felix Felici, Kael wouldn't dare use it.
Who knows if there's something else mixed in.
Kael was aware of this.
At that moment, Tata brought in some tea, and Dumbledore glanced at Nicolas several times, finally unable to resist asking.
"Nicolas, about that matter..."
"I knew you'd ask," Nicolas turned around, heading back into the room, "Follow me, I just found a new direction a few days ago."
Dumbledore quickly rose and followed, but paused slightly when passing Kael, turning to say:
"I suggest you head off now, you should just make it to unwrap the gifts piled up in the dormitory before the banquet starts.
"Or you could listen to another opera, but remember not to be late, we'll see you at the banquet."
Having said that, he hurriedly followed Nicolas into the room.
Kael suddenly patted his forehead,
No wonder he felt something was missing, he finally remembered, he hasn't received his Christmas gifts yet.
Nicolas Flamel's manor was surrounded by various protective magic, not only the Fidelius Charm, but also some ancient magic that Kael couldn't name.
Under such protections, ordinary owls couldn't possibly find his location.
Thinking of the gifts in the dormitory, Kael felt a bit restless.
...
Just like when he came, for the return journey, he took a Thestral carriage.
Under Tata's care, the three Thestrals were in good shape, and soon they lifted the carriage into the air.
Kael stuck his head out of the window and waved.
Once the carriage had flown a certain distance, the manor disappeared, turning back into a stretch of stone-covered emptiness.
Additionally, it seemed for an instant, the three Thestrals lost their way, circling around for a while before finally finding the path back to Hogwarts.