"Dear friend, I wholeheartedly congratulate you on achieving such remarkable feats at such a young age—the Book of Friends, the Magic Golem, the Communication Pea, and, of course, my personal favorite, the Softlight Badge."
"These inventions not only demonstrate your talent and diligence but also show the world your love and dedication to this craft, which brings me great comfort."
"Currently, too many young people are immersed in ancient Magic, chasing so-called ancient 'artifacts,' neglecting to cultivate and apply their own wisdom. Yet you dare to try new techniques and display unique creativity. This is a truly rare quality that fills me with anticipation for your future."
"I'm sure you've already realized that the study of Alchemy is a long and arduous path, and it's often misunderstood and exploited. Many believe we pursue transmuting lead into gold and eternal life, but that is not the case."
"We seek a longer life only to have ample time to reach the pinnacle of knowledge. True Alchemy aims to find the power that can lead the Wizarding World to peace, to explore the mysteries of the world, understand the essence of life, and to help those in need."
"When the ancient Wizards first melted metal in a Cauldron, the firelight reflected humanity's yearning for eternity and truth. Thousands of years have passed, and we still ask: Where is the boundary between matter and consciousness? What changes can Magic and fire bring to the world?"
"Dear Wade, this July, when you are on holiday, perhaps you would be willing to visit my estate? We can sit by the oak table and discuss the mysteries of Alchemy. I would be happy to listen to your concerns and share my experiences. I believe your youthful ideas will surely surprise this old academic."
"Yours faithfully, Nicolas Flamel"
…
Wade had read the letter five or six times, an indescribable excitement welling up inside him. He couldn't help but clench his fist, wishing he could fly to Nicolas Flamel's estate right then.
Even without considering the man's achievements and reputation in Alchemy, just thinking about his age made him incredibly eager for the meeting.
Nicolas Flamel was 667 years old. The Ming dynasty in the East hadn't even been established when he was born. This man was practically living history.
Wade excitedly paced around the room twice, then sat at his desk and meticulously wrote a reply—
"Dear Mr. Nicolas Flamel: I am incredibly honored and thrilled to receive your letter… I very much look forward to the opportunity to visit your estate… Thank you again for your encouragement and support…"
When he put down his pen, Wade pondered his reply. He felt his excitement was overflowing, and his handwriting was elegant and lively, perhaps even a bit too spirited.
Uh… would it seem too fawning?
Wade hesitated, then rewrote a more formal reply. This time, the tone was much more restrained.
"Respected Mr. Flamel… I am deeply honored by your invitation and filled with anticipation… Thank you for being willing to share your valuable experience and wisdom with me. I will make proper travel arrangements to ensure I arrive at your estate on time… I look forward to receiving your opinions and guidance…"
While waiting for the letter to dry, Fiona came in with a plate of freshly cut fruit.
As she set the plate down, she absently popped a piece of apple into her mouth. Seeing Wade writing, she mumbled, "Wade, you haven't even started school yet, and you already have homework?"
"No, I'm writing a reply to Mr. Nicolas Flamel," Wade said, picking up an envelope and writing the address. "He invited me to visit his estate during the summer holiday."
"Nicolas Flamel?" Fiona felt the name sounded familiar but couldn't quite place it. She tilted her head and looked at the two pieces of paper on Wade's desk, then suddenly reached out and said, "This one's better."
She was referring to the first reply.
Wade was taken aback, then explained why he had rewritten the letter:
"I felt the tone of the first one was too frivolous, too casual, not serious enough. A good Alchemist should be calm and rigorous. If I act like a boisterous child, how can anyone trust me?"
"But you are still a child!" Fiona thought for a moment, then nodded, affirming her thought. "Anyway, if it were me, I'd prefer to receive the first reply."
Wade asked, "What if they received the second letter?"
Fiona thought for a moment, then countered, "This Mr. Nicolas Flamel, he must be a very remarkable person, right?"
Wade nodded. "One of the greatest Alchemists in the world."
"Then it might be a bit annoying?" Fiona mused. "Because he must receive too many similar letters."
Wade frowned slightly, pursing his lips as he seriously compared the two letters.
"Wade, expressing your thoughts and feelings in the most genuine way is much better than lengthy polite phrases."
Fiona said with a smile, "And if someone likes you, they'll like you no matter what. It doesn't have much to do with the wording you use."
Wade sighed. "We haven't met yet. First impressions are important."
"He's already extended an invitation; how could your first impression be this letter?"
Fiona laughed. "Your inventions, your experiences—he must have already heard about them, which is why he feels you're someone he can discuss things with! Don't you think so?"
After Fiona left, Wade carefully re-examined the two replies he had written. The more he looked, the more he felt that overly formal and polite language seemed cold.
After a moment of hesitation, he finally put the first reply into the envelope.
…
"Nicolas Flamel… Nicolas Flamel…"
When Fiona returned to the living room, she couldn't help but mutter the name, trying to remember where she had heard it before.
"What are you talking about?" Ferdinand asked, puzzled.
"Ferdi, do you know who Nicolas Flamel is?" Fiona said. "He sent Wade an invitation letter, and it's made the boy so anxious—I've never seen him like this before!"
Ferdinand froze. "…Nicolas Flamel?"
"Yes!" Fiona rubbed her chin. "I feel like I've heard someone mention him…"
Ferdinand was speechless for a moment. He then pulled out Secrets and Practices of Alchemy from the bookshelf, opened to the first page, and pointed to the section introducing the author.
"Immortal Alchemist Master… The only known great Wizard to have successfully created the Philosopher's Stone… Has lived for over 600 years to date…"
Fiona gasped, covering her mouth. She looked at her husband, surprise quickly turning into worry in her eyes. "My advice to Wade just now… I didn't say the wrong thing, did I?"
Ferdinand asked, "What advice?"
Fiona explained the whole story. Ferdinand thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "No, you were right. When dealing with elders and teachers, sincerity is the foundation of interaction. Wade cares too much about the other person's opinion, which made him overthink it."
"That's great," Fiona said, patting her chest in relief. "I was really afraid I'd held him up."
"Not at all," Ferdinand said gently. "My dear, you're so clever; you found the best choice just by intuition."
Fiona's face flushed slightly. She leaned in and kissed her husband's cheek, whispering, "Marrying you was also the best choice I ever made, Ferdi."
…
After finishing his reply to Nicolas Flamel, Wade saw that it was still early, so he continued to write, penning letters of thanks to everyone who had helped rescue him this time.
Although he generally had a Book of Friends for contacting them, and some had even bought Communication Peas, those convenient methods couldn't convey enough respect and gratitude like a handwritten letter could.
Midway through his writing, Ferdinand entered the study, carrying a glass of milk.
He didn't disturb Wade, who was engrossed in writing, but stood quietly beside him for a while. Seeing that Wade's letter, though not filled with ornate words, showed genuine care and sincerity, he couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.
But after quietly leaving the study, Ferdinand stood in the hallway and couldn't help but sigh again.
"Is Mr. Gray worried about something?" Dobby asked, looking up with concern from the hallway. "Can Dobby help?"
Ferdinand shook his head, walking and smiling wryly as he said,
"Dobby, do you think all parents are this strange?"
"When they're little, you worry they won't learn to walk. Once they can run and jump, you worry they'll run too far and disappear."
"You worry they'll make mistakes, but when they learn too quickly and too well, you feel a sense of loss."
Dobby stared at him blankly, as if question marks were about to pop up above its head.
Ferdinand chuckled, taking Dobby's hand and leading it downstairs, asking, "Dobby, have you learned to read and write?"
"A little," Dobby said shyly. "When Dobby was at the Malfoy family's, the older elves taught Dobby a bit, but Dobby doesn't know much… Dobby is sorry."
For some reason, it suddenly felt very ashamed and couldn't help but lower its head in apology.
"It's alright, I can teach you from the beginning… starting with letters, then words and sentences," Ferdinand said gently. "Reading and writing are windows to understanding the world, very useful. You must learn them well."
"Yes, sir," Dobby said, its eyes sparkling with excitement and gratitude. "Dobby won't disappoint Mr. Gray!"
…
The few days of holiday passed in a flash. By Sunday evening, Lupin came to pick Wade up for school.
His luggage had naturally been packed long ago and stuffed into the Wardrobe Space. Fiona reluctantly tidied his collar and said, "Take good care of yourself, write often… don't make me worry."
"I understand," Wade said softly.
"Don't run off from school just because you can turn into a Peregrine Falcon, like you used to," Ferdinand also cautioned. "The Wizarding World isn't peaceful right now."
"I know, I'll be fine." Wade stepped forward and hugged his parents. "Goodbye, Mom and Dad, I'll miss you."
Fiona held back her tears and smiled, nodding. "Me too."
"Dobby," Wade crouched down to the new family member and said, "I'm leaving my parents in your care."
"Yes!" Dobby puffed out its chest. "Leave everything to Dobby! Mr. Wade can rest assured!"
"Let's go."
Lupin had Wade take his arm, and they Apparated away together.
After a slight dizziness, Wade found himself in Hogsmeade. The village roofs were covered in thick snow, as if wrapped in a white blanket. Some shops had wall sconces by their doors, and the colorful Magic flames made the village look especially beautiful.
"Actually, I can Apparate too, Remus," Wade said after a moment's thought, deciding there was no need to hide it from him.
Lupin was startled and asked in surprise, "You taught yourself?"
"Of course not," Wade said. "Professor Dumbledore taught me last term."
"That's good then," Lupin sighed in relief, then warned, "It's fine to know, but don't use it in public. Too many people are watching you. This Spell can have unexpected effects at critical moments."
"I understand," Wade said, nodding. He paused, then added, "How is Mabel adjusting?"
"Very well," Lupin smiled. "She doesn't talk much, but she's easy to get along with. She just always insists on doing the housework… and she's already learned three simple Spells."
"That's impressive," Wade said in surprise.
Although learning Spells always seemed effortless for him, Wade knew that many students took one or two weeks to learn a single Spell. For example, they had learned the Levitation Charm in first year and reviewed it again before the Christmas holidays.
Wade decided to visit Mabel first, then go to school. They walked together toward Lupin's house. The surroundings became increasingly secluded, with only Lupin's and Sirius's lights on nearby.
Upon arriving, Wade saw that Marchioni was also sitting in the living room. Mabel, not wanting to see strangers, had hidden in an upstairs room, and Sirius was grimly entertaining the guest.
"Marchioni?" Wade was surprised at first, then understood. "You're here about the Streaming Mirror, aren't you?"
He had actually explained it once before in a letter, and now, seeing the other man, he apologized again, "Sorry, I must have caused you a lot of trouble."
"Oh, as long as it didn't stop everyone from watching Goodnight Sweetheart, then it's not a big problem," Marchioni shrugged, smiling. "I just came to see you, to make sure my genius Alchemist is safe and sound."
"Uh… weren't you going to ask me to help you solve the signal hijacking problem?" Wade asked, astonished.
"Solve it? Why solve it?"
Marchioni poured himself a glass of mead and said casually,
"If we solve it, next time it might be me the Alliance comes after… or even worse, they come after you again, produce their own Streaming Mirror for the Alliance, and steal at least half of my market."
"This way is much better. I make my money, they build their reputation, we don't interfere with each other, and we both get what we want."
Marchioni raised his glass, winked, and said slyly.
"Aren't you worried about the Ministry of Magic giving you trouble?" Sirius asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh, they already have."
Marchioni leaned against the cabinet and said casually, "But I can't solve this problem, so what can I do? I've asked the Ministry of Magic to send someone who can solve it, and I'll cooperate fully... Since they can't solve it either, then it's not my problem, it's the Ministry of Magic's own problem."
Marchioni smiled, then drained his glass.
Wade couldn't help but laugh too.
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