The Hogwarts Express passed through fields and villages. Inside the compartment, Kael packed away his Invisibility Cloak, while Fred and George were playing Wizard Chess next to him.
Unlike their usual playfulness, they both looked very serious.
A few days ago, in an effort to prove they could also tackle the Giant Chessboard Array set by Professor McGonagall, they specifically sought out Ron to challenge him to a game of Wizard Chess.
As a result, they were utterly defeated and almost questioned their self-worth.
Fred and George couldn't accept losing to Ron, and immediately decided they would reclaim their honor during the holiday, so they were practicing now.
However, Kael felt their chances of success were slim, given that their talents were all focused on pranks and inventions, and their Wizard Chess skills were merely mediocre.
"What plans do you have for the holidays?" Cedric suddenly asked.
"My dad promised to take me to France."
Cho was the first to speak, "Ever since you mentioned it last year, I've been wanting to visit."
Cedric raised an eyebrow, "I'm guessing you want to visit Beauxbatons..."
Cho didn't deny it and nodded decisively.
She had read in books that Beauxbatons had the most beautiful architecture and style among Europe's three major magic schools, especially their Astronomy Tower, which was entirely built of crystal.
Cho had heard that the Crystal Astronomy Tower not only preserved and simulated the paths of planets but also changed colors according to the observed constellations.
Very magical indeed.
Kael opened his mouth, hesitated to speak.
He remembered that Beauxbatons seemed hidden.
Like the Fidelius Charm, if you're not a student and haven't received an invitation, you wouldn't find it no matter how thoroughly you search the whole Pyrenees Mountains.
However, remembering that Cedric had already visited once last year and had seen Beauxbatons with his own eyes, Kael said nothing more.
"I'm planning to watch a match," Cedric continued, "the fateful encounter between the Vratsa Vultures and the Chudley Cannons... My dad promised to take me, too.
It's at the end of this month. Do you all want to join?"
"I might still be in Paris at that time," Cho said with a smile.
Conna also shook her head, "I might be going to watch a match too, but not Quidditch, it's the Magic Potion competition in Asia, held every three years."
At this point, Fred, who was still playing chess, suddenly looked up and asked, "Is Professor... Snape taking you?"
Everyone had already known that Snape and Conna were relatives and that he had bought a house near her home; Conna had even told them herself.
While it was a bit surprising, it was not shocking.
After all, Conna was the only non-Slytherin student who could earn points from Snape...
They had considered this possibility before, but just hadn't dared to believe it.
As for the concern Conna had earlier on, that Fred and George would distance themselves from her, it hadn't happened.
They simply disliked Snape, and it had nothing to do with Conna.
After all, in the magic realm, many people had relatives; strictly speaking, the Weasleys and the Malfoys had some connections, but it didn't stop their dads from fighting all the time.
"Yes..." Conna nodded slightly, "He believes I should see more of these matches."
"Alright..." Cedric nodded.
Subsequently, Fred and George also declined Cedric's invitation, as they needed to spend the holidays researching more Weasley joke products and couldn't go anywhere.
As for Kael, upon hearing the Chudley Cannons' name, he just disdainfully curled his lips.
Cedric didn't even bother to invite Kael, just asked about his holiday plans.
"Not sure... Probably going out for a bit," Kael thought for a moment.
That day in the Headmaster's Office, McPhail had mentioned that Nicolas Flamel also wanted to visit, but his current health condition didn't permit long-distance travel, so he had to give up.
However, he did send Kael a letter, which McPhail delivered on his behalf.
Besides some words of congratulations and blessings, the letter also included an invitation for Kael to visit his home, saying that if Kael was willing, someone would come to fetch him in a week.
Naturally, Kael wouldn't miss such a great opportunity, and immediately wrote a reply, which Fawkes helped deliver.
Nicolas Flamel's address was strictly confidential, and also protected by the Fidelius Charm; only Dumbledore's phoenix could locate it.
Hence, Kael bribed Fawkes with a big bag of Ruta Graveolens leaves and five precious Cloak Grass bunches, and it agreed to help send the letter.
If all went well, he should also be in France in a week.
"Oh... everyone has plans," George sighed and suddenly knocked over his chess pieces, "This will make Fred and me seem very antisocial."
Fred, with the "Queen" in hand, was about to deliver the final blow to George, looked up and gritted his teeth, "I was about to win!"
"Oh, sorry, I didn't notice," George laughed, "I'm just a bit down... everyone abandoned us, do you understand that feeling?"
Fred curled his lips expressionlessly.
He knew exactly what George was thinking; that guy just wanted to cheat, as he had thought about doing the same.
"No problem..." Fred laughed, "The pieces can return to their original positions, we can continue."
"Forget it, I'm not in the mood to play chess now," George turned his head, "And those pieces aren't honest, who knows if they'll choose a favorable position for themselves."
"Heh!" Fred chuckled oddly.
That excuse was too perfect; why hadn't he thought of it before? In terms of shamelessness, he really couldn't compete with George.
...
As the train neared King's Cross Station, Fred suddenly seemed to remember something and said, "If I write to you, will you be able to receive it?"
"Should be able to," Cedric thought for a moment and said, "The post office offers long-distance delivery services, but it's more expensive."
"I'll pass," Kael shrugged, "An owl might not find my address, but if you want to write to me, you can slide the letter into my house... I'll check it when I return."
"Ha, who would want to write to you!" Fred laughed.
George also scoffed, "Yeah, we wouldn't waste Galleons on you."
Just a moment ago, they'd been locking horns over a chess game, now they were reconciled.
"Oh, I remember..." Kael said lightly as he looked at them, "Cedric, weren't some people supposed to fly around Hogwarts with a trophy?"
Cedric stifled a smile, "That's right, and do a tap dance."
"Tsk, tsk, tap dancing on a broomstick... that's so cool. I must take a photo at that time."
Fred and George immediately fell silent.
They did say it previously... but at that time, they hadn't anticipated that Kael would actually receive the Merlin Order Medal in his second year.
It's too late for regrets now.
...
Amidst the laughter and chatter, the train gradually slowed down and finally stopped at Platform 9¾...