Hogwarts: I Am Such a Model Wizard

Chapter 398: The Desired Music Classroom

Christmas dinner was a true feast, likely thanks to Tata, the House-elf, who wanted Kyle to feel the holiday spirit.

“Help yourself, my boy,” said Nicolas’s wife, Perenelle, with a warm smile.

She herself ate only a slice of ham, a small dish of pea shoots, and half a pudding before setting down her cutlery. Nicolas, however, hadn’t even bothered to join the meal; ever since receiving the Diadem, he had secluded himself in his study, where he remained all afternoon.

Luckily, Kyle had brought his suitcase along, and with Norbert around, there was no risk of the food going to waste.

After dinner, Kyle stayed on at Nicolas Flamel’s mansion. The estate was vast and held enough curiosities to keep him endlessly entertained. Kyle enjoyed lounging on a shape-shifting sofa, either taking apart and reassembling simple alchemical items or simply relaxing while listening to operas and concerts from past centuries.

Much like the old house in Paris, this estate also had a room-sized Pensieve that Nicolas used specifically for experiencing operas. But since he’d been occupied lately, and Perenelle preferred tending to the estate’s flowers and plants, Kyle had the space all to himself.

...

And so, the holiday filled with delightful moments seemed to pass in the blink of an eye.

Two weeks later, Kyle arrived as usual, ready to enjoy one last grand opera performance from 1791. Just as he approached the room, Tata suddenly appeared at his side.

“Sir, Headmaster Dumbledore is here,” Tata informed him.

“Professor Dumbledore…” Kyle murmured, surprised. “He’s probably here to see Nicolas.”

“Tata doesn’t know,” the House-elf replied, shaking his head. “But the master hasn’t come out yet. Would you like to go and see, sir?”

“Yes, I’d better go and have a look.”

Following Tata into the foyer, Kyle found Dumbledore cheerfully chatting with Perenelle.

“Yes, I knit them all myself—the cardigans and the gloves,” Dumbledore was saying.

“That’s wonderful craftsmanship,” Perenelle replied with a warm smile.

“I’ve been thinking about retiring,” Dumbledore chuckled. “Perhaps opening a sock shop in Hogsmeade wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

“I’m afraid certain people might not approve,” Perenelle said playfully.

“Well, not just yet… but one day, I’ll have to retire.”

At that moment, Dumbledore noticed Kyle approaching with Tata and greeted him with a smile. “How have you enjoyed your stay here?”

“It’s been wonderful,” Kyle said. “I could listen to all the operas and concerts Nicolas left behind forever. I’d take that room with me if I could.”

“It seems you’ve discovered the true treasure of this place,” Dumbledore winked and whispered. “And you’re not the only one who thinks so—I’ve been tempted to add a music room to Hogwarts for years.”

“I’d support that, Professor!” Kyle laughed.

The two of them continued bantering about how they might sneak the room to Hogwarts, while Perenelle stood nearby, smiling silently at their antics. Only Tata looked anxious, worried they might genuinely try to take the room.

“Looks like I’ll need to get a lock ready…” Tata muttered nervously.

Just as Kyle and Dumbledore discussed how they might pull off their ”heist,” a door down the hall suddenly opened, and Nicolas emerged, slightly unsteady on his feet as though he might topple over at any moment. Despite his weariness, he looked spirited and said with a half-joking tone, “Those operas and concerts are my treasures—I won’t let you steal them so easily.”

Then he turned to Kyle. “I’ve gathered all the ingredients for the potion. It takes quite a while to brew, about half a year. I’ll write to you when it’s ready.”

“Potion?” Dumbledore asked, looking at Kyle with curiosity. “Did you ask Nicolas to brew Felix Felicis for you?” Knowing only Felix Felicis required half a year to complete, Dumbledore was naturally curious.

“No, it’s another kind of potion,” Nicolas interjected, giving a vague explanation. For some reason, he chose not to mention Ravenclaw’s Diadem or the Horcruxes, saying only that he was helping Kyle restore an ancient magical artifact.

Dumbledore didn’t pry further, as he had assumed Kyle’s visit had something to do with alchemy—hardly unusual. Besides, another matter had already captured his thoughts.

”I see,” Dumbledore nodded, adding casually, “I was just going to say, if you ever need Felix Felicis, you could always ask Professor Snape. I don’t think he’d say no.”

Ask Snape… for Felix Felicis? Kyle couldn’t help but shrug, silently disagreeing with Dumbledore’s suggestion. Let’s be real—if he dared to ask Snape for that, the best he could expect would be a cutting remark, followed by a swift expulsion. And if Snape did somehow agree and hand him a bottle, Kyle would hardly trust it. Who knew what else Snape might have slipped in there?

As Kyle mulled over these thoughts, Tata entered, bringing a tray of black tea. Dumbledore’s attention shifted back to Nicolas, glancing his way several times as if he could barely contain his curiosity.

“Nicolas, about that…” he finally ventured.

“I knew you’d ask,” Nicolas said, turning and heading toward the study once more. “Follow me—I’ve just discovered a new direction we can take.”

Dumbledore promptly stood up and started to follow. But as he passed Kyle, he paused and added, “I suggest you head back now—you’ll have just enough time to finish unpacking the gifts in your dormitory before dinner begins. Or,” he continued, “you could enjoy another opera. Just don’t be late; I’ll see you at the banquet.”

With that, Dumbledore hurriedly disappeared into the room behind Nicolas.

Kyle slapped his forehead, suddenly realizing what had been nagging at him. No wonder something felt missing—I hadn’t even thought about my Christmas presents yet!

Nicolas Flamel’s manor was protected by layers of enchantments—not only the Fidelius Charm but also ancient magics that Kyle couldn’t even name. With such protections in place, it was no wonder ordinary owls couldn’t reach him here. Thinking about the gifts waiting back at his dorm, he felt a renewed excitement and quickly prepared to head back.

...

Just as he had arrived, he took the enchanted thestral-drawn carriage back to Hogwarts. Thanks to Tata’s attentive care, the three thestrals were in excellent shape, and they smoothly lifted the carriage into the sky.

Kyle leaned out the window, waving back at the manor as it gradually disappeared in the distance. Soon enough, the grand estate shimmered out of view, replaced by a simple, barren field scattered with rocks. For a moment, the three thestrals seemed momentarily confused, circling briefly as if they’d lost their way, but soon they found their bearings and set course for Hogwarts.