Chapter 557: Nicolas Flamel’s Letter

Diana was once an Auror?

To be honest, this revelation genuinely surprised Kyle. He instinctively doubted Professor Moody's memory, but after a moment's reflection, he realized it was plausible.

Kyle recalled his visit to Diagon Alley the year he received his Hogwarts acceptance letter. The Leaky Cauldron, usually lively and crowded, fell eerily silent the instant Diana walked through the door.

It was clear that her role as an Unspeakable in the Department of Mysteries couldn't have caused such a reaction. After all, very few people even knew what that entailed—it was a closely guarded secret.

"Auror..." Kyle murmured, the word lingering on his lips as he turned back toward the classroom door. Without further thought, he walked with Kanna toward the staircase.

For the next two weeks, Kyle continued his Saturday sessions in the Headmaster's office, studying under Dumbledore. This arrangement left those in the know envious of his opportunity.

As Easter approached—the final extended break before the school year's end—the workload for fifth years grew heavier, with the O.W.L. exams looming on the horizon. The professors' demands escalated, and students were using more parchment in a single day than they had in an entire week earlier in the year.

Kyle, however, was an exception. His time studying with Dumbledore exempted him from most of his assignments, leaving only his Potions and History of Magic homework to complete. Unsurprisingly, even Dumbledore couldn't excuse him from Professor Snape's assignments. As for History of Magic, not even Dumbledore's influence carried weight with Professor Binns.

This arrangement saved Kyle considerable time. According to Mikel, Professor McGonagall had been assigning daily scrolls of homework, prompting him to stockpile parchment and ink every trip to Hogsmeade just to keep up.

The day before the Easter holidays, which fell on a Saturday, anyone outside the castle might have noticed golden-red flashes of light emanating from the windows of the Headmaster's office.

Inside, the office was unrecognizable. It had been magically expanded to an immense size, and Dumbledore had somehow conjured a lake as large as the Black Lake within the room. Embers burned on the lake's surface, and the heat in the room was stifling, akin to standing inside a furnace.

The portraits of former headmasters had crowded into a single frame depicting a winter scene, as though it might offer them relief—despite their inability to feel the heat.

Fawkes, however, was thoroughly enjoying himself. The phoenix perched contentedly, eyes half-closed, occasionally letting out a soft, satisfied trill.

"Not bad. Even I can't find fault with it," Dumbledore remarked, his eyes twinkling as he observed Kyle, who sat slumped in a chair, panting heavily.

With a wave of his wand, the lake vanished, and the office reverted to its usual form.

"Here, have some. You'll like it."

A cup of steaming hot cocoa appeared on a nearby table. Kyle reached for it eagerly, taking a deep sip.

"As I was saying, Kyle," Dumbledore said, taking a sip of the tea in front of him, "you have fully mastered this Charm, and there is no need for you to continue practicing it. You don't need to come see me again until next Saturday, so you're free to do as you like until then."

"Okay." Kyle nodded, his earlier excitement settling into a more composed demeanor. He reached into his bag, pulling out the book Dumbledore had lent him at the beginning of their sessions. "Professor, can I keep this?"

"If you like it, of course," Dumbledore replied with a warm smile. "To be honest, when it was published, hardly anyone read it... Ancient Runes just didn't capture most people's interest."

"But there are still some people who enjoy it, right?" Kyle asked.

"That's true," Dumbledore agreed, his eyes twinkling. "Oh, by the way, I have something else to tell you."

"What is it?" Kyle asked, slipping the book back into his pocket.

"It concerns the Easter holidays." Dumbledore opened a drawer and retrieved a fragment of red stone, holding it out to Kyle.

"This can't be Nicolas's Portkey..." Kyle blurted out.

The fragment looked strikingly familiar. Kyle had one of his own, though his was blue. Nicolas Flamel had given it to him years ago, explaining that it would allow him to return to the library at Flamel's Paris mansion if he ever needed to. Kyle had never used it, unsure when he might require it.

"I see you remember, so I won't elaborate," Dumbledore said with a nod. "Yes, this is a key to the door. Nicolas wrote to me yesterday, saying you might need it... Ah, and here it is now."

As if on cue, a brown owl appeared outside the window. Dumbledore opened it to let the bird in.

The owl flew straight to Kyle, dropped a letter into his hand, and then, in a dramatic flourish, shook itself into a pile of feathers before vanishing entirely.

"Don't be alarmed," Dumbledore said, noting Kyle's surprised expression. "Nicolas fashioned this from a single owl feather to ensure no one could trace his address through the owls."

Kyle nodded in understanding and unfolded the letter.

"I take back what I said before. You may need to come. A certain Madam seems to want to have a chat with you..."

The letter was brief and unsigned, but it ended with a distinctive crown-like symbol.

"Looks like you've got new business," Dumbledore said with a knowing smile. "Do you need any assistance? I have some free time."

"Thank you, Professor, but I don't think I need help for now," Kyle replied after a brief pause. "This seems related to something I asked Nicolas to fix earlier, though it appears something has gone a bit wrong."

"That's unusual—Nicolas rarely has issues with his work. Oh... but I think I understand," Dumbledore said, an expression of realization crossing his face. "I was wondering what you planned to do with that locket. Were you considering using a Basilisk fang to destroy it?

"I remember Nicolas studying Horcruxes extensively. No one knows more about them than he does."

"Yes, that's true," Kyle admitted.

Dumbledore's assumption wasn't entirely wrong, but it wasn't the full picture. Nicolas had indeed reached out because of Horcruxes, but not the locket. Nicolas had mentioned being preoccupied with the Philosopher's Stone and the Time-Turner, leaving him no time for other matters. The locket should still be untouched.

The crown symbol on the letter was unmistakable. It clearly referred to Ravenclaw's Diadem.

But of course, Dumbledore didn't know this.

"Professor, when does this Portkey expire?" Kyle asked.

"Whenever you use it," Dumbledore replied. "Simply hold it and say the name Nicolas Flamel. However, I suggest leaving tomorrow. The train departs at 9 a.m."

"Don't forget, you're still a Champion. Every move you make is being watched. Leaving early might arouse your guests' suspicions."

"Tomorrow it is, then," Kyle agreed.

He wasn't eager to leave immediately anyway. Nicolas's letter had come abruptly, leaving him with too many unanswered questions. He needed time to think.

A Madam wanted to speak with him. But who could that be? Kyle was certain it wasn't Nicolas's wife.

With the mention of Ravenclaw's Diadem, a thought crept into his mind. It seemed improbable, even ridiculous, but no other explanation fit.