Starting from Platform Seven and a Half

Albert could hardly believe that he had inexplicably followed Sera to Platform Seven and a Half, ready to board the steam train bound for an unknown region.

The deep red steam train was parked next to the platform. There were very few passengers on this train, and two staff members were checking tickets at the entrance.

A sign on the platform shows the train's route around Europe, with detailed markings of each Wizarding Village that stops at the station.

The nearest stop was Hogsmeade, and the whole trip took five days.

Sera said something to the ticket collector, who then enthusiastically introduced them to their destination: Nicolas Village in France.

It is said that this is the hometown of Nicolas Flamel.

After Nicolas Flamel became famous, France sorcerers renamed the village to commemorate the birth of the great alchemist.

The staff member pulled a small suitcase and led the two to their private compartment. After opening the compartment door, there was a spacious room with two single beds. The room was simply and comfortably furnished.

"Why not use Floo Network, Apparition, or Portkey?"

After the staff member put their suitcases away, closed the carriage door, and left, Albert asked his first question.

"Using the Portkey constitutes illegal entry," Sera kindly reminded us. "It's very difficult to directly Apparition to another country, and it's not worth the risk. Besides, it's been ten years since I last went to Nicolas Village, and my memories of it are already hazy."

"What about the Floo Network?"

"Of course we could go directly to France, but Mr. Nicholas has already bought our train tickets in advance, so how could we let him spend money for nothing?" Sera said with a smile, sitting on the sofa. "Besides, isn't this a great experience for you?"

Albert was speechless; what he said made perfect sense.

This is similar to first class on an airplane, so the price is definitely not cheap.

"How much?"

"Fifty Galleon per person, food is provided free of charge," Sera said, pointing to the menu on the table. "Just order, and the food will appear."

"I originally thought wizards wouldn't enjoy life," Albert said with a self-deprecating laugh, casually ordering himself an Italy lobster and seafood pasta set meal.

No wonder Sera reminded him not to eat too much at breakfast.

"In fact, most wizards don't ride in the luxury carriages," Sera explained casually, probably guessing Albert's thoughts. "These carriages are reserved for certain special customers, which is why I said it's best not to waste this opportunity."

"What are you going to Nicolas Village for?" Albert put down the menu and looked at the old man in front of him. He felt that this matter was obviously not so simple.

Sera walked to the door, made sure it was locked, and then cast some kind of spell on the room before sitting back down on the sofa. She said slowly, "We're going to visit someone."

"I thought Nicholas was in Devon." Albert guessed who Sera was referring to.

"They were dying, and I don't know how Dumbledore convinced the LeMay Couple to give up the Philosopher's Stone."

Speaking of this, Sera's tone was complicated. "We need to stay in France for three days. You can take some time to attend the International Wizard's Chess Competition held in France this year."

"Don't you need to register in advance for those kinds of competitions?"

Albert paused abruptly at this point, then asked, "Who signed me up?"

A new task has appeared on the Task Panel, which is most likely related to the International Wizard's Chess Competition.

"Bard registered you in advance; he thinks you'll be interested," Sera said. "That guy was Wizard's Chess champion and has a nomination slot."

In fact, the number of wizards participating in the International Wizard's Chess Competition each year is not very large.

"Of course, that's not the point."

Just as Albert was about to say something, he heard Sera continue, "Nicholas also left you something. We think it would be better if you went to meet him in person."

Albert fell silent.

He felt that a lot of messy things were crammed together, making his trip to the United States to see Nicholas seem less important.

As they were talking, the train suddenly lurched and began to slowly pull King's Cross Station.

Albert turned his head to look at the scenery rushing past the car window and asked abruptly, "Who is Nicholas? Shouldn't you explain that to me?"

To date, neither Sera nor Bard has given him a clear explanation.

No one likes to be kept in the dark or deceived.

"John Nicholas is an United States alchemist." Sera put down her teacup and took a bag from her pocket containing Floo Powder.

"It's not that I'm going to visit him, it's that you need to visit him. Do you remember what I said?" Sera said in a low voice. "Besides me, there are three others. Nicholas is in charge of the America. You'll need to deal with him sooner or later. While I still have the energy, I'll personally take you there."

"They don't want to go to the United States."

"Why?"

"It's not free over there; you'll see when you get there."

Sera then pulled another photograph from her pocket and pushed it in front of Albert. The photograph showed an elderly man in his sixties and a blonde girl.

The two people in the photo are smiling at him; the blonde girl looks like a delicate porcelain doll.

"That's Nicholas's heir, and also her granddaughter, I think her name is Catherine. She should have just graduated from Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry this year," Sera said. "Catherine is also a genius. Of course, not as talented as you."

In Sera's eyes, Albert was the most talented wizard in centuries.

Why don't other people want to go to United States?

Albert took a bite of the Italian Lobster Noodles that had appeared out of nowhere and asked curiously why.

"Some unpleasant things happened in the past." Sera pursed her lips and said, "That country isn't as wonderful as you imagine. The United States Ministry of Magic has very strict regulations on wizards, and you need to be careful about a lot of things."

"Is it because of Muggle?"

Albert naturally guessed the reason.

"United States wizards have to hide carefully to avoid being discovered by Muggle?"

"Yes, it seems you know more than I thought." Sera nodded and said, "Muggle may not use magic, but they are not as weak as we might think. Once they realize the existence of wizards, they will cause us a lot of trouble."

"The connections between Muggle are much closer than you imagine, and information spreads very quickly. Once someone discovers the existence of the Wizarding World, it won't take more than half of United States to know about it within hours." Albert knew very well what people would do after discovering the existence of wizards.

No one likes having their safety threatened by an uncontrollable force, especially for the rulers of a country, such a thing would never be tolerated.

"Those Muggle," Sera suddenly said, "Were tested near Las Vegas, Nevada, with a terrible weapon called Nuclear bomb, and the wizards living in that area suffered an undeserved fate."

"Nuclear bomb test?" Albert's lips twitched slightly.

"They are very wary of Muggle, just like most wizards are wary of Dementor," Sera said. "The American Ministry of Magic not only forbids wizards from marrying Muggle, but wizards are also strictly required to take good care of their children and not allow them to cause magical disturbances or riots in front of Muggle."

"The American Ministry of Magic's prisons must hold a lot of people!" Albert couldn't help but scoff.

"I heard it's overcrowded," Sera said, pursing her lips. "Violating the Statute of Secrecy is a serious crime."

"Are there any things I need to be aware of?"

"Try to avoid dealing with the United States Ministry of Magic. We're going to that country under the guise of visiting friends, and we'll be spending most of our time on Nicholas's small farm. We won't have many opportunities to interact with those guys," Sera said. "By the way, you didn't bring anything strange, did you?"

"Something strange?" Albert repeated.

"Apart from wands and other magical items," Sera added. "It's best not to use wands at all."

"No, I only brought some Galleon and Two-Way Mirror. However, I don't know if Galleon are applicable in other countries as well."

Before Albert arrived, he locked everything in the Transfiguration Lizard Skin Bag in the closet.

"Galleon can certainly be used, but it would be more troublesome. They usually use Dragot)."

Sera took a money pouch out of her pocket and placed it in front of Albert. Inside were some gold coins similar to Galleon. The magical currency system there was similar to that of Britain.

Albert also found several Franklin photos.

"United States wizards manage magical currency quite strictly; it's not left to the Goblin to manage," Sera added after thinking for a moment. "There's a sense of oppression throughout the entire Wizarding World there."

In fact, apart from Britain, Gringotts in other countries are managed by the Ministry of Magic.

Galleon is very popular in the Wizarding World and is generally recognized.

This is related to the fact that Goblin Coins cannot be counterfeited.

"These numbers represent the Goblin who minted this coin," Sera said, pulling out a Galleon and pointing to a row of numbers on the edge. "That's why they can't be counterfeited."

The food on the train was quite good. After finishing his food, Albert leaned back lazily on the sofa and looked out the window at the scenery rushing by.

The train was still speeding along, and the rest of the journey was going to be very boring. Sera suggested that he lie down and rest, and gave him a piece of parchment, which supposedly contained some precautions for his journey to United States.

"I'm very curious how this train manages to transport passengers to the Wizarding Village on the Europe continent," Albert asked, rubbing his hand as he yawned. "Will we fly over the North Sea, or pass through the seabed?"

"Passing through the seabed, this train will descend into the Mari Bay and cross the North Sea directly to Denmark on the other side." Sera pulled up the curtain, clearly preparing to lie down and rest. For an elderly person, traveling is still too exhausting.