An Extravagant Way to Travel

After realizing that Fred and George were just joking, Kyle handed Ladon over to the two of them.

Ladon, however, remained somewhat uneasy, hovering in mid-air and watching them warily.

"Hey, we were really just joking," Fred said, somewhat embarrassed.

But Ladon acted as if he hadn't heard.

"Who gave you permission to say those things in front of the owl?" Kyle said. "But it has already agreed to deliver your things."

"What does it need to eat every day, owl nuts?" George asked.

Errol doesn't need owl food or nuts; if they need them, they'll have to go to Diagon Alley to buy some.

"No need to feed it, it will find its own food," Kyle instructed. "Just give it some water after each delivery."

"I think it's better to buy some..." Fred said with a wry smile, "Consider it an apology."

"That works too," Kyle said with a smile.

It's no wonder Ladon was so wary of them, telling them to follow another owl right in front of it.

Let alone Ladon, even Errol would ignore them for a few days.

"By the way, when are you coming back?"

Fred glanced nostalgically at the Kyle family's attic.

"Mom caught us making Skiving Snackboxes twice this week... it was a disaster."

"I can't say for sure," Kyle thought for a moment and said, "It might only be a day or two. I'm just visiting someone this time, so it shouldn't be for too long."

"That's good, we have many new ideas we'd like to try..."

"At home, Mom would definitely not allow it."

After seeing Fred and George off, Kyle prepared to go back to have breakfast.

As soon as I entered the door, I saw that there was someone else in the living room.

Moreover, he knew this person.

"Professor Dumbledore?"

Kyle instinctively asked, "When did you arrive?"

"Just now, while you were chatting with the Mr. Weasley..."

Dumbledore said with a smile, "Chris was going to call you, but I think it's better to let you finish speaking, since what we need to do isn't urgent."

"Sorry, Professor, I wasn't looking." Kyle walked in. "So, you're here to pick me up this time?"

"I really want to take this job, but due to some other trivial matters, I can't leave here for the time being."

Kyle nodded without asking any further questions.

He knew Dumbledore wasn't there for a casual chat; he just needed to wait patiently.

Kyle sat down beside him and said, half-jokingly, "It's not because of the Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, is it?"

"I have to say, you're really smart."

Dumbledore sighed. "It's so difficult to find a suitable professor. I spend a lot of time on it every year."

I visited some old friends these days, but almost none of them were home, and the few who were there wouldn't open the door for me.

To be honest, this feeling is really awful.

"This is only temporary, Albus."

Chris laughed and said, "It won't be like this if you go in September. Would you like a cup of black tea?"

He poured Dumbledore a cup of tea, and Kyle casually handed him the jar of sugar cubes that was next to him.

After drinking the tea, Dumbledore's tone became noticeably lighter.

"However, these past few days haven't been entirely fruitless. Doge recommended someone to me, and the person seems quite interested in the position."

"Oh?" Kyle raised an eyebrow.

"It's definitely not a dark wizard this time, I guarantee it," Dumbledore emphasized. "He's very famous in the Wizarding World, and like you, he's a recipient of the Order of Merlin."

"I didn't doubt your judgment," Kyle said, feigning seriousness. "So, we already have a new Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts?"

"Not quite," Dumbledore. "The amount of new teaching materials they're asking for is quite large, and the price is considerable. I've been hesitant, trying to see if anyone else is willing to take on this job."

"What if there isn't one...?"

"Then it can only be him."

Dumbledore finished his tea and glanced out the window.

"Oh, it's almost time," he said with a smile. "You'll probably be staying there for a long time this time. Have you prepared everything?"

"Of course, Professor." Kyle patted his Mokeskin Pouch.

Newt gave that trunk to Dumbledore when he left school, and now it only contains a roughly the same size ordinary item.

It was also enchanted with Undetectable Extension Charm; though small, it was enough to hold luggage.

"So Fawkes drove me there?" Kyle asked.

"That's one way," Dumbledore shook his head, "But I don't think you'd like the way the phoenix travels. To be honest, it's a bit too rough for a wizard. Even I haven't been able to get used to it completely."

"We have better options."

With that, Dumbledore took out a bright red stone fragment and placed it on the table.

"Philosopher's Stone?"

"It's a fragment of the Philosopher's Stone, Kyle," Dumbledore explained. "The Philosopher's Stone has been destroyed; it no longer possesses any magical powers."

However, we found another use for it... Portkey.

"It's amazing how stable the Portkey made from the Philosopher's Stone fragments is; it's the best choice for long-distance travel."

Kyle's eyelids twitched.

Using Philosopher's Stone shard as Portkey... what's the difference between that and skipping coins down the river?

Wow, no wonder he's a big shot who's lived for over 600 years, he's really extravagant.

Dumbledore glanced out the window again.

"Are you ready, Kyle...? You should know how to use the Portkey, right?"

Kyle nodded and reached for the Philosopher's Stone fragment on the table.

A cool sensation spread from my palm.

"Oh, and this too."

At that moment, Dumbledore suddenly remembered something and slipped an envelope into Kyle's pocket.

"Open it after we arrive in France..."

Kyle only heard that one sentence, and then he knew nothing more.

He felt someone push him hard from behind, and then his feet left the ground, and he flew up.

In the blink of an eye, Kyle disappeared from the living room, flying forward like the wind, unable to see anything clearly.

This was Kyle's first time using the Portkey. Unlike Apparition, the Portkey seemed to be pulling him forward at an incredible speed.

However, compared to the feeling of being stuffed into a washing machine like with Apparition, this method is much more user-friendly.

Although it wasn't very comfortable, at least there wasn't that persistent dizziness, so it was still within an acceptable range.

After an unknown amount of time, Kyle suddenly felt his body lighten, and then fell heavily to the ground.