Chapter 503 starts from platform seven and one-half
Albert could hardly believe that he actually followed Sierra to Platform 7 and 1/2 inexplicably, preparing to take the steam train that was about to go to an unknown area.
The dark red steam train is parked next to the platform. The number of passengers taking this train is very small, and two staff members are cutting tickets at the entrance.
There is a signboard on the platform, which is a map of the train's route around Europe. The signboard details each wizard village that stops at the station.
The nearest stop is Hogsmeade Village, and the whole journey actually takes five days.
Sela didn’t know what he said to the ticket-cutter, but he enthusiastically introduced the two of them to the destination of their trip: the village of Nicolas in France.
It is said that this is the hometown of Nico Flamel.
After Nicolas Flamel became famous, French wizards changed the name of the village to commemorate the birth of the great alchemist.
The staff took the small suitcase and took the two people to their private box. After opening the door, there was a spacious room with two single beds. The room was decorated in a simple and comfortable manner.
“Why not use floo, apparate, or a portkey?”
Albert asked his first doubt after the staff member put the suitcases away for them, closed the carriage door for them and left.
"Using a portkey is illegal entry." Sierra reminded kindly. "It is very difficult to apparate directly to another country. It is not worth our risk. Moreover, the last time I went to Nikolai Village was ten years ago. , my memory of that place has long been blurred.”
“What about the Floo Network?”
"Of course we can arrive in France directly, but Mr. Nicholas has already pre-purchased the train tickets for us, so how can we have the nerve to let him spend money for nothing?" Serra sat on the sofa and said with a smile, "Besides, for you Say, isn’t this a great experience?”
Albert was speechless for a moment, what he said made so much sense.
This place is similar to the first-class cabin on an airplane, and the price is certainly not cheap.
"How much?"
"Fifty galleons per person, food is provided for free." Sera pointed to the menu on the table and said, "As long as you order, the food will appear."
“I originally thought wizards wouldn’t enjoy life.” Albert laughed at himself, and casually ordered an Italian lobster and seafood pasta set for himself.
No wonder Serra reminded him not to eat too much for breakfast.
"In fact, most wizards don't take luxury carriages." Sierra probably guessed what Albert was thinking and explained casually, "This is a carriage prepared for some special customers, so I said it's best Don’t waste this opportunity.”
“What are you doing in Nicholas Village?” Albert put down the menu and looked at the old man in front of him. He felt that this matter was obviously not that simple.
Saira walked to the door, made sure it was locked, and cast some kind of magic in the room, then sat back on the sofa and said slowly, "We are going to visit someone."
“I thought Nico was in Devonshire.” Albert guessed who the person Sierra was talking about.
"They were dying, and they didn't know how Dumbledore could convince the Flamels to give up the Philosopher's Stone."
Speaking of this matter, Serra's tone was complicated, "We need to stay in France for three days, and you can take time to participate in the International Wizarding Chess Competition held in France this year."
“Isn’t it necessary to register in advance for that kind of competition?”
When Albert said this, his tone suddenly paused, "Who signed up for me."
New tasks appeared on the task panel, 80% of which were related to the international wizard chess competition.
“Bard signed up for you in advance, he thought you would be interested.” Serra said, “That guy was once a wizard chess champion and has a recommendation quota.”
In fact, the number of wizards participating in the international wizard chess competition every year is not too many.
“Of course, that’s not the point.”
Just as Albert was about to say something, he heard Sierra continue, "Nico also left you something. We think it would be better for you to go over and meet him in person."
Albert was silent.
He felt that a lot of messy things were squeezed together, and going to the United States to see Nicholas became less important.
As he spoke, the train suddenly swayed and began to slowly drive out of King's Cross Station.
Albert looked sideways at the rapidly retreating scenery outside the car window and asked coldly, "Who is Nicholas? Shouldn't you explain it to me?"
So far, neither Serra nor Bard has given him a clear explanation.
No one likes to be concealed or deceived.
“John Nicholas is an American alchemist.” Sera put down the tea cup and took out a bag from her pocket, which contained floo powder.
“They don’t want to go to the United States.”
"Why?"
“There is no freedom there, and you will know when you go there.”
Sela took out another photo from her pocket and pushed it in front of Albert. The photo showed an old man over sixty years old and a blond girl.
The two people in the photo were smiling at him. The blond girl looked like an exquisite porcelain doll.
"That is Nicholas's heir and her granddaughter. She seems to be called Kathleen. She should have just graduated from Ilvermorny Magic School this year." Sera said, "Catherine is also a genius. Of course, she is not as talented as you. .”
In Serah's eyes, Albert is the most gifted wizard in hundreds of years.
“Why doesn’t anyone else want to go to America?”
Albert took a bite of the Italian lobster pasta that appeared out of thin air and asked curiously why.
"Some unpleasant things have happened." Sera curled her lips and said: "That country is not as beautiful as you imagined. The Ministry of Magic in the United States has very strict management of wizards. You need to pay attention to many things."
“Is it because of the Muggles?”
Albert naturally guessed the reason.
“American wizards have to carefully hide themselves from the Muggles?”
"Yes, it seems that you know more than you think." Sera nodded and said: "Although Muggles can't use magic, they are not as weak as they thought. Once they realize the existence of wizards, they will Causing us big trouble.”
"The connection between Muggles is closer than you think, and information spreads very quickly. Once someone discovers the existence of the magical world, it will take less than a few hours for most of the people in the United States to know about it." Albert was very happy Know what those people would do if they discovered the wizard's existence.
No one likes to have uncontrollable power that threatens their own security, especially for the controller of that country, this kind of thing will never be tolerated.
“Those Muggles,” Sera suddenly said, “once tested a terrible weapon called a nuclear bomb near Las Vegas, Nevada, and the wizards living in that area suffered unreasonable disasters.”
“Nuclear bomb test?” The corners of Albert’s mouth twitched slightly.
"They are very strict with Muggles, just like most wizards are with Dementors." Serra said, "The United States Ministry of Magic not only prohibits wizards from marrying Muggles, but wizards are also strictly required to take care of their children. They are not allowed to have magical riots in front of Muggles and cause riots."
“There must be a lot of people imprisoned in the prisons of the Ministry of Magic in the United States!” Albert couldn’t help laughing.
“It is said that it is overcrowded.” Sierra curled her lips and said, “Breaking the confidentiality law is a felony.”
“Is there something that needs attention.”
"Stop dealing with the Ministry of Magic in the United States. We are going to that country in the name of visiting friends. We will stay at Nicholas's small farm most of the time. There won't be many opportunities to deal with those guys." Serra Said: "By the way, you probably didn't bring anything strange!"
“Strange stuff?” Albert repeated.
“Magic items other than wands,” Serra added. “It’s best not to use wands at all.”
“No, I just brought some galleons and a double mirror. However, I don’t know if galleons are equally applicable in other countries.”
Before Albert arrived, he locked all the contents of the deformed lizard skin bag into the cabinet.
“Of course Galleons can also be used, but it will be more troublesome. They usually use Zhuo Guo.”
Sela took out the money bag from his pocket and put it in front of Albert. Inside were some gold coins similar to galleons. The magic currency system there was similar to that in the UK.
Among them, Albert also found several pictures of Franklin.
“American wizards have stricter management of magic currency, and they don’t leave it to goblins.” Sera thought for a while and added, “There is a depressing atmosphere in the entire magic world over there.”
In fact, except for the United Kingdom, wizarding banks in other countries are managed by the Ministry of Magic.
Garleons are very popular in the magic world and are basically recognized.
This is related to the fact that goblin coins cannot be counterfeited.
“This row of numbers represents the goblin who minted this coin.” Serra took out a galleung, pointed to the row of numbers on the edge and said, “This is why they cannot be counterfeited.”
The food on the train was very good. After finishing the food on the plate, Albert lazily leaned on the sofa and looked sideways at the scenery passing by quickly outside the window.
The train was still running fast, and the rest of the journey was very boring. Serra suggested that he lie down in bed and rest, and also gave him a piece of parchment, which was said to record some precautions after traveling to the United States.
"I'm very curious about how this train transports passengers to wizard villages on the European continent." Albert covered a yawn and asked, "Will we fly over the North Sea, or pass through the bottom of the sea?"
"Passing through the bottom of the sea, this train will go down from the Moray Firth and cross the North Sea directly to Denmark on the other side of the sea." Serra closed the curtains and was obviously preparing to lie on the bed to rest. For an old man, traveling It still consumes too much energy.
(End of this chapter)