Chapter 52 Do you want to learn Defense Against the Dark Arts?
"Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, Dylan, do you have any plans?"
"Yes, probably to further research how to use the Sprite Summoning Charm more flexibly."
After the Great Hall was almost completely decorated, Professor McGonagall lowered her head to talk to Dylan.
Hagrid walked in through the Great Hall doors, carrying a Christmas tree.
Professor Flitwick looked over, "Just put it over there."
He pointed to a corner of the Great Hall.
Dylan twirled his wand, summoning many red and gold intertwined Christmas baubles, which landed on the Christmas tree.
"Hey, Dylan, aren't you going home for Christmas?"
Harry, Ron, and the others followed Hagrid in. Seeing Dylan, they excitedly crowded around him.
"No." Dylan shook his head and waved his hand. Under the effect of pink starlight particles, a chocolate candy appeared in the palms of Harry and the others.
"Butterscotch chocolate? Hey, I like this flavor!" Ron unwrapped the package and stuffed the chocolate into his mouth, his eyes immediately lighting up.
Seeing this, Dylan conjured a few more chocolates for him to put in his pouch.
"This must be the first time you've been away from home for so long, don't you want to go back and see your mom and dad?" Hermione asked.
"Uh..."
Mentioning this, Dylan couldn't help but take a deep breath.
In the early days when he had just come to school, he and his parents often kept in touch by letter.
But it seemed that because they were missing him at home, and with his financial support and various ideas, his parents were earning more and more money.
The two of them directly started living their own lives as a couple.
Twice he had Luna send letters, but after waiting for several days, he didn't receive their reply.
It seemed that without him, the couple's life was even more prosperous.
He hadn't even told them his decision about whether to go home for Christmas until recently.
The couple had already sent him a letter.
The beginning was full of words of longing, which made Dylan plan to pause his spell research for Christmas and go home to spend time with his parents.
But at the end, the couple directly changed the subject, telling him not to go home for Christmas, as they were going on a trip during the holidays...
"Wow, that's so cool! Then we can spend Christmas together in the dormitory!" Harry's glasses shone.
He didn't want to go back and face his aunt's attitude.
"My parents are going on a trip too, so I'll be staying in the dormitory as well," Ron said, stuffing another chocolate into his mouth.
Harry was even happier.
As long as he didn't have to spend Christmas at his aunt's house, he was happy!
Dylan blinked, "Then we can spend Christmas together in the evening after I get back from the library."
At this moment, Ron swallowed the chocolate and suddenly said, "Dylan, are you planning to go to the library again?"
Dylan nodded slightly.
Ron continued, "Then let's go together later."
"Oh?" Dylan raised an eyebrow, "You're going to the library too?"
What had possessed Ron?
Not only was he going to the library for the first time ever, but also when the holidays were about to start?
Ron waited for Professor McGonagall and the others to leave with the Weasley twins before whispering, "Do you remember what Hagrid said about Nicolas? We're going to the library together to find out who that is."
Dylan suddenly understood.
Just as Hagrid was about to leave, he passed by them and heard Ron's words, his eyes widening.
"Are you still trying to research that matter? Oh! Don't continue, you don't need to know what Fluffy is guarding at all."
Hermione tilted her head, "We can't help it. You know, but you just won't tell us. We can only find the answer ourselves."
Hagrid's face was tense, "You know I can't tell you about that."
"Then tell us, who exactly is this Nicolas?" Harry asked.
Hagrid was silent.
"It doesn't matter, the Hogwarts library is huge, we'll find it ourselves!" Hermione turned and walked out.
Harry and Ron quickly followed.
Hagrid looked at their backs, feeling a headache.
These little Gryffindor lions were always so stubborn!
Looking at Dylan, who hadn't left yet, Hagrid looked around nervously and then said, "Tell me, you're still keeping that matter in your heart, aren't you?"
Dylan smiled, "Of course."
Hagrid breathed a sigh of relief.
Dylan comforted him, "Don't worry, their curiosity will pass quickly."
"Oh, I hope so."
Dylan followed Harry and the others to the library but silently started reading his own book.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron huddled together, bringing over a large pile of books, searching bit by bit for information about Nicolas Flamel.
The result was naturally nothing.
Until the time for the evening banquet arrived.
After eating.
Hermione was going home for Christmas.
Harry and Ron were having a lot of fun with the other little wizards and completely forgot Hermione's instructions before she left.
No one intended to find out who Nicolas Flamel was.
Dylan didn't participate in the games of the little wizards in the common room.
After returning to the dormitory, putting his things away, and feeding Coal Ball some food, he took his notebook and went to Professor Flitwick's office.
Although the little wizards had gone on holiday for Christmas, most of the professors still stayed at Hogwarts.
This actually made it easier for Dylan to seek extra tutoring from these professors.
"It's Dylan, come in and warm yourself by the fire."
The fireplace in the office was burning brightly, orange-red flames leaping and continuously releasing heat.
Dylan walked in, feeling the temperature rise a lot.
"Is there something I can help you with?"
Professor Flitwick was reading a book and looked up when Dylan came in.
"It's like this, professor, do you remember what I mentioned to you during today's tutoring?"
Dylan walked up to the professor.
Flitwick thought for a moment, "You mean... about counter-curse magic?"
"That's right." Dylan nodded slightly, "I want you to teach me Defense Against the Dark Arts. We can start by learning the counter-curse for Fiendfyre."
"Defense Against the Dark Arts..." Professor Flitwick was stunned.
Then his brow furrowed, and he looked at Dylan, "If I remember correctly, Professor Quirrell hasn't taught Fiendfyre in class, has he?"
Dylan smiled, "Yes, you know how terrible Professor Quirrell's teaching is. I have to try to learn Defense Against the Dark Arts on my own, but it's not mentioned much in the textbooks at all."
"So I can only come to you to ask."
(End of chapter)