The Hogwarts Express rolled through golden fields of wheat and small villages, the scenery flashing by the windows. Inside their compartment, Kyle had tucked away his Cloak of Invisibility, while Fred and George sat across from him, absorbed in a game of wizard chess. Unlike their usual lightheartedness, the twins wore serious expressions as they focused on the board.
A few days prior, they had boldly challenged Ron to a game of wizard chess, determined to prove they could conquer Professor McGonagall's giant chessboard array just as Ron had.
The result had been a crushing defeat that left them questioning their skills. Unwilling to accept that Ron had bested them, Fred and George vowed to practice and settle the score over the holidays.
Kyle, however, doubted they'd succeed. In his view, Fred and George's talents lay firmly in pranks and inventions, while their chess skills could only be called mediocre.
"What are your plans for the holidays?" Cedric asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
"My father promised to take me to France," Cho answered eagerly. "I've wanted to go ever since you mentioned it last year."
Cedric raised an eyebrow, grinning. "Let me guess—you're interested in seeing Beauxbatons?"
Cho nodded, not bothering to deny it. She'd read that Beauxbatons was said to be the most beautiful of the three major European wizarding schools, famed for its elegant architecture and a crystal astrological tower. The tower, she'd heard, not only charted the orbits of the planets but changed color according to the constellations visible at any given time. She found the idea enchanting.
Next to her, Kyle started to say something but then stopped, realizing that Beauxbatons was likely hidden. Much like a place protected by the Fidelius Charm, the school would be concealed from anyone who hadn't been invited. Even if Cho searched all through the Pyrenees, she probably wouldn't find it. But Kyle kept his thoughts to himself, assuming Cedric—who'd seen Beauxbatons during his visit last year—was already aware of this.
"I'm going to watch the match," Cedric continued, "between the Vratsa Vultures and the Chudley Cannons. My dad promised to take me. It's at the end of the month—want to come?"
"I'll probably still be in Paris," Cho replied, smiling.
Kanna, who had been quietly listening, shook her head. "I might go to a match too, but it's not Quidditch. It's a Wizarding School Potions Championship, one held every three years in Asia."
At this, Fred, who had been focused on the chessboard, suddenly looked up. "Is Snape the one taking you?"
Snape was distantly related to Kanna, and the group already knew that he'd purchased a house near her family's. Kanna herself had told them, and though it had been a bit of a surprise, they had taken the news in stride. After all, Kanna was the only non-Slytherin student Snape ever awarded points to—a fact they'd noticed long ago, though they'd never quite believed it.
Contrary to Kanna's initial worry, Fred and George hadn't distanced themselves from her after learning about her connection to Snape. They disliked Snape on his own merits; it didn't change how they felt about Kanna. Besides, familial connections were common in the wizarding world. Technically, the Weasleys and the Malfoys were distantly related, too, but that didn't stop Mr. Weasley from feuding with Lucius Malfoy every chance he got.
"Yes..." Kanna nodded slightly. "He thinks I should watch more of these kinds of competitions."
"Alright..." Cedric replied, giving a thoughtful nod.
Fred and George also declined Cedric's invitation. They had plans to work on new products for Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes over the break, so traveling wasn't in the cards for them.
When the Chudley Cannons came up, Kyle gave a small, disdainful sniff, clearly unimpressed. Cedric hadn't actually intended to invite Kyle, but instead asked casually about his holiday plans.
"I don't know... I'll probably go out for a bit, too," Kyle said after thinking for a moment.
He recalled that in the Headmaster's Office, McPhail had mentioned that Nicolas Flamel had hoped to join them this time, though his health wouldn't permit the long journey. However, Flamel had sent Kyle a letter, which McPhail had brought along. In it, Flamel included congratulations and well-wishes, along with an invitation for Kyle to visit his home. He'd promised that, if Kyle accepted, someone would come to fetch him in a week.
Kyle, thrilled at the opportunity, had quickly written a reply, which Dumbledore's Phoenix, Fawkes, helped deliver. Since Flamel's residence was under the Fidelius Charm and couldn't be located by conventional means, only Fawkes could reach it. To ensure the letter's delivery, Kyle had "bribed" Fawkes with a bag of rue leaves and five precious Lady's Mantles. With any luck, Kyle would also be in France by the following week.
"Oh... you're all so busy," George sighed dramatically, suddenly sweeping his hand across the chessboard and scattering the pieces. "Makes it look like Fred and I are the only ones out of step."
Fred, holding the "queen" and poised to strike George's king, glanced up, gritting his teeth. "I was about to win!"
"Oh, sorry, I wasn't paying attention," George chuckled. "It's just disappointing... everyone's leaving us. Don't you understand how that feels?"
Fred scoffed, giving George an unimpressed look. He knew exactly what George was up to; after all, he'd had the same thought himself. George was just looking for a way to back out of the game.
"Fine..." Fred said with a sly smile. "The pieces can just reset themselves; let's keep playing."
"Nah, I'm not in the mood for chess anymore," George replied, shrugging and looking down. "Besides, those pieces are tricky. Who knows if they'll put themselves in favorable spots."
"Hah!" Fred snickered, amused by the excuse. It was a brilliant one—why hadn't he thought of it? As expected, he could never quite match George in sheer shamelessness.
As the train neared King's Cross Station, Fred suddenly seemed to remember something. "If I write to you, will you be able to receive it?" he asked.
Cedric thought for a moment. "I think so. The post office offers long-distance delivery, but it's pretty expensive."
"I'll pass," Kyle said with a shrug. "The owls probably won't even be able to find my address. If you want to write to me, just slip the letter into my house... I'll read it when I get back."
"Ha, who'd write to you?" Fred laughed.
George chimed in with mock disapproval. "Yeah, we wouldn't waste Galleons on you."
Only moments ago, Fred and George had been ready to face off in chess, but they were back to being a united front now, laughing together.
"Oh, that reminds me..." Kyle said, giving them a calm, knowing look. "Cedric, wasn't someone supposed to fly a trophy over Hogwarts?"
Cedric smirked. "Yes, and throw in a tap dance too."
"Right! Tap dancing on a flying broomstick... Now that would be something. I'd definitely take a picture of that to remember it."
Fred and George fell silent instantly.
They both remembered all too well that they'd once said that—never imagining Kyle would actually receive the Order of Merlin while still in second year. But it was too late to regret that now.
Amid the group's laughter, the train gradually slowed down and finally came to a halt at Platform 9¾.