Chapter 108: The Christmas Holiday Ends

After returning home, Shivon immediately snapped his fingers, intending for Milly to inform Sandrine of his arrival.

However, the only response was a gust of cold wind that made him shiver.

Shivon paused for a moment before walking into the attic in the garden. It was warmer inside than out, but it was clear the fireplace had been cold for some time; Sandrine and Milly must have gone out.

"You've got to be kidding..." Shivon thought of a possibility, his mouth twitching.

He opened a portal leading to the secluded alley next to King's Cross Station.

Stepping out of the glowing ring, he immediately saw the house-elf Milly, her eyes wide with shock.

"Master Shivon?!" Milly shrieked, looking at him in disbelief as he emerged from the circle of light.

"Shh—" Shivon held up a finger and glanced at the Muggles passing by outside the alley, signaling her to be quiet.

"Milly, I’m going to find Sandrine now. Would you mind staying here for a while?" Shivon asked.

After Milly nodded, Shivon headed straight into King's Cross Station.

He walked toward the barrier between platforms seven and eight, and sure enough, he saw Sandrine waiting by the wall that concealed Platform 7 1/2.

Sandrine was staring intently at the partition, so focused that she didn't even notice when Shivon reached her side.

"Good evening, Mother!" Shivon said softly, tapping her arm.

Sandrine looked at him in surprise, then instinctively glanced back at the concealed platform, her expression suspicious.

"Weren't you taking the European Magic Star train?" she asked.

"Er, well, to be honest, I used a new mode of transportation," Shivon said with an awkward laugh.

"Let’s head back to join Milly first!" Before Sandrine could ask any questions, Shivon quickly changed the subject and pulled her out of the station.

Sandrine gave him an amused look but didn't press further, following him back to the alley where Milly was waiting.

"Now, are you going to tell me what this new mode of transport is?" she asked, looking at him with a mysterious smile once they were in the deserted alley.

Shivon coughed twice and summoned the Dimensional Gate once more. Its golden light illuminated the entire alleyway.

Sandrine’s face displayed a well-timed look of amazement, and Milly gasped aloud.

"Can this circle lead directly home?" Sandrine asked, curiously circling the gate as she peered at the Rosier family attic visible through the opening. "And why does this side connect directly to the yard, while the other side looks completely empty?"

Shivon watched as Sandrine poked her slender index finger toward the back of the gate, his eye twitching.

"I’m not entirely sure; I’m only responsible for learning how to use it..." Shivon said helplessly. "Besides, this spell has a very grand name—it’s called the Dimensional Gate. Just calling it a 'circle' makes it sound like its prestige has dropped several levels..."

Sandrine ignored his protest entirely and poked the back of the gate, feeling a repulsive force that immediately pushed her finger away.

"How marvelous!" she exclaimed.

Suddenly, as the sun dipped below the horizon, the world grew dim, and the streetlights flickered to life one by one.

In the dark, shadowed alley, the golden light of the gate became rather conspicuous. Muggles in the distance were already showing signs of coming over to investigate.

"Nebulus."

Sandrine cast a spell, and a steady stream of mist poured from her wand, filling the entire alley.

"Son, your experience is still lacking," Sandrine said with a smile. "It would be troublesome if Muggles saw your 'circle'."

Shivon heard her use the word "circle" again and nodded, his mouth twitching.

"What are you waiting for? Let's go home," Sandrine said, stepping through the portal first and beckoning him.

"Oh, right!" Shivon hurriedly replied, pulling Milly into the... well, the Dimensional Gate.

"Meteolojio."

Before Shivon closed the gate, Sandrine simultaneously vanished the mist in the alley.

Everything returned to silence.

...

The next day was the departure date of the Hogwarts Express.

Shivon sat lazily by the pond under the fountain, sighing.

"Sigh, I could have just teleported directly into the castle, but instead, I have to spend six hours on a train..."

After testing, Shivon had confirmed he could open a Dimensional Gate leading directly to Hogwarts Castle.

Although the castle was protected by various charms like Masking and Disguising spells established at its founding to keep it hidden from outsiders, and the grounds were heavily covered by anti-Apparition and anti-Disapparition wards, the Dimensional Gate was a magic from another world. There were no specific counter-spells for it here. As for the masking and shielding spells, they were no issue at all, since his soul already resided within the castle, acting as a precise coordinate for the younger Shivon!

It was just a pity that arriving at Hogwarts without having boarded the train would be far too suspicious, so Shivon had to endure the six-hour ride on the Hogwarts Express.

Just as Shivon was sighing, the house-elf Milly appeared beside him with a "pop."

"Master Shivon, Mistress told me to tell you it's time!" Milly said in her characteristically sharp house-elf voice.

"I know," Shivon nodded and followed Milly to the drawing room.

Sandrine was already dressed and waiting.

"Do you have everything?" she asked.

"It's all here!" Shivon smiled, gesturing to the pocket watch he had secretly expanded with an Undetectable Extension Charm while at the Flamel residence.

"Then let's go!" Sandrine laughed.

The diligent house-elf Milly watched as the two stepped into the golden ring, feeling as though her duties had been usurped, and stood there feeling somewhat dejected.

"Milly, take good care of the house while I'm gone!" Shivon’s voice came from within the ring before it closed.

Milly immediately cheered up and nodded excitedly.

...

Shivon and Sandrine emerged once again from the alley into King's Cross Station.

After passing through the barrier, Shivon said goodbye to Sandrine on Platform 9 3/4 and boarded the train alone.

The carriages were filled with chattering young witches and wizards, eagerly discussing the gifts they’d received for Christmas, unfinished holiday homework, and the classes they would take next term...

Shivon, however, had no desire to socialize. He walked past the crowded compartments and found an empty one to sit in.

He pulled a notebook from the space inside his pocket watch, hoping for some quiet reading time.

Just as he turned to the first page, the door to the compartment slid open. A young witch with silver hair and a cold expression stepped inside.

"I thought you would be in the castle's basement by now," she said.

Shivon looked up in surprise, meeting a pair of strange, silver eyes.