Three days later, when Wayne came to pick up Cho, Mr Chang was still fuming.
He never expected this boy's influence could reach so far, even affecting his direct superior.
Even knowing he'd soon be promoted, he couldn't bring himself to feel grateful towards Wayne.
Mrs Chang, however, took it all in stride. Women's perspectives fundamentally differ from men's.
She believed Wayne's considerable efforts to spend Christmas with Cho showed his sincerity. After giving him just a mild scolding, she let them go.
Standing by the roadside, Cho felt a flutter of excitement.
"How are we getting there?"
"Ever taken the Knight Bus?" Wayne asked.
Cho shook her head slightly. "Only heard about it, never had the chance."
"Then let's try it today." Wayne waved his wand, and soon a bus arrived at astonishing speed before them.
Curious, Cho followed Wayne aboard.
...
Devon.
In a small village in West Devon, a bus materialised abruptly before screeching to a halt at the village entrance.
A pale-faced girl stepped off, led by a young man.
"Welcome to ride the Knight Bus again," the conductor called cheerfully as the bus raced away.
"I regret this," Cho said, fighting nausea. "That was pure reckless driving. Several times I thought we'd crash."
"One ride's enough to cure anyone of wanting another." Wayne chuckled, guiding Cho to rest awhile before entering the village.
The single main street led them to a dilapidated cottage at its end, its door secured by a rusted lock, pointless given the house's state.
"This is Nicolas Flamel's home?" Cho couldn't believe history's greatest alchemist would live here.
"Just a waystation."
Using magic, Wayne opened the door to reveal a single, undivided room containing only an ancient wall clock.
"Hold my hand." As Cho gripped his arm tightly, Wayne adjusted the clock to 1:36 – 1336, Nicolas's birth year.
The clock spun violently, generating tremendous force that sucked them both inside.
When Cho regained her senses, they stood in an elegant classical hallway.
A house-elf suddenly appeared before them, bowing deeply:
"Master Lawrence, good day."
"Nabby, long time no see," Wayne greeted with a smile before introducing, "This is Cho Chang, my girlfriend."
Nabby immediately bowed respectfully to Cho: "Honoured miss, I am Nabby, the house-elf responsible for the master's daily needs and hospitality."
"Hello, Nabby," Cho returned the greeting.
"Where's Nicolas? Has Newt arrived yet?" Wayne asked further.
"Madam Scamander is enjoying the opera with the mistress, while Mr Scamander is chatting with the master on the terrace."
"Then take us there."
The house-elf led the way, and soon they reached the east-facing terrace on the third floor, where they found Nicolas and Newt.
"There you are at last."
Upon seeing the young man, Nicolas came 'bouncing' over cheerfully. "We were just wondering when you'd arrive."
"And this must be Cho Chang?" Nicolas extended his hand with a kindly smile. "Hello, my dear."
"Mr Flamel, how do you do?" Cho nervously reached out, shaking his hand with extreme care.
Wayne had warned her beforehand - when shaking Nicolas's hand, one must be gentle. A careless grip might fracture his bones.
"Just call me Nicolas, like Wayne does," Nicolas responded warmly, gesturing for them to sit.
Cho had previously met Newt at the Hog's Head, so no reintroduction was needed.
"Where's Rolf? Didn't you say you were bringing him along?"
Wayne glanced around. Nabby had only mentioned Newt and his wife earlier - it seemed Rolf hadn't come.
"Taken away by his parents to Liechtenstein," Newt grumbled, clearly displeased. "They'd promised Rolf could spend Christmas with us, then went back on their word."
Ah, the classic grandparents-versus-parents custody battle. Wayne shrugged, unsure how to comfort him.
But Newt quickly composed himself, shifting the conversation to recent events at Hogwarts after just two complaints.
"Such a fuss over catching one fugitive, deploying so many Dementors."
Nicolas commented, "There are numerous ways to evade Dementors - Occlumency, Animagus transformation, plenty of Dark Magic methods too."
"Completely unnecessary trouble for everyone else."
"Only you could say that so lightly, Nicolas," Newt chuckled. "Most people can't even cast spells properly around Dementors, let alone think of such solutions."
Their casual discussion reflected their status as heavyweight figures in the wizarding world.
Upon learning the couple had arrived via Knight Bus, Nicolas thoughtfully suggested Cho and Wayne rest after their brief chat.
Nabby showed them to their room. While Cho took a nap, Wayne used the time to explore the entire estate.
The style here differed completely from their Paris residence. The Parisian manor was Romanesque, exuding aristocratic grandeur like an ancient noble palace.
This one had a rustic charm, with far more homely warmth.
Wayne found the pasture and released the unicorn, panda and several other creatures.
A golden blur flashed past. Newt, accompanying him, exclaimed in surprise: "Golden Snidget?"
"Hagrid gave it to me."
Wayne watched the golden streaks left in the sky by the Golden Snidget's flight. "Well? I've raised it quite well, haven't I?"
"It's very impressive," Newt nodded involuntarily.
The health of a Golden Snidget could be judged purely by its flight speed, and Wayne's specimen was so fast he could barely track it.
"Pity there's only this one," Wayne shook his head regretfully, dropping heavy hints:
"If someone were to gift me another one, making a breeding pair, that would be absolutely splendid."
Even with Newt's famously good temper, he couldn't help rolling his eyes.
"I've noticed you have rather... unique hobbies. All the creatures you keep are highly illegal..."
Thunderbird, Unicorn, Iron-eating Beast, and now the Golden Snidget – each one an extremely rare magical creature listed under protective legislation.
Wayne also quipped, "Shouldn't you take a look at your own Swooping Evil and Nundu before saying that?"
The two exchanged glances, and an odd silence fell between them.
Neither was in a position to criticise the other.
Soon, the old man and the young man reached an understanding.
As Hufflepuffs, keeping a few more adorable creatures was perfectly understandable...
...
As dinner approached, Wayne woke Cho.
The girl looked much better after her nap.
Everyone gathered around the dining table, where introductions were made again. Though initially nervous, Cho soon relaxed under Tina and Madam Perenelle's warm attention.
"Eat up, these are all your favourites."
Madam Perenelle cheerfully pushed two plates of escargots and foie gras towards Wayne, who accepted the elder's kindness without hesitation.
"It's been so long since we've had such lively company," Perenelle remarked wistfully.
After six hundred years, she and Nicolas had lost all interest in celebrations, even marking birthdays with eccentric acts like pretending to die. But today, the elderly couple finally recaptured that festive atmosphere.
The banquet concluded with a classic bouillabaisse, after which everyone retired to the parlour to chat.
Having known of Cho's visit in advance, Nicolas had prepared a gift.
"A flying broomstick stabiliser." Nicolas produced a wristwatch-like device. "I heard you enjoy Quidditch. This little gadget keeps your broom steadier while staying within official regulations."
"We're not as wealthy as Nicolas," Tina said with a smile, gesturing for Newt to bring over a box.
"A jewellery case made from dragon scales. We hope you'll like it."
The unassuming exterior concealed magically expanded compartments with multiple sections for organisation. When it came to Undetectable Extension Charms, the Scamander family were undisputed masters.
Only after Wayne nodded did Cho accept the gifts with flustered gratitude. Both Nicolas Flamel's handcrafted alchemical device and the genuine dragon-scale-adorned box were priceless treasures in the outside world.
Now Cho truly understood—these elders genuinely regarded Wayne as family. Their extravagant gifts to her stemmed solely from their affection for him.
After a while, Madam Perenelle retired, followed by the Scamanders.
Wayne sent Cho back to her room, leaving only himself and Nicolas in the parlour.
Nicolas spoke first, "What couldn't you let Newt hear about?"
He'd noticed Wayne's meaningful look earlier and was intensely curious.
"Not that I want to hide it from him," Wayne explained, "but the fewer who know about this, the better. No need to trouble him unnecessarily."
"And you're not afraid of troubling me?" Nicolas teased.
"To the capable go more responsibilities." Grinning, Wayne withdrew a dragonhide pouch and levitated Ravenclaw's Diadem onto the table.
Nicolas's expression turned grave at such precautions. Studying the diadem intently, his six centuries of knowledge and the inscription along its rim soon led him to a staggering conclusion.
"This... this couldn't possibly be Rowena Ravenclaw's..."
"Indeed, it's Ravenclaw's Diadem." Wayne nodded.
Nicolas's eyes widened as he stood up excitedly. "Where did you find it? Are you certain?"
He was the greatest alchemist recorded in history.
Yet there were things even he—or alchemy itself—could not achieve.
Such as the diadem's legendary ability to enhance wisdom.
Through potions and alchemy, one could improve memory and concentration, but never true intelligence.
You could never turn someone as dim-witted as Goyle or Crabbe into Voldemort.
Yet legend claimed Ravenclaw's Diadem possessed precisely such an effect.
While not as exaggerated, its properties were fundamentally different from alchemical enhancements.
"Found it right at the school." Though understanding Nicolas's excitement, Wayne positioned himself between the old alchemist and the diadem.
"I can guarantee it's genuine. If Voldemort turned a fake into a Horcrux, he'd have no dignity left."
"A Horcrux?" Nicolas's expression darkened as he hurried forward.
Without touching it, he scrutinised the diadem at length, finally casting a pulse of magical power from his wand to envelop the artefact before confirming...
Wayne spoke the truth.
"Such sacrilege! Utter sacrilege!"
Nicolas erupted in rare fury. "To defile such a treasure with the foulest Dark Magic!"
"Who can comprehend a madman's reasoning?"
Wayne shook his head lightly. "Perhaps he considered turning the diadem into a Horcrux an honour."
"Absolute lunatic."
Previously, Nicolas had held no strong opinion about Voldemort—just another Dark Lord among many he'd witnessed.
Now his perspective had shifted.
Even among history's most wicked Dark Wizards, Voldemort stood out as uniquely deranged.
"I sought your expertise to determine whether the soul fragment can be destroyed without damaging the diadem."
Nicolas frowned in consternation.
"Exceedingly difficult..."
"This is precisely why Horcruxes are considered the vilest of Dark Magic."
"Soul and object become inseparably fused—a single entity now."
"To excise only the soul fragment while preserving the diadem... This requires careful consideration."
Nicolas mused, "Ordinary objects transformed into Horcruxes become virtually indestructible, susceptible only to specific methods."
"Have you encountered other Dark Wizards who made Horcruxes?" Wayne inquired.
"The world never lacks those pursuing immortality—myself included," Nicolas acknowledged with a slight nod. "Though I was fortunate enough to create the Philosopher's Stone instead."
"As for Horcruxes... I once destroyed one personally."
"What method did you employ?"
"Fiendfyre," Nicolas stated plainly. "But clearly, we cannot use such means on the diadem. Even if you consented, I wouldn't permit it."
"Your call." Wayne shrugged with an air of relinquished responsibility. "I've delivered the artefact to you regardless."
"Always bringing me troublesome gifts." Nicolas chuckled ruefully, though the crinkles around his eyes betrayed his genuine enthusiasm.
The opportunity to study a legendary wizard's relic? Such troubles were always welcome.
However, Nicolas naturally wouldn't let Wayne off so easily: "You'll be my assistant these next few days. How long has it been since your Alchemy made any progress?"
Wayne gave an awkward chuckle.
"There's been some progress, just not in traditional fields. You'll understand later."
After all, human energy was limited. Wayne admitted that after reaching the level of a master wizard, he'd indeed grown somewhat complacent.
In this world, nothing threatened his life anymore. With Ho-Oh, he could even achieve immortality.
Living in such an utterly safe environment, relaxation was only natural.
But since Nicolas had said so, he naturally had to pull himself together and not disappoint him.
...
Over the next two days, the pair first conducted a comprehensive examination of Ravenclaw's Diadem.
As expected, besides being turned into a Horcrux, the despicable Voldemort had also placed a hidden and vicious Dark Magic curse upon it.
If anyone wore the diadem on their head, their mind would be disturbed, filled with violent and murderous desires, transforming them into a humanoid beast.
To break this curse, Nicolas specially prepared an ancient potion called Cleansing Solution, capable of purging most Dark Magic effects.
Unfortunately, it had no effect on the soul fragment within the Horcrux.
The diadem needed to soak in the potion for two full days and nights.
When Nicolas finished preparing the potion and placed the diadem into the stone basin filled with solution, time had quietly reached Christmas Eve.
The old man said to Wayne, "Come, let's not keep Perenelle and the others waiting too long, or I'll get scolded again."
"Right."
The two left the laboratory, slamming the heavy door shut behind them.