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Chapter 35. First Day of School and a Lot of Red Hair
Nicolas Flamel circled Hydras several times, looking as though he had just discovered an entirely new continent.
"Child," he said eagerly, rubbing his gnarled, withered hands together—hands that looked like the roots of an ancient tree—his voice trembling with excitement. "Would you like to learn alchemy?"
"If you're willing, I'll teach you myself!"
Hydras felt a headache coming on. Maintaining her politeness, she replied, "Mr. Flamel, I have to make up for five years' worth of schooling this year. I'm afraid I really don't have the time to study alchemy."
Flamel waved his hand dismissively. "That's fine. I'm very patient. I can wait."
To not teach a child with such extraordinary talent alchemy would be nothing short of sacrilege.
Turning to Dumbledore, he said firmly, "Albus, remember this for me. Make sure this little girl becomes my apprentice."
For someone over six hundred years old to ask someone over a hundred to remind him of something would be utterly absurd in the Muggle world.
And yet here, it felt completely natural.
"Nick, my memory isn't what it used to be," Dumbledore joked. "I almost forgot that Mr. Astray is still asleep. If I don't wake him now, he'll probably sleep straight through to next week."
…
…
"Oh? Another unfamiliar wizard has joined Audrey's preschool lessons?"
Rick asked cheerfully. "May I ask who this elderly gentleman is?"
"I am Nicolas Flamel."
"Nicolas Flamel?!"
Rick's mouth fell open. He stared at the frail old man before him, swallowed, and asked cautiously, "The Nicolas Flamel who successfully turned mercury into gold in the fourteenth century?"
Dumbledore looked at him in surprise. "Mr. Astray, you're quite well-read."
Rick scratched his head sheepishly. "I was obsessed with occult books as a child. I've always admired Mr. Flamel's achievements."
Flamel waved his hand modestly. "That's right. If there wasn't another alchemist named Nicolas Flamel back then, then I'm the one you're talking about."
"That's incredible!" Rick nearly jumped in place, his face glowing with admiration. "Doesn't that make you over six hundred years old?"
"Hmm… yes. About six hundred and sixty-one… or was it six hundred and sixty-two?"
Rick looked at Dumbledore in awe. "Headmaster Dumbledore, I really have to say—your school's faculty is astonishing. I never imagined Nicolas Flamel himself was connected to Hogwarts!"
Dumbledore only smiled, offering no reply.
Audrey's voice called out from the kitchen, "Stop talking—everyone sit down. The food's ready!"
She walked out carrying nothing in her hands, yet dishes floated out behind her one by one, neatly arranging themselves on the table.
She now bore Audrey's face while effortlessly wielding household magic on the level of a house-elf—something that would have been impossible for her before.
After awakening her second magic circuit, she discovered she could maintain two magical constitutions at the same time.
This was ridiculously cool.
…
…
Nicolas Flamel moved in as well.
He volunteered to teach Audrey Ancient Runes.
As one of the greatest alchemists in history, his mastery of ancient runic magic was naturally second to none.
Though the household had gained another resident, Audrey felt that something was missing these past few days—something felt off.
It wasn't until the third day after she woke up, when Golden Tiger suddenly appeared in her room, that she realised her cat had been gone for several days.
"Golden Tiger, where have you been all this time?"
Audrey scooped him up and hugged him tightly. "I missed you so much."
Her face was perfectly serious as she spoke this blatant lie. Even if the cat couldn't understand human speech, it certainly couldn't call her out for having completely forgotten about him until now.
"Hey… why has one of your eyes turned grey?"
Golden Tiger's originally yellow eyes had become heterochromatic—one grey, one gold.
"But it actually looks pretty good," Audrey said casually, setting him down. "Just don't run away again, alright?"
Golden Tiger let out a soft meow, padded out of her room, and slipped straight into Grindelwald's bedroom.
…
…
Time passed quickly, and Audrey's progress was astonishing.
Grindelwald taught her Charms, Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Divination, and Arithmancy.
Nicolas Flamel taught Ancient Runes and History of Magic.
Dumbledore often used "checking on Audrey's studies" as an excuse to visit the Astray household for meals, though recently his visits had become less frequent—likely due to the mounting pressures of school administration.
Then came September 1st.
The opening day of Hogwarts.
Audrey woke early and glanced at the alarm clock.
6:30 a.m.
The past two months had been nothing short of inhumane. Being forced to study by two old men whose combined ages approached eight hundred years was pure torture.
Grindelwald in particular showed absolutely no restraint, teaching spells and Transfiguration far beyond the Hogwarts curriculum.
While none of it was especially difficult for Audrey, the relentless cram-style teaching was exhausting.
Thankfully… school was finally starting.
What she had once resisted now felt like a vacation.
Out of the twelve O.W.L. subjects, she only needed to formally attend Care of Magical Creatures and Astronomy.
She had already self-studied Potions and Herbology while pretending to be a Squib at Lestrange Manor.
As for Muggle Studies—
Please. She was a Muggle superstar. What possible need did she have to study Muggles?
Passing all twelve O.W.L.s would be effortless.
Which meant her Hogwarts life would be smooth, easy, and blissfully idle.
…
…
King's Cross Station.
A Bentley Turbo R rolled to a stop outside, instantly drawing countless curious glances.
The driver, wearing white gloves, hurried out and opened the rear door.
A black-haired girl wearing sunglasses stepped out, said a few quiet words to the driver, and pulled her luggage toward the station.
It was Audrey Astray.
People around her began whispering, pointing uncertainly, their expressions conflicted.
"Excuse me… are you Miss Audrey Astray?"
Finally, one fan gathered the courage to ask.
Audrey knew she couldn't admit it—otherwise she'd be buried in autograph requests and miss the Hogwarts Express.
"No," she said calmly, removing her sunglasses. "You've mistaken me for someone else."
Same facial structure. Same features.
But her eyes were different—sharp, slightly upturned, unmistakably not the same.
The man left in disappointment, and the crowd quickly dispersed.
Audrey smiled faintly.
Transfiguration was incredibly useful.
She slipped her sunglasses back on and quietly cast a Muggle-Repelling Charm. Off-campus magic was permitted today—once school began, the Trace would forbid it again.
Between Platforms Nine and Ten, she easily spotted the entrance to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
The magical resonance around the pillar was unmistakable.
To Audrey's eyes, it shimmered like a translucent teleportation gate.
Without hesitation, she pulled her suitcase forward.
To Muggles, it would look as though she walked straight into a wall.
To Audrey, it felt like stepping through a portal.
A moment later, she stood on Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, where the red-and-black Hogwarts Express waited quietly.
Parents crowded the platform, offering endless instructions. Their children responded with impatience and half-hearted replies.
Some things never changed.
"Percy, make sure you take good care of Ron. It's his first year!"
"Yes, Mum!"
"Fred! George! You two—absolutely no bullying Ron!"
"Yes, Madam!"
"We'd never bully him—he's our cutest little brother!"
Audrey glanced at the sea of red hair and immediately recognised them.
The Weasleys—one of the so-called Sacred Twenty-Eight, yet treated like outcasts.
Removing her sunglasses, Audrey headed toward the train.
"Oh! It's Audrey Astray!"
Molly Weasley recognised her instantly. The Daily Prophet had devoted an entire spread to the Muggle world's most popular singer.
Because Audrey had never agreed to an interview—Dumbledore citing student protection—no photographs were taken. The reporter had simply used an old picture of Audrey Hepburn.
Since Hydras had been modelled after Audrey Hepburn's appearance, the resemblance was more than close enough.
"Oh, it really is you!"
Molly beamed, stamping her foot twice as she fought the urge to rush over and hug her. "I adore your songs!"
The Weasley children who had already boarded the train immediately jumped back down.
Percy. Fred. George. Ron.
An entire lineup of red-haired boys—not one missing.
Thanks to Molly, Audrey's songs played constantly at home. How could they not recognise her?
"It really is Audrey Astray!"
"Merlin's beard—she's actually coming to Hogwarts!"
"Miss Astray, could you sign my—"
The enthusiasm hit Audrey like a tidal wave.
This family really had zero concept of personal boundaries.
But it was precisely that sincerity that made them so easy to befriend.
"Um…" Audrey said, smiling nervously like a startled rabbit. "Could we… maybe talk on the train? It looks like it's about to depart…"
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