Chapter 255: Milk and Sugar

The snow had ceased for the night, leaving the surroundings covered in a pristine white blanket. Homebound house-elves like Norr were using magic to clear a pathway through the snow-covered ground.

Inside the villa, Albert had changed into his formal wizarding robes, sitting in a comfortable armchair in the library, absentmindedly flipping through a book as he awaited the arrival of other wizards. Claiming he wasn't curious about the alchemical gathering would surely be a lie.

Albert's patience wasn't put to too much of a test. An elderly wizard, assisted by a house-elf, slowly made his way toward the villa's grand hall.

"... These folks seem to have lost all sense of time," Albert overheard the elderly wizard grumbling and complaining.

"No, old chap, I dare say it's your pocket watch that's a few minutes ahead of everyone else's," another relatively younger wizard quipped, glancing at his own watch as he greeted the elder. "The appointed time has just arrived."

It didn't take long before others began arriving, almost as if they had coordinated their entrances. One after another, they made their way to the grand hall, guided by the house-elves.

Albert closed the book, adjusted his appearance, and headed toward the grand hall.

Upon reaching the entrance, Albert could already hear the clamor of conversation from within.

"There are fewer familiar faces compared to last time."

"Where's Nicholas? I thought he was secluded in Devonshire."

"You mean Nicholas? I remember Dumbledore inviting him to the gathering the time before last."

"Forget about it, Nicholas hasn't attended these gatherings for years, and I doubt he has any interest now."

"Why hasn't Dumbledore come this year?"

"Who knows?"

"I wrote to Dumbledore, and he said he had prior commitments and couldn't make it this time."

The wizards conversed one after another, not bothering to lower their voices. The hall was filled with the cacophony, and Albert decided to eavesdrop from the hallway instead of immediately stepping inside.

"What about Gabe Smith? Why hasn't he shown up this year?" a loud voice questioned.

"He's probably still on his way."

"If this continues, we might not even have enough for five people at the next gathering," another voice, softer this time, couldn't help but complain.

"It's not as exaggerated as you make it sound."

"It's been a while since we had any fresh blood joining us."

"Modern wizards find it challenging to learn proper alchemy these days."

"How about having Dumbledore open an alchemy program at Hogwarts?"

"Are you going to teach?"

"Nobody here is willing to go back to teaching. Most of us are semi-retired anyway. Bard mentioned inviting a newcomer to this gathering. Has anyone met this person?"

A middle-aged wizard swiftly changed the subject. He had encountered similar discussions during the last gathering. If he didn't interject now, he'd have to listen to these old folks' rambles for ages.

"Haven't met him. Bard said he'd give us an unexpected surprise," another wizard, thin and wearing a single lens and gloves, commented. He was a metalworker named Elion Ballard.

"In the last gathering, that fellow from the Smith family barely made it. But I heard he won't be coming this year either. Don't bother inviting me next time, nobody's showing up, and it feels quite pointless," another elderly, bald-headed man in his seventies couldn't help but complain. He was none other than the renowned Gobalot, a master alchemist known for brewing antidotes and extracting potion ingredients through alchemical methods. Anyone skilled in potions would surely recognize Gobalot, or at least be familiar with Gobalot's Third Law.

"Alright, old chap, consider it a chance for us to meet at this gathering. Who knows, someone might not be around the next time," another elderly wizard offered a more optimistic perspective.

"Come on, Tofordy. You're older than most of us."

"Next time, don't bother inviting me either. This trip is quite a hassle, and my bones are about to fall apart," another elderly wizard grumbled.

"You're not older than me. Besides, you're not like Nicholas, developing osteoporosis at your age?"

Tofordy shook his head. "Remember to drink some milk every day."

"By the way, didn't you say you wouldn't come to these gatherings anymore?"

"Bard told me there would be a newcomer this year, and rumor has it that he's a prodigy. I wanted to come and see for myself," Professor Tofordy admitted. While he wasn't particularly skilled in alchemy, he was intrigued by Bard Bload's talk of a prodigy. Moreover, their definition of not being skilled was relative compared to the others present.

In a moment, house-elves appeared in the hall with beverages, serving each person their preferred drink.

"Tolf, if you don't like it, you can add some sugar cubes to your milk," Professor Tofordy suggested with a smile.

"Only Dumbledore would do that. At my age, I can't indulge in overly sweet things," the wizard named Tolf retorted.

"Dumbledore never thinks he's old."

The elders didn't hold back from making jokes about Dumbledore not being present. Most of them had known each other for many years and didn't take these things too seriously.

Perhaps due to their advanced age or slightly impaired hearing, their voices were quite loud.

The renowned Nicholas Leme was being joked about as having osteoporosis? And there was the matter of Dumbledore frequently eating sweets without worrying about diabetes.

Albert's face twitched slightly. He had heard everything clearly from outside the hall and wasn't sure what to say.

"Why aren't you going in?" Professor Bload asked with a smile.

"I find their conversation interesting," Albert casually explained. If he were to go in, he'd likely become the center of attention and miss out on those intriguing discussions.

Only nine people had come in total, mostly elderly wizards. There were only a few middle-aged men. After entering the hall, Albert, as expected, became the focus of attention. The wizards in the hall all turned their heads to look at him.

"Albert, come sit over here!" Professor Bload pointed to the empty seat beside him.

"Bard, is this the Mr. Anderson you mentioned?" Curious gazes fell upon Albert. Fortunately, he had practiced for this moment and calmly took a seat next to Professor Bload, nodding in greeting to the older wizards who were studying him.

Then, he addressed the two men conversing in French, "I do admit that I am relatively young, but knowledge knows no age, does it?"

The two elderly men exchanged glances, surprisingly not embarrassed by their hushed conversation being overheard. In fact, they were astonished that Albert could fluently use French.

"French?"

"British."

This time, Albert spoke in English.

"He truly is a prodigy," one of the elderly men said to Professor Bload. "At least, in terms of languages."

(End of this chapter)

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