The Magical Food God of Hogwarts

Chapter 20, Part 1: A Letter is Required!

"We should go." Ferenc nodded. "Lucas McGregor, Ellie Jane McFastie, may the stars guide your way."

"Goodbye, Lucas, Ellie. See you next time you come to the Forbidden Forest." Thea paused for a moment with reluctance, then hurried to catch up with her father who had turned around.

She turned back and added, "The North Star will always shine upon you."

In a few flashes, the centaur father and daughter retreated into the depths of the forest, their figures quickly blending into the dappled shadows of the trees and disappearing from sight.

Lucas was engrossed in watching when Hagrid said in his booming voice, "Alright, children. We should go back now; Professor Dumbledore and Ellie's father are waiting for us."

As Hagrid led the two back, he kept exclaiming in amazement, "This is truly unusual, so unusual... Frenzer's willingness to contact us is already quite special among centaurs. I never expected his daughter..."

"Not only does she not look like a centaur at all, Lucas, she actually accepted your Muggle gadgets and even gave you a gift in return... Merlin's underwear, this world is crazy."

Doesn't he look like a centaur at all? Lucas also recalled what Ellie had once said: centaurs follow the trajectory of the stars, look down on humans, and possess a unique civilization and wisdom.

That means that in addition to humans, there are many other intelligent races in the magical world, each with its own culture, magic, and... cuisine.

With that thought in mind, Lucas took a deep breath and his steps immediately became lighter, eager to delve into this world and begin his culinary journey.

"That's great, that's great..." he murmured, beaming. Ellie, staring at his profile, couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Here we go again... your concussion is definitely not healed."

Lucas chuckled, then stopped, noticing out of the corner of his eye that a cat had darted through the grass.

I think I glimpsed a tabby cat outside the window at the hospital that day? Was it the same one?

"Hagrid, are there many cats at Hogwarts? I think I saw one."

Hagrid said nonchalantly, "That must be Mrs. Lorris, that nasty spy."

When they returned to the lawn in front of the castle, Alastair stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the distant Black Lake, his profile like a silent sculpture. Dumbledore, on the other hand, observed with great interest a few blades of grass on the lawn that seemed to be tap-dancing.

Hearing that they had returned, Alastair turned around, and Ellie's smile immediately faded. She walked nervously to her father's side.

"We're leaving, Ellie," Alastair said.

"So fast?" Ellie was surprised and subconsciously looked at Lucas.

“Skye the Black Dragon has just been taken back, and there are still many things to do at home. Your mother is also waiting for news from us,” Alastair said, turning his gaze to Lucas and nodding slightly. “Mr. McGregor, until we meet again.”

Chief McFastie's voice was always heavy, leaving no room for argument or negotiation.

"Lucas!" Ellie called out hastily, her eyes fixed on Lucas. "Give me your address! I need to write to you!"

Lucas paused for a moment, then gave the address of his farm.

"It's too long," Ellie said, annoyed. "I need to take notes."

She frantically searched her pockets, but found only the lighter she had just received. Just then, a large hand handed her a bent, deformed quill pen—it was Hagrid.

"Hmm, let's use this..."

"Lucas, say that again!" Ellie took the quill pen, lifted the hem of her robe, and forcefully wrote Lucas's address on the lining.

Lucas thought he heard Alastair let out a soft hum, but when he looked up, Alastair was silently gazing into the distance.

Once Ellie finished writing, Alastair took the lead and walked ahead, leaving Ellie to follow closely behind.

She turned her head, her bright purple eyes sparkling in the sunlight.

"Lucas! I'll write to you, and you must write back!"

"Of course," Lucas nodded with a smile.

After the father and daughter disappeared through the gate, Lucas looked in the direction they had gone and suddenly felt a little empty inside.

Dumbledore appeared beside him at some point, smiling, "Don't worry, Lucas, in a little over a month, you'll be able to reunite at Hogwarts, and you'll have plenty of time to deepen your friendship."

"I also want to thank you. If it weren't for your help, the McFastie family would probably never have come to Hogwarts."

His eyes narrowed behind his half-moon spectacles: "Now, let's set off. Your grandfather is waiting for you in Hogsmeade."

grandfather!

Lucas froze. Oh no!

This morning's bizarre experience made him completely forget about his grandfather! Lucas shuddered at the thought of Finley McGregor's roar and rage.

"Professor Dumbledore, what's the fastest way to get there?"

Dumbledore laughed: "We have many ways of transportation, but of course, if we're talking about the fastest, it's—hold on tight to my arm."

Lucas, puzzled, grabbed the hand that was being offered to him.

"Hurry up, is it done? Okay—"

A soft crackling sound!

He felt as if he had been suddenly shoved into a narrow rubber tube, his internal organs squeezed and deformed, yet he couldn't even utter a cry. After a dizzying spin, Lucas suddenly found himself standing on solid ground, instantly feeling nauseous and vomiting, as if he had spun around hundreds of times. If Dumbledore hadn't caught him, he would undoubtedly have fallen to the ground.

"Oh, that's always the case the first time you Apparate," Dumbledore said casually, seemingly unaffected, and even straightened Lucas's robes. "You'll get used to it quickly, you're a fine young man like you."

Lucas took a deep breath; the crisp air made him feel a little better. He looked around and found himself standing on a cobblestone street. On both sides of the street were all sorts of crooked little houses, and the air was filled with a wonderful aroma of butter, ale, and sweet spices.

"Welcome to Hogsmeade, the only pure wizarding village in England," Dumbledore introduced. "Of course, we don't have time to tour it today. You can come and visit on your own when you're in your third year."

He led Lucas straight ahead, where a wooden sign hung above the tavern, depicting three crossed brooms.

It was morning, and there weren't many people in the tavern. Lucas spotted a small table near the bar where Professor Sprout was sitting, holding a steaming drink.

Across from her stood Finley McGregor, his back ramrod straight, wearing the same tweed shirt he'd been wearing for days.

He didn't look at anyone, but stared intently at the untouched wooden wine glass in front of him. His knuckles turned white from gripping the handle tightly, and his whole being exuded a stiffness that was out of place with his surroundings.

Professor Sprout was trying to say something to him, but Finley didn't respond at all. She turned her head and saw Dumbledore and Lucas, and immediately stood up with a relieved expression on her face.

"Albus! Lucas! You've come!"