Chapter 338: Grand Prize Galleon Draw
"Oh... Mr. Scamander is planning to take you to the Romanian Dragon Reserve?" Chris mused, looking thoughtfully at the letter the owl had just delivered. He turned to Kyle, who was watching him with anticipation, and rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Do you think I can go?" Kyle asked hopefully.
"If you're eager to, I see no reason why not." Chris smiled, pulling a letter from the living room cabinet. "Actually, I've also received an invitation."
"I thought so..." Kyle murmured. On the way back, he'd suspected Chris might be invited. As one of Newt Scamander's students and Deputy Director of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, Chris was well-regarded in the field. After the incident two years ago, where he and Newt had safely returned smuggled magical creatures to their original habitats, Chris's reputation had only grown. It was no surprise that he'd be invited.
"So, am I going with you, then?"
"No, you'll still be with Mr. Scamander. I'll probably be arriving a bit later," Chris said, shaking his head. "Fudge seems to be taking this very seriously and wants me to represent the Ministry of Magic in Romania. That means I have to leave from the Ministry, and I'll have a long series of handovers with the Romanian Ministry of Magic before I can make it to the reserve."
"That sounds exactly like Fudge," Diana said as she joined them, sitting down beside Chris. "He probably thinks it'll boost his standing."
"Perhaps," Chris said, taking a sip of the hot chocolate she offered. "Though, if I'm honest, he might not appreciate me saying this, but Barty Crouch's name would probably carry more weight with other ministries."
Diana poured Kyle a cup of hot chocolate as well. "I don't mind you going to Romania to expand your knowledge," she said, "but you'll need to take some precautions... How many times can you use your ring?"
"Twice," Kyle replied, holding up his hand. He had already used the Apparition charm once to get away from a particularly overexcited Norbert last holiday.
"Hand it over," Diana said, holding out her hand. "Just in case."