Chapter 396: A Potion Worth 300 Galleons
For the next two hours, Kyle described in detail the events that had unfolded in the Chamber of Secrets last year. While Nicolas didn't ask much about the overall incident, he focused intensely on the beginning and end of the time-travel experience, questioning Kyle about every tiny detail. He wanted to know how Kyle felt as time rewound, if there were any unusual phenomena, and even whether the environment had felt warmer or colder. Some of these things Kyle hadn't even noticed at the time—he'd been too caught up in his exchanges with Riddle to remember sensory details.
After hours of talking, Kyle, now parched, drained the cold black tea in his cup. He had suggested using a Pensieve so that Nicolas could view the memories directly. Surely, an alchemist of Nicolas's caliber would have a Pensieve in his home, and if not, he could probably conjure one on the spot.
But Nicolas shook his head. "I must tell you, my boy, that extracting memories is not so simple—it can only be done by wizards adept in the Memory Charm. And then there's something else..." he continued, "I believe you learned Occlumency long ago, did you not?"
Kyle nodded. Occlumency was one of the magical powers he had spent years perfecting, especially after Rowena Ravenclaw's insistence.
"For those who've mastered Occlumency," Nicolas explained, "no one can extract their memories except themselves—not me, nor even Albus."
Kyle thought about this. "Actually, I could try myself... There was a professor at Hogwarts who was quite skilled in Memory Charms. He gave me his notes on the subject, and I learned a lot from them."
"Oh? Hogwarts had a master of Memory Charms?" Nicolas looked intrigued. "Albus certainly has an eye for talent. I must admit, Beauxbatons can't quite match Hogwarts when it comes to its faculty."
Kyle managed a polite laugh, choosing not to mention that this "Master of Memory Charms" had been a fraud who'd lost his own memory and ended up in St. Mungo's. It felt better to let Nicolas keep his admiration for Hogwarts intact.
Before he could say more, Nicolas waved a dismissive hand. "I can't allow it, Kyle," he interrupted. "Even if you've made excellent progress with the Memory Charm, it's too risky..."