Chapter 159: A Real Tough One
"Next, we'll go register, then find my good friend—she's an Auror with the French Ministry. Her place is spacious; we'll stay at her home during our time in Paris!"
Amy led George out of the Portkey Office at the French Ministry, taking the caged elevator to the main hall and having him wait on a bench.
"Stay here for a bit. I'll go say hello to her and get the keys."
"I think—"
George was about to say he'd prefer staying at an inn in the magical district, but Amy had already turned and disappeared into the crowd.
"Whatever. As long as the teaching is good, it doesn't matter where we stay."
Money wasn't an issue for him. An inn would be more expensive but more convenient, allowing him to explore the magical district anytime. He could even cover Amy's lodging costs.
But after some thought, that might seem excessive, so he dropped the idea.
While Amy went to find her Auror friend, George stood up from the bench and surveyed the French Ministry.
Compared to the British Ministry's traditional, rigid decor, the French Ministry was more romantic and free-spirited, adorned with beautiful lacework and Art Nouveau influences.
About half an hour later, Amy returned to the hall.
"Alright, let's leave the Ministry first. The anti-Apparition wards here make it impossible to Apparate normally. Once we're outside, I'll take us to my friend's place."
"You know the place. You decide."
George nodded without objection.
They took the magical elevator back up to the surface, emerging at Place de Furstenberg. The entire French Ministry was located beneath this square.
"Apparate!"
Finding a spot away from Muggles, Amy grabbed George, and they vanished, reappearing on Paris's famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées.
"Your friend lives in the magical district?"
George looked surprised.
The Champs-Élysées was known as "the most beautiful avenue in the world" and also served as the entrance to Paris's magical district. Normally, unless they owned shops there, few wizards lived in the magical district—it was too expensive.
Even Mr. Weasley, who worked at the British Ministry, lived in Ottery St Catchpole, a half-wizard, half-Muggle village far from London.
"The Paris magical district is different from Diagon Alley. Diagon Alley was the first magical street, built when there weren't many wizards, so it's small. But the French magical district was built later, matching the size and layout of the Champs-Élysées."
Amy led George to a statue sitting on a pillar in an alleyway.
"Confundus!"
A Confundus Charm muddled the guard's mind, and the statue lifted its skirt, allowing them to slip inside.
George followed.
The street before him looked nearly identical to the Champs-Élysées, except for the shop signs.
Pet shops became magical creature shops, libraries turned into spellbook stores, and pharmacies transformed into potion shops.
As for clothing, French wizards seemed to prefer Muggle suits over robes. If not for their wands, they'd be indistinguishable from Muggles.
British wizards, especially Ministry workers, also wore suits, but traditional robes were still common in Diagon Alley.
This difference was even clearer in their schools.
Hogwarts students wore robes as uniforms, while Beauxbatons students dressed in modern blue suits and dresses.
"Since most French wizards live here, it gets lively during summer break. You'll see plenty of Beauxbatons students, and sometimes even magical creature performances."
Amy led George to an apartment building, unlocking a door on the second floor.
"Not bad."
George glanced around—a 130-square-meter space with three bedrooms, a kitchen, bathroom, and balcony, decorated in European style.
"It's still early. You can explore the magical district. I'll grab a drink, and we'll start lessons tomorrow."
After setting George's luggage in a spare room, Amy felt the itch for alcohol and headed for the door.
But George stopped her.
"No need. I'm not interested in sightseeing right now. Let's start the lessons now."
The magical district could wait. Learning Apparition as soon as possible was more important—it could save his life in other worlds.
Hearing this, Amy paused, then gave him a thumbs-up.
"You're a real tough one."
From their brief time together, George's maturity and discipline had shocked her. It was hard to believe he was only twelve.
For the Galleons, Amy suppressed her craving and began teaching in her tank top.
"Apparition boils down to three things: Destination, Determination, and Deliberation. Before casting, visualize your target clearly—no vagueness..."
Truthfully, she didn't believe George could learn Apparition. Even if he mastered the theory, his magical reserves as a first-year wouldn't be enough for such an advanced spell.
That was why she had refused at first.
But desperate for money, she took the job.
Still, she didn't consider it a scam—she'd teach him everything. If his magic wasn't strong enough, that wasn't her fault.
In a few years, he'd manage it just fine.
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(End of Chapter)