Hogwarts: I graduated before the system came

Then, he started another pot, and the lamb slices quickly changed color in the boiling oil. The cumin and chili powder were forced to emit a domineering aroma by the heat. It was the warm and direct Egyptian style that belonged to the streets and alleys.

Finally, he skillfully cut a few potatoes into thin strips, rinsed them with clean water to remove excess starch, and stir-fried them quickly over high heat, adding only a little vinegar and salt.

A plate of spicy and sour shredded potatoes, so crisp that you can almost hear the sound.

This is his own taste.

Three dishes, three cultures, just like his friendship with Bill and Charlie, completely different yet perfectly integrated.

As the last ray of sunset slipped away from the gap in the curtains, there was a slight "click" from the door lock.

The door was pushed open, and a tall, thin figure walked in, bringing with him a scent of desert dust and a faint smell of magic powder.

"I smell something incredible."

Bill's voice was a little tired, but more of a relief.

"Looks like I don't have to eat that dry bread anymore."

He casually threw an old-looking leather tool bag onto the sofa. When the tool bag touched the sofa cushion, it made a dull thud, as if it contained something very heavy.

Bill's long red hair was casually tied behind his head with a leather rope. A few unruly strands of hair hung in front of his forehead, slightly wet with sweat.

His leather jacket was covered in scratches and the cuffs were badly worn, but his sharp eyes lit up instantly when he saw Douglas.

"Old Taoist."

He grinned, revealing a hearty smile.

"SB."

Douglas came out of the kitchen with a plate of food and pointed at the table with his chin.

"Wash your hands and eat."

Bill laughed heartily, walked to the sink, and while washing the dust off his hands, he said:

"You came here without even saying hello. I thought I'd have to eat hard bread by myself until next week."

"If that happens, you won't have the chance to try out my new rope-making spell."

Douglas put the dishes on the table and spoke in a flat tone.

Bill dried his hands, pulled out a chair and sat down. He unceremoniously picked up a piece of sausage and stuffed it into his mouth, squinting his eyes in satisfaction.

"Hmm...it still tastes the same. The house elves in Egypt can't make it this way. They always try to add dates and honey to it."

"They serve you like a pharaoh."

Douglas poured him a glass of water.

"The Pharaoh didn't have such a good taste."

Bill took a big gulp of water, then picked up the chopsticks and skillfully picked up a handful of shredded potatoes.

"Oh, by the way, I've taken half a month off. I want to take you to see something good, a surprise."

Douglas's eyebrows raised slightly.

"surprise?"

He glanced at Bill, his tone hinting at knowing amusement.

"Let me guess, another ancient tomb?"

The smile on Bill's face froze, and then he laughed again:

"how do you know?"

"Your thoughts haven't changed from Hogwarts to Cairo."

Douglas leaned back in his chair.

"It's all my fault. I shouldn't have told you those tomb-robbing stories. I made you, a top student, come to Egypt after graduation to deal with sand and the dead, just to create your own legend."

Chapter 434 The next target is the ancient tomb that even Gringotts can’t find!

"Hey, how can I blame you!"

Bill retorted immediately, his face showing the excitement of someone who had hit the nail on the head.

"That's life! Besides, this time is different!"

"Hopefully."

Douglas chuckled.

"Don't do it like last time. You swore you'd found a modern wizard's tomb, but we spent a lot of time trying to get in. It was cleaner than your pockets, and all we found was a mummified cat that bared its teeth at us."

When talking about that failed experience, Bill didn't care.

Instead, I found the key point: "Why not your pocket?"

Douglas chuckled: "My pocket? Are you sure you want to compete with me?"

"Haha... No one can compare to you. Your pockets are just like that magical animal you mentioned, they have everything... But I told you, this time it will definitely be different! Promise!"

"Okay, let's eat first."

Douglas picked up a piece of mutton for him with his chopsticks.

"Wait until you show me tomorrow."

The two of them ate and chatted about recent trivial matters.

"Speaking of which," Bill swallowed a mouthful of mutton and changed the subject, "There's something strange going on with Charlie lately."

"Zha?" Douglas put down his chopsticks. "Which rare species of fire dragon has he set his eyes on?"

"No."

Bill shook his head, his expression becoming more serious.

"There seems to be some big move in Romania. Charlie wrote a few days ago saying that everyone at the dragon farm has entered the highest alert state and everyone's leave has been cancelled. It seems that they are preparing for a secret project. His letter was vague, only saying that it might be related to the Ministry of Magic."

Douglas' heart moved.

I remembered that before leaving, Dumbledore told me that there might be some changes in teaching in the next semester.

He calculated the time and it was probably because of the Triwizard Tournament.

"He didn't say what it was?"

"No. He just told us not to worry or ask. You know him, and the more he does, the more it proves that things are complicated."

Bill sighed.

"My guess is that some large creature that can't be kept captive is being transported there, or... maybe they've bred something incredible themselves."

Douglas ate a piece of mutton and said, "Don't worry, I guess it might be related to Hogwarts."

"Don't talk about him anymore."

Bill changed his tone to a lighter one.

"So, everything is resolved in Italy?"

He asked casually, as if he was asking what the weather was like today.

But the concern in his eyes was more genuine than any questioning.

"solved."

Douglas was concise.

He put down his chopsticks, slowly wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin, then looked at Bill with a meaningful smile on his face.

"Come to think of it, you're always talking about discovering something amazing in Egypt."

He paused, enjoying the curiosity that crossed Bill's face.

"I went to Italy this time and brought back some souvenirs."

Douglas slowly took out the golden bouncy ball from his pocket and gently placed it in the middle of the dining table.

With a soft "dong" sound, the ball rolled half a circle on the table and stopped.

A soft and holy golden light instantly overflowed, tinging the dishes on the table with a sacred hue. The lights in the apartment seemed to dim slightly, all the light drawn towards the small sphere.

In the center of the sphere, the monster made of light had a hideous face, its expression forever frozen in that moment of astonishment.

Bill's eyes were instantly fixed on it.

"Merlin's beard..."

He subconsciously leaned forward, his eyes widening, his face showing the shock and obsession that a professional curse-breaker couldn't conceal when he saw a top-level magical item.

"What level of alchemical artifact is this? This energy fluctuation is incredibly stable!"

"A religious trinket."

Douglas said lightly, gently moving the golden ball with his fingertips, watching the light and shadow monster inside sway with his movement.

"A small ornament?" Bill's voice changed. "Which church uses something like this as an ornament? This thing..."

He suddenly stopped, raised his head sharply, and stared at Douglas, his eyes full of disbelief.

"Where did you get this souvenir you mentioned?"

"The Holy See." Douglas uttered these two words, his tone as calm as if he was talking about Diagon Alley.

"I think they miss it now."

Bill stood there with his mouth open for five seconds.

Then, as if a full-body binding spell had suddenly broken him, he leaned back suddenly and burst into earth-shaking laughter.

"Hahahaha... I knew it! I knew it!"

He laughed so hard that he pounded the table and tears were about to come out.

"Old Taoist! You lunatic! Weren't you supposed to be dealing with the werewolf? How did you manage to take back their sacred artifact?"

"Use the right words."

Douglas corrected with a serious look on his face.

"It's a lost and found advertisement. I'm thinking of putting an ad in the Daily Prophet. The title should be: Found: A small glowing gadget containing a screaming monster. Anyone interested please contact Professor Holmes at Hogwarts."

"Don't! Don't!"

Bill laughed so hard he couldn't breathe.

"They'll send a whole team of Templars to discuss the claim with you! Oh my God... you really are... I'm impressed!"

He laughed so hard that he couldn't straighten his back, and the look in his eyes when he looked at Douglas was full of complicated emotions of "How could I have made a bad friend like you, but I'm so fucking proud of you."

This is showing off, perfect score.

The laughter echoed in the apartment, diluting the gloom of the ancient tomb and washing away the bloodiness of the battle.

"Have a good night's rest."

Bill's laughter died down, and he looked at Douglas with serious, expectant eyes.

"Tomorrow, I'll take you to a place. A place...that can't even be found in Gringotts's archives."

A good night's sleep.

In the early morning in Cairo, there is no damp fog like in London, and the sunlight is dry and direct.

Golden light penetrated the gaps in the curtains, casting several bright tracks on the dark carpet, and the dust particles floating in the air danced in the light column.

When Douglas woke up, Bill was already up.

In the living room, the plates and wine glasses from last night had been cleared away, leaving only a faint aroma of wine, proving that the hearty night conversation was not fictional.

Bill was standing in the middle of the living room, his back to him, stuffing something into a well-worn leather tool bag.

He changed out of his casual clothes and into a more professional outfit.

Khaki multi-pocket trousers, a pair of high-top desert boots, a tight black T-shirt on the upper body, and a leather vest on the outside, which was hung with various small hooks and buckles.

His long hair was still tied behind his head, making him look capable and neat.