Chapter 117: Expelled?
Chapter 117: Expelled?
The people from St. Mungo's arrived shortly.
Several witches and wizards in healer uniforms rushed upstairs, their wands at the ready, faces etched with panic.
"Merlin...a werewolf! What in the name of Merlin's beard is going on here?" An older witch exclaimed, her hand clutched at her chest in disbelief.
"That is what we'd like to know," Professor Kettleburn stepped forward, his expression grave. "It nearly bit two young witches and wizards right here, under our very noses, in St. Mungo's, no less. This is turning into a joke, and not a funny one, I might add."
"Sir, we... " A middle-aged wizard wiped his sweaty brow, his voice tinged with anxiety. "There must be some misunderstanding. We will certainly get to the bottom of this."
"Misunderstanding?" Kyle couldn't help but laugh bitterly. "Is that your explanation?"
If it weren't for his quick reaction and the fortunate presence of two professors nearby, who knew how this incident would have ended. Even if he had been lucky enough to escape, what about the boy and all the other patients in the surrounding rooms? Could they have all gotten away safely?
"I will be reporting this incident to the Ministry of Magic," Kyle said, his face stony. "Let them determine if it was a misunderstanding or not."
"The Ministry... well..."
"That won't be necessary."
At that moment, a stern-looking, tall, thin witch emerged from the crowd. She shot the middle-aged wizard a chilly glance, causing him to lower his head immediately.
"I have already notified the Ministry, and they are sending someone over. Rest assured, I will provide a full explanation regarding this matter."
"And you are...?" Kyle asked, curious.
For a moment, he thought it might be Professor McGonagall, as the resemblance in both appearance and demeanor was uncanny.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Pegasus Sachia," the witch said earnestly. "I am also the Chief Healer of St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries."
Chief Healer Sachia was an efficient witch. After making her decision, she immediately had the barely conscious werewolf taken away.
Due to the werewolf's robust vitality, it hadn't died, but it was close.
"For certain reasons, its value is greater alive," Chief Healer Sachia explained. "I hope you understand."
Kyle nodded. With Hagrid and Professor Kettleburn present, he wasn't worried about any potential underhanded tricks.
"Thank you for your understanding."
...
Three minutes later, the representatives from the Ministry of Magic arrived.
Leading the group was none other than the Minister for Magic himself, Cornelius Fudge. Trailing behind him were a group of Aurors and a witch in a pink coat.
Fudge's eyes widened at the sight of the large pool of blood on the floor, and a hint of panic flashed in his eyes.
"Good heavens... a werewolf that can transform at will... Merlin's beard... how is this possible... I mean, why would this happen?"
"We are still investigating, Mr. Minister," Chief Healer Sachia replied calmly. "If you wish, you are welcome to join us."
"Yes, of course, I mean, we'll be glad to help," Fudge stammered.
"And the werewolf?"
An Auror stepped forward, resembling an old lion with his tea-colored hair and bushy eyebrows, now tinged with gray. His sharp eyes peered out from behind a pair of wire-rimmed spectacles.
Chief Healer Sachia summoned a healer and directed him to lead the way to the room where the werewolf was being held.
Fudge approached Kyle and asked distractedly, "Are you alright, child?"
"I'm fine, thanks to the two professors who were nearby," Kyle replied.
Kyle noticed that Fudge kept glancing sideways, as if his mind were elsewhere.
"Now, child," Fudge chose his words carefully, "is there any chance that you might have mistaken what you saw? Perhaps it was simply an Animagus in wolf form and not a werewolf..."
"Are you asking me to lie?" Kyle said, his voice steady.
"Lie? No, no, no, of course not," Fudge backtracked, his eyes darting nervously. "You're young, and you've never encountered a werewolf before. It would be perfectly understandable if you made a mistake."
Kyle's expression remained unchanged as he replied, "I topped the year-end exams with perfect scores in all subjects. I couldn't have misremembered."
Fudge fidgeted with the brim of his hat, his tone turning impatient. "But it's common knowledge that werewolves only transform during the full moon, not in broad daylight. If word of this got out, it would cause widespread panic."
That's the crux of it, Kyle thought.
Before he could respond, however, the witch in the pink coat from Fudge's entourage stepped forward.
"Child, I must inform you that you have violated Ministry of Magic regulations by using magic outside of school."
Umbridge glanced at Fudge and continued in a sickly sweet voice, "According to the rules, we have no choice but to punish you."
"Are you accusing me of breaking the rules?" Kyle asked, incredulous.
"It's quite clear, isn't it?" Umbridge eyed Kyle's wand. "There's no use denying it, child. The Aurors will soon be able to detect the magic you've performed. If it exceeds three instances... well, I'm afraid you won't be returning to Hogwarts this year."
Umbridge relished the shocked look on Kyle's face, her desire for power and position driving her to take any opportunity to curry favor with the Minister.
What's a young wizard to her?
She would gladly do the Minister's dirty work for him.
Kyle's expression turned icy. "Are you expelling me, then?"
"It's Ministry policy," Umbridge replied with a fake smile.
Throughout this exchange, Fudge stood by, seemingly more interested in fiddling with his hat than intervening.
Kyle's face grew colder, his eyes narrowing. "So, the Ministry is suggesting that I should have just stood there and let the werewolf bite me, is that it?"
"You could have run," Umbridge offered a hypocritical smile. "The stairs are right there; you could have easily fled to a crowded area for help instead of using magic."
Kyle took a deep breath, his grip tightening on his wand as he fought the urge to cast Avada Kedavra on her.
Outrun a werewolf? Even Gilderoy Lockhart wouldn't write such a ridiculous plot twist.
As Kyle remained silent, Umbridge grew more pleased with herself. Clearing her throat, she continued, "Of course, if you..."
"I don't believe I'm late."
Footsteps echoed on the stairs once more, and Dumbledore appeared, ignoring Umbridge as he approached Kyle. "I was just about to leave for France when I received the news and rushed back. Are you injured, Kyle?"
"No, Headmaster," Kyle replied with a smile. "But this... unknown Ministry official is saying that I used magic outside of school and wants to expel me."
"Don't worry, Kyle," Dumbledore said gently. "Only the Headmaster has the authority to expel students. If they insist on this course of action, I will gladly attend the hearing with you. I recall clearly that in life-threatening situations, even underage wizards are allowed to use magic in self-defense. Your actions were entirely justified."
"I'll come, too," added Professor Kettleburn.
"So will I," Hagrid chimed in.
"Count me in as well," said another voice.
It was Healer Sachia, stepping forward to address Umbridge. "Ms. Umbridge, if that werewolf were to wake up, would you care to put your theory to the test and attempt to outrun it without the use of magic? If you can escape unharmed, then Albus would have no reason to stand in the way of your decision to expel this student."
(End of Chapter)
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