https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-229-The-Wesley-Brothers-Mysterious-Gift/12538345/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-231-The-Award-Ceremony-Full-of-Twists-and-Turns/12538347/
Chapter 230: Kyle's Endeavors
Chapter 230: Kyle's Endeavors
Hermione's guess was accurate, and when she and Ron arrived at the school hospital, it was already crowded with students who had come to visit Harry.
There were his friends, teammates, and those who were simply curious onlookers.
Of course, there were also those who came to rub salt in the wound, like a certain Slytherin first-year student who wished to remain anonymous.
They crowded the entrance, each trying to come up with a reason for Madam Pomfrey to let them in.
"Please let me in, Madam Pomfrey, I beg you..." Oliver Wood pleaded, at the front of the pack. "The Quidditch match is tomorrow, and I must see Harry. It's important."
If there was anyone who wanted to see Harry the most, he would definitely be among the top three.
Although they were over five hundred points behind the leading Hufflepuff, there was still hope as long as the last game hadn't been played yet.
What if a miracle happened...
But without Harry, their most important Seeker, there was no hope at all. They might even end up in last place, setting a new record low for Gryffindor in the past decade.
If that happened, Professor McGonagall would surely hang him from the Astronomy Tower... The thought sent shivers down Wood's spine.
So, no matter how much Madam Pomfrey refused, he clung to the door frame stubbornly, refusing to let go.
Not far away, Dumbledore, who had just come out of the hospital wing, smiled with relief at the scene:
"It seems that Harry is quite popular. It's heartwarming to see so many people care about him."
Next to him was another person.
For once, Snape refrained from making any sarcastic remarks. He merely gave Dumbledore a complex look.
"So this was your plan, to let Potter face the mystery man alone. He could have died..."
"Trust me, Severus..." Dumbledore said in a low voice. "Harry will eventually have to face Voldemort, and there's no avoiding it. He must learn to overcome his fears."
"Hmph, letting a child be the savior..." Snape scoffed, not sure if his disdain was directed at Harry or Dumbledore. "He's as mediocre as his father, arrogant, always breaking the rules, seeking attention, and being insolent... Honestly, I don't see any possibility of him defeating the Dark Lord."
"You see what you expect to see, Severus," Dumbledore said, turning and walking into the castle without looking back. "The other professors say the boy is humble, amicable, and talented. I personally find him a likable child."
"Talented?" Snape's expression turned strange, as if he had just heard that the Ministry of Magic was giving away Felix Felicis for free... Absurd.
If Dumbledore had said this about Kyle, his reaction wouldn't have been so intense.
Although he disliked Kyle, Snape had to admit that the little brat was indeed clever.
After all, even he couldn't brew the perfect Elixir of Life in his second year.
As for Harry Potter... he couldn't even get the most basic Boil Cure potion right.
And yet, he was considered talented?
However, thinking of Kyle, Snape suddenly asked in a low voice, "So, you really don't know what happened in the underground classroom at the time?"
"Of course not, Severus. I have no reason to lie to you," Dumbledore shook his head. "Hogwarts Castle is vast, and even I can't possibly see everything that goes on."
"What about the mirror then..."
"He has never looked into the Mirror of Erised, not once," Dumbledore's gaze turned profound. "In that regard, he is clearer-headed than any of us."
Snape fell silent again, and after a long while, he continued, "Aren't you worried that Quirrell will take the Philosopher's Stone? I thought you'd be keeping a close eye on him."
As they spoke, the two had already arrived at the restricted area.
Roe had been sent away, and the entrance room looked empty. They passed through the trapdoor and entered the room below.
Neither Dumbledore nor Snape had brought their brooms, nor did they need to.
This small height was as easy as descending a staircase for them.
Upon landing, Snape's expression changed, and he bent down to pick up a leaf from the ground.
"Biting Kale... If I remember correctly, Pomona should have put Devil's Snare here."
"Perhaps someone thought the Devil's Snare was too simple and decided to increase the difficulty." Dumbledore smiled.
"I don't think it was Quirrell."
Snape stroked the leaf in his hand thoughtfully. "To plant such dangerous plants so freely and leave them unattended in the school... If Quirrell hadn't come down earlier, Potter and the others might have ended up in the hospital wing as well...
To be so careless with lives, aren't you worried he will become the next Dark Lord?"
Snape didn't specify who he was referring to, but Dumbledore could guess.
"You're wrong," Dumbledore shook his head. "In fact, Harry and the others rode their brooms down, and even without Quirrell, they wouldn't have been affected."
Dumbledore continued calmly, "And Kyle won't and can't become the next Dark Lord.
He has a warm family and close friends he can confide in. He is passionate about learning magic but is not obsessed with power.
Oh, and he has his own pursuits, which are completely different from Voldemort."
"Pursuits? You can't be referring to those fraudulent amulets and shoddy maps..." Snape suddenly felt a toothache coming on.
If these were Kyle's pursuits, then Slytherin House had certainly contributed a lot.
Dumbledore blinked, "At least the students seem to like them, don't they?"
"Fine, let's say you're right. What about the Mind-Closing Spell then?" Snape mused. "Who would need to master the Mind-Closing Spell in their second year if they didn't have something to hide?"
"You should know, Severus, that we cannot use Legilimency on students." Dumbledore's tone turned stern.
"It was just a test." Snape scoffed. "The way he acted so boldly... it was too obvious."
"But you must understand, Severus, that having secrets is not an unforgivable act. It's your prejudice against Kyle that's clouding your judgment."
Snape furrowed his brows, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
"Oh, right." Dumbledore seemed to suddenly remember something and sighed. "Because of the severe fire, I couldn't hide what happened in the underground classroom from Kyle and Harry's families. They should be arriving soon."
"Do you remember? Last year, because of Oren, Diana visited the school. I must say, even after all these years, that child hasn't changed at all. She's still so... fiery."
Snape's expression soured at a visible rate, and he asked coldly, "When will she arrive?"
"She should be here soon," Dumbledore thought. "But it could also be Chris who comes."
"Good."
Snape turned and left the room without another word.
"Are you going to greet her?"
"No... Whether she comes or not has nothing to do with me."
Snape didn't turn back as he replied, "I just suddenly remembered that I forgot to pick up a batch of potion ingredients I ordered from Hogsmeade."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
