Chapter 268: Snape's Disappointment
Chapter 268: Snape's Disappointment
"Are you ready, Kyle?" Newt called out from a distance, standing in an open area outside the room. "We should set off now if we want to make it in time for dinner."
That was true, but...
Kyle looked up at the darkening sky. Indeed, it was about time for the train to arrive, barring any unforeseen circumstances.
However, there was something he couldn't quite understand.
"Aren't you supposed to take me to Hogwarts?" he asked, puzzled by Newt's distance. "And why is Fawkes suddenly on my shoulder?"
Kyle's throat twitched as a possible explanation occurred to him.
He looked at Newt questioningly. "You're sending me to Hogwarts, right?"
"Actually, I just received a letter," Newt replied, turning his head away and avoiding Kyle's gaze. "Something's amiss with the black dragons in the Hebridean Islands, and I need to go there immediately."
"Because it's urgent, Fawkes will have to take you back to school instead."
Hearing Newt's explanation, Kyle's expression fell. He gazed at Newt with a hint of dismay.
"Ahem, I know the phoenix's Disillusionment isn't exactly comfortable," Newt said, sensing Kyle's unease, "but... well, it's not that bad."
Noticing Kyle's skeptical look, Newt felt even more guilty, but he persevered. "And aside from Dumbledore, you're probably the only wizard favored by a phoenix. It's a rare opportunity..."
"If this is such a rare opportunity... I think I'll pass," Kyle thought bitterly.
The phoenix's mode of transportation was not merely "uncomfortable"; it was a jarring experience even by magical world standards.
Recalling his journey from the day before, Kyle's legs still felt like jelly. He hadn't fully recovered from the ordeal.
"I can go back by myself," Kyle said, extending his hand to glance at the ring on it.
He still had two more uses of the Disillusionment charm, so he could easily return to school on his own.
Or, to be more precise, he would agree to anything that would get Fawkes off his shoulder, even if it meant using up both opportunities.
Unfortunately, Fawkes didn't seem inclined to oblige.
Perhaps offended by Kyle's blatant rejection, the phoenix tightened its claws on his shoulder without warning and spread its wings.
Kyle's vision was once again filled with the familiar red light. Just as he was about to protest, he saw Newt dart forward with uncanny agility and toss a fruit into his pocket.
And then... everything went dark.
He had been rolled up into a "travel ball" once more and was now at the mercy of the battering ram that seemed intent on pounding him mercilessly...
Meanwhile, in the underground classroom at Hogwarts...
Harry and Ron huddled in a corner, their clothes dirty as if they had just rolled in the mud.
In reality, their situation was far worse. Instead of going to the station, they had flown straight to Hogwarts in Mr. Weasley's nine-hand-modified Ford car.
Upon arriving at Hogwarts, the car had crashed into a Whomping Willow. If not for the car's miraculous restart, they would surely have been pounded into pancakes by the furious tree branches.
The journey had been nothing short of harrowing, an experience comparable to their encounter with Voldemort last year.
At least, that's how Harry felt.
Now, the two friends anxiously faced a row of professors, with Dumbledore standing in the center, awaiting their verdict.
"Are we expelled, then...?" Ron asked, his voice laced with despair.
"Not today, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore said sternly, fixing them with a severe gaze. "But I must impress upon you the seriousness of your actions.
I will write to your families this evening, and I must warn you that if there is a repeat of such behavior, expulsion will be the only option."
"Bang!"
Before he could finish his sentence, a burst of fire exploded in front of him.
The next second, a person and a bird suddenly appeared in the underground classroom.
"It's you..."
When Snape recognized the newcomer, his expression changed again, this time to one of delight.
Excellent, the giant monster that attended his class was gone!
"Yet another young wizard who didn't take the school carriage..." Snape drawled, "It seems this year's expulsion list for Hogwarts is going to be a long one."
"Oh dear, what is the meaning of this?"
Professor McGonagall was startled as well, eyeing Kyle who was leaning against the wall, one hand on his head and the other on his stomach, looking like he had imbibed some dodgy alcohol.
"What's wrong with him?"
"It's alright, Minerva, no need to worry." Dumbledore paused, then smiled warmly, "He's just not accustomed to the phoenix's Disillusionment yet, he'll be fine in a moment."
Disillusionment...
Professor McGonagall realized they were inside the castle, where Disillusionment was prohibited.
However, after glancing at the phoenix, Fawkes, perched on Kyle's shoulder, she remained silent.
Obviously, phoenixes, like house-elves, were unaffected by such rules.
"Oh, Fawkes... It's wonderful to see you." Dumbledore said happily, "I was just wondering where you had gone."
Fawkes turned his head away haughtily, ignoring him.
Dumbledore didn't seem to mind.
The fact that Fawkes had come directly to his underground classroom spoke volumes.
At that moment, Kyle took out the fruits that Newt had given him and popped two into his mouth.
The sour-bitter taste exploded in his mouth, finally bringing some relief.
He gazed around at the familiar faces in confusion, "Is this... Hogwarts?"
"To be precise, it's the underground classroom." Dumbledore explained, "Fawkes came directly to find me, and I happened to have some business to take care of here."
That's right...
Kyle noticed the shelves lined with bottles and jars containing various mechanical parts... only in Snape's underground classroom would such things be found.
...Oh, and there he was.
Kyle spotted Snape, who seemed to be in a good mood, still smiling.
"Let Professor McGonagall decide the punishment for these two students, Severus." Dumbledore said to Snape.
Then he walked over to Kyle,
"Although you missed the Sorting, the feast still has some excellent food. Come with me, your friends must be worried sick."
"Wait, Professor Dumbledore... Have you forgotten something?" Snape frowned, "What about their punishment?"
He had realized by now that Dumbledore probably wasn't going to expel anyone, but things couldn't just be swept under the rug, could they?
"He hasn't broken any school rules, Severus."
Dumbledore said calmly, "Hogwarts allows students to return to school by alternative means, as long as it's not witnessed by too many Muggles."
Dumbledore glanced at Harry and Ron, then continued, "Come now, Severus, let's leave this to Minerva.
There's a treacle tart that looks rather tasty, and I'd like to give it a try."
Snape wanted to say something more, but he was pulled out of the office.
His feelings were complicated,
The giant monster that had just left had returned, and this time it had brought along its entire monstrous family.
(End of Chapter)
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