Chapter 327: Dumbledore's Bewilderment
Chapter 327: Dumbledore's Bewilderment
The young Voldemort and the diary containing his sixteen-year-old soul... There was too much information to process, and Professor McGonagall needed a moment to gather herself.
"But I'm more curious about what happened in between." Dumbledore turned to the Basilisk beside Kyle.
As if sensing a deadly threat, the Basilisk exposed its long fangs and instinctively tried to open its eyes...
Kyle raised his hand and slapped the Basilisk's head with a round motion.
You dare to open your eyes in front of Dumbledore? You must be asking for trouble.
"Snap!"
The sound was crisp.
In an instant, everyone present widened their eyes in shock. Flitwick let out a startled cry, and Professor Sprout covered her mouth.
Then, they all raised their wands, fearing that the Basilisk would swallow Kyle in the next moment.
Even Dumbledore held a uniquely shaped wand in his hand.
However, instead of becoming enraged, the Basilisk actually calmed down and closed its mouth, lying back down.
"Don't worry, Professor," Kyle said with a smile, "It's now my... pet, and it won't harm anyone."
The Chamber of Secrets fell into silence. Even the experienced professors found it hard to comprehend what had just happened... It was as if they had witnessed Peeves jumping up and slapping a dragon, with an impact no less than that of the young Voldemort.
After an unknown amount of time, Snape finally spoke:
"Am I to understand that... you're claiming the school's property as your own?"
He put his wand back into his robe, stating matter-of-factly, "This is Slytherin's Chamber of Secrets, and this Basilisk is probably the monster. Since it's Slytherin's legacy, it naturally belongs to... the school."
"No, it's mine." Kyle shook his head, "Salazar Slytherin gave it to me."
"..."
"Headmaster, I think we should go to the Hospital Wing as soon as possible." Snape dragged out his words, "Madam Pomfrey should be able to fix his mind."
However, Dumbledore merely looked at Kyle,
"It seems you've experienced more than we imagined."
"It was indeed memorable, Professor," Kyle smiled.
"Wait, Professor Dumbledore..." Snape frowned, "You don't actually believe his nonsense, do you?"
"In fact, I fully believe you, Severus." Dumbledore walked up to the statue, crouched down, and carefully picked up the Time Turner, examining it closely in his hand.
It was completely broken, its color dull and lifeless, with cracks all over. A slight force could easily crush it.
"I think this is Slytherin's true legacy..."
Dumbledore spoke in a trembling voice, "This is the earliest Time Turner, also known as a Time Reversal Device. It can transcend time and allow the user to communicate with someone from the past or future as if they were old friends."
As Dumbledore spoke, his voice grew softer, and his hand unconsciously tightened its grip...
"Crack!"
Like a crushed potato chip, the Time Turner broke into two halves from the middle, with smaller fragments falling through his fingers onto the ground.
Dumbledore quickly cast a spell similar to the Bubble-Head Charm to protect his hand and, without regard for his dignity, picked up all the fallen fragments.
He even collected the dust from the ground and put it into a bag.
"If you don't need to go to the Hospital Wing..." Dumbledore raised his head, "Kyle, would you like to join me for a cup of tea?"
"Of course, Professor, I'd be delighted." Kyle said, "But could we have two portions of fried ribs? I haven't eaten in almost a day."
"Three portions would be fine too." Dumbledore smiled.
When everyone left the Chamber of Secrets, the morning sun shone through the windows, illuminating the castle's corridors.
They arrived at the Headmaster's Office, where Fox was already waiting, standing on the Basilisk's head with its body swaying vigorously.
Although the Basilisk obeyed Kyle's command and didn't resist, the act of Apparating with the Basilisk was still not an easy task for Fox.
But there was no other choice; Dumbledore couldn't let it strut through the castle, nor could he leave it in the Chamber of Secrets unattended.
Kyle walked into the Headmaster's office and placed the remains of Riddle's diary on the desk.
"During the holidays, I obtained this diary..."
Kyle omitted some details, only mentioning that he heard strange sounds at the start of the term and inadvertently discovered the Chamber of Secrets.
There was nothing else to hide.
Kyle recounted the entire incident, including his return to a few months prior and his encounter with the Hogwarts Founders...
Evidently, the professors were particularly intrigued by this part.
"Incredible," Professor McGonagall exclaimed, covering her mouth. "So, you truly met Godric Gryffindor?"
"Yes, a very reliable and friendly person," Kyle replied. "Just a bit eccentric and not very steady. The other three seemed quite annoyed with him."
Professor McGonagall's expression froze, and she fell silent.
"Astonishing..." Dumbledore whispered, turning to the surrounding professors. "I believe everyone should be awake by now. May I ask you to announce this good news?"
"And with all that has happened, it's worth holding a banquet to celebrate. Someone should also inform the kitchen."
"No problem," the professors promptly headed towards the door.
Only Snape hesitated for a moment.
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From the start, Snape had been staring at the basilisk coiled in the corner, his gaze filled with longing, as if he wanted to take it back to his private storage room.
"Headmaster, I insist that the basilisk is the school's property," Snape said. "Even if he did see Salazar Slytherin, such a dangerous creature cannot be entrusted to a third-year student. Don't forget the previous attack incidents."
"I will give you a satisfactory answer, Severus," Dumbledore said.
"I hope so," Snape replied as he left.
"I suddenly feel this place is a bit small..." Dumbledore said after the door closed.
"Leave it to me, Professor," Kyle hurriedly put down his fried pork chop and took out a box, placing the basilisk inside.
"Much more spacious now," Dumbledore smiled. "But when you leave, remember to leave the box here."
"Okay," Kyle nodded helplessly.
"Professor Snape is right. I can't allow a basilisk to roam freely in the castle, no matter how safe it is. But..."
Dumbledore blinked, "When the school is on holiday, I'll give it to Newt. That's the most appropriate solution."
"You've thought it through, Headmaster," Kyle promptly placed the box on the desk. "I believe Mr. Scamander will take good care of the basilisk!"
"I think so too."
Dumbledore pushed a treacle tart towards Kyle, "Try this, I think it's very good."
Kyle cut a piece and put it in his mouth, and then he never looked at it again.
Too sweet! Did the kitchen use all the sugar? Ten minutes later, Kyle finished the last sip of pumpkin juice and looked up at Dumbledore, who had been silent all this time.
"There's one more thing, Professor... Salazar Slytherin also left this for me."
"Yes, you're right. I almost forgot," Dumbledore said as if he had just remembered.
Dumbledore removed the plate and placed the time-turner he had picked up from the Chamber of Secrets on the desk.
"I have a request, Kyle," he whispered. "Could you... let me keep it?"
"But it's broken, Professor," Kyle said. "The magic is exhausted, and it's shattered into pieces that can't be put back together."
"But Professor Dumbledore, we can't change what has already happened," Kyle said, intentionally or unintentionally. "And Godric Gryffindor once warned me to never touch time."
"I just... want to fix it," Dumbledore said.
For the first time, Kyle saw a fleeting glimpse in Dumbledore's eyes, as if their identities had momentarily switched.
...
(End of Chapter)
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