https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-327-Dumbledore-Loses-His-Composure/12538541/
Chapter 328: What Are You Looking At?
Chapter 328: What Are You Looking At?
The atmosphere in the headmaster's office was tranquil as Dumbledore gazed at the Time-Turner on his desk, deep in thought.
Kyle looked up and his eyes inadvertently fell on a pair of partially knitted woolen socks sitting on a shelf behind Dumbledore. The socks were white, and each had an intricate, blue "A" knitted into them.
"Headmaster, do you like the color blue?" Kyle asked suddenly.
"I have a slight preference for purple." Dumbledore turned back with a curious expression, "Why do you ask?"
"Just wondering," Kyle shook his head, "Professor Dumbledore, I'll leave the Time-Turner with you then. I hope you can repair it soon."
"Thank you for your trust, Kyle," Dumbledore's eyes sparkled, and he seemed to have become more spirited.
"I was thinking..."
"Bang!"
At that moment, a loud and heavy knocking sound came from outside the door. It was so loud that it seemed as if someone was banging on the door.
Kyle glanced at Dumbledore and was about to go open the door when Lucius Malfoy walked in, followed by a timid house-elf wrapped in bandages.
Intruding into the Hogwarts headmaster's office—this was a first in many years.
However, Dumbledore didn't seem angry at all. He pushed up his glasses and greeted Lucius with a pleasant expression.
"Good evening, Lucius."
"Sorry, I didn't realize your door here was so flimsy." There was no trace of apology on Lucius Malfoy's face, only unabashed satisfaction.
He took out a long roll of parchment, "You should remember what we discussed before. If you can't stop the attacks, you'll have to step down.
So... here's your temporary suspension order, signed by all twelve board members. We feel that you haven't lived up to your talents, and poor Weasley probably thought you would protect him... "
"Of course, I remember what you said," Dumbledore replied calmly with a smile, "But strangely, I just received letters from the other eleven board members as well. After learning that Arthur Weasley's son was attacked, they've changed their minds and want to retract their signatures from the suspension order."
Eleven letters were laid out on the table, and Lucius Malfoy's face turned even paler than usual, but he wasn't ready to give up.
"But you promised that if you couldn't resolve the attacks, you would resign..." he said suggestively, "Are you planning to go back on your word, the great Mr. Dumbledore?
Of course, if that's what you wish, it's fine. There may just be some unfavorable comments in tomorrow's Prophet, but I hope you won't mind."
There was a strange glint in Dumbledore's eyes.
He hadn't said a word during the board meeting. How did he end up promising to resign?
But he didn't dwell on it.
"So, have you caught the culprit?" Lucius asked aggressively.
"Yes, we have," Dumbledore smiled.
"Oh? Who is it!"
"It's the same person as last time, Lucius." Dumbledore pointed to the diary on the table, "Voldemort has just chosen a different method this time."
Lucius remained silent, his face stiff as if wearing a mask.
"It's fortunate," Dumbledore stared into Malfoy's eyes, speaking in a calm tone, "Just ten minutes ago, Kyle... oh, this young man here, single-handedly resolved the incident. I was just about to present him with a Special Contribution Award."
"I have to say..." he patted Kyle's shoulder, "With this, you now have three Special Contribution Awards, one each year... You're probably the most outstanding student Hogwarts has ever seen."
"Thank you for the compliment, Professor," Kyle said humbly, "I still have a long way to go to catch up with you."
"I didn't receive this many Contribution Awards when I was a student."
...
The two shared a smile, indulging in mutual praise as if no one else was present.
But there was always someone who wanted to spoil the mood.
Malfoy's venomous gaze swept over.
Kyle, annoyed by his stare, frowned and placed his hand on the box, "What are you looking at?"
Since that was the case, he wouldn't hold back either.
"Mr. Malfoy, do you know what this is?" Kyle picked up the diary and held it out.
"It's just a cheap Muggle notebook," Malfoy scoffed, refusing to take it. "I wouldn't touch something so filthy."
Despite his words, a flash of anger crossed his face as he saw the damaged diary.
"My mistake," Kyle said, unfazed. He took a pair of gloves from the nearby shelf, put them on, and then handed the diary to Lucius.
"I found this in Ginny's old books," Kyle continued. "If I'm not mistaken, you must have slipped it into her stack at Flourish and Blotts during the chaos."
Lucius' pale hands clenched into fists and then relaxed. "Do you have any proof?" he asked hoarsely.
"No, but that doesn't matter," Kyle waved dismissively. "What's important is that this diary is as important as life itself to Tom Riddle, because it contains his soul. Or, should I say, it used to contain his soul. Now, it's completely empty, leaving nothing behind."
For a moment, the diary seemed to transform into a burning-hot iron in Lucius Malfoy's eyes, and he instinctively threw it away. Fortunately, his house-elf was quick to catch it.
"Mr. Malfoy, it seems you know who Tom Riddle is," Kyle said with a smile. "Regardless, we should thank the person who took out the diary; they did us a huge favor."
"Indeed," Dumbledore smiled and nodded. "And they also revealed Voldemort's greatest secret. We truly owe them a debt of gratitude."
Lucius Malfoy's face had drained of all color, and his right hand twitched as if he wanted to reach for his wand. But he restrained himself, turned, and left the room in a daze.
Not a word was spoken during his exit.
"It looks like someone won't be sleeping well tonight," Dumbledore commented as he stood up. "But, Kyle... could you tell me how you knew about Horcruxes? This ancient and evil branch of Dark Magic is unknown to most, even among our professors."
His tone was calm, as if he were asking about a casual lunch menu.
"I came across it by chance during the holidays in one of Mr. Nicolas Flamel's published articles," Kyle replied nonchalantly. "He refuted the notion that Horcruxes were a branch of alchemy."
"The article from 1689?" Dumbledore asked after a moment's thought.
He recalled that Flamel had indeed written such an article.
"Yes, and the supplementary notes from 1691," Kyle added. "Coincidentally, that diary perfectly matched all the characteristics of a Horcrux..."
"I see," Dumbledore smiled. "I thought perhaps the founders had enlightened you during your time in the Chamber of Secrets... Would you care for some tea or lemon water?"
"Lemon water, please."
Kyle turned his gaze toward the window, feigning interest in the gloomy sky outside, while inwardly thinking, 'If I hadn't seen that article... then it would've been their doing.'
Dumbledore didn't pursue the topic further. Instead, he walked over to Fawkes and gently stroked the phoenix's feathers. "You were a bit impulsive earlier."
"Impulsive?" Kyle asked. "Do you mean that I shouldn't have told Lucius about the Horcrux?"
"No, that's not what I meant," Dumbledore shook his head. "I spent two days knitting those gloves, intending to give them as a gift."
"Oh..." Kyle was at a loss for words. "Should I chase after him and get them back?"
Dumbledore considered for a moment, then shook his head. "Never mind, I'll knit another pair. I should have plenty of free time from today onward."
(End of Chapter)
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