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Chapter 556: Testing the Waters
Chapter 556: Testing the Waters
Sirius and Lupin wasted no time, and the very next day, they began cleaning up the Shrieking Shack.
As Kyle had predicted, renovating a house that had been neglected for years was no easy task.
The place was infested with hags, trolls, and other pests, and Lupin even found two Boggarts in the attic.
Sirius suggested tearing down the entire house and rebuilding it, thinking it might be quicker, but Lupin disagreed.
He believed the Shrieking Shack was still sturdy, and it would be a waste to demolish it entirely. After much debate, they settled on a compromise.
They decided to keep the house but get rid of everything inside.
The subsequent cleanup went much faster.
Kyle had visited earlier, following the secret passage under the Whomping Willow.
Lupin and Sirius were working up a sweat, and the shop owners of Hogsmeade, curious about the commotion, gathered around to see what was happening.
Some kind-hearted individuals, like Ambrose Flume and his wife from Honeydukes, even helped clear the weeds and carnivorous bogeys from the yard.
Aside from them, the other shop owners were also friendly and welcoming.
Hogsmeade was a small community, and the shop owners were happy to welcome new members.
The Shrieking Shack, despite its notorious reputation, had become an outdated legend, and its overgrown state had somewhat tarnished Hogsmeade's image.
Kyle didn't stay long, only about half an hour, before Lupin sent him back.
According to Lupin, cleaning was a simple task that didn't require many hands. Moreover, it wasn't Hogsmeade's visiting day, and if Kyle were spotted by the Three Broomsticks' patrons, he would surely lose points or even be confined to the castle.
Kyle didn't argue and obediently headed back.
After leaving the secret passage, Kyle encountered Harry, Hermione, and Ron... or so I assume. They were wearing Harry's Invisibility Cloak, but their feet were sticking out, creating a rather peculiar sight."
However, they were already approaching the Whomping Willow, so Kyle pretended not to notice and continued on his way.
...
On Monday morning, Dumbledore returned to the castle.
Simultaneously, a brief line appeared in the day's newspaper:
[The proposed law to restrict the Aurors was not passed.]
The text was tiny, sandwiched between two articles, and one might easily miss it if not looking closely.
Despite this, Professor Moody's anger hadn't subsided. During the first afternoon session of Defense Against the Dark Arts, he openly criticized the Ministry officials for their incompetence, claiming they only engaged in empty rhetoric without understanding the challenges Aurors faced.
"I think the professor is right," Autumn nodded in agreement from below. "If the Ministry had passed that restrictive law, I wouldn't even consider becoming an Auror."
"Don't worry," Kyle assured her. "If they had passed it... we'd see mass resignations from the Aurors tomorrow."
As he spoke, Kyle put the Marauder's Map back into his pocket.
Fortunately, Professor Moody's name was still absent from the map, just like before.
However, out of caution, Kyle rushed out of the classroom as soon as the class ended and caught up with Professor Moody, who hadn't gone far.
"Professor..." Kyle said calmly, "weren't you going to check our progress with the Iron Body Spell?"
I see you didn't mention this just now, so is it the content of the next class?"
"Iron Body Spell?"
Professor Moody's normal eye and his blue magical eye both looked over.
"I think you must have remembered it wrong."
He said very firmly, "The Iron Body Spell is the content of the first class, and I've spent a long time teaching you. Whether you've learned it or not, I won't waste time on this spell again. It's meaningless."
"Then maybe I really remembered it wrong." Kyle said. "Maybe it was Professor Black who said it. He's been teaching us for the past month."
"If that's the case, then you can just forget about it." Professor Moody glanced at the students in the corridor. "At least during my class, I will definitely not waste time checking your Iron Body Spell."
"I understand, Professor." Kyle said and prepared to leave.
Professor Moody's blue magical eye followed Kyle's movement, and a scary smile appeared on his scarred face.
"I have to say, your vigilance is impressive, kid."
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His hoarse voice said, "The bureaucrats at the Ministry are even worse than children. Not one of them suspected that I might be someone else in disguise, and not a single one was on guard."
"I don't understand what you're saying, Professor." Kyle looked at him in confusion.
Although he was indeed testing him, it would be impolite to say it to his face.
However, Professor Moody continued as if he hadn't heard Kyle's explanation:
"Verifying my identity is necessary." He patted the water flask in his pocket. "Everyone knows I only drink my own water. If someone wants to impersonate me, they just need to put Polyjuice Potion into the water and drink a sip every hour. It's that simple."
Kyle didn't say anything, mainly because he didn't know what to say. After all, it was true that someone could do that.
"Do you want to be an Auror?" Professor Moody suddenly asked.
"An Auror?" Kyle shook his head. "Not for now, but I might consider it in the future."
"Then you really should give it some serious thought." Professor Moody said, pointing to his magical eye. "I trust my judgment. You're smart, and more vigilant than most people. This is especially important, just like I've always said, staying alert is the most powerful weapon for an Auror.
And you, you possess this weapon. I dare say that in the future, you will definitely become a legendary Auror, just like your mother."
"My mother?" Kyle, who had only wanted to quickly dismiss Professor Moody, showed surprise and doubt for the first time. "But Professor, I think you must have remembered wrong. My mother wasn't an Auror."
"Remembered wrong? No, not at all." Professor Moody laughed again. "Diana, that kid, didn't just join the Department of Mysteries after graduation. She was one of the most outstanding and promising Aurors I've ever seen.
"Before I retired, I once thought she would take over the Auror Office in the future. Unfortunately, she didn't choose to stay here.
"But now it seems her decision was right. The Ministry of Magic is rotten to the core... and that Cornelius Fudge, he's only interested in gaining more power instead of being a good Minister."
Professor Moody started ranting again. He didn't say anything more to Kyle and limped towards the office.
Even though he had walked quite far away, Kyle could still hear his grumbling.
...
(End of Chapter)
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