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Chapter 579: Kakaroff's Strange Behavior
Chapter 579: Kakaroff's Strange Behavior
Kyle's words instantly lightened the tense atmosphere in the Headmaster's Office, even causing the usually serious Dumbledore to chuckle.
Indeed, the idea was quite tempting.
"Alastor, Kyle is only in his fifth year," Dumbledore said. "Let's discuss this after he graduates."
"Perhaps you're right, Dumbledore," Professor Moody said, changing the subject. "Should we inform Fudge about this? He might still be here."
"Of course," Dumbledore replied. "Voldemort's resurgence concerns the entire magical world. We can't handle this on our own."
"Severus," he turned to Snape, "please go to the stadium and find our Minister. Bring him to this office; we need to have a serious talk."
Snape silently nodded and quickly left the room.
"Professor," Kyle suddenly spoke up, "I don't think Fudge would want to hear this news."
"And without concrete evidence to prove Voldemort's identity, your conversation will likely end in disagreement."
"Perhaps you're right. No one wants to hear about Voldemort's resurgence, and I firmly believe that," Dumbledore said calmly. "But as I mentioned earlier, we can't do much against Voldemort on our own."
"Dumbledore, have you captured any Death Eaters?" Professor Moody asked.
"Unfortunately, no," Dumbledore shook his head. "They were too fast, and I couldn't afford to be distracted at the time."
The atmosphere in the room became heavy again.
Well, without any evidence and just talking, Kyle could already envision the scene of Fudge and Dumbledore parting ways.
As for using the Pensieve to relive Dumbledore's memories, it was indeed a good idea, but Fudge wouldn't watch it.
Even if Dumbledore forced him, he would find reasons to dismiss it as a fabricated memory.
Everyone fell silent.
Fawkes flew down from his perch and landed on Kyle's leg.
Kyle stroked the phoenix's golden-red feathers.
Indeed, the phoenix was a truly magical creature, and it was because of the tail feather Fawkes had given him during Christmas that Kyle had the courage to touch the Triwizard Cup in the maze.
Without Dumbledore, he might have still escaped from the mountain, but he would have been in a worse state than he was now.
"Alright, Fudge is coming right now," Dumbledore suddenly looked at Kyle and Harry and said, "I believe you two don't want to be involved in the upcoming conversation, am I right?"
"Goodbye, Professor," Kyle was the first to stand up and walk towards the door.
Fawkes rubbed against his hand before returning to its perch.
"Goodbye, Professor," Harry seemed to realize and echoed.
"Goodbye... Oh, by the way, remember to find Madam Pomfrey," Dumbledore reminded them. "Get a bottle of Dreamless Sleep Potion; it will be good for you."
"Okay."
...
One by one, they left the office.
As Kyle stepped past the stone gargoyle, he saw Snape leading a cheerful Fudge towards them.
"Kyle, my boy, Dumbledore must be thrilled and unable to sleep," he said with a hearty laugh. "I brought a bottle of Ogden's Old Firewhisky. Come along, I think you're old enough to have a sip of this beverage."
"Thank you, Minister," Kyle said, "but I'm too tired now. I just want to go back and get a good night's rest."
"Yes, indeed, you should take a good rest," Fudge nodded. "Alright then, I'll ask Albus to save a cup for you, assuming he doesn't drink it himself..."
Fudge chuckled as he walked past them.
After leaving the Headmaster's Office, Kyle didn't return to the Common Room immediately. Instead, he decided to accompany Harry to the Hospital Wing to get the Dreamless Sleep Potion.
Dumbledore was right; after witnessing Voldemort's resurrection using his own blood, Harry indeed needed it.
As they reached the first-floor foyer, they encountered Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey, with a stretcher floating beside them, carrying the unconscious Filch.
"Professor," Kyle approached, "what happened to him?"
"He was hit by a Stunning Spell and was tossed into a box in his office," Professor McGonagall explained, "but fortunately, there's no danger to his life."
At that moment, Madam Pomfrey had already hurried away with the stretcher, and Professor McGonagall quickly followed, intending to question Filch when he woke up.
Harry trailed behind them.
Kyle glanced at Filch's office, now in disarray, with a cabinet leaning against the wall and its contents scattered on the floor.
"Meow..."
A cat emerged from under the table, wobbling and yowling at Kyle.
Judging by Mrs. Norris's limping, she hadn't escaped Barty Crouch Jr.'s attack unscathed.
However, it made sense; to target Filch, one would have to deal with Mrs. Norris...
Wait a minute.
Kyle suddenly recalled something.
During Christmas, Kakaroff inexplicably clashed with Filch, insisting on locking up Mrs. Norris and preventing her from roaming the school...
Could it be that they had planned to use Polyjuice Potion to impersonate Filch back then? This made sense, as Mrs. Norris had some Kneazle blood, and even with the Polyjuice Potion, she could instantly recognize if the "Filch" before her was genuine.
Moreover, with this cat and man always together, she was the only obstacle to impersonating Filch. Was Kakaroff already preparing for Barty Crouch Jr.'s actions at that time?
But that didn't add up... Kyle shook his head.
There was a significant difference between a wizard and a Squib; it wasn't just a matter of changing faces. Even if students didn't pay attention, there was still Professor Moody, who couldn't have missed it.
Kyle shook his head again, thinking he might be overthinking it. Perhaps it was just a personal grudge between Kakaroff and Filch.
Or, they might have planned to take action but abandoned their plan upon discovering Filch was a Squib. Instead, they chose to act against Harry at the last moment before the tournament, when all professors had left the castle.
As these thoughts ran through Kyle's mind, Mrs. Norris limped past him, chasing after Filch.
Kyle trailed behind, deep in thought.
Reflecting on Voldemort's resurrection, he realized there were too many coincidences.
He was certain that before Harry was captured, everyone in the school, including the judges, was genuine, and no one had used Polyjuice Potion. He had confirmed this multiple times using the Marauder's Map.
But how could Barty Crouch Jr. have been so lucky to appear at the most opportune moment, seizing Harry under Filch's identity?
And how was the Triwizard Cup replaced with a Portkey? Only the judges could have accessed it, so Kakaroff must have been involved.
This was a certainty.
But upon hearing the news of Voldemort's resurrection, shouldn't Kakaroff have fled immediately? After all, he had betrayed so many to save himself.
If anyone was least willing to see Voldemort resurrected, it was Kakaroff. How could he have wholeheartedly assisted Barty Crouch Jr.? It didn't make sense.
(End of Chapter)
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