https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-579-Karkaroff-s-Strange-Behavior/12538919/
Chapter 580: The Department of Mysteries' Floo Network
Chapter 580: The Department of Mysteries' Floo Network
As Kyle followed Professor McGonagall and the others through the silent entrance hall, his mind raced with thoughts. Soon, they arrived at the school hospital.
Filch was placed on the innermost bed, with Mrs. Norris leaping up to join him. Next to them lay Viktor Krum.
"Professor, why is Krum here?" Harry asked curiously, as he had not witnessed the event, not knowing what had transpired during the task.
"He collided with the three-headed dog," Professor McGonagall whispered. "If he hadn't fired a red signal into the sky in time, he might not have just been knocked unconscious.
"I've said it before, having the Acromantula and the Sphinx in the maze was enough without adding a three-headed dog into the mix."
At this moment, Madam Pomfrey, who had just approached, twitched her lips. Each magical creature's name that Professor McGonagall mentioned was like a stab at her nerves.
Although Madam Pomfrey was aware that this was part of the Triwizard Tournament and that dangers were to be expected, it didn't mean she had to like it.
In fact, ever since the first task, she had been grumbling non-stop about Dumbledore's decision to host the tournament.
"I really hope they won't hold this kind of event again... at least not at Hogwarts," Madam Pomfrey muttered as she walked over. "Those dangerous creatures shouldn't be brought into the school."
"You're absolutely right," Professor McGonagall agreed, nodding. "But rest assured, the Triwizard Tournament only takes place once every five years, and the three schools take turns hosting it. It won't be Hogwarts' turn again for another fifteen years...
"That is, if they don't cancel the tournament after this," Professor McGonagall added.
With the Triwizard Cup being turned into a Portkey and the serious consequences that had unfolded, coupled with Voldemort's return, it was hard to say if the tournament would be discontinued.
However, Kyle didn't particularly care about that. Having already won the championship once, he was indifferent to whether the tournament continued or not.
Harry, standing beside him, felt the same. He was already in his fourth year, so the next tournament wouldn't concern him anyway.
"Here you go."
Madam Pomfrey walked up to Harry and handed him a purple potion.
"You need to drink it all," she said. "It will help you sleep comfortably."
Harry took the bottle and drank a few mouthfuls.
The potion worked quickly, and he soon found himself in a dazed state. He stumbled over to the nearest bed and fell asleep.
"And this is for you."
Madam Pomfrey took out another identical bottle and turned to Kyle.
"Thanks," Kyle said, putting the bottle into his pocket, intending to drink it later when he returned to the dormitory.
Madam Pomfrey gave Kyle another once-over, seeing that he seemed none the worse for wear, and left it at that.
At that moment, the door of the hospital wing opened again, and Chris and Diana walked in, one after the other.
"Go on now," Professor McGonagall said. "I'm sure they have a lot to talk to you about, but this is hardly the place for a chat."
Kyle nodded and turned to leave the hospital wing.
The three of them made their way outside to the courtyard.
"What happened?" Chris asked eagerly. "Why did you suddenly disappear when you touched the Triwizard Cup? I don't remember that being part of the rules."
"It was Karkaroff," Kyle explained. "He turned the cup into a Portkey."
He then proceeded to briefly recount what had transpired on the mountain peak.
Upon hearing the news of Voldemort's resurrection, Chris shuddered visibly.
"Is it true?" he blurted out.
"Professor Dumbledore witnessed it as well, and he's discussing it with Minister Fudge right now," Kyle said.
Surprisingly, the two of them took the news rather well.
"No wonder Karkaroff insisted on putting the cup in the maze," Chris muttered. "He was plotting this all along."
"Are you alright?" Diana asked, holding onto Kyle and examining him closely.
"I'm fine, Mom," Kyle assured her. "I used the phoenix feather, and Professor Dumbledore arrived in time to get Harry and me out of there."
"And I have this..." He opened his hand to reveal a ring.
Only then did Diana breathe a sigh of relief. In her worry after hearing Voldemort's name, she had momentarily forgotten about the ring.
Chris knew he was at fault and remained silent.
If he had known this would happen, he definitely wouldn't have let Karkaroff touch the Goblet. But the problem was that no one could have anticipated it.
So, in the face of his wife's anger, he could only lower his head and say nothing.
Kyle also remained quiet. His intuition told him that if he spoke up for Chris right now, he would also be scolded. It was better to stay silent until Diana's anger had passed him by.
Fortunately, a few minutes later, an owl flew across the dark night sky and landed in front of Diana.
Unlike other owls, its eyes were blue, and it carried no letters in its claws.
After spotting Diana, it opened and closed its beak as if speaking.
Strangely, Kyle didn't hear a sound.
"This is an owl from the Department of Mysteries," Chris whispered in explanation. "Only the Unspeakables can hear their voices."
Kyle nodded.
The owl then closed its beak and flew back into the night sky.
Diana looked somewhat agitated. "I must go now. We'll talk about your questions later." She glared at Chris before turning to Kyle.
"And the same goes for you. Whatever you may have discovered or whatever ideas you have, stay put in the castle until the holidays. Don't go anywhere, or else..."
Diana narrowed her eyes, and Kyle felt the temperature around them drop noticeably. He quickly nodded and said, "Don't worry, I'll stay here at school and won't go anywhere."
"Good." Diana's expression softened slightly. "Be extra careful now. Things are different than before..."
She leaned forward and gently kissed Kyle's forehead.
However, just as Kyle was about to say something, he noticed Diana's expression change once more.
"Tell me the truth!" she demanded sternly. "When you were on that mountain peak, did you kill a Death Eater?"
This...
Kyle's heart skipped a beat.
To avoid unnecessary trouble, he hadn't told anyone about this, not even Harry. Upon returning, he had specifically instructed Harry to keep quiet about it.
And Harry, understanding the seriousness of the matter, had selectively ignored this detail when speaking to Dumbledore and Sirius Black, only mentioning that Kyle had used flames to drive back the Death Eater.
But how did Diana know... Her tone just now wasn't one of suspicion, but of certainty.
"Tell me, is it true?" Diana asked again.
"Yes..." Kyle admitted quietly. "But it's not my fault. He ran too fast, and I was only defending myself. The Aurors shouldn't have a problem with that, right..."
"If it was truly a Death Eater, then it's fine." Diana waved her hand, interrupting Kyle.
She frowned in thought for a moment, her anger seeming to grow. She glared at Chris again and grit her teeth. "Look what you've done!"
"I..." Chris opened his mouth, then let out a heavy sigh.
To be honest, he hadn't anticipated this either, and he didn't want Kyle to be exposed to such matters prematurely.
Even if they were to experience another war like the one from over a decade ago, facing Voldemort and his Death Eaters, it wasn't Kyle's place to get involved; he was still a student who hadn't even graduated.
"Never mind, we'll talk about this later." Diana checked the time. "I must leave now, but remember, no matter what happens, do not leave Hogwarts before the holidays."
She reminded Kyle once more, then disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Kyle was taken aback for a moment before asking subconsciously, "Has the school lifted the restriction on apparition?"
"No, this wasn't apparition." Chris shook his head. "It's a special type of targeted magic that allows Unspeakables to return to the Department of Mysteries instantly, but it has many limitations and can only be used when receiving an owl from the department."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
