Hogwarts: The Exemplary Wizard I Am Chapter 727: Snape's Reminder - Novel Cool

Chapter 727: Snape's Reminder

Chapter 727: Snape's Reminder

Katie Bell was sent to St. Mungo's that very afternoon.

Although Kyle had managed to disperse the dark magic from the onyx necklace in time, preventing her from suffering significant harm, she had indeed been hit by the Cruciatus Curse.

When it came to treating the injuries caused by such an Unforgivable Curse, St. Mungo's was undoubtedly more specialized. Additionally, the Hospital Wing couldn't provide a suitable environment for her to rest and recover.

As Katie left the school, news of what had happened to her in Hogsmeade spread throughout Hogwarts, but the details remained unclear. Aside from those who were present at the time, no one knew that the intended target of the onyx necklace was someone else.

Furthermore, Malfoy's fame soared as the unexpected points awarded to Slytherin and Hufflepuff sparked rampant speculation among the students.

Just then, word came that the points had been awarded to Draco Malfoy.

However, Malfoy himself, the central figure in this entire affair, didn't seem particularly pleased.

"I've said it countless times; I don't know what happened!" Malfoy snapped at Zabini beside him during dinner, "I went to Hogsmeade to send a letter, and I had no idea about that ridiculous attack."

"But people are saying..."

"People also say you're an idiot without a brain, aren't they?" Malfoy interrupted impatiently.

"And if you think about it, even if I had been there, do you think I'd willingly help a Gryffindor?"

"Definitely not," Zabini blurted out.

He knew Malfoy well, and if he had seen a Gryffindor student affected by dark magic, he would have just stood by and clapped.

"That's right," Malfoy said, "I wouldn't help a Gryffindor fool!"

He seemed to still be angry, vigorously cutting his steak, the knife making a squeaking sound as if he were about to cut through the plate as well.

"Then why did Professor McGonagall give you the points?" Pansy still didn't quite understand.

"Those points weren't given to me!" Malfoy roared, then abruptly stood up and left the Great Hall.

"Sorry, Draco, wait for me." Pansy, startled, quickly followed after him in a fluster.

"Look at him..." At the Gryffindor table, Ron glanced at the angry Malfoy leaving and whispered, "It's as if he thinks the points are a punishment. What a hypocrite. I bet he's secretly delighted."

"You're right," Harry agreed, nodding deeply.

In his mind, Malfoy was a show-off... When his mother sent him a package of high-end candies, he couldn't wait to let the whole school know, let alone this time when he got twenty points.

Given Malfoy's usual character, even if the points weren't awarded to him, he'd find a way to take credit for them.

"There's something odd about him," Harry said thoughtfully.

"Do you think that onyx necklace might be his doing?" Ron asked quietly.

"No, I don't think so," Harry said after some thought, "That onyx necklace was initially meant for Kyle. If Malfoy was behind all this, why go to such lengths? Don't forget that it was because of Malfoy that Kyle didn't touch it."

"Maybe he didn't intend to do that," Ron said, "Perhaps he wanted to celebrate in advance but ended up ruining his own plan."

"That's impossible," Hermione said, "No one would be so foolish, and I feel like he deliberately pushed me towards Katie."

"Do you mean Malfoy did it on purpose?" Hermione frowned.

"Just a feeling," Hermione said, "I can't be sure it's like that."

While they were discussing whether the necklace had anything to do with Malfoy, Kyle received a message from the Fat Friar.

Dumbledore had returned and wanted to see him in the Headmaster's Office.

"I knew that with such a big event happening at school, he wouldn't continue staying outside," Kyle finished his steak, bid farewell to Cona, and headed towards the Headmaster's Office alone.

He knocked on the door, and a voice from inside invited him in.

Dumbledore sat there, looking exceptionally weary, and Snape was also present. Between them on the table lay the onyx necklace.

"Oh, our lucky one has arrived," Snape said, dragging out the word as he saw Kyle enter.

From his tone, it seemed he was disappointed that Kyle hadn't personally touched the necklace.

However, Kyle pretended not to notice the hidden meaning in Snape's words and gave him a standard fake smile.

"Thanks to your concern, Professor,"

Snape snorted but didn't say anything further.

"Severus is also worried about you, Kyle. He just doesn't know how to express it," Dumbledore said, trying to smooth things over.

"If I've done something to give you that impression, I'll correct it as soon as possible," Snape said expressionlessly.

This time, both Dumbledore and Kyle ignored him in tacit understanding.

"It seems that by repeatedly ruining Tom's plans, you've pushed him to his limit," Dumbledore said, looking at the onyx necklace on the table, "His desire to get rid of you even surpasses that for Harry."

"Obviously," Kyle shrugged.

Back in Hogsmeade, he and Harry were separated only by Hermione, but Katie had handed the package to him without even glancing at Harry.

It was undeniable that this treatment made Kyle feel honored... How could he, an ordinary person, be placed before the famous savior?

"Tell me your thoughts," Dumbledore raised his head, and his deep blue eyes shone brightly through his glasses.

"This item is from Borgin and Burkes." Kyle's gaze fell on the necklace, "Harry mentioned seeing it there, which is normal."

"Everyone knows that if you want to get rid of someone, you go to Knockturn Alley, where you'll find cursed necklaces that drive people insane, forbidden books, and swords that stab people's hearts on their own..."

"As far as I know..." Snape narrowed his eyes, "Minors aren't allowed in Knockturn Alley, right?"

"Sorry, Professor, but the Ministry doesn't have such a law. It's just that parents don't allow their children to go to such places." Kyle casually explained, "And Harry accidentally stumbled into Knockturn Alley because it was his first time using Floo Powder and he wasn't familiar with the process."

Snape remained silent.

"So, who do you think bought it?" Dumbledore asked.

"I don't know." Kyle helplessly spread his hands, "The greedy Mr. Borgin never reveals his customers' information, and that's why his shop can continue operating in Knockturn Alley.

"After all, no one wants to be visited by the Aurors the day after they've made a purchase. So even if we ask, he won't tell us."

"Moreover, I guess Mr. Borgin also has ways to deal with Veritaserum and Legilimency."

"You guessed right." Dumbledore calmly confirmed, "As the owner of a long-established Dark Arts shop, Mr. Borgin indeed has many unknown tricks up his sleeve."

"That's a pity." Kyle sighed, "But I might have another way to get him to cooperate."

"No, Kyle." Dumbledore spoke in a low voice, "I can tell you in advance that no proper means will make Mr. Borgin submit."

"That's a pity." Kyle said again.

Dumbledore's intention was clear... no proper means.

This meant he didn't want Kyle to use his own methods to question Borgin.

"A pity?" Snape, standing nearby, glanced at Kyle, "What do you plan to do to the owner of Borgin and Burkes?"

"Don't get the wrong idea, Professor." Kyle explained, "I just want to introduce him to a friend... someone I met during the holidays who happens to share the same name as him."

"Really? What a coincidence." Snape raised an eyebrow, not believing a word.

"I gave it that name." Kyle smiled.

Now Snape was even more certain that if Kyle were to act on his thoughts, it would be worth sending a team of Hit Wizards, or even Aurors, to capture him.

"Forget about Borgin." At this moment, Dumbledore suddenly said, "What's important is that this attack won't happen again. So, Kyle, do you have any other clues to offer?"

"No." Kyle shook his head, "I don't recall seeing any Death Eaters in Hogsmeade."

As Kyle insisted that this was the work of Death Eaters, Snape, standing beside him, seemed a bit surprised. However, he remained silent, just standing there quietly.

Dumbledore also didn't speak, and the Headmaster's Office suddenly fell into silence.

They all knew Kyle was feigning ignorance.

True Death Eaters wouldn't dare disobey Voldemort's orders, and Voldemort wouldn't let them approach Hogwarts unless he was ready for war.

Even so, neither of them could say anything because they were in the same situation, knowing the truth but unable to speak it directly. They could only indirectly question Kyle.

Just as the atmosphere in the Headmaster's Office became tense, a sudden, unexpected knock on the door broke the awkward silence.

"I suppose it's Potter." Dumbledore took the opportunity to say, "I have an arrangement with him to teach him on weekend evenings at 8 o'clock, and it's about that time now."

"A lesson?" Kyle asked curiously, "Is it Defense Against the Dark Arts or Transfiguration?"

"Neither." Dumbledore shook his head, "If I have to say, it's more like History of Magic."

"Tonight, I'll be taking him through some old memories that will help him understand certain things better."

"If you're interested." Dumbledore turned to Kyle, "You can stay and join the lesson too. The Pensieve can accommodate three people."

Kyle thought for a moment and then shook his head. "Sorry, Professor, but I'll pass."

He could guess what memories Dumbledore wanted to show Harry... they were probably about Voldemort's life. He wasn't interested in those, nor did he want to know what Voldemort did in his childhood.

"If the lesson is about the applications of Transfiguration, I'd be happy to stay and learn. But History of Magic... to be honest, it's not my favorite subject."

"I can teach Transfiguration..." Dumbledore smiled, "After all, I was the Transfiguration professor before, and even though it's been a long time, I believe my teaching skills won't be much worse than Professor McGonagall's."

"But..." Dumbledore changed the topic, "To be honest, I can't guarantee that both you and Harry will learn something useful."

Snape snorted beside them.

He understood Dumbledore's meaning... the gap in academic performance between Kyle and Harry was indeed quite significant.

What Kyle could understand, Harry couldn't grasp, and what Harry could understand was too basic for Kyle.

The only subject they could possibly study together was History of Magic.

"Well, I'll be off then." Snape turned to leave, but Harry was startled to see him here when he opened the door.

"Why not say hello, Potter, and what's that expression for?" Snape gave him a cold look, "No manners for a professor... Gryffindor loses five points."

Harry was so angry that his face was twisted. He never expected Snape to be so shameless, even making up reasons to deduct points for not greeting him.

But Snape didn't care about his thoughts. He left with quick steps.

"Professor Dumbledore, I also..."

Kyle was about to follow Snape out, but his words were cut off before he could finish.

"You might have to wait a bit more, Kyle," Dumbledore said, "I personally find some memories quite interesting. It's a way to pass time, how about it?"

Kyle looked at Dumbledore, feeling something odd about him... But since he said so, Kyle didn't insist on leaving.

"Kyle, you're here too?" Harry was delighted to see a familiar face in the Headmaster's office.

"Professor, what are we watching today?" He turned to Dumbledore and asked.

"It's quite a coincidence," Dumbledore took out his Pensieve, and the silvery light inside was swirling like fish.

"The memory we're about to see is about Voldemort's mother, Merope Gaunt. The memory is provided by Caractacus Burke, who founded a shop and sold the opal necklace a few days ago."

"Burke?"

"Yes," Dumbledore swirled the Pensieve, and a small, old man appeared in the swirling silvery substance, like a gold panner sifting for gold.

...

Meanwhile, in the castle, Snape strode into the Slytherin common room after leaving the Headmaster's office. Amidst the confused stares of the students, he grabbed Malfoy, who was daydreaming in front of the fireplace, without a word.

The two arrived at an empty corridor.

"Let go of me..." Malfoy struggled to free himself from Snape's grip, "What are you doing!"

"You should be the one saying that." Snape's face was stern, "Casting a spell on a Gryffindor and making her give something dark to Kyle... Do you know what you're doing?"

"Don't lie, I know you bought that necklace from Burke!"

"It wasn't me!" Malfoy stiffened his neck, "Fine, even if it was me, so what? It's not like I put a curse on her."

"I made an Unbreakable Vow to protect you." Snape pushed Malfoy against the wall, "Drako..."

"It seems you must break that spell, I don't need protection." Malfoy looked at Snape, not backing down, "This is my job, he assigned it to me!"

"Then you should have made a more comprehensive plan instead of acting rashly." Snape lowered his voice, "It's extremely foolish, and Kyle has already guessed it was you!"

"Impossible." Malfoy scoffed, "That idiot, he thought I helped him, and even McGonagall gave me points."

"You're the real fool. Can't you see the purpose behind his actions?" Snape's tone carried a hint of ironclad determination and frustration, "Do you think Voldemort won't hear about this if it gets to his ears?"

"Hufflepuff and Slytherin helping each other, how touching, isn't it?"

Malfoy fell silent, cold sweat instantly soaking his back.

...

"I'll help you with this matter." After a pause, Snape continued, "But remember, no matter what your plan is, don't do anything stupid during this time... Especially, don't target Kyle again. In a way, I'd rather you shift your focus elsewhere."

"But I almost succeeded!"

"You couldn't have succeeded!" Snape gave Malfoy a cold look, "Perhaps you're unaware, but Kyle knows Nicolas Flamel, and his knowledge in alchemy far surpasses your imagination."

"Flamel? The wizard who lived for over six hundred years?" Malfoy blinked, "That's impossible... How could he know such a legendary figure?"

"Do you think I'm joking about this matter?" Snape took a deep breath, "In any case, he most likely knew what was in that package from the start, and also understood how dangerous it truly was. Do you think he'd be foolish enough to reach out and touch it?"

Malfoy remained silent.

"Thankfully you finally came to your senses, stopping that crude and foolish plan, preventing Kyle from actually touching that necklace."

"So, at least on the surface, it's you who helped him." Snape paced, "Listen, Draco, during this time, especially avoid Kyle, and don't be alone with him. It's important."

Malfoy still didn't speak.

"Also, what's your plan..."

"I know what you're getting at, you want to steal my credit!" Malfoy suddenly exclaimed.

"Stealing credit... You're talking like a child." Snape said coldly, "I'm helping you."

"I don't need your help!" Malfoy threw off Snape's hand, "I can always find a way."

Snape watched Malfoy's retreating figure, his face shifting expressions, before leaving from the other side of the corridor.

...

(End of Chapter)

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