Chapter 735: The Reliable Assistant, Phoenix
Chapter 735: The Reliable Assistant, Phoenix
For Dumbledore, the news that Kyle brought was quite a surprise.
The hidden Death Eaters were terrifying, but it was a different story when they were exposed to the light.
The Vanishing Cabinet could help Death Eaters evade the castle's magical defenses, and if they were not aware beforehand, the Death Eaters could indeed take the initiative and catch them off guard.
But now that they were aware, the immobile Vanishing Cabinet had become the Death Eaters' biggest weakness.
Dumbledore was confident that he could use this method to capture all the Death Eaters who had infiltrated Hogwarts.
Now, he was considering how to remove Draco Malfoy from the situation to spare his family from Voldemort's wrath.
After all, if the Death Eaters were truly planning to attack Hogwarts, they would surely bring a significant number of people. If these individuals were captured, Voldemort would undoubtedly be furious.
In that case, the Malfoy family, who proposed this plan, would be in grave danger.
Dumbledore wanted to save them.
He didn't care about Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy, but he couldn't ignore Draco. Regardless, Draco Malfoy was a student of Hogwarts.
As the headmaster, it was his responsibility to protect every student, even if they harbored malicious intentions to kill.
However, Dumbledore didn't share this idea with Kyle, not because he didn't trust him. He was certain that if he asked, Kyle would most likely not refuse.
But protecting students was the headmaster's responsibility, not Kyle's... and it was still uncertain if this plan would succeed.
Dumbledore shook his head, deciding not to dwell on these thoughts.
"Kyle, the most crucial question now is... do you know where he will hide the Vanishing Cabinet?" he asked.
To use the Vanishing Cabinet to ambush the Death Eaters, they needed to know its location.
Hogwarts was vast, with secret chambers and the Room of Requirement, places that few knew about. Even as the headmaster, Dumbledore couldn't guarantee that he knew all of Hogwarts' secrets.
If Malfoy had found a similar room, they might not be able to locate it immediately, and their plan, no matter how well-crafted, would be useless.
"Of course I can," Kyle said, "I've already prepared for this."
Naturally, he wouldn't make such a rookie mistake.
"When I put the Vanishing Cabinet back, I made a small modification and added a special magic script."
As he spoke, Kyle took out a map of Hogwarts and spread it on the table.
After a quick glance, he pointed to the location of the Slytherin Common Room.
"There it is," he said, indicating a conspicuous ink footprint on the map with the name "Vanishing Cabinet" written above it.
If Fred and George were there, they would have recognized the footprint and name as unique markers on the Marauder's Map.
Indeed, Kyle had created this effect based on the Marauder's Map... the only difference was that this map had only one name, making its movements clear at a glance.
"Oh?" Dumbledore took the map and understood immediately, "This is Name-Tracking Magic."
"It's a simple trick," Kyle nodded, "Just change the target from a wizard to an item in the magic script, but it's very useful."
As he spoke, Kyle glanced at the map again.
It was apparent that the Vanishing Cabinet was still in the Slytherin Common Room. Perhaps he wasn't ready yet, or maybe the other Vanishing Cabinet hadn't been repaired, but regardless, Malfoy didn't seem prepared to act immediately.
After all, the Common Room was crowded and bustling. Additionally, due to the events of the previous years, several portraits had been added to guard the entrances of each Common Room.
Malfoy wouldn't choose the Common Room as a point of entry; he would undoubtedly select a more discreet location.
However, this gave them more time to prepare.
Dumbledore waved his wand, and the map instantly duplicated. With Dumbledore's powerful magic, both the map and its associated magic were preserved.
He returned the original map to Kyle and kept the copy for himself.
"Professor, do you need to add a reminder charm?" Kyle asked after some thought. "So that it alerts us when the Vanishing Cabinet's location changes, and we don't have to keep watching it."
"There's no need for such trouble," Dumbledore said, and with a wave of his hand, the map on the table floated to a shelf behind him.
That spot was within the view of the portraits on the wall.
"They will keep an eye on it for me," Dumbledore smiled, "I have a lot to do recently and can't guarantee I'll always have the map with me. Moreover, if it suddenly makes a sound to alert me at certain times, it might become a nuisance."
"That's true," Kyle nodded, "Anyway, a certain headmaster has nothing better to do, so giving him something to watch over might save him from getting beaten up every day..."
"What do you mean?"
"Phineas immediately became indignant, saying indignantly, 'How rude of you! How could you speak to Dippet like that?"
"No, you misunderstood, Headmaster Black," Kyle said without looking up, not even bothering to explain.
There was no need for it.
"You either don't understand or are pretending not to," said Headmaster Dippet, glancing at Phineas with a sideways eye. "Do you have any idea who this child is talking about?"
"Who else but you," said Phineas. "It can't be Spor, although she is quite free..."
"What did you say?"
Two witches rushed into his portrait, one after the other, and without a word, they began punching and kicking Phineas.
From their appearances, they seemed to be the same person, but one was middle-aged, while the other was much younger, although Kyle had never seen her before.
Before Kyle could think further, screams filled the Headmaster's office.
Dumbledore seemed accustomed to this, and he skillfully waved his wand, causing the screams to abruptly cease.
Inside the portrait, Phineas was still being beaten, but the sound could no longer be heard...
"Those two are both Fidelius Bore, but they are portraits from different periods of her life," Dumbledore explained.
"Can one person leave two portraits in the Headmaster's office?" Kyle asked in confusion.
"Theoretically, it's possible."
"Well, let's get back to the matter at hand," said Dumbledore. "I may have to leave Hogwarts for a while, and I'd like to ask you to keep an eye on Draco Malfoy."
"I'm very busy, Professor," said Kyle. "I'm in my seventh year, and in half a year, I'll be taking the N.E.W.T. exams. To find a good job after graduation, I must obtain enough certificates. Perhaps you should ask someone else for this task."
"I think Professor Snape would be a good choice," said Kyle. "He's the Head of Slytherin, and he has plenty of time to observe Malfoy or even Harry."
"Harry?" Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "I recall their relationship wasn't exactly harmonious."
"That's precisely why it's suitable," said Kyle. "As rivals for six consecutive years, no one knows each other better than they do. If Draco Malfoy were to act suspiciously, Harry would surely be the first to notice."
"But he's not the best choice," Dumbledore shook his head. "Harry's temperament is impulsive, and he might overlook certain things when facing special situations."
"Additionally, Kyle, I think you misunderstood me," Dumbledore continued. "I'm not asking you to constantly watch over Malfoy, but to pay more attention and prevent any more Dark Magic items from entering Hogwarts."
"You know, Katie Bell is still at St. Mungo's, and we can't afford to send another student there."
"Alright, I'll try," said Kyle.
If it were just this, it wouldn't be too troublesome.
Unlike Hogsmeade, it's not easy to bring Dark Magic items into the school. Even if Dumbledore leaves, the professors are still there, and both Professor McGonagall and Professor Filius are experienced wizards. It's not easy to cause trouble under their watchful eyes, and Malfoy isn't that foolish.
At most, Kyle could only play a supporting role.
Seeing Kyle's agreement, Dumbledore nodded.
"Oh, is it this late already?" He glanced at the darkening sky outside the window. "I imagine you're hungry too. I heard the kitchen prepared roast piglets tonight, or we could go to Number 12 Grimmauld Place. Molly would be very welcoming."
"Never mind, I'll go to the Great Hall," said Kyle, standing up.
"I suppose so..." Dumbledore gave Kyle a teasing look, his face showing a mocking expression. "Number 12 Grimmauld Place currently only has a few boring adults like us. You'd rather stay at school, right?"
Kyle didn't respond. Instead, he stood up and glanced at the silver teapot on the table, seemingly unintentionally.
Dumbledore, with his keen senses, immediately noticed Kyle's gaze and became tense. He quickly reached out to retrieve the teapot.
At that moment, Kyle suddenly looked at the window behind Dumbledore in surprise, "What are you doing riding a broom outside the Headmaster's window, Professor McGonagall? Oh... be careful!"
Instinctively, Dumbledore turned to look...
Then, he felt a gust of wind brush past his face, stirring a few strands of his beard.
How strange, he thought. The windowsill was closed, so why was there a breeze?
Before he could think further, Dumbledore's heart skipped a beat. With his powerful self-control, he suppressed his instincts and turned his head back.
Then he saw that the silver teapot on the table had already been taken by Kyle.
He should have realized this sooner. How could Professor McGonagall be riding a broom outside the Headmaster's window in the middle of the night? It was clearly a pretext used by Kyle to divert his attention.
How could he fall for such a poor excuse? Dumbledore was frustrated.
But there was no time for regrets; he had to act quickly to remedy the situation...
Dumbledore's thoughts raced, but Kyle didn't give him a chance.
As if rehearsed countless times, the moment Kyle received the teapot, he sprinted to the door with fluid movements, not even bothering to look back.
By the time Dumbledore stood up, Kyle had reached the door, just a step away from opening it.
Dumbledore's last hope rested on Fox, hoping it would stop Kyle.
Fox noticed Dumbledore's change in expression and flew down from its perch, landing in front of Kyle... and using its wings to open the door for him.
"Thank you, Fox. I'll treat you to Mandrake later; you can choose whatever you like!" Kyle's voice echoed through the corridor outside the Headmaster's office.
Fox chirped happily, not even glancing at Dumbledore, and followed Kyle out with flapping wings.
In an instant, the Headmaster's office was left with only a lonely old man and the sound of something breaking.
...
"Here, try this," Kyle said, offering a cup of tea with milk and sugar to Cona in the Great Hall.
Cona took a sip, and her eyes lit up immediately.
"How is it?" Kyle asked.
"Delicious!" Cona nodded repeatedly and took another sip.
"Of course, it's delicious. This is the Headmaster's treasure," Kyle said, shaking the silver teapot in his hand.
This teapot was also a fine magical item, similar in function to the box Nicolas had given him before, and made from the same precious material as the Gryffindor Sword—pure silver, a unique property of house elves.
Kyle roughly estimated that a teapot of this size would require about ten thousand Sickles to repeatedly melt and refine, making it quite valuable.
"Did the Headmaster give this to you?" Cona took another sip, marveling at Kyle's ability to obtain such treasures from the Headmaster.
"No, he wouldn't be so generous," Kyle shook his head and said casually, "I took it."
"What? You took it?" Cona was startled, her hand paused for a moment as she stared at Kyle in disbelief.
"Yes, I took it," Kyle confirmed. "But don't worry, it's safe to drink. I helped him with a big problem, so he should show some appreciation, right?"
"And this is with his consent," Kyle added.
Kyle's words made sense.
The distance from the eighth floor to the Great Hall was not short journey. If Dumbledore wanted to, he could have easily caught up with Kyle.
However, Dumbledore didn't pursue him, not even leaving the Headmaster's office. Otherwise, the teapot would have been snatched back by now.
...
After receiving Kyle's assurance, Cona felt more at ease, but looking at the cup in her hand, she still found it hard to believe.
To brazenly take something from Headmaster Dumbledore and even show it off, Kyle was probably the first... Cona thought to herself.
...
Time quickly entered December, and snowflakes began to fall outside without anyone noticing.
Just as Kyle had expected, Dumbledore didn't come to reclaim his teapot, and Kyle hadn't seen him at Hogwarts either.
Perhaps Dumbledore was indeed busy, as he had mentioned in the Headmaster's office.
Recently, Kyle had been keeping a close eye on Draco Malfoy.
However, Draco's behavior remained unchanged from usual. Aside from attending classes, he spent his time causing trouble for Harry, as if his day wasn't complete without a quarrel with Harry.
In addition to Draco, Kyle had to deal with another person—Professor Slughorn.
Somehow, Slughorn had learned that the Floo Network between Hogwarts and Hogsmeade had been canceled. Kyle's previous excuse for declining the dinner invitations no longer worked.
Consequently, invitations to these dinners would arrive every few days.
Although Kyle had tried to come up with various excuses, he eventually had no choice but to attend a few of them.
These dinners involved a small group of people sitting around Slughorn, listening to him talk about the achievements and gifts he had received from his former students.
Everyone would then follow the routine of expressing their amazement.
The dinner itself became the least important part of the evening. Kyle had attended a few times, and each time, he would rush to the kitchen afterward, as there was barely any food served at the dinner.
Kyle was fortunate that the Hufflepuff Common Room was close to the kitchen. Harry and Hermione, on the other hand, couldn't do the same. Slughorn always ended the dinners right at curfew, leaving them no time to detour to the kitchen.
Thankfully, Ron could pack some food from the Great Hall and bring it back to the Common Room for them to heat up in the fireplace. It wasn't as delicious, but it was better than nothing.
...
(End of Chapter)
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