Chapter 792: Dumbledore at the Hog's Head
Chapter 792: Dumbledore at the Hog's Head
In the quiet night of Stagwood Village, most of the villagers had already retired to bed, leaving only a few scattered lights still glowing in the darkness.
In a forest not far from the rundown cottage, a figure suddenly appeared and crashed to the ground with a loud thud, startling the birds nearby into flight.
Kyle struggled to endure the excruciating pain of the Legilimens Curse, gasping for breath as he lay on the ground.
He now understood the true nature of the Legilimens Curse, a fleeting moment of agony that radiated from every corner of his body, leaving an unforgettable impression.
After a while, Kyle finally recovered, propping himself up against a nearby tree stump. He began to survey his surroundings and quickly recognized that he was within the boundaries of Stagwood Village.
Earlier, he had no time to think or set a destination; his only goal was to get away from Voldemort as quickly as possible.
In that moment, his instinct led him to the place he knew best, and here he was.
But none of that mattered; what was important was that he had successfully escaped Voldemort.
Kyle brushed the dirt off his clothes and retrieved a bottle of blue potion from his trunk, drinking it down before beginning to analyze the situation.
This wasn't his first encounter with Voldemort, but it was the most intense. Aside from knowing that Dumbledore wouldn't be there to help, there was another reason for the increased pressure: Voldemort's spells had become faster.
Faster than they had been when Kyle first faced him.
Kyle wondered if it was due to Voldemort's increased strength or the power of the Elder Wand... He suspected it was more likely the latter.
The last time, during the incident at the Ministry, Kyle had been right there, watching the duel between Voldemort and Dumbledore. At that time, Voldemort's spells hadn't been so swift; at least Kyle could see clearly.
With no chance of winning in a fight, Kyle's only option was to run. To avoid being hit by the Killing Curse, he deliberately provoked Voldemort.
This move was risky; the surname "Riddle" was Voldemort's taboo, and Kyle couldn't guarantee that he wouldn't be silenced. But if he didn't take this risk, Voldemort would likely kill him with the Killing Curse, either to avenge Bellatrix or to vent his frustration.
After all, he wasn't Harry, who enjoyed Voldemort's blatant favoritism. He still had a fifty-fifty chance if he fought.
Fortunately, his plan worked, and an enraged Voldemort chose to torture him with the Legilimens Curse instead.
Of course, this was also because Kyle was eager to retrieve Nagini and had missed the opportunity to strike first. If he hadn't been concerned about Nagini and had prepared for combat, he might have been able to hold his own against Voldemort for a few rounds... Well, maybe.
Kyle couldn't shake the feeling that Voldemort seemed a bit overcompensating, not as powerful as he had imagined. It seemed that taking the Elder Wand hadn't been without cost.
But these were just feelings, and if given the choice again, Kyle knew he would still choose to run.
After waiting a while longer, until the effects of the Legilimens Curse completely faded, Kyle left the forest.
He didn't go home or to the rundown cottage; instead, he Apparated directly to Grimmauld Place.
As soon as he arrived, Kyle felt something land on his shoulder, followed by a scream. Mrs. Weasley and Sirius rushed out, their steps unsteady, their faces pale.
Mrs. Weasley even stumbled a few times on the short distance, trying twice before reaching Kyle's side.
"Kyle, thank Merlin you're back," she said, shooting a glare at Sirius.
Sirius felt unfairly blamed. He had never intended to leave Kyle alone; it was Fox who had forced him to leave.
Knowing that any explanation would be futile, Sirius wisely chose to remain silent, standing quietly by.
It was also possible that he couldn't open his mouth at the moment.
"I'm fine, Mrs. Weasley," Kyle smiled and said, "Let's go inside. It's too dangerous out here."
Mrs. Weasley nodded and, taking Kyle's hand, prepared to return.
She stumbled again, heading straight for the door with the number ten sign.
Kyle pulled her back, and they finally reached the correct door, number twelve.
Inside, there weren't many people. Aside from Mrs. Weasley and Sirius, there was only Harry, looking dazed, Ginny, and an old man who resembled Dumbledore.
Aberforth, the owner of Hog's Head in Hogsmeade and Dumbledore's brother.
He stared at Kyle expressionlessly, his brow furrowing.
"Where is he? Why is his phoenix with you?"
His voice carried a hint of strangeness, and although he didn't mention a name, Kyle knew who he was referring to.
"It's a long story," Kyle quickly explained, fearing misunderstanding. "Professor Dumbledore is fine. He just has an important task and forgot to take Fox with him. I'm just helping to look after him for a few days."
"Do you know what you're saying?"
"You think I'm a fool?" Aberforth narrowed his eyes. "It's a phoenix, and wherever that guy is, it can find him. Do you need my help to take care of it?"
His expression remained unchanged, but his hand clenched the chair's backrest, "Tell the truth, no need to beat around the bush."
"This is the truth, I promise." Kyle said helplessly, "The place he went to is exactly where the phoenix can't reach."
Aberforth stared at Kyle without blinking, as if observing if he was lying.
Kyle was honest; what he said was the truth. Even if the phoenix was magical, it couldn't possibly Apparate back to a hundred years ago.
However, Kyle hesitated internally. If Aberforth insisted on getting a clear answer, what should he say?
Should he tell the truth directly? Inform Aberforth that Dumbledore returned to a hundred years ago to find Aliona?
That wouldn't work. Aberforth's feelings for his sister were no less than Dumbledore's. If Aberforth also wanted to go, Kyle didn't have a second Time-Turner for him.
So, he had to keep it from Aberforth.
Kyle was in a dilemma, pondering what excuse he could use to make Aberforth believe him. But after much thought, he couldn't find a place the phoenix couldn't reach.
Perhaps he should just push it onto Dumbledore, pretending to know nothing. This was the only excuse that could work.
However, what Kyle didn't expect was that Aberforth merely coldly hummed, showing no intention to dig deeper. After confirming that Kyle wasn't lying, he returned to his previous indifferent demeanor.
Aberforth then strode to the door, glanced back at Kyle, "What a waste of time. The rest is up to you."
With that, he stepped out the door and Apparated away.
"Up to me?" Kyle tugged at his hair. "What does that mean?"
"It's..." Sirius tried to explain, but as soon as he opened his mouth, he almost threw up.
Ginny covered her mouth and staggered upstairs.
Harry fared slightly better, but his face was pale, and he slumped powerlessly on the floor.
After a while, Sirius recovered and grabbed the bottle of Firewhisky on the table, taking a big gulp to suppress his churning stomach.
"To be honest, I've never experienced such a stimulating Apparition before."
Harry and Mrs. Weasley, sitting beside him, nodded in agreement.
Harry remembered a Christmas holiday when they visited St. Mungo's to see Lupin. Kyle had been taken there by the phoenix, and when he appeared, he had bumped into a cabinet.
At that time, Harry had found it strange. It was just an Apparition, so why did Kyle seem so disoriented?
Now he finally understood.
The phoenix's Apparition and a wizard's Apparition were two completely different magics. When Kyle was taken there, he wasn't just unsteady on his feet; even his consciousness was blurry.
Harry felt like he had been stuffed into a giant's nostril, then picked out and tossed onto a unicorn's hoof, trampled and run for ten miles.
For a while, he even thought facing Death Eaters in Godric's Valley would be better.
Thinking about it, Kyle's action of merely bumping into the cabinet was unbelievably perfect.
Recalling the experience, Harry couldn't hold it in anymore, just like Ginny, he covered his mouth and rushed upstairs.
"Don't worry, they've been like this the whole time." Sirius took a deep breath and said, "We were sent by the phoenix to... Hog's Head in Hogsmeade, just a few minutes ago... and we were just brought back by the owner there... the person you saw just now."
"Oh." Kyle nodded. "Are the others still there? Why not come back sooner?"
"Because we couldn't. Even standing was difficult, let alone Apparating back." Sirius clutched the bottle of Firewhisky and took another big gulp.
"Later, the owner of Hog's Head recognized the phoenix and mentioned this place. That's when we knew he was one of us."
Mrs. Weasley continued, "For safety, we asked him to help send some of us back."
"Sirius and I were in the first batch, Harry and Ginny were just sent back, and then you arrived."
Hearing this, Kyle finally understood.
Just as his subconscious' most familiar place was Stag's Village, the phoenix's idea of a safe place was not the Order of the Phoenix's headquarters, but the 'Dumbledore's' Hog's Head.
"How is everyone doing?" Kyle asked.
"Well... I guess they're fine." Mrs. Weasley thought for a moment and said, "Promise me, Kyle, unless absolutely necessary, don't let the phoenix take us away again. If the Death Eaters pursue us, we might not even have a chance to defend ourselves."
"In that case, I'll go get them now." Kyle stepped out of the house once more.
He initially wanted to ask Sirius to accompany him, as two people would undoubtedly be faster, but seeing him chug down Firewhisky, he abandoned that idea.
Forget it, using Apparition in this state would likely cause problems, making things more troublesome later.
Without further ado, Kyle Apparated to Hogsmeade.
Due to the time, all the shops were closed, except for the flickering light from the windows of the Hog's Head.
Kyle pushed the door open and entered, but he didn't see anyone else. Only an old witch was slumped in the corner, seemingly asleep.
Aberforth, who had just left, stood behind the counter, using a dirty rag to wipe a similarly dirty cup.
No wonder people say it's best to bring your own utensils to the Hog's Head. There's nothing wrong with that advice.
Meanwhile, Aberforth also spotted Kyle, and the wariness in his eyes quickly turned to disdain as he jerked his chin to the side.
"They're upstairs."
"Thanks." Kyle immediately ran upstairs, and indeed, he found Fred and George leaning against the wall by the staircase, likely on guard duty.
Lupin and Hermione were tending to the unconscious Tonks couple, while others were further inside.
As for Nymphadora Tonks, if Kyle's guess was correct, she should be the old witch sleeping downstairs.
Upon seeing Kyle, Fred and George exchanged complex looks.
"Prove your identity." Fred spoke up, "What was the first thing we sold at Hogwarts?"
"The map." Kyle replied.
"No problem." Fred nodded to the others, and they visibly relaxed.
"I have a question." George walked over to Kyle, "According to Sirius, was it you who had the phoenix bring us away?"
"It wasn't me, it was Dumbledore." Kyle stated calmly, "That was his phoenix."
"Really?"
"Yes, what's wrong?"
"Nothing." George took a deep breath and shook his head, "This certainly wasn't a pleasant journey, despite it saving us."
"Oh, normal." Kyle responded nonchalantly, "It'll get better with more trips."
"Forget it, I'd rather face Death Eaters." Fred said, covering his stomach.
"We'll talk about this later, we need to leave here quickly." Kyle said, "Get ready, I'll go call Tonks."
When he returned downstairs, the old witch who had been slumped on the table stood up. Her face had returned to Tonks' appearance, but her hair was still in disarray.
Kyle gestured for her to go upstairs, then turned to look at Aberforth.
"Thanks."
"No need." Aberforth said, "Just pay up, you've wasted a night's business for me. The Portkey and the money for the door key, one hundred Galleons in total."
As he spoke, he tossed the dirty glass cup towards Kyle, and the cup glowed with a bright blue light, clearly a freshly made Portkey.
"Or you can forgo the Portkey and just pay fifty Galleons."
"No, one hundred Galleons is fine." Kyle said, "But I'm curious, how come you didn't use the door key Portkey to send them back earlier?"
"Two dead is better than all dead." Aberforth lifted his weary eyelids, "Hurry up, you only have three minutes."
"Ah... great!" Kyle walked over and placed a heavy bag on the counter.
Aberforth opened it for a glance, "There's more, at least two hundred Galleons here."
"The extra is just a little token of appreciation." Kyle smiled, "But could you do me one more small favor?"
"A small favor for one hundred Galleons?" Aberforth snorted, "Let's hear it."
"It's like this... could you, under Dumbledore's brother's identity, promise to send me the phoenix?" Kyle whispered, "If possible, I'll give you an additional thousand Galleons."
Aberforth raised an eyebrow and pushed the bag back to Kyle without hesitation.
"Don't be so quick to refuse, two thousand... no, five thousand Galleons, or even ten thousand is negotiable."
"Don't bother, it only listens to that person, nothing I say will work." Aberforth said.
"I see..." Kyle thought for a moment, then pushed the bag back, "Never mind, consider it a favor to a friend."
"Forget it, I dare not accept." Aberforth eyed Kyle warily, waving his hand to toss the bag into his pocket, "You and that person are both not good people, hurry up and get out of here."
"By the way, the door key Portkey is only good for three minutes."
"Alright..." Kyle took the cup and turned to go upstairs, but he immediately turned back.
"Then, give me ten bottles of Firewhisky and ten bottles of brandy, I think they'll need these."
"Not for sale."
"I'll pay five times the money, put it on Dumbledore's account." Kyle said casually, "He'll pay you when he returns."
This time, Aberforth didn't hesitate for a second, and swiftly packed the items Kyle needed within ten seconds.
(End of Chapter)
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