Chapter 810: Luna's Intuition
Chapter 810: Luna's Intuition
Snape's sudden appearance served as a wake-up call for Kyle, who was unaware of Dumbledore's meetings and conversations before his departure.
Snape's visit today could be followed by Slughorn's tomorrow, but Kyle couldn't guarantee he could fool them every time.
Perhaps the true test was this very uncertainty.
Kyle's solution was simple—he would run.
After Snape left the Headmaster's office, he asked the Headmaster's portrait to summon Professor McGonagall, who had just finished teaching a class. He shared the situation with her.
"You're saying Severus came to see you and spoke of things you knew nothing about?" Professor McGonagall furrowed her brows, equally surprised.
"He just left," Kyle said. "To be honest, I've never been this nervous, not even during the N.E.W.T exams."
"It's true that Dumbledore rarely mentions Severus to us," Professor McGonagall pondered. "I can't help you with that. But it's odd that he didn't mention this in his letter."
"That's the crux of the problem," Kyle sighed. "I don't know how many times this has happened, but if it's frequent, I'm bound to be exposed."
"So, what's your plan?"
"I can't stay here indefinitely," Kyle took a deep breath. "As long as Dumbledore is missing, they won't have a chance to unmask me."
"No," Professor McGonagall shook her head firmly, rejecting Kyle's suggestion without hesitation.
"I don't think it will cause any issues, Professor," Kyle argued. "Professor Dumbledore wasn't always at school, was he? Everyone must be used to that."
"And I did make an appearance at the Opening Banquet. Even if I leave for a while, it shouldn't be a problem."
Professor McGonagall hesitated, no longer immediately dismissing the idea as she had before.
But after a moment's pause, she shook her head again. "No."
"Why?"
"Because you can't keep disappearing," Professor McGonagall explained. "The Death Eaters and the Dark Lord have been active this year. You need to be seen around the school frequently."
"I can come back when the time is right," Kyle said. "Didn't Professor Dumbledore do the same?"
"How will you enter and exit the school, then?" Professor McGonagall asked. "The students have started their term. If you return, you'll have to go through Hogsmeade, where it's a mixed crowd. Even with the Invisibility Cloak, you can't guarantee you won't be noticed."
"A graduated student returning to Hogwarts is bound to raise suspicions. We should avoid any situation that might expose us. Unless you use Dumbledore's identity each time."
"That's easy," Kyle chuckled. "As long as I don't go to Hogsmeade."
Professor McGonagall was concerned about this issue, but for Kyle, it wasn't a problem at all.
"Not go to Hogsmeade? But how will you..."
Before Professor McGonagall could finish her sentence, the Phoenix, which had been perched on a branch, flew over and landed on Kyle's shoulder.
"Fawkes?" Professor McGonagall's eyes widened, and she immediately understood, "No wonder Dumbledore asked you to impersonate him."
She had never seen Fawkes so close to anyone other than Dumbledore... it was a well-known fact in the wizarding world.
Almost every witch and wizard knew that Dumbledore had a Phoenix, and in a sense, it was a symbol of his identity. Seeing an elderly wizard with a Phoenix meant it was undoubtedly Dumbledore.
This was something no one could imitate, not even with the Polyjuice Potion.
She had always wondered why Dumbledore was so confident in letting Kyle impersonate him, and now she understood.
With Fawkes' help, Kyle didn't even need the Polyjuice Potion. Even a simple human transfiguration would convince anyone of his identity.
"I'm fine with that," Professor McGonagall nodded immediately. She glanced at Kyle, "While the Polyjuice Potion is still in effect, make another appearance, and then you can leave."
"Next time... on Halloween. After all, during important school events, Dumbledore is always expected to be present."
"I understand," Kyle nodded.
He changed into a less formal silver-gray robe and followed Professor McGonagall out of the Headmaster's office.
"What should I do?" Kyle asked.
"Nothing special, just act as you normally would," Professor McGonagall instructed. "Think about what Professor Dumbledore would do at school. Avoid any deliberate actions."
"I can't even remember what he did at school in recent years. Every time I saw him, it was in the Headmaster's office."
"Then think further back. You must have seen him when you were in your first year."
As they spoke, they passed by the spot where the Sorting Hat was kept and encountered a group of students heading for lunch as they walked by the Gryffindor common room.
"Good afternoon, Professor McGonagall, Headmaster Dumbledore..." The excited Simon Finney said, "Headmaster, were all your previous statements true?
"The Unbreakable Vow" by Harry and the Potters.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm talking about Quidditch, of course," Simon said, rubbing his hands together. "If we win the championship, will we really get 200 points? And what about the Golden Cup? How is it awarded? Is it nominated by the team or voted on by everyone?"
Kyle chuckled. "First of all, the 200 points are guaranteed if you win the championship. As for your second question, you'll find out when the time comes."
"Can't you tell us now?"
"A little mystery is always good," Kyle winked. "Now, go and have your lunch. Today's special is black pepper fried pork chops."
"Alright then..." Simon wasn't entirely satisfied with the answer, but out of respect for the Headmaster, he left.
"I was wondering the same thing," Professor McGonagall said, turning to Kyle after Simon had left. "At first, I thought it was based on points scored, but then I realized that would give the Seekers an unfair advantage over the other players."
"So, we should vote, as Simon suggested," Kyle said nonchalantly.
"But that would favor students with better social connections," Professor McGonagall pointed out. "And voting is too unpredictable. It's likely that someone who didn't contribute much to the game might end up with a lot of votes."
"This is Hogwarts' first Golden Cup for Quidditch, and it might also be the last. I think it's better to not consider any other factors and just focus on the team's performance."
"I agree," Kyle said.
"What about your opinion?"
"My opinion?" Kyle continued walking. "I don't have one."
Professor McGonagall halted. "Didn't you consider anything when you made that suggestion?"
"Nope," Kyle nodded confidently. "I told you yesterday, it was a spur-of-the-moment idea. How could I have thought everything through in such a short time?"
Professor McGonagall's voice rose sharply. "The 200 points are one thing, but when the game is over, how will we award the Golden Cup based on what criteria?"
"That's not my problem anymore," Kyle shrugged. "I'm just filling in for a while. They can't expect me to do this for an entire school year."
"Dumbledore will be back by then, and he can handle this."
Professor McGonagall felt her temples throbbing. She had assumed Kyle's words from yesterday were just talk, but she was surprised to find he had made the decision without any consideration.
And Dumbledore was no better, disappearing without a word and leaving her with all the school's responsibilities.
She had hoped Kyle's arrival would provide some help, but he only made things worse by creating more problems.
One after another, they were all the same.
Professor McGonagall rubbed her forehead, feeling the weight of handling three people's work for one salary. Even a ghost wouldn't be able to handle this kind of exploitation, let alone a professor.
As she watched Kyle walk ahead, her anger as a long-time professor struggled to stay contained.
She felt like hitting someone.
And with Kyle taking on Dumbledore's role, hitting him would be like hitting two people at once—a tempting prospect.
More importantly, Kyle's position was different from Dumbledore's, making it easier to take a swing at him.
It wasn't about strength.
As Kyle was her student, and his parents were her students too, even if he was hit, he wouldn't fight back.
It was like Professor Quirrell scolding Dumbledore. Even if Dumbledore was the Headmaster and the greatest white wizard in the magical world, he would have to stand there and take it, maybe even offer a cup of tea.
This was a rare opportunity... Should she...
"Professor McGonagall, Headmaster Dumbledore..."
A voice suddenly called out from behind, snapping her back to reality.
"Miss Granger," Professor McGonagall said. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm on my way to lunch," Hermione replied. "I'm sorry, Professor, but I wanted to know what you thought about the matter I asked you earlier."
"I have no objections," Professor McGonagall said. "You can submit your paper to me whenever you're ready. But Miss Granger, I must remind you that Today's Transfiguration has its own standards for paper quality, and my opinion can only serve as a reference."
This work is organized and uploaded by Liu Jiu Book Bar~~
"And they only award the Most Promising Newcomer Award during student years. But you're already in your seventh year."
"It's fine, I just want to give it a try," Hermione said. "I'll be satisfied if I pass. If I don't get the Most Promising Newcomer Award... Well, it's a bit disappointing, but there's nothing I can do. I didn't accumulate enough knowledge last year."
"There's a chance, but it's not certain," Professor McGonagall said. "It's still the beginning of the year, and everything will be fine if things go smoothly."
"He... Miss Granger, are you submitting to Today's Transfiguration?" Kyle asked from the side.
"Yes, Headmaster."
"Hermione said, 'Everyone says this is the most authoritative Transfiguration magazine, and I want to give it a try.'"
"Just having this thought sets you apart from most students. Whether you succeed or not, it will be a valuable experience for you."
"I think so too," Professor McGonagall said.
"Alright, follow me," she said to Hermione, "I have a few books here that should be helpful to you."
After saying this, she turned and walked towards her office with Hermione, while speaking to Kyle, "Pay attention to the time."
Kyle responded with a sound of acknowledgment.
He understood that Professor McGonagall meant for him to be mindful of the Polyjuice Potion's timing and not transform back in front of everyone, or else it would be embarrassing.
Kyle would naturally not forget this.
After Professor McGonagall left with Hermione, he walked alone towards the Great Hall.
Since he had to make an appearance, he should go to a place with a lot of people. Now it was lunchtime, and there was no place with more people than the Great Hall.
Along the way, he did not encounter any other students. It was only when he reached the second floor that someone blocked his path.
It couldn't be called blocking, as she was squatting at the corner of the stairs, which also happened to be the direction leading to the Great Hall.
"Miss Lovegood," Kyle said in a tone he would use to greet other students, "What are you looking at?"
"Hookwurm."
"Where?" Kyle looked in the direction she was facing. There were only floor tiles and a group of bugs attracted by the pastry crumbs.
"They were scared away, they were just here a moment ago," Luna stood up, her earring with the cork charm dangling non-stop.
"Hello, Kyle," she greeted him, "How did you come back to Hogwarts again?"
"You... must have mistaken me for someone else, I'm the headmaster," Kyle said.
"Is that so? Congratulations then," Luna said cheerfully.
"I... well, how did you figure it out?"
"Because I know you, is that strange?" Luna said with a smile.
She was still the same as before, wearing all sorts of peculiar accessories and a flashy pair of glasses.
Kyle had to admit that the wizarding world always had some inexplicable people or events, like Tonks, who was a natural Animagus, and then there was Luna.
Was she a natural Legilimens? No, not quite.
His Mind Shield wasn't the most perfect, but it was still somewhat accomplished. Even Dumbledore and Voldemort would likely not be able to see through his thoughts.
The Catamount was also a natural Legilimens, but its abilities would still be restrained by a Mind Shield.
As for Luna, she recognized his identity at a glance and had no doubts whatsoever. This wasn't something a Legilimens could achieve.
After much thought, Kyle could only temporarily define it as an extraordinary intuition beyond the norm.
In simple terms... I feel you should be someone, then you must be that person. She doesn't believe what her eyes see, she only trusts the first thought that comes to mind.
This ability is even more unreasonable than a natural Legilimens, as it is unaffected by any external factors. No matter how good the disguise, it's useless.
...
"Kyle, how does it feel to be the headmaster?" Luna asked curiously, "Is it better than being a student?"
"It's so-so, not great. It's not as comfortable as being a student," Kyle said, "But Luna, can you do me a favor?"
"Sure," Luna said without hesitation, not even asking what the favor was before agreeing.
"Don't worry, it's not a big deal," Kyle said, "It's like this, can you not tell anyone that you saw me here?"
"Why would I tell anyone?" Luna asked, tilting her head as if Kyle had asked a foolish question.
"Um..." Kyle was momentarily speechless, feeling like he couldn't keep up with Luna's thoughts.
"Alright, I promise. Kyle didn't come to Hogwarts," Luna said calmly, "Then, goodbye, Headmaster Dumbledore... but I have to say, you don't look as good as you did before."
Luna continued to swing the cork charm on her earring as she hopped and skipped away on the second floor.
Kyle stood there, watching her run down to the first floor and disappear into the Great Hall.
Magic was like this, always bringing unexpected surprises or scares.
Kyle estimated that even if Tonks transformed into someone with not a single bit of resemblance to herself, Luna would see through it at a glance.
Kyle felt relieved.
Fortunately, this person was Luna... and only Luna.
This extraordinary intuition, though unreasonable and not governed by magic, would not have the same effect if it appeared in another person.
Take Hermione, for example. When she doubted something, her first thought was not to believe, but to consider whether it was logical. If the facts she saw contradicted her intuition, she would subconsciously deny her intuition.
Take the example of him impersonating Dumbledore.
The moment Luna saw him, she was convinced he was an imposter, even if everyone and the facts told her that the person before her was Dumbledore, she wouldn't believe it.
If it were Hermione, a single sentence from Professor McGonagall would be enough to clear his suspicions.
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
