Chapter 843: Get Out of My House
Chapter 843: Get Out of My House
In the abandoned barn, Dumbledore, who had lost part of his memory, and Kyle, who had decided to stay, had reached a preliminary agreement to work together.
They decided to give it a try and see if they could save Ariana.
"We still have some time," Dumbledore said. "We can discuss what to do now."
"There's no rush," Kyle said as he pushed open the barn door and stepped out.
However, his action startled Dumbledore, who exclaimed, "Come back! What are you doing?"
As a wizard who had studied time-turners, Dumbledore's first instinct upon returning to the past was to hide and avoid contact with anyone beyond his targets, keeping as low a profile as possible.
This was also the reason why he had been prioritizing the protection of the barn... It was a great hiding spot, and Dumbledore didn't want any unforeseen changes to disrupt his plans going forward.
So, naturally, he didn't want Kyle to be exposed to others either.
Dumbledore wanted to pull Kyle back, but his body was too weak, and after using magic repeatedly, he could only stand for a moment before falling back into the chair.
"Of course, I'm going to get something to eat," Kyle turned and said matter-of-factly. "I've been hungry since we've been busy all night. Even if we're saving someone, we need to fill our stomachs first. Come on, Professor. The food here may not taste great, but it'll do."
"I'll pass," Dumbledore shook his head. "I don't want to be recognized by others. It might affect our plans later. You go and come back quickly."
"Recognized?" Kyle raised an eyebrow and waved his hand, conjuring a large mirror in front of Dumbledore. "Professor, do you really think someone will recognize you at this point?"
Dumbledore subconsciously raised his head.
He saw a face filled with fatigue and aged with grayish hair and beard, even his bright blue eyes had dulled significantly.
"I assure you, no one will recognize you as Dumbledore," Kyle said confidently. "You look so different from that vibrant young man. Even if you tell others you're the same person, no one would believe you."
"You're right," Dumbledore said with a bitter smile as he shook his head. He stopped insisting and, with Kyle's support, left the barn together.
The two walked down the path to the pub.
As it was morning, there weren't many people around yet. Kyle led Dumbledore to the bar and sat down at his usual spot, ordering two breakfasts.
The breakfast was simple—two pieces of bread hard enough to hammer nails and a cup of pumpkin juice, without even a slice of fried bacon.
But it was cheap, only one Knut.
To be honest, Kyle hadn't spent a single Knut by himself in years, and he had almost forgotten that Knuts could be used as a standalone currency.
"Make do with this, there's not much else here. Or you can order another boiled potato if you want," Kyle skillfully broke the dry bread into pieces and soaked them in the pumpkin juice. When the boss wasn't paying attention, he whispered, "But I advise you not to. Old Brown never washes the potatoes before boiling, and they're not even cooked on the same day. It tastes like biting into a muddy stone."
"No, this is fine," Dumbledore said distractedly.
He didn't really care what he ate, or rather, even if a delicious roast beef was placed in front of him at that moment, he wouldn't have been able to taste anything.
"We'd better hurry, they'll be back soon," Dumbledore said.
"No rush, it's still early," Kyle waved his hand, still soaking his dry bread leisurely. "Actually, I already have an idea, and it might just work."
"You came up with a plan so quickly?" Dumbledore asked in surprise.
"I didn't just think of it," Kyle shook his head. "A few days ago, I saw Ariana in the attic. That's when this idea came to me."
Hearing Kyle address Ariana so directly, Dumbledore became tense again and looked around unconsciously.
"Don't worry, Professor, they can't hear us," Kyle said with a smile.
He felt that whenever it came to Ariana, Dumbledore lost his usual sound judgment.
"So, you want to save her too?" Dumbledore also relaxed a bit when he realized that no one was paying attention to them.
"I can't say for sure, it's just an idea," Kyle explained. "Logic tells me that going back with you was the best choice. But I also thought that even if you hadn't lost those memories, it would be impossible for you to just leave without doing anything... After all, that guilt tormented you for a century."
"Was I that obvious?" Dumbledore asked involuntarily. "I always thought I hid my emotions well."
"It's just a guess," Kyle said. "The later you always liked to knit wool socks, and they usually symbolize family affection."
"Is that so?" Dumbledore fell silent for a moment. "But I do wish someone would give me a pair of wool socks for Christmas. Unfortunately, no one ever has... People always give me books, and most of them are ones I've already read."
"Don't worry, this situation will continue for many more years," Kyle sighed.
It wasn't just Dumbledore; Kyle himself received books for seventy percent of his Christmas gifts. He felt that in a few more years, he could open a private library.
"So, what's your plan?" Dumbledore took the initiative to bring the topic back, "How are we going to save Ariana?"
"Saving Ariana is not difficult. We can use a Stunning Spell in advance or find an excuse to take her away. The hard part is deceiving Dumbledore...of course, I mean the younger Dumbledore," Kyle said.
"Polyjuice Potion."
"That's right." Kyle nodded. "Before they get back, you take Ariana away, and I'll drink the Polyjuice Potion to take her place..."
"No."
Dumbledore immediately vetoed Kyle's idea as soon as he finished speaking.
"Why not?" Kyle asked. "This is the simplest way."
"I have a feeling that this approach won't work." Dumbledore said after a moment of silence. "You should know that I've come back more than once."
Kyle nodded.
"Unlike the previous times, your appearance has caused some fragments of my lost memories to resurface. I vaguely remember trying something similar before." Dumbledore explained, "Taking Ariana away and then appearing here disguised as her."
"What happened then?" Kyle inquired.
"I don't remember." Dumbledore said with a pained expression. "But I can guess that when Ariana woke up and found herself in an unfamiliar place, her emotions must have collapsed, and the outcome wouldn't have changed."
"You mean her Murtlap?"
"Exactly." Dumbledore clutched the pumpkin juice cup tightly. "Emotions are the trigger for the Murtlap to erupt within her. Ariana must stay here."
Kyle frowned but remained silent.
He had indeed overlooked the issue of the Murtlap. Ariana had been confined to her home, and her world consisted only of her family, or more accurately, Aberforth.
Moreover, even a normal person would panic if they suddenly found themselves in an unfamiliar place, let alone someone emotionally unstable like Ariana.
"There's another way, but it's a bit risky." Kyle narrowed his eyes.
"What is it?"
"Tell Ariana the truth..."
"Absolutely not!"
Dumbledore stood up excitedly, immediately drawing the attention of everyone around them.
He sat back down and lowered his voice. "You should know that the first rule of using a Time-Turner is to never tell anyone about the future."
"Then let's find a way to circumvent that rule."
"It can't be changed."
"But there is a way." Kyle glanced at the empty seat to his left.
If it were evening, that seat would usually be occupied by Cadmus, but it was still morning, and he was probably brewing potions.
"Professor, do you remember Cadmus?"
"Cadmus Peverell?" Dumbledore asked, puzzled. "Why did you suddenly mention him?"
"I've thought of a plan." Kyle stood up abruptly. "Come with me."
Kyle left two Knuts on the bar counter and then ran out of the pub without looking back.
Dumbledore hurriedly followed, stumbling slightly as he got up.
Kyle ran along the path south of Godric's Hollow until he reached a two-story red cottage.
The first floor of the cottage had been converted into a shop, with a handmade sign hanging above the door.
[Peverell Potions]
Cadmus had just finished serving a customer and looked up to see Kyle running towards him.
"Well, this is a rare visit." He said, surprised. "What potion do you need? I have Love Potions, Cheerful Potions, and Stimulant Potions. Considering you treated me to drinks, I can give you a fantastic discount."
Kyle scanned the potions on display, all of which were very common types. The most expensive one was probably the Cheerful Potion.
"I'll take them all." Kyle placed a handful of Galleons on the table. "Everything on the shelf and in stock."
Cadmus looked at the substantial amount of Galleons on the counter and then at Kyle, a smile spreading across his face.
"I know you're rich, but you don't have to come here early in the morning to joke around with me... No, you have to treat me to the finest brandy tonight, or I'll cut ties with you."
"I'm serious about buying them." Kyle insisted.
"Alright, stop joking." Cadmus waved his hand, ready to shoo him away.
But his hand froze in mid-air as he saw the serious expression on Kyle's face.
"Give me one good reason." He said, "Don't treat me like a fool. You don't look like someone who needs these ordinary potions."
"Fine, you've got me." Kyle didn't bother to beat around the bush. "I want to borrow something from you."
"Hey, you should've said so earlier." Cadmus suddenly relaxed. "Putting on such a big show just to borrow something, after all those drinks you've treated me to, how could I refuse? Come on, put away the gold... Tell me, what do you want to borrow?"
"An Invisibility Cloak." Kyle stated.
Cadmus froze for a moment, but quickly recovered, letting out an awkward laugh.
"Don't joke about that. Invisibility Cloaks are rare, even the wealthiest Dumbledore family in Godric's Hollow might not have one. How could I possibly..."
"Ignotus Peverell." Kyle stated a name, and Cadmus' voice trailed off.
He stared at Kyle, his expression turning serious as he closed the shop door. "I don't understand what you're talking about. Who is that?"
"The third brother in 'The Tale of the Three Brothers' from 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard'. The Potter surname is descended from him." Kyle explained.
Cadmus' face darkened even further.
"Just because of a surname?" He asked quietly. "Potter isn't an uncommon surname."
"What if we add the Highlands in the south?"
"Grindelwald." Kyle replied, "He disappeared this time because of this very reason."
"Ha!" Bode exclaimed, abruptly drawing his wand and pointing it at Kyle. "So, you believe that legend too, and want to seize the Hallows for yourself?"
"Oh, right, I almost forgot that you're a wizard who studies magical history. Of course, you would believe it. No wonder you've been staying here, and your reason for getting close to me is because of that, right? It's all for that legendary Invisibility Cloak."
"Don't misunderstand, I've never thought of that."
"Do you think I'll believe you? You liar!" Bode exclaimed.
Kyle didn't bother to explain, instead, he slowly raised his hand and with a slight movement of his finger, Bode's wand flew out of his grasp and into Kyle's hand.
"Disarming Spell..." Bode's voice was hoarse, and his body went soft.
He was certain that if this person wanted to kill him, it would be as easy as pie, especially now that he didn't even have his wand.
But the next moment, Kyle placed his wand back on the counter and took two steps back.
"Now do you believe me? I truly didn't come here for any Invisibility Cloak." Kyle explained, "If I really wanted it, you couldn't have stopped me."
Kyle waved his hand again, and the iron shelf next to Bode began to twist and contort rapidly, turning into a tangled lump of metal.
Hearing the creaking and groaning of the metal, Bode swallowed hard.
"Alright, I believe you."
"I understand your concerns, no need to force yourself." Kyle said, "That is, after all, a legendary item, coveted by many. If the situation wasn't so urgent, I wouldn't have come to borrow it from you."
"You're in trouble?" Bode glanced at the iron lump beside him again... he decided to trust Kyle.
"Being chased by enemies, and you want to use the Invisibility Cloak to hide, right?"
"Not me, it's someone else." Kyle thought for a moment and said, "It's related to whether a young girl can survive or not."
"Is that person important to you?"
"I guess you could say that. I came to Godric's Hollow this time because of her."
"Someone from the valley?" Bode asked in confusion, "Who is it?"
"I can't tell you, and you shouldn't ask." Kyle shook his head.
"It's fine if you can't tell me." Bode extended his hand, "Hand it over then."
"What..."
"You wanted to buy all my stock, right? I've decided to increase the price by tenfold, a total of twenty Galleons. If you're willing to pay, I'll lend you the Invisibility Cloak."
"You agree?"
"What else can I do?" Bode huffed, "My bones aren't as hard as that shelf, hurry up, no more nonsense, or I'll change my mind."
"No problem." Kyle quickly placed a bag on the table, "I'll give you fifty Galleons..."
"No need, just twenty Galleons, I don't want more." Bode counted out twenty gold coins, then tossed the bag back to Kyle and turned to walk into the back room.
After a few minutes...
"It's fine, Patina, it's just a troublesome customer, you can go back, I can handle it."
As Bode spoke, he came out again, this time with a dusty box in his hand.
"Here, take it. It's what you want." He closed his eyes, putting on a long-suffering expression, and took a deep breath before pushing the box towards Kyle.
"That's enough, Bode." Kyle said, "I'm just borrowing it, not stealing it. I will return it to you later."
"That remains to be seen." Bode sneered, "Even if you don't return it to me, I probably won't be able to get it back anyway... Damn that big-mouthed Grindelwald."
Kyle felt helpless, but his previous performance indeed lacked persuasiveness. However, it was already nine o'clock, and he had to go find Ariana soon, so he really didn't have time to explain properly to Bode.
"Alright, I'll give you mine in exchange then." Kyle took out another Invisibility Cloak and handed it to the bewildered Bode.
"What? If you have an Invisibility Cloak, why do you need to borrow mine?"
"They're not the same." Kyle shook his head, "Mine is an ordinary Invisibility Cloak, but yours is a legendary Hallow that can take you beyond the reach of Death himself."
"Then I'm still at a loss, aren't I?" Bode pouted, muttering softly.
It was a raw deal to exchange a limited edition for an ordinary one.
"Then I'll add a bottle of fine wine, how about that?" Kyle took out an ordinary-looking glass bottle.
"Hmph, just honey wine." Bode glanced at it, "That's not much of a deal..."
Before he could finish his sentence, Kyle had already uncorked the bottle, and the rich aroma of the wine filled the small room.
In an instant, Bode was like a fish that had been thrown onto the shore, gasping for air as if he wanted to suck in all the air around him.
With incredible speed, he rushed to Kyle's side and forcefully recorked the bottle.
"I want two bottles... no, three!" Bode stared intently at Kyle.
"Greedy fellow." Kyle smiled and took out two more bottles of honey wine.
These were the bottles he had prepared before lending the Hufflepuff Cup to Fred and George, and he hadn't expected to use them now.
Bode snatched the bottle from Kyle's hand and gestured towards the door.
"Alright, now get out of my house with your tattered cloak."
...
(End of Chapter)
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