Chapter 843: Get Out of My House
Chapter 843: Get Out of My House
In the abandoned granary, Dumbledore, who had lost part of his memory, and Kyle, who had decided to stay, reached a preliminary agreement to work together.
They decided to give it a try and see if they could save Ariana.
"There's still some time," Dumbledore said. "We can discuss what we should do."
"No rush," Kyle said, pushing open the granary door and stepping out.
However, his action startled Dumbledore, who exclaimed, "Come back here! What are you doing?"
As a wizard who had studied the Time-Turner, Dumbledore instinctively wanted to hide himself after returning to the past and avoid contact with anyone other than his target, minimizing his presence as much as possible.
This was also the reason why he had been prioritizing the protection of the granary... This was a good hiding place, and Dumbledore didn't want any unexpected changes to disrupt his subsequent plans.
So, he also didn't want Kyle to be exposed to others.
Dumbledore wanted to pull Kyle back, but his body was too weak, and after using magic frequently, he immediately fell back into the chair after standing up.
"Of course, I'm going to get something to eat," Kyle turned and said matter-of-factly. "After a busy night, I'm already hungry. Even if we're saving someone, we should fill our stomachs first, right? Come on, Professor. The food here doesn't taste great, but it'll do for a quick bite."
"I'm not going," Dumbledore shook his head. "I don't want to be recognized by others, as it might affect our subsequent plans. You go and come back quickly."
Kyle raised an eyebrow and waved his hand, conjuring a large mirror in front of Dumbledore. "Professor, you don't think anyone can recognize you at this moment, do you?"
Dumbledore instinctively looked up.
He saw a face full of fatigue and age, with grayish hair and beard, and even his blue eyes had dimmed significantly.
"I assure you, no one will recognize you as Dumbledore," Kyle said confidently. "You look so different from that spirited young man. Even if you tell others that you're the same person, no one will believe you."
"Yes, you're right," Dumbledore sighed and shook his head with a bitter smile. He no longer insisted and, with Kyle's support, left the granary together.
The two followed a small path and arrived at the pub.
Since it was still early, there weren't many people around. Kyle led Dumbledore to the bar, the most familiar spot for him, and ordered two breakfasts.
Although it was called breakfast, it was just two pieces of bread hard enough to hammer nails and a cup of pumpkin juice, without even a slice of fried ham.
But it was cheap, costing only one Knut.
To be honest, Kyle hadn't spent a Knut on his own in years. He almost forgot that it could be used as a single currency for purchases.
"Make do with this; there's nothing else here. Or you can have a boiled potato," Kyle said as he skillfully broke the dry bread into pieces and soaked it in the pumpkin juice. When the boss wasn't paying attention, he whispered, "But I suggest you don't order it. Old Brown never washes the potatoes when he cooks them, and they're not even cooked on the same day. It tastes like biting into a muddy stone."
"No need, this is fine," Dumbledore said absentmindedly.
He didn't mind what he ate, or even if a delicious grilled steak was placed in front of him, he wouldn't be able to taste anything.
"We should hurry; they'll be back soon," Dumbledore said.
"No rush, we still have time," Kyle waved his hand and continued to soak his dry bread leisurely. "Actually, I already have an idea in mind that might work."
"You've already thought of a solution?" Dumbledore asked in surprise.
"Not just now," Kyle shook his head. "I saw Ariana a few days ago on the attic, and that's when I got this idea."
Hearing Kyle call out Ariana's name, Dumbledore became tense again and instinctively looked around.
"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 judgment.
"So, you also want to save her?" Dumbledore relaxed a bit after realizing no one was paying attention to them.
"I can only say I have this idea," Kyle explained. "My rational mind tells me that going back with you was the best choice. But I also thought that even if you hadn't lost those memories, you probably wouldn't be able to leave without doing anything... After all, this guilt has tormented you for a hundred years."
"Was I that obvious?" Dumbledore asked, unable to hold back. "I always thought I could hide my emotions well."
"I'm just guessing," Kyle said. "The later you always liked to knit woolen socks, which often symbolizes family affection."
"Is that so?" Dumbledore fell silent for a moment. "But I do wish someone would give me a pair of woolen socks for Christmas. Unfortunately, no one has ever given me one."
"Don't worry, this situation will continue for many years," Kyle sighed.
Not only Dumbledore, but Kyle himself also received books as seventy percent of his Christmas gifts. Kyle 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 on track. "How are we going to save Ariana?"
"Saving Ariana isn't difficult. We can use a Stunning Spell in advance or find an excuse to take her away," Kyle said. "The hard part is how we're going to deceive Dumbledore... of course, I'm referring to the young Dumbledore."
"I know."
"So I've decided to use this." Kyle took out a small bottle of potion and a long strand of dark red hair.
"Polyjuice Potion."
"Exactly," Kyle nodded, "Before they return, you take Ariana away, and I'll drink the Polyjuice Potion to take her place..."
"No."
As soon as Kyle finished speaking, Dumbledore vetoed the idea.
"Why?" Kyle asked, "This is the simplest solution."
"I have a feeling this won't work," Dumbledore said after a moment of silence, "You should know that I've returned more than once."
Kyle nodded.
"Unlike previous times, your appearance has brought back fragments of my lost memories. I vaguely recall using a similar method before," Dumbledore explained, "Taking Ariana away and then appearing here disguised as her."
"What happened?" Kyle asked.
"I don't remember," Dumbledore said with a hint of pain, "But I can guess that if Ariana woke up and found herself in an unfamiliar place, her emotions would have been in turmoil, and the outcome would have been no different."
"You mean her Silencio?"
"Exactly," Dumbledore clutched the Pumpkin Juice cup tightly, "Her emotions were the trigger for the Silencio inside her. Ariana must stay here."
Kyle frowned and remained silent.
He had indeed overlooked the issue of Silencio. Ariana had been confined to the house, and her world consisted only of her family, or more precisely, Aberforth.
Moreover, even a normal person would be disoriented if they suddenly found themselves in an unfamiliar place, let alone a Silencio user with unstable emotions.
"There's one more option, but it's a bit risky." Kyle narrowed his eyes.
"What?"
"Tell Ariana the truth..."
"Absolutely not!"
Dumbledore stood up in agitation, instantly drawing the attention of everyone around.
He sat back down and said in a low voice, "You should know that the first rule of using a Time Turner is to never reveal future events to others."
"Then find a way around that rule."
"It's unchangeable."
"No, there's a way." Kyle glanced at the empty seat to his left. Normally, Cody would be there in the evenings, but it was morning, and he was probably brewing potions.
"Professor, do you remember Cody?"
"Cody Potter?" Dumbledore asked, surprised, "Why bring him up suddenly?"
"I've thought of a plan." Kyle stood up abruptly, "Follow me."
Kyle left two Knuts on the bar counter and then ran out of the pub without looking back.
Dumbledore hurriedly followed, stumbling slightly.
Kyle ran along the southern path of Godric's Hollow until he reached a small red cottage.
The first floor had been converted into a shop, with a handwritten sign above it.
[Potter's Apothecary]
Cody had just finished serving a customer when he saw Kyle running towards him.
"What a rare visitor," he said in surprise, "Do you need any potions? I've got Love Potions, Cheerfulness Potions, and Energizing Potions. I'll give you a great discount, considering you treated me to a drink."
Kyle scanned the potions, all of which were common types. The most expensive one was the Cheerfulness Potion.
"I'll take them all." Kyle placed a Galleon on the table, "I want everything on the shelves and in stock."
Cody looked at the Galleon on the counter and then at Kyle, and smiled.
"I know you're wealthy, but you don't have to come all the way here to joke with me... No, you must treat me to the finest Brandy tonight, or I'll turn you down."
"I'm serious about buying them," Kyle said.
"Stop kidding around," Cody waved his hand, ready to dismiss him.
But as he saw Kyle's earnest expression, he paused, his hand hanging in mid-air.
"Give me a reason," he said, "Don't play dumb with me. You don't seem like someone who needs these common potions."
"You can't hide anything from me," Kyle said, cutting to the chase, "I want to borrow something from you."
"Hey, you should've said so earlier." Cody suddenly relaxed, "You went through all this just to borrow something? I'll take back the Knuts, but you owe me a drink later... So, what do you want to borrow?"
"The Invisibility Cloak," Kyle replied.
Cody froze for a moment but quickly regained his composure and forced a smile, "You're joking, right? The Invisibility Cloak is a rare item, even the wealthiest family in Godric's Hollow, the Dumbledores, might not have one. How can I possibly..."
Kyle mentioned a name, and Cody's voice trailed off.
He stared at Kyle, his face turning serious, and then closed the shop door, "I don't understand what you're talking about. Who is that?"
"The Invisibility Cloak belongs to one of the three brothers in 'Tales of Beedle the Bard'. The surname 'Potter' is carried by his descendants."
Cody's face darkened,
"Just because of a surname?" he asked sternly, "Potter isn't an uncommon surname."
"What if I add something more?"
"Someone said that the descendants of Ignatius Peverell live here, and with your surname, the answer naturally appeared," Cody said, interrupting Kyle.
"Who said that?"
"Grindelwald," Kyle replied, "he disappeared this time because of this."
"So you also believe in that legend and want to take the Three Hallows?" Cody exclaimed, brandishing his wand at Kyle.
"Oh, and by the way, I almost forgot that you're a wizard who studies magical history. People like you would naturally believe in such things. No wonder you've been living here all this time. You must have stayed here because of that legendary Invisibility Cloak."
"Don't get the wrong idea, I never thought of that."
"Do you think I'd believe you? Liar!" Cody exclaimed.
Kyle didn't explain; he slowly raised his hand, fingers moving slightly.
In Cody's shocked gaze, his wand instantly slipped from his grasp and flew into Kyle's hand.
"Disarming Charm..." Cody's voice was dry, and his body went limp.
He could be sure that if the person in front of him wanted to kill him, it would be as simple as it gets, especially now that he didn't have his wand.
But the next moment, Kyle put his wand back on the counter and voluntarily took two steps back.
"Now you believe me, I didn't come here for the Invisibility Cloak," Kyle explained. "If I really wanted it, I wouldn't leave you alone."
Kyle waved his hand again, and the iron shelf next to Cody began to twist rapidly, turning into a clump of iron lumps.
Hearing the creaking sound, Cody couldn't help but swallow.
"Okay, I believe you."
"I understand your thoughts, no need to force me," Kyle said, "After all, it's a legendary item, coveted by many. If it weren't for the urgency, I wouldn't have come to borrow it from you."
"You're in trouble?" Cody glanced at the iron lump again... he chose to trust Kyle.
"Enemies are after me, and I want to use the Invisibility Cloak to hide?"
"Not me, it's someone else," Kyle said after a moment's thought, "It's about whether a young girl can live or not."
"Is that person important to you?"
"I guess so, I came to Godric's Hollow this time because of her."
"Someone from the valley?" Cody asked in confusion, "Who is it?"
"I can't tell you, and you shouldn't ask," Kyle shook his head.
"If you can't tell me, then just give it to me." Cody extended his hand, "Here you go."
"What..."
"Aren't you going to buy all my stock for Galleons?" Cody said boldly, "I'll double the price, twenty Galleons in total. If you agree, I'll lend you the Invisibility Cloak."
"You agreed?"
"What else can I do?" Cody said impatiently, "My bones aren't as hard as your shelves. Hurry up, no more nonsense, or I might change my mind later."
"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," Cody counted out twenty gold coins and threw the bag back at Kyle, turning to walk into the room behind him.
After a few minutes...
"It's fine, Patina, just a difficult customer. You can go back now, I can handle it," Cody said as he walked out again, this time with a dusty box in his hand.
"Take it, here's what you want," he closed his eyes, putting on a bitter expression, and pushed the box towards Kyle.
"That's enough, Cody," Kyle couldn't help but say, "I'm just borrowing it, not stealing it. I'll return it to you later."
"That's not certain," Cody sneered, "Even if you don't return it to me, I won't come back... damn that big-mouthed Grindelwald."
Kyle was a bit helpless, but his previous actions indeed lacked persuasion. However, it was already nine o'clock, and he had to go find Ariana soon; he really couldn't explain things properly to Cody.
"Forget it, I'll swap mine with yours then," Kyle said, taking out an Invisibility Cloak and handing it to a bewildered Cody.
"No, if you have an Invisibility Cloak, why borrow mine?"
"They're not the same," Kyle shook his head, "Mine is an ordinary Invisibility Cloak, but yours is the legendary Hallow that can reach beyond the realm of death."
"So I'm still getting the short end of the stick?" Cody muttered, pouting.
Exchanging a regular item for a limited edition one, this deal was definitely not favorable.
"Then I'll add a good bottle of wine, that should be enough," Kyle said, taking out an ordinary glass bottle.
"Tsk, just honey wine," Cody glanced at it, "This is not a good..."
Before he could finish, Kyle had already removed the cork, and the rich aroma of wine instantly filled the small room.
In an instant, Cody was like a fish thrown onto the shore, gasping for air as if trying to suck all the air into his belly.
With an incredible speed, he rushed to Kyle's side and forcefully corked the bottle.
"I want two bottles... no, three bottles!" Cody's eyes burned with desire as he stared at Kyle.
"Greedy fellow," Kyle laughed, taking out two more bottles of honey wine.
This was the wine he had prepared before lending the Hufflepuff gold to Fred and George, and he never expected it to come in handy at this moment.
Cody snatched the bottle from Kyle's hand and pointed to the door.
"Alright, now take your tattered cloak and get out of my house."
...
(End of Chapter)
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