Chapter 864: Albus' Persecution
Chapter 864: Albus' Persecution
As the most notorious scoundrel in Hogsmeade, Albus had two pet peeves.
First, anyone who praised Dumbledore in front of him, regardless of who or how, even if they merely mentioned the color of Dumbledore's beard, Albus would discreetly increase their tab by thirty percent.
As for those who spoke ill of Dumbledore... It was true that most of the patrons at The Pig's Head were daring individuals who skirted the edge of Wizard Law, but even they rarely dared to speak ill of the Headmaster so close to Hogwarts.
If there were such reckless individuals, a fifty percent increase in their tab should make them realize the danger... In any case, mentioning Dumbledore's name was forbidden at The Pig's Head.
Additionally, Albus disliked people discussing his prized possession, the goat that was constantly chewing on something behind the counter.
If someone had designs on it or got drunk and spoke out of turn, they usually didn't fare well.
Over time, the regulars at The Pig's Head generally became aware of the owner's rules and avoided provoking him intentionally.
However, two clueless out-of-towners arrived at the bar today.
"In my opinion, leg meat should be grilled with black pepper and miso to enhance the flavor. Even Headmaster Dumbledore agrees," said a young red-haired boy, sitting at the bar with a serious expression.
Beside him, a middle-aged man shook his head, "No, I still think Dumbledore prefers stewing."
Their words caused those around them to pause, as they were discussing cooking methods for ingredients, but from their occasional glances at the corner of the bar, it seemed that the ingredient they were referring to was the rear leg of the goat behind the counter.
And these two individuals were none other than Kyle and Dumbledore.
It was unclear what the Headmaster of Hogwarts was thinking, but he had certainly used Transfiguration to disguise himself before entering, and even altered Kyle's appearance slightly.
"You don't know Dumbledore well enough," Kyle said, slapping the table decisively. "Boiled meat is too gamey. Dumbledore definitely prefers grilled."
Excellent, it could now be confirmed that they were indeed talking about the goat.
Discussing Dumbledore openly at The Pig's Head and even suggesting cooking the owner's goat... This was bound to be entertaining!
Everyone around became interested. Those who were drinking stopped, and those speaking lowered their voices. Everyone was intentionally or unintentionally focusing on the large and small figures in front of the bar.
And the owner did not disappoint them. He seemed to float like a ghost in front of the two.
"Are you... planning to offer my goat as a delicacy to Dumbledore?" Albus narrowed his eyes and spoke slowly.
Kyle was initially a bit nervous. Although he had managed to take Sniffles for a walk not long ago, that was a special circumstance.
Albus was now a wizard over a hundred years old, and with his surname... Kyle was worried that he might see through his Transfiguration.
Fortunately, Dumbledore was apparently more skilled, as Albus did not see through Kyle's Transfiguration. He seemed to regard Kyle as a stranger.
"What goat? I warn you not to speak nonsense."
Upon realizing that he hadn't been exposed, Kyle became bolder. He twisted his mouth and said with his neck tilted back, "Look at your goat. It's filthy. Even a two-year-old mop in a Muggle household is cleaner..."
Albus' eyes twitched noticeably.
He bathed his goat more frequently than himself. Dirty? That was ridiculous!
This person was looking for trouble!
Albus narrowed his eyes, already planning how to throw this person out.
Dumbledore also touched Kyle's shoulder from below, seemingly signaling him to be careful, but Kyle acted as if he didn't feel it and continued to sneer, saying, "If this thing were to enter Hogwarts, the house-elves would throw it out as trash the next second. Would Professor Dumbledore eat this? He'd be putting Galleons on his face."
"You're not trying to cozy up to Headmaster Dumbledore, are you? Then, you'd borrow his name to save this... broken pub."
"You think I want to cozy up to Dumbledore?" Albus clenched his teeth, his eyes becoming more dangerous.
However, those around them became more excited.
From the moment they entered, this arrogant young man had already stepped on three landmines. It was estimated that he would be thrown out by the owner in the next second.
This happened frequently. Although the owner looked old, he was quick and ruthless when throwing people out, showing no mercy.
The regulars often gained a lot of knowledge by watching the owner and the thrown-out individuals play the piano on the family tree through the door.
Some had even taken out their small notebooks to record the events.
However, they were disappointed as Albus didn't do anything extreme. He simply pointed and said calmly, "Get out. You're not welcome here."
The young man complied, although he continued to curse as he left the bar. The middle-aged man beside him hurriedly followed.
The onlookers around them let out a chorus of disappointed hisses, a far cry from what they had anticipated.
"I was hoping to learn some new insults to use on Old Fred," a witch with her face wrapped in a headscarf said discontentedly. "The owner of the Pig's Head Pub must have been swapped with someone else."
Her words resonated with most of the crowd, as in their memories, the old man's temperament was never this friendly.
But was this truly the case?
"You shouldn't have provoked him like that."
Outside the Pig's Head Pub, Dumbledore sighed, "Aberforth hates it when people compare him to me. It's been like this since school days. Whenever someone brings it up, he charges at them and gets into a fight, using his fists to prove his strength."
"Professor, that's going too far," Kyle glanced at him, "You're the one stirring things up, and I'm just following your lead."
"I just wanted to see him angry, not really provoke him," Dumbledore said, unabashed.
Kyle stopped in his tracks, looking at him incredulously, "Professor, you're truly shameless."
"Pot calling the kettle black," Dumbledore waved his hand, "Just a reminder, watch your back."
As Dumbledore's words fell, Kyle subconsciously turned his body to the side.
At that moment, a faint pink spell flew past his ear. Judging by the color, it seemed to be a Stupefy Charm.
Someone was attacking them?
Kyle paused, and after leaving the Pig's Head Pub, neither he nor Dumbledore had a specific destination in mind. They were just walking forward in a random direction.
Moreover, the Pig's Head Pub was located at the very edge of Hogsmeade Village. Unconsciously, they had reached the vicinity of the Forbidden Forest, a pitch-black area without a hint of light—an ideal spot for a stunning spell.
But who was targeting them... those hidden figures from the Pig's Head Pub?
Kyle's hand trembled, and he grabbed his wand, ready to turn and take a look.
But someone was faster than him.
Dumbledore, as if already aware of the presence behind them, turned around at an incomprehensible speed, not even using his wand. Instead, he swung his own fist.
"Crack!"
"Bang!"
With a dull thud, a figure fell to the ground.
"Ah... Aberforth?"
Kyle blinked as he looked at the person lying on the ground.
Whether intentional or not, Dumbledore's fist had just struck the other person's nasal bone.
As expected, the first sound Kyle heard earlier was the sound of Aberforth's nasal bone breaking.
"Oh, sorry, I didn't expect it to be him," Dumbledore said.
Kyle put away his wand and let out a cold laugh.
He had reason to believe that all of this was intentional on Dumbledore's part, a way to get back at Aberforth for breaking his nasal bone ninety-seven years ago.
Back then, Aberforth, believing Ariana was dead, had struck Dumbledore's nasal bone in anger during the funeral.
Dumbledore also thought Ariana was dead, so he didn't intend to heal it. It seemed like he wanted to atone for his actions in this way.
This also caused his nasal bone to remain crooked, looking extremely uncoordinated.
Kyle glanced again at Aberforth, who was lying on the ground... even the broken position was identical. If this was a coincidence, it was a bit too much of one.
Kyle was more inclined to believe that Dumbledore, upon learning that Ariana was still alive, had rushed over to take revenge at the first opportunity.
No wonder before entering the Pig's Head Pub, he had been hinting that he wanted to find a way to provoke Aberforth. Kyle thought there would be some fun to watch, but he never expected this to be the reason.
This petty old bee, seeking revenge was one thing, but to try and pin it on a young wizard with a pure heart? When did he become so shameless?
"Professor..." Kyle looked at Dumbledore expressionlessly, waiting for an explanation.
"It's all a misunderstanding, I thought it was a Death Eater," Dumbledore said calmly. "But I need you to send Aberforth back. I have to go and accompany Ariana."
Dumbledore pointed to the left.
In the shadows, a figure in a black hooded cloak stood.
"Ariana?" Kyle frowned, "So, what are you planning to do?"
"To erase the impact left by time and prepare for the next time travel," Dumbledore said. "After crossing nearly a century, there are bound to be some issues... like those two fire dragons that appeared out of thin air, and Ariana's empty grave... We need to resolve these potential problems now."
"Fire dragons... Is there anything I can do to help?" Kyle asked seriously.
"No, you don't need to do anything. This is my task," Dumbledore smiled. "All you need to do is wait patiently for the day you return to the past. Leave the rest to me."
At this point, Dumbledore's tone carried an unparalleled confidence, a confidence in his own abilities.
"Alright then." Kyle shrugged, "Good luck, Professor."
"By the way, you're not here to seek revenge on Mr. Aberforth, are you?"
Dumbledore blinked, "Not initially, but since you've given me this opportunity, it would be a shame not to take it. After all, his punch hurt me for ninety-seven years."
...
Dumbledore and Ariana, who had been standing in the shadows, vanished.
Kyle turned to look at Aberforth lying on the ground, feeling a twinge of sympathy for the unfortunate man.
From a young age, he had been constantly compared to his genius older brother, and now, in his old age, he couldn't even be the first to know that his beloved sister was alive. Instead, he was subjected to his brother's pranks and had his nose bridge broken for no apparent reason.
Thinking about what he had just said, Kyle felt a bit guilty.
What a pitiful old man, he thought to himself. I should be nicer to him from now on.
Kyle sighed, waved his wand lightly, and Aberforth's shirt floated up, lifting his upper body as if someone was pulling him by the back of his neck.
Kyle began walking towards The Hog's Head, leaving two long drag marks behind him, just like when he had pulled Aberforth downstairs in Godric's Hollow.
As for why he was doing this... Well, it was convenient. He couldn't exactly carry him back, could he? He hadn't even hugged Connor like that, let alone an old man.
Aberforth was unconscious anyway, unaware of what was happening. He'd make it up to him when he woke up.
...
Dumbledore had a good grip on his magic, and by the time they reached the door of The Hog's Head, Aberforth started to regain consciousness. He twitched his leg first, then slowly came back to his senses.
Kyle released his hold and quickly dodged to the side.
Aberforth stood up unsteadily, first looking at the door just a few feet away, as if trying to recall what had happened earlier.
Once he was fully alert, he suddenly felt a piercing pain in his face, so intense that it brought tears to his eyes.
"Ow!"
"Damn it, I'll find out who did this to me!"
"!"
The night air in Hogsmeade was filled with his agonized screams, accompanied by the gentle tapping of piano keys on a family tree.
From a distance, Kyle watched with satisfaction as Aberforth seemed to regain his strength. He nodded and returned to Dorsetshire.
As soon as he entered, he saw Newt lying on the table, writing something.
"Did you take care of it?" Newt asked, looking up.
"Yeah," Kyle nodded, "and I also took the blame for the headmaster."
"What do you mean?" Newt put down his quill and asked curiously.
"We went to The Hog's Head," Kyle recounted the events that had just transpired.
"All that effort just to punch his own brother, and then blaming it all on me. What a shameless act. I even suspect that I might have brought back a fake Professor Dumbledore."
"Who said that?" Newt laughed, "I also feel like he's changed since he returned... I never imagined that Ariana's influence on him would be so significant."
"It was a hundred-year-old knot and shackle for him, after all..." Kyle sat next to Newt and sighed, "But in a way, it's a good thing."
"You're right..." Newt nodded, "Oh, and this is for you." He handed Kyle a box.
"While you were gone, I took care of your magical creatures. But there's something I must remind you of—Dementors are not truly immortal in the strictest sense. You can't starve them indefinitely."
"I just forgot..." Kyle scratched his head awkwardly.
"I researched suitable food for them, and it's all here." Newt handed Kyle a piece of parchment, "Thanks to you, this is the first time I've gotten so close to these dark creatures. With the Chinese Fireball Dragon and the Niffler's new species, the next edition of 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' will have at least thirty more pages."
Kyle smacked his lips. He had always assumed Newt had known about this food, but it turned out to be a recent discovery.
Should he tell him? Newt was the expert on magical creatures, after all, and this was quite something.
Kyle took the parchment.
The content was similar to what he had heard from Dobby, but with more detail, including how to influence herbs with Patronuses and the exact amount of Thestral saliva to use.
"Remember to keep it safe," Newt said, "and it's best if others don't see it."
"Yeah," Kyle nodded.
Although he wasn't sure if Dementors could still be Azkaban's guards, it was better to keep this method confidential.
Kyle wondered if anyone would have different ideas if this information leaked out, like taming Dementors. After all, for most wizards, these dark creatures were an unsolvable problem.
Kyle read the parchment once more, memorizing the content, and then casually tossed it into the fireplace next to him.
(End of Chapter)
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