Chapter 869: Settling the Score
Chapter 869: Settling the Score
"Ding-a-ling..."
"Welcome!"
As the crisp sound of a wind chime echoed, Dobby, the house-elf sent by Newt to help out in Diagon Alley, popped out from behind the counter, his eyes wide, fixated on the customer who had just entered.
The visitor was a middle-aged wizard who had come to withdraw some money but had stumbled upon this newly opened shop on his way.
It was odd; in a time when Death Eaters were rampant, Diagon Alley was dwindling, and shops were closing down daily as people fled the country. Yet, someone dared to defy the trend and open a new business... Wasn't he afraid of attracting the attention of Death Eaters?
Driven by curiosity, he stepped inside, wanting to see who was bold enough to take such a risk, despite his desire to leave the crowded and conspicuous Diagon Alley as soon as possible.
Upon entering, his first impression was positive; the bright shop gave off a comfortable vibe, and a faint, pleasant scent of wood filled the air... It was the distinct aroma of cherry wood, likely emanating from the brand-new counter.
Using cherry wood for the counter showed good taste and wealth... This type of wood didn't come cheap.
At the same time, he detected a sweet fragrance from some fruit, rich yet not overpowering, which made him feel relaxed and refreshed.
"This is nice," the wizard thought, "If it were a few years ago, this place would have been bustling with customers. But now..."
He shook his head; to be honest, with the current situation, who would be in the mood for shopping? No matter how well-decorated it was, it was just a waste of Galleons.
He paid no attention to the house-elf that had popped out and instead shifted his gaze to the merchandise on the shelves, wanting to figure out the source of the unfamiliar fruity scent he had smelled earlier, and then leave as soon as possible.
It was a bunch of grapes, but the fruits were much larger, plump, and juicy, and the fragrance seemed to fill his nostrils.
This fruit must taste amazing,
The wizard swallowed his saliva, contemplating whether to buy a bunch to take home. After all, he had just withdrawn some money, and buying a bunch of fruit would be well within his means...
Until he saw the price tag below the fruit...
Without hesitation, the wizard held his breath and turned around, almost jogging out of the shop. Only when he reached the street did he take a deep breath.
This was crazy; ten Galleons for a single fruit, was it made of gold?
No, even if it were made of gold, it wouldn't be this expensive. This thing, aside from eating it, just smelling it would cost a Sickle.
He had sniffed around the shop quite a bit to locate the fruit, but he hoped the owner wouldn't come after him for payment.
Unconsciously, the wizard quickened his pace.
No wonder the owner dared to open a shop in Diagon Alley at this time; this person's heart was even darker than the Death Eaters. Why didn't he go rob Gringotts instead!
The customer left, grumbling, and the enthusiastic house-elf, Dobby, could only return behind the counter.
This was already the fifth or sixth customer who had left without buying anything.
The entire morning had passed without a single sale, and Dobby, who had a vague sense of pricing, sighed, feeling he had let down Mr. Kyle's trust.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Kyle wasn't concerned about his newly opened shop. Instead, he was at St. Kachubor Village, on the second floor of his home.
The quiet village suddenly echoed with a faint explosion, prompting Kyle to walk to the window and glance outside.
Mrs. Weasley had returned and was standing at the entrance of their shack.
Kyle clearly remembered the first time he left Hogwarts after impersonating the headmaster; he had encountered Mrs. Weasley, who was about to move out of Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place.
By tomorrow, he should be preparing to go to France to find Cona.
Kyle's eyes flickered, and he took out the time-turner from his pocket, which was now completely damaged and unusable.
Kyle took two steps back and vanished from the room using a Disillusionment Charm.
Just then, Kyle, who was about to enter the shack, paused as if sensing something, and turned to look at the window on the second floor of his home.
"Kyle, what's wrong?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"Nothing," Kyle shook his head and walked in, "Mrs. Weasley, let me help you get rid of these pests."
"Thank you," Mrs. Weasley said, "These pixies are endless, and I don't know how they got in."
While the two of them cleaned the shack, Kyle had already arrived at the entrance of the Hog's Head in Hogsmeade.
He didn't go in but peered through the window.
Aberforth was as usual, standing behind the counter with a grim expression, wiping a dirtier cup with an even dirtier rag.
As usual, Dumbledore and Ariana had not returned to find him.
Kyle averted his gaze and started walking towards Hogwarts.
He remembered Dumbledore mentioning before he left that he and Ariana were going to do something for their next time travel.
This so-called next time travel should be Kyle going back to save Dumbledore.
Kyle didn't know when they would return, but for safety's sake, he had to take some action.
However, before that, he needed to make a trip to Hogwarts.
Some matters are long overdue for settlement.
It was quiet at Hogwarts during class time, and Kyle entered through the main gate, encountering Professor Sprout, who had just emerged from the greenhouse.
"Kyle?" Professor Sprout was surprised and quickly approached him. "Minerva didn't say you had just left school. Why are you back?"
"Oh, I just realized I forgot something, so I came back," Kyle said calmly.
"Did anyone notice?" Professor Sprout asked anxiously.
"Don't worry, Professor," Kyle waved his hand and lowered his voice. "As an excellent graduate, it's normal for me to return to my alma mater to reminisce. No one will suspect that I'm Dumbledore."
"It's better to be careful," Professor Sprout said. "Do you need me to tell Minerva?"
"No, no," Kyle shook his head. "I just came to get something. It won't take long."
"Okay, then come with me." Professor Sprout removed her dragonskin gloves. "It's not class time yet, so no one will know you've been to the Headmaster's office."
"Okay."
Kyle followed Professor Sprout into the castle, encountering Filch along the way.
It was clear that Filch, who was in charge of guarding the school gates, was not welcoming to Kyle, a graduate who was now a 'social idler.' But with Professor Sprout accompanying him, Filch couldn't drive him away. He could only stand in the shadows of the corner, glaring at them.
"Argus, you go ahead," Professor Sprout glanced at him. "Kyle is just here to discuss something with me, and I'll send him out of school afterward."
This was obviously a blatant attempt to send him away.
Filch's face turned stiff, but facing Professor Sprout, the Head of House, he could only bow slightly and leave the entrance hall without a word.
Subsequently, the two climbed the empty stairs to the eighth floor, reaching the stone gargoyle.
"I won't follow you in," Professor Sprout checked the time. "Class is about to end. The next one is Gryffindor's Herbology class. If you want to leave school, you can have a ghost find Minerva."
"Oh, and if you knock on the second pot-shaped silverware on the table, a ghost will come."
"Is that how the silverware in the Headmaster's office is used?" Kyle clicked his tongue, learning something new.
He knew that the silverware must have more than just a decorative purpose.
"Yes, the second one. Be sure not to knock on the wrong one."
"It's fine," Kyle said. "I'll leave through another way. No one will see me."
"That's good."
Professor Sprout hurried off, as she had returned to the castle to retrieve the antidote potion from her office.
The next class was for Gryffindor seventh-years, and the topic was prickly pear cactus. It was better to prepare the corresponding antidote potion in advance, as Mr. Longbottom was among the attendees.
Otherwise, Madam Pomfrey would likely grumble about canceling the dangerous Herbology class.
Honestly, those adorable and fragile herbs weren't dangerous at all. The real danger was Mr. Longbottom.
Fortunately, he wouldn't have to teach him anymore...
As Professor Sprout left, Kyle followed the passage behind the stone statue and entered the Headmaster's office.
The office remained unchanged, with the Headmasters' portraits feigning sleep with their eyes closed. Upon hearing the commotion, a few of them opened one eye.
When they saw it was Kyle, they stopped pretending to sleep.
"Kid, why are you back again!" Phineas Black asked bluntly.
"Nothing much. I just came to deliver some gifts," Kyle smiled and approached, taking out a large pile of finished paint from his pocket.
These professional paints for magical illustrations were expensive, but Kyle didn't regret the purchase at all.
Mr. Black deserved the best.
(Chapter End)
Taking advantage of the time, Kyle had also completed his task.
In addition to the intimidating Fang Stick and the double-bladed axe, he thoughtfully crafted a single-handed sword, a dagger, and a thorned vine whip for the female witch headmasters, ensuring a comprehensive collection.
During this time, Armando Dippet had been observing Kyle.
Although the portrait lacked the ability to think, his experience allowed him to discern that the current Kyle seemed different from the one who had just left.
Of course, the fact that he was able to enter this place indicated that he wasn't an imposter, but there was something distinct about this Kyle compared to the one who had left.
Moreover, Armando could sense the boy's unconcealed malice towards Phineas, an emotion even a portrait like him could perceive.
But what did it matter? Armando Dippet chuckled to himself.
He was just a portrait, unconcerned with what transpired. He was more interested in the entertainment that was about to unfold.
He should be grateful to Phineas, who, with his selfless spirit and broad-mindedness, had provided them with abundant leisure activities.
What a wonderful person...
Armando rubbed his hands together, eagerly selecting a long-handled axe from the extensive arsenal... the same model as the one in Hogwarts, which he had been longing to try.
...
Hearing the howls emanating from the portrait, Kyle felt a sense of liberation.
When he first returned to 1899, Phineas had wanted to deduct a hundred points from him, but since there weren't enough points, he had cleared out Hufflepuff's entire house points instead. Kyle had not forgotten this.
To repay the headmaster, he meticulously crafted a hundred swords, knives, and axes, ensuring a fair exchange.
After setting down his wand, Kyle stretched his slightly sore wrists.
Although the sounds from the portrait were soothing, Kyle didn't forget the primary purpose of his visit.
He searched through the Headmaster's Office and finally found a blue scarf adorned with Thunderbird feathers. He carefully removed the feathers and placed them on the burning branch by the door.
He needed Fawkes, but it was impossible to ask the current version of himself. So, he decided to give this method a try.
Phoenixes were sensitive to their own feathers, and being in Dumbledore's office might enhance the connection...
Kyle pondered, unsure if this method would work. If it didn't, he would have to make the trip himself.
Just as he was thinking, the Headmaster's Office suddenly lit up.
Fawkes landed on the branch, tilting his head in confusion, seemingly perplexed as to why Kyle was there.
"Fawkes, I'm glad you're here," Kyle said. "Don't be surprised. We're both me, but something happened."
Fawkes straightened his head.
"I need your help with something," Kyle said, taking out an envelope. "Can you deliver this to Beauxbatons and give it to Professor Viktor, the alchemy expert? It's also related to Professor Dumbledore."
Fawkes grasped the envelope but didn't leave. Instead, he continued to look at Kyle, emitting a crisp chirp.
"You don't know the location?" Kyle asked, taken aback. Phoenixes could go anywhere they wished, but they couldn't locate a place based solely on an address... that was an ability unique to owls, which was why they were the primary messengers.
"Didn't Professor Dumbledore take you there?" Kyle inquired.
Fawkes nodded.
"Well..." Kyle rubbed his forehead. "What about Beauxbatons? Do you know where it is?"
Fawkes continued to shake his head.
"Never mind, then. Take me there," Kyle sighed. "Let's go to France."
The contents of the envelope were crucial, and he didn't trust owls to deliver it. Fawkes seemed like a safer option.
This time, Fawkes moved, expertly flying to Kyle's side and allowing him to grab his tail.
Kyle didn't notice that while he was speaking, the headmasters behind him had gathered closer.
"Did you hear that?" Armando whispered to a witch nearby. "He said, 'We're both me.' What does that mean?"
"A Time-Turner," said Dilys Derwent, without hesitation.
"So, this boy is from the past?" Armando blinked. "Albus disappeared into the past, and now he's returned from the past. Does that mean he's brought Albus back? But why didn't he come to Hogwarts?"
"Albus has his reasons," said Derwent, without turning around. "Are you sure you want to stay here? Phineas might escape soon."
Armando instinctively turned around and saw Phineas had stealthily approached the edge of the portrait. If he crossed the frame, he could escape into other portraits, making it difficult to catch him again.
After all, once they left Hogwarts, they could only move within their own portraits.
"Hey, you stay right there!" Armando, forgetting about Dumbledore for a moment, grabbed the long-handled axe beside him and rushed forward.
"Watch my new spell, Confundus Charm!"
(End of Chapter)
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