Hogwarts: The Exemplary Wizard I Am Chapter 900: The Sleeping Hungarian Firebird - Novel Cool

Chapter 900: The Sleeping Hungarian Firebird

Chapter 900: The Sleeping Hungarian Firebird

"You're sleeping so soundly." Kyle said dreamily, his forehead twitching as he spoke, "I never knew giants had the habit of sleeping standing up. Is the bed in the house that uncomfortable?"

It was a strange feeling. Although he hadn't expected Hagrid to be of any help, the fact that he was sleeping right in front of him seemed a bit much.

Even if he was sleeping in the room, Kyle wouldn't have minded.

Hagrid's face turned bright red.

It wasn't intentional, but the things Kyle had drawn were so sleep-inducing that Hagrid couldn't help but stare at them, causing him to feel drowsy.

On top of being tired from the day's work, he had somehow fallen asleep.

"Forget it." Kyle sighed, "You must have been a Gryffindor before you were expelled."

"How do you know that?" Hagrid asked, puzzled.

He didn't recall telling Kyle about this, not even Harry. The only time he mentioned his past at Hogwarts before being expelled was when he occasionally talked about it with Professor Maxima.

Could it be that Professor Maxima told Kyle?

"Because among the students who sleep in History of Magic class, Gryffindors are the most numerous." Kyle replied casually, "There are one or two from other houses, but not a single one from Gryffindor."

He wasn't sure about the other grades, but this was the case for the year he was in class with Kyle.

Hagrid's face turned even redder.

"It's not... I..."

Seeing Hagrid's flustered state, Kyle didn't say anything further.

"Um... When is Miller coming?" Hagrid quickly changed the subject.

"I don't know." Kyle shook his head and turned to look at the castle. "It's the weekend, so she might be here soon..."

"Hagrid, you stay here and keep an eye on things. I have some matters to attend to."

"Okay." Hagrid nodded eagerly, wanting to make up for his mistake.

After that, Kyle pushed open the door and went inside.

Half an hour later, Kyle came out of the room. As he raised his head, he saw several people coming out of the castle in the distance, walking quickly towards them.

Among them were Professor McGonagall, the other three Heads of Houses, and Dumbledore, the Deputy Headmaster and a member of the Board of Governors.

The group hurried over, their expressions reflecting their mood.

Dumbledore was chatting and laughing with Professor Flitwick, appearing relaxed. Professor Sprout maintained her usual calm demeanor.

Professor McGonagall pursed her lips, looking a bit tired as if she hadn't slept well the night before.

Snape... he wasn't important.

"Kyle, are you ready?" Dumbledore asked, glancing at the wooden door in the distance with a meaningful look, as if he had discovered something.

"Of course, professors." Kyle said, opening the door, "Please come in, Professor Snape."

Snape's expression was stiff.

His intuition told him that Kyle must have had some ulterior motive, but then he quickly thought that with the Heads of Houses and Dumbledore present, Kyle wouldn't dare to do anything.

Perhaps there was something strange in the room.

Snape was pleasantly surprised, as he wasn't afraid of any tricks Kyle might play. After all, he was here to inspect, and if he sustained even a minor injury, like losing a hair, he would have an excuse to confront Kyle.

He was too young and couldn't keep his cool.

Wait and see, if Kyle didn't personally deliver ten pints of dragon blood, he wouldn't let it go.

Snape didn't hesitate and walked up the steps to the door.

The runes on the door lit up, emitting a faint golden light.

However, since the door was open, the runes on the front had changed direction and were hidden at the back, so Snape didn't see them.

Then, he naturally turned the corner and walked down, starting to move up and down on the stone steps, turning in place.

The professors following behind were stunned, unsure what Snape was doing.

Only Dumbledore's expression remained unchanged as he moved to the side and studied the runes on the door with interest.

"Click!"

The crisp sound of a camera shutter brought everyone back to their senses.

Kyle stood to the side, holding a camera and taking pictures of Snape non-stop. Noticing the professors looking at him, he calmly put away the camera.

"Oh, it's nothing. I just bought a new toy and wanted to test it out."

Professor McGonagall tugged at the corner of her mouth, but she could tell that Kyle had done something to make Snape keep turning in place.

"It's a very standard Alchemical Mist."

At this moment, Dumbledore suddenly spoke up, "The concealment is a bit poor, and the patterns on top are not hidden at all. If a wizard familiar with Alchemy were to see this, they would easily see through it."

"It's just a temporary lock, it's enough." Kyle said.

Dumbledore nodded, "That's true."

Hogwarts didn't currently offer Alchemy classes, so even if these things were openly displayed, the students wouldn't understand them, let alone find a solution.

Hearing this, Professor McGonagall and the others also walked over and noticed the golden-brown patterns on the door.

Although they weren't skilled in Alchemy, they could sense the magic within.

Moreover, Snape was a clear example, as he was also trapped. The students wouldn't be able to break through either.

Unless the school had another student like Kyle.

But they were also aware that the likelihood of that was low. Students like Kyle were few and far between at Hogwarts, with the last one being Tom Riddle sixty years ago...

"Smash!"

As the group was talking, the stone steps in the distance suddenly cracked... to be precise, they were blasted open by a spell.

Professor Snape stood there, panting heavily with red-rimmed eyes. He was fuming.

In fact, during his second lap, Snape had realized he was trapped, but he couldn't escape.

The surrounding scenery showed no changes, yet it was constantly transforming. No matter how he walked or which direction he took, he always ended up back at the starting point.

It was as if he were surrounded by an invisible maze.

But Snape, being a professor, quickly realized this and took action. He cast a spell that shattered the stone step beneath him, and through this subtle change, he found the correct path.

In simple terms, he broke through the maze with sheer force and brute force.

Kyle didn't find this strange.

If a hastily made trap could detain a professor, that would be strange.

However, Snape's expression was somewhat unfriendly, and when he looked at Kyle, it was as if he were looking at a potion that had already solidified.

Kyle subconsciously took a step back, moving closer to Dumbledore. He then smiled innocently.

"Well done, Severus," Dumbledore said with a smile. "How do you feel? Did the experience alleviate some of your concerns?"

Snape's lips moved, but he didn't speak. He merely gave a heavy, cold humph and turned to leave.

He realized that Dumbledore was clearly taking Kyle's side, and he couldn't use this as a reason to confront Kyle. Even the other professors who had come with him wouldn't speak up for him.

They were there to inspect safety issues, and it wouldn't make sense for them to be unhappy just because the lock was secure.

The only one who was unhappy was Snape.

So, Snape didn't want to stay there any longer.

"It seems Severus has accepted your actions," Dumbledore said, moving his fingers. The shattered stones on the ground automatically floated and landed on the step with the missing piece.

He then walked straight into the room, but the dark golden runes were still glowing, yet they seemed non-existent, as if they had no effect.

"Professor McGonagall, do you need my help to draw the correct route?" Kyle asked.

"No, that won't be necessary," Professor McGonagall replied.

She wanted to experience this so-called alchemical mist herself to better understand the details.

"But before that," Professor McGonagall narrowed her eyes, "may I see your camera?"

"Huh?" Kyle was taken aback and said, "Of course, no problem."

He took out the camera and handed it to Professor McGonagall, and the three professors all took a step forward.

They wanted to see if the mist still worked when facing multiple targets.

Kyle realized that they weren't just interested in the camera; they were clearly worried he would take more photos.

Was he that kind of person? Where was the trust between people?

Kyle shrugged and reached into the Transfigured Lizard Skin Pouch again.

He had never said he bought a camera himself.

With their preparations, the professors quickly escaped the mist.

Among them, Professor McGonagall was the fastest, finding the correct path after only three laps and entering the house.

The remaining Professors Sprout and Flitwick also didn't take more than three minutes, and they were all satisfied with the effect.

Professor McGonagall's expression finally relaxed.

She could now confirm that it would be difficult for students to pass this test.

"Alright, let's go see the dragons," Professor McGonagall said.

Kyle naturally didn't refuse and quickly entered the house, opening the door to the garden.

However, as he watched the professors enter one after another, he scratched his head, feeling like something was missing.

Oh well, it probably wasn't important.

...

Although Kyle had temporarily turned the garden into a cage, it was still quite spacious, even with three fireball dragons soaring in the sky.

Professor McGonagall wasn't unfamiliar with fireball dragons, but seeing so many at once, especially at Hogwarts, still surprised her.

According to Nicoleme, Dumbledore only became involved with alchemy after Ariana's incident, so it's impossible for Kyle to have achieved such feats at his age.

But Professor McGonagall and the others were unaware, and they all showed surprised expressions, looking more at ease.

"It's okay, it's okay..." Kyle rubbed his face and nodded along with Dumbledore.

The group continued forward.

Upon seeing strangers entering, the most lively Longhorn Dragon curiously perched on a nearby tree, tilting its head to examine them, its golden horns on both sides of its head glistening in the sunlight.

The professors were startled by this sudden scene.

Even as a young dragon, it was still a fire dragon, and they couldn't help but feel tense.

Fortunately, the Longhorn Dragon only watched and didn't take any further action. Kyle simply waved his hand and flew away again.

Professor McGonagall finally lowered her wand, "They actually listen so well?"

"After all, I was the first thing it saw after hatching, so it's natural for us to be closer," Kyle explained, clearing his throat and shouting.

"Come over here."

The Longhorn Dragon and the Ironbelly didn't hesitate at all. They turned in the air and landed, lying down at the spot Kyle indicated, staring at him with wide eyes.

The Fireball Dragon was a little slower, but it flew over awkwardly and landed next to them.

This surprised Professor McGonagall even more, and most of her concerns were dispelled.

Her biggest worry was the fire dragons being uncontrollable, but it seemed like she was overthinking it.

Just as she was about to speak, she faintly caught a strange scent.

It was a bit fishy, didn't blend well with the fire dragons that smelled of sulfur all over.

"Do you smell something?" Professor McGonagall asked in confusion.

A chorus of gasps filled the air.

"I guess it's that," Dumbledore pointed to a large barrel not far away and took a closer look.

"Oh, fresh dragon droppings, no wonder the trees here grow so well."

Kyle couldn't help but rub his forehead again.

Is it really okay to praise this much? After all, his garden was just completed yesterday, and even if the dragon droppings are good, it's unlikely they would take effect so quickly.

The gasps suddenly stopped, and the professors' faces turned a bit unpleasant.

Except for Professor Sprout, whose eyes lit up as she ran over and kept staring at the dragon droppings.

She even stirred the droppings with her hands.

"It's indeed fresh dragon droppings, and they're very healthy. The quality is much better than what I bought. Those merchants in Diagon Alley must have added mud to their products and still sell them at such a high price."

"Oh, Kyle..." She turned her head.

"It's for you, Professor," Kyle said before she could speak. "After this, I'll deliver these... What do you think about the third greenhouse? Dragon droppings are perfect for Mandrakes."

"You're right," Professor Sprout said with a smile.

She came here for this, right? This amount of droppings would be enough for her to use for a long time.

Perhaps she could even use this, along with Mooncalf manure, to create a new type of fertilizer.

With this thought, Professor Sprout couldn't wait. She raised her wand and carried the bucket out.

"There's no need for you to deliver it; I can take it back myself."

As soon as she finished speaking, she had already walked through the garden gate and left quickly.

Another professor had left, and Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick exchanged glances.

This inspection seemed to be coming to an end.

However, some necessary tests still needed to be conducted.

Professor Flitwick took out his wand, and a flock of small birds flew towards the fire dragons, chirping.

The fire dragons were a bit annoyed by the noise but didn't react much, except for the Fireball Dragon, which impatiently blew a small fireball out of its nostrils.

But that was all.

Apart from the flock of birds, Professor Flitwick used several other common spells to provoke the fire dragons.

These were ordinary spells with little power, meant only to disturb. The fire dragons remained calm and didn't show any aggressive behavior or react to the stimuli.

And the Hungarian Firebird was still asleep, unaffected by the noise.

Professor Flitwick used three flocks of birds, and the numerous birds were about to finish a symphony right next to its ears, but it didn't even lift an eyelid.

It could really sleep... Professor Flitwick thought to himself.

He had never seen a fire dragon so patient. He even used the counter-spell for the Sleeping Charm, but it didn't work, proving that the Hungarian Firebird was indeed asleep and not put into a trance by Kyle's spell.

But it was sleeping too deeply. If it weren't for the Hungarian Firebird's body rising and falling with its breath, and the warmth when touched, he would have thought it was just a model.

However, Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick didn't mind. It's better to be lazy, at least compared to having a temperamental nature.

Compared to the infamous Hungarian Firebird, the other fire dragons were more reassuring.

"Kyle."

At this moment, Professor Sprout returned and pointed outside, saying, "Someone is looking for you."

"Me?" Kyle was puzzled. "Is Professor Snape back?"

"No..." Professor Sprout's expression was strange. "It's Saxia from St. Mungo's."

What? St. Mungo's?

Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore immediately headed towards the gate.

Saxia, a St. Mungo's Hospital administrator who should have retired long ago but had postponed it for various reasons, was also the most famous Potion Master in the magical world, having saved countless wizards' lives.

Such an important figure that even the Minister of Magic would greet at the door, why did she suddenly come to Hogwarts?

As they passed by Kyle, Dumbledore glanced back at him intentionally.

Kyle didn't explain, just shrugged and followed behind.

...

(End of Chapter)

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