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Chapter 911: The Reactions and Kyle's Disclosure
Chapter 911: The Reactions and Kyle's Disclosure
On this day, Hogwarts was engulfed in a state of panic, with the castle's lights burning throughout the night until the early hours of the morning.
All classes were suspended, and the match scheduled for the following day was indefinitely postponed, perhaps even canceled.
Over the next two days, numerous students were hastily picked up by their parents from Hogwarts, including members of the Quidditch team.
Half of the Ravenclaw team had left, and even with the remaining players and substitutes, they couldn't form a complete team.
Even if they could, they likely wouldn't be in the mood to play.
The number of students leaving the school continued to rise, and Kyle, standing in front of the Great Hall with its doors closed, witnessed a heated argument between Gryffindor's Simphanygan and a witch, presumably his mother, in the entrance hall.
They were likely arguing about Simphanygan's departure from the school.
Simphanygan insisted on staying until he received his graduation certificate, but his mother adamantly disagreed.
Their voices grew louder, drawing the attention of others.
Perhaps feeling embarrassed or out of respect for Dumbledore, Simphanygan's mother eventually agreed to let him stay for the funeral.
But that was the extent of her concession.
Simphanygan reluctantly agreed.
Finding nothing more to observe, Kyle walked away, leaving the castle and returning to the garden behind his wooden hut.
Dumbledore, the subject of everyone's mourning, was sitting on a wooden bench, his hand outstretched to caress the Romanian Dragon, which had grown several times larger.
The Treant, known for its volatile temperament, was lying on a nearby clearing, behaving as docile as a Mooncalf.
"Oh, Kyle, you're back..." Dumbledore glanced at him, "This place is quite something, it must have taken a lot of effort."
"Not really, it's just a way to pass the time." Kyle said, observing Dumbledore's nonchalant demeanor.
"Professor, are you prepared?"
"Prepared? For what?"
"For Professor McGonagall to kill you after the truth is revealed." Kyle said calmly, "Professor McGonagall has been heartbroken these past few days, her eyes constantly red."
"Only this way would Tom believe." Dumbledore said.
"But according to my understanding of Professor McGonagall, when you appear before her later, there's a high chance she'll make it real. And Professor Snape will likely assist her." Kyle added.
Dumbledore's face stiffened.
"It's fine." He smiled faintly, "This is a necessary sacrifice, and I trust Minerva. There's still a bond between us."
"As long as you're aware." Kyle said.
"How's the situation outside?" Dumbledore asked, coming back to his senses.
"More Death Eaters have gathered nearby."
"I went to the Hog's Head yesterday, and several Death Eaters held a grand event there, openly using the Cruciatus Curse to torture a wizard who failed to praise Voldemort." Kyle said.
"It seems they can't wait any longer." Dumbledore's eyes flashed, "Are they already claiming Hogsmeade as their territory?"
"Why not?" Kyle said, "With you gone, who can stop them?"
"The Hogwarts professors aren't meek sheep." Dumbledore said.
"But they can't stop the Dark Lord." Kyle said, "Oh, by the way, I saw someone sneaking into the Great Hall when I arrived, probably a Death Eater among the guests, checking the situation."
"The Human Transfiguration you performed should be fine, but if they see through it, your reputation will be ruined."
"There's absolutely no problem, you can rest assured." Dumbledore assured, "Unless Tom comes himself, no one will be able to see through it."
"What if the Dark Lord actually comes?" Kyle asked curiously, "I feel we might have gone too far, letting almost everyone witness your fall from the tower, seems a bit deliberate."
"Tom's shattered soul won't allow him to notice such minute details." Dumbledore shook his head, "His fragmented soul limits his perception."
"Even if he comes, I have other methods." Dumbledore winked, "Remember, this isn't my first time."
Not the first time...
Kyle recalled the events in Godric's Valley in 1899, where Dumbledore had impersonated Ariana, fooling Aberforth and the guests.
He indeed had experience in this regard.
Kyle walked over and sat down beside Dumbledore.
"Has Hagrid not returned?"
Kyle hadn't been at the school the entire time, he also needed to monitor the Death Eaters' movements.
He only knew Dumbledore was temporarily hiding in the garden, a location close enough to the castle yet unlikely to attract attention, making it one of the safest places aside from the Room of Requirement.
The only concern was Hagrid, who might show up at any time.
"No, I've only seen his bed, but not Hagrid himself. But this is also a good sign." Dumbledore shook his head.
"Although I trust Hagrid and would entrust my life to him, he's always been too straightforward.
"If I'm not mistaken, Harry obtained confidential information from him."
"Most of the time, it's as you intended, but not always."
"Professor Dumbledore readily admitted it."
"Harry is different; he needs to grow, and a crisis-filled labyrinth is better than repetitive preaching."
Kyle shrugged, noncommittal.
But when it came to Hagrid, Kyle instinctively recalled the haggard sight of him at the entrance to the Great Hall earlier.
It seemed Hagrid had been there for two days, and even the dragons couldn't drag him away from the castle.
"Another addition to Dumbledore's dream team?" Kyle wondered.
However, Kyle felt that Hagrid's straightforward nature made it unlikely he'd harm Professor Dumbledore.
Being too honest wasn't always fun... Well, it wasn't fun for Kyle.
He'd love to see Professor McGonagall, Snape, and Hagrid team up against Dumbledore.
A knock on the door snapped Kyle back to the present.
He looked up and realized that Professor Dumbledore, who had been sitting beside him moments ago, had vanished.
Professor Sprout entered, informing Kyle that the time for Professor Dumbledore's funeral had been set for tomorrow.
Kyle nodded, acknowledging the information.
"Professor, would you like to come in and sit down?" he asked.
"No, thank you," Professor Sprout replied with a somber expression. "Many people will be here, and Minerva can't handle it all alone."
She turned and left, even forgetting the dragon dung Kyle had prepared for her.
"Professor, you're quite the sinner, aren't you?" Kyle said with a sigh.
A sigh echoed behind him.
If possible, he wouldn't want to do this either.
...
In the evening, over a dozen winged, giant silver horses appeared at Hogwarts, pulling a light blue carriage as big as a house behind them.
Madame Maxime, the headmistress of Beauxbatons, emerged from the carriage, weeping on Hagrid's shoulder.
Representatives from the Ministry of Magic arrived, an official delegation including Minister Amelia Bones, Director Scrimguard of the Auror Office, and other prominent figures.
Kyle also spotted his father, Chris, not with the Ministry officials but standing beside an elderly couple.
Newt and Tina.
The three stood at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, silently gazing at the castle, their faces filled with sorrow.
Kyle jogged over to them, "Dad, why are you here?"
"Mr. Scamander insisted on coming," Chris whispered. "I couldn't find a reason to refuse."
"Sixty years of friendship; I must see Albus off on his final journey," Newt said, his voice trembling.
"Son, I heard you witnessed the whole thing. Can you tell me what happened?" Tina asked.
Upon receiving the news, she had rushed back from Ilvermorny without even changing her clothes.
"Even Grindelwald couldn't kill Dumbledore... How could a student in their teens possibly do it?"
As Tina spoke, Newt's body trembled involuntarily, and Chris quickly stepped forward to support him.
"I can only say it's a conspiracy," Kyle sighed. "Do you need me to show you to the guest accommodations? It's cold out here, and the school has prepared rooms for visitors."
"No, we'll just stay here," Newt shook his head. "The Ministry and Hogwarts officials probably don't want to see me, and I won't cause any more trouble for them."
"Okay, then," Kyle said, somewhat deliberately. "Besides, I don't think it's necessary, and we can come back another time."
Chris abruptly turned to Kyle, his expression shifting rapidly three times in a short span.
From shock to confusion, and then a mix of disbelief and realization.
Another time? Unless... The idea was startling, and Chris wondered if he was overthinking.
But he knew Kyle well, and that statement couldn't be meaningless.
At that moment, Kyle looked back at him and smiled faintly.
"Let's go back," Chris said decisively to Newt and Tina. "It's too cold here, and Aurors from the Ministry are nearby. If they see you, I'll have to write a mountain of reports."
9@Book/Bar See!
Newt seemed reluctant to leave so soon and continued staring at the castle.
Professor Dumbledore was not only the most respected person in his eyes but also a friend he had known for over sixty years; how could he just look and leave?
At that moment, a light rain began to fall from the sky.
"Why don't you come to my place?" Kyle suggested, pointing, "I built a wooden house near the Forbidden Forest, not too far away, and you can see the direction of the castle from there."
Newt nodded, and Chris supported him as they walked towards the wooden house.
The group arrived at the wooden house.
Tina was surprised by the alchemical symbol carved on the door, and with her knowledge, she immediately recognized what it was.
No wonder Kyle could become a professor at Hogwarts at such a young age.
Kyle led the trio into the wooden house and opened the door to the garden, saying, "Mr. Scamander, my five dragons are acting a bit strange. Could you take a look at them?"
Still immersed in his sorrow, Scamander wasn't in the mood, but since Kyle had already asked, he couldn't refuse. He and Tina entered the garden together.
Kyle, however, remained outside and didn't follow; Chris also stayed out.
Although he had guessed some things, guessing and seeing with his own eyes were different matters. It was enough; he didn't need to know too much.
The garden door was closed again, and Chris rubbed his forehead.
"Dad, what's wrong?"
"What do you think?" Chris sighed and suddenly asked, "Can you be sure?"
"Of course. I personally witnessed the whole thing."
"No wonder!" Chris immediately stood up and walked out.
"Where are you going?"
"Back to work, of course," Chris said. "I shouldn't be needed here... Merlin's beard, why can't I even take a day off when you only work one day a week?"
"You earn more than me." Kyle laughed. "I only get one hundred Galleons a month."
Is one hundred Galleons a small amount? That's about what he earned before becoming a teacher.
"Haha..." Chris thought of Kyle's savings of over ten thousand Galleons and the room full of various goods in Diagon Alley, and he laughed too.
Working at the Ministry of Magic really doesn't have a future!
Chris soon left Hogwarts as if he had never been there.
Kyle returned to the wooden house, made a cup of tea, and waited patiently.
Before long, Newt and Tina also came out of the garden. Newt looked much more energetic than before; he no longer trembled as he walked, and his speech was steady. His face glowed with health.
"You two are quite bold."
"It's not my fault," Kyle said quickly. "I was just helping."
"Never mind." Newt shook his head, not continuing the topic, "I've checked your dragons, and there's no problem. The one with the iron belly has some external injuries, as if it was struck by a powerful creature with a wooden stick."
"Powerful creature..." Kyle thought for a moment. "Grawp?"
"What's Grawp?" Newt asked, puzzled.
"Oh, he's a slightly underdeveloped adult giant."
"There are giants in the Forbidden Forest?" Newt was genuinely surprised.
"There weren't before," Kyle explained. "Grawp is Hagrid's brother. Hagrid brought him here to teach him wizarding manners and language. You know Hagrid, the Hogwarts gamekeeper, a half-giant."
"I know," Newt said. "But teaching a giant is no easy task. Their brains can barely control their massive bodies, and they're only slightly smarter than trolls in other aspects."
"It's fine. Hagrid quite likes him, and it's been going on for several years now."
"Alright, then," Newt said. "We should head back too."
"It's almost dinner time. Don't you want to try the long-missed Hogwarts dinner?"
"That's tempting," Newt said, "but we should skip it. If the Aurors see us, it might cause trouble for Chris."
"It's fine. He loves writing reports," Kyle laughed.
But Newt still didn't stay for dinner.
Mainly, Tina's mood didn't seem good, and Newt was worried she might harm the dragons in the garden... or perhaps other creatures.
However, this was what Kyle had been expecting. He watched as Newt and Tina left the school, a bit disappointed, and put away his camera.
Inside the Headmaster's Office, Dumbledore remained in his usual spot, with the Phoenix Fox perched on his shoulder. Upon seeing Kyle, the bird tilted its head.
"You'll be singing again tomorrow," Kyle said with a smile. To get the Fox to cooperate, Dumbledore had said many nice things and even offered a large pile of valuable herbs, which led to the Phoenix Dirge that the students had heard before.
The Fox would be making an appearance again tomorrow, but who knew how much Dumbledore had paid for this performance... It probably wasn't cheap.
"Has the date for the funeral been confirmed?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes, it's confirmed," Kyle said. "Professor Sprout told me it will be held in the open space by the Black Lake."
"I see," Dumbledore said. "I have one more question. Was it you who told Newt about me?"
"No, it wasn't me. I didn't say anything," Kyle shook his head firmly. "How could I possibly reveal that? Tina guessed it from my expression, and she's an experienced Auror.
"Really?" Dumbledore looked at Kyle, and after a long pause, he said, "Tina is indeed a clever witch. I didn't expect her to be able to tell from my expression that I was in the garden."
"As far as I know, only Tina's sister, Queenie Goldstein, is a Legilimens by birth, but Tina herself doesn't possess this magical ability."
"Who knows? Maybe it's... sisterly intuition?" Kyle said casually. "Or perhaps she has the ability, but she's unaware of it herself."
Dumbledore's eyes twitched slightly, but he didn't say anything further.
Newt basically lived in Dorset County, and Voldemort and the Death Eaters wouldn't dare to cause trouble for him, even if they knew.
However, Tina's gaze was somewhat frightening, reminding him of the later Millerva McGonagall.
(End of Chapter)
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