Chapter 934: This Broken Hogwarts, I Can't Stand It for Even a Minute
Chapter 934: This Broken Hogwarts, I Can't Stand It for Even a Minute
The morning sun pierced through the clouds, casting its rays upon the rooftops of Hogsmeade Village.
Unbeknownst to them, the sky had gradually brightened.
Kyle finally understood what Dumbledore intended to do, but he remained calm, almost indifferent.
"There's no need for that, Professor," Kyle waved his hand dismissively. "I merely did what I had to do. When Death Eaters attacked Hogwarts, we had to fight back. Even if there was no wrongdoing in killing them, why would you worry that others would cause trouble for me?"
"Kyle, this isn't about right or wrong," Dumbledore said gravely. "Even Tom has never killed over two hundred wizards in a single instance. Such unrestrained power is bound to make other wizards feel fearful and repulsed... even if they know you're not a Dark Wizard."
"Believe me, Kyle, no one understands this better than I do," Dumbledore said earnestly.
But Kyle wasn't questioning his words... he was all too familiar with the nature of the Ministry officials.
"But I've never killed that many Death Eaters. Not even twenty-six, let alone two hundred and sixty."
Kyle found a chair and sat down, turning to Dumbledore. "What does it have to do with me if the Death Eaters destroyed the school's greenhouses and released the Mandrakes? They brought it upon themselves.
"And I only trapped those Death Eaters; I never intended to kill them. It was Voldemort who, thinking them incompetent, deliberately altered the direction of his curse, causing the Fiendfyre to spiral out of control. He killed his own followers and tried to frame me for it, that deceitful Dark Wizard, his actions truly disgust me.
"But I'm confident that Minister Bones, who upholds fairness and justice, will see through his schemes and clear my name."
Kyle spoke with a calm demeanor, but at this point, Dumbledore was slightly stunned.
Especially when Kyle spoke with such conviction, someone who didn't know him might have believed him.
However, Dumbledore was well aware of Kyle's character and had witnessed the entire event. He knew that not a word of what Kyle said was true.
Setting aside the question of whether there were that many Mandrakes in the school's greenhouses, even if there were, it was impossible for them to simultaneously bypass the castle, ignore the Death Eaters, and all rush to the other side.
Moreover, why would Tom, with over a hundred Death Eater accomplices at his disposal, choose to kill them and frame Kyle instead during the ongoing war?
Dumbledore couldn't imagine Tom making such an absurd decision, even if he were to cut his soul into black pepper-sized pieces.
But Kyle didn't seem bothered. He continued speaking as if to himself:
"Even if he accuses me in the process, so what? Who would believe the words of a notorious Dark Wizard, the very cause of countless wizarding families' ruin?"
"But that doesn't mean everyone will believe it."
Dumbledore finally couldn't hold back, shaking his head. "Even a single dissenting voice can cause you trouble... especially those in the Daily Prophet who love to dig up dirt and report on the unknown aspects of famous wizards."
The Daily Prophet? Kyle was taken aback, then burst into laughter.
"Well, Professor, if you're referring to Rita Skeeter, then there's absolutely no need to worry."
"Hmm?" Dumbledore recalled his own experiences. "I'm afraid you don't understand the extent of that woman's capabilities... She always finds what she's after and doesn't care whether you're a hero or not."
"Of course... that's right," Kyle laughed. "I admit that Rita Skeeter is very capable in her work, but Professor, there's something you might not know, something many people don't know... In a sense, Rita Skeeter and I are in cahoots."
"In cahoots?" Dumbledore was puzzled, not quite understanding what he meant.
"Let me put it this way," Kyle thought for a moment. "I've provided her with many high-quality, exclusive scoops. Currently, we have a mutually beneficial cooperative relationship."
"By the way, she was also at Hogwarts and participated in the entire defense battle." Kyle suddenly remembered something. "If I'm not mistaken, she should be in some corner writing her report right now.
"With Voldemort fleeing in disarray and the Death Eaters completely defeated, I dare say the next issue of the Daily Prophet will sell like hotcakes."
Dumbledore listened to Kyle's words, momentarily at a loss for words.
What's going on? How is Rita Skeeter also at Hogwarts?
"In any case, that's how it is..."
Kyle continued, "Although Rita Skeeter's character is questionable, I can assure you that she will never betray me, her partner. She won't report any news that's unfavorable to me." Kyle spoke with conviction.
Dumbledore was half-believing and half-doubting, feeling like he and Kyle were talking about two different people. While he was somewhat aware of Kyle and Rita Skeeter's collaboration, he didn't think the gossip-loving witch would show Kyle any leniency.
Betrayal was a common practice for her.
However, he didn't say anything more.
Just then, Harry managed to pull himself up from the ground, looking dazed.
It was evident that he hadn't fully recovered from the effects of the Dementor. He resembled someone who had just emerged from the Black Lake in winter, his face pale, and he kept rubbing his arms.
"So cold... what happened to me..." Harry sat on the ground, subconsciously looking to his side.
"Ron, Hermione, you..."
"They're fine, don't worry." Kyle waved his wand, and the unconscious pair was instantly moved to a more spacious area by an invisible force.
As it was rather cold in the early hours, Kyle also thoughtfully conjured two sleeping bags for them.
"Why couldn't you wake them up?" Harry asked in confusion.
"Because I don't want to explain to them why I had to knock them out," Kyle said matter-of-factly. "How are you feeling now? Can you still connect to Voldemort's mind?"
Harry suddenly remembered what had just happened and shuddered.
The feeling of being up close and personal with a Dementor was not pleasant, especially when the Dementor almost gave him a kiss.
The sensation of his soul leaving his body was still terrifying to recall, and if he could, he never wanted to experience it again.
"Harry, are you listening?"
Kyle's voice brought Harry back to the present and also reminded him that there was still important business to attend to.
"Oh... I'll give it a try." Harry said.
He closed his eyes and tried to sense the pain from his scar.
This was how he had done it before; the scar on his forehead was like an extra eye, and whenever he felt the burning pain from it, he could see Voldemort.
But this time, Harry failed.
He saw nothing, and he didn't even feel any pain from the scar.
Before this, his scar had been like a red-hot branding iron, constantly burning his forehead.
But now, the scar had calmed down, and Harry couldn't even feel its presence without touching it.
"I, I don't know..." Harry said subconsciously, "I don't know where Voldemort is."
"That's good." Kyle nodded, not finding it strange; in fact, this was how it should be.
If Harry could still enter Voldemort's mind after his soul fragment was sucked out by the Dementor, Kyle would have to consider letting him take the Killing Curse.
Fortunately, that didn't happen.
"I forgot to ask earlier, why are you here?" Kyle looked at Harry, who was trying to wake Ron, and asked, "Is the clean-up work at school finished?"
"No, not yet." Harry replied, "We came here to find an Erumpent, which is also one of Voldemort's Horcruxes. Voldemort hid it here with the Malfoy family."
"I realized that Voldemort didn't take it with him when he escaped, so I thought I'd come here to try my luck."
As he spoke, Harry couldn't help but look around at his surroundings.
He didn't see the Erumpent, and the Malfoy family was also nowhere to be seen, probably having fled before Dumbledore arrived.
This discovery instantly filled Harry with disappointment. He couldn't help but think that if he hadn't gone to the Headmaster's office to view Snape's memories but had come straight here, he might have been able to send the Malfoy family to Azkaban himself.
Harry sighed in regret.
"If you're talking about the Horcrux, a thirty-foot-long Erumpent, it's over there." Kyle pointed to a corner on the left.
Harry turned his head and saw a scorched mark on the wall.
"That's the Erumpent you were talking about." Kyle explained, "If you look carefully, you should be able to gather up a small pile of remains."
"It's already dead?" Harry was visibly surprised, "But, apart from us, no one should know it's here..."
"Then what do you think I'm doing here?" Kyle looked at him, "Next time, you and Ron should learn the Concealment Charm so you don't have to squeeze into the Invisibility Cloak. It can't hide both of you anymore."
"What?" Harry almost jumped up, "You've been...?"
"Yes, I've been following you since the first time you entered the secret passage." Kyle said, "When Voldemort went after you, I had just enough time to turn back and deal with the snake."
"What about Malfoy? Did you see him?" Harry asked eagerly.
"No... I didn't." Kyle shook his head.
"When I came back, there was only the snake. I guess they had already fled."
"Oh." Harry lowered his head again, looking dejected.
"Don't worry." Kyle patted his shoulder reassuringly, "You'll definitely see Draco Malfoy again."
"I don't want to see him." Harry muttered.
"Alright, it doesn't matter." Kyle said, "But we should head back now. Everyone else is busy, and if we're the only ones slacking off, it won't look good."
"Okay, okay." Harry nodded, looking at Ron and Hermione on the ground, wanting to say something but stopping himself.
"Oh, I almost forgot." Kyle took out his wand and pointed it at a few nearby stones.
After a few seconds, the stones grew sturdy legs and arms, picked up the sleeping bags, and entered the secret passage.
"Wait for me!" Harry hurriedly followed.
But Kyle, who had suggested returning to the castle, remained standing in place.
"Oh, Professor." He turned to Dumbledore again, "Harry just reminded me of something I think I should tell you."
"What is it?"
"It's about Nurmengard." Kyle said, and briefly recounted what he had heard here earlier.
"According to Professor Snape's analysis, Voldemort seems to believe that the Elder Wand's master is still Grindelwald.
Although the Elder Wand is now broken, it doesn't rule out the possibility that they might go to Nurmengard."
"What?
"Before I knew it, Dumbledore was already on his feet," Kyle said.
"You mean they went to Nurmengard?"
"It's a possibility," Kyle shrugged, "With the Death Eaters almost completely defeated, Voldemort needs more power to seek revenge, like complete control over the Elder Wand."
"Even though the Elder Wand is broken, the core is still there. It's not impossible to repair it."
"Damn, I shouldn't have let Severus know about Nurmengard," Dumbledore blurted out.
"Hmm?" Kyle was curious, "Did you tell Professor Snape about this?"
"For some reason, he knows you've been to Nurmengard," Dumbledore turned and walked towards the door.
"Do you need my help?" Kyle was eager to help.
"If necessary..." Dumbledore said, "But I think it's better for you to stay here for now. You must be tired too."
"Indeed." Kyle nodded.
After fighting with Voldemort for so long, his legs felt weak just standing there.
But if he were to go to Nurmengard with Dumbledore, Kyle felt he could muster some energy.
If all else failed, he still had his potions.
"So, I'll take care of this."
Unfortunately, Dumbledore didn't intend to take him along. He turned and walked towards the door.
But as he reached the door, he stopped and turned back, saying, "I'll be back after dawn, just like we agreed before..."
"No, Professor Dumbledore, I never said anything. That's just your wishful thinking." Kyle shook his head.
"But..."
"Don't worry, Professor." Kyle interrupted, "Even if it's true as you say... I can just leave Britain."
Dumbledore looked at Kyle, his expression changing slightly as if he wanted to say something but held back.
"Professor, do you think I'll become the next Dark Lord?" Kyle raised an eyebrow, half-jokingly.
"Of course not." Dumbledore shook his head, "You're different from Tom. You have friends, family. You'll never become a Dark Lord like him."
"But it's not impossible, right?" Kyle continued, "What if the Ministry of Magic turns against me, giving me a hard time...
"You know, Professor, I can't be as tolerant as you, ignoring these difficulties... I can say for sure that I'll fight back."
"Let me think." Kyle stood up and walked around the room.
"My counterattack will make the Ministry of Magic naturally see me as an enemy. At that time, even if I don't want to, I'll become the next Dark Lord in everyone's eyes."
Dumbledore fell silent.
There was one more thing Kyle didn't say—if he really became the Dark Lord, no one in the British magical world could stop him without Dumbledore.
And those who were capable, like Newt and Niccolo, were close to Kyle.
Even the Department of Mysteries was connected to him in many ways; Diana was his mother, and Ariana... To be honest, Dumbledore couldn't even guarantee that Ariana wouldn't help Kyle if it came to that.
"I think you're worrying too much, Professor. Or do all wizards start having wild thoughts when they get old?" Kyle looked at Dumbledore and winked.
He didn't wait for Dumbledore's response and continued, "The magical world isn't just Britain. If I'm not welcome here, I can go elsewhere.
"France is a good choice. Madame Maxime has wanted me to go to Beauxbatons for a long time... Honestly, her offer is very tempting, and I've almost agreed to it several times."
Dumbledore stared at Kyle, then said softly, "I'm sorry, Kyle."
"It's understandable, Professor. I can relate," Kyle smiled and sighed, "And I'm not trying to comfort you. I really want to go to France."
"Oh... Why!"
Visibly, Dumbledore became more anxious, even retracting his foot from outside and stepping back into the room.
"Isn't Hogwarts good enough? If you want to talk about the new alchemy course, you can start preparing after dealing with Tom's troubles."
"It's not related to that." Kyle waved his hand.
Any British wizard who has tried authentic French cuisine once will have a reduced sense of belonging here.
The Hogwarts house elves' cooking skills were decent, but with the same few dishes rotating, Kyle had grown tired of them since his first year.
A change of taste would be nice.
He could spend a few years in France, and when he got tired of French cuisine, he could move on to even better places.
The more Kyle thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. Although it wasn't easy for a wizard to settle in another country, he had the connections.
Madame Maxime from France was just one example; Kyle only needed to express his desire to go to Beauxbatons, and the rest would be taken care of.
Newt and Niccolo knew even more wizards, worldwide. A single word from them could solve this problem.
Why would he care about the British Ministry of Magic then! Kyle quickened his pace, already planning where to settle in different countries. He didn't want to stay in this broken Hogwarts for even a minute longer.
Across from him, Dumbledore pursed his lips as he watched Kyle's eyes light up. Suddenly, he felt he might have made a wrong decision.
...
(End of Chapter)
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