Chapter 970: The Exam
Chapter 970: The Exam
When Kyle found Professor McGonagall, she had just sent Professor Machinban back to her room.
Besides dormitories, Hogwarts also had rooms for guests.
The representatives from the Ministry of Magic, Examination Department, visited annually and were well-acquainted with the school, so they didn't require a professor to guide them.
However, this was Professor McGonagall's first N.E.W.T. exam as the new Headmistress, so Professor Machinban wanted to chat with her.
Upon seeing Kyle, she hurried over.
"I heard from the painting that you were looking for me?"
"Ah, yes." Kyle nodded.
"What's the matter?" Professor McGonagall continued, seemingly unaware of the situation, as the messenger painting hadn't informed her.
"There's an unwelcome visitor at Hogwarts." Kyle said.
"Who is it?" Professor McGonagall asked casually, not overly concerned.
After all, this was Hogwarts, and aside from Voldemort, they feared no one.
And now Voldemort was dead...
"It's Grindelwald." Kyle said.
Professor McGonagall stumbled, and her body uncontrollably took two steps back.
Kyle quickly transfigured a chair behind Professor McGonagall, preventing her from falling.
Professor McGonagall sat down, her face visibly paling.
"You... just said who?"
"Grindelwald." Kyle repeated, "He's at Hogwarts, in the Headmaster's Office. I just sent him away."
"That's impossible!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed, "He's been imprisoned in Nurmengard."
"Your words are the same as Headmaster Dippet's." Kyle shrugged, "Then let me say it again. What has been keeping Grindelwald all this time is not some so-called Nurmengard Tower..."
Then, Kyle recounted the events that had just transpired.
From encountering Grindelwald at the castle entrance to their visit to the Headmaster's Office and their subsequent plan, he left nothing unsaid.
Professor McGonagall listened silently.
"Oh, right. I also have photos here." Kyle patted his pocket, "I can develop them later. Although Grindelwald looks much older, those of you who have seen him should still be able to recognize him."
Hearing this, Professor McGonagall tightly wrung a handkerchief.
As a witch who had personally experienced that era, Professor McGonagall was more aware than anyone of how terrifying Grindelwald was.
In terms of the impact of their names, Voldemort paled in comparison; they were not on the same level.
The only consolation was that Grindelwald seemed to have no intention of starting a war with Hogwarts.
And according to Kyle, he had reached some sort of agreement with Grindelwald.
"This news is too unbelievable. I need to calm down." Professor McGonagall stood up and said.
"Of course." Kyle said, "Headmaster Dumbledore's portrait knows the whole process. You can go to him; he should also be waiting for you in the Headmaster's Office now."
Professor McGonagall hurried away.
Kyle returned to his hut.
The first thing he did was to take out the negatives, develop the photos, and then soak them in the developing solution.
The entire process was seamless, and each step was smooth, obviously having been done many times before.
Soon, a stack of moving Grindelwald's personal photo albums was completed.
According to their previous agreement, Kyle also made a new photo album, pasting Dumbledore and Grindelwald's photos in order.
Dumbledore's photo was provided by Kyle as a friendly gesture, and although it was a collection piece, it could also be considered an exclusive.
However, when he turned to the last page, Kyle suddenly hesitated.
He only had two photos left in his hand.
One of them was Dumbledore showing off his knitted woolen gloves and woolen socks, which Kyle remembered was from a few years ago at Christmas when Dumbledore first learned to knit gloves.
During lunch on Christmas Day, he showed off his results to the other professors, and then a Ravenclaw who stayed at school took a photo record.
Later, Kyle bought this photo for a few Sickles.
And the corresponding photo was Grindelwald disdainfully throwing the woolen gloves out the window.
Kyle felt that using these two photos as the climax of the photo album was more than appropriate, but he also worried that Grindelwald would be angry and embarrassed.
After all, this action was taken at his suggestion, and with Grindelwald's unreasonable personality, he would definitely cause trouble after knowing the truth.
With Kyle's current strength... well, it's not that he can't beat him, but he feels there's no need for that.
It's better for wizards to get along rather than drawing wands at every encounter.
But... if Grindelwald doesn't see these photos, won't his intentions remain unexpressed?
Kyle sat there, torn.
It wasn't until late into the night that he finally made a decision.
Considering Grindelwald's feelings as a centenarian, Kyle reluctantly put away Dumbledore's photo on the table and replaced it with another one, a photo of Dumbledore with a unicorn.
Unicorn, wool, wool gloves... Hopefully, Grindelwald will understand this hint.
He's so smart; he'll definitely understand.
Kyle closed the album and went to sleep.
The pressure from Grindelwald made him fall asleep quickly once he relaxed.
He didn't know that the light in the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts stayed on for the entire night.
The next day marked the official start of the N.E.W.T. exams for the seventh-year students.
As the Headmistress of Hogwarts, Professor McGonagall didn't need to supervise the students' exams, but she still arrived punctually in the Great Hall.
Her complexion looked good from a distance, just like usual, but only when one got closer could they see the fatigue in her eyes.
After breakfast, the students headed to their respective exam venues.
In an empty corridor on the second floor, Professor McGonagall also returned the album to Kyle.
"It's him, no doubt about it... Grindelwald," she said hoarsely.
Although the person had aged, she was absolutely certain it was him—Grindelwald, who had nearly subjugated the entire European magical community.
"Professor, I think we don't need to be tense... at least not yet," Kyle said after some thought.
"Grindelwald is back, but he's no longer the same person who was once determined to rule the magical world," Kyle added.
"You and Albus said the same thing; he said so yesterday as well," Professor McGonagall glanced at Kyle.
"But he is Grindelwald, and we can't remain indifferent just because of a guess."
"It's not exactly a guess..." Kyle paused, then continued, "Yesterday, when I discussed the Horcrux with him, I intentionally mentioned Nurmengard, hoping he would help there.
"Grindelwald agreed without hesitation, which means he doesn't plan to leave Nurmengard. After all, I didn't mention a specific time, and he can only help if he stays there.
"But if he still wants to conquer the magical world, would he stay in Nurmengard?"
Kyle spoke without noticing the constant changes in Professor McGonagall's expression.
She felt that Kyle's words made sense.
Grindelwald's personality wouldn't allow him to make empty promises. Since he agreed, it meant he would definitely show up at Nurmengard.
However, Grindelwald had been imprisoned in Nurmengard for nearly seventy years, a constant reminder of his past failures. If he intended to make a comeback, he wouldn't continue staying there; he would keep his distance.
But this doesn't make sense.
There's only one possibility: Grindelwald has given up and no longer cares.
Professor McGonagall thought a lot, and she couldn't help but look at Kyle.
To be fair, Kyle's conversation with Grindelwald wasn't news to her; she had already heard it from Dumbledore yesterday, and not just once.
But neither she, nor Dumbledore, nor any of the other headmasters had considered that Kyle's mention of Nurmengard in the plan might have deeper implications.
Oh, perhaps Dumbledore himself would have figured it out if he were here, but there was only his portrait in the Headmaster's office.
"Professor McGonagall... Professor McGonagall?"
Kyle's voice snapped her back to reality, realizing she had been lost in thought.
"What is it?"
"Nothing, you make a lot of sense," Professor McGonagall shook her head, "I guess your idea is the same as Albus's, to not inform the Ministry of Magic about Grindelwald."
"Exactly," Kyle nodded, "It seems he's just out for a stroll, bored. There's no need to make a big deal out of it."
Professor McGonagall remained silent for a moment, then nodded.
"Fine, I must be crazy to agree with your suggestion."
In truth, she had been pondering this issue for a while. She wanted to trust Dumbledore's judgment unconditionally, as she had in the past, but she couldn't ignore the name Grindelwald.
Kyle's words had solidified her decision, and the Magical World truly needed a well-deserved break.
"I only have one request," she said, looking at Kyle seriously. "I want you to keep me updated on any news regarding Grindelwald."
"No problem," Kyle agreed readily. The only thing left between him and Grindelwald was the Horcrux plan, which Professor McGonagall was already aware of, leaving nothing to hide.
"Good, just don't be like Dumbledore, he's too good at keeping secrets," Professor McGonagall couldn't help but tease.
"Also, I heard that Vandar Rozier will be coming to Hogwarts after this. Is that true?"
"Well... I'm not sure about that," Kyle shook his head uncertainly. "Grindelwald did say that, but he'll let Rozier discuss the matter with me after."
"But I don't know if he meant after or before the school break."
"Whenever it is, you must remain vigilant and inform me as soon as you see her."
Professor McGonagall's expression turned serious. "Remember, I'm not joking. Vandar Rozier's actions are more terrifying than Death Eaters. She's a ruthless and cunning witch."
"I understand, Professor McGonagall," Kyle said. "I've met her before, and I'll be careful."
"Good," Professor McGonagall said.
At that moment, the previously empty corridor suddenly became bustling with activity.
First, two elderly wizards of considerable age walked by, followed by a group of seventh-year students, all with tense expressions.
"The N.E.W.T. exams are about to start," Professor McGonagall immediately put Grindelwald aside. "I need to find Professor Machinban now. Remember what I said, and if you encounter Vandar Rozier, be sure to tell me."
Professor McGonagall quickly left.
Kyle paused for a moment, but instead of staying in the castle, he turned and headed downstairs.
Normally, Hogwarts professors were expected to assist the Ministry of Magic's Examination Department, as students from all five years, except for the most crucial N.E.W.T. and O.W.L. exams, also had to take their final exams.
The school professors were primarily responsible for the remaining five years.
But Kyle was different... mainly because of his exceptional performance in Ancient Runes, he had never participated in any exams, and the Examination Department completely overlooked him.
Although the professor had changed to Kyle, this tradition remained unchanged.
Kyle was now neither required to take exams nor responsible for them, making him the most relaxed person in the entire castle.
He decided to use this time to perfect his album.
As Kyle exited the castle, he saw Hagrid outside in the field, separating a group of Hippogriffs.
"Oh, the exams have started, haven't they?" Hagrid waved vigorously upon seeing Kyle and quickly grabbed a slightly impatient Hippogriff.
"These proud little fellows..." Hagrid said, but his expression seemed to be enjoying the situation.
Before encountering real dragons, these magical creatures were his favorites... oh, and Fluffy the three-headed dog and Norbert the Norwegian Ridgeback.
"The exam task is to have them fly around the school grounds. What do you think?"
"Which year?" Kyle asked.
"Fifth year," Hagrid replied. "What do you think? Professor Machinban originally wanted to use this for the third year, but she thought it would be more suitable for the O.W.L."
"I agree," Kyle nodded.
Hippogriffs were 3X-level magical creatures, making them perfect for fifth-year students.
There was already a standard taming process for Hippogriffs, and usually, there wouldn't be any significant issues. Even if it were assigned to third-year students, it wouldn't pose a problem.
After settling the Hippogriffs, Hagrid hurried back to the Forbidden Forest.
He still needed to prepare for the exams of other years, such as the Thestrals for the seventh-year students.
This was one of the easiest-to-guess questions in the N.E.W.T. exam, and for this year's graduates, it was even simpler than before.
After the war against the Death Eaters, most of them could see Thestrals.
Kyle glanced at the Thestrals and turned back to his cabin.
...
(End of Chapter)
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