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Chapter 491: Has Nicolas Run Away?
🕑 Added 2025-02-13 16:40:52 +0000 UTCThe next morning, Fred and George were waiting outside the Great Hall as soon as it opened, eager to dive back into Kyle's suitcase. This time, they had brought along Cedric and Cho, making for a much livelier group compared to yesterday, when it had been just Kanna exploring the mysterious world inside.
The moment Fred took in the vast expanse within the suitcase, he announced, “Adventure time!” and dashed off with George toward the forest. Kyle simply watched with amusement as the two sprinted away, disappearing among the trees.
“Are you sure it’s safe?” Cedric asked, looking a bit concerned. “They won’t run into anything dangerous, will they?”
“Nah,” Kyle reassured him with a wave. “The only risky area is that clearing we saw earlier.”
Cho, overhearing, shuddered at the thought of the massive field of Chomping Cabbages they’d glimpsed earlier. She made a mental note to steer clear of that clearing for the rest of her life, just as Kanna had.
Cedric, on the other hand, seemed intrigued by the unusual plants. Whether it was because Professor Sprout, their Herbology instructor, was also Hufflepuff’s Head of House, or just his own curiosity, he even mused about growing a Devil’s Snare himself someday.
By noon, the Weasley twins returned from their adventure. The disappointed expressions on their faces made it clear they hadn’t found quite what they’d hoped for.
“So… no Dragon?” Cedric teased, raising an eyebrow.
Fred sighed. “We saw one when we first came in—a real Dragon! But it took off when it saw all of you with Kyle and didn’t come back. We thought it might still be in the forest, so we went looking…”
They had spent hours roaming through the suitcase’s landscape, hoping for another glimpse of Norbert, but to no avail. As they left the suitcase, Fred and George continued talking animatedly, trying to convince each other that they could still find a way to see a Dragon up close without putting their lives at risk.
Unfortunately, Norbert didn’t seem interested in meeting them, and there wasn’t much Kyle could do to change the Dragon’s mind.
...
But soon, thoughts of Dragons and adventures faded into the background, as on Wednesday morning, Snape returned to Hogwarts.
He strode into the Great Hall, his black cloak billowing and his cold, piercing gaze sweeping the room. At the sight of him, many students groaned inwardly. They had dared to hope that Snape might be gone for good this year, and more than a few hadn’t even bothered with their holiday Potions homework… including Fred and George.
The Slytherins, however, were delighted, standing up with loud applause to welcome back their Head of House.
Kyle watched Snape as he crossed the Hall to speak briefly with Dumbledore. Snape’s presence here meant Regulus’s situation must have been resolved. For Sirius, this news would likely bring as much relief as his own hard-won freedom.
Not everyone, however, shared in the happiness. Mikel and Ryan, Hufflepuff students, spent every free moment that morning scrambling to complete their Potions assignments. During their first class, History of Magic, no one paid them much attention as long as they stayed quiet, so they were able to work undisturbed. But Transfiguration was a different story. Professor McGonagall caught them red-handed, confiscated their hastily completed Potions homework, and assigned them an additional three feet of Transfiguration work on top of the original five. The two of them looked ready to cry.
“By the way…” Professor McGonagall added after doling out their punishment, turning to Kyle. “The Headmaster would like to see you. The password is ‘Pepper Imps.’”
“I understand, Professor,” Kyle replied with a nod, unsurprised by the summons. After leaving the classroom, he parted ways with Kanna and headed alone toward the headmaster’s office on the eighth floor.
Inside, the office was unusually quiet. The portraits lining the walls were covered with thick velvet drapes, and Dumbledore sat behind his desk, waiting.
“I think you already know about Regulus,” Dumbledore began. “He’s no longer the creature we encountered at first.”
“I figured as much when I saw Professor Snape return this morning,” Kyle replied.
Dumbledore nodded softly. “Yes… it took over two months, and it was far more complicated than I’d anticipated. But, at last, it’s been resolved.”
Kyle hesitated, then asked, “So what’s going to happen to him… to Regulus?”
“That, I don’t know,” Dumbledore admitted, shaking his head. “Sirius intends to take responsibility for his brother’s future. He wants to arrange everything himself—at least, until that person is completely eradicated. We don’t need to take any further action until then.”
“Is that so?” Kyle murmured.
He understood that Dumbledore was referring to Voldemort. Though he couldn’t fully grasp why Sirius would make such a decision, he didn’t press further.
“You have saved two innocent souls, Kyle,” Dumbledore said, standing up and smiling warmly. “Helping Sirius regain his freedom and uncovering the truth about Regulus are noble accomplishments. As an old wizard who once fought Voldemort alongside them, I am grateful for what you’ve done for them. But as Headmaster, I can’t grant you extra points for these deeds, as they happened outside the scope of school.”
“It’s all right, Professor,” Kyle replied, shaking his head. He understood that these events had taken place over the holidays and weren’t directly related to Hogwarts, so extra points would be out of place.
“But…” Kyle paused, considering his words carefully. “There is one request I’d like to make.”
“Go on,” Dumbledore encouraged, his eyes twinkling. “But let me warn you—if it’s to learn that Charm I used earlier, choose another. I’ve already promised to teach it to you and have no plans to change my mind.”
“It’s about something else,” Kyle clarified. “I’d like your permission to handle the object Regulus took and replaced.”
Kyle had suspected that Dumbledore had more on his mind than just offering congratulations; he was certain it had something to do with the locket. Dumbledore had shown surprising restraint in not pressing about it until now, but when Kyle mentioned it, his expression turned serious.
After a pause, Dumbledore asked, “Do you know what it is?”
“Yes, it’s like the diary,” Kyle replied. “But I think I have a solution.”
He couldn’t help but think of Nicolas Flamel. They had agreed that he would return the Diadem to Kyle within six months, but nearly a year had passed with no word from him.
At this point, Kyle couldn’t help but wonder if Flamel had absconded with the artifact. Yet there was nothing he could do; Flamel’s estate was clearly protected by more than just the Fidelius Charm, and though Kyle had visited once, he couldn’t recall the address.
For now, all he could do was wait for Flamel to get in touch.
