Hogwarts: I Am an Exemplary Wizard

Chapter 655: Chapter 653: The Attacked Sirius (Double-Length)

The Headmaster’s Office was also on the eighth floor, not far from where they had been before.

Kael followed Professor McGonagall through corridors flooded with moonlight, walking onward.

Kael wanted to ask what had happened, but when he saw Professor McGonagall’s tightly pressed lips and serious expression, he decided against it.

A few minutes later, they arrived at the entrance to the Headmaster’s Office, right in front of the gargoyle.

”Fang Mint Candy.”

Professor McGonagall said, then led Kael through the passage behind the gargoyle.

Although it was already midnight, Dumbledore didn’t seem to be asleep—Kael could clearly hear voices coming from inside, all jumbled together, as if many people were having a discussion.

In fact, the Headmaster’s Office was indeed buzzing with activity.

When Kael walked in, he saw Dumbledore crouching in front of the fireplace, wearing white pajamas covered in strawberry prints.

Standing behind him were Harry... and Snape.

Not a combination you saw every day.

Kael cast a curious look at them... Did Harry break some rule again and get caught by Snape?

Kael glanced back at Dumbledore.

Just then, he noticed that a face made of fire suddenly appeared in the fireplace—it was Mr. Weasley.

”That’s right, Professor Dumbledore,” Mr. Weasley said, his mouth opening and closing as if he were really standing there. ”Sirius was indeed attacked by Death Eaters. When Moody and I got there, he was being tortured with the Crucio Curse.”

”How is Sirius...” Harry hurried to the fireplace, anxiously asking, ”Is he okay?”

”Oh... Harry.” Mr. Weasley hesitated for a moment, then said, ”Calm down. Sirius has already been taken to St Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. The Healer said he hasn’t suffered any major injuries, just needs some rest for a while.”

”Thank you, Arthur,” Dumbledore said.

”It’s what I should do,” Mr. Weasley replied. ”But Professor Dumbledore, I don’t know if Moody has mentioned it to you, but things over on Stodgy’s side may not be so optimistic.”

”I just heard about it,” Dumbledore said.

With that, Mr. Weasley’s face disappeared.

At the same time, a witch with curly silvery hair appeared in a frame on the wall.

”How is it, Dilys?” Dumbledore asked.

”One good, one bad,” the witch said. ”They were both taken to St Mungo’s, passed right under my portrait... One is just unconscious, but the other’s situation is a bit tricky.

Cecily says the Dark Magic he’s been hit with is pretty nasty. It’ll take at least six hours to brew an antidote, but there’s no way he’ll hold out that long. You’ve got to think of something.”

”Thank you,” Dumbledore said, turning to Kael.

”You have it on you, right—that magic box?”

”Of course,” Kael nodded.

”Good, I’m afraid we’ll have to head out for a bit,” Dumbledore strode over, his pajamas turning into a purple robe in the blink of an eye.

”Are you going to St Mungo’s?” Harry asked hurriedly. ”Let me go too, Professor—take me with you. I want to see Sirius.”

”A reasonable request,” Dumbledore said, looking at Snape. ”In that case, Severus, let’s discuss that matter after we return.”

Snape’s expression turned even darker.

”I suppose you realize,” he shot Harry a look, ”that if Potter can see what the Dark Lord is doing through that ridiculous scar, then the Dark Lord can see him in just the same way.

I think what Potter needs most right now is to figure out how to protect that empty brain of his, or he could fall into danger at any time.”

”I am well aware, Severus,” Dumbledore replied. ”But please trust me—this isn’t something that can be fixed overnight. Waiting a bit longer changes nothing, I assure you.”

Snape let out a cold snort and said nothing more.

”Let me think, three people then,” Dumbledore mused. ”I’ll take Harry first... Kael, how about Fawkes gives you a ride?”

Kael couldn’t help twitching his mouth—he’d have rather switched with Harry...

No other reason—it’s just that Harry had never traveled by Phoenix before. It was a rare chance, and it’d be a shame to miss it.

But before he could say anything, Dumbledore had already grabbed Harry’s arm and vanished from the room.

Next, Fawkes swooped down from his perch to Kael’s shoulder.

”All right then...” Kael sighed, looking rather resigned. ”It’s up to you, Fawkes.”

The Phoenix spread its wings and let out a cry.

Kael caught sight of Snape’s gloating expression, and then a blazing gold-red light filled his vision.

The ground vanished beneath his feet. The whole world was spinning wildly, and Kael felt as if he’d turned into a Bludger struck hard... and a spinning one, at that.

Then... the Bludger landed.

Kael tried to land in a normal position, but he still crashed into a table.

With a dull thud, the table toppled over and the parchment scattered everywhere.

”Kael, are you all right?” Harry, who’d arrived earlier, asked cautiously.

Though he himself still wasn’t used to the dizziness Apparition caused, Kael was taking it to another level. If not for the table, he would have crashed into the wall.

Besides, Harry remembered that Kael could Apparate—surely he should be used to all this by now?