Hogwarts: I Am an Exemplary Wizard

Chapter 660: Chapter 654: Why Not Let Fawkes Guard the Basilisk? (Double-Length Chapter)_3

But the problem was, when he came, he hadn’t planned on sending Fawkes into the box either—in fact, even when he was wavering earlier, he just wanted to know whether Kael really had the ability to ensure the Basilisk wouldn’t appear at Hogwarts.

So how did things end up involving his Phoenix? What Dumbledore couldn’t figure out even more was that he actually felt a little tempted.

”Bang, bang...”

Just as Dumbledore was tangled up in thought, a knock came at the door from outside.

Soon after, someone pushed open the door to the tea room.

”Sorry to interrupt, Headmaster Dumbledore.” A young wizard stood at the threshold, shuffling a bit as he said, ”But people from the Ministry of Magic are here. They’re in Black’s ward now, and things are looking a bit unpleasant.”

”I see, thank you... Augustus.” He glanced at the badge on the wizard’s chest as he spoke.

”No need, really.” The healer named Augustus waved his hands in protest.

Dumbledore gave Kael another look, ”You stay here.”

With that, he went downstairs together with the healer.

Actually, Dumbledore didn’t need to remind him—Kael had no intention of meeting anyone from the Ministry of Magic anyway. Right now, Fudge pretty much saw Dumbledore as his greatest enemy; there was bound to be plenty of plotting going on, and Kael really didn’t want to get himself mixed up in trouble.

The only thing he found a bit regrettable was that Dumbledore took Fawkes with him too, almost like he was guarding against him.

This was just Dumbledore being unfair—he’d merely offered a perfectly reasonable solution, without any ulterior motives whatsoever.

Besides, Fawkes was loyal to the Dumbledore family in the first place; it’s not like he could actually steal him away, so why guard against him like this?

”So petty,” Kael muttered under his breath.

After the two left, Kael took a quick trip to a nearby shop.

It was already the middle of the night—he’d been dragged here suddenly and kept busy for so long, it was only natural he was feeling a little hungry. ℴℴ𝘮

The shop was small, about the size of a carriage compartment on the train, but somehow they had all sorts of goods—snacks, utensils, even life necessities, you name it.

Kael bought himself a Cauldron Cake and a bottle of Pumpkin Juice, then went back to the tea room from before.

The Cauldron Cake was pretty mediocre—miles worse than the ones on the train. It was so sweet it was almost sickening, and Kael felt like half the thing was just pure sugar.

And for some weird reason, the center wasn’t filled with jam, but instead, salted fish...

Those little salted fish a few inches long, thrown straight into the cake after being simply fried, with no extra effort whatsoever.

Sweet cake with salted fish—that bizarre combination was about as jarring as a Troll doing ballet.

Kael suddenly felt not so hungry anymore, so he cracked open the Pumpkin Juice and took a sip—at least that tasted normal, just like regular soda.

”Bang, bang...” Just then, a knock came at the door again.

Kael went over and opened it.

This time, it wasn’t anyone from St Mungo’s, nor an Auror from the Ministry, but Harry.

”The Ministry people won’t let me stay in the room,” he said. ”Professor Dumbledore said I could come here.”

”No problem, have a seat.” Kael pointed at the seat across from him. ”You must be hungry too—I just picked up some food.”

Harry also caught sight of the barely touched cake on the table.

He’d been worried about Sirius all this time, so he hadn’t really noticed, but now that Kael mentioned it, hunger hit him all at once.

But the cake on the table was pretty small—it didn’t look like enough for two people to share.

”I’ll go buy another one,” Harry said.

”It’s fine, I’m already full. I’ll just have some more to drink.” Kael shook the Pumpkin Juice in his hand.

Harry suddenly remembered that Kael had probably been here all along, so he dropped the subject.

”Thanks.” He broke off a piece of cake and popped it in his mouth.

”Don’t mention it.” Kael watched him look thoroughly content and tentatively asked, ”How’s it taste?”

”Kinda ordinary, not as good as the ones on the train.” Harry thought about it, then added, ”But I’ve never had this kind of mix before—actually, it’s pretty nice.”

”Pretty nice?” Kael smacked his lips.

No wonder the shopkeeper had been so eager to recommend this combination of Cauldron Cake—now it all made sense. Guess someone actually does like it, after all.

As for Harry’s opinion, Kael didn’t quite relate, but he respected it.

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