The news of Sirius' injury seems to have been deliberately concealed by the Ministry of Magic, no one knows what happened that night, and there is no report in the newspapers.

The next day, Hogwarts was still as lively as ever, with everyone excitedly discussing the upcoming Christmas and the arrangements for the holidays.

"What the hell does the Ministry of Magic want to do......" At the Hufflepuff table, Cedric put down the newspaper in his hand and said angrily, "But there are two people who almost died, and they are still adult wizards who are not weak, is this their solution?" Leave it alone? ”

"Obviously...... That's it, that's right. Kyle slathered marmalade on his bread, "That's why I've always wanted Professor Dumbledore to run for Minister of Magic, but he didn't want to say anything. ”

"yes, if only Professor Dumbledore were the Minister." Cedric sighed as well.

Although he always believed that Hogwarts could not do without Dumbledore, the point was that he would graduate next year...... At that time, who the headmaster was had nothing to do with him.

So in his heart, he was also more inclined to Dumbledore to run for Minister of Magic.

"Alright, let's change the subject." Kyle shook his head, "If you want Dumbledore to be the minister, you can't do it until Voldemort becomes the headmaster of Hogwarts...... What are your holiday arrangements? ”

"Cho and I are going to visit Sirius in St. Mungo." Cedric took a sip of pumpkin juice, "After that, go to Diagon Alley, where Fred and George have chosen a shop, and I'm going to join them." ”

"Join the Weasley Joke Shop?" Kyle wondered, "But don't you want to join a professional Quidditch team after graduation?"

"If I'm not mistaken, the Motorola macaw team sent you a tryout not long ago."

"That's right." "But I can't really convince myself to leave England at this time and join the professional team at any time, but certainly not now."

"It just so happens that the Weasley brothers need help too, so let's find something to do for myself."

"Are you sure?" Kyle glanced at him, "It's a good team, it's a rare opportunity. ”

"But they're good Seekers right now." Cedric said indifferently, "Even if I pass the trial, I can only be a substitute, and it will be good to wait and see for a few more years." ”

Cedric seemed to have made a decision, and after saying that, he took the initiative to change the subject.

"Connor, what are you going to do for the holidays?"

"Maybe stay at school, I don't have anything to do when I go back anyway." "And I'm going to try to join the Extraordinary Apothecary Guild next year, so I can take advantage of the holidays to read some books about potions." ”

"What about you, Kyle?" Cedric continued.

"I haven't figured it out yet." Kyle said.

"Do you want to come with us to visit Sirius?" Cedric asked, then he glanced at Connor again, "But I think ...... You should want to be in school more. ”

"It's not a conflict." Kyle smiled.

Even if he stayed at school, he could have gone to Dumbledore for a portkey that would lead to Twelve Grimmauld Place, and then go to St. Mungo.

Or to make it simpler, take the knight's bus straight over.

As for which way to choose, it depends on whether Dumbledore is not at school during the holidays, and if he can, Kyle still wants to choose a more convenient portkey.

After all, the knight bus is not comfortable.

……

After breakfast, the group left the auditorium and prepared to go to class.

The first period of sixth year is Potions class, and Kyle and Connor arrive in the underground classroom on time.

But strangely, Snape was late today...... It wasn't until twenty minutes after class that he pushed open the door of the underground classroom with a gloomy face.

This has never happened before.

And in class, Snape was even more stern and terrible, no matter who made the slightest mistake, even if it was just a thick cut of material, he would be reprimanded.

This also caused everyone to be silent, and no one dared to say a word more.

When it was time for the end of class, Snape didn't stay for a second, and left the classroom before the bell was over.

By the time Kyle walked out, Snape was no longer in the hallway.

"What's wrong with him?" Kyle looked at Connor and asked curiously, "Could it be that the cauldron exploded when the potion was being made?" ”

"I don't know." Connor shook her head, "But it's certainly not what you say, Professor Snape's potions have never failed. ”

"That's weird." Kyle muttered, "It can't be Professor Dumbledore who asks him to go to St. Mungo to take care of Sirius during the Christmas holidays." ”

After saying that, Kyleu couldn't help but laugh, Snape shushed Sirius, the picture was simply too weird, if that was the case, then there would definitely be a big battle in St. Mungo.

However, Kyle didn't pay much attention to this little episode.

Well, Snape, it's normal to be angry, and it would be strange if he looked happy one day.

But it soon became apparent that Kyle wasn't just Snape upset, Harry was the only one who was upset.

After returning from St. Mungo that day, Harry had been pretending that nothing had happened in order to prevent Umbridge from noticing anything.

But for some reason, he has suddenly become silent recently, and after a few days, his temper has also begun to become irritable.

Hannah told her that Harry had a big fight with Snape during a Potions class and was kicked out of the classroom.

That's all too rare...... While Harry was impulsive at times, he rarely quarreled with the professor during class.

Because whenever he wanted to, Hermione and Ron were always the first to hold him.

But this time is different...... According to Hannah, both of them together failed to hold Harry down.

Kyle was curious about what had happened in the past few days to make such a big difference for Harry, and he had gone to Gryffindor Tower.

But Fred told him that Harry wasn't in the dorm, not even for the past few days, including at night.

"He's not going to get out of school, is he?" Kyle frowned.

"Of course not." George shook his head, "I think he probably spent the night in the Room of Requirement." ”

"What?" Kyle was a little puzzled, "Why did Harry leave his dorm room and instead run to the Room of Requirement, and he and Ron had a fight?" ”

"Not Ron, actually...... This is mainly about us. ”

Fred led Kyle to a hallway where no one was around, explaining, "I think three days ago, we brought a special prop in our letter to our family...... Upgraded telescopic ears. ”

"We made it look like a blank piece of parchment." George said, "Because it was our letter, my mother didn't check ......"

"I think she just put it next to her after reading it......"

"We were lucky enough to hear one of their conversations."

"Harry happened to be there then."

Fred said with some annoyance, "Because he's been sullen about Sirius for the past few days, we invited him to listen to the conversation." ”

"Something to do with Harry?" Kyle asked.

"That's right." George sighed, his voice low, "Mom said that Harry can possess the mysterious man by dreaming, and the mysterious man can do the same......"

Kyle frowned, "That's what Mrs. Weasley said?" ”

"Absolutely." Fred said, "Harry heard that and decided to leave the dormitory."

"He probably thinks he's a weapon or something, and he could hurt someone else at any moment."

"He didn't even want to go to class, Professor McGonagall brought him back to the classroom." George said quietly, "If we knew it would turn out like this, we shouldn't have invited Harry to listen to it." ”

They had meant to have some fun for Harry, but it made him even more uncomfortable.

But they didn't expect that the conversation that day happened to be related to Harry.

After learning what happened, Kyle goes back to the hallway where the Room of Requirement is located.

However, after seeing the two people who were there before, he turned around and left...... Even Hermione and Ron couldn't see Harry, and he couldn't be even more likely.

Thankfully, it's almost Christmas, and Sirius should be able to cheer him up again.

Kyle thought.

……

Finally, Christmas has arrived.

The day before the holiday, the auditorium was decorated with twelve towering Christmas trees, and the ceiling was covered with sparkling snowflakes and stars.

Everyone is celebrating the upcoming holidays, but Kyle ...... After the dinner, he was summoned by Dumbledore to the Headmaster's office again.

And this time there was only Dumbledore in the Headmaster's room, and he was wearing a flowered pajamas like last time.

"No, I'm going somewhere." Kyle muttered to himself.

But Dumbledore's next words caught him by surprise.

"What? Let me teach Harry Occlumency? ”

"Yes, you heard it right." Dumbledore said, "Harry needs to learn this technique to protect his brain from foreign magic."

"I wanted to teach him myself, but I was too busy......"

Dumbledore pointed to the mountains of letters on the table, "These are messages from all over the world, and every day, I have to read them all before I go to bed." ”

"So you want me to teach?" Kyle said.

"Auxiliary Professor Snape, I should say." Dumbledore said,

"Harry's Occlumency teaching started two days ago."

Two days ago?

Kyle thought about it for a moment and realized that it was the day Snape was late for class.

"So, it's not going well?" He asked tentatively.

"Harry doesn't seem to be comfortable with Professor Snape's teaching style...... Dumbledore couldn't help but cough lightly.

In fact, what he just said was still reserved, Harry was not only not adapted to Snape's teaching style, they were simply incompatible.

But there was no way, Harry had to find a way to protect his consciousness from Voldemort one day in the future, and Occlumency was the best option.

That's why Snape said the other day that Harry was in danger at all times.

So after returning from St. Mungo, he set about arranging for Harry's Occlumency training.

It's just that things didn't go smoothly.

Snape chose to use the Dementor to force Harry to find a way to shut his brain off......

This would have been understandable, but Harry had used another kind of magic, or rather instinct, in his desperation...... Without his wand, he bounced back the Dementor's Thoughts.

Then Harry also saw some of Snape's secrets...... It was only for a few seconds, but it was enough to embarrass Snape.

The first teaching ended in a hurry in a furious quarrel between the two people, and it didn't work at all.

Then Dumbledore thought of Kyle.

"You're also proficient in Occlumency, so if you ease the atmosphere in the middle, the teaching effect should be a little better." Dumbledore said, "At least don't let them break up halfway through the lesson, as they did last time." ”

"But I'm new to Occlumency, so I shouldn't be able to help much." Kyle has the heart to refuse.

He has other things to do this holiday and doesn't want to waste time on other things.

Occlumency, which could not be achieved overnight, would have been a complete ruin in his vacation.

Besides, Snape was fine, and his teaching methods were a little rougher, but they didn't hurt Harry.

And now is a special time, and giving Harry some pressure will also help him master the technique as soon as possible.

But Dumbledore didn't seem to understand the refusal in Kyle's words.

"You're too modest, Kyle." He shook his head, "When it comes to Occlumency, there aren't many people I know who are better than you, including some wizards who have been famous for a long time. ”

"Professor, you can really joke." Kyle continued to refuse, "Professor Snape is so much better than me, he can't even do it, and what's the use of me." ”

Dumbledore's eyes flashed, if it had been two years ago, Kyle would have been right, but now it's up for debate.

"Even if it's for Harry, can you?" Dumbledore said in a calm tone, "The last dream made him very depressed, and you want him to cheer him up as soon as possible." ”

Kyle frowned and hesitated.

If it was like what Dumbledore said, it would be okay for him to help, but Kyle always felt that something was wrong.

Although Dumbledore's words sounded right, they comforted Harry...... This job is obviously better suited for Hermione and Ron.

And Snape was in charge of teaching Harry Occlumency, so he wouldn't be able to help too much even if he went...... Kyle didn't think he could change Snape's mind and decision, unless he added Connor.

Neither of these things was the best choice for him, but Dumbledore still found him.

However, Kyle thought about it for a long time, and it didn't occur to Dumbledore that Dumbledore had any other purpose.

"But I still have to guard the basilisk...... Can't be distracted. Kyle looked up and whispered.

The corners of Dumbledore's mouth twitched, but then returned to normal.

"It's okay, Fox can help." He laughs.

"Then it's settled." Kyle barely hesitated, as if he was afraid that Dumbledore would repent, and immediately agreed, "Without further ado, I'll go to Professor Snape." ”

With that, he opened the door to the principal's office and walked out, hugging Fawkes, who was sleeping on a perched branch.

Awakened, Fawkes opened his eyes blankly, looked at Kyle, then at Dumbledore, and buried his head in his wings again.

"Bang!"

The door to the principal's office was shut.

"What a cunning boy."

Phineas Black on the portrait opened his eyes and said to Dumbledore, "That kid obviously deliberately spoke about conditions, can't you hear it?" ”

"I'm not an old fool, Phineas." Dumbledore walked behind the desk, picked up a letter on it, and read it.

Of course he knew what Kyle meant, and if the basilisk was really that unstable and needed to be watched all the time, he wouldn't default to Kyle bringing it to school.

But now he has to get Kyle to take the job.

Of course, helping Harry was only secondary, but more important was another reason......

It's about finding something for Kyle to do during this holiday season to keep him busy and so busy that he doesn't have time to think about anything else.

He had a hunch...... Well, it's kind of an old wizard's instinct, if you don't care about Kyle, he's going to do something unexpected in the past two weeks, and nine times out of ten it has something to do with him.

And the closer you get to the holidays, the stronger this feeling becomes.

Dumbledore chose to trust his instincts.

……

(End of chapter)