The news of Sirius' injury seemed to be deliberately concealed by the Ministry of Magic. No one knew what happened that night, and there was no report in the newspapers.

The next day, Hogwarts was as lively as usual. Everyone was excitedly discussing the upcoming Christmas and holiday arrangements.

"What on earth is the Ministry of Magic trying to do..." At the Hufflepuff table, Cedric put down the newspaper in his hand and said angrily, "But two people almost died, and they were powerful adult wizards. Is this their way of solving the problem? Just let it go?"

"Obviously... that's right." Kyle spread orange jam on his bread. "That's why I always wanted Professor Dumbledore to run for Minister of Magic, but unfortunately he said he would never agree to do so."

"Yeah, it would be nice if Professor Dumbledore became the Minister." Cedric also sighed.

Although he always believed that Hogwarts could not do without Dumbledore, the key point was that he would graduate next year... and who the headmaster was by then would have nothing to do with him.

So deep down, he also preferred Dumbledore to run for Minister of Magic.

"Okay, let's change the subject." Kyle shook his head. "Dumbledore can only be made minister if Voldemort becomes the headmaster of Hogwarts... What are your plans for the holidays?"

"Cho and I are going to St. Mungo's to visit Sirius." Cedric took a sip of pumpkin juice, "and then we'll go to Diagon Alley. Fred and George have chosen a shop there, and I plan to join them."

"Join Weasley's Joke Shop?" Kyle asked in confusion, "But don't you want to join a professional Quidditch team after graduation? " "If I remember correctly, the Mottola Macaws also sent you a tryout invitation not long ago."

"That's right." Cedric said calmly, "But I really can't convince myself to leave the UK at this time. I can join a professional team at any time, but definitely not now.

"It just so happens that the Weasley brothers also need help, so this can be considered as finding something for myself to do."

"Are you sure?" Kyle glanced at him, "That's a very good team. This opportunity is rare."

"But their current Seekers are also very good." Cedric said nonchalantly, "Even if I pass the trial, I can only be a substitute. It's not bad to wait and see for a few years."

Cedric seemed to have made a decision, and took the initiative to change the subject.

"Kanna, what are you going to do during your vacation?"

"Maybe I should stay in school. There's nothing for me to do if I go back anyway." Kanna said, "Besides, I plan to try to join the Extraordinary Pharmacist Association next year. I can just take advantage of the holiday to read some books about potions."

"What about you, Kyle?" Cedric continued.

“I haven’t decided yet,” Kyle said.

"Would you like to come with us to visit Sirius?" Cedric asked, and then he looked at Connor again, "But I think... you would rather stay in school."

"There's no conflict." Kyle smiled.

Even if he stayed in school, he could always go to Dumbledore to ask for a portkey to number 12, Grimmauld Place, and then go to St. Mungo's.

Or even easier, just take the Knight Bus.

As for which method to choose, it depends on whether Dumbledore will be in school during the holidays. If possible, Kyle still wants to choose the more convenient portkey.

After all, the Knight Bus is hardly comfortable.

…

After finishing breakfast, several people left the auditorium and prepared to go to class.

The first class in the sixth grade was Potions, and Kyle and Connor arrived at the underground classroom on time.

But strangely, Snape was late today... It was not until twenty minutes after the class started that he pushed open the door of the dungeon classroom with a gloomy face.

This has never happened before.

Moreover, during class, Snape was extremely strict. No matter who it was, if they made a small mistake, even if they just cut the ingredients too thick, they would be scolded by him.

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

When the get out of class was over, Snape didn't stay for even a second and left the classroom before the bell rang.

When Kyle walked out, Snape was no longer in the corridor.

"What happened to him?" Kyle looked at Connor and asked curiously, "Could it be that the crucible exploded when he was preparing the potion?"

"I don't know either." Connor shook her head, "But it's definitely not what you said. The potions prepared by Professor Snape have never failed."

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

After saying that, Kellu couldn't help but laugh. Snape was so concerned about Sirius. The scene was so weird. If that was true, there would definitely be a big battle at St. Mungo's.

However, Kyle didn't care too much about this little episode.

As for Snape, it's normal for him to be angry. It would be strange if he looked very happy one day.

But Kyle soon discovered that Snape was not the only one who was unhappy, but Harry as well.

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

But for some reason, he suddenly became silent recently, and after a few days, his temper started to become bad.

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

This was very rare... Although Harry was indeed impulsive at times, he rarely argued with his professors during class.

Because every time he wanted to do that, Hermione and Ron would always stop him at the first opportunity.

But this time was different…according to Hannah, neither of them together could hold Harry down.

Kyle was very curious about what had happened in the past few days that caused such a big change in Harry, so he also went to the Gryffindor Tower.

But Fred told him that Harry was not in the dormitory, not even in the past few days, including at night.

"He couldn't have run out of school," Kyle frowned.

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

"What?" Kyle was a little confused. "Why did Harry go to the Room of Requirement instead of staying in the dormitory? Did he have a fight with Ron?"

"No Ron, actually... this matter is mainly related to us."

Fred took Kyle to an empty corridor and explained, "It should be three days ago. We sent a special little prop in the letter we wrote home... an upgraded retractable ear."

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

"I think she just put it aside after reading it..."

"That made us lucky enough to hear one of their conversations."

"Harry happened to be there at the time."

Fred said with some annoyance, "Because he has been depressed these days because of Sirius, so we invited him to listen to the conversation."

"About Harry?" Kyle asked.

"That's right." George sighed, and his voice was very low. "Mom said that Harry can possess the You-Know-Who through dreams, and the You-Know-Who can do the same..."

Kyle frowned and asked, "Did Mrs. Weasley really say that?"

"That's absolutely true," said Fred, "and that's what made Harry decide to leave the dormitory.

"He probably thought he was a weapon or something, and could hurt someone at any time."

"He didn't even want to attend the class, and it was Professor McGonagall who dragged him back to the classroom." George said darkly, "If we had known things would turn out like this, we shouldn't have invited Harry to attend the class."

Their original intention was to give Harry some fun and joy, but the result was to make him feel even more uncomfortable.

But they didn't expect that the content of the conversation that day was exactly about Harry.

After understanding the cause of the incident, Kyle went to the corridor where the Room of Requirement was located.

Fortunately, Christmas was coming soon, and Sirius should be able to cheer him up again.

Kyle thought so.

…

Finally, Christmas is here.

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

Everyone was celebrating the upcoming holiday, except Kyle... After the dinner, he was called to the headmaster's office by Dumbledore again.

And this time, Dumbledore was the only one in the headmaster's office, and he was wearing floral pajamas, just like last time.

"Is he going somewhere again?" Kyle muttered to himself.

But what Dumbledore said next caught him off guard.

"What? Want me to teach Harry Occlumency?"

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

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

Dumbledore pointed to the pile of letters on the table. "These are news from all over the world, and it's like this every day. I have to read them all before going to bed."

“So you want me to teach you?” Kyle said.

"It should be said that he assists Professor Snape," said Dumbledore.

"Harry's Occlumency instruction began two days ago."

Two days ago? Kyle thought about it and realized that it was the day Snape was late for class.

"So, it didn't go well?" he asked tentatively.

"Harry doesn't seem to adapt to Professor Snape's teaching method..." Dumbledore couldn't help but cough lightly.

In fact, what he said just now was a bit reserved. Harry was not only not used to Snape's teaching method, they were simply incompatible.

But there is no other way. Harry must now find a way to protect his consciousness from being invaded by Voldemort one day in the future, and Occlumency is the best choice.

This is also why Snape said a few days ago that Harry was in danger all the time.

So after returning from St. Mungo's, he began to arrange Occlumency training for Harry.

But the discovery of the matter was not smooth.

Snape chose to use Legilimency to force Harry to find a way to close his brain...

This was understandable, but Harry used another kind of magic in desperation, or instinct... without a wand, he bounced back the Legilimency.

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

The first teaching session ended hastily in a furious quarrel between the two people and had no effect at all.

Then Dumbledore thought of Kyle.

"You are also proficient in Occlumency. If you can ease the atmosphere in the middle, the teaching effect will probably be better." Dumbledore said, "At least don't let them leave in a bad mood in the middle of the class like last time."

"But I've only just started learning Occlumency, so I probably can't be of much help." Kyle wanted to refuse.

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

Brain occlusion is not something that can be accomplished overnight, and if he takes on this job, his vacation will be completely ruined.

Besides, Snape is a good person. Although his teaching method is a little rough, it will not harm Harry.

Moreover, now is a special period, and putting some pressure on Harry will also help him master this technique as soon as possible.

But Dumbledore seemed not to have heard the rejection in Kyle's words.

"You're too modest, Kyle." He shook his head. "When it comes to Occlumency, I know very few people who are better than you, including some of the most famous wizards."

"Professor, you are such a joker." Kyle continued to refuse, "Professor Snape is much better than me. If even he can't do it, what use would it be for me to do it?"

Dumbledore's eyes flashed. If Kyle had said this two years ago, it would have been correct, but now it was questionable.

"Even if it's to help Harry, is that okay?" Dumbledore said calmly, "The last dream made him very depressed, and you want him to cheer up as soon as possible."

Kyle frowned and hesitated.

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

Although what Dumbledore said sounded right, comforting Harry... this job was obviously more suitable for Hermione and Ron.

Besides, it was Snape who was responsible for teaching Harry Occlumency, so he couldn't help much even if he went... Kyle didn't think he could change Snape's mind and decision unless Connor was involved.

He was not the best choice for either of these two things, but Dumbledore still chose him.

But Kyle thought about it for a long time and couldn't think of any other purpose for Dumbledore.

"But I still have to watch over the basilisk... I can't be distracted." Kyle raised his head and said in a low voice.

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

"It's okay, Fox can help." He said with a smile.

"Then it's settled." Kyle agreed almost without hesitation, as if he was afraid that Dumbledore would go back on his word. "Without further delay, I'll go find Professor Snape right away."

After saying that, he opened the door of the principal's office and walked out, hugging Fox who was sleeping on the branch.

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

"Bang!"

The door of the principal's office was closed.

"What a cunning boy."

Phineas Black in the portrait opened his eyes and said to Dumbledore, "That boy obviously made conditions on purpose. Can't you hear it?"

"I am not an old fool, Phineas." Dumbledore walked behind the table, picked up a letter and began to read.

Of course he knew what Kyle meant. If the basilisk was really so unstable and needed to be watched all the time, he would not have allowed Kyle to bring it into the school.

But now he had to let Kyle take the job.

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

That is to find something for Kyle to do during this holiday to keep him busy so that he has no time to think about other things.

He had a hunch... well, it was an old wizard's intuition. If he ignored Kyle, he would definitely do something unexpected in the next two weeks, and it would most likely be related to him.

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

Dumbledore chose to trust his instincts.

…

(End of this chapter)