The next day, it was a sunny morning, but the atmosphere in the Hogwarts Great Hall gave people an indescribable sense of depression.

Everyone was wearing formal gowns and eating breakfast in silence. No one spoke. The huge auditorium was even quieter than a library.

Oh, not everyone is like this. There are still some noises from the Slytherin side. Crabbe is whispering with Goyle.

They were released yesterday on the grounds that they discovered Malfoy's conspiracy, but were ambushed by the other party and fainted on the spot.

Not to mention the professors, even most of the students could tell that they were lying, but Malfoy was loyal enough to testify for them and took full responsibility.

Then they were released and became heroes in the eyes of some Slytherins, enjoying the treatment of being the center of attention.

Of course, because of the lessons learned from the past, they dare not be too arrogant.

Those guys who were not very smart are still lying in the school hospital.

Madam Pomfrey is a healer with professional ethics. She would not tamper with the wounds or give the wrong medicine.

However, she was so sad that she had no energy to maintain order in the school hospital.

In the past, the school hospital required silence to be maintained, which was almost as strict as the library. Sometimes you would be kicked out if you made the slightest noise.

But it's different now. Even if you play a Quidditch game in the school hospital, Madam Pomfrey is not in the mood to care. Moreover, the gate is open day or night and anyone can come in and out freely.

This resulted in the Slytherins suffering more and more injuries. Sometimes, when they were almost healed, their faces would swell up again after one night.

Snape had to have people guarding the entrance of the school hospital, but the consequence of doing so was that those people also ended up lying in hospital beds the next day. Madam Pomfrey was so angry that she kept cursing Snape and saying that he had a problem with his brain all day long.

However, the Slytherins became much more obedient because of this incident. Even if they celebrated, they could only laugh secretly when no one was around.

After breakfast, everyone left the castle in an orderly manner under the arrangement of Professor McGonagall.

The funeral took place in front of Black Lake, where hundreds of chairs had been placed in advance.

The guests who came yesterday had already taken their seats in advance, with Professor McGonagall, the Minister of Magic, Scrimgeour and others sitting at the front.

Chris came again. Although he had guessed the truth, others didn't know. As a former student and one of the directors of the Ministry of Magic, it would be very rude if he didn't come.

Whether it was to represent the Ministry of Magic, his identity as a member of the Order of the Phoenix, or to avoid exposing Dumbledore's plan, he had to show up and put on an act.

Kyle also found Aberforth in the crowd... He was sitting there with a sad face, as if Dumbledore was really dead.

Or maybe it’s a pity that it’s not true.

Aberforth should know the truth. After all, Dumbledore could not hide it from Ariana.

And Aberforth was Ariana's favorite brother. Kyle didn't believe that he didn't know what was going on.

He glanced at an old witch standing alone in the corner behind him, away from the crowd.

"I didn't expect you to come." Kyle walked over. "Is the Department of Mysteries so idle already?"

"No, I should say I'm relatively free." Ariana said with a smile, "Thanks to you, I've been working in the Department of Mysteries for almost a hundred years. I still remember that when Heikeman first joined, he would make all kinds of troubles in different ways almost every day.

"Oh, and she's now the head of the Department of Mysteries."

"I understand." Kyle nodded.

She’s of a high enough generation... Just like Professor Marchbank, she is nominally the director of the Wizarding Examinations Authority, but even the minister has to jog over to greet her when he sees her.

Ariana's situation in the Department of Mysteries should be similar.

"No matter how unkind they are, they won't blame me, a 100-year-old woman," Ariana said. Her expression became a little strange as she watched more and more people sit down on the chairs.

“So this is how it feels…”

"What?"

"It's just like how Albus felt when we were in Godric's Hollow." Ariana shook her head with amusement. "I'm here to attend his funeral this time, so it's fair."

Kyle raised an eyebrow.

Is this Dumbledore's inherited pettiness? Ariana didn't stay here for long. Perhaps she was afraid of making a scene. When everyone was seated and Hagrid came out of the castle holding something, she left.

Only Aberforth, who was addicted to acting, was left sitting there sobbing.

Kyle really wanted to give him a Best Dedication Award. Not to mention the Death Eaters, even if he just looked at him, he would have the urge to run back to the garden and confirm whether Dumbledore was really dead.

Otherwise why would his brother cry so sadly.

The short wizard in the front was also a familiar face. He presided over Alastor Moody's funeral last time, and this time it was Dumbledore again.

Kyle couldn't help but wonder what expression would appear on his face when these two people appeared at the same time... It shouldn't be happiness, I hope he can hold on.

However, it was quite hard for Kyle to attend two fake funerals in a row. After all, he certainly couldn't laugh in such occasions, and it was not easy to do so.

So Kyle did not go to the seat arranged by Professor McGonagall. It was too close to the front and every move would be noticed by many people. He simply added a chair for himself in the last row.

Next to him was Hagrid's brother Grawp, a giant in a jacket and trousers the size of a tent... a giant in clothes, which was surprising enough.

I don’t know if it was the effect of the clothes, but his ugly head, which looked like a giant pebble, actually showed a bit of docility.

Even when Hagrid came back sobbing, he patted him on the shoulder in a considerate manner.

Merlin's beard. Kyle never thought that he could see compassion in a giant.

Such was the weight of his consolation that the legs of Hagrid's chair sank into the ground and he himself staggered from side to side.

Kyle tried hard not to laugh, lowered his head, and shrugged his shoulders.

Fortunately, this action looked similar to crying and did not attract anyone's attention.

After an unknown amount of time, the short wizard finally finished speaking, and the phoenix's song could be heard again, adding a bit of sadness to the already serious occasion.

Then, the mermen began to emerge from the water and sing, and the centaurs came out of the forbidden forest and shot countless arrows into the sky.

Such a grand scene...that Death Eater got a worthy death.

Unfortunately, this honor should have belonged to one of Crabbe or Goyle. I don’t know if they will regret it.

“Kyle.”

Hearing someone calling him, Kyle looked up and saw Scrimgeour walking towards him, but Chris was faster than him and appeared in front of Kyle first.

"Excuse me, Rufus, Diana has something to tell Kyle, could you please wait for a moment?"

"Of course, that's as it should be," said Scrimgeour.

He couldn't help but agree. Chris was Kyle's father, so he had to give in no matter who it was.

"Thank you," Chris said, taking Kyle a few steps forward.

"Someone in the Ministry of Magic suspects that you killed Dumbledore." Chris whispered.

"Me?" Kyle raised his head and pointed at himself, "...killed Dumbledore?"

"Who said that!"

"I don't know." Chris shook his head. "It's just that this rumor suddenly spread, not only in the Ministry of Magic, but also outside."

"Why? Why would I do this?"

"No reason." Chris said, "It's strange, isn't it? It's as if someone is trying to point the finger at you and make you the public enemy of the wizarding world."

"I see. This matter is probably related to the Death Eaters hiding in the Ministry of Magic."

"I'm glad you understand." Chris said, "The purpose of my visit this time is to tell you that no matter what happens, don't leave Hogwarts if that person is still here."

"Why should I leave?" Kyle laughed, "The Death Eaters don't think they can make me the public enemy of the wizarding world in this way, do they? Are they thinking things are too simple?

"The professors saw Malfoy kill Dumbledore with their own eyes, which is much more reliable than hearsay."

"Wait, did Scrimgeour believe it?" Kyle suddenly remembered the Auror's behavior just now.

"I don't know either," Chris said. "I just want to remind you so that you can be prepared in advance."

Should he be happy?

"Okay, once this is over, I'm ready to go back," said Chris.

"Be careful recently." Kyle reminded him, "I'm worried that the mysterious person might attack you."

"It's happened more than once." Chris spread his hands, "I don't know what you did, but I did encounter more Death Eaters recently.

"Don't worry, your mother and I have more experience than you in dealing with You-Know-Who and the Death Eaters. At worst, I can just hide in the Department of Mysteries.

"Yeah." Kyle nodded.

"But I don't think that's possible." Chris continued, "Now that Dumbledore is dead, the mysterious man will probably focus on Hogwarts and come directly to you."

“That seems to be the case,” Kyle said.

"Okay, you're good to know." Chris didn't say anything else, "Although those rumors are just a small episode, they may cause you trouble, so you'd better pay more attention.

"Also, if Scrimgeour says something unpleasant later, you... forget it, just do it yourself. He is quite good at catching Death Eaters."

Chris patted Kyle's shoulder and then left Hogwarts.

Then, Rufus Scrimgeour came over.

"Someone is targeting you!"

The opening remarks were almost identical to Chris's, leaving Kyle a little dazed.

So Scrimgeour wasn't here to question him?

“Chris has just told you that,” Scrimgeour asked. “About the rumors.”

"Yes." Kyle nodded, "Some people say that I killed Dumbledore."

"Don't worry, kid, no one will believe it," said Scrimgeour. "Neither the Minister nor we will. We all know how close you are to Dumbledore."

Perhaps to prove his words, the Phoenix, having completed its mission, naturally landed on Kyle's shoulder.

Scrimgeour's eyes flickered.

"Thank you for your trust, Director Scrimgeour. I won't take it to heart," Kyle said.

"Sorry, I think I should go find Professor McGonagall now. The school can't be suspended forever. There are some things that still need her to decide."

"Wait a moment." Scrimgeour stopped Kyle, "I have another small question about Mr. Dumbledore."

"What?"

"That is, did he leave anything behind?" Scrimgeour glanced at the Phoenix again, intentionally or unintentionally.

"I mean, a wizard as wise as Mr. Dumbledore must have made a lot of arrangements beforehand, and what he has done before."

"Oh?" Kyle glanced at Scrimgeour.

"I don't know what you are trying to say, Director Scrimgeour, but I do not know what Professor Dumbledore has planned or what."

Kyle's expression remained unchanged. "Why don't you ask Professor McGonagall? She's the headmistress, she must know more than me."

"Yes." Scrimgeour frowned, and his expression seemed to change for a moment, but soon recovered.

"But I heard that you were the first one to arrive when Dumbledore got into trouble, right?"

"Yes." Kyle did not deny it, "The professors are here too."

"That's true, but you're faster than them all." Scrimgeour said, seeming a little impatient. "As far as I know, the professors rushed over as soon as they heard the noise, but they were still a step behind you.

"I'm not looking down on you, but how can you be faster than the professor?"

"Because I have a broom." Kyle said as a matter of course: "At that time, I was maintaining my Firebolt, the fastest broom at the moment. Isn't it normal for it to reach the tower faster than the professors?"

"Why do you maintain your broom?"

"Because of the Quidditch match." Kyle blurted out, "It reminded me of my experience of playing on the field, so I recalled it and it just came in handy."

"That……"

"Dean Scrimgeour, do you still suspect that I killed Professor Dumbledore?"

"No, that's the only thing I don't doubt at all." Scrimgeour shook his head, "I just want to know what happened in the tower before the professors arrived.

"You were the only three of you there, right? And after what Malfoy did, you just removed his wand instead of killing him?"

"ah?"

Kyle was speechless for a moment... What do you mean he didn't kill Malfoy? This is how he is in the Auror's mind? "Besides..." Scrimgeour didn't care about Kyle's thoughts and glanced at Fawkes again. "He seems to have left you a considerable legacy. Phoenix, it's rare in the wizarding world."

"Fawkes is not a legacy." Kyle corrected: "To be precise, it has never belonged to Dumbledore. It is a free life just like you and me. If it wants, it can go anywhere at any time."

"Okay, but what about Malfoy? He killed Dumbledore, and you're not angry at all? "You weren't so good-tempered when you were in Godric's Hollow."

I have to say that Scrimgeour was very perceptive. Although all of it was guesswork, he also noticed a lot of things that were wrong.

The time difference and Malfoy's situation were indeed a loophole.

To be fair, if all this was not a plan discussed in advance, but was real, there was no way Malfoy would be able to leave the tower standing...it's hard to say whether he would even be intact.

Kyle rubbed his fingers together. Dumbledore should have consulted him beforehand instead of just giving him such a big surprise on the spur of the moment.

At least with his help, the plan wouldn't be like it is now, with so many loopholes throughout the process.

"Because this is Hogwarts, neither Dumbledore nor Professor McGonagall will let me kill a student."

"Even if that person is a Death Eater?"

"But he still has the identity of a student," Kyle said.

"Dean Scrimgeour, I'm really only a little bit earlier than the other professors. If you calculate carefully, it may only be enough time to cast a spell.

"If you still don't believe it, why don't you ask Malfoy? He should be able to tell you the whole truth, and it will be more convincing than what I say now, right?"

Scrimgeour said nothing, but looked into Kyle's eyes, as if trying to determine how credible his words were.

"Of course, if the Ministry of Magic is short of truth serum, please allow me to recommend Professor Slughorn of the Potions Department. He should be able to meet your requirements."

"No need, we still have the truth serum."

Perhaps the friendship worth tens of thousands of Galleons played a role. Although Scrimgeour did not get the answer he wanted, he did not turn hostile and still maintained a relatively friendly expression.

“I hope we can continue to cooperate in the future.”

"It will definitely happen." Kyle said, "The wizarding world may become more dangerous in the future. Only when Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic unite can they defeat the Death Eaters and the You-Know-Who."

"It's very kind of you to think so." Scrimgeour smiled.

"No, it's not me. Headmaster McGonagall and all the professors think so. We always stand on the same side." Kyle said, "I hope you can convey this message to Minister Bones as well."

Kyle intentionally or unintentionally emphasized the word "minister" when he mentioned it.

"I will!"

Scrimgeour's face turned a little ugly. He stopped talking to Kyle and turned away.

Kyle wondered if he would go find Malfoy, but it didn't matter if he did.

How could he and Dumbledore leave such an obvious flaw? He didn't even do anything, Dumbledore did everything by himself.

Scrimgeour could have given Malfoy a pint of Veritaserum and still gotten the same answer.

…

(End of this chapter)