That day, Hogwarts was gripped by panic. The lights in the castle stayed on through the entire night and didn't go out until dawn.
All classes were suspended, and the match originally scheduled for the next day was postponed indefinitely—possibly even canceled altogether.
Over the following two days, many students were hurriedly taken home by their parents, including members of the Quidditch teams.
Ravenclaw lost half its players immediately, and even with the remaining members and substitutes, they couldn't field a full team.
Not that it mattered. No one was really in the mood to play anymore.
The number of students leaving kept rising. Kyle was still standing in front of the closed Great Hall doors when he saw Seamus Finnigan from Gryffindor arguing with a witch who was trying to take him away.
It had to be his mother. The two of them were shouting at each other in the entrance hall, completely at odds.
Seamus insisted on staying at school until he received his diploma. No matter what she said, he wouldn't budge. But his mother was just as stubborn, refusing to give in.
Their raised voices attracted a crowd.
Maybe she felt embarrassed, or maybe it was out of respect for Dumbledore, but in the end, Seamus's mother reluctantly agreed to let him stay—at least for the funeral.
But that was all.
Seamus accepted.
Seeing that there was nothing more to watch, Kyle turned and walked away, heading out of the castle and back to the garden behind his wooden cottage.
There, the Dumbledore everyone was mourning sat calmly on a wooden bench, reaching out to play with the Romanian Longhorn, which had grown several times larger than before.
Nearby, the usually fierce and uncontrollable Horntail was lying quietly in the grass, as docile as a Mooncalf.
"Oh, Kyle, you're back..." Dumbledore turned and gave him a glance. "This place is lovely. You must've put a lot of thought into it."
"Not really. Just something to pass the time," Kyle replied, eyeing Dumbledore, who looked completely at ease.
"Professor, are you ready?"
"Ready? For what?"
"Ready to be killed by Professor McGonagall once this all comes out," Kyle said calmly. "She's been heartbroken these past few days—her eyes have been red the entire time."
"Only then will Tom believe it," Dumbledore replied.
"Well, that may be true…" Kyle paused. "But from what I know of Professor McGonagall, when she sees you again, there's a good chance she'll actually make good on it. And Professor Snape will probably help her."
Dumbledore's face stiffened.
"It's fine," he said with a strained smile. "It's a price I have to pay. Besides, I trust Minerva. There's still some bond left between us as teacher and student."
"As long as you're aware," Kyle said.
"What's the situation outside?" Dumbledore asked, collecting himself. "The Death Eaters...?"
"There are more of them gathering nearby," Kyle said. "I went to the Hog's Head yesterday. A group of Death Eaters threw a big celebration there. During it, they openly used the Cruciatus Curse to torture a wizard who didn't praise Voldemort quickly enough."
"Looks like they're getting impatient," Dumbledore said, eyes flashing. "They've already claimed Hogsmeade as their territory?"
"Pretty much," Kyle said. "You're dead. Who's left to stop them?"
"The Hogwarts professors aren't exactly pushovers," said Dumbledore.
"But they can't stop the Dark Lord," Kyle replied. "Oh, right—on my way back, I saw someone sneaking into the Great Hall. Probably a Death Eater disguised as a guest, checking up on the situation."
"You're sure that Human Transfiguration spell you used is foolproof? If they see through it, your reputation's going to be in ruins."
"It's flawless. You have nothing to worry about," Dumbledore said confidently. "Unless Tom comes himself, no one will spot anything."
"But what if he does come?" Kyle asked curiously. "I can't help feeling we went a bit too far. Letting nearly every student witness you falling from the tower—it just felt... a little too staged."
"Tom won't think that deeply," Dumbledore said, shaking his head. "As you mentioned, his fragmented soul keeps him from noticing such small details."
"And even if he does come, I have other ways." Dumbledore gave him a wink. "Don't forget—this isn't the first time I've pulled something like this."
Not the first time...
Kyle remembered—in 1899, in Godric's Hollow, Dumbledore had disguised himself as Ariana to fool Aberforth and the other guests.
He really did have experience in this sort of thing.
Kyle walked over and sat down beside him.
"Hagrid hasn't been back?"
Kyle hadn't spent the past two days at school—he'd been out monitoring the Death Eaters' movements.
He only knew that Dumbledore was currently hiding in the garden. It was close enough to the castle and usually deserted, making it the safest place aside from the Room of Requirement.
The only risk was that Hagrid could show up at any moment.
"No," Dumbledore shook his head. "I saw Hagrid's bed, but not Hagrid himself. Still, that's actually good news."
"Much as I trust Hagrid—and I'd entrust my life to him without a second thought—he can be a little too honest for his own good."
"If I recall correctly, Harry's picked up quite a few confidential things from him over the years."
Kyle gave Dumbledore a sidelong glance. "Wasn't that your intention? That Harry would hear those things from Hagrid?"
"Most of the time, yes. But not always," Dumbledore admitted without hesitation.
"Harry isn't like you. He needs to grow. A labyrinth filled with danger and trials is far better than repeated lectures."
Kyle shrugged, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Still, speaking of Hagrid, Kyle couldn't help but think of the exhausted look on his face when he'd seen him outside the Great Hall earlier.
It looked like Hagrid had been staying there for two days straight—even the dragon couldn't drag him away from the castle.
Another recruit for Dumbledore's "dream team"?
Maybe.
But Kyle still felt that, given Hagrid's nature, he probably wouldn't be able to bring himself to go against Dumbledore.
Too honest for his own good. Less fun that way... for Kyle, at least.
He really wanted to see McGonagall, Snape, and Hagrid teaming up to go after Dumbledore.
A knock at the door snapped Kyle out of his thoughts.
He looked up—Dumbledore, who had been sitting right beside him just moments ago, was gone.
The visitor was Professor Sprout. She told Kyle that the time for Dumbledore's funeral had been confirmed: it would be held tomorrow.
Kyle nodded to show he understood.
"Professor, would you like to come in for a bit?"
"No," said Professor Sprout, her expression somber. "There will be a lot of people. Minerva won't be able to handle it on her own."
She turned and walked away, forgetting to take the dragon dung Kyle had prepared for her.
"Professor, your sins must be piling up by now," Kyle murmured softly.
A sigh came from behind him.
If he had a choice, he wouldn't have done it this way either.
...
By evening, a dozen massive silver-maned winged horses appeared over Hogwarts, pulling behind them a pale blue carriage the size of a house.
Madame Maxime, Headmistress of Beauxbatons, stepped down from the carriage and leaned into Hagrid's shoulder, covering her face as she wept.
Representatives from the Ministry of Magic also arrived—this time an official delegation, including Minister Amelia Bones, Auror Office Director Scrimgeour, and several other high-ranking figures.
Kyle also spotted his father, Chris—but not among the Ministry group. He was standing beside an elderly couple.
Newt and Tina.
The three of them stood at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, silently watching the castle, their faces heavy with sorrow.
Kyle jogged over to them. "Dad? What are you doing here?"
"Mr. Scamander insisted on coming," Chris said softly. "I couldn't find a reason to say no."
"After more than sixty years of friendship, I had to be here to see Albus off," Newt said, his voice trembling.
"Child, I heard you witnessed everything. Can you tell me what happened?" Tina asked gently.
The moment she got the news, she rushed back from Ilvermorny, not even taking time to change clothes.
"Not even Grindelwald could kill Dumbledore... How could a teenager manage it?"
As she spoke, Newt's body swayed involuntarily, and Chris quickly stepped forward to steady his arm.
"All I can say is—it was a conspiracy," Kyle said with a sigh. "Would you like me to take you inside? It's freezing out here. The school's prepared accommodations for guests."
"No, we'll just stay here," Newt shook his head. "The Ministry and Hogwarts probably don't want to see me. I'd rather not cause a scene."
"All right then," Kyle replied casually. "To be honest, I don't think there's much point anyway. Maybe next time."
Chris turned sharply to look at Kyle. His expression shifted rapidly—shock, confusion, then a dawning realization tinged with disbelief.
Next time?
Unless... The thought was almost too much. For a moment, Chris wondered if he was overthinking it.
But he knew Kyle—and he knew that kind of comment wasn't made lightly.
Just then, Kyle looked back at him and smiled faintly.
"Let's head back," Chris said firmly to Newt and Tina. "It's far too cold out here, and the Aurors from the Ministry are hovering nearby. If they see you, I'll end up writing piles of reports again."
Newt didn't seem eager to leave just yet. He continued staring blankly at the castle.
Dumbledore wasn't just someone he deeply respected—he was a friend of more than sixty years. How could he turn and leave after just a glance?
Just then, a light drizzle began to fall.
"Why don't you come to my place?" Kyle offered, pointing off to the side. "I built a wooden house near the edge of the Forbidden Forest. It's not far, and you can still see the castle from there."
This time, Newt gave a nod, and with Chris supporting him, they started making their way toward the cottage.
The subtle exchange of glances between Kyle and Chris hadn't drawn Newt's attention—but it hadn't escaped Tina's.
As a seasoned Auror, there was no way she would miss something like that.
She deliberately slowed her pace and walked alongside Kyle at the back of the group.
"I heard you've become a professor at Hogwarts," Tina said. "I haven't had a chance to congratulate you yet."
"Just a minor post," Kyle replied. "One day a week. Basically part-time."
"That's still impressive, considering you're not even twenty."
Tina narrowed her eyes. "And you and Chris... Dear, I'm sure you know what I'm about to ask, don't you?"
"I do," Kyle replied. "And if my answer is exactly what you're thinking, what would you do?"
"I'd punch him without a second thought," Tina said, taking a deep breath. "But Newt definitely wouldn't want me to."
"Well, that can't be helped," Kyle said, striding forward to lead the way.
The group arrived at the wooden house.
Tina paused for a moment, surprised by the alchemical symbol carved into the door. With her level of expertise, she immediately recognized what it was.
No wonder Kyle had managed to become a Hogwarts professor at such a young age.
Kyle led them inside, then opened the door to the garden and said,
"Mr. Scamander, one of my five Dragons has been acting oddly. Could you take a quick look?"
Still heavy with grief, Scamander didn't really feel up to it—but since Kyle had asked so directly, he couldn't refuse. He and Tina walked into the garden together.
Kyle, however, remained outside. Chris didn't go in either.
Though he had his suspicions, knowing something and seeing it for yourself were two very different things. This was enough. No need to get too close to the truth.
The garden door closed again, and Chris rubbed his forehead.
"Dad, what's wrong?"
"What do you think?" Chris sighed, then suddenly asked, "Are you sure?"
"Of course. I was there. I witnessed the whole thing firsthand."
"No wonder!" Chris shot to his feet and strode for the door.
"Where are you going?"
"Back to work, obviously," Chris said. "Looks like I'm not needed here... By Merlin's beard, how come you only have to work one day a week, and I can't even get one day off?"
"You make more than I do," Kyle chuckled. "I only get a hundred Galleons a month."
Only a hundred? Honestly, that wasn't so far off from what Chris had earned before becoming a department head.
"Hah..." Chris suddenly thought of Kyle's ten-thousand-Galleon savings—and the shelves full of rare goods in his Diagon Alley shop—and laughed too.
Working at the Ministry really didn't get you far.
Chris left Hogwarts soon after, as quietly as if he'd never been there.
Kyle returned to the cottage, brewed a cup of tea, and waited patiently.
Before long, Newt and Tina emerged from the garden. Newt looked much better than before—no longer trembling when he walked, his voice steady, a healthy flush back in his cheeks.
"You lot are really bold."
"It wasn't my idea," Kyle said quickly. "I was just helping out."
"Forget it," Newt shook his head, letting the matter drop. "I had a look at your dragon. Nothing serious—just a few surface injuries on its iron belly. Looks like it got whacked by something really strong, probably with a wooden club."
"Something strong..." Kyle thought for a moment. "Grawp?"
"Grawp?" Newt asked, puzzled.
"Oh, he's a slightly underdeveloped adult giant."
"There are giants in the Forbidden Forest?" Now Newt looked genuinely surprised.
"There didn't use to be," Kyle explained. "Grawp is Hagrid's brother. Hagrid brought him here and has been teaching him wizard etiquette and language. You know Hagrid—the Gamekeeper at Hogwarts, half-giant."
"I know him," Newt said. "But training a giant is no small feat. Their brains can barely manage their massive bodies. In most ways, they're only slightly more intelligent than trolls."
"It's all right—Hagrid enjoys it. He's been at it for years."
"Fair enough," Newt said. "We should be heading back."
"It's nearly dinnertime. Don't you want to try Hogwarts food again? It's been a while."
"Tempting," Newt admitted, "but I'd better not. If the Aurors spot me, it'll just cause trouble for Chris."
"It's fine. He loves writing reports," Kyle said with a grin.
Still, Newt didn't stay for dinner.
Mostly because Tina seemed to be in a rather foul mood. Newt worried she might lash out at the dragons in the garden... or possibly something else.
But that suited Kyle just fine. He watched as Newt and Tina left the grounds, then packed away his camera with a hint of regret.
...
In the garden, Dumbledore was still seated in his usual spot. Fawkes stood on his shoulder, tilting his head as Kyle approached.
"You'll be singing again tomorrow," Kyle said with a smile. To get Fawkes to cooperate last time, Dumbledore had offered heaps of flattery and a bundle of rare herbs—only then did the students hear that Phoenix dirge.
Tomorrow would be another performance. Kyle wondered how much Dumbledore had to pay this time... probably not cheap.
"The funeral is confirmed for tomorrow?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yeah, it's official," Kyle said. "Professor Sprout told me—it'll be on the clearing by the Black Lake."
"I see," Dumbledore nodded. "One more thing—did you tell Newt about me?"
"Nope, not me," Kyle said quickly, shaking his head. "I'd never let it slip. It was Tina—she guessed. She's a seasoned Auror. Just read it off my face."
"Is that so?" Dumbledore looked at Kyle for a long moment, then said, "Tina is indeed a clever witch... but I didn't think she could tell from your expression that I was hiding out in the garden."
"As far as I know, only her sister, Queenie Goldstein, is a natural Legilimens. Tina herself doesn't have that particular gift."
"Who knows? Maybe it's... sisterly synergy?" Kyle said casually. "Or maybe she does have it—just doesn't realize it yet."
Dumbledore's eye twitched slightly, but he didn't press the matter.
Newt lived in Dorset most of the year, far from any Death Eater activity. Even if he knew the truth, it wouldn't matter.
It was Tina's gaze that was more concerning. There was something in it that reminded Dumbledore uncomfortably of Minerva McGonagall.