The young Voldemort, and the diary containing his 16-year-old soul... the information was overwhelming, and Professor McGonagall needed a moment.
"But what I really want to know is, what happened in between," Dumbledore looked at the basilisk next to Kael.
Seeming to sense some sort of lethal threat, the basilisk bared its long, poisonous fangs, instinctively wanting to open its eyes...
Kael raised his hand and gave it a smack right on the head.
You, a basilisk, opening its eyes in front of Dumbledore, are you really not afraid of dying?
"Smack!"
The sound was crisp and clear.
In an instant, everyone present widened their eyes. Flitwick shouted in fright, and Professor Sprout covered her mouth.
Then they all raised their wands, fearing the basilisk might swallow Kael in the next second.
Even Dumbledore had a uniquely shaped wand in his hand.
However, the basilisk did not get furious but rather quieted down, closing its mouth and lying back down.
"No need to worry, Professor," Kael smiled and said, "It's now... my pet, so it won't harm anyone anymore."
The chamber fell into a silence, so profound that even the well-experienced professors found it hard to comprehend what just happened... it felt like watching a Niffler give a Fire Dragon a smack, the impact was no less than that of young Voldemort.
After who knows how long, Snape finally spoke:
"Can I understand this as... you want to claim school property as your own."
He put his wand back in his robe, stating matter-of-factly, "This is Slytherin's Chamber, and this basilisk should be that creature, right? Since it's a Slytherin heritage, naturally it belongs to... the school."
"No, it's mine," Kael shook his head, "Mr. Salazar Slytherin gave it to me."
"..."
"Headmaster, I think we'd better hurry to the Hospital Wing," Snape drawled, "Madam Pomfrey should have a way to fix his mind."
But Dumbledore merely looked at Kael,
"It seems your experiences are far more colorful than we imagined."
"Indeed very unforgettable, Professor," Kael smiled.
"Wait, Professor Dumbledore..." Snape frowned, "You can't possibly believe his nonsense."
"In fact, I fully believe him, Severus," Dumbledore said as he walked to the statue and carefully picked up the Time Turner, examining it closely.
It was completely broken, its color dull, riddled with cracks, and it might crumble with just a little force.
"I think this is the real heritage of Slytherin..."
Dumbledore said in a trembling voice, "This is the earliest Time Turner, also known as the Time Retrospector; it can bypass the constraints of time and allow its user to communicate with someone from the past or future as if they were old friends."
As Dumbledore spoke, his voice grew softer, and his hand unconsciously clenched tightly...
"Snap!"
Like a crushed potato chip, the Time Turner snapped in half, and smaller fragments slipped through his fingers to the ground.
Dumbledore hurriedly used a charm similar to the Bubble-Head Charm to wrap his hand and, regardless of his image, picked up all the fallen pieces.
He even collected the dust from the ground into a bag.
"If you don't need to go to the Hospital Wing..." Dumbledore raised his head, "Kael, would you accompany me for a cup of tea?"
"Of course, Professor, I'd be delighted," Kael said, "But could I have two servings of fried pork chops? I haven't eaten in almost a day."
"Even three servings are fine," Dumbledore chuckled.
As everyone left the Chamber, it was already daylight, with the morning sun shining through the windows, illuminating the castle corridors.
When they arrived at the Headmaster's Office, Fawkes was already there, wobbling atop the basilisk's head, its body heaving intensely.
Even though the basilisk obeyed Kael's command and did not resist, taking it via Disillusionment was still not an easy task for Fawkes.
But there was no choice; Dumbledore couldn't let it waltz through the castle, nor could he leave it in the Chamber.
Kael entered the Headmaster's Office and placed the remnants of Riddle's Diary on the table.
"I got this diary during the holidays..."
Kael omitted some parts, merely saying he heard strange noises after school started and inadvertently discovered the Chamber.
After that, there was nothing more to hide.
Kael recounted everything in detail, including suddenly going back a few months and even meeting the founders of Hogwarts...
Evidently, the professors were more interested in this part.
"Unbelievable," Professor McGonagall covered her mouth, "So you really met Godric Gryffindor?"
"Yes, a very reliable person and very friendly," Kael said, "Just a bit excitable and not very steady, the other three seemed quite annoyed by him."
Professor McGonagall's expression stiffened, and she said nothing.
"Remarkable..." Dumbledore murmured. He looked at the surrounding professors, "Everyone should be awake by now. May I ask you all to announce this good news?
And given what's happened, it warrants a feast to celebrate. Someone should inform the kitchen as well."
"No problem." The professors readily walked to the door.
Only Snape hesitated for a moment.
Since earlier, he had been eyeing the basilisk lurking in the corner, longing to take it back to his personal storeroom.
"Headmaster, I still maintain that the basilisk is school property."
Snape said, "Even if he did meet Salazar Slytherin, such a dangerous creature shouldn't be handed to a third-year student; don't forget the previous attacks."
"I will provide you with a satisfactory answer, Severus," Dumbledore said.
"I hope so." Snape too left.
"I suddenly find this place a bit small..." After the door was closed, Dumbledore said thoughtfully.
"Leave it to me, Professor." Kael hurriedly put down his fried pork chop, took out a box, and stuffed the basilisk inside.
"That's much more spacious," Dumbledore laughed, "But make sure to leave the box behind when you leave."
"Alright." Kael nodded reluctantly.
"Professor Snape is right. I can't let a basilisk roam the castle, no matter how safe it is, but..."
Dumbledore winked, "When the school holidays arrive, I'll hand it over to Newt. That's the best solution."
"You're very considerate, Headmaster." Kael straightforwardly placed the box on the table, "I'm sure Mr. Scamander will take good care of the basilisk!"
"I think so too."
Dumbledore pushed a piece of egg and milk fruit pie to Kael, "Try this, I think it's quite good."
Kael cut a piece and put it in his mouth... then never looked at it again.
Too sweet, was the sugar in the kitchen all picked up?
Ten minutes later, Kael finished the last drop of pumpkin juice and looked up at Dumbledore, who had been silent.
"There's one more thing, Professor... that was also left to me by Mr. Salazar Slytherin."
"Yes, you're right, I almost forgot."
Dumbledore seemed to have just remembered. He removed the plates, then placed the Time Turner, picked up from the Chamber, on the table.
"I have a request, Kael," he said softly, "Could you... let me take care of it?"
"But it's already broken, Professor," Kael said, "It's shattered beyond repair after running out of magic power."
"It can be fixed," Dumbledore murmured, "I know many masters of alchemy, and Nicolas; they must have a way."
"But Professor Dumbledore, we cannot change what has already happened."
Kael said somewhat pointedly, "And Mr. Godric Gryffindor warned me to never tamper with time."
"I simply want to repair it, that's all."
For the first time, Kael saw hesitation in Dumbledore's eyes, and for a moment, their roles seemed to reverse.
...