This time Snape's sudden visit served as a wake-up call for Kael. He didn't know who Dumbledore had met before leaving, nor what conversations they had.
Today, Snape came by, and tomorrow Slughorn might come by because of another matter, yet Kael couldn't guarantee he could bluff his way through every time.
Or rather, this kind of unknown situation was the biggest test.
Kael's response was quite simple…run away.
After Snape left the Headmaster's Office, he asked the headmaster's portrait to call Professor McGonagall, who had just finished her class, and mentioned the matter to her.
"You mean Severus came to find you? And said some things you didn't know at all?" Professor McGonagall asked, frowning and looking equally surprised.
"He left not too long ago," Kael said, "To be honest, I wasn't even this nervous during the N.E.W.T exams."
"Dumbledore rarely mentioned Severus to us. I can't help you there," Professor McGonagall thought for a moment before saying, "Strange, why didn't he mention this in his letter?"
"That's the crux of the problem," Kael sighed, "I don't know how often this kind of situation will happen, but if it happens a lot, it will definitely be exposed."
"What are your thoughts?"
"I can't stay here all the time," Kael took a deep breath, "As long as Dumbledore can't be found, there's no chance they'll expose me."
"No," Professor McGonagall shook her head without hesitation, rejecting Kael's proposal.
"I don't think it would have much effect, Professor," Kael said, "Previously, Professor Dumbledore was also often not at the school, everyone must have gotten used to it.
Besides, I've already shown up at the start-of-term feast, so leaving the school temporarily shouldn't be a problem."
Professor McGonagall hesitated, no longer rejecting outright like before.
But after a moment of hesitation, she still shook her head, "No."
"Why?"
"Because you can't disappear indefinitely," Professor McGonagall said, "This year, You-Know-Who and his Death Eaters have been active, you need to appear in school regularly."
"I can come back when needed then," Kael said, "Wasn't Professor Dumbledore the same way before?"
"Then how will you enter and exit the school?" Professor McGonagall asked, "Students have already started school, your return would have to be through Hogsmeade, which is full of people, and even with an Invisibility Cloak, you couldn't guarantee you'll evade everyone.
A graduated student returning to Hogwarts would inevitably cause suspicion, we should avoid any situations that might expose you, unless you're always in the guise of Dumbledore."
"That's easy, just don't go to Hogsmeade." Kael laughed.
Professor McGonagall's concern was not an issue for him at all.
"Not going to Hogsmeade? Then how will you…" Professor McGonagall cut herself off as she saw Fawkes, who had been perched on a branch, fly over to land on Kael's shoulder.
"Fawkes?" Professor McGonagall was stunned for a moment, then realized something, "No wonder Dumbledore had you impersonate him."
She had never seen Fawkes so close to anyone other than Dumbledore…it was well-known throughout the Magic Realm.
Almost every wizard knew Dumbledore had a Phoenix by his side, which symbolized his identity; seeing an elderly man with a Phoenix was undoubtedly Dumbledore.
This was something others couldn't imitate, even with a Polyjuice Potion.
She had long wondered why Dumbledore would confidently let Kael impersonate him, and now she finally understood.
With Fawkes' cooperation, Kael wouldn't even need the Polyjuice Potion; even a basic Human Transfiguration Technique would easily convince others of his identity.
"I'm alright with it now." Professor McGonagall nodded immediately, glancing at Kael, "Make sure to make an appearance while the Polyjuice Potion effect is still active, then you can leave.
"Next time, how about Halloween? Whatever happens, Dumbledore always needs to be present for significant school events."
"Understood." Kael nodded.
Afterward, he changed into a less formal silver-gray robe and left the Headmaster's Office with Professor McGonagall.
"What should I do?" Kael asked.
"No need to do anything extraordinary, just act as you usually do," Professor McGonagall advised, "Think about what Dumbledore would do at school, don't make any deliberate actions."
"I can't really think, he hasn't been in school for recent years, and every time I saw him, it was in the Headmaster's Office."
"Then think back further, surely you've seen him when you were in the first year."
Their conversation continued as they passed the place where the Gargoyle was, encountering a group of students heading for lunch while passing by the Gryffindor Common Room.
"Good afternoon, Professor McGonagall, Headmaster Dumbledore…" Seamus Finnigan said excitedly from the front of the group, "Headmaster, is what you said earlier true?"
"Which part are you referring to?"
"About Quidditch. If we win the championship, can we really add two hundred points?" Seamus rubbed his hands, "And about the gold medal, how's it determined? Is it nominated within the team, or does everyone vote together?"
"Firstly, two hundred points will definitely be awarded, as long as you win the championship," Kael said with a smile, "As for the second question, you'll know when the time comes."