Kael's words suddenly eased the tension in the Headmaster's Office quite a bit; even Dumbledore, who had always been so serious, couldn't help but let out a chuckle.
But, truth be told, the idea was indeed very tempting.
"Alastor, Kael is only in fifth year this year," Dumbledore said, "Let's wait until after he graduates to discuss these things."
"Maybe you're right, Dumbledore." Professor Moody glanced at Kael and actively changed the subject: "Should we inform Fudge? He hasn't left yet, I suppose."
"Of course." Dumbledore said, "Voldemort's resurgence endangers the entire Magic Realm. A few of us alone can't do much."
"Severus." He turned to Snape, "Would you please go out to the grounds, find our Minister, and bring him to this office? We need to have a proper talk."
Snape nodded silently, leaving the room quickly.
"Professor." Kael suddenly spoke, "I think Fudge probably doesn't want to hear any of this news.
"And if you don't have clear evidence proving Voldemort's identity, your conversation is bound to end badly."
"Perhaps you're right. No one wants to hear about Voldemort's return. I deeply believe that."
Dumbledore said in a calm tone, "But as I just said, facing Voldemort, it's impossible for just a few of us to do anything."
"Dumbledore, did you catch any Death Eaters?" Professor Moody asked.
"Unfortunately not." Dumbledore shook his head, "They escaped quickly, and I couldn't afford to be distracted."
Everyone's mood grew heavy once more.
Well then, with no evidence at all and only words to rely on... Kael could already picture Fudge and Dumbledore splitting apart.
As for using the Pensieve to restore Dumbledore's memory... that's indeed a good method, but Fudge wouldn't look.
Even if Dumbledore forced him to watch, he'd find every excuse to claim it was a fake memory.
No one spoke.
Fawkes flew down from his perch, landing on Kael's leg.
Kael stroked the gold and scarlet feathers on its body.
Indeed, Phoenixes really are wonderful creatures. It's precisely because Fawkes gifted him that tail feather at Christmas that Kael was confident enough to touch the Triwizard Cup in the maze.
If not for Dumbledore, perhaps he would have escaped from the mountain peak, but definitely much more battered than now.
"All right, Fudge will be here soon." Dumbledore suddenly glanced at Kael and Harry, and said, "I suppose you two wouldn't want to be involved in the conversation to come, right?"
"Goodbye, Professor." Kael was the first to stand up and walk toward the door.
Fawkes nuzzled his hand before returning to his perch.
"Goodbye, Professor." Harry seemed to only just realize, and followed suit.
"Goodbye... oh, right, remember to see Madam Pomfrey." Dumbledore reminded, "Go to her and get a vial of Dreamless Sleep Potion, it'll do you good."
"Okay."
...
The group left the office one after another.
When Kael crossed the door behind the Gargoyle, he happened to see Snape leading Fudge cheerfully this way.
"Kael, my boy, Dumbledore must be too excited to sleep tonight, I bet." Fudge said with a hearty smile, "I've brought a bottle of Ogden's Aged Flaming Whiskey especially—join us, won't you? I think you're old enough for a little taste."
"Thank you, Minister." Kael said, "But I'm just too tired right now, all I want is a good night's sleep."
"Yes, that's right, you really should rest up." Fudge nodded, "Well then, I'll have Albus leave you a glass—if he doesn't sneak it for himself…"
Fudge walked past them with a smile.
Kael figured he wouldn't be in the mood for whiskey much longer.
After leaving the Headmaster's Office, Kael didn't head straight back to the common room; instead, he planned to accompany Harry to the Hospital Wing to get the Dreamless Sleep Potion.
Dumbledore was right—after witnessing Voldemort's revival with his own blood, Harry really needed it.
When the two arrived near the first-floor entrance hall, they ran into Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey.
Beside them floated a stretcher, with Filch lying unconscious on top.
"Professor," Kael went over, "What happened to him?"
"Stunned, and someone casually threw him in a box in his office." Professor McGonagall said, "But thankfully, no life-threatening injuries."
At this point, Madam Pomfrey already hurried away with the stretcher, and Professor McGonagall quickly followed—she needed to ask some questions once Filch regained consciousness.
Harry followed them as well.
Kael glanced at Filch's office; it had become much more chaotic, a cabinet leaning crookedly against the wall with things scattered everywhere.
"Meow…"
Just then, a cat staggered out from under the desk, howling at Kael.
Judging from Mrs Norris's limping gait, she hadn't escaped Barty Crouch Jr's attack either.
Well, of course—if you target Filch, you can't avoid Mrs Norris…
Wait a second.
Kael abruptly thought of something.
At Christmas, Karkaroff somehow quarreled with Filch, insisting on locking up Mrs Norris and not letting her roam the school…
Could they have planned to use Polyjuice Potion to impersonate Filch back then?
That does make sense. Mrs Norris has some Kneazle blood—in other words, even with Polyjuice Potion, she could tell at a glance whether the "Filch" before her was real.
And since this cat and man are always together, she's the only real obstacle to impersonating Filch. Could Karkaroff have been preparing for Barty Crouch Jr's plan?
But wait… Kael shook his head.
The gap between Wizard and Squib is huge—it's not just a matter of changing faces. Even if students wouldn't notice, there's Professor Moody—he'd never miss it.
Kael shook his head again; maybe he was overthinking it, and it was just Karkaroff and Filch's personal grudge.
Or maybe they intended to strike, but unexpectedly discovered Filch was a Squib, so they abandoned the original plan, choosing to act against Harry at the moment of the competition—when all professors had left the castle.
While he pondered, Mrs Norris limped straight past Kael, catching up with Filch ahead.
Kael walked at the back, quietly thinking.
Thinking back now, Voldemort's resurrection was riddled with oddities.
He was certain that before Harry was captured, everyone at the school—including the judges—was genuine, and none had ever used Polyjuice Potion. He'd confirmed it with the Marauder's Map several times.
But how did Barty Crouch Jr. manage to show up so conveniently, impersonate Filch at just the right moment, and snatch Harry?
And the Triwizard Cup—how did it get turned into a Portkey? Only the judges could access it, so it had to be Karkaroff helping him.
That's already confirmed.
But when Karkaroff heard about Voldemort's return, shouldn't he have fled first thing? He betrayed so many people back then, after all, just to save himself.
If there's anyone who least wants to see Voldemort return, Karkaroff's surely one of them—how could he help Barty Crouch Jr. so devotedly? It just doesn't add up.