Chapter 110: The Vault Key

Kyle was genuinely taken aback by Dumbledore's words. Only students who have made notable contributions to Hogwarts are eligible for the Special Award for Services to the School, the highest honor a young wizard can achieve during their school years. Fifty years ago, the infamous snub-nosed wizard—the originator of the Defense Against the Dark Arts Curse, none other than Tom Riddle—had received this award in his fifth year. Yet Kyle was only a first-year, a whole four years behind him.

In that regard, Kyle could almost imagine pointing at Tom's face... or, at least, his nose... and saying quite frankly, "You suck." What might happen afterward was another story.

"Thank you for your kind words, Headmaster," Kyle said with a smile. He wasn't expressing gratitude for the award itself, but rather for what Dumbledore had just said. Especially the words "noble spirit." Dumbledore was indeed a remarkable headmaster, able to perceive the inner qualities of a person at a glance. You couldn't argue with that.

"You truly deserve this, Kyle," Dumbledore said with a wink. "Very few people would have the courage to face two adult wizards alone in their first year, let alone manage to defeat one. The board of directors agreed that giving you the Special Award for Services to the School was the best decision I made this year."

They probably just didn't want any complications, Kyle thought to himself. He doubted that the school board members had noble intentions in mind. Unlike Dumbledore, who was genuinely dedicated to Hogwarts, the board members were more concerned about protecting their own interests. Had Kyle actually perished in the Forbidden Forest, word would have spread quickly that Hogwarts' Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was responsible for the death of a student. By then, Hogwarts would either have to shut down or face severe trouble, which the board, naturally, did not want.

Luckily, Kyle had survived. The board was likely using the Special Award to rid themselves of Chris and Diana. But Kyle didn't care about their motives; he was satisfied with the result.

"Headmaster, there's one other thing," Kyle began.

"Ask away."

"Where's Hagrid? I noticed he wasn't in the room."

"In fact, Hagrid was the first one attacked yesterday," Dumbledore explained. "Oren tricked him into drinking undiluted Swooping Evil venom, then hid him in the Forbidden Forest while he was unconscious."

"So… where is Hagrid now?"

"Don't worry, Kyle. Hagrid is in much better shape than the average wizard; his life isn't in danger," Dumbledore reassured him. "I've obtained the antidote for the Swooping Evil venom from Newt, so he should be able to return from St. Mungo's soon."

Kyle breathed a small sigh of relief, realizing he'd nearly forgotten that Hagrid's half-Giant lineage granted him thick blood and a higher resistance to harm. And since the Swooping Evil venom was less harmful if ingested than if spilled on the skin, it was a relief that the incident hadn't been as severe.

"Headmaster, I have one last question."

"Go ahead."

"That witch…" Kyle began, "why is she hiding near Kanna?"

"Ah, I wondered when you'd bring that up," Dumbledore replied. "I'm sorry, Kyle. This situation involves the Prince family, so I can't share much. All I can tell you is that the witch has sinister intentions, and her goal is a key."

"A key?" Kyle asked, frowning.

"Yes, a key to a vault at Gringotts," Dumbledore said, almost dreamily. "She occupies a very unique position. If she gets hold of this key, she can legally claim all of the Kanna family's remaining inheritance."

The word "inheritance" triggered something in Kyle's mind, and he looked at Dumbledore, seeking confirmation. But Dumbledore offered no further response, as if he had no intention of continuing this discussion. Instead, he placed a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans on the bedside table and, with a smile, said, "That's enough questions for now. I suggest you start enjoying these sweets. And look, there are Mint Flavoured Cockroach Clusters inside… these are a limited edition."

"If you like, I'd be happy to give them to you," Kyle offered sincerely. He wasn't kidding; he genuinely wanted to hand over those Cockroach Clusters.

But Dumbledore politely declined. Rising from his seat, he said, "Finally, I must ask for your forgiveness. Due to certain obligations, I wasn't at the castle yesterday, and I couldn't come to your aid when you were in the most danger. This was a failing on my part as Headmaster."

"It's all right; you don't need to worry about it," Kyle replied reassuringly.

...

Kyle didn't spend much time in the Hospital Wing. Shortly after Dumbledore left, Madam Pomfrey, somewhat reluctantly, agreed to his request to be discharged.

As soon as he returned to the Hufflepuff common room, Kyle's usual popularity ensured he was surrounded by a crowd of concerned friends, each eager to check on him. He responded to their questions one by one, taking his time to reassure everyone.

About an hour later, he found himself back in the familiar, empty classroom.

"Kyle, I heard you took down an adult wizard?!" Fred exclaimed the moment they met. "Is it true?"

"Don't even think about denying it," added George. "Someone overheard the Hit Wizards talking as they left the Forbidden Forest. Apparently, the witch Professor McGonagall brought back was roughed up pretty badly by you."

"…" Kyle rubbed his forehead, exasperated. The Hit Wizards' sense of secrecy left a lot to be desired. Why hadn't they just sent Aurors for such a sensitive task?

"Well, I'm lucky," he said, deciding he didn't mind confirming it. "Honestly, she was just weak. I doubt she even went to Hogwarts."

"Oh, come on, that was a full-fledged witch using dark magic. Don't downplay it," Cedric teased. "You're making the rest of us look useless."

"All right, then," Kyle conceded with a grin. "Let's say I barely survived a life-or-death duel with a dark wizard, clinging to life by a thread until help finally arrived."

George nodded, deadpan. "Much more comforting."

"But I didn't expect it at all. Professor Oren—a dark wizard?" Cedric shook his head, almost in disbelief. "And his class was actually really good, way better than last year's."

"Watch it, Cedric," Fred reminded him, "Oren isn't a professor anymore. He almost killed Kyle."

"Sorry, just a force of habit," Cedric said quickly, looking sheepish.

"No one would've guessed," Cho Chang chimed in from the side. "Even Davies couldn't believe it. He thought someone else had used a Polyjuice Potion to impersonate Oren."

"Right, Davies—the one who tried to file that complaint about Oren. He almost got into a fight with you Gryffindors over it," Kyle added.

"I remember him," Fred sighed. "Turns out, he was right. We all misjudged Oren."

The mention of Oren brought a somber tone to the group. Even Fred and George, usually the life of the party, went quiet. They had liked Oren at first, hoping he might break the curse on the position and stay on as their Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. But now, everything had changed. Oren was a dark wizard. They'd likely never meet another Defense Against the Dark Arts professor as entertaining and lenient with homework.

For a moment, silence filled the room, each of them lost in thought. There were only five of them here this time. The missing person was Kanna.

The recent events involving Pocky—or rather, the witch—had affected her deeply. She'd been staying in her dorm room the past few days, coming out only briefly when Kyle returned from the Hospital Wing and appeared in the common room.

The others didn't know this. Cedric and the rest assumed Kanna was simply frightened by what had happened and was staying in her dorm to recover.