Chapter 792 Dumbledore at the Hog's Head

The village of St. Catchpole was quiet at night. People had gone to bed early. Only a few lights were still on in the whole village.

In the woods not far from the Burrow, a figure suddenly appeared and fell to the ground with a thud, making a dull sound. The birds that were perched there were immediately scared and flew away.

Kyle endured the great pain brought by the Cruciatus Curse and lay on the ground gasping for breath.

He finally knew what the Cruciatus Curse felt like. Although it only lasted for a moment, the pain that continued to spread from every corner of the body was indeed unforgettable.

After a long while, Kyle finally recovered and stood up by the tree stump next to him. He began to look around and soon recognized that this was the scope of St. Catchpole Village.

He didn't have time to think so much just now, and he didn't have a goal. He just wanted to leave there quickly and stay away from Voldemort.

In that situation, he subconsciously thought of the place he was most familiar with, and then he came here.

But it didn't matter. In any case, he finally succeeded in getting rid of Voldemort.

Kyle patted the dirt off his clothes, took out a bottle of blue potion from the box, drank it directly, and then began to analyze the situation just now.

In fact, this was not the first time he faced Voldemort directly, but it was the most stressful one. In addition to knowing that Dumbledore would not help this time, another reason was that the speed of the opponent's spell became faster.

Much faster than when he was just resurrected.

I don’t know if Voldemort has become stronger, or the effect of the Elder Wand... Kyle guessed that it is most likely the latter.

It was not like this last time at the Ministry of Magic. He was next to it and watched the duel between Voldemort and Dumbledore. At that time, his spells were not like this, at least Kyle could see it clearly.

There was no way. He couldn’t fight, so he could only run. So in order to avoid being taken away directly by a killing curse, he deliberately angered Voldemort.

There are risks in doing this. The surname "Riddle" is a taboo for Voldemort. Kyle can't guarantee that he will not kill him directly, but if he doesn't do this, Voldemort will most likely kill him with a killing curse to avenge Bellatrix, or... vent his anger.

After all, he is not Harry, and he can't get Voldemort's blatant preference. He still has a 50% chance if he tries hard.

Fortunately, the plan went smoothly. The furious Voldemort chose to torture him with the Cruciatus Curse, and he took the opportunity and ran away directly.

Of course, this is also related to Kyle's rush to take away the basilisk and missed the opportunity to take the initiative. If he didn't care about the basilisk at that time, but prepared for the battle in advance, he could still fight Voldemort for a few rounds... Well, I think so.

I don't know if it's an illusion. After being hit by the Cruciatus Curse, Kyle always felt that Voldemort was a little strong on the outside, not weak, but not as terrible as imagined. It seems that he didn't cost nothing to take away the Elder Wand.

But these are just a feeling. If Kyle had to choose again, he would definitely run away...

Kyle waited for a while until the effect of the Cruciatus Curse completely disappeared, and then he walked out of the woods.

He did not choose to go back home or the Burrow, but directly Apparated to Grimmauld Place.

As soon as he landed, Kyle felt something fall on his shoulder, and then he heard screams, and Mrs. Weasley and Sirius ran out of the door in a panic.

However, their steps were a little staggering, and their faces were extremely pale.

In just a few steps, Mrs. Weasley even ran off the track, and tried twice before she came to Kyle's side.

"Kyle... Thank God, you are finally back." As she said, she glared at Sirius next to her.

Sirius felt so wronged in his heart. He never thought of leaving Kyle alone there. It was Fawkes who took him away by force.

But he knew in his heart that no matter how much he explained, it would be useless, so he wisely chose to shut up and stand quietly by the side.

It may also be because he can't open his mouth at all now.

"I'm fine, Mrs. Weasley." Kyle smiled and said, "Let's go in first. It's too dangerous to stay outside."

Yeah!

Mrs. Weasley nodded and pulled Kyle to go back.

She went astray again and walked straight to the door with the number 10 sign.

Kyle pulled her, and the two returned to the correct house number 12.

There were not many people inside. In addition to Mrs. Weasley and Sirius, there were only Harry and Ginny sitting on the ground with a dull look on their faces, and an old man who looked a bit like Dumbledore.

Aberforth, the owner of the Hog's Head Pub in Hogsmeade, is also Dumbledore's brother.

He looked at Kyle expressionlessly and suddenly frowned.

"Where is that person, why is his phoenix here with you."

There was a hint of strangeness in his voice. Although he didn't mention the name, Kyle knew very well who he was talking about.

"It's a long story." Kyle was afraid that he might misunderstand something, so he quickly explained: "Professor Dumbledore is fine, but he had to do something very important and forgot to take Fawkes with him, so I temporarily helped to take care of him for a few days."

"Do you know what you are saying? Or do you think I am a fool." Aberforth narrowed his eyes, "That is a phoenix. No matter where that guy is, it can find him. Do you need your help to take care of him?"

Although his expression did not change, his hands were tightly gripping the back of the chair, "Tell the truth, there is no need to hide it."

"This is the truth, I promise." Kyle said helplessly: "The place he went to is exactly where Fox can't reach."

Aberforth stared at Kyle unblinkingly, as if to check whether he was lying.

Kyle was very calm and told the truth. No matter how magical the Phoenix was, it would be impossible for him to apparate back to a hundred years ago.

But Kyle was hesitant in his heart, what would he say if Aberforth had to ask clearly.

Just tell the truth?

Tell him that Dumbledore went back a hundred years ago to find Ariana?

Absolutely not. Aberforth's feelings for his sister are no worse than Dumbledore's. What if he wants to go too? Kyle doesn't have a second time turner for him to use.

So it must be hidden from him.

Kyle was a little confused, thinking about what excuse he would find later to convince Aberforth, but after much deliberation, he couldn't find a place where the Phoenix couldn't reach.

Or simply blame it on Dumbledore and pretend that he doesn't know anything. This is the only excuse that can fool him.

But what he didn't expect was that Aberforth just snorted and had no intention of getting to the bottom of it. After confirming that Kyle was not lying, he returned to his previous indifferent look.

Then Aberforth strode to the door and looked back at Kyle, "What a waste of time. I'll leave the rest to you."

After saying that, he stepped out of the door and apparated away.

"Leave it to me?" Kyle scratched his hair, "What does this mean?"

"It's just... vomit..." Sirius wanted to explain, but he almost spit it out as soon as he opened his mouth. At the same time, his actions affected others.

Ginny covered her mouth and ran upstairs with stumbling steps.

Harry was a little better than her, but he was also pale and slumped on the ground limply.

After a while, Sirius finally recovered. He picked up the bottle of firewhiskey placed on the table and took a big gulp, barely suppressing his churning stomach.

"Honestly, I have never experienced such an exciting Apparition experience."

Harry and Mrs. Weasley on the side nodded.

Harry still remembered that one Christmas vacation, when they went to St. Mungo's to visit Sirius, Kyle was taken there by Fawkes. At that time, he bumped into the cabinet as soon as he appeared.

At that time, Harry still felt strange and didn't understand why Kyle behaved so badly when it was just a disapparition.

Now he finally understands.

The phoenix's disembodiment and the wizard's are two completely different magics. When he was just taken away, even his consciousness was blurred, let alone standing.

He felt as if he had been stuffed into a giant's nostrils, pulled out, thrown onto a unicorn's hooves, and trampled for ten miles.

For a while, he even thought it would be nice to face the Death Eaters in Godric's Hollow.

Thinking about it this way, Kyle's performance when he just bumped into the cabinet was almost too perfect to be true.

Thinking of what he had just experienced, Harry finally couldn't help it anymore, covered his mouth like Ginny and ran upstairs.

"Don't worry, they have always been like this." Sirius took a deep breath and said, "We were sent by the Phoenix to... the Pig's Head Bar in Hogsmeade. A few minutes ago... the boss there just came back... …That’s the guy you just saw.”

"Oh." Kyle nodded, "Are the others still there? Why don't you come back soon?"

"Because we have no choice, we can't even stand up... let alone apparate back." Sirius clutched the bottle of firewhiskey and took another big sip.

"Later, the owner of the Pig Head Bar recognized Fox and gave him the address. Only then did we know that he was one of our own."

Mrs. Weasley continued: "For safety reasons, we asked him to help bring some people back."

"Sirius and I were the first batch. Harry and Ginny were just sent back, and then you arrived."

After hearing what she said, Kyle finally understood.

Just as the place he was most subconsciously familiar with was the village of St. Catchpole, the place Fox considered safe was not the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix, but the Hog's Head pub where the other "Dumbledore" was.

"How is everyone doing?" Kyle asked.

"For now...it's okay." Mrs. Weasley thought for a moment and said, "Promise me Kyle, if it's not absolutely necessary, never let the Phoenix take us away again. If the Death Eaters chase us by then, I’m afraid we can’t even resist.”

"Okay." Kyle nodded.

Of course he knew what would happen if he was apparated by the Phoenix, but the situation was urgent and this was the best way. Otherwise, with the number of Death Eaters, there would definitely be a lot of casualties.

And where Fox felt safe, Death Eaters would certainly not be able to find it for a while.

"Then I'll go get them back now." Kyle walked out of the house again.

He originally wanted Sirius to accompany him, as the two of them would definitely have to hurry, but seeing the way he drank firewhiskey one sip after another, he gave up the idea.

Forget it, if he uses Apparition in this state, there will probably be problems, which will be even more troublesome.

Without wasting any more time, Kyle apparated directly to Hogsmeade.

Because of the time, all the shops here are closed, only the windows of the Pig Head Bar are still shining brightly.

Kyle pushed the door open and walked in, but he didn't see anyone else. He only saw an old witch lying in the corner, as if she was asleep.

Aberforth, who had just left, was standing behind the counter, wiping an equally dirty cup with a dirty rag.

No wonder others say that it is best to prepare your own tableware when you come to the Pig Head Bar. There is nothing wrong with this.

At the same time, Aberforth also saw Kyle. The vigilance in his eyes quickly turned into disgust, and he pointed to the side with his chin.

"They're upstairs."

"Thank you." Kyle immediately ran upstairs, and sure enough he saw Fred and George above. They were standing at the stairs holding on to the wall, and they should be on guard.

Lupine and Hermione were taking care of the unconscious Tonks, while the others were inside.

As for Nymphadora Tonks, if Kyle guessed correctly, she should be the old witch sleeping down there.

After seeing Kyle, Fred and George had complicated expressions.

"Prove your identity." Fred said, "What was the first thing we sold at Hogwarts."

"Map," Kyle said.

"No problem." Fred nodded to everyone and relaxed.

"I have a question." George walked next to Kyle, "I heard from Sirius that you asked the Phoenix to take us away?"

"It's not me, it's Dumbledore." Kyle said without changing his face: "That's his phoenix."

"Yeah?"

"Yes what's the matter?"

"It's nothing." George took a deep breath and shook his head, "This is not really a pleasant trip, even though it saved us."

"Ah, it's normal." Kyle said calmly, "You'll get used to it after you come here a few times."

"Farewell, I'd rather face the Death Eaters." Fred said, holding his stomach.

"Let's talk about this later. We have to get out of here quickly." Kyle said, "Get ready, I'll call Tonks."

When he returned downstairs, the old witch lying on the table also stood up. Her face had changed back to that of Tonks, but her hair was still messy.

Kyle motioned for her to go upstairs, then turned to look at Aberforth.

"Thanks."

"No need," Aberforth said, "Just pay me. You have delayed my business for one night. Including the cost of the door key, the total is one hundred galleons."

As he spoke, he threw the dirty glass in his hand over. There was a layer of bright blue light on the glass, which was obviously a newly made door key.

"Or you don't need this, and you only need to pay fifty galleons."

"No, one hundred galleons is no problem." Kyle said, "But I'm a little curious, why didn't you send them back with the portkey just now?"

"Better to die than both." Aberforth raised his eyelids, "Hurry up, you only have three minutes."

"Ah...ok!" Kyle walked over, took out a heavy bag and put it on the counter.

Aberforth opened it and took a look, "There's more, there are at least two hundred galleons here."

"Anything more will be considered a small favor from me." Kyle smiled, "But can you do me a little favor?"

"A small favor of a hundred galleons?" Aberforth sneered, "Tell me about it."

"That's it...can you, as Brother Dumbledore, promise to give Fox to me." Kyle whispered: "If it is possible, I will pay you another thousand Galleons."

Aberforth raised his eyebrows and pushed the bag to Kyle again without hesitation.

"Don't refuse in a hurry. Two thousand... no, five thousand galleons, or ten thousand can be negotiated."

"Don't waste your efforts. It only listens to that person. It's useless what I say." Aberforth said.

"That's it..." Kyle thought for a moment and pushed the bag back again, "It doesn't matter, just leave it to a friend."

"No need, I don't dare to accept it." Aberforth glanced at Kyle warily, waved his hand and threw the bag into his pocket, "You are just like that person, you are not a good person, hurry up and get out of here." .

"Portkey, by the way, is in three minutes."

"Okay..." Kyle took the cup and was about to go upstairs, but immediately turned back.

"In this case, bring me ten bottles of firewhiskey and ten bottles of brandy. I think they should need these things."

"Not for sale."

"I will pay five times more money and charge it to Dumbledore's account." Kyle said casually: "I will pay you when he comes back."

This time Aberforth didn't even hesitate and quickly packed what Kyle needed in just ten seconds.