Kyle's Career

Hermione's guess was correct; when she and Ron arrived at the Hospital Wing, it was already crowded with students who had come to visit Harry.

There were his friends, people from the team, and others who were just there for the fun of it.

Of course, there were also those who came to kick someone when they were down... such as a certain Slytherin first-year student who wished to remain anonymous.

They blocked the doorway, each trying to come up with various excuses to get Madam Pomfrey to let them in.

"Please let me in, Madam Pomfrey... The Quidditch Match is tomorrow, and I need to see Harry. It's very important."

Oliver Wood was at the forefront.

If we're talking about who most wants to see Harry, he'd definitely be in the top three.

Although they are more than 500 points behind the top-ranked Hufflepuff, they still have hope until the final match.

What if a miracle happens...?

But without Harry, their most important Seeker, they would have no hope at all, and might even finish last, setting a new record for Gryffindor's lowest score in ten years.

If that were the case, Professor McGonagall would definitely hang him on the Astronomy Tower... Oliver Wood felt a chill run down his spine just thinking about it.

So no matter how much Madam Pomfrey refused, he clung tightly to the doorframe, refusing to let go.

Not far away, Dumbledore, who had just come out of the Hospital Wing, saw this scene and smiled with satisfaction:

"It seems Harry is quite popular; so many people care about him."

There was another person following him.

Surprisingly, Snape didn't say anything sarcastic; he just gave Dumbledore a complicated look.

"Is this your plan? To leave Harry Potter alone to face the You-Know-Who. He might die..."

"Believe me, Severus..."

Dumbledore voice, "Harry will have to face Voldemort sooner or later; it's unavoidable. He must learn to overcome his fear."

"Ha, to make a child the Chosen One..." Snape scoffed dismissively, it was unclear whether he was referring to Harry or Dumbledore.

"He's just as mediocre, arrogant, and prone to breaking rules, showing off, and attention-seeking as his father. He's also incredibly rude... Honestly, I see absolutely no chance of him defeating the Dark Lord."

"What you see is what you expected to see, Severus."

Dumbledore turned and walked into the castle, saying without turning his head, "The other professors all say that the boy is humble, easy-going, and quite talented. I personally find him to be a likable child as well."

"Quite talented?"

Snape's expression was somewhat strange, as if he had heard that the Ministry of Magic was giving away Felix Felicis for free... Absurd.

If Dumbledore's words had been applied to Kyle, his reaction wouldn't have been so strong.

Although he disliked Kyle, Snape had to admit that the little rascal was indeed very clever.

After all, even he couldn't brew the perfect Draught of Living Death in his second year.

As for that Harry Potter... he can even make mistakes with the simplest Boil-Cure Potion.

Is this considered good talent?

But thinking of Kyle, Snape suddenly asked in a deep voice, "So, you really don't know what happened in the underground classroom back then?"

"Of course, Severus, I have no reason to lie to you."

Dumbledore shook his head. "Hogwarts Castle is very large; even I couldn't possibly see everything."

"Where's that mirror...?"

"He has never looked into the Mirror of Erised, not even once." Dumbledore's gaze deepened. "In this respect, he is more lucid than any of us."

Snape fell silent again, and after a long pause, he continued, "Aren't you at all worried that Quirrell will take the Philosopher's Stone? I thought you'd be keeping an eye on him."

"Ever since I brought the Philosopher's Stone back, I've worried about this happening every day, and I haven't been able to relax for a moment."

Dumbledore looked up and said, "But there are always exceptions, Severus."

As they spoke, the two had already arrived at the restricted area.

Fluffy had already been taken away, and the entrance room was empty. The two went through the Trapdoor to the room below.

Neither Dumbledore nor Snape used a broom, nor was it necessary.

This height was as easy for them as going down a staircase.

Upon landing, Snape's expression changed, and he bent down to pick up a leaf from the ground.

"Biting Cabbage... If I remember correctly, Pomona put it here at the Devil's Snare."

"Perhaps someone thought the Devil's Snare was too easy, so they helped to increase the difficulty," Dumbledore chuckled.

"I think this person definitely isn't Quirrell."

Snape thoughtfully stroked the leaf in his hand:

"To plant such dangerous plants recklessly and leave them lying around the school... If Quirrell hadn't come down early, Harry Potter and the others probably wouldn't have needed to go to the Hospital Wing..."

"With such disregard for life, aren't you worried he'll become the next Dark Lord?"

Snape didn't say who "he" was, but Dumbledore could guess.

"You're wrong. In fact, Harry and the others rode down on broomsticks. They wouldn't have been affected at all even without Quirrell."

Dumbledore shook his head and said calmly, "And Kyle will not, and cannot, become the next Dark Lord."

He has a warm family and close friends with whom he can talk about anything. He is passionate about learning magic, but he is never obsessed with improving his strength.

Oh, and by the way, he also has a career he's passionate about, which is completely different from Voldemort's.

"Career? You don't mean those fraudulent amulets and shoddy maps, do you...?" Snape suddenly felt a toothache.

If this is all Kyle's legacy, then Slytherin has certainly contributed a great deal.

Dumbledore blinked:

"At least the students like it, don't they?"

"Alright, even if you're right, what about Occlumency?" Snape pondered. "Unless there's a secret to be hidden, who would need to master Occlumency in their second year?"

"You should know, Severus, that we cannot use Legilimency on students." Dumbledore's tone became somewhat stern.

"It was just a test," Snape scoffed.

"His arrogance and fearlessness were all too obvious."

"But you must understand, Severus, having secrets isn't unforgivable; it's your prejudice against Kyle that's too deep."

Snape frowned, remaining noncommittal.

"Oh, right." Dumbledore seemed to suddenly remember something, and sighed.

"Because of Fiendfyre, I can't hide what happened in the underground classroom from Kyle and Harry's families. They should be here soon."

"Do you remember? Diana came to the academy last year because of Oren. I have to say, even though so many years have passed, that girl hasn't changed at all; she's still so... energetic and impulsive."

Snape's face turned visibly grim, and he asked coldly, "When!"

"They should be here soon," Dumbledore, "But it could also be Chris."

"Very good."

Snape turned and left the room.

Are you going to greet her?

"No... what does it matter to me whether she comes or not?"

Without turning his head, Snape said, "I just suddenly remembered that I forgot to pick up a batch of Potions ingredients I ordered from Hogsmeade."