Dumbledore's Loss of Composure

A young Voldemort, and the diary containing his sixteen-year-old soul... There's too much information; Professor McGonagall needs to catch her breath.

"But I'm more interested in what happened in between," Dumbledore, looking at the Basilisk next to Kyle.

Seemingly sensing some deadly threat, the Basilisk bared its long fangs and instinctively tried to open its eyes...

Kyle raised his hand, swung it around, and slapped it across the head.

You Basilisk, opening your eyes in front of Dumbledore, do you really want to die?

"Smack!"

The sound was very crisp.

In an instant, everyone present widened their eyes. Flitwick screamed in fright, and Professor Sprout covered his mouth.

They then all raised their wands, fearing that the Basilisk would devour Kyle at any moment.

Even Dumbledore now has a strangely shaped wand.

However, the Basilisk did not fly into a rage; instead, it became much quieter, shut its mouth, and lay down again.

"Don't worry, Professor," Kyle chuckled. "It's my... pet now, you could say. It won't hurt anyone anymore."

The Chamber of Secrets fell silent. Even the well-informed professor found it hard to comprehend what had just happened... It felt like seeing Niffler jump up and slap Dragon across the face, the impact of which was no less than that of a young Voldemort.

After an unknown amount of time, Snape finally spoke:

"Can I understand that... you want to take over the school's property for yourself?"

He put the wand back in his pocket and said matter-of-factly, "This is Chamber of Secrets. This Basilisk must be the monster. Since it's Slytherin's legacy, it naturally belongs to... the school."

"No, it's mine." Kyle shook his head. "Mr. Salazar Slytherin gave it to me."

"..."

"Headmaster, I think we'd better get to the Hospital Wing as soon as possible," Snape drawled. "Pomfrey should have a way to cure his brain."

Dumbledore, however, only looked at Kyle.

"It seems you've had a much richer and more colorful life than we imagined."

"It was truly unforgettable, Professor," Kyle said with a smile.

"Wait, Professor Dumbledore ..." Snape frowned. "You didn't actually believe his nonsense, did you?"

"In fact, I completely trust Severus." Dumbledore walked to the statue, knelt down, carefully picked up the Time-Turner, and examined it closely in his hand.

It was completely broken; the color had turned dull and lifeless, and it was cracked all over. It could be crushed with the slightest force.

"I think this is Slytherin's true legacy..."

Dumbledore said in a trembling voice, "This is the earliest Time-Turner, also called Time Reverser. It is not bound by time and allows the user to communicate with someone from the past or the future as if they were an old friend."

Dumbledore's voice trailed off as he spoke, and his hand unconsciously clenched into a tighter fist...

"Click!"

Like a crushed potato chip, the Time-Turner broke in two, with smaller fragments falling to the ground through its fingers.

Dumbledore quickly wrapped his hands in a spell similar to the Bubble-Head Charm and, disregarding his image, picked up all the fallen fragments.

He even collected the dust from the ground into a bag.

"If you don't need to go to the Hospital Wing ..." Dumbledore looked up, "Kyle, would you like to have a cup of tea with me?"

"Of course, Professor, I'd be happy to," Kyle said. "But could I have two more servings of pork chops? I haven't eaten for almost a day."

"Even three portions would be fine," Dumbledore smiled.

When everyone left the Chamber of Secrets, it was already dawn, and the morning sunlight shone through the windows onto the castle corridors.

When they arrived at the Headmaster's Office, Fawkes was already waiting there, standing unsteadily on the Basilisk's head, its body heaving violently.

Although the Basilisk obeyed Kyle's orders and did not resist, Apparition with it was still not an easy task for Fawkes.

But Dumbledore couldn't let it swagger across the castle, nor could he trust it to remain in the Chamber of Secrets.

Kyle went into the Headmaster's Office and placed the remains of Riddle's diary on the table.

"I received this diary during the holidays..."

Kyle omitted some details, only saying that he heard some strange noises when school started and accidentally found the Chamber of Secrets.

After that, there was nothing left to hide.

Kyle recounted the whole story to them, including how he suddenly returned to several months prior and even met the four great masters of Hogwarts...

Clearly, the professors were more interested in this section.

"Incredible." Professor McGonagall covered her mouth. "So you really did see Godric Gryffindor?"

"Yes, a very reliable person, and very friendly," Kyle said. "It's just that he's a bit eccentric and not very stable; the other three seem to find him quite annoying."

Professor McGonagall's face stiffened, and she fell silent.

"That's wonderful..." Dumbledore said softly, glancing at the professors around him. "Everyone should be awake by now. May I ask you to announce this good news?"

"And given what's happened, it's worth having a celebration party. Someone from the kitchen needs to be notified."

"No problem." The professors walked towards the door without hesitation.

Only Snape hesitated for a moment.

He had been staring at the Basilisk coiled in the corner ever since, his eyes practically screaming that he wanted to take it straight to his private storage room.

"Headmaster, I maintain that the Basilisk is the property of the school."

Snape said, "And even if he did see Salazar Slytherin, such a dangerous creature shouldn't be left to a third-year student. Don't forget the attacks that happened before."

"I will give you a satisfactory answer, Severus," said Dumbledore.

"I hope so." Snape left too.

"I suddenly realize this place is a bit too small..." Dumbledore said thoughtfully after the door closed.

"Leave it to me, Professor." Kyle quickly put down the fried pork chop he was holding, took out the box, and stuffed the Basilisk inside.

"That's much more spacious," Dumbledore smile. "But remember to leave the trunk behind when you leave."

"Okay." Kyle nodded helplessly.

"Professor Snape is right. I can't let a Basilisk appear in the castle, even if it's safe, but..."

Dumbledore blinked. "I'll give it to Newt when school's out for holidays; that's the best solution."

"You're very thoughtful, Headmaster." Kyle placed the box on the table decisively. "I'm confident Mr. Scamander can take good care of the Basilisk!"

"That's what I think too."

Dumbledore pushed a piece of eggnog pie toward Kyle, "Try this, I think it's very good."

Kyle off a piece and put it in his mouth... and then never looked at it again.

It's too sweet! Did you find all the sugar in the kitchen by scavenging?

Ten minutes later, Kyle finished the last bit of Pumpkin Juice and looked up at Dumbledore, who had remained silent.

"There's one more thing, Professor... that was also left to me by Mr. Salazar Slytherin."

"Yes, you're right, I almost forgot."

As if he had just remembered, Dumbledore removed the plate and then took out the Time-Turner he had picked up from the Chamber of Secrets and placed it on the table.

"I have a request, Kyle," he said softly, "Could you... let me keep it?"

"But it's broken, Professor," Kyle said. "It was smashed to pieces after its magic was depleted, beyond repair."

"It can be fixed," Dumbledore murmured. "I know many alchemists, and Nicolas as well; they must have a way."

"But Professor Dumbledore, we cannot change what has already happened."

Kyle said, seemingly casually, "And Mr. Godric Gryffindor once warned me never to touch time."

"I just want to fix it."

For the first time, Kyle saw evasion in Dumbledore's eyes; their identities seemed to have been switched in that instant.