Contract Magic

The Headmaster's Office was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Dumbledore looked at Kyle, wanting to speak several times but holding back.

He initially thought Kyle intended to use the Basilisk to destroy the Slytherin's Locket, which is why he said nothing and tacitly agreed to leave the item with Kyle.

But he wrote to Newt and found out that Kyle hadn't visited the Basilisk once during the holidays... and judging from what Kyle just said, the thing still seems to be intact.

Dumbledore tapped his fingers on the table and finally spoke, "You've really given me a big problem."

"Then can you assure me that you won't be affected by it?"

"I can, Professor," Kyle said confidently. "In fact, Slytherin's Locket is a very special thing; as long as it's not opened, it's fine to wear it around your neck."

Even though he already knew, Dumbledore's lips still twitched a few times when he heard the name Slytherin's Locket.

The diary was also Horcrux, but Kyle gave it away without hesitation, treating it like trash and tossing it to Lucius Malfoy.

Now that it's been changed to Slytherin's Locket, she won't even let him glance at it.

Dumbledore knew perfectly well why.

However, on the other hand, he was also very curious about Slytherin's Locket, a treasure that was on par with the Sword of Gryffindor.

But Kyle got it first, and even Sirius didn't say anything, so he felt awkward taking it.

"I can promise you," Dumbledore said softly, "But you must promise me that you will destroy it as soon as possible."

And I must remind you, don't do anything foolish. Even the most precious treasure will lose its original brilliance after being corrupted by Dark Magic. It's not worth risking your life for it."

"I promise." Kyle smiled.

There's no doubt that he had no intention of using the Slytherin's Locket before dealing with the fragments of Voldemort's soul; that thing, like the Ravenclaw's Diadem, had always been locked in a box by him.

But just then, Kyle seemed to remember something. He glanced at Dumbledore and continued:

"Professor, I think we can establish a contract magic."

"What?" Dumbledore was a little confused.

"It's that kind of restrictive magic," Kyle explained. "Like, if I had the idea to use Horcrux, it would be stopped immediately... I think you should know about that kind of magic."

"Ah, I do know a few such spells..." Dumbledore said, "But there's no need, Kyle. I trust you completely, just as I trust myself."

"No, I just think it's safer this way," Kyle insisted. "And it's like giving myself an extra layer of insurance. If I'm bewitched by the Horcrux, it might even save my life."

Bewitched by Horcrux?

Dumbledore thought about it and felt that Kyle's words made sense. After all, Horcrux were too mysterious, and even he didn't know much about them. It was good to have an extra layer of protection.

"If you insist... then prepare your wand."

Kyle took out his wand and straightened his arm as Dumbledore had instructed.

Then Dumbledore stood in front of Kyle and did the same thing, pressing the tips of the two wands together.

"Wait a moment, Professor," Kyle suddenly said.

"Any other questions? If you don't want to continue, it's not too late." Dumbledore thought Kyle had changed his mind, so he proactively severed the link between the wands.

"No, Professor," Kyle said, "I just think that since it's contract magic, it's fair that both people abide by it, right?"

Dumbledore was taken aback for a moment; he hadn't expected Kyle to say that, but he quickly realized what he meant.

"Yes, I completely agree with you."

"Then you..."

"No problem, the two-way contract spell works on me too."

Although Kyle's behavior today was a bit strange, Dumbledore didn't pay much attention to it.

After all, he himself couldn't possibly want to use any Horcrux, so he readily agreed...

Anyway, it doesn't have any impact, so I'll just treat it as playing with the kids.

"Get ready, don't resist."

When their wands met again, Dumbledore softly uttered a long incantation, seemingly formulating the spell's meaning.

The process took a long time, about two minutes, before it ended. As soon as Dumbledore reading, a golden thread emerged from where their wands had met.

The silk threads drifted and split in two, extending along the two wands to their wrists, where they met end to end, like a delicate bracelet.

The next second, Kyle felt a sudden burning pain in his wrist, but it disappeared instantly.

When he looked again, there was now a ring of symbols made of golden magic runes.

The magic rune was tiny; before Kyle could even decipher its meaning, it vanished as if it had never existed.

Kyle tried moving his wrist and felt no discomfort.

"Alright," Dumbledore said with a smile, "Don't worry, it won't affect you at all, and you can come to me anytime to have this restriction lifted."

"Can't I untie it myself?" Kyle asked. "Use the Finite Incantatem."

"No," Dumbledore explained. "Contract magic is different from the spells we usually use. Whether it's being cast or dispelled, all the people involved in the spell must be present at the same time."

Kyle nodded and looked at his wrist again.

"You might think I'm being a bit long-winded," Dumbledore said, putting away his wand. "But I still advise you to destroy it as soon as possible."

"I have some expertise in alchemy, so perhaps I can help repair the damaged Slytherin's Locket... Of course, that is, without using the Fiendfyre."

I'll do it as soon as possible.

Kyle didn't give a specific time, because that depended on when Nicolas Flamel's letter arrived... assuming he didn't run away with the Ravenclaw's Diadem.

Just then, Kyle suddenly smelled the aroma of roasted meat. Before he knew it, a sumptuous lunch had appeared on the table behind Dumbledore.

"Oh, they even have my favorite honey-glazed pork chops today..." Dumbledore said delightedly. "Should I have the kitchen House-elf prepare one for you too? Or would you prefer to have lunch with your friends?"

"No need, Professor, I'll go to the Great Hall." Kyle turned around hurriedly, pushed open the door, and ran out.

Dumbledore sat down at the table, his thoughts turning again to Slytherin's Locket...

The thought that this was something Salazar Slytherin had left behind made him itch with desire—a natural reaction for any alchemy enthusiast.

No, I still need to figure out a way to trick them into letting me borrow that thing for a few days to study it, but what excuse should I use? Kyle isn't easy to fool...

Dumbledore stared blankly at the honey-glazed steak in front of him, lost in thought.

How about... trading it for Fawkes feather?

A phoenix that was dozing on a branch suddenly awoke, shook its feathers, and looked around suspiciously.