"Thank goodness, I was right..."
Kyle and Kanna had just reached the stairs, not yet having time to head for the kitchen, when they saw Professor McGonagall hurrying toward them, her face carrying an expression of palpable relief.
"Professor McGonagall, did something happen?" Kyle first swept a quick glance around.
It was very quiet. There were no screams or cries for help, so Voldemort probably had not attacked again.
"It's about the Ministry of Magic." Professor McGonagall walked over and said, "They hope you can go to the Ministry as soon as possible."
"To the Ministry of Magic?" Kyle asked doubtfully. "Why? Can't they come to Hogwarts to discuss it?"
"Bones didn't say." Professor McGonagall shook her head. "But she only sent an owl with a letter. It probably isn't anything desperately urgent. You can consider it and go when you have the time."
"Oh, here..." She took a letter from her pocket and handed it to Kyle. "This was originally for you, but the owl delivering it seemed to have gotten lost, so it ended up in my hands."
Kyle accepted the letter, not particularly surprised by Professor McGonagall's claim that the owl had gotten lost.
After all, it was not the first time something like this had happened.
It was probably because of the Alchemical Mist. Whenever he was in the garden, those owls would circle around nearby, somewhat like the Fidelius Charm.
Of course, the Alchemical Mist was certainly nowhere near as effective as the Fidelius Charm. It could only affect novice owls.
For some experienced messengers, it was merely a minor obstacle on the job. It was no big deal, and they would soon find the right route.
Usually, when this happened, Ladon would handle it. It would wait outside the cabin, determine which owls were