Hogwarts: I Am an Exemplary Wizard

Chapter 654: Chapter 652: Kael Is Taken Away

When Kael finished patrolling the eighth floor and returned to the previous corridor, the wall no longer bore any trace of the Room of Requirement, as if nothing had ever happened.

Meanwhile, the others had completed their patrols of their respective floors, and unsurprisingly, no one had found anything.

Some appeared quite unwilling to accept this, such as Montague and Filch.

”I know for sure they’ve made a move tonight.” Filch eagerly stated as he arrived on the eighth floor, ”Peeves was causing trouble on the first floor; I heard its yells.”

”Did you catch anyone?” Kael asked.

”No.” Filch replied angrily, ”By the time I got there, they were gone, but I found a lot of footprints, likely from a dozen people.”

”But we can’t catch anyone through footprints, Mr. Filch.” Kael glanced at him, ”Unless you can take everyone’s shoes and compare them one by one.”

Filch’s face turned somewhat unpleasant; he huffed coldly, said nothing, and turned to head downstairs.

He still didn’t understand why Umbridge wanted him to take orders from a student when he could accomplish these tasks himself.

”How rude.” Kael shook his head and said.

On the other hand, Montague was much more honest. Although he was also frustrated for not catching anyone, he didn’t show it and merely stood quietly at the back, trying to minimize his presence.

”Alright, no one needs to be discouraged.” Kael looked at everyone, ”It’s just the first day. It’s normal not to have any results. As long as they’re still breaking school rules, we’ll catch them eventually.”

Kael encouraged everyone and then clapped his hands, saying, ”Now, let’s all go back and rest so we don’t end up late for class tomorrow.”

A few Slytherins went downstairs without a word, and Kael also returned to the Hufflepuff common room.

It was already late when he pushed open the barrel door, and only Cedric and Conna were left in the common room, playing with Explosive Cards to pass the time.

”You’re finally back.” Cedric checked the time and said with a smile, ”But I must say, you’re really hard-working, staying busy until this late.”

”That’s because you guys left early.” Kael laughed, walking over to sit in the armchair between them.

”How did it go?” Conna put down her cards and asked with keen interest.

”Hmm... not bad.” Kael said, ”If you’re interested, I could persuade Umbridge to let you be my assistant.”

”I better not.” Conna shook her head rapidly, ”I can’t guarantee I won’t mess up. You can handle it.”

”It’s fine; an assistant’s job is just to follow me. No problem at all.” Kael said.

Conna seemed intrigued. She wanted to help, as everyone else had something to do.

”Besides, it’s a rare opportunity,” Kael continued, ”to experience the thrill of outsmarting opponents early on, just like the Order of the Phoenix members do.”

”Should be the Head of the Auror Office.” Cedric teased, ”Don’t forget you’re also leading a group of Slytherins.”

”If Montague and the rest are Aurors, the Ministry of Magic is doomed.” Kael shrugged, ”Of course, the same applies to me.”

Kael’s self-deprecating words made Conna burst into laughter.

The three of them continued chatting in the common room for a while and only returned to their dorms at dawn.

...

The next day, to make the act look more authentic, Cedric didn’t sit next to Kael as usual during meals but intentionally sat further away.

Although Kael didn’t think it was necessary, as everyone, including Umbridge, was focused on Gryffindor and didn’t know he was also a member of D.A., Cedric was thoroughly enjoying it. He would even glare at Kael with a vicious look from time to time.

His acting was unconvincing; Kael had to press his lips together to suppress his laughter.

Correspondingly, the Slytherin students became much more amicable towards him.

As soon as the Charm Class ended, several Slytherins gathered around to chat with Kael, even inviting him to spend Christmas holidays at their homes.

”We have a Christmas ball every year; you mustn’t miss it. It’s much more bustling than last year’s school ball...” said a sixth-year Slytherin. ”Many important figures will be there, and even Minister Fudge occasionally attends.”

”Really? That sounds great. If I have the time, I’ll definitely come.” Kael said while subtly quickening his pace.

But just as they left the classroom corridor, they were intercepted on the way to the auditorium by two individuals.

”Weasley...” Before Kael could say a word, a Slytherin stepped forward and said, ”What do you want?”

”It’s none of your business; we’re not here for you.” Fred glanced at them, then looked menacingly at Kael, ”Do you dare to come with us?”

”Of course, why wouldn’t I dare.” Kael smiled and said.

Then he gestured for the others to leave while he took Conna and followed Fred to another deserted corridor.

As soon as they were out of sight, Fred’s expression changed.

”How did you manage it?” He tried to contain his excitement, speaking in a hushed voice, ”Our suspension punishment was revoked... I, George, and Harry can all play again.”

”Oh, that’s great.” Kael said with a smile, ”Congratulations.”

”But how did you do it, getting Umbridge, the old toad, to change her mind?” Fred asked again.

He was genuinely curious.

Since Umbridge had been there, no one had managed to get her to retract a punishment, not even once.

Even when Professor McGonagall went to her a few days ago, she couldn’t change Professor Trelawney’s probation status.

”I just wrote a letter to the Malfoy family.” Kael said.

”That’s it?”

”Of course.”

Fred was a bit skeptical, but before he could ask more, George waved from the other end of the corridor, interrupting him.

In the next second, they heard a chaotic sound of footsteps.

Someone was coming.

There was no choice; Fred had to put on a hostile front again, yelling, ”Watch out, don’t let us catch you again!”

With that, he and George quickly headed to the other end of the corridor, leaving just before Umbridge appeared.

...

Over the next week, it continued like this.

Cedric was fine, but Fred and George had to sneakily find opportunities to chat with Kael, either sneaking out after curfew to the Room of Requirement.

Initially, they found it amusing, but after a while, it got boring. ℴℴ𝘮

”Just wait... Maybe by the Christmas holidays, those Slytherins will have gone home.” Fred said after another D.A. meeting.

As usual, they escorted the other students, while Kael walked ahead, in case someone unexpectedly showed up.

Everything went smoothly until midnight.

Kael was about to head back when Professor McGonagall suddenly appeared, walking straight up to Kael in front of everyone.

”Dumbledore wants to see you, come with me.” She said matter-of-factly, leading Kael away, leaving a group of Slytherins standing there in panic.

”Damn, why is the headmaster involved now?” A fifth-year student couldn’t help but say, ”What should we do? Should we go find Professor Umbridge?”

”No, stay put.” Montague watched the direction Kael was taken, his eyes rolling as he spoke with a gloating tone, ”It’s just the headmaster. We should trust Kael; he’ll surely handle this.”

”But...” the other student wanted to say something.

”So you didn’t hear me, did you?” Montague stepped forward and looked at him coldly.

Faced with the tall and large Montague, the student quickly shook his head, ”No, I didn’t.”

”That’s good.” Montague nodded with satisfaction, ”And considering it’s so late, let’s not disturb Professor Umbridge’s rest. Now, everyone back to the common room, whatever there is to discuss can wait until tomorrow.”

Montague’s words immediately gained agreement from a portion of the students, who collectively decided to keep silent. They went downstairs, laughing and joking as if nothing had happened.

Malfoy remained at the end of the group, glancing in the direction of the Headmaster’s Office with a momentary look of hesitation.

But with Pansy and Crabbe urging him on, he finally took a deep breath and followed the rest.

...