Sha… sha… sha…
One after another, red-and-white TNT blocks were placed into every nook and cranny of the castle until the entire place was packed full.
At last, he moved far away from the castle, pulled out a bow enchanted with Flame Arrows, and fired a shot toward the castle gates.
As a chain of crackling explosions rang out, there was also the sound of a camera shutter clicking somewhere not far away.
…
The next day…
Kasenhis sat in the Great Hall, eating breakfast while reading the newspaper's report on the massacre of the entire family, along with an unfiltered close-up photo of himself at Gedeir Manor.
"..."
For the first time, he felt he might have seriously misjudged Voldemort… no, the Death Eaters as a group.
Who said they were stupid? Wasn't this pretty clever?
Oh. The one who said they were stupid earlier was also himself.
"So whose idea was this… They're even playing layered schemes now." he said while eating, turning to ask Snape beside him.
"Barty Crouch Jr.," Snape replied flatly.
"Why don't the two of you wait until after breakfast and come to my office for a proper talk?" Dumbledore sighed, speaking in a voice only the two of them could hear.
"OK, OK." Kasenhis nodded and quickened his pace of eating. Soon, the three of them left the staff table and headed toward the Headmaster's office.
After entering, Dumbledore sat behind his desk and began, "This matter will not affect you in any way. The Gedeir family has already been officially identified by the Ministry as Death Eaters. Their deaths are something many people are pleased to see, including the Ministry, Tom, and even myself."
"As for seventh-year Mr. Gedeir, we have confirmed he formally became a Death Eater and personally used the Cruciatus Curse and Killing Curse to slaughter twelve Muggles. You need not feel burdened by this."
"Oh, in fact, the Dark Lord's true intention was to drive a wedge between you and Hogwarts. After all, the young students will only see that you appeared at their classmate's home, and that his house turned into ruins."
"And there are also those within the Ministry who secretly lean toward the Dark Lord. They may try to trip you up… for example… coming to arrest you and forcing you to leave Hogwarts." Just as Snape finished speaking, they heard knocking against the stone statue outside.
"I'm guessing it's Umbridge," Kasenhis said from the sofa.
"I suspect the same." With a thought from Dumbledore, the statue blocking the staircase below slowly moved aside. Soon, Umbridge came puffing up the stairs, dragging her plump body along.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, Head of House Snape… oh, and… Kasenhis. Please come with me, Kasenhis. Trust me, you wouldn't want a large group of Aurors to arrive at Hogwarts and forcibly take you away," Umbridge said in an affected tone.
"Oh? Take me away for what?" Kasenhis raised a brow. "As I recall, the Gedeir couple were Death Eaters."
"But eliminating Death Eaters is not Hogwarts' responsibility. That is the Aurors' authority. The Ministry now needs to conduct an… evaluation of your mental state."
"I believe that falls under Hogwarts' responsibility, Ms. Umbridge," Dumbledore said.
"Hogwarts is responsible for its staff and students. However, the Ministry is currently summoning a citizen of magical Britain, Kasenhis. Is there a problem with that?"
"…Of course not." Dumbledore's expression darkened for a brief moment before he turned his head and replied.
"Excellent. Please come with me, Mr. Kasenhis," Umbridge said, producing a pair of cuffs from her hand like a proud peacock.
"What is this for?" Snape frowned. "As far as I know, a mental evaluation does not require magical restraints."
"Can't be helped. Your Professor Kasenhis is simply too powerful. Without these, I wouldn't dare escort him," Umbridge said with a smile.
"What does this thing do?" Kasenhis asked.
"Oh… let me think. I can set a timer. For example, if I set it to one hour, then once you wear it and it's removed, you will experience one hour of magical weakness and mental fatigue, along with a certain degree of sedation. You won't be able to get angry or muster any motivation. It's a necessary precaution. After all, I don't want to become the second Gedeir," Umbridge explained.
"And if it isn't removed?" Kasenhis continued.
"It will still have the same effect. Removing it merely ensures the effects persist for one hour afterward, nothing more."
"You can refuse," Snape said in a low voice.
"Then we'll have the Aurors come instead. No matter how unwilling Scrimgeour may be, the Minister is still the Minister. It's merely a matter of efficiency," Umbridge said with a smile.
"Dumbledore," Snape murmured.
"No, not for now." Dumbledore shook his head.
Meanwhile, Kasenhis looked curiously at the cuffs in Umbridge's hand.
"How about we give it a try?" he said with a grin.
"I knew you were a truly considerate professor who puts Hogwarts first." Umbridge smiled as she set the timer on the cuffs and fastened them onto Kasenhis.
The next moment, Kasenhis felt a strange sensation wash over his body.
It was like entering sage mode.
One second he had been burning with intensity, and the next he felt utterly detached, as if nothing in the world could stir his interest.
"How does it feel?" Snape asked.
"Sleepy," Kasenhis said, letting out a yawn.
"Mm-hmm." Dumbledore nodded and patted Snape on the shoulder. "Let's head to the Ministry first. Don't worry, Kasenhis, we'll be waiting for you there."
"No problem." Kasenhis casually shook the magical cuffs on his wrist and crossed his hands in front of his stomach.
As Dumbledore and Snape were sent off to the Ministry of Magic by Fawkes the phoenix, Umbridge took out another limiter and stuck it onto Kasenhis's back.
"What's this?"
"To control your mechanical arm," Umbridge said as she opened the Headmaster's office window. She took out a handbell and gave it a casual shake.
A carriage drawn by thestrals emerged from the void and stopped by the window.
"So they left a bit too early. Planning to finish me off on the way?" Kasenhis leaned back in his chair as Umbridge yanked him to his feet, his expression completely calm.
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