Five minutes into the match, the first goal finally appeared.
It was Angelina from Gryffindor...
The cheers from the stands were like thunder, echoing in the cold air.
Kael also clapped along with everyone else, just as Lee Jordan said, Angelina was indeed an excellent Chaser.
She seemed to really fly during the attack just now, breaking through the Slytherin defense line on her own.
But just as Kael finished clapping and was about to continue watching the match, a large fiery-red bird suddenly flew through the crowd and landed on his shoulder.
"Fawkes?"
Kael looked at the phoenix on his shoulder in surprise.
What's this all about? The headmaster's bird likes watching Quidditch too?
Never heard of it.
The young wizards around were equally startled.
Cedric gaped, staring dumbfoundedly at Fawkes like a fool, almost drooling.
"Is this... a phoenix?!"
"Yes, yes!" He suddenly stood up excitedly, flailing his arms, "This is a phoenix, exactly as described in the books!"
"Calm down, look at you drooling." Kael glanced at him disdainfully and said, "It's just a phoenix, no big deal."
Cedric pouted.
Easy for you to say... This is the first time he's seen a live phoenix.
At this point, Kael had already taken out some Dittany Leaves, offering them to Fawkes.
Watching a game must be accompanied by snacks after all.
But unexpectedly, Fawkes shook his head instead of eating, and leaned closer to Kael's ear, whispering something.
"What's this about?"
Kael furrowed his brows.
Fawkes wasn't here to watch the game; it came to deliver a message.
Dumbledore needed to see him.
But the match had just started...
Seeing Kael unresponsive, Fawkes pecked at his hair.
"Alright, alright, don't pull my hair, I'll go." Kael had no choice but to stand up.
"What is it?" Conna asked curiously.
Kael whispered, "The headmaster is looking for me. I need to head back to the castle."
"The headmaster?"
"Yes, this phoenix is the headmaster's pet..."
"Do you need us to help?" Cedric asked.
"No need, you guys continue watching the match."
Kael took a longing look at the pitch before squeezing through the crowd and heading quickly toward the castle.
The path was empty, and from Fawkes, Kael learned the reason Dumbledore wanted to see him.
Upon returning to the castle, Kael headed straight up the stairs to the fourth-floor restricted area.
Dumbledore was already waiting for him, along with Hagrid.
"Professor, Hagrid."
Kael greeted them with a frown, "I heard from Fawkes that Fluffy went berserk?"
"I think so," Dumbledore said quietly, "I'm sorry Kael, this might interrupt your game, but only you can figure out the reason behind this."
"It's alright, Fluffy is my friend too," Kael shook his head, "Can I see it now?"
"Of course."
Dumbledore opened the door and led Kael inside.
Inside, Fluffy was lying on the trapdoor, sleeping soundly.
"Some necessary precautions," Dumbledore explained, "If it were awake, it would attack everything around, and then this door might not be able to hold it."
"I understand," Kael nodded.
He then stepped forward to carefully examine Fluffy's body.
There were no wounds, and its fur was intact, suggesting it wasn't caused by an external injury.
Kael furrowed his eyebrows, seemingly beginning to understand why Dumbledore called him.
"Professor, can you wake Fluffy up?" Kael asked.
"Be prepared, Kael," Dumbledore's expression was somewhat serious, "Trust me, a mad three-headed dog is far scarier than you think."
"It's alright, with you here, I won't be harmed."
"That's truly the highest compliment," Dumbledore smiled, "The last time I felt this proud was when I became the Hogwarts Headmaster.
Now, step back..."
Dumbledore raised his hand and gently tapped his distinctly jointed wand.
Fluffy, which was lying on the ground, suddenly opened its eyes.
"Roar..."
The angry roar boomed like thunder throughout the room, causing even the dust on the ceiling to shake loose.
Fluffy's muscles tensed as it leapt up from the ground, rushing at Kael, who was closest to it.
Its speed was so fast that it was in front of Kael in the blink of an eye, all three mouths opening wide, revealing yellowish teeth.
But at that moment, chains suddenly materialized from thin air, binding Fluffy's neck.
Then the second, third...
In total, six chains bound Fluffy tightly like a web, preventing it from moving forward even an inch no matter how it struggled.
Amidst violent struggles, the chains even cut into its skin, embedding deeply.
"Oh..."
Hagrid clutched his chest, letting out a pained groan, as if the chains were on him.
"Please... Dumbledore, please!"
But Dumbledore remained unmoved, eyes fixated on Kael.
Fluffy continued roaring incessantly, and Kael attempted to talk to it, but it was to no avail.
With no other options, Kael focused on the meaning behind its roars.
Without consciousness, the cries were incoherent, but Kael noticed that certain words appeared more frequently.
"Die... Kill..."
"Hagrid..."
"Revenge!"
Soon, amidst Fluffy's reckless struggle, the chains were gradually stained red, and the entire room was filled with a bloody smell.
Hagrid covered his mouth, silently weeping, wanting to comfort Fluffy but nearly having his arm bitten off upon approaching.
Thankfully, Dumbledore pulled him back in time.
With Fluffy's injuries worsening, Kael finally spoke.
"That's enough, Headmaster!"
"Stupefy!"
A dazzling light flashed through the room, the chains disappeared, and Fluffy crashed into the wall behind, falling unconscious with a thud.
Hagrid hurried over, applying Dittany Essence to Fluffy's wounds.
Dumbledore looked at Kael.
Before he could ask, Kael spoke directly, "If I'm not mistaken, it's likely that Fluffy turned like this because it wanted to help Hagrid get revenge."
Dumbledore's blue eyes glimmered for a moment.
"Help, help me get revenge?"
Hagrid turned back in surprise, his face still tear-streaked.
"But I'm perfectly fine, and it even tried to bite me just now..."
"That's the strange part," Kael frowned, "It seems to think you're dead and has mistaken us all for the culprits."