Chapter 116 ⭃ Getting Expelled?

The St. Mungo's staff arrived quickly.

Several Healers in their distinctive uniforms rushed to the second floor, wands drawn and clearly panicked.

"Merlin's beard... a werewolf? What in the world happened here?" Exclaimed an older witch, clutching her chest in disbelief.

"That's what we'd like to know." Professor Kettleburn stepped forward, his expression grave, "It nearly bit two young wizards, right here in St. Mungo's. Ha — this has to be the biggest joke in the wizarding world."

"Sir... we..." A middle-aged wizard wiped sweat from his brow, stammering, "There must be some misunderstanding. We'll definitely get to the bottom of this."

"Misunderstanding?" Kyle laughed bitterly, "Is that your explanation?"

If he hadn't reacted quickly enough, and if the two professors hadn't been nearby, who knows how this would have ended.

Even if he had managed to escape, what about the other boy? And what of all the patients in the surrounding rooms — could they have escaped?

"I'm reporting this to the Ministry of Magic." Kyle said coldly, "We'll let them investigate whether this was a 'misunderstanding' or not."

"The Ministry... well..."

"That won't be necessary!"

A tall, stern-looking witch emerged from behind the group. She cast a cold glance at the middle-aged wizard, who immediately lowered his head.

"I've already notified the Ministry. Their people will be here shortly, and I will provide an explanation about this incident."

"You are...?" Kyle asked uncertainly.

For a moment, he thought Professor McGonagall had arrived, as their appearance and stern demeanor were remarkably similar.

"Allow me to introduce myself. Pegasus Sathia." The witch said firmly, "I am the Head Healer of St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries."

The Head Healer proved efficient. She immediately ordered the removal of the barely-alive werewolf. Thanks to its robust vitality, the creature wasn't dead, though it was close.

"For certain reasons, it's more valuable alive." Pegasus explained, "I hope you understand."

Kyle nodded. With Hagrid and Professor Kettleburn present, he wasn't worried about any tricks.

"Thank you for understanding."

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Three minutes later, the Ministry officials arrived. Leading them was Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge, accompanied by a group of Aurors and a witch in a pink coat.

Cornelius stared at the large pool of blood on the floor, panic flashing across his eyes.

"Good heavens... a werewolf that can transform at will... By Merlin... How is this possible — I mean, how did this happen?"

"We're still investigating, Minister." Pegasus said calmly, "If you're concerned, you're welcome to join the investigation."

"Very well, I mean, we'll help."

"What about the werewolf?" An Auror asked as he approached.

He resembled an old lion, with tawny hair and bushy eyebrows streaked with gray, and keen eyes behind gold-rimmed spectacles.

Pegasus summoned a Healer to guide him to where the werewolf was being kept.

Cornelius approached Kyle, asking distractedly, "How are you, child?"

"I'm fine, there were two professors nearby." Kyle noticed the Minister's eyes darting about nervously, as if preoccupied.

"Child, might you have been mistaken?" Cornelius asked carefully, his tone suggestive, "Perhaps what attacked you was merely an Animagus in wolf form, not a werewolf..."

"Are you asking me to lie?" Kyle said.

"Lie... no, no, no, how could that be lying?" Cornelius removed his bowler hat, fidgeting, "You're young, you've never seen a werewolf before — it's perfectly normal to make a mistake."

"I didn't make a mistake." Kyle said firmly, "We just studied werewolves last term."

"Then perhaps you're misremembering."

Kyle's expression remained unchanged, "I ranked first in our year, with perfect scores in all subjects. I wouldn't misremember."

Cornelius gripped the brim of his bowler hat tightly, his tone growing impatient.

"Everyone knows werewolves only transform during the full moon, not during daylight. If this false information gets out, it will cause panic among people."

That last part is the real issue, Kyle thought to himself.

But before he could speak, the witch in the pink coat stepped forward from behind the Minister.

"Child, I've noticed you've violated Ministry regulations by using magic outside of school." Dolores Umbridge glanced at Cornelius, speaking in a sickeningly sweet voice, "According to regulations, we must punish you."

"I violated regulations?" Kyle said incredulously.

"Isn't it obvious?" She looked meaningfully at his wand, "Child, there's no use trying to argue. The Aurors will soon discover which spells you used. If it's more than three... well, unfortunately, you probably won't be going to Hogwarts this year."

Watching Kyle's shocked expression, Dolores was delighted inside. She loved this feeling.

Moreover, she wasn't satisfied with her current position. She wanted to climb higher, gain more power, and naturally wouldn't pass up any opportunity to please the Minister.

It was just one little wizard, after all. Some things the Minister found inconvenient to do himself, she was more than happy to handle.

Kyle dropped his act, his face turning cold, "You're going to expel me?"

"Those are Ministry regulations." Dolores said with an affected smile.

Throughout this exchange, Cornelius stood to the side, seemingly fascinated by his own hat.

Kyle's expression grew colder, his eyes narrowing, "So the Ministry's position is that I should have just stood there and let the werewolf bite me?"

"You could have run." Dolores said with a false smile, "The stairs were right there — you could have run to where there were more people for help. Why use magic?"

Kyle took a deep breath, gripping his wand tightly, resisting the urge to cast Avada Kedavra at her.

Racing a werewolf? Even Lockhart couldn't write something that ridiculous.

Seeing his silence, Dolores grew even more pleased. She cleared her throat and began, "Of course, if you—"

"I haven't arrived too late, have I?"

Footsteps sounded on the stairs, and Dumbledore, without even glancing at the woman, walked straight to Kyle.

"I was about to leave for France when I got the news and came immediately. Are you injured?"

"No, Headmaster." Kyle smiled, "But this... unnamed Ministry person says I used magic outside of school and wants to expel me."

"Don't worry, Kyle. Only the Headmaster has the authority to expel students." Dumbledore said kindly, "If they insist on this course of action, I will attend the hearing with you. I remember quite clearly that even underage wizards are permitted to use magic in life-threatening situations. Your actions were entirely appropriate."

"I'll go too." Professor Kettleburn said.

"Me too." Hagrid said.

"And me." Pegasus stepped forward, looking at Dolores with an amused expression, "Madam Nobody, if that werewolf wakes up, would you be willing to participate in a race to prove your earlier statement? If you can escape from it without using magic, Albus would have no reason to stop you from expelling this student."