As far as Kael knew, it seemed that only a small amount of Knotgrass was needed when brewing Polyjuice Potion.
“There’s no rush for any of this.” Nicolas said, “Would you like to stay for some afternoon tea?”
“Ah, no problem.” Kael glanced at the time and agreed.
Rather than afternoon tea, it was more like a very late lunch. He hadn’t eaten much all day and was indeed hungry.
Soon, house-elf Tata brought over a large plate of sandwiches and crispy golden fried pork chops.
Not exactly a feast, but Kael enjoyed it thoroughly, polishing off three pieces of pork chop before putting down his utensils.
“Finally, no more teeth-breaking potatoes from the Valley Bar.” Kael leaned back in his chair with a satisfied expression, “I even suspect their potatoes were cooked a year ago; over a month and I hadn’t encountered a single slightly softer one.”
“The food at their place is indeed not great.” Dumbledore agreed with him.
“But, Professor,” Kael suddenly remembered something and asked, “did you know a long time ago that I would return to the past?”
“Why do you ask?” Dumbledore looked over.
“Because you’ve seen me, during the graduation exam.” Kael said, “That was when I had just traveled back in time, happened upon your graduation exam, and couldn’t resist following out of curiosity. Back then, you even used the Confundus Charm on Professor Marchbank to let a stranger like me into the exam room.”
“Using a Confundus Charm on the invigilating professor… did I really do such a mischief when I was young?” Dumbledore was stunned for a moment, seemingly having no recollection.
“Of course.” Kael glanced at him, “You even confidently told me that successfully using the Confundus Charm on Professor Marchbank was the real graduation test.”
Dumbledore’s old face turned red.
To be honest, he had truly forgotten.
But thinking about his younger self’s antics… A genius wizard growing up under flattery, full of youthful zest, doing such a thing didn’t seem all that surprising.
“And when you went to Knockturn Alley, we also met.” Kael continued.
“Sorry, I really don’t remember…” Dumbledore shook his head and said, “I have experienced too many things in my lifetime that if everything were documented, perhaps a new bookshelf would be needed in the library. I can’t possibly remember every person I’ve met.”
“Is that so?” Kael nodded and didn’t continue to inquire.
He didn’t doubt Dumbledore’s words.
After all, even if asked about people he met in his first year, he couldn’t remember.
Especially considering it’s been ninety-eight years since Dumbledore graduated, and those were immensely eventful years. Kael assumed Grindelwald alone could take up two-thirds of his memory.
The remaining third could be divided with some part reserved for Voldemort, leaving very little for others.
Perhaps that’s also why he needed a Pensieve in his office.
When the empty plate was taken away by Tata, Kael glanced at the sky outside and then stood up.
“Are you heading out?” Nicolas asked.
“Mm.” Kael nodded, “I’m going to check if there’s any Knotgrass in Diagon Alley, and if not, I’ll head to Hogwarts. I remember there should be a small patch near the Forbidden Forest.”
“Oh, there’s no rush; I still have some here.”
“It’s alright, besides, I don’t have anything else to do.” Kael said as he walked out.
But just as he was about to Apparate away, a hand suddenly rested on his shoulder.
“Professor?” Kael turned his head to look at Dumbledore who had followed him, “It’s just to buy something; I can manage on my own.”
“I fear it’s not just for buying things.” Dumbledore remarked, “I noticed earlier that you kept looking outside, seemingly concerned about time. Did something happen after I left?”
Kael hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
“In two hours, Bellatrix will lead the Death Eaters to attack Lupin’s wedding, and You-Know-Who will also be there.”
“What did you say?” Dumbledore’s hand trembled slightly.
“But it’s alright because, with Fawkes’ help, no one was killed in the event.” Kael quickly said, “And You-Know-Who only arrived after everyone was rescued.”
“How do you know this?” Dumbledore asked seriously.
“Because at the time, I was the only one there.” Kael shrugged, “It was also my first face-off with You-Know-Who.”
“…Sorry, it’s all my fault.” Dumbledore lowered his eyes, “If I had left a day later, perhaps the incident wouldn’t have happened.”
“Yeah.” Kael said, “The feeling of the Crucio Curse is really not pleasant.”
Hearing his words, Dumbledore felt even more guilty.
“Professor, are you thinking about how to make it up to me?” Kael asked quietly.
“I can agree to any condition.” Dumbledore said.
“Then give me Fawkes.” Kael blurted out.
For some reason, when Kael said this, Dumbledore’s sense of guilt seemed to suddenly ease a bit.
“Though I would love to…” he sighed, “the Phoenix doesn’t belong to me personally. To be precise, we are just in a cooperative relationship, and Fawkes’ decision to stay or leave entirely depends on himself.”
“Tsk, stingy.” Kael pouted.
Even though he knew it was impossible to so easily take the Phoenix from Dumbledore, he was still a bit disappointed.
“So are you planning to go to Godric’s Hollow?” Dumbledore shifted the topic.