"They're not going to agree to that." Hermione had just come up from downstairs at this moment, and said very seriously, "Right now your safety is more important than anything."
"I know, but I still feel like everyone's a bit too nervous."
"No, it's really necessary." Hermione said, then she turned to look at Ron,
"Harry was right just now, he doesn't need anyone to tag along, and besides, you can't stay at Hogwarts forever."
"Of course I know that." Ron muttered, "That's exactly why I want to relax properly for another year."
"Ha." Hermione let out a little laugh and didn't argue with him anymore. "They were right just now; you'd better go to bed early. If you miss breakfast tomorrow, you'll definitely regret it."
After that, Hermione went back to her room, yawning.
"Why is everyone saying the same thing." Ron sighed. "But I'm not the least bit sleepy right now."
After the two of them left as well, the corridor fell quiet again.
Kael, however, had no idea what was going on outside. The Magic he had set up in advance worked very well; not a sound from outside made it in.
As for Fred and George's plan to catch Kael afterward, that didn't work either.
They left early and came back late every day, their schedule was too easy to predict, so as long as Kael returned to his room before ten o'clock, he could easily avoid them.
Up until mid-August, the only time they saw each other was at breakfast.
On the twenty-fifth, Kael went to the Ministry of Magic again. This time, however, he didn't have Fawkes take him, but left No. 12 Grimmauld Place together with a few people from the Weasley family. It was also the first time in half a month that he'd been outside.
This was a test run; he couldn't stay here hiding from Voldemort forever—he had to go out sooner or later.
The street was bustling, Muggles walking along chatting and laughing, with no trace of tension at all.
Mr. Weasley was driving a car along the road.
"If you ask me, you'd be better off staying put a bit longer." he said, sounding a little tense. "At least wait until Hogwarts opens."
"It's fine. If You-Know-Who is dead set on coming after me, it'll be the same no matter when." Kael said.
It was just the two of them here. Fred and the others had wanted to come as well—they usually went to the Ministry of Magic this way.
But for safety's sake, Mr. Weasley insisted that they go to work with Lupin and Tonks instead.
"I heard there haven't been any Death Eater sightings lately?" Kael asked.
"You can't say none, just fewer, not as frequent as before." Mr. Weasley said. "It must be that after what happened in Godric's Hollow, they also took a heavy blow and have to lie low and recover."
"Maybe it's just that You-Know-Who needs to recuperate." Kael said quietly. "He doesn't care about the lives of the Death Eaters."
"But with too few people under him, there are many things that become inconvenient for him to do." The car turned a corner at an intersection. "Still, that's a good thing. Hogwarts is about to start term; once we get the students to school, we'll be able to focus more completely on dealing with them."
"You're right."
The car sped along and reached the Ministry of Magic earlier than usual.
Thankfully, the road was safe; they didn't run into a single Death Eater.
"Don't let your guard down; what comes next is the tricky part." Mr. Weasley led Kael into the Ministry's Atrium. "I don't know who they are, but there are definitely Death Eater plants inside the Ministry, and not just one or two."
"I know."
When they reached the Magic Fountain, Kael also noticed more and more eyes turning toward him.
But that didn't prove anything. He had worked here before; when people ran into someone they knew, it was perfectly normal to take a look, say hello, that sort of thing.
And just from their gaze, Kael couldn't tell who might have other intentions.
"Where are you going?" When they stepped into the lift, Mr. Weasley asked.
"First floor." Kael took out a box. "Half a month ago I promised Minister Bones I'd handle something, and I finally finished it today."
"I know—that communication device for Aurors, right?" Mr. Weasley said. "Those Communication Parchments you came up with have already been rolled out across the Ministry.
"I have to say, they really make things much more convenient. At least we don't have to worry about a paper airplane suddenly getting stuck in our hair while we're riding the lift anymore."
"The Parchment is just a prototype." Kael said with a smile. "I'm actually planning to improve it and make it into something like a telephone."
"That would be fantastic!"
Mr. Weasley's eyes practically turned into a pair of lamps, shining bright. "If you need any help, just come to me."
...