Chapter 292: A Strange Experience
Filch's office was on the first floor, close to the Entrance Hall. Located just left of the library and down the corridor, it lay directly beneath an empty classroom. Kyle headed to the second floor, running down the corridor in that direction. But as he passed by the entrance to the library, something strange happened. He felt a sudden sense of distraction, a curious fog clouding his mind.
An odd memory floated up, something Voldemort had mentioned in the dungeon last year—the process of creating a Horcrux. Before, Kyle had avoided thinking about it too deeply, worried Voldemort might have twisted the information. But now, out of nowhere, he felt a sense of complete clarity. Concepts that once felt arcane and difficult became simple and obvious, as though he had studied them for years. He could see clearly why each step in the process was done a certain way, understanding every detail with a newfound intuition.
This is incredible, Kyle thought. Not even the famed knowledge of Ravenclaw's Diadem could compare to this.
The information in his mind solidified, as though it were taking form on a piece of parchment covered in intricate diagrams and instructions. The process of creating a Horcrux... The images were vivid, each paragraph of instructions detailed, as if one glance alone could reveal the entire secret.
But suddenly—
"Bang!"
A loud noise echoed through the corridor, startling Kyle out of his trance. The knowledge that had just filled his mind dissipated instantly, vanishing without a trace. No matter how he tried to recall it, it was as if the thoughts had never been there at all.
And then, out of nowhere, a water balloon dropped right on his head, bursting with a splash of cold water that drenched him completely.
Kyle shivered, the icy water snapping him fully awake.
"What are you daydreaming about, Kyle, you rascal?" Peeves cackled, swooping past him. "Better run—Filch the idiot is coming!"
Then Peeves disappeared around the corner just as Filch came stomping up the corridor. He took one look at Kyle, who stood there soaked with water still dripping from his hair, and spotted the remnants of a burst balloon on the floor.