Chapter 709: The Shield Charm, a Melancholy Sirius
The letter wasn't particularly long. Excluding the greetings and formalities, the section addressing the Charm took up less than two sheets of parchment. However, the content was cryptic and difficult to grasp. Even with the translation chart Dumbledore had given him, Kyle had to ponder over each line repeatedly.
As he worked, he drew his wand and experimented with different rune combinations.
Runes floated out of the wand, merging into new symbols. For a fleeting moment, a transparent net seemed to form around Kyle, shimmering faintly, only to shatter and vanish.
"No, that's not it..." Kyle muttered, frowning as he flipped quickly through the translation chart again.
He was so absorbed in his task that he didn't notice the sky brightening outside. Without realizing it, he had been sitting at the table, focused on the parchment, for the entire night.
By the time noon arrived, Fred—who had just returned from Diagon Alley for lunch—noticed Kyle's absence at the table and asked, "By the way, how long has Kyle been in his room?"
"Almost all day," Harry replied. "The light in his room was on last night, and he didn't come down for breakfast this morning."
"What on earth is he doing?" George chimed in.
"I don't know," Ron said with a shrug. "We tried to wake him this morning, but Mum and Sirius wouldn't let us."
"Dumbledore told us to leave him alone before he left," Mrs. Weasley added, as she placed a tray of toast on the table. "If it's not important, don't bother Kyle."
"I know, and you've told me that many times," Ron grumbled under his breath.