Hogwarts: I Am an Exemplary Wizard

The night in Ottery St Catchpole was quiet, people had gone to bed early, and only a few lights remained lit in the village.

In the woods not far from the Shabby Residence, a figure suddenly appeared, crashing to the ground with a thud, causing the birds perched there to fly away in fright.

Kael endured the immense pain brought by the Crucio Curse, lying on the ground gasping for breath.

He finally knew what the Crucio Curse felt like, although it lasted only a moment, the pain radiated from every corner of his body, making it a lifelong memory.

After a good while, Kael finally recovered, propping himself up with a nearby tree stump and began to survey his surroundings, quickly recognizing he was within the boundaries of Ottery St Catchpole.

Earlier, he didn’t have time to think too much, nor did he have a target; he just wanted to leave there quickly, far away from Voldemort.

In that situation, the place he instinctively thought of was the one he was most familiar with, and he ended up here.

But none of that mattered, no matter what, he had finally succeeded in getting rid of Voldemort.

Kael brushed the dirt off his clothes, took out a bottle of blue magic potion from his box, and drank it straight down, then began to analyze the situation just now.

Actually, this wasn’t the first time he faced Voldemort directly, but it was the most stressful one, not only because he knew there would be no help from Dumbledore but also because Voldemort’s charm speed had accelerated.

Much faster than when he had just resurrected.

It was unclear whether Voldemort had grown stronger or if it was the effect of the Elder Wand... Kael guessed the latter was more likely the reason.

That wasn’t the case when he was in the Ministry of Magic, he was there the whole time watching Voldemort and Dumbledore duel, back then his charms weren’t like this, at least Kael could see clearly.

There was no choice, he couldn’t win the fight, so he could only run away, and to avoid being taken away by a Killing Curse, he deliberately angered Voldemort.

Doing this had its risks, the surname "Riddle" was Voldemort’s taboo, Kael couldn’t guarantee he wouldn’t be silenced directly, but if he didn’t do this, Voldemort would likely kill him with a Killing Curse, to avenge Bellatrix, or... vent his anger.

After all, he was not Harry, he couldn’t receive blatant favoritism from Voldemort, taking a chance gave him at least a fifty percent chance.

Fortunately, the plan went smoothly, an enraged Voldemort chose to torture him with the Crucio Curse, and he seized the opportunity to escape directly.

Of course, this was also related to Kael’s eagerness to capture the basilisk, missing the opportunity to take the initiative, if he hadn’t worried about the basilisk, but instead prepared for battle in advance, he could have gone a few rounds with Voldemort... hmm, probably.

Perhaps it was a misconception, after being hit by the Crucio Curse, Kael felt as if Voldemort was somewhat outwardly strong but inwardly weak, not weak, but not as terrifying as imagined, it seemed snatching the Elder Wand wasn’t without cost.

But all of these were just a feeling, if given the choice again, Kael would certainly still choose to run away...

Kael waited for a while longer until the effects of the Crucio Curse completely disappeared before leaving the woods.

He didn’t choose to go back home or to the Shabby Residence, but instead, he Apparated directly to Grimmauld Place.

As soon as he landed, Kael felt something fall onto his shoulder, and then he heard a scream, Mrs. Weasley and Sirius rushed out the door in a panic.

However, their steps were a bit unsteady, their faces extremely pale.

In just a few steps, Mrs. Weasley even ran off course, trying twice before she reached Kael’s side.

"Kael... thank goodness you’re finally back." She said, glaring at Sirius beside her.

Sirius felt greatly wronged, he never intended to leave Kael alone there, it was Fawkes who forcefully took him away.

Yet he knew deep down, no matter how he explained, it wouldn’t help, so he wisely chose to keep quiet, standing silently aside.

It was possible he couldn’t speak at the moment.

"I’m fine, Mrs. Weasley." Kael smiled and said, "Let’s go inside first, it’s too dangerous to stay outside."

Yes!

Mrs. Weasley nodded, pulling Kael to head back.

She went off course again, heading straight for the door with the number ten sign.

Kael pulled her back, only then did they return to the correct number twelve house.

There weren’t many people inside, besides Mrs. Weasley and Sirius, there was only Harry and Ginny sitting on the floor, looking dazed, as well as an elderly man resembling Dumbledore.

Abeforth, the owner of Hog’s Head Pub in Hogsmeade, also Dumbledore’s brother.

He stared at Kael expressionlessly, suddenly frowning.

"Where is that person, why is his Phoenix with you?"

His voice carried a hint of peculiarity, although he didn’t mention a name, Kael clearly knew who he was referring to.

"It’s a long story." Kael, fearing a misunderstanding, hurriedly explained: "Professor Dumbledore is fine, it’s just he has something very important to do and forgot to take Fawkes, so I’m temporarily helping to take care of it for a few days."

"Do you understand what you’re saying? Or do you think I’m a fool." Abeforth squinted his eyes, "That’s a Phoenix, no matter where that guy is, it can find him, and you need to help take care of it?"