In a corner of the Hufflepuff common room, Cedric stared in shock at the enthusiastic first-years gathered nearby.
He couldn't understand what was wrong with this year's first-years. Couldn't they see that Kyle was simply making things up? Yet they were playing along enthusiastically.
This was Hufflepuff, not Ravenclaw.
Cedric didn't know what others thought, but if he were in the hospital wing, he certainly wouldn't want any class notes or homework.
Especially homework. Good grief, treating homework as a gift... what kind of normal wizard would think of that? Even Voldemort wouldn't be so cruel.
His conscience told him he should expose Kyle and save poor Michael.
But he couldn't do it. Kyle's influence was making the little Hufflepuff badgers more attentive in class — and that was undoubtedly a good thing.
Cedric remained conflicted. In his twelve years of life, he had never faced such a difficult choice. His conscience pulled him one way, his responsibility as an upperclassman the other. Unable to abandon either, he found himself caught between the two.
Not far away sat Kanna, equally perplexed and the only first-year who still maintained her clarity of mind.
Unlike Cedric's complex deliberations, her thoughts were simpler: stay away from Kyle at all costs!
Kanna secretly vowed that after getting the special rat tonic, she would keep her distance from him. Even if she couldn't transfer to another house, she would avoid any possible encounters.
During classes, she would choose the seat farthest from Kyle.
Meanwhile, as the mission-driven little badgers continued discussing their plans, Kyle, having accomplished his goal, quietly slipped away from the crowd.
Now that everyone's attention was focused on their next steps, he, the instigator, naturally drew less attention.
He found a sofa away from the crowd and began reading "The Bard in the Wind" — a fifty-year-old book chronicling a bard's travels and the various troubles he encountered.
The style resembled Lockhart's works, but unlike those, this book devoted little space to describing the bard himself, focusing instead on his observations. It documented many spells with distinct regional characteristics, giving Kyle a refreshing perspective.
He read until noon, when Cedric finally managed to get his attention for lunch. Kyle reluctantly closed the book.
"What are you reading?" Cedric asked, "I called you several times, but you didn't hear me."
"'The Bard in the Wind'." Kyle said, handing him the book, "Dumbledore recommended it — it's a fascinating biography."
Cedric's eyes lit up, "The Headmaster recommended it?"
"You can borrow it when I'm done in a few days." Kyle offered after a moment's thought, "Or you could check if the library has more copies."
"No need." Cedric said, returning the book, "Just let me know when you're finished."
He knew the library rarely stocked multiple copies of biographical works, so checking would be pointless. Besides, he wasn't in a rush — a few days' wait wouldn't hurt.
✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭
After leaving the Hufflepuff common room, they made their way to the Great Hall.
By now, word had spread throughout Hogwarts that a Hufflepuff student had blown up the Charms classroom.
The Great Hall buzzed with young wizards eagerly discussing the incident.
"Hey, look who's here!"
Kyle had barely stepped through the door when Fred and George intercepted him.
"I knew things wouldn't stay quiet with you at Hogwarts — just as I predicted." Fred said, throwing an arm around Kyle's shoulder, "Tell us, how did you blow up the classroom?"
"Yes, we heard Professor Flitwick left limping." George chimed in.
"First class and you've already blasted a professor..." The twins exchanged knowing looks and declared in unison, "Kyle, you'll definitely make it into the school history books!"
Their loud voices drew attention, and curious students began gathering around them.
Kyle stood speechless for a moment, "First of all, the Lumos Charm can't blow up a classroom — that's common knowledge. Professor Flitwick only hurt his leg because he fell accidentally. Secondly, the student responsible is in the hospital wing and has nothing to do with me. If you keep spreading these rumors, I'll write to Mrs. Weasley."
"It wasn't you?"
The twins were stunned — clearly, this wasn't the outcome they had expected.
"Of course not. Why would you think that?" Kyle gestured beside him, "If you don't believe me, ask Cedric."
"I can testify, it really wasn't Kyle." Cedric said with a firm nod.
"See?" Kyle pushed the two aside, "By the way, where did you get such unreliable information?"
"From a Ravenclaw first-year." Fred shrugged, "They said you sent your classmate to the hospital wing."
Kyle grew even more exasperated, "I was helping, okay? Professor Dumbledore even gave me twenty points. Did they say anything else? Please tell me that's not all."
"Don't know." George said matter-of-factly, spreading his hands, "We only heard that one line as we were passing by."
"I can't even..." Kyle took a deep breath, no longer wanting to continue this conversation.
He had initially suspected a Ravenclaw student of misrepresenting the situation, but Fred and George turned out to be the real culprits.
They should have at least listened to the complete story — hearing only fragments, especially ambiguous ones, made no sense.
At least they had come to him directly instead of spreading rumors around, or his hard-earned reputation might have been ruined.
Kyle sighed, patting their shoulders. "You two are wasted at Hogwarts. You should go work at the Daily Prophet — Rita Skeeter would absolutely love you."
✭✭✭
T/N: If you want more chapters like this, check out my Patreon! Take a look at my other translations too, you might like them!
For just $1.50 you can access all the extra content, and descriptive images, costs only $2!
That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)
https://www.patreon.com/collection/1305453