Chapter 103: Hagrid and Professor Aurora
Chapter 103: Hagrid and Professor Aurora
The final exam was on Magical History, which was destined to be the most boring hour.
Kyle finished writing about the Werewolf Code of Conduct from 1637 and the biography of the eccentric, Garrick Ollivander, in just twenty minutes.
When Professor Binns's ghost called for them to put down their quills and roll up their parchment, all the students couldn't help but cheer.
The exams were finally over, meaning they could relax and enjoy themselves for a whole week until the exam results were announced.
"It was much easier than I thought," Mick said confidently as they walked out into the sunny grounds with the rest of the students. "I just saw Garrick Ollivander a few days ago. He's a Gryffindor graduate, so I'm sure I got that right."
"Gryffindor..." Ryan paused, then blurted out, "Wait, wasn't it Slytherin?"
"Darn it," Mick said regretfully. "I know I'm right about this. It was definitely Gryffindor."
"Merlin's beard..." Ryan moaned, tugging at his hair. "I should've just memorized the stuff about the wizard who invented the self-stirring cauldron."
Mick patted him on the shoulder consolingly. "It's alright, buddy. You just mixed up the houses. You won't lose that many points for it."
The affectionate display of their brotherhood touched Kyle deeply. This pure camaraderie among classmates was indeed one of the most precious treasures in life.
To further deepen their bond, Kyle quietly walked over, leaned in, and whispered, "Actually... Garrick Ollivander graduated from Ravenclaw."
Mick looked up, bewildered.
"It's true," Kyle smiled. "It's written very clearly in the third line of the second paragraph. Or you could ask anyone from Ravenclaw; they shouldn't get it wrong."
Mick stiffly turned and located a group of Ravenclaw students in the crowd... and he actually went to ask them.
A minute later, Mick was crouching next to Ryan, tugging at his own hair.
"Don't worry about it," Kyle patted his shoulder. "You just mixed up the houses. It won't affect your score that much."
After bidding farewell to his two dejected roommates, Kyle strolled down the slope towards the lake.
There, a giant squid lay basking in the warm shallow waters while Fred and George gently fiddled with its tentacles.
Kyle couldn't help but swallow his saliva. The thought of grilling those massive tentacles on an iron plate and sprinkling them with cumin and chili flakes... it would be absolutely mouthwatering.
"Gulping..."
No, he must stop thinking about it.
Kyle shook his head and shifted his gaze elsewhere.
Not far away, Connor was sitting under a tree, hugging her knees and staring absentmindedly at Patchy, who was sunbathing on the grass. However, she didn't seem to be in high spirits, and her face lacked the joy one would expect after the exams.
"What's wrong? Didn't your exam go well?" Kyle asked as he approached.
Connor jumped, startled, then shook her head. "No, it's just that I was thinking about something else."
She fiddled with Patchy's tail with her fingers and asked softly, "After the exams, is the term over?"
"There are still seven days left," Kyle said as he sat down next to her. "We have to wait for the exam results before the holidays. Come September, we'll be second-years."
Connor mumbled, "Seven days..."
"What are you two talking about?"
The Weasley twins approached, and Fred, seeing Connor's glum expression, smiled and said, "Cheer up! We won't know how badly we did until a week from now. No use worrying about it now."
After this, Fred and George wanted to take the secret passage to Hogsmeade.
Now that they had a substantial amount of galleons, they had a long list of things they wanted to buy: Honeyduke's new candies, butterbeer from the Three Broomsticks... they wanted to try it all.
And of course, the most important thing... the fascinating prank items from Zonko's Joke Shop.
"We've decided to take the secret passage behind the mirror on the fourth floor," Fred said mysteriously. "I can guarantee Filch has no idea about this one."
"Do you want to come with us?" George asked.
Kyle nodded, about to agree, when an owl suddenly flew over and delivered a note to him.
Kyle took the note and read it.
"Dear Kyle,
I know you've finished your exams. Do you have time to come see me? Roo-bee doesn't seem well lately.
- Hagrid"
Roo-bee was sick? Kyle frowned and looked up. "Sorry, I need to go see Hagrid. He needs me for something."
"Alright," Fred said. "Do you want us to get anything for you while we're out?"
"Some Honeyduke's candies," Kyle said. "Get the expensive ones."
"Ha, great idea."
The Weasley twins left with mischievous grins on their faces.
"Aren't you coming with me?" Kyle asked, turning to Connor at his side.
Connor shook her head. "No, I don't really have anything I want to buy. It's nice to stay here and sunbathe with Patchy."
"Sunbathing is so boring. Why don't you... come with me to Hagrid's?"
Kyle looked at the mouse named Patchy on the grass and suddenly said, "Remember Roo-bee? It's sick. We can go see it."
"Can I come too?" Connor asked, intrigued.
"Of course," Kyle replied.
Connor had met Roo-bee before, so there was no problem with bringing her along.
As Kyle started walking down the grassy slope, Connor quickly put Patchy into her pocket and hurried after him.
When the two arrived at Hagrid's hut, they were surprised to find someone else there already.
"Professor Aurora?" Kyle asked, puzzled. "Are you here to see Hagrid too?"
"Something like that," Professor Aurora explained. "But to be precise, I'm here waiting for you... all. Hagrid sent me a letter just now saying that Roo-bee is sick and asked if I knew any way to treat magical creatures. So, here I am."
"You know about Roo-bee?" Kyle asked.
"Yes, I do," Professor Aurora said with a smile. "A three-headed dog... Hagrid told me about it when we were drinking together the other day. It really scared me. I never expected him to dare to keep such a dangerous magical creature by his side."
Drinking... Well, Hagrid couldn't keep secrets after he'd had a few drinks.
"Where's Hagrid, by the way? Is he in his room?"
Kyle looked into the hut, which seemed empty.
"Oh, I almost forgot the main thing," Professor Aurora said, patting her forehead. "I could sense Hagrid's urgency, so I suggested he go check on Roo-bee in the Forbidden Forest first while I wait here for you."
"Let's go, kids. I'll take you there now."
(End of Chapter)
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