Chapter 115: The Werewolf
Chapter 115: The Werewolf
Chris and Diana only stayed at home for a day before they had to return to the Ministry of Magic the next morning. Chris, in particular, had been away on a business trip for half a year, and the paperwork on his desk was piling up.
Left to his own devices, Kyle decided to pay Hagrid a visit.
St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries was located in London, in front of an old-fashioned department store.
Like the Leaky Cauldron, the hospital had Muggle-Repelling Charms in place, causing unsuspecting Muggles to only see a sign that read "Closed for Repair" hanging on the front door, preventing them from entering.
Kyle approached an ugly doll in front of the window display and said, "I'm here to visit a patient."
The doll nodded slightly and waved its connected fingers, gesturing for Kyle to enter.
Similar to the entrance to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, accessing St Mungo's required one to pass through the glass window.
This was Kyle's first time visiting St Mungo's, the most famous hospital in the wizarding world, known for treating all sorts of peculiar patients.
Soon after entering, Kyle spotted an old wizard with a leg perched atop his head, hopping into the waiting room and lining up at the inquiry desk.
His appearance was certainly eye-catching, and those queuing in front of him stared in astonishment, offering to let him go first.
"No, no, after you," the old wizard insisted politely. "I just feel a bit of a headache, and I'd appreciate it if someone could hold my head steady."
However, no one dared to assist him, not because they feared being scammed, but mainly because the leg on his head was rather restless, kicking left and right, making it impossible to approach him.
Finally, a plump, blonde witch emerged from the inquiry desk and escorted him away.
As he left, the leg on his head continued to swing from side to side, as if it wanted to kick the witch.
Kyle was headed to the second floor, specifically the Creature-Induced Injuries department, where he encountered a curly-haired healer who directed him to Hagrid's location.
"You mean the big guy? He's in the Janus Thickey Ward, right across from the specimen room... Wait, let me take you there."
The healer led Kyle to a door of reddish-brown.
"This is it," he said, pushing the door open. "Rubeus Hagrid, you have a visitor."
"Hmm..." A mumble of acknowledgment came from within.
Kyle stepped inside.
The room was fairly spacious, with six beds, three of which were occupied.
Aside from Hagrid, there were two other male witches there, one asleep and the other surprisingly familiar to Kyle.
"Professor Kettleburn?" Kyle addressed the man with surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"Hmm?" A balding wizard with a white goatee turned to Kyle, looking puzzled. "You're... a young wizard from Hogwarts?"
"Yes, Professor," Kyle replied. "I'm in my second year now."
"No wonder..." Professor Kettleburn said, comprehension dawning on him.
As second-year students didn't have Care of Magical Creatures classes yet, it was understandable that the professor hadn't seen Kyle before.
"What... happened to you?" Kyle asked, eyeing the professor's remaining arm and half a leg.
Fortunately, he still had most of his limbs; otherwise, the professor might have had to retire early.
"Oh, it's nothing serious," Professor Kettleburn waved off the concern, fiddling with the thick bandages on his body. "I was just grazed by a unicorn. It's just a scratch, nothing to worry about. Now, weren't you going to visit Hagrid? Go ahead."
Kyle clicked his tongue. The horn on a unicorn's head was no mere decoration; even a dragon's scales could pierce through flesh.
Being hit by one... perhaps only Professor Kettleburn would remain so calm in such a situation.
"You're... Kyle, what are you doing here? Don't you have classes?"
"It's already summer vacation, Hagrid." Kyle placed a box of wrapped candies on the table next to him and asked, "How are you feeling?"
Of course, he didn't forget to bring some for Professor Kettleburn as well.
"It's summer vacation already?"
Hagrid rubbed his head. "I feel terrible. I seem to have forgotten a lot of things."
"Mr. Scamander came by a couple of days ago. He said it would take at least a month of treatment for me to recover those memories."
"I don't want to stay here. I still want to go and pick up Harry for his enrollment."
Hagrid fidgeted with his ill-fitting hospital gown, which was a mishmash of different pieces and still a size too small.
He had prepared for a whole year to go and meet Harry Potter this year. What if Dumbledore didn't let him go because of this?
Hagrid couldn't accept that.
"It's alright," Kyle reassured him. "It's only the beginning of the summer holidays, and the owls won't deliver the acceptance letters for another month and a half. There's plenty of time."
"I hope so." Hagrid tugged at his gown again.
"Have some confidence, Hagrid. I'm sure the headmaster will let you go and meet Potter." Kyle handed him a Chocolate Frog. "Have some chocolate; it might cheer you up a bit."
"Thank you, Kyle." Hagrid sniffed softly. "I didn't expect anyone besides Dumbledore to come and see me. I appreciate it."
"Wait... Your name is Kyle?"
At that moment, Professor Kettleburn, who was lying in the next bed, looked over with interest. "That unicorn foal... Was it you who brought it back?"
"I suppose so." Kyle's expression remained calm. "But Oren only returned the foal to us after he saw the Ministry officials arrive. It just so happened to end up in my hands."
"The Ministry... Ha, I didn't think those good-for-nothings would actually be useful for once."
Professor Kettleburn didn't hide his opinion of the Ministry. With a keen interest, he looked at Kyle and said, "You're in your second year, right? Are you interested in taking the Care of Magical Creatures class next year?"
"That's the class I'm most looking forward to, Professor."
In the next room, someone was arguing loudly, their voices carrying into the corridor. However, the snoring of the sleeping patient was so loud that Kyle couldn't make out what they were arguing about.
After bidding farewell to Hagrid and Professor Kettleburn, Kyle stepped out into the corridor.
The arguing voices became clearer, accompanied by the sound of things being smashed. It seemed like the patient in the room was refusing to cooperate and was struggling vigorously.
Kyle didn't pay it much mind and was about to head toward the stairs when—
"Bang!"
Just as he turned his head, an arm suddenly burst through the door of the neighboring room, halting right in front of Kyle.
The arm was covered in gray hair, and the fingernails at the end were curved and long, black as ink.
Before Kyle could react to what was happening, a tall figure crashed through the door and bolted out of the room.
The figure was running on all fours, its long mouth opening and closing.
...
A werewolf?! Kyle couldn't believe his eyes. It was daytime; how could there be a werewolf!
(End of Chapter)
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