https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-11-I-Don-t-Have-the-Weasley-Surname-So-How-Could-I-Break-the-Rules-/12538103/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-13-The-Little-Witch-and-the-Rats/12538105/
Chapter 12: Percy and the House-Elves' Remedy
Chapter 12: Percy and the House-Elves' Remedy
For someone like Kyle, who was used to traveling by plane or high-speed rail, riding the Hogwarts Express, an old-fashioned steam train, was sheer torture.
Especially after a few hours, when the novelty and the Hogwarts buff wear off, its flaws are magnified.
First of all, it's slow, excruciatingly so. Kyle felt this train could barely reach eighty miles per hour, possibly even slower than some high-performance cars.
Moreover, the ride was uncomfortable, rattling and shaking him to the point of questioning his life choices. He barely managed to keep his breakfast down.
Under these circumstances, trying to pass the time by reading was virtually impossible.
Fortunately, his compartment-mate, Cedric, was quite chatty, making this journey somewhat bearable.
After discussing the professors, Kyle inquired about other matters, and Cedric obligingly shared his knowledge of the fascinating places and intriguing portraits within Hogwarts.
There were quite a few things that Kyle was unaware of, and he found it all very intriguing. As a token of gratitude, Kyle generously provided an endless supply of snacks for Cedric throughout the journey.
Every flavor beans, chocolate frogs, cauldron cakes, and more were all within reach.
There was just one thing that left Kyle speechless—when it came to House sorting, Cedric unsurprisingly continued the wizarding world's penchant for mischief, opting to keep the truth obscured.
"So, I have to catch the Golden Snitch in the Great Hall within ten minutes to be sorted?"
Kyle politely twitched the corner of his mouth without responding.
Ah, well, Quidditch is at least more reliable than a fire-breathing dragon, and it suits Cedric's personality.
"By the way, Kyle, have you thought about which House you'd like to be in?" Cedric popped a every flavor bean into his mouth and asked, "I think you'd be a great fit for Hufflepuff, but a clever young wizard like yourself might be aiming for Ravenclaw."
Before he could finish his sentence, Cedric's mouth twitched, and his entire face scrunched up involuntarily, making him look utterly ridiculous.
"Oh, damn, it's beef liver flavor, my least favorite."
Despite his words, Cedric bravely swallowed the bean.
"I've thought about it," Kyle replied, popping a black pepper steak-flavored bean into his mouth, "but I don't have a strong preference for any particular House. Besides, my Snitch-catching skills are average at best. I'd be happy to be accepted by any House that's willing to take me in."
Hmm...not bad, this new black pepper steak flavor.
"Don't worry, you'll definitely get sorted," Cedric laughed, "it's not that difficult."
Just then, the compartment door slid open, interrupting their conversation.
Kyle and Cedric turned their heads simultaneously.
The familiar red hair belonged not to the twins but to another Weasley.
"Kyle, Fred told me I could find you here...Oh, you must be Cedric Diggory. I'm Percy Weasley, pleased to meet you."
Cedric, who had been curious, suddenly heard his name and quickly nodded in response, "The pleasure is mine, Percy Weasley."
Percy's solemn demeanor made Cedric feel as though he were in some sort of formal setting rather than on the Hogwarts Express.
He looked utterly bewildered yet maintained his politeness.
Kyle struggled to suppress his laughter and waited for the two to finish their greetings before asking, "Percy, what can I do for you?"
He was well-acquainted with all seven of the Weasley children, including Percy, although they didn't interact as frequently.
"I apologize for the interruption, but there is something I need to discuss with you."
"Rat tonic?"
Kyle looked at the gray, three-clawed rat in Percy's hand and smiled. "Of course, I do. Just a moment."
He rummaged through his trunk and produced a bottle filled with a red liquid, which he handed to Percy.
"You know the routine: three drops, once a week. This should last a while."
"Thanks." Percy took the rat tonic and hesitated before taking out three Sickles. "I know this might not be enough, but it's all I have on me right now. I'll pay you back the rest as soon as I can."
"One Sickle is enough." Kyle took one of the coins, returning the other two. "It's just rat tonic, not some expensive potion. A Sickle is more than enough."
Percy's face flushed as he held the Sickle. After a long pause, he let out a soft sigh. "Thank you, Kyle."
"Don't mention it. I'm selling it, so it's a normal transaction." Kyle clarified.
"No, I know." Percy offered a bitter smile. "If it were an ordinary rat tonic, how could Scabbers have lived for eleven years? This must be Mr. Scamander's work. Only a legendary figure like him could extend the life of an ordinary rat this long. Such a tonic would probably cost at least ten Galleons on the market."
Hmm...
Kyle rubbed his teeth, tempted to tell Percy the truth.
Scabbers' longevity had nothing to do with the rat tonic, and it was indeed his own concoction, hardly worth ten Galleons.
But the issue with Pettigrew was too troublesome to bring up; he was only eleven and didn't want to draw Dumbledore's attention just yet.
However, he hadn't done nothing.
Aside from the tonic, he had advised Percy early on that rats, unlike other pets, would be rejected by their peers if they carried too much wizarding scent.
Initially skeptical, Percy had been convinced when Kyle attributed this knowledge to Scamander, treating it as a classic piece of wisdom.
Percy was indeed devoted to his only pet.
He had made a special nest for Scabbers in his room and even reduced physical contact, opting to let Scabbers roam freely most of the time, except in special cases like this when he had to carry him.
Meanwhile, seeing that Kyle wasn't responding, Percy decided not to linger.
"Anyway, thank you, Kyle. If you have any academic questions in the future, feel free to ask me. And after graduation, I'll make sure to repay you those Galleons."
With that, Percy hurried out of the compartment, leaving Kyle and Cedric staring at each other in silence.
Finally, Cedric broke the ice: "So... you can get rat tonic from Mr. Scamander?"
"I'd say I know how to brew it myself, and not just for rats. I can make tonics for pretty much any pet." Kyle shrugged, not wanting to explain further. "It's not that difficult, just a bit troublesome, so not many people bother to learn."
...
(End of Chapter)
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