Chapter 166: Not Even the Fish in the Black Lake
Chapter 166: Not Even the Fish in the Black Lake
The Quidditch craze at Hogwarts had been going on for quite some time, and the library's collection of related books was quickly depleted. Those who wanted to borrow them had to wait until after Christmas.
"I should've come earlier," Harry said with a hint of regret at the library entrance on the second floor.
Tomorrow evening at seven was his special training session, and he had planned to read up on Quidditch beforehand to gain some knowledge on the subject.
However, Madam Pince, the librarian, informed him that there were no more books available, and he'd have to wait until after Christmas if he wanted to read them.
But Christmas was still several months away, which seemed like a long time.
"There's no other way," Ron said with a smile. "Everyone's talking about Quidditch. If you don't know anything about it, you'll be laughed at."
As he spoke, Ron unconsciously raised the corners of his mouth.
With his knowledge of Quidditch and the presence of his two brothers on the house teams, Ron had become quite popular in recent days, constantly surrounded by a group of young wizards wherever he went.
This feeling of being the center of attention and importance was something he had never experienced before.
"Why don't we ask Hermione?" Harry suggested tentatively. "I remember she had a copy of 'The Magical Quidditch Ball.' I wonder if she's returned it yet."
"I think we should forget it," Ron said upon hearing Hermione's name.
He frowned and made a sour face, saying, "Ever since that day we returned from the fourth floor, she hasn't talked to us in a long time. And everyone in Gryffindor knows that Hermione never keeps a book for more than three days."
Upon hearing Ron's words, Harry also remembered... Hermione was indeed like that.
From the first day of school, she always carried two books with her—one was a textbook needed for class, and the other was borrowed from the library.
It wasn't for show; she genuinely read them.
Additionally, during their time in the common room, she rarely interacted with other young wizards and always sat alone in a corner, reading quietly.
Someone had noticed this, and word spread that she returned her library books every three days, replacing them with new ones.
Seamus Finnigan had even bet the two of them that she wouldn't last a month.
However, based on the current situation, he was likely to lose the bet. If Hermione changed her book tomorrow, he would have to buy a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans for everyone in the dormitory.
Harry didn't mind a box of candy, but he still couldn't figure out how Hermione managed to finish a book in just two or three days.
For him, finishing a book in two weeks was already a challenging task.
"Let's forget it," Harry sighed.
He was actually quite afraid of Hermione; the invisible aura of an academic superstar made him feel nervous.
"How about we ask Kyle instead?" Ron suddenly suggested. "Fred and George mentioned that he has books about Quidditch, and not just one, but several."
Harry was tempted, but he still hesitated, "I don't know Kyle. Will he lend me the books?"
"Don't worry, I'm here," Ron patted his chest and pulled Harry downstairs.
"We'll never know unless we try. Come with me; we're going to find him right now."
The two searched the castle, from the underground classrooms to the Astronomy Tower, but they couldn't find Kyle anywhere.
Even the twins, Fred and George, and Cedric seemed to have disappeared without a trace.
It wasn't until they were on the Astronomy Tower that Harry happened to glance out at the castle and spotted a few figures fishing by the Black Lake.
...
"So, you're here to borrow Quidditch books?"
Kyle, standing by the Black Lake, looked at the breathless duo and asked, "Aren't there books in the library? The collection there is much richer than what I have here. You can just go and borrow them directly."
"They've all been borrowed," Harry panted, saying nervously, "Madam Pince said we'd have to wait until after Christmas to get a turn."
On their way here, Ron had offered to borrow the books himself, but Harry thought it would be better to ask personally.
After all, it was Harry who really wanted to read the books, not Ron.
"Quidditch books are so popular now."
Seeing Harry's anxious expression, Kyle didn't say much more and directly took out his wand.
"The Origins of Quidditch, come!"
In no time, a thick book drew an arc in the air and lightly floated into Kyle's hand.
"You can start with this one."
Kyle handed the book to Harry, "It has some flight instructions, which are more suitable for a beginner like you."
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"Thank you, thank you!"
Harry quickly took it, "I'll return it to you as soon as possible."
Kyle waved his hand and said, "It's fine, I don't need this book now. You can read it."
After Harry thanked him again, he and Ron returned to the castle.
After they left, Kyle turned to Fred and George beside him and asked in confusion, "What's going on with you two?"
Ron had greeted them proactively when they met, but the twins acted as if they hadn't heard a word, not even turning their heads.
This was a bit abnormal.
Although Fred and George liked to tease their little brother, they had never ignored him completely. They would at least give a perfunctory response.
"It's nothing, we just don't feel like talking to him." Fred sighed.
"We used to think Ron wasn't smart, but we never imagined he could be this foolish."
"How do you mean..." Kyle seemed to sense the scent of gossip.
"Do you remember the last time we met them on the fourth floor?" George asked.
Kyle nodded; not only did he remember, but he had also seen them there.
"We inquired about it."
Fred said, "They agreed to a Wizard Duel with Malfoy, and that's why they went to the fourth floor."
"A Wizard Duel?" Cedric subconsciously said, "Slytherin wouldn't easily issue a Wizard Duel, this sounds like a trap."
"Who's to say it isn't."
George shook his head, "Curfew time, on the fourth floor where it's easiest to get caught, a Wizard Duel... put these three together, and even a goblin could tell it's a trap."
"But Ron believed it..."
"Merlin, is he really a Weasley?"
"Um..." Cedric opened his mouth, as if wanting to say something in Ron's defense, but he didn't know what to say.
After all, Charlie, Percy, and the twins were all very smart, and in comparison, Ron's intellect didn't shine.
"Even the Hooktail can bite..." Fred waved the fish in his hand, "He's not even as smart as the fish in the Black Lake!"
(End of Chapter)
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