Chapter 188: The Priceless Toy
Chapter 188: The Priceless Toy
Ron was well aware of Kyle's popularity at school, but he had never imagined that Kyle was also... friends with the detestable Malfoy?
This was something Ron found hard to accept.
With just a glance, Kyle understood Ron's thoughts, but he didn't seem to mind.
The conflict between Malfoy and the trio had nothing to do with Kyle, a Hufflepuff. Moreover, his mother, Diana, was a Slytherin graduate, so why should he hold a grudge against them?
Kyle glanced at Ron and said casually, "What's so strange about that? Salazar Slytherin and Godric Gryffindor were once friends, and close ones at that, just like you and Potter."
"So, if Potter had been sorted into Slytherin, you wouldn't have talked to him?"
"Of course not!" Ron quickly replied, "But this is a different matter..."
"That's just your opinion." Kyle grew impatient and frowned, "Don't forget, I'm a Hufflepuff. We get along well with every house.
Oh, and there's one more thing... Your new wand was sponsored in part by Slytherin. If you can't accept that, I can write to Mrs. Weasley and ask for Charlie's old wand."
Ron's lips twitched slightly, feeling that Kyle was wrong, but he didn't know how to refute it.
Indeed, Hufflepuff had good relations with every house. Even Ravenclaw, who had been thoroughly beaten in a match, only stayed cold for half a month before becoming friends again.
As for the wand, it was the only new item on his person, and there was no way he would exchange it.
After speaking, Kyle didn't look at Ron again. Instead, he headed towards the Hufflepuff common room with Conna, saying to Hagrid as they passed by, "We're heading back, see you later."
"Go on, this year's feast won't disappoint you," Hagrid said with a smile. Then he turned to Harry, "Sorry, I have to go too. Professor McGonagall is waiting for me to set up the last Christmas tree."
Only after the three of them left did Ron finally breathe a long sigh of relief, mocking himself, "Did I just look stupid?"
Harry and Hermione exchanged a glance, both shaking their heads.
Ron's reaction was normal; even they were surprised to discover the close relationship between Kyle and Malfoy.
They just didn't say it out loud.
"Kyle actually helped us too," Harry said softly. "I noticed Snape standing not far away, waiting for us to clash with Malfoy so he could deduct points."
Ron quickly looked around, but apart from a few students heading to the Great Hall for the feast, he couldn't see Snape anywhere.
"Trust me, it's true," Harry insisted. "I really did see Snape. He was standing just around the corner behind us. If you don't believe me, ask Hermione!"
"Yes, Harry's right," Hermione agreed, nodding nonchalantly.
This was the route from the underground classroom to the Great Hall, so seeing Snape was perfectly normal. There was nothing strange about it.
"Forget about that for now," Hermione said, frowning. "Aren't you curious about what Kyle gave Malfoy that was worth one hundred Galleons?"
"Wait, you just said..." Ron paused, incredulous, "One hundred Galleons?!"
His mind had been elsewhere, and he hadn't paid attention to what Kyle had said.
"Yeah, one hundred Galleons," Harry recalled, marveling at the memory. "I have to say, the Malfoys sure are loaded."
Harry, despite inheriting a substantial amount of gold Galleons from the Potter family vault, had never spent such a large sum at once.
Up until now, his most significant expense had been the seven Galleons he spent on his wand.
"Merlin's beard..."
Ron suddenly felt his legs go weak, almost sitting down on the ground. He now somewhat understood Kyle's predicament.
One hundred Galleons... He hadn't even seen what ten Galleons looked like together.
"I remember there's still some time before the banquet starts," Harry suddenly asked.
"Precisely thirteen minutes," Hermione frowned. "You're not thinking of..."
"Aren't you curious... what that thing actually is?"
Harry lowered his voice. "The Quidditch Stadium isn't that far, we should still make it in time."
"Then what are we waiting for..."
Ron was the first to rush out of the castle gates, running towards the Quidditch Stadium without looking back.
Harry and Hermione quickly followed, keeping up with him.
The trio soon arrived at the stadium, but to avoid being spotted by Malfoy, they didn't enter. Instead, they huddled near the entrance, peeking inside curiously.
After ten minutes, they returned to the castle, just in time for the Christmas Eve banquet.
The Great Hall was spectacularly decorated, with garlands of mistletoe and holly adorning the walls.
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Twelve Christmas trees were adorned with various decorations—icicles, snowflakes, candles, golden bubbles, and gift boxes filled with various trinkets. One tree even had ghosts hanging on it, which was quite unusual.
Among them were familiar faces, like Nearly Headless Nick and the Fat Friar, floating on the Christmas tree and cheerfully greeting every young wizard who passed by.
If it were any other day, Harry would have been captivated by such a unique decoration, but now he only glanced at it once without further interest.
Hermione and Ron felt the same, and the three of them quickly made their way to the Gryffindor table.
As soon as they sat down, Harry eagerly asked, "Did you notice that the firework-breathing snake was at least ten feet long... It was only the size of a fist before, how was that possible?"
"I don't know, Harry," Ron shook his head. "All I know is that Malfoy spent a hundred Galleons on a toy..."
"I've told you many times, it's not just a toy!" Hermione glared at him.
"It's a magical item that combines the Expansion Charm and the Bellflower Flame Charm!"
"Fine... a magical toy," Ron muttered.
No matter what Hermione said, it remained a fact that it was a supporting item.
That thing was nothing more than a toy.
Spending a hundred Galleons on a toy, the world must be going crazy... No, Malfoy must be the one who's gone mad.
Hermione heard Ron's complaint but didn't respond, only fussing with her hair. She had been wondering all along why the Bellflower Flame Charm could change colors.
But that was impossible; she had never come across anything like it in her books.
(End of Chapter)
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