https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-197-The-Weasley-Brothers-Promise/12538313/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-199-Who-is-Snape-s-Most-Disliked-Person-/12538315/
Chapter 198: Unexpected Discoveries
Chapter 198: Unexpected Discoveries
After the start of the term, the professors relaxed their inspections of the library and night wanderings considerably. Burdened with grading assignments, they naturally had no time to patrol the corridors at night.
On that very night, Kyle, who had been well-behaved for two weeks, eagerly opened the doors to the library with the Marauder's Map in hand.
The new bookshelves in the box were already assembled, and he couldn't leave them empty. Kyle planned to fill them up by the end of the semester.
Although the task was daunting, he thought that with a little less sleep each day and some extra effort, he should be able to accomplish it.
With wand in hand, Kyle made his way to the Restricted Section with ease.
However, instead of retrieving books from the shelves in his usual order, he carefully examined each title, only pulling out the ones he needed and setting them aside.
After more than half an hour, Kyle had found three books, all related to basilisks.
The Deadly Gaze
Medieval Exploration: Ancient Species Slowly Fading Away
How to Make a Rooster Lay an Egg
But something odd seemed to have slipped into this collection.
Holding the last book, which had a black cover and was about as thick as a notebook, Kyle wondered how such a thing had ended up in the Restricted Section.
However, Newt and Hagrid would probably love this book. He figured he could copy it down now and give it to them as a Christmas present next year.
As he hadn't sneaked into the library at night for a long time and was reading quite a few books this time, Kyle stayed in the library until dawn before leaving.
In the following days, he returned to the busy state he had been in before the holidays.
Quidditch training resumed.
Fortunately, Harris' demands on them were not as strict as those of other teams. Even with a match approaching, they still only trained three times a week.
Gryffindor was a different story, though. Wood was going crazy trying to prepare for the upcoming match, holding practices almost every afternoon.
Even in the relentless downpours that followed the heavy snowfall, Kyle could see their silhouettes on the Quidditch pitch.
Fred and George had complained more than once that Wood was becoming a training maniac, with no regard for their well-being.
And Fred had said that if things continued like this, they'd all end up in the hospital wing before the match even started.
However, Kyle had reason to suspect they were exaggerating their plight, as the next match was between Hufflepuff and Gryffindor.
In addition to Quidditch training, Kyle would also make time to visit Hagrid's hut on weekends.
Ever since Hagrid started paying attention to the magical creatures in the Forbidden Forest, his hut had become a treasure trove of surprises.
"Here you go, Kyle, unicorn tail hair," Hagrid said, pouring him a cup of tea and handing him a small bag. "I know you like this stuff, so I collected some for you. They all shed naturally."
Kyle took the bag and peeked inside... there were about a dozen long, silvery hairs in perfect condition.
"So many..." Kyle exclaimed. "Did you find all of these recently?"
Unicorns didn't shed their hair as frequently as crups, especially their tail hair. Without wizard intervention, it would take about half a year for a single hair to fall out.
It was surprising that Hagrid had collected so many in just a few weeks. Could there be a unicorn herd in the Forbidden Forest?
"Alright then..." Kyle replied, a little bemused.
Hagrid certainly had unique ideas, and now he was even concerned about the color of unicorn hair being too bright. It was quite an eye-opener.
"Right, Kyle..."
Hagrid suddenly looked a bit awkward as he asked, "About the spider antidote you're working on... How's it coming along?
I'm not rushing you or anything, just curious... yeah, just curious."
"It's coming along nicely." Kyle thought for a moment before answering, "I tested it once on Lee Jordan's spider, and it worked quite well.
All I need to do now is add the octoflower. It's just that this ingredient is quite rare, and it'll take two weeks for the shops in Diagon Alley to get it for me."
The octoflower was a very fragile ingredient; only the freshest specimens were useful, and it had very particular requirements for its growing environment. The slightest issue with light or temperature could cause it to wither rapidly.
As such, most potion shops didn't keep it in stock and would only procure it when ordered, picking it right before it was needed.
Of course, it wasn't cheap either. A single flower cost twenty-nine galleons, and you had to pay upfront with no returns accepted.
Despite this, Kyle had placed his order without hesitation.
Even without considering the dozen or so unicorn hairs he now had, or the nearly two pints of eight-eyed giant spider venom Hagrid had given him before, this was still a small expense.
"Octoflower..." Hagrid thought for a moment and then asked, "Is that the one with eight petals, purple in the middle, and yellow or red on the outside?"
"That's the one," Kyle confirmed. "The petals turn from red to yellow as it matures. Is there some growing in the Forbidden Forest, then?"
"Yep." Hagrid nodded. "I only spotted it yesterday when I was patrolling the forest. It's near where the unicorns live."
"Can you take me there?" Kyle asked eagerly. "I promise I won't wander off."
"No!" Hagrid refused without hesitation.
The unicorns lived deep in the Forbidden Forest, and it was far too dangerous for him to agree to let Kyle go there.
"If you need it, I can bring some back for you in a few days," Hagrid offered.
"I do need it," Kyle nodded vigorously. "But when you go to collect the octoflowers, try to dig them up with as much soil around the roots as possible. The more soil, the better. Also, remember to send me an owl beforehand so I can wait for you at the hut."
Hagrid nodded and made a note of Kyle's requests.
"You want me to dig them up with the soil intact, got it. Oh, and the spi... cough, cough... the spider venom, do you need more of that?"
"The amount you gave me before is enough," Kyle shook his head.
While Hagrid himself might not mind, Kyle didn't feel right about constantly taking advantage of his friend's generosity.
Besides, eight-eyed giant spider venom wasn't something he'd use frequently, and a pint would easily last him until graduation.
(End of Chapter)
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