Chapter 209: A Great Place to Unwind
Chapter 209: A Great Place to Unwind
This was perhaps the most unusual Quidditch match Hogwarts had seen in a century.
Despite winning, Hufflepuff, who had been targeted throughout the game, felt no joy. They only celebrated symbolically before hurrying back to their changing room.
And Gryffindor, who hadn't been targeted, had lost again, so they weren't in high spirits either.
Even many of the spectators had their enthusiasm dampened by the constant whistle-blowing, sitting there listlessly, wishing for the match to end.
If there was anyone who was satisfied with this Quidditch match, it was probably Snape, the referee.
With that magical whistle, he had turned the game into his personal show, targeting Kyle and preventing Harry from catching the Golden Snitch. It was a double win for him... he won twice.
Who would have thought that being a Quidditch referee could be so enjoyable? He would have to try it again sometime.
After dismounting from his broom, Snape was in a fantastic mood, especially seeing the ashen faces of Kyle and Harry, which brought a sincere smile to his face.
It felt so good... He hadn't been this happy even the first time he brewed a successful Felix Felicis potion.
"He deserves to die!"
In the Hufflepuff changing room, Harris was so angry he was punching the wall.
"In a thirty-minute match, Professor Snape... he called twenty-one fouls on us. I've never experienced anything so outrageous."
"Even in the 1473 Quidditch World Cup, there was only an average of one foul every two minutes."
"If Professor Snape is still the referee for the next game, we refuse to play!"
Everyone nodded in agreement. They really didn't want to go through such an unenjoyable game again.
Kyle especially felt the same, as all twenty-one fouls had been called on him, and it had been a challenge to last through to the end.
Instead of staying with the others, Kyle chose to leave the changing room by himself, intending to find a place to clear his mind and calm his troubled emotions.
The Forbidden Forest seemed like a good option, but Hagrid had been keeping a close eye on it lately. Kyle had barely entered when he was discovered and brought back to Hagrid's hut.
"I watched the game. It wasn't your fault."
Hagrid poured a cup of tea for Kyle and offered comfort. "Professor Snape probably doesn't understand Quidditch very well. Everyone could see that you didn't commit any fouls."
"I've heard that a few times now, Hagrid," Kyle said after taking a sip of tea. "Can't you let me go into the Forbidden Forest?"
"No, Kyle," Hagrid said sternly. "The Forbidden Forest is too dangerous right now. If it had been anyone else, I would have sent them back to the castle by now, and I would have informed the professors, resulting in a significant point deduction."
Hearing Hagrid's insistence, Kyle didn't press the matter further.
In truth, if he really wanted to go to the Forbidden Forest, he could have used his Invisibility Cloak or the Disillusionment Charm, and Hagrid wouldn't have noticed a thing.
But there was no need for that. There were plenty of other places to unwind, and it wasn't like the Forbidden Forest was the only option.
After leaving Hagrid's hut, Kyle ran into Harry by the Black Lake.
"Potter, are you also looking for Hagrid?"
"No... well, yes," Harry replied, looking a bit nervous. "I don't want to... keep hearing them comforting me."
"I understand," Kyle said, patting him on the shoulder. "Then go on. Hagrid mentioned you earlier."
"What is it?"
"Kyle... did you happen to see anyone suspicious just now?"
"Suspicious person?" Kyle frowned.
"Yeah, like someone wearing a hood or something..."
Kyle thought for a moment and shook his head. "Sorry, I wasn't paying attention. But you can ask Hagrid. If that person went into the Forbidden Forest, he might know something."
"Okay... thank, thanks."
"You're welcome."
After bidding Harry farewell, Kyle turned and made his way back into the castle.
Now, he finally understood what Harry had been getting at.
Whether they knew him or not, almost everyone he encountered offered a few words of comfort.
And more and more people were making their way over.
Kyle quickened his pace and took refuge in the library, where Madam Pince helped by shooing away those who weren't there to study.
Kyle hid behind the bookshelves and, using a Disillusionment Charm, slipped away unnoticed. He then made his way through the rotating staircases up to the door of the Room of Requirement.
After half a year's effort, he had gradually been transferring his garden into the boxes, but only for those plants that had already matured.
As for those still growing, they remained here.
The Room of Requirement was still a more suitable environment for magical plants, after all, the box couldn't replicate things like rain or changing weather... at least, not his current version.
The same went for the Moony beasts; they would have to remain here until Kyle completed the box's modifications.
Despite having taken away a batch of plants at the start of the school year, the room didn't feel any emptier. If anything, it felt more crowded.
Seeing the thriving plants in the flower beds improved Kyle's mood significantly.
He could understand why Professor Sprout and Newt were so passionate about their work; seeing these plants and magical creatures grow was indeed a rewarding experience.
Kyle made his way through the large flower pots of Biting Teacups to the very back of the room.
This was the territory of the Poisonous Tentacles.
This vine-like plant was similar to Devil's Snare, as it would entangle any living creature that came close.
However, it was far more dangerous than Devil's Snare. Aside from being unafraid of sunlight, the Poisonous Tentacles were covered in deadly venom. Whether it was the spikes on its tendrils or its bite, both were lethal.
This was the primary reason the plant was classified as a C-level prohibited trade item by the Ministry of Magic.
However, the Poisonous Tentacles had a slow growth cycle. Even with the Moonbeast droppings as fertilizer, it had only grown a very fine sprout. Even its signature spikes were just tiny, inconspicuous black dots.
The Venomous Toadflax on the other side wasn't much further along.
The Biting Teacups were much better; they were not only convenient to use but also had a short growth cycle. Even though they were planted on the same day as the others, they already had teeth.
Ever since Kyle had entered the garden, he had been hearing the "clack-clack" of teeth clashing, like a fast-paced beat, making the place quite lively.
He returned to the area near the Biting Teacups and took out his box from the Chameleonic Lizard Skin Bag. He then selected some of the most vibrant plants and placed them inside.
...
(End of Chapter)
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