Chapter 217: Kyle's Absence from the Match
Chapter 217: Kyle's Absence from the Match
Ron, too, was aware of Kyle's achievements and was impressed.
Fred and George received no shortage of scoldings during the holidays due to this matter. At the mere mention of "grades," they would immediately flee.
Even Percy reduced his outings, often retreating to his room to read as soon as he finished his meals.
It was the only holiday where there were no pranks and no incessant boasting from Percy—a welcome change.
"But, Hermione..." Ron thought for a moment before speaking, "I remember Kyle losing a point, so technically he didn't get a perfect score."
"Does it matter?" Hermione pursed her lips. "I asked Professor McGonagall, and she said the only place Kyle lost a point was by writing thirteen uses for dragon blood instead of twelve."
"Dragon blood has twelve uses?" Ron blurted out. "I always thought there were thirteen. Ha, looks like Kyle and I are alike in that regard."
"Ha, do you think exams only require writing a number?"
Hermione rolled her eyes, exasperated. "Kyle wrote out all the uses for dragon blood correctly, but then added an extra one at the end.
I bet he did it on purpose!"
"But why..." Harry frowned. "What's wrong with getting a perfect score? Why would he deliberately get one question wrong?"
Hermione shook her head. This question puzzled not only them but also Professor McGonagall.
"How could anyone consider dragon blood as food... That's just ridiculous. It's obvious he did it on purpose."
"I still have a long way to go to catch up with Kyle." Hermione rubbed her hair. "Haven't you noticed? Lately, he rarely shows up in the Great Hall for meals.
The same goes for Diggory, the top student in our year. I bet they're both holed up studying right now."
"Think about it. Even someone who scored a perfect mark is still working so hard. How can I not review when I'm so far behind?"
With that, Hermione lowered her head and continued flipping through her well-worn copy of A Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi.
She knew she couldn't compare to Kyle in many ways. For instance, on the train, Kyle had effortlessly defeated Malfoy and his gang, something she couldn't do.
Then there was the time during Halloween when he swiftly took care of the monster that had terrified her into immobility.
And who could forget the amazing Quidditch equipment he crafted, especially that broomstick worth a hundred galleons. Even his regular brooms sold to others were far superior to anything she could make.
She could create them, but they looked crude and lacked the finesse of Kyle's work.
She could accept all that, but when it came to exams, Hermione stubbornly refused to concede defeat.
Meanwhile, in the Hufflepuff common room...
"Kyle, the exams are coming up soon. Are you sure you don't need to review?"
"No need." Kyle, who was playing with Snuffles, didn't even look up. "It's not like it's O.W.L.s. It's just the end-of-term exams. I can pass by writing whatever. No point in wasting time reviewing."
"Am I interrupting something?"
"No, not at all." Connor shook her head. "I'm just curious about what you've been up to lately. You haven't even had time for meals."
"I've just been avoiding the Great Hall." Kyle explained, "Our match against Slytherin is coming up soon. To be safe, I think it's better to eat here instead."
There were only two days left until the last Quidditch match of the season, and no one could understand why Madam Hooch had scheduled it for the week before exams. To make matters worse, Professor McGonagall had approved it.
Kyle shook his head, sighing, "Harris is still recuperating in the hospital wing from a piece of chocolate given to him by a Slytherin girl."
"How could they do such a thing...?" Connor frowned, anger flashing in her eyes. "Are you avoiding the Great Hall because you're worried they might poison your food too?"
"No." Kyle shook his head. "Slytherin's tricks are too crude; they can only deceive honest people like Cedric and Harris. It's Snape that I'm worried about."
"What are you talking about...?" Connor playfully punched Kyle's arm. "Professor Snape wouldn't do something like that."
"Alright, I was wrong..." Kyle rubbed his sore arm, quickly changing his tune. "It has nothing to do with Professor Snape. I'm just being cautious."
Connor's face flushed slightly as she watched his reaction, and she murmured, "Don't worry, we're sure to win the championship."
Kyle smiled but remained silent.
The championship was within their grasp; as the only team with two consecutive wins, Hufflepuff led the second-place team by nearly four hundred points.
With such a substantial lead, it would be difficult for them not to emerge victorious.
Hence, Kyle's concern wasn't about winning or losing but rather the unsportsmanlike conduct of their opponents.
Additionally, Kyle wanted to avoid ending up like Harris, dragged into the hospital wing by a crowd of people, suffering from diarrhea and vomiting—that would be utterly embarrassing.
Harris would be fine; he was already in his sixth year and would graduate soon.
However, Kyle still had five years left at the castle, and if he were to experience such embarrassment, it would be disastrous.
So, regardless, the Great Hall was off-limits before the match.
...
And so, two days later, the final Quidditch match of the season finally commenced.
This match was like a ray of light, brightening the dull revision period for the young witches and wizards.
On the day of the match, Harry and Ron woke up early, temporarily setting aside their exam worries, and eagerly made their way to the Quidditch pitch.
Hermione, despite grumbling about the distraction from their studies, joined them.
"Forget about the exams for now, Hermione... at least for today," Ron said with a laugh.
In the stands, Ron turned to Hermione with a wide grin. "Forget about the exams, Hermione... at least for today. Look, the Hufflepuff team is here!"
As Harris emerged from the tunnel and stepped onto the pitch, a wave of enthusiastic cheers washed over the stadium.
Though he had only been discharged from the hospital wing the day before, his face still bore a pale hue, yet his eyes shone with determination.
From the stands, Harry watched the Hufflepuff players with mixed emotions.
While he relished the prospect of seeing Slytherin lose, Hufflepuff already led Gryffindor by three hundred and ninety points. If they won today's match, that lead would undoubtedly increase.
At least four hundred points... could they possibly catch up?
Harry found himself torn between his desire to see their rivals lose and his hope for the championship.
"Wait..." Hermione suddenly exclaimed, "Kyle isn't here for the match!"
Harry started, then quickly scanned the players again.
Hermione was right; Kyle was indeed absent, and Hufflepuff had fielded a substitute Chaser instead.
"He must be preparing for the exams..." Hermione fretted, "I shouldn't have come!"
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
