Chapter 279: My Thanks to You
Chapter 279: My Thanks to You
"Was it intentional...?" Connor asked in a low voice as Kyle returned to his seat.
Kyle shrugged.
Of course it was intentional. He must have been crazy to agree to act in a play with Lo Hart... and as a supporting character, no less.
However, seeing the young wizard on the podium, who was jumping up and down with excitement after being chosen to play a vampire, made Kyle feel a bit better.
That was good enough.
The bell rang, signaling the end of class, and Lo Hart stood up.
"Homework: Write a poem praising my transformation into a vampire! The best one will receive a signed copy of 'The Magical Me' by me!"
"I'd rather write a three-foot-long essay," Kyle muttered under his breath as he packed up his things and left the classroom.
Connor nodded in agreement.
Ever since seeing Cedric, her impression of Professor Lo Hart had not been favorable.
Add to that the test they had taken thirty minutes before class and Lo Hart's clumsy handling of the photos...
It was safe to assume that their upcoming Defense Against the Dark Arts classes would not bring any surprises.
"I kind of miss Professor Aurel..." Connor whispered on their way to the Great Hall.
"Aurel?" Kyle was surprised.
"Why don't you go to the hospital wing and get checked out?" He touched Connor's forehead, "You almost got killed in the Forbidden Forest by him, and now you miss him?"
"I've figured it out," Connor said, brushing Kyle's hand away and smiling. "Aurel was looking for you at the time. I was just unlucky to be there. If he comes back, I'll just stay away from you."
"You're so smart!" Kyle said, slightly annoyed. "Have you considered what I should do if Aurel returns?"
"I'm sure you'll figure it out," Connor said matter-of-factly. "After all, you're the smartest person I know."
"Well, thank you," Kyle said, rolling his eyes. "But let's not get into that. I've realized that Lo Hart isn't so bad after all. At least his plays are quite entertaining."
The two continued chatting and laughing as they made their way to the Great Hall.
After a while, Cedric arrived, having changed into a new robe and washed the dirt out of his hair.
"How's Lo Hart?" Cedric asked. "We're having our first Defense Against the Dark Arts class with him tomorrow morning."
"You should prepare yourself," Connor said, shaking her head. "It'll be similar to last year."
With that, Cedric understood.
Alright, another reading class.
But Cedric couldn't understand why they didn't assign the Fat Friar as the professor... that way, they could save money on buying books.
Or the almost-headless Niccole could do it too. Under the influence of the Dark Arts curse, his head might even might fall off completely.
That would fulfill his long-held wish.
"By the way, this is for you." Kyle handed Cedric a piece of parchment.
"What's this?"
Cedric looked at the content on the parchment and was stunned...
Why did he need to know Lo Hart's favorite color?
"It's a class test."
Kyle explained, "I think every class will have one during their first lesson. Take a look in advance. If you get everything right, it'll earn points for your house."
"How many points...?"
"Ten points," Kyle said, "but you'll be called on."
"The points are worth it, I can accept that..."
"You might also be chosen to perform in his play."
"But Hufflepuff doesn't need those points!"
...
Kyle didn't see Professor Lo Hart for several days after his performance in the Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
And during the next class, he wasn't called upon again.
Rolph seemed to be intentionally avoiding him, but this feeling was not the same for Kyle compared to Harry.
Rolph seemed to focus all his attention on Harry, and they had already bumped into each other several times in the corridors these days.
Harry had to be constantly aware of his surroundings. As soon as he saw Rolph approaching from the end of the corridor, he quickly hid.
It wasn't just Rolph; Harry also had to avoid Colin Creevey, a new student who seemed to have memorized his entire class schedule. Whether it was during class or in the Great Hall, Harry kept running into him.
Every day, Harry heard at least six or seven times, "Hello, Harry."
And then the same number of times, "Hello, Colin."
This went on until the weekend.
During breakfast that day, Kyle suddenly asked, "Does the Quidditch team need new recruits this year?"
"No, but we need to find a few substitutes to prepare for next year," Cedric replied. "Including Harris, there are three people in their seventh year."
"You're on the team too, but you don't seem to care at all."
"If I didn't care, I wouldn't have asked this question," Kyle said.
Kyle took a sip of milk. "But I have twelve classes and all those assignments... I really don't have time for anything else."
"That's true," Cedric shrugged.
Kyle had already seen his packed schedule.
Although Kyle didn't need to attend classes that conflicted with his schedule, self-study also required time, and his assignments were clearly a lot more than those of his peers.
"But now that you mention it..." Kyle frowned, "Our team already has three seventh-year students?"
"Yes, two Chasers and a Keeper. They're all in the same year and will graduate next year."
"But there's some good news," Cedric said. "Harris seems to have received an invitation from the Frazer Falcons, and he has a chance to become a professional Quidditch player."
"Really?" Kyle was taken aback. "Did Harris tell you this? I haven't heard anything about it."
"No, not him," Cedric shook his head. "Do you remember the Quidditch match I went to during the holidays?"
"The Frazer Falcons and Chaddery Cannons match?"
"Exactly," Cedric smiled. "My father is good friends with a player on the Frazer Falcons team. During their conversation, they casually mentioned this.
When they learned that I was also a Hufflepuff, they even asked me if I knew Harris."
"This is indeed great news," Kyle exclaimed. "Harris didn't reveal anything at all."
"I think he's probably worried about not passing the final assessment," Cedric said.
"Perhaps we can win the Quidditch Cup again this year," Kyle suggested.
"Being the captain of three consecutive championship teams should be a good resume, right?" Kyle asked.
"I think so too," Cedric agreed. "But Harris himself seems completely unconcerned about it."
Cedric laughed helplessly. "The Gryffindor team started training early this morning, but he went to Hogsmeade with the others instead."
"Well... that's very Harris-like," Kyle said with a light laugh. "But with his skills, entering the professional Quidditch scene shouldn't be too difficult."
(End of Chapter)
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