https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-281-Conflict-and-the-Unpredictable-Snape/12538399/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-283-Come-on-Tom-Let-s-Hurt-Each-Other/12538401/
Chapter 282: Lucius' Fury
Chapter 282: Lucius' Fury
In the afternoon, Fred and George, carrying a large bag of sweets, paid a visit to Ron in the school hospital.
Kyle accompanied them.
At the entrance of the hospital, two groups stood like guardians on either side of the door.
On the left was the robust Gryffindor group led by Oliver Wood, and on the right, Marcus Flint headed the Slytherin Quidditch team.
They had come to visit the injured, but due to their large numbers and the ruckus they created, Madam Pomfrey refused to let them enter.
Thus, they could only stand at the doorway, glaring at each other, each side attempting to outstare the other.
The arrival of Kyle and the Weasley brothers immediately drew attention, and under the watchful eyes of over a dozen students, they knocked cautiously on the hospital door.
"What are you all still doing here!" Madam Pomfrey opened the door and, seeing the crowd outside, glared at Wood and Flint disapprovingly.
As Quidditch players, injuries during practice or games were common, so the two of them were frequent visitors to the hospital and held a natural reverence for Madam Pomfrey.
Rebuked by her, they dared not linger and quickly left the corridor with the others in tow.
As for Kyle and the Weasley brothers... owing to their status as relatives, Madam Pomfrey eventually allowed them to enter.
"No loud voices, and do not disturb the other patients..." she instructed, "If you violate any of these rules, you need not bother visiting the hospital again."
"Of course," Fred smiled, "We're just here to see our little brother, and we promise to keep our voices down."
"Best keep to it," Madam Pomfrey said, pointing to a bed by the left wall, "That's where you'll find Weasley."
"Thanks."
The trio made their way to the bed, and as they pulled back the curtain, they indeed found Ron.
There were only two patients in the entire hospital, and the curtained bed next to Ron's undoubtedly belonged to Malfoy.
It was no coincidence that they were placed side by side, being the only occupants of the hospital with the rest of the beds empty.
Whether intentional or not, the proximity ensured a quieter atmosphere than might otherwise have been the case.
Within the curtained area, in addition to Ron, Harry and Hermione were also present.
However, the mood was somewhat peculiar.
Hermione and Harry both had their heads lowered, deep in thought, while Ron, his head bandaged, lay in bed, offering them comfort.
"It's alright, it's just a curse with horns... no big deal."
"Malfoy's got it worse, he's been puking slugs all morning... haha, this is the first time I've successfully cast the curse. If this were an exam, I'm sure I'd get an 'Outstanding'."
"What a pity that Hogwarts doesn't offer a course in Dark Curses..." Fred lifted the curtain and stepped in.
George followed, "You missed your only chance to get an 'O'."
"Fred, George..." Ron was somewhat surprised, "What are you two doing here?"
"That's a bit much, don't you think?" Fred frowned, "Our dear little brother is in the hospital, of course we'd come to visit."
"Yeah, as soon as we heard, we rushed back from Hogsmeade..."
"You didn't think we'd come see you?"
"No... that's not what I meant..." Ron quickly apologized, "Sorry."
"Wait, Hogsmeade?"
At that moment, Harry lifted his head, "I thought you said you weren't feeling well and went to the hospital with Wood. I assumed you'd been discharged and were back in the dormitory resting!"
"Umm..." Fred and George's expressions froze.
They had actually forgotten about that.
"Pay no mind to those details,"
Fred quickly interjected, "We went to Hogsmeade after leaving the hospital."
"Exactly."
George held up the large bag of sweets, "These are all Honeydukes' most popular products, which we bought specially for Ron."
"For me?" Ron was even more surprised.
But seeing the bag of exquisite sweets, he hesitated and shook his head, "I... I won't have any, you keep them."
But how should he put it... ever since last year, the treats Fred and George gave him rarely turned out to be normal. More often than not, they had some sort of side effect, so Ron was hesitant to accept them.
Fred seemed to see through his thoughts and smiled, "Rest assured, these are perfectly fine. We guarantee it."
"If you don't believe us, you can ask Kyle. He can vouch for us."
Kyle nodded.
These sweets were a reward for Ron's bravery in brandishing his wand at Slytherin, so there was no way they would be tampered with.
Even if they were, it wouldn't matter... Ron had been tricked too many times to count, so what was one more time?
Harry, sitting beside them, furrowed his brows as if he wanted to say something.
But George spoke up first, "By the way, Harry, we heard you've been giving out autographed photos. How come Fred and I didn't get one?"
"I haven't! It's not true!"
Harry was indignant and immediately forgot about their absence,
"It's all Lockhart's doing! I've never given out any autographed photos!"
"Oh, what a shame." Fred winked and said with a smile.
It had to be said that Fred and George were quite skilled at lightening the mood.
After they arrived, the originally somber atmosphere quickly dissipated.
Even Hermione, with her complex emotions, was intrigued by the Anti-Dementor Stickers they had brought out.
These were purchased from Dervish and Banges, a glass bead about the size of a Golden Snitch that was used to identify Howling Witches disguised as ordinary people.
Hermione had little resistance to such novel magical items.
Kyle also took out a self-inking quill that he had prepared in advance.
He had originally intended to give it to Hermione as a Christmas gift, but now seemed like a perfect time as well.
As for Ron, he received a waterproof and moisture-proof badge, just like Harry's.
...
The group didn't stay long in the hospital wing. Perhaps it was because laughter kept coming from behind the curtain, but they were reported.
"Malfoy told me that you were disturbing his rest."
Madam Pomfrey said in a deep voice, "So I must ask all of you to leave!"
"Wait a moment... his side is even louder!"
Ron said discontentedly, "Ever since I've been lying here, Pansy Parkinson hasn't stopped her sharp-tongued remarks."
"So they'll have to leave as well."
Madam Pomfrey said sternly, "In fact, visiting hours are over. If you want to see him again, then all of you should leave now!"
There was no choice but to comply with Madam Pomfrey's request, so the group bid Ron farewell and left the hospital wing.
As they reached the courtyard, they coincidentally ran into Lucius Malfoy, who had just stepped out of the castle.
However, his expression was less than pleasant, as if he was still seething with anger.
Lucius noticed them as well...
"Oh... Weasley."
He paused in his tracks and looked at Fred and George, drawing out the word, "Your family is indeed a bit cunning, but believe me, 'Weasley' won't always be so lucky."
With this incident, coupled with the conflict at Flourish and Blotts, Lucius didn't even bother to hide his disdain as he glared at Fred and George with malicious intent.
"Thank you for your reminder..."
Fred and George also dropped their smiles.
"But perhaps you should worry about your own family matters first."
"I never knew the Malfoy family's manners were so... lacking?"
"It's truly an eye-opener!"
Lucius subconsciously tightened his grip on his walking stick.
To prevent him from acting out in his anger, Kyle also tensed up, discreetly resting his hand on his wand.
Fortunately, Lucius' anger hadn't clouded his judgment entirely, and he was aware that they were still within Hogwarts, and that Dumbledore was likely nearby, perhaps even watching them at this very moment.
In such a situation, he naturally wouldn't dare to do anything out of line.
"Hmph... we'll see!"
Leaving behind a threatening remark, Lucius stalked off without another glance.
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
