Chapter 311: Fox's Gift
Chapter 311: Fox's Gift
"Well, that's a good thing then." Ron said, and George winked, "You might even get a nice report card at the end of the year."
"Don't gloat." Ron yawned.
"What are you talking about?"
At that moment, Harry emerged from the dormitory, and Fred and George quickly changed the subject.
It was fine to joke about Ron, but they wouldn't say such things in front of Harry.
Harry approached Ron and greeted everyone, "Merry Christmas, Fred, George, and... Kyle? What brings you here?"
He was a little surprised to see Kyle in the Gryffindor Common Room.
"Just a few minutes ago." Kyle laughed.
Ron only then realized there was an extra person around, "Sorry, I didn't notice... Thanks for the gift, I really like the Wizard's Chess set."
"And the Quidditch model you gave me." Harry added, "It's fantastic."
"I'm glad you like them." Kyle said with a smile.
After being brought to the Gryffindor Common Room by Fred and George, Kyle no longer thought about the Room of Requirement. Instead, he spent the morning playing Wizard's Chess and Snapdragons with them.
Ginny and Percy were also there, and everyone welcomed Kyle warmly.
However, Percy was a bit too formal, shaking Kyle's hand seriously as if he were greeting a Hufflepuff delegation.
Kyle even felt that his attire might be too casual... If he had known, he would have worn the Phoenix Socks.
In the afternoon, Harry and Ron were dragged to the library by Hermione to work on their homework, while Kyle, Fred, and George went to Hogsmeade through the secret passage.
Every shop was beautifully decorated, and they even prepared Christmas gifts for customers. Zonko's had the See-Water-Bloom fireworks, and Honeydukes offered wand candies.
These gifts were hung on the Christmas trees at the entrances, easily within reach. If you forgot, the shop owners would kindly remind you.
The only downside was that they didn't provide services to protect Hogwarts students from being discovered.
At the Three Broomsticks, Kyle had just taken a few sips of Butterbeer when the door next to him suddenly opened from the outside.
The next moment, Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, Hagrid, Professor Sinistra, and several other professors entered one after another.
They also noticed Kyle and his two companions.
Professor McGonagall paused for a moment, then continued walking calmly as if she hadn't seen anything.
"Madam Rosmerta, three pints of Ogden's Old Firewhisky, cherry syrup soda..."
Kyle, Fred, and George simultaneously sped up their Butterbeer drinking, eager to leave quickly.
However, just as they were about to pay, Madam Rosmerta shook her head, "No need, I've already taken care of the bill for you. Would you like anything else?"
"No, we're good!"
The three of them hurried out of the Three Broomsticks with their heads down.
Getting caught sneaking out of school was embarrassing enough, and now they were treated by the professors... It was quite an awkward situation.
They lost their enthusiasm and quickly returned to the castle.
"I forgot, it's Christmas today."
After exiting the secret passage, Fred tugged at his hair and said, "The professors clearly aren't staying in their offices to grade papers."
"We shouldn't have gone to the Three Broomsticks!"
"Fortunately, Professor McGonagall didn't say anything..."
Kyle also felt a bit regretful. If he had known the professors were treating, he would have ordered something more expensive.
He had always wanted to try the Three Broomsticks' signature drink, Ogden's Old Firewhisky, priced at ten Galleons a cup.
...
At the Hogwarts Christmas banquet, everyone was enjoying their meal.
This year, there were very few people staying at the school, so the Great Hall only kept one table, and students and professors sat together.
Dumbledore led everyone in singing a few of his favorite Christmas carols, and after downing cup after cup of eggnog, Hagrid's voice became louder and louder, until eventually, the entire Great Hall was filled with his voice.
Fred sat next to Kyle, pointing at Percy's Head Boy badge, which now read "Dunderhead," but Percy didn't seem to notice and kept asking those around him why they were laughing.
Malfoy didn't go home this year either, and he was sitting across from Harry, loudly mocking his new sweater. Surprisingly, Harry didn't retort.
The banquet was sumptuous, especially the house-elves' special pudding.
It was like Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans; each bite had a different taste, very unique.
After finishing the pudding, Professor McGonagall was the first to leave the table, followed by Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
Kyle was also about to leave, but Dumbledore stopped him.
"If you have time, would you like to come to my office with me?"
"Of course, Professor," Kyle said with some hesitation, nodding.
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The two of them left the Great Hall together, talking as they walked towards the Headmaster's Office.
This year, Kyle didn't buy the latest edition of "500 Ways to Knit Socks," so he gave Dumbledore a large bundle of wool.
However, Dumbledore seemed quite pleased and asked Kyle where he bought such high-quality wool.
"It's wool from Snowflake Sheep, Professor," Kyle said. "Mr. Scamander's box happened to have a group of them, and when I visited there in August, I collected some."
"Are there any at Newt's place?" Dumbledore asked excitedly. "How many are there?"
"About thirty or so."
Dumbledore was even happier after hearing this.
When they reached the eighth floor, the statue of the gargoyle moved aside from a distance, and Dumbledore took Kyle into the Headmaster's Office.
The interior was not much different from before, except for a large ball of yarn on the table and a few knitted sweaters and an unfinished scarf hanging on the Erised Mirror in the corner.
The Headmaster of Hogwarts seemed to have really taken up knitting, and it was no longer limited to socks and gloves.
Kyle estimated that the sweater under his robe was also knitted by himself.
"Professor, what did you want to see me for?" Kyle asked.
"It's not me, it's Fox," Dumbledore sighed. "He really likes the cloak grass and tomato flowers you gave him."
"Fox?" Kyle instinctively looked at the perch by the door.
Standing there was a small, wrinkled bird with newly grown light red fuzz... It looked hideous.
"You've been reborn?"
Kyle walked over.
The little fox nodded and then picked up a small bottle, placing it in Kyle's hand.
"What is this..." Kyle picked up the bottle and found a small pile of black powder inside.
"It's the ashes left behind after a phoenix's rebirth, Fox's Christmas gift to you," Dumbledore's voice carried a hint of pain.
He didn't expect Fox to hold a grudge like this... It was just that one time during the holiday when he didn't take it out with him, and it held a grudge until now, not leaving any of the rebirth ashes for him.
It's fine if Snape takes it, but Kyle is only thirteen. Can he understand how to use such high-end goods?
What a waste.
Dumbledore sighed again.
...
(End of Chapter)
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