Chapter 32: The Helpful Helga Hufflepuff
Chapter 32: The Helpful Helga Hufflepuff
Meanwhile, Kyle didn't go to the Spellcraft classroom after leaving the Hospital Wing because it was already after class. Instead, he headed straight to the library.
Dumbledore had recommended two books to him earlier, saying they were very helpful for casting basic spells and suitable for new First-Year Wizards. So, Kyle planned to borrow them to take a look.
The library was located on the second floor, and it was easy to find; he only needed to climb one flight of stairs.
"Two books? No way!" Mrs. Pinch, the librarian, held a feather duster and scrutinized Kyle, saying, "Unless you have a professor's approval, you can only borrow one book at a time."
"In that case, I'll borrow 'Tours with a Ghoul' then." Kyle didn't hesitate and quickly named the book.
But to his surprise, when Mrs. Pinch heard the title 'Tours with a Ghoul,' her face instantly contorted into an expression of extreme disgust, as if she had heard a vile curse word.
"Another Lockhart's book," Mrs. Pinch muttered.
She didn't like Gilderoy Lockhart, the author, or his extremely self-centered writing style, which she considered a mere attention-seeking gimmick.
If that were all, it wouldn't be a big deal, as many biographical books were written in a similar style, and one could still bear to read them.
However, for some reason, when she read Lockhart's books, she always felt like something was missing from the content, making it hard to connect the dots in many places.
Although this issue wasn't significant and didn't hinder reading, Mrs. Pinch felt extremely uncomfortable, and every time she thought about it, she would feel uneasy all over.
As a result, her impression of Kyle also took a significant dip, and after a brief silence, she said sternly, " 'Tours with a Ghoul' has been borrowed. If you register now, you might be able to get it in about two years."
"Two years... Never mind then." Kyle shook his head. "What about 'Odes in the Wind'?"
"We have that one." Mrs. Pinch's expression softened, and she asked Kyle to wait there while she walked straight to a bookshelf nearby.
Taking advantage of this moment, Kyle curiously observed the famous librarian from the side.
Mrs. Pinch was a thin, elderly woman who looked like an undernourished vulture. As she walked by, the First-Year Wizards studying there dared not even breathe.
One First-Year Wizard seemed so nervous that he couldn't hold back a sneeze, and as a result, he was chased out of the library by Mrs. Pinch.
Kyle clicked his tongue, understanding why she was rumored to be Filch's romantic partner. They indeed looked like a perfect match, not only because they were both sticklers for rules but also because they both disliked students.
Soon, Mrs. Pinch returned with a thick hardcover book and a slip of paper, which she handed to Kyle.
"You must return it within a week. If you exceed the deadline or damage the book in any way, you can forget about borrowing any other books from here easily in the future."
"I'll keep that in mind."
...
Since the First-Year Students only had one class in the morning, Kyle headed straight to the Common Room after leaving the library to find a comfortable spot to read this book.
But as soon as he stepped through the barrel door, he was surrounded by a group of people.
Almost all the Hufflepuff First-Year Students were gathered in the Common Room, waiting for Kyle's return.
"How is it, Kyle?" Ryan was the first to rush over, asking anxiously, "Is Michael okay? We wanted to visit him at the Hospital Wing, but Madam Pomfrey chased us out as soon as we entered."
The other young wizards nodded in agreement, showing concern for Michael despite getting into trouble in Spellcraft class due to the accident.
This was probably the true spirit of Hufflepuff.
Kyle patted Ryan on the shoulder and assured him, "Don't worry. Professor Dumbledore has checked on him, and he'll be discharged tomorrow after taking his medicine."
Ryan heaved a sigh of relief and asked, "That's good. Has Michael woken up? What does he want to eat? We can't deliver it to him right now, but we can prepare it in advance and give it to him when he's discharged. He'll be so happy."
Ryan's suggestion resonated with the other young wizards, and they generously offered their most prized possessions.
"I have raspberry chutney!"
"I have marshmallow toffee."
"How about some cookies? My mom made them, and they're delicious."
"I think he'd prefer licorice..."
...
Even Kyle was touched by the strong bond of camaraderie in the room. Amidst the expectant gazes, he spoke in a solemn tone, "Michael didn't mention any specific cravings, but I believe what he desires most right now is not snacks but catching up on his studies without falling behind."
Ryan scratched his head, puzzled by Kyle's words. "Not fall behind in studies?"
"Yes," Kyle said earnestly. "You must have seen that Michael's accident happened because he couldn't cast the spell in time, and he became impatient. That's the truth, isn't it?"
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"That's right," Ryan nodded in agreement.
Although his attention was focused on his wand at the time, he didn't see how the blinding "flashbang" appeared. In his opinion, everyone was practicing spells, including Michael, so Kyle's statement made sense.
"That's the spirit," Kyle said earnestly. "He's such a determined person; he wouldn't want to miss even a single lesson.
So, what we need to do is pay close attention in Transfiguration class this afternoon and History of Magic tomorrow morning. We'll take notes on what the professors teach and organize them to give to Michael. I believe he'll be so touched that he'll cry."
The vast Hufflepuff Common Room was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. The young badgers looked at each other, speechless.
They found it hard to believe that someone would prefer studying over snacks. But after carefully reconsidering Kyle's words, they couldn't find any flaws in his logic.
His reasoning was clear and his argument was sound, leaving no apparent issues.
Perhaps... Michael truly loved magic.
The young badgers soon convinced themselves of this.
Some of them volunteered, with one taking charge of note-taking and another handling the final organization...
A few young wizards who didn't get a task but still wanted to help gathered and discussed for a while. Soon, they identified a task that Kyle had overlooked.
Homework!
At Hogwarts, homework was an essential part of every subject, and its importance went without saying.
So, they decided to inform Michael about the homework for each class and more. They would also tell the professors during class that Michael was an outstanding Hufflepuff who, even while in the Hospital Wing, remained dedicated to his studies and wouldn't shirk his homework responsibilities.
...
(End of Chapter)
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