https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-319-The-Ministry-s-Arrival-Hagrid-is-Taken-Away/13007959/
Chapter 320: Anomaly
Chapter 320: Anomaly
Hagrid had been taken away by the Ministry, but fear continued to spread throughout Hogwarts Castle.
The monster in the Chamber of Secrets remained at large, and it could still attack anyone at any time.
The professors acted as if nothing had happened, escorting students from one classroom to another during the day and patrolling the castle's floors at night.
Lockhart repeatedly insisted that the danger had passed and that it was unnecessary to waste time escorting students, but no one listened to him.
In recent days, the Hufflepuff Common Room was always crowded, as after 6 pm, students had nowhere else to go, and there was always a lot to talk about.
After dinner, Kyle played Wizard's Chess with Cedric as usual, but today his performance was terrible.
For over an hour, Kyle didn't win a single game.
"I feel like you're not paying attention," Cedric said as he put away the chessboard. "Still thinking about the Chamber of Secrets?"
"No..." Kyle shook his head. "I just feel unwell."
For the past few days, he had felt dizzy and found it hard to focus on anything. This situation was getting worse.
During the chess game, he even heard a buzzing sound, as if many people were talking in his head.
"Are you catching a cold?" Conna looked at Kyle with concern.
The weather had been unusual lately, with rain and fluctuating temperatures even though summer was approaching. Many in the castle had caught colds.
"I think so," Cedric said as he put away the chessboard. "Why don't you write to Professor Sprout and ask her to take you to the Hospital Wing?"
"No need," Kyle patted his forehead and took out a bottle of red potion from his pocket, uncorked it, and took a sip.
The next second, steam rose from his head, and the dizziness subsided.
Feeling unwell, Kyle returned to the dormitory shortly after taking the medicine and fell into a daze on his bed.
Kyle had a long dream in which he entered the Chamber of Secrets, and the snakes carved on the pillars came to life, surrounding him.
Strangely, they neither attacked nor let him go; they just surrounded him...
The next day, Kyle was awakened by Ryan.
Professor Sprout was waiting at the door, ready to take them to class.
"You've been asleep for almost twelve hours."
Michael placed several wrapped sandwiches on the table. "I heard from Cedric that you caught a cold. Do you want to ask Professor Sprout for leave... If it were you, missing a day of class wouldn't be a problem."
"No need," Kyle shook his head. "I've taken medicine, and I should be fine."
"Alright then..." Michael and Ryan didn't say anything further.
...
Perhaps the stimulant had expired, as Kyle had taken it for three days without any effect.
He remained dizzy every day and continued to have the same dream every night.
On the third night, he fell asleep as soon as he returned to the Common Room.
"No, you should go to the Hospital Wing."
After Cedric woke him up, he insisted on writing to Professor Sprout without further explanation.
This time, Kyle didn't refuse, as he also felt that something was wrong.
The written message was delivered by Laton, and Cedric and Conna changed into their robes, ready to accompany Kyle to the Hospital Wing when Professor Sprout arrived.
But they waited for more than half an hour before Professor Sprout rushed into the Common Room.
Her face was pale, and her eyes were red as if she had been crying.
"Thank goodness," she managed a smile upon seeing Kyle. "Sorry, child, I was delayed by something just now. I'll take you to the Hospital Wing right away."
Cedric and Conna wanted to come along, but they were refused.
Professor Sprout left the Common Room with Kyle, walking through the empty castle.
She looked very nervous, constantly looking around and tightly gripping her wand.
Kyle quickly realized why this was the case.
In the Hospital Wing, almost all the professors were present.
Of course, it wasn't for Kyle, but for Ron Weasley, who lay stiffly on the bed like a statue.
Professor McGonagall was angrily questioning Lockhart.
"A student was attacked... and all because you had to go and fix your hair?!"
"I, I didn't know..." Lockhart was trembling all over, and his wand was still stuck in his hair.
"There was only one corridor left... they said it wasn't necessary to send anyone..." Lockhart stammered in his defense.
"So you just went back?" Professor McGonagall roared like an angry lion. "You knew Dumbledore wasn't at school today, yet you dared to let the students leave on their own!"
"But Hagrid was already caught..."
"Obviously, the real heir is someone else." Snape said coldly, "It's a pity that the monster didn't come for you."
"..."
"Poppy, can you take a look at this child?"
At this moment, Professor Sprout entered with Kyle.
Upon hearing her words, the Hospital Wing instantly fell silent. The professors stopped reprimanding Lockhart and almost simultaneously turned their heads.
For more popular novels, visit 6.9 Book Bar!
"Don't worry, Minerva... it's not an attack." Professor Sprout quickly explained.
The professors also noticed that Kyle had entered on his own, and they all breathed a sigh of relief.
Only Snape's expression was a bit strange, with a hint of regret but also a touch of relief.
Madam Pomfrey rushed over and pulled Kyle for a thorough examination...
Taking advantage of this moment, the professors drew the curtains around Ron's bed, blocking Kyle's view.
Ten minutes later, Madam Pomfrey stood up.
"It's not a case of being unwell, perhaps you were just too nervous and kept having the same dream."
She led Kyle to a bed, "You'll stay here tonight..."
Kyle nodded and sat quietly on the bed.
"Is it possible..." Snape drew out the word, "that he's perfectly fine."
"I have my own judgment, Professor Snape."
Madam Pomfrey said sternly, "I can tell if someone is faking illness, and I fully expect that if the attack isn't resolved, situations like this will only increase..."
She walked over with a large bottle, labeled "Dreamless Sleep Potion."
"Try this first." She poured a steaming cup and handed it to Kyle, "It should help you sleep well."
The Hospital Wing's potions were as difficult to drink as ever, but at least they were bearable.
After Kyle finished drinking, Madam Pomfrey left and helped him draw the curtains.
Soon after, the professors also left. To prevent more students from being attacked, they had to patrol the castle.
The Hospital Wing quickly became quiet.
The Dreamless Sleep Potion indeed helped Kyle sleep well... but the duration was short.
Two hours later, Kyle suddenly opened his eyes and couldn't fall asleep again.
He thought of Ron, who was lying in the bed next to him, and his brows furrowed.
Kyle should have realized that this day would come. If the basilisk remained unresolved, students would definitely be attacked... petrified or even killed.
Today it was Ron, tomorrow it might be Cedric, Conna, Fred...
Was it worth putting everyone, including friends, in danger for the sake of a basilisk? The answer was a definite no.
But why had he hesitated before? Kyle's face turned pale.
Especially since he had already thought of telling Dumbledore about it, but after just one sleep, he forgot the idea and left no trace of it behind.
When did his memory become so bad? Or was it the Confusion Charm?
But if it was the Confusion Charm, who was responsible... Tom Riddle's diary? When did he cast it, and why did Kyle have no memory of it?
Kyle dared not sleep anymore. He endured the buzzing in his head and sat up in bed.
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
