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Chapter 375: A Long-Awaited Visiting Day
Chapter 375: A Long-Awaited Visiting Day
By lunchtime, the new beater had been decided: Mike.
His previous Quidditch books hadn't been read in vain; he had a good grasp of the rules, and his flying skills were impressive. This led him to the final selection.
Cedric immediately approved, confirming him as Hufflepuff's new beater, replacing Wright.
Upon hearing this news, Ryan's eyes turned red with envy.
He had previously competed for the position of goalkeeper but narrowly lost to a fifth-year student in terms of reaction speed.
Mike, however, was delighted and generously offered to treat everyone to lunch in the Great Hall.
After the first team practice, Kyle rushed back to the Hufflepuff common room and settled into an armchair near the fireplace.
It had started raining around noon.
Even with the warming badges, the October rain still felt chilly, so the warmth of the fireplace was much more inviting.
The common room was bustling with students chatting excitedly.
"What's going on?" he asked Connor, who was sitting in a nearby armchair, working on two star charts for Astronomy class.
"First trip to Hogsmeade for the weekend." Connor pointed to a notice on the bulletin board. "End of October, just before Halloween."
"Brilliant," Cedric chimed in from behind, squeezing his way through. "I need to make a trip to Dervish and Banges to get a set of tools for trimming broomstick branches. I feel like its turning isn't as agile as it used to be."
Kyle was also pleased about the trip to Hogsmeade, a rare treat for students.
Although he knew of the secret passage to Hogsmeade and had been there many times before, he had refrained from sneaking out since the last time he, Fred, and George were caught by Professor McGonagall at the Three Broomsticks.
With the presence of Dementors this year, it was even more out of the question.
While the Dementors were relatively well-behaved with Dumbledore around, merely guarding the entrances, they were a different story in Hogsmeade.
Especially after someone spotted Sirius Black's traces nearby...
The shop owners had complained more than once in the Daily Prophet, calling on the Ministry of Magic to better control the Dementors and prevent them from wandering into stores at will.
However, their pleas fell on deaf ears.
The Ministry officials didn't seem to care, and the Dementors... well, they didn't read the newspapers.
Stumbling upon a Dementor while sneaking out to Hogsmeade would be far more troublesome than encountering a professor.
The next day, the news of the Hogsmeade visiting day had everyone excited. Even during Herbology class, students were eagerly discussing their plans for the day.
Professor Sprout had to deduct points from two students before they settled down.
"I know you're eager to visit Honeydukes," Professor Sprout said loudly, "but what we're learning today is just as important.
"I must remind you that the deadly nightshade is a poisonous and dangerous plant. You must stay focused while collecting its pollen... unless you plan to spend Halloween in the infirmary.
"Now, put on your protective gloves..."
Professor Sprout's warning about poison certainly grabbed everyone's attention, and the students quickly became more cautious, eagerly donning the gloves that were already on the tables.
Seeing that everyone was now taking the matter seriously, Professor Sprout nodded in satisfaction.
Just like last year's Mandrake plants, which were all in their infancy. Once their cries became deadly, Professor Sprout would transfer them to another greenhouse that was off-limits to students.
The same went for the deadly nightshade flowers.
Their petals were still yellow, and even if one accidentally came into contact with the pollen, the worst that could happen would be a few days of itching. There was no need to rush to the hospital wing.
Only when the flowers turned purple would they become truly dangerous. Then, if one were to touch the pollen, it wouldn't just be a matter of spending Halloween in the hospital wing... one would be lucky to be discharged by Christmas.
However, there was no need to worry about that for now. It wouldn't hurt to teach them about it after they returned from Hogsmeade.
After the Herbology class, the morning classes were over.
Kyle returned to the castle and encountered a dejected Harry in the entrance hall. Harry walked with his head down, lost in thought, and almost bumped into a suit of armor in the corridor.
"Hey, watch where you're going, kid!"
A painting nearby shouted, "That's my favorite armor!"
Harry didn't say anything and turned to continue walking toward the Great Hall.
"What's wrong with him?" Kyle asked.
"He didn't get any signatures on his Hogsmeade form."
Hermione, who had been walking with Ron, explained, "Professor McGonagall won't let him go to Hogsmeade?"
"That's just her being overly strict!" Ron exclaimed. "Professor McGonagall knows very well that Harry's aunt and uncle are Muggles and that they hate anything related to magic. They would never sign his form. All it would take is a word from her to fix this..."
"Professor McGonagall is right to be cautious!" Hermione snapped, clearly annoyed. "Don't forget about Black. Someone already spotted him near Hogsmeade once."
"Black isn't stupid enough to go to Hogsmeade and do something reckless," Ron argued.
"Only you would think that!" Hermione retorted. "Ask Kyle if you don't believe me. See what he has to say."
Both of them looked at Kyle... no, it was three people now, including Harry, who had also looked up at Kyle.
Umm... weren't they talking about Harry? How did the topic suddenly shift to him?
Kyle thought for a moment and said, "I think Hermione makes sense. The Dementors will be removed from Hogsmeade during the visiting day. If Black wanted to do something, that would be the best opportunity."
"See?" Hermione said, looking up at him.
Ron grumbled but still felt that they were making a big deal out of nothing.
Harry's expression didn't change much.
After all, Professor McGonagall had already clearly refused his request. Unless his uncle came to Hogwarts to sign the form for him, there was nothing more to be said.
That was obviously impossible.
Kyle's words at least gave him a plausible excuse.
Sirius Black was looking for him, so staying at Hogwarts might actually be safer...
That was how Harry had to convince himself for now.
"Cheer up, there's still the feast to look forward to," Ron said, trying to lift Harry's spirits. "The Halloween Eve feast is in the evening."
"Yeah, that's true," Harry said, though his enthusiasm was still lacking.
...
(End of Chapter)
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