Chapter 414: Professor Lupin's Gossip
Chapter 414: Professor Lupin's Gossip
As the weather gradually warmed up, the snow outside the castle began to melt, and the young wizards eagerly packed away their thick winter robes into their wardrobes.
It is worth mentioning that due to special circumstances, the Patronus Charm lessons were not organized in February.
Professor Lupin was extremely busy. Besides his regular classes, he was never seen around the school, whether it was after the last class of the day or during the weekends.
Whenever he had some free time, he would rush to Hogsmeade.
Gradually, rumors started spreading within the castle.
Someone confidently claimed that Professor Lupin was pursuing Madam Rosmerta, the owner of the Three Broomsticks.
Although there was no concrete evidence, this statement gained the approval of most students.
It made sense; Hogsmeade was just a small village with a limited number of shops, perhaps a dozen or so. While it might be exciting to visit occasionally, frequent visits could easily become boring.
If Professor Lupin wasn't meeting someone special, why would he be so eager to leave the castle every day at five o'clock and only return after curfew... or so it seemed, as no one had ever seen him before the curfew time.
Especially on weekends, he was nowhere to be found all day.
Thus, the gossip about Professor Lupin and Madam Rosmerta began to spread like wildfire within the castle. There were various versions of the story involving the staff of the Three Broomsticks, the Owl Post Office's Andromeda, Madam Paddifoo's sister-in-law, the owner of the Pig's Head Pub, and more. The rumors covered all the shops in Hogsmeade.
Susan Burns even made these stories her bedtime tales, unable to sleep without hearing a new version each night.
She went a step further and compiled these stories into a thick booklet, which many students sought to borrow from her. However, it was rare for anyone to successfully borrow it.
Susan treasured this booklet like a precious gem, rarely letting it out of her sight.
Some people saw a business opportunity, and early one morning, Fred and George specifically sought out Kyle.
"Katie asked us to come and ask you," Fred said. "She has also collected a booklet like this and wants to collaborate with us."
"Collaborate? What do you mean?" Kyle asked.
"She provides the booklets, and we handle the replication and sales..." Fred explained. "...and we get three-sevenths of the profits."
Kyle raised his eyebrows. "We do the replication and sales, and we only get seven-tenths?"
"Seven-tenths are hers, and three-tenths are ours."
"But don't worry," George said, "we definitely won't agree to that... But she said her bottom line is fifty-fifty, no less."
"We did some research," Fred added, "and if this deal goes well, we can each get at least thirty Galleons..."
"How about it...?"
"Are you in?"
Fred and George picked up a cookie from the table and ate while looking at Kyle.
"I will definitely not be a part of this," Kyle said calmly, holding a book.
Even if they were to split thirty Galleons among them, Kyle would never agree to it.
What could they do with that amount of money? It wasn't even enough to hire a house-elf.
"And I must remind you," Kyle continued, "if you want to go to Hogsmeade outside of the Visiting Day, it's best not to agree.
Otherwise, I can assure you that as soon as you set foot in Hogsmeade, Professor McGonagall will receive the news, and you won't be able to escape even if you want to."
Conna and Cedric, sitting nearby, nodded in agreement. They shared the same opinion as Kyle.
"Hmm... you're right." Fred shrugged.
"And that's what we were thinking." George added.
"But since we're teammates..." Fred continued, "we should at least ask."
"It's just that..."
"If you disagree, it's not our problem..."
"Since there are so few of us."
As Kyle silently watched, the twins finished the last piece of bread on their plates with a laugh. Then, they put on a regretful expression and turned to walk towards the Gryffindor table.
Katie Bell had already finished her breakfast and was waiting for them.
"It's a pity..." Fred shook his head and sighed, "They all have other things to do, and they might not have much time recently..."
"We also want to help..."
The twins sat down beside Katie and shared the excuse they had prepared.
On the other side, after Fred and George left, Kyle also finished his breakfast and headed towards the library.
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He had borrowed a book a few days ago and finished reading it yesterday.
Conna and Autumn went to Hagrid's place.
The success of the first class gave Hagrid a lot of confidence. He was no longer interested in showing off those animals with sharp teeth and beaks. Instead, he switched to bringing various young magical creatures.
In addition to the unicorn at the beginning, he later brought Niffler and Kneazle cubs... The response was excellent.
The students gradually recognized him as the new professor, except for some Slytherin students.
Hagrid initially cared about their mocking words, but as he gradually got used to it, he chose to ignore them.
Last night, Hagrid sent them a note saying that he had found some new young magical creatures and asked if they wanted to see them.
Conna and Autumn agreed without hesitation and even got up early today.
If it weren't for Hagrid's unappetizing cooking, they wouldn't even consider having breakfast in the Great Hall.
Cedric also went with them.
However, for Kyle, young magical creatures were nothing new... He had even helped deliver a litter of Kneazles two years ago.
So, returning the book was more important.
Upon arriving at the library, Professor Flitwick was still sitting there, cleaning the dust off the tables.
Kyle placed the book, "Great Potions," on the table.
He had borrowed it to look up the Wolfsbane Potion and finished reading it yesterday.
Professor Flitwick picked it up, checked it as usual, and only after confirming there was no damage did she take it to a distant shelf.
Kyle didn't borrow any other books. Perhaps because it was a newly invented subject, there was too little information about the Wolfsbane Potion. The most detailed source only listed the required materials and their order of addition to the cauldron, and nothing else.
After Professor Flitwick left, Kyle turned to find Conna and the others.
But at this moment, he suddenly noticed the two thick stacks of books on the table next to him.
The books were piled high, wobbling, as if they would collapse with the slightest touch. Through the gap in the middle, Kyle could vaguely see Hermione's messy hair.
Apparently noticing Kyle's gaze, Hermione also looked up. She looked very tired, and thick dark circles had appeared under her eyes.
(End of Chapter)
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