Chapter 532: Listen, Is This Human Language?
Chapter 532: Listen, Is This Human Language?
"Animagus... No wonder she can write so many exclusive articles."
On the way back, Cona couldn't help but say, "After all, beetles are too common, and they won't arouse suspicion from others. She must have eavesdropped on many people's secrets through this."
"That's for sure." Kyle nodded.
Rita Skeeter had been so nervous just now, probably because she knew too much...
Or if the news of her ability to transform into a beetle got out, many people with guilty consciences would be restless.
For example, the names she mentioned earlier.
Ludo Bagman, Kyle could guess that it was probably related to the Galleon.
During the Quidditch World Cup, Mr. Weasley bet a Galleon on Ireland winning, and he hasn't paid the prize money yet.
But Mr. Weasley himself didn't care too much about it, and he never asked for the money from Bagman. According to him, it was like paying for the ticket.
However, for the other two names she mentioned, Fudge and Dolores Umbridge, Kyle wasn't sure about their story.
If you think carefully, a Minister of Magic and a Senior Undersecretary, their secret must be explosive.
To be honest, Kyle was quite curious. If he had the chance, he could indirectly inquire and get the inside scoop.
Of course, the prerequisite was to solve Hagrid's problem first...
"By the way, Kyle, how did you know that Rita Skeeter was the beetle..." When they arrived at the kitchen corridor, Cona asked curiously.
"It's simple..." Kyle pointed to his robe, "because I often interact with Norbert, and my clothes inevitably retain the scent of the Hungarian Horntail. So normally, those insects wouldn't be able to land on me... unless it's an Animagus.
"Also, if you observe carefully, you'll find that the pattern on that beetle is similar to Rita Skeeter's hairstyle."
"I know that." Cona said, "Professor McGonagall mentioned that when an Animagus transforms into an animal, they will always retain some wizard features, just like her cat, which has the pattern of a frame around its eyes."
"That's right." Kyle nodded, "But normally, few people would notice this, especially for smaller animals. And even if they did notice, it would be difficult to associate it with the corresponding person..."
When they returned to the Hufflepuff Common Room, there were already many people there. Everyone sat in soft armchairs, chatting and playing Wizard's Chess. The common room was bustling.
Kyle had never experienced such a lively Christmas holiday, and he was a little uncomfortable at first.
"Where did you two go?" Cedric approached them. "I was just discussing with Cho about how to help Hagrid get back on his feet. Do you have any ideas?"
"Maybe there's no need for that." Kyle and Cona looked at each other and smiled, explaining what had just happened.
Upon hearing that Rita Skeeter was an Animagus, Cedric also showed surprise.
"I see. Fortunately, you found her." Cedric said, then he frowned slightly, "But the question is, are you sure Rita Skeeter will speak positively about Hagrid in the newspaper?"
Unconsciously, Cedric glanced around as he said this, as if to confirm whether there were any insects nearby.
"I believe she will." Kyle shook the camera in his hand.
After all, he had already hinted that he would only help conceal the photo that recorded her transformation process if she was in a good mood.
And his mood depended entirely on the next issue of the Daily Prophet and its coverage of Hagrid.
Kyle believed that Rita Skeeter was a smart person and would understand his intentions. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to bounce around for so long after reporting so many infuriating things.
"Great, you're all here." At this moment, Fengrong and her sister, Gabrielle, also came over.
Since receiving Professor Sprout's permission to move here, Fengrong suddenly realized that it was even better than she had imagined.
She had initially moved here because of Cona, but unexpectedly, she made many new friends here... true and sincere friends.
Later, Gabrielle also came, and gradually, unless necessary, they rarely returned to the Beauxbatons carriage.
This time, just like before, as soon as the Christmas festivities were over, they couldn't wait to return.
"Kyle, how's your research on those stones going?" Fengrong sat down in a chair and asked, "The second project is about to start, have you found the secrets within the stones yet?"
Upon hearing this, Cedric and Cho also turned to look.
"Not really," Kyle shrugged, "Believe it or not, I haven't touched those stones since the first project ended. They're probably still lying around in some corner."
"What did you say?" Fengrong was a bit surprised.
If it were someone else, like Krum, she definitely wouldn't believe such an excuse and would only assume that the other party didn't want to reveal any information.
But Kyle... to be honest, she hadn't actually seen Kyle take out the stones, and during his free time, he was always playing Wizard Chess with Cedric or his two roommates.
"Why did you suddenly ask about this?" Kyle said, "There are still two months until the second project begins, is there a need to be so anxious?"
"It's Professor Maxime." Fengrong hesitated for a moment, then decided not to hide anything and spoke frankly, "She told me that you might already know the clues about the stones, and that you left school with a professor to prepare for the competition."
"She was probably talking about Professor Black," Kyle thought for a moment and explained, "We left school to take care of some personal matters, unrelated to the competition."
"I believe you." Fengrong said, "But Professor Maxime insisted that I ask, so here I am."
"But Kyle, don't you plan to research those stones? We have time now, and we can do it together."
"Yeah, we can help too," Cona said from the side, and Cedric immediately nodded.
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"Oh, I'll pass, you guys go ahead and research." Kyle said, "I think it's good to increase the difficulty a bit, otherwise, the competition will be too easy and not very interesting... Cedric, want to play a game of Wizard Chess?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire common room fell silent.
Those who were chatting stopped, those playing chess held their pieces, forgetting to place them on the board, and everyone turned their heads, looking at Kyle with disbelief.
Especially Fengrong.
She rubbed her ears, as if she hadn't heard clearly, and asked word for word, "You said... the competition is easy?"
"Yeah," Kyle said casually as he placed the chess pieces, "It's quite simple, don't you think so?"
"I'm sorry, I don't think so," Fengrong said through gritted teeth.
It's hard to describe her expression right now... in any case, it was quite unpleasant. If a half-giant could transform, she might have grown a pointed beak and feathers the next second.
She was almost driven crazy by the Whomping Willow in the second task, and only barely passed through after exhausting all her magical power and breaking most of the Whomping Willows.
The Hungarian Horntail in the third task was even worse... she was whipped by its tail, and her arm broke on the spot. Her meticulously cared-for hair was also burned off by the dragon's flame, losing nearly a third of its length.
If she hadn't dodged in time, she might have become the first competitor to fail to complete the competition.
But Kyle... he found this life-threatening competition simple?
Is that even human talk?
Fengrong breathed heavily, barely suppressing the urge to curse. She stood up without a word and turned to leave.
Although she was also clear that Kyle had passed through the tasks with ease and almost won, such a direct statement about the competition being simple was still quite infuriating...
Fengrong silently vowed to herself that if she were to seek Kyle's advice on the stones again, she'd be a gnome, the ugliest one at that.
...
"What's wrong with her?" Kyle asked in confusion as he watched Fengrong's departing figure.
"Well... I think..." Cedric stammered, "Sometimes you can be a little more considerate. After all, she put in a lot of effort to pass through those three tasks."
"Oh... sorry, I forgot." Kyle patted his forehead, "Do you think it's still possible for me to go and apologize?"
"I think you shouldn't," Cedric clicked his tongue, "She'll most likely not listen to anything you say and might even punch you."
"That's true," Kyle said, tugging at his hair.
...
(End of Chapter)
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