Chapter 62: A Tense Standoff at the Hospital Wing
Chapter 62: A Tense Standoff at the Hospital Wing
Inside the hospital wing, Cedric and Kyle stared at each other, the atmosphere turning awkward.
To be more precise, Cedric felt embarrassed. If he weren't lying on the bed, he probably would have dug a second Hogwarts castle into the ground by now.
"It's fine," Cedric mumbled, turning his head away and feigning nonchalance.
Kyle cleared his throat and spoke earnestly, "Cedric, why did you want to challenge the Slytherins to a duel? Remember, we're Hufflepuffs—Hogwarts' honest and model students. Such thoughts are dangerous."
"I didn't... I never thought of that," Cedric retorted, his embarrassment turning to anger.
The reason for his agitation was that, on his way to the hospital wing, he had overheard someone talking about challenging the Slytherins to a one-on-one 'real man's battle', and there were quite a few people who agreed.
At the time, his leg and head hurt so much that his consciousness was a bit hazy. He had wanted to dissuade them from their impulsive plan, but he couldn't find the words to speak.
He had just remembered this incident and subconsciously assumed that Kyle had similar intentions.
"You don't have to rush to explain, I understand," Kyle said without looking at Cedric, speaking as if to himself. "After all, with such serious injuries, it's normal to say something rash in the heat of the moment. Just remember to be more careful in the future. Here, have a Chocolate Frog."
Before leaving the hospital wing, the little badgers had left some snacks behind as a token of comfort. It wasn't much, just some common treats that they probably intended to eat during the match.
Kyle picked out a Chocolate Frog, unwrapped it, and offered it to Cedric.
"I already said I didn't think that way... Wait a minute," Cedric began, his anger momentarily forgotten as his attention turned to the Chocolate Frog card in Kyle's hand.
"What are you holding there...?"
Kyle casually slipped his hand into his pocket and replied, "It's just an ordinary card, Nicolas Flamel. I happen to not have him in my collection."
"No, it's not," Cedric sat up, his eyes fixed on the card. "I saw it. That's not Nicolas Flamel, it's Albus Dumbledore."
Although he had only glanced at it briefly, Cedric recognized the golden card in Kyle's hand.
It was a special alchemical creation—a security measure implemented by the Chocolate Frog company to prevent card counterfeiting, crafted by a renowned alchemist.
With this protection, duplication or summoning spells were useless, and it was far more effective than the kind used on galleons.
Only one card in the entire Chocolate Frog collection was treated with this alchemical process, and that was the ultra-rare Albus Dumbledore card.
"Give it back to me," Cedric demanded, holding out his hand. "That Chocolate Frog was given to me, so the card inside belongs to me!"
Seeing that his ruse had failed, Kyle dropped the act and countered confidently, "But I was the one who unwrapped it. If it had been you, you probably would've gotten a Dumbledore card at most."
"That has nothing to do with who opened it!" Cedric argued, his voice rising. "It's right there, and whoever opened it would've gotten Dumbledore! Give it back to me! I only need this one card to complete the whole set!"
"No," Kyle said firmly, his hand still covering his pocket. "I only need this one too!"
Just like on the train, the two boys glared at each other, the tension palpable.
However, this time, Kyle seemed to have the upper hand. He gave Cedric a provocative look before walking to the door of the hospital wing, opening it, and stepping out.
Then he walked back in...
Out, and then in again.
"I really can't give this to you. I have a use for it," Kyle said seriously. "I have to say, Slytherin is quite lucky. I was a bit worried about what to do, but this card came at just the right time."
"Slytherin?" Cedric asked, feigning confusion as he put down the shoe in his hand. "Is your plan related to this card?"
Kyle nodded.
"This is Aglaia, one of the most renowned alchemists," Cedric said, his eyes filled with longing. "I'd be willing to break a few more bones if it meant getting my hands on a card like this."
"It's just a card. Don't be so pathetic," Kyle scoffed. "On a small scale, this is about helping you vent your anger, but on a larger scale, it's about whether Hufflepuff can win the Quidditch Cup. Surely the Cup is more important than a single card?"
"Well, I can't deny that..." Cedric mumbled.
"Then it's settled," Kyle stated.
"I suppose so," Cedric replied, eyeing Kyle thoughtfully. "But something still feels off. You're being too serious, and that's not like you at all."
Cedric strongly suspected that Kyle was pulling a fast one on him, or that the Aglaia card wasn't even necessary for Kyle's original plan.
However, he had no proof.
"Why don't you let me borrow Aglaia then?" Cedric suggested. "Even if it's just for one night, I'll feel better. I can give it back to you tomorrow after I'm discharged, or we can carry out that plan together."
"No need," Kyle replied, patting his chest. "I'll handle the dirty work. Your job now is to focus on recovering."
"..."
Cedric was now certain that Kyle was pulling a fast one. He picked up the shoe from the ground and, in that moment, Kyle took the opportunity to dash out of the hospital wing. Just then, Madam Pomfrey arrived with a tray in her hands.
"What are you doing with that shoe?" she frowned. "Your bones need time to heal, so you'll have to stay here overnight."
"Sorry, Madam," Cedric managed a weak smile and put the shoe back.
"These young wizards nowadays, always causing trouble," Madam Pomfrey sigt. She finished bandaging his right leg and placed a Chocolate Frog card on the bed. "I found this by your bed. Remember to keep your things tidy."
Cedric's heart skipped a beat as he eagerly looked at the card.
On it, an elderly wizard with a long white beard gazed back at him kindly.
However, the warm feeling in Cedric's heart instantly cooled when he recognized the wizard.
"Nicolas Flamel, widely regarded as the greatest alchemist of the modern age. His notable contributions include..."
"Kyle!!!"
Cedric glared at the door of the hospital wing, his teeth clenched in anger. He wanted to rush out and give someone a good beating, but the presence of Madam Pomfrey not too far away quickly extinguished that idea.
Unwilling to give up, he unwrapped the remaining two Chocolate Frogs, hoping to find Aglaia.
A minute later, Cedric let out a soft sigh and tucked the two Dumbledore cards he had found under his pillow.
(End of Chapter)
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