Chris and Diana stayed home for only a day before returning to the Ministry of Magic early the next morning — they had lots of work to do.
Chris especially had his work cut out for him, having been away for six months. The paperwork in his department had piled up into a mountain.
Left alone at home, Kyle decided to visit Hagrid.
St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries was located in London, opposite an old department store. Like the Leaky Cauldron, it had Muggle-repelling charms — passersby could only see a "Closed for Refurbishment" sign on the door and couldn't enter.
Kyle found an ugly mannequin in the window and said, "I'm here to visit a patient."
The mannequin gave a tiny nod and beckoned with its jointed fingers for him to come through.
Similar to passing through the barrier to Platform 9¾, entering St. Mungo's required walking through the glass window.
This was Kyle's first time at St. Mungo's. As the most famous hospital in the wizarding world, it was home to all sorts of bizarre patients.
Just after entering, he saw an elderly wizard with a leg protruding from his head, hopping toward the inquiry desk to join the queue. His startling appearance caused everyone in line to immediately offer him their place.
"No, no, you go ahead." The elderly wizard said politely, "My head just feels a bit heavy. If someone could help support it, that'd be fine."
But no one dared help — not from fear of blame, but because the leg on his head wouldn't stay still, kicking left and right, making it impossible for anyone to approach.
Finally, a plump blonde witch emerged from the inquiry desk and led him away. As they left, the leg continued swaying side to side, seemingly trying to kick the witch.
Kyle was heading to the second floor's Creature-Induced Injuries ward, where a curly-haired Healer directed him to Hagrid's room.
"That big fellow? He's in the Janus Thickey Ward, opposite the specimen room... actually, I'll take you there."
The Healer led Kyle to a brown-red door.
"Here we are." He said, opening it, "Rubeus Hagrid, you have a visitor."
"Mmph..." Came a muffled mumble from inside.
Kyle walked in to find a fairly spacious room with six beds, though only three were occupied.
Besides Hagrid, there were two other wizards — one sleeping, and the other, to Kyle's surprise, someone he knew.
"Professor Kettleburn... what are you doing here?"
"Hmm?" A bald wizard with a white beard looked at Kyle with puzzlement, "Are you... a Hogwarts student?"
"Yes, Professor." Kyle replied, "I'm in second year now."
"Ah, that explains it..." Professor Kettleburn nodded.
Second-years couldn't take Care of Magical Creatures yet, so he naturally hadn't encountered this student before.
"Um... why are you here?" Kyle asked, glancing at the professor's remaining arm and half-leg.
Thankfully, they were still attached — losing any more limbs might have forced the professor into early retirement.
"Oh, nothing much, just got knocked about by a unicorn." The old professor said casually, fiddling with his thick bandages and waving dismissively, "Just a scratch really, nothing to worry about. Weren't you here to see Hagrid? Go on then."
Kyle clicked his tongue — a unicorn's horn was no mere decoration; it could pierce even dragon scales. Being struck by one was serious business, yet only Professor Kettleburn would be this nonchalant about it.
Indeed, for Professor Kettleburn, this was hardly a notable incident.
Hagrid occupied the bed to Kettleburn's right, his massive frame requiring three beds pushed together. When he saw Kyle, confusion clouded his eyes.
"You're... Kyle, why are you here? Don't you have classes?"
"It's summer holiday now, Hagrid." Kyle placed a wrapped box of sweets on the nearby table and asked, "How are you feeling?"
Of course, he hadn't forgotten to bring one for Professor Kettleburn too.
"It's summer holiday already?" Hagrid rubbed his head, "Feeling terrible. Seems I've forgotten quite a lot. Mr. Scamander visited two days ago. He said I'll need at least a month of treatment to recover these memories. I don't want to stay here — I still need to go pick up Harry for school."
He tugged irritably at his patched-together hospital gown, which was still too small for him.
He'd spent a whole year preparing to pick up Harry Potter this year. What if Dumbledore wouldn't let him go because of this?
He couldn't accept that.
"It's alright." Kyle consoled him, "Summer holiday has just started. The owls won't deliver the acceptance letters for another month and a half — there's plenty of time."
"I hope so." Hagrid tugged at his gown again.
"Be confident, Hagrid. The headmaster will definitely let you pick up Potter." Kyle handed him a Chocolate Frog, "Have some chocolate, it should help improve your mood."
"Thank you, Kyle." Hagrid sniffled softly, "I never thought anyone besides Dumbledore would come to visit me."
"Wait... your name is Kyle?" Professor Kettleburn suddenly looked over, "That unicorn foal — could you be the one who found it?"
"Sort of." Kyle said calmly, "Though Oren only returned the foal when he saw the Ministry people arrive, and just happened to throw it to me."
"The Ministry... ha, who'd have thought those useless lot would actually do something right for once." Professor Kettleburn made no effort to hide his opinion of the Ministry. He looked at Kyle with interest and said, "You're in second year now, right? Interested in taking Care of Magical Creatures next year?"
"It's the class I'm most looking forward to, Professor."
Shouting from the next ward carried over, mixed with the snoring patient's loud breathing. The argument was hard to make out through the noise.
After saying goodbye to Hagrid and Kettleburn, Kyle stepped into the corridor.
The arguing grew clearer now, punctuated by the sound of breaking objects — apparently, a patient was resisting treatment and fighting back.
Kyle paid it little mind, closing the door and heading toward the stairs.
BANG!
As he turned his head, an arm suddenly punched through the neighboring ward's door, right in front of him.
The arm was covered in gray fur, ending in long, black hooked claws. Before Kyle could react, a tall figure smashed through the door and burst into the hallway.
The creature stood on its hind legs, its elongated jaw snapping open and closed.
"..."
Wait… a werewolf?
Kyle stared in disbelief. How could there be a werewolf in broad daylight?
✭✭✭
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