Ron knew Kyle was popular at school, but he'd never imagined that he was also... friends? with the detestable Draco.
This was difficult for him to accept.
Kyle only needed one glance to guess Ron's thoughts, but he didn't care. The conflict between Draco and the trio had nothing to do with him as a Hufflepuff, and besides, his mother Diana had graduated from Slytherin, so why should he harbor any animosity toward them?
He glanced at Ron and casually said, "What's so strange about it? Salazar Slytherin and Godric Gryffindor were once close friends, just like you and Potter. If Potter had been sorted into Slytherin, would you have stopped talking to him?"
"Of course not!" Ron quickly replied, "But that's different..."
"That's just your opinion." Kyle said impatiently, frowning, "Don't forget I'm a Hufflepuff, and we get along well with every house. Oh, and one more thing... half of your new wand was sponsored by Slytherin friendship. If you can't accept that, I can write to Mrs. Weasley and help you get Charlie's old wand back."
Ron's lips quivered slightly. He felt Kyle was wrong but didn't know how to argue back.
Hufflepuff did indeed have good relationships with every house — even Ravenclaw, who they'd shut out with zero points in the competition, had only been given the cold shoulder for half a month before they reconciled.
As for the wand, that was even more of a non-issue. It was the only new thing he owned, and there was no way he would ever exchange it.
After speaking, Kyle didn't look at him again.
Instead, he led Kanna toward the Hufflepuff common room, pausing to say to Hagrid, "Hagrid, we're heading back first. See you later."
"Go on then, this year's feast won't disappoint you." Hagrid said with a smile. Then he turned to Harry, "Sorry, I need to go too. Professor McGonagall is waiting for me to help decorate the last Christmas tree."
After the three left, Ron finally exhaled deeply, asking with a self-mocking tone, "Did I just come across as stupid?"
Harry and Hermione exchanged glances and both shook their heads.
Ron's reaction was normal — they too had been surprised when they discovered Kyle was on good terms with Draco. They just hadn't mentioned it.
"Actually, Kyle did us a favor." Harry said quietly, "I noticed Snape had been standing nearby the whole time. He was probably waiting for us to get into a conflict with Malfoy so he could dock points."
Ron quickly looked around, but saw only a few students heading to the hall for the feast — no sign of Snape.
"Trust me, it's true." Harry insisted, "I really saw Snape earlier. He was standing just around the corner behind us. If you don't believe me, ask Hermione!"
"Yes, Harry's right." Hermione nodded halfheartedly.
This was the direct route from the dungeons to the Great Hall, so seeing Snape was perfectly normal — what was strange about that?
"Let's forget about that." Hermione said with a frown, "Aren't you curious? What exactly did Kyle give Draco that's worth a hundred Galleons?"
"Wait, what did you just say..." Ron was stunned, his eyes widening in disbelief, "A hundred Galleons?!"
He'd been so caught up in his thoughts that he hadn't caught what Kyle had said earlier.
"Yes, a hundred Galleons." Harry confirmed, unable to hide his amazement, "I have to say, the Malfoys really are rich."
Despite inheriting a substantial amount from the Potter family vault, Harry had never spent so much at once. His most expensive purchase to date had been his wand at seven Galleons.
"Merlin's beard..." Ron's knees buckled, and he nearly collapsed. Suddenly, Kyle's attitude made more sense to him.
A hundred Galleons... he hadn't even seen ten Galleons gathered together in his life.
"I remember there's still some time before the feast begins, right?" Harry asked abruptly.
"Thirteen minutes to be exact." Hermione frowned, "You're not thinking of..."
"Aren't you curious what that thing actually is?" Harry lowered his voice, "The Quidditch pitch isn't far. If we hurry, we can make it back in time."
"What are we waiting for?" Without hesitation, Ron bolted through the castle doors, racing toward the Quidditch pitch.
Harry and Hermione quickly followed, hurrying to catch up.
When they reached the pitch, they didn't dare enter, fearing Draco might spot them. Instead, they huddled at the tunnel entrance, peering inside.
✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭
Ten minutes later, they returned to the castle, just in time for the Christmas feast.
The Great Hall was magnificent, its walls adorned with garlands of mistletoe and holly. Twelve Christmas trees stood decorated with various ornaments — ice crystals, snowflakes, candles, golden bubbles, gift boxes containing trinkets — and oddly enough, one tree was decorated with ghosts.
Several familiar faces floated among the branches, including Nearly Headless Nick and the Fat Friar. They hovered on the Christmas tree, warmly greeting every young wizard who passed by.
On any other day, Harry would have been captivated by these unique decorations, but now he merely glanced at them without interest.
Hermione and Ron were similarly distracted — the three hurriedly made their way to the Gryffindor table.
As soon as they sat down, Harry leaned forward eagerly, "Did you notice? That fire-breathing snake must have been ten feet long... yet it was only as big as a fist before. How on earth did they manage that?"
"I don't know, Harry." Ron shook his head, "All I know is that Malfoy spent a hundred Galleons on a toy..."
"I've told you many times, it's not just a toy!" Hermione glared at him irritably, "It's a magical item combining the Engorgement Charm, the Bluebell Flames Charm, and advanced Transfiguration!"
"Fine... a magical toy." Ron muttered under his breath.
No matter what Hermione said, it didn't change the fact that it was basically a cheering prop. That thing was definitely just a toy.
A hundred Galleons for a toy — the world must have gone mad... no, Draco must have gone mad.
Hermione heard Ron's grumbling but didn't respond. She anxiously ran her fingers through her hair. She'd been puzzling over it the entire way back, unable to understand how the Bluebell Flames Charm could change colors.
It should be impossible — she'd never read anything like that in any book.
✭✭✭
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