Disclaimer: I don't own anything. This is not meant to infringe upon copyrights.
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After returning from the greenhouse, Kyle was about to go back to his dormitory when he was stopped by the duo as soon as he entered the castle.
"Thank you for the book, Kyle."
Harry returned the book, *Quidditch Origins*, to Kyle, saying excitedly, "You were right, it really suits me.
I've studied the techniques in it carefully, and during the last training session, Wood said I've improved tremendously, like a completely different person."
"Finished it so quickly?"
Kyle took the book, smiling. "No wonder Professor McGonagall favored you, Harry, you really have talent."
"No, no, I just glanced at it." Harry scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed. "Maybe it's because I didn't know anything about Quidditch before, that's why the changes seem so big."
"Don't be modest, Harry." Kyle shook his head. "It took me over a month to fully master all the techniques in this book; you cut that time in half."
"Is that so…" Harry gave a stiff, dry laugh, then guiltily turned his head away, avoiding Kyle's gaze.
Seeing his expression, Kyle raised an eyebrow, seemingly guessing something.
"Do you need any other books?"
Kyle asked. "I have 'The Amazing Quidditch' and 'How to Score Quickly' there. I can bring them to the Great Hall for you in a bit if you need them."
"No, thank you!" Harry blurted out. "Well, I mean I'm too busy right now, homework, and training… I don't really have time to read."
"Then just let me know whenever you want to read," Kyle nodded.
He roughly understood what was going on.
If he wasn't mistaken, this savior hadn't even finished reading *Quidditch Origins*, probably only halfway through at most.
But that was the norm.
The thought of Harry Potter actually settling down to read was rather unsettling.
For some reason, seeing the thoughtful look on Kyle's face, Harry felt even more guilty.
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In fact, Kyle didn't understand Harry at all; he hadn't even finished half.
At first, Harry was genuinely interested in the book, even staying up until dawn on the first day, eventually sleeping on his desk all night.
But this only lasted a day.
After the initial excitement wore off, the long passages and difficult terms caused his patience to plummet. Just then, Wood praised his significant progress, saying he was almost on par with Charlie.
Perhaps feeling he had enough, Harry only read a third before giving up.
Kyle spoke a few more words to them and then left.
Just then, Ron suddenly said, "If only Hermione were like Kyle."
"What?" Harry didn't understand at first.
"Haven't you noticed? Hermione always talks to everyone in such a lecturing tone. Everyone hates her; frankly, she's a nightmare."
Ron said, "Kyle is even better than her, first in his grade, and the youngest recipient of the Special Contribution to School Award.
But whether it's helping us with directions before school starts or lending you Quidditch books, he's always very patient and never lectures us."
"Don't say that, Ron," Harry said softly. "Hermione can be quite nice sometimes."
"When..." Ron asked.
Harry hesitated for a while before whispering, "The day we were chased by Filch, she helped us open that door at the end of the corridor, and we escaped."
"Yeah, she delivered us right to Cerberus's mouth as a snack..."
Ron shuddered involuntarily, saying with lingering fear, "I'd rather face Filch."
Even Harry fell silent.
On this point, he shared Ron's opinion.
Filch was scary too, but at least he wouldn't eat them like snacks.
"The Halloween party is about to begin, let's hurry to the Great Hall," Harry changed the subject. "They all say it's as lavish as the Opening Ceremony, is that true?"
"More than that," Ron quickly forgot about Hermione and said mysteriously, "I heard from George that last Halloween, Dumbledore invited the Headless Horsemen to perform.
I wonder who he'll invite this year. It would be great if it were the Weird Sisters; they're the most popular band."
Hearing Ron's words, Harry also felt a little excited.
He hadn't heard the name "Weird Sisters," but he knew what a band was.
Back at Privet Drive, he had never heard a band perform, or even watched any related television programs.
Because Dudley didn't like it.
The two quickly went downstairs to the Great Hall for the party.
Meanwhile, Kyle also made his way through the wooden barrels in the kitchen corridor to the Hufflepuff common room.
There weren't many people in the common room, just a handful. When Kyle entered, they were preparing to go to the Great Hall for the feast.
Someone recognized him and asked with a smile, "Kyle? Want to come to the Great Hall?"
"I'd love to, but not now. I need to go back to my dorm to get something," Kyle said. "You guys go ahead, I'll be right there."
"Okay, but you'd better hurry," an upperclassman said. "The Halloween feast is about to start."
"Don't worry, I've been looking forward to all that food since this morning."
Even so, Kyle had no intention of going to the Great Hall for any Halloween feast.
He had more important things to do today.
After everyone left the common room, Kyle found a sofa, sat down, and took out a large piece of parchment—
the Marauder's Map he had borrowed from Fred and George before Herbalism class.
"I solemnly swear I am up to no good,"
Kyle recited the command, and ink lines quickly appeared on the Marauder's Map.
It was clear that almost everyone in the castle was gathered in the Great Hall, or heading towards it; only a few people remained elsewhere.
Kyle searched the area but didn't find Quirrell's name.
A few minutes later, the feast began. Besides Kyle himself, only Hermione, still on the first floor, and Filch on the eighth floor remained in the castle.
"Not here yet?" Kyle frowned, somewhat surprised.
Could Quirrell be planning to give up on something...?
No, probably not.
Kyle quickly dismissed the thought; the banquet had only just begun, it was probably too early. He'd wait.
[End of the chapter]