The happenings in Defense Against the Dark Arts class spread rapidly, but no one seemed particularly interested.
A first-year student accidentally injuring a professor might be big news in other classes.
For instance, the first day's Charm Class was still a hot topic.
But if it's the Defense Against the Dark Arts class... it's not quite the same.
Let's just say, their previous professor was a deeply hidden Dark Wizard, later discovered by someone and taken away by Aurors during class.
The professor before him was a Magic Potion enthusiast who liked experimenting with strange potion recipes. One day in class, he showcased his latest creation, the Omniscience Potion, claiming it could rival Felix Felicis, solving all problems with just one sip.
Then... there was no then.
To prove the potion's effectiveness, he drank a sip on the spot and is still lying in St Mungo's Hospital.
Compared to that, what happened with Professor Oren wasn't even worth gossiping about.
Thus, the first weekend at Hogwarts approached quietly.
Kael slept until almost nine o'clock, and it was Cedric knocking on his door that finally woke him up.
"What's the matter waking me so early?"
After washing up, Kael threw himself onto the sofa in the common room and stretched comfortably.
"Early? It's almost time for lunch, you know!" Cedric looked at Kael exasperatedly and handed him a pie he had just brought from the kitchen.
It was stuffed with potato and beef, with some onion, quite delicious.
While Kael was eating the pie, Cedric continued, "Today's the Quidditch tryouts. I'm planning to give it a shot. What about you? Want to join? The two of us together could definitely win the Quidditch Cup this year."
"I'll pass." Kael shook his head and said, "First-year young wizards aren't allowed on the team, that's the rule."
Ever since after yesterday's Flying Class, Kael had already given up on joining the Quidditch team.
Because Diana strictly forbade him from buying a broom in his first year, if he joined the team now, he'd have to use one of those... antiques provided by the school, which he couldn't stand.
Those brooms were just too old, lacking many essential features. Most importantly, the Levitating Spell engraved on the broomstick handle.
This feature has been available since 1930, after the Quidditch World Cup final that year lasted seven days. Eventually, 11 players from the final two teams retired for the same reason.
Since then, the Levitating Spell has become a must-have for brooms.
The school brooms clearly existed before 1930.
Riding those antiques occasionally is fine, but over time, it might affect young wizards' physical and mental health.
Kael couldn't accept that, but as for Cedric...
Kael patted his shoulder, saying earnestly, "If you're selected, I suggest you save up to buy a new broom."
Cedric nodded, "Indeed, the school brooms are too slow, but if I really get selected, my dad should give me a Cleansweep Seven."
"Then there's no problem." Kael nodded.
Though the Cleansweep Seven is a decade old, it has all the necessary features, sufficient even for the school team.
"Oh, and one more thing." Cedric took out two maps and said, "I've finished the maps of Gryffindor and Slytherin, what do we do next, promote them ourselves? Or continue seeking collaboration?"
"Let's find partners." Kael thought for a moment and said, "Promoting ourselves is too time-consuming and inefficient, not suitable."
"Yes, I think so too." Cedric nodded, "For Gryffindor, we could ask the Weasley Brothers; they might agree to help. But what about Slytherin? Do you know anyone?"
Kael shook his head.
Coincidentally, out of Hogwarts' four houses, Slytherin was the one Kael was least familiar with, mainly because he had no interaction with them at all.
"That's troublesome." Cedric sighed, "I don't know anyone either."
Having earned his first pot of gold, Cedric was at his most enthusiastic and didn't want to give up on the largest market, Slytherin.
To that end, he'd even slightly modified the Slytherin map, using the best parchment and adding a gold trim.
The design perfectly matched their taste.
Of course, the price would be slightly higher too. You get what you pay for; that's quite normal.
The only problem now was how to sell these maps; relying solely on the two of them from Hufflepuff, few in Slytherin would buy.
And if Snape found out, it would be a problem. Given his personality, he'd most likely confiscate the maps and dock Hufflepuff twenty points.
After much thought, a middleman was needed.
They discussed for a while longer but still didn't have a good solution.
Cedric thought of asking the Weasley Brothers if they knew anyone in Slytherin.
Although Kael doubted this possibility, there was no better idea for now, so they had to try.
Around 10 a.m., the two left Hufflepuff's common room together.
Cedric went to the Quidditch Pitch for team tryouts, while Kael headed to the library to return a book.
The "Wandering Minstrel in Wind" was finished last night, and he planned to borrow another book.
Since they weren't headed in the same direction, they parted ways near the auditorium.
Kael said with a smile, "Wish you success in joining the Quidditch Team."
"No worries!" Cedric confidently gave a thumbs up, "It's going to be fine."
Then they each went their separate ways.
...
Inside the library, Madam Pince inspected the book Kael returned, confirmed it was fine, and handed over the new book he wanted to borrow:
"The usual rule, you know it."
"Of course, no damaging the books." Kael grinned, "I know."
"Good."
After getting the book he wanted, Kael didn't go straight back to his dorm; he found a spot in the library to start reading.
"Detailed Explanation of Asian Magical Plants"
This was a book about herbs, and Kael flipped through it casually, quickly finding what he needed.
"ZG Chomping Cabbage, an extremely dangerous aggressive plant, first discovered in..."
Kael pulled out a prepared piece of parchment and used the Doubling Charm to duplicate all the contents, then left the library.
However, he didn't immediately return the book, planning to take it back and finish it. Maybe Professor Sprout would introduce a new variety next time.
He didn't want to come borrow it again, what a hassle.