At the end of October, Ladon finally returned from Romania after more than a month away.
Kael put it back in the dormitory and filled its bowl with dragon liver and tonic before untying the bag from its claws.
Inside were heaps of Dragon Scale Badges and a letter from Charlie.
The letter said the store's inventory was insufficient and had to rush to make a batch, which caused the delay.
Kael sighed, silently criticizing John Senior for being unprofessional.
If he'd known, he would have bought fewer.
After so long, everyone realized the Dementors weren't entering the castle, so recently few people asked him about the badges.
Everyone was now concerned with another matter.
As the first Quidditch match was approaching, the atmosphere in the castle was surging, and everyone couldn't wait to watch the game. In this anticipation, even the intrusion of Blake into the castle seemed less significant.
...
The day before the match, the wind howling and rain falling harder than ever, the corridors and classrooms were so dark more torches and lanterns had to be lit.
No one wanted to play in this weather.
"Fortunately, the first match is Gryffindor and Slytherin."
In the common room, Mikel glanced at the window battered by the wind and said with relief, "Such terrible weather really affects performance."
This was his first match, and Mikel cared a lot.
The other team members nodded in agreement.
But when they arrived at the auditorium, Cedric told them some bad news.
"Our match has been moved up." He said unpleasantly, "Flint just found me to say that tomorrow's match will be us against Gryffindor."
"Why!" the team nearly shouted in unison.
Cedric said, "Flint's excuse is that their Seeker broke an arm in training yesterday and wants us to step in."
"He's talking nonsense!" Mikel angrily shouted, "Even if his arm is broken, Madam Pomfrey could fix it in one night."
"Their reason is obvious, they don't want to play in this weather, thinking it will reduce their score."
"Wait..." Mikel suddenly thought of something and asked tentatively, "Captain, you didn't agree with them, did you?"
Cedric shook his head, "Not yet. I just said I needed to consider."
"There's no need to consider, just reject them." Another team member said.
"But Flint brought Professor Snape." Cedric said heavily, "When I said I'd consider it, he already seemed unhappy."
"What, Professor Snape?" Mikel couldn't help but raise his voice.
He really couldn't understand, it's just a Quidditch match, right? Does it need to involve the head of Slytherin?
"And..." Cedric hesitated before continuing, "If we don't agree, he'll definitely go to Ravenclaw..."
"At this time, you're still..." Mikel said halfway, suddenly stopped, and turned to ask:
"Kael, the first Charm class today is with which house?"
"Ravenclaw, I think." Kael said, "Why."
"Wait a moment..."
Mikel sat there, bowed his head thinking about something.
The surrounding team members did not disturb him.
A few minutes later, Mikel finally looked up again.
"I have an idea..."
He grinned and said, "If both we and Ravenclaw have players injured in the hospital, Professor Snape won't have any reason to make us replace Slytherin."
"You might be right." Cedric's expression was strange, "But purposely getting injured for a match... is it worth it?"
"Don't worry, I've thought it through..." Mikel said confidently, "But first, I need to meet their Seeker Cho Chang before class... could anyone help me call her over?"
Cedric looked at him suspiciously but stood up and walked to Ravenclaw's table.
He originally thought to discuss with the team and agree.
After all, Kael's waterproof badges worked well, so even in such weather, it wouldn't greatly affect them, but they'd be uncomfortable.
Finding any excuse to swap us out if you don't want to play? Why.
Now that Mikel said so, let's hear his plan... maybe it works.
Soon, Cho arrived.
She looked unhappy, likely hearing from Cedric about the situation.
"What's your plan?" She sat beside Mikel and asked directly.
"Just an idea, but I think it could work..."
The two whispered.
Cho's expression gradually shifted from worry to surprise, then her eyes brightened...
"Your plan seems to work." She said.
"Isn't it." Mikel smiled, "The only thing left is the key props, you wait here, I'll go buy..."
"Wait." Kael stopped Mikel, pulled out some candy and said, "No need to buy, I have some right here."
"Are you sure it works?"
"Better than the original." Kael raised his eyebrow, "And it won't harm the body."
...
Soon, it was class time.
At the staircase, they went their separate ways.
Cedric headed to the dungeon classroom for Potion class, while Kael and the others went to the Charm class classroom.
Today they were learning the Revealing Spell.
Professor Flitwick, as usual, explained the gestures and incantation carefully before handing everyone a blank Parchment to uncover its hidden contents.
"Revelio!"
The classroom filled with students chanting the spell.
When Professor Flitwick reached the other side of the room, Mikel quickly stuffed a candy bean in his mouth and winked at Cho.
Noticing this, Cho also put something in her mouth.
In the next moment, a sudden, intense white light flashed in the room.
Mikel let out an exaggerated scream and collapsed on the desk, motionless.
Professor Flitwick was startled. When he turned around, he saw Mikel lying motionless and Cho's face was pale, more swollen than before.
"Oh no, what happened!" Professor Flitwick was bewildered, not understanding what had happened.
But when he saw Mikel's state coupled with that familiar yet unfamiliar flash, some bad memories from years ago came flooding back.
No, not again?
Professor Flitwick's heart tightened, and he quickly shouted, "Quick, get them to the Hospital Wing!"
Kael reacted first, rushing out.