chsdbacks Chapter 80: Sweet-Talk
Chapter 80: Sweet-Talk
Chapter 80 - 80: Sweet-TalkFaced with the "threat" of two second-year students, the not-so-formidable Kyle had no choice but to verbally agree to a series of one-sided "agreements" to avoid any potential campus "bullying."
"Remember what you promised, Kyle," Fred said with a grin. "You're going to be our technical support for the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes products."
"And provide storage," George added. "We need a safe place to keep it over the holidays—somewhere Mum won't find it."
"Of course, I'd be happy to help," Kyle replied with a smile. "I'll even help you work on the products. And as for the storage... how about my room? Mrs. Weasley will never think to check there."
"Perfect," Fred and George nodded approvingly, relaxing their "hold" on him.
"If you ever try to double-cross us..." Fred warned with mock menace, "you won't like the consequences!"
With that, the twins simultaneously held up a thumb and made a mock slashing motion across their necks before heading off.
Once they'd left, Kyle casually made his way to the Hufflepuff table, as if nothing out of the ordinary had just happened.
"How was your holiday?" Cedric asked as Kyle sat down.
"Not bad," Kyle replied, glancing at Cedric. "No early mornings, no homework—just reading, gardening, petting animals, that sort of thing. Basically, the life I've always dreamed of."
Cedric sighed a little enviously. "If I'd known, I wouldn't have gone home. My dad promised to take me to France over the holidays, but he's been so busy, working overtime almost every day. He's barely even home for five hours at a time."
Kyle was surprised to hear this. It didn't add up; hadn't Chris and Newt successfully handled the smuggled magical creatures? And he hadn't heard of anything major happening in the wizarding world recently. In fact, the front page of The Daily Prophet had recently featured only trivial things—like that spat between Mr. Weasley and Lucius Malfoy at the Ministry of Magic. In a time of relative calm, Mr. Diggory should have had time off unless there was some kind of emergency involving magical creatures. And if there had been such an incident, surely The Daily Prophet would have reported it.
Cedric noticed Kyle's confusion and, after a quick glance around to make sure no one was eavesdropping, leaned in and whispered, "It's about the Swooping Evil... My dad's been
"Really?" Kyle picked up a chicken leg, not even looking up. "Maybe it's just your imagination. He's mad every day."
"True, but..." Cedric glanced again toward the staff table. "I still think he's even worse than usual."
On the stage, Snape indeed looked as if he'd drunk the wrong potion, his expression dark as a storm cloud. His eyes swept ominously across the four tables, narrowing slightly as if in search of some wrongdoing.
Suddenly, as if sensing Cedric's gaze, Snape turned sharply toward the Hufflepuff table, causing Cedric to drop his head immediately. Meanwhile, Kyle calmly continued to eat his chicken leg, occasionally chatting with Mikel, who was seated on his other side.