BlurryDream
patreon
Chapter 646: A Letter to Newt
🕑 Added 2025-03-21 13:19:01 +0000 UTC“What did she mean by that?”
After Umbridge had left, Hagrid turned to Kyle with a puzzled expression. “And why did you say I should trust the Ministry of Magic? You know I ought to trust Dumbledore, not them.”
“I know,” Kyle said with a nod. “But if we want to avoid trouble, we have to say that for now.”
“What trouble could possibly come from a Ministry witch?” Hagrid asked dismissively, clearly unconcerned.
“Umbridge has the authority to fire professors,” Kyle reminded him. “If she decides a professor is unfit, she can have them removed.”
Hagrid chuckled, shaking his head. “Yer jokin’, Kyle. That’s impossible. No one can fire a Hogwarts professor just like that—except Dumbledore. Not even Fudge could manage it. And no matter what you say, I’ll never betray Dumbledore, not even pretend to. If she wants to make trouble for me because of it, well, let her.”
Kyle wasn’t surprised by Hagrid’s response. He had expected as much. Hagrid’s unwavering loyalty to Dumbledore was well known, and he never hesitated to show it, regardless of the risks it might bring.
As Kyle considered what to say next, the sound of footsteps echoed from outside. This time, it was more than one person, the shuffling chaotic and hurried.
Bang, bang, bang! The door trembled under a series of loud knocks.
“Hagrid, it’s us!” Harry’s voice called out excitedly from the other side.
Hagrid’s face lit up. Having so many visitors so soon after his return clearly warmed his heart. He stood and opened the door wide.
Through the gap, the heads of Harry, Ron, and Hermione appeared, their faces flushed from the cold.
“Hagrid, when did you get back?” Harry asked eagerly.
“Just about half an hour ago,” Hagrid said with a broad smile. “Come on in, get yerselves warm.”
The trio squeezed inside, shaking off the chill.
“We saw Umbridge earlier,” Hermione whispered as they settled in. “She didn’t say anything out of line, did she? Oh, Hagrid, are you hurt?” Her sharp eyes had caught the swelling around Hagrid’s eye.
“Did Umbridge’s toad do that?” Ron said angrily. “She’s going after professors now?”
“No, no, it wasn’t her,” Hagrid assured them, waving a hand as he instinctively covered his swollen eye. “I hurt meself by accident, is all. Anyway, she just had a look around and left. Didn’t say much of anything.”
Hermione frowned, unconvinced. Something about the situation didn’t sit right with her. Given Umbridge’s reputation and authority as High Inquisitor, it seemed unlikely she would leave without trying to assert her power.
Harry, however, didn’t dwell on it. Relieved that Umbridge hadn’t caused any trouble, he quickly changed the subject. “If I’d known you were coming back today, I wouldn’t have sent Hedwig to Professor Grubbly-Plank for treatment.”
“Hedwig? What happened to her?” Hagrid asked, concern crossing his face.
“She was injured,” Harry explained, his tone darkening. “We think someone tried to intercept the letter she was carrying.”
“It was Filch,” a sudden voice interjected.
The three friends jumped, startled by the unexpected sound. As they turned toward it, they realized there was another person in the room.
"Sorry, Kyle," Hermione said quickly, her voice apologetic. "I didn't realize you were here."
"It's okay," Kyle replied, shaking his head to show he didn’t mind.
“Wait... you mentioned Filch just now,” Harry said, his brow furrowing as he recalled Kyle’s earlier words. “Did he attack Hedwig?”
“Yes,” Kyle confirmed. “It happened in the Owlery. He tried to snatch the letter she was carrying.”
“I knew it!” Harry exclaimed, his face flushing with anger. “Who else would be interested in my letters besides him and Umbridge?”
“This is outrageous!” Hermione fumed. “Intercepting owls is against Hogwarts rules! And tampering with mail violates Wizarding Law. I’m going straight to Professor McGonagall about this!”
The three of them burst into a noisy discussion, their voices growing louder with frustration. Meanwhile, Kyle silently rummaged through his suitcase, unaffected by the commotion. After a moment, he pulled out a small bottle of Essence of Dittany and a handful of fresh Dittany leaves.
“You’ll want these,” Kyle said, handing the items to Hagrid. “The Essence of Dittany is for your wound, and the leaves will help your eye. You should heal in about two days. If you want a faster recovery, though, you should go to the Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey’s much better at this than I am.”
“Thanks, but this’ll do,” Hagrid said gratefully. “Don’t want too many people knowin’ I’ve been hurt.”
“By the way, Hagrid, what did happen to you?” Harry pressed.
“I told you, it’s nothin’,” Hagrid replied stubbornly, giving Kyle a meaningful look. “Now, sit yerselves down and have some water.”
“Nothin’? Yeah, right,” Ron scoffed. “Look at you!”
It was clear they didn’t believe Hagrid’s dismissive response. They kept pushing for answers, bombarding him with questions.
Hagrid glanced helplessly at Kyle, silently pleading for assistance. But Kyle merely shrugged, offering no support. He knew there was no point. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were relentless when it came to their curiosity. Even if he helped Hagrid deflect their questions now, they would eventually find a way to uncover the truth later.
After passing Hagrid the healing supplies, Kyle decided to leave. He stood, zipped up his coat, and stepped outside into the frigid air.
The cold wind bit at his face as he crossed the deserted grounds. Despite being the weekend, the bitter weather had driven most students indoors. If snow had been falling, it might have been different—few could resist the fun of a good snowball fight—but for now, the grounds were eerily empty.
Kyle quickened his pace, heading back toward the warmth of the Hufflepuff common room.
As soon as he pushed open the barrel door, a gust of icy air swept inside, prompting the few students near the entrance to shiver instinctively. The cozy warmth of the crackling fireplace, however, quickly dispersed the chill.
Inside, Cedric was engrossed in a game of wizard chess with Mikel. Spotting Kyle, he waved him over.
“Where were you just now?” Cedric asked.
“The Forbidden Forest,” Kyle replied casually. “Hagrid’s back.”
“Hagrid’s back?” Cedric said, surprised.
“Yeah, about an hour ago,” Kyle confirmed. “If you hurry, you might catch lunch with him.”
Cedric grimaced, shaking his head. “I think I’ll pass. Hagrid’s cooking isn’t exactly my favorite. Better to wait until after lunch.”
“Fair enough.”
“Want to play a game?” Cedric gestured to the wizard chess set.
“Sure,” Kyle said, then hesitated. “Actually, I’ve got something to take care of first. Maybe later.”
“Alright, see you later,” Cedric said, returning his attention to the board.
Kyle nodded and headed to the dormitory. With most of the students gathered in the common room, the dormitory was blessedly quiet and empty—perfect for what he needed to do.
Sitting at the table by the window, Kyle pulled out a quill and parchment and began writing quickly. Once he finished, he folded the letter neatly into an envelope.
“Ratton…” Kyle called softly, leaning out the window.
A moment later, Ratton— the somewhat temperamental owl—flitted down to the windowsill.
He perched there stubbornly, his head turned away from Kyle, his tail feathers facing the room. Clearly, the owl was still sulking about something.
“Don’t be like that,” Kyle said, waving the envelope enticingly. “This is much more important than the last letter. Only you can deliver it.”
Ratton’s feathers ruffled indignantly, but after a moment of dramatic hesitation, he finally turned to face Kyle.
“This is for Newt,” Kyle said, stroking the owl’s soft feathers gently. “No other owl can find where he is. Hurry back, and make sure you bring the reply.”
With a proud hoot, Ratton snatched the envelope in his beak.
