Hagrid's Dilemma

After bidding farewell to Cedric, Kyle left the castle and headed towards the Forbidden Forest.

Hagrid was standing in his vegetable garden in front of his cabin, watering the pumpkins that were as big as cartwheels.

"It's Kyle, come in and have a seat."

The two entered the cabin, Hagrid happily served Kyle Rock Cake and a teapot.

How's the new school year going?

"Not bad." Kyle didn't touch the Rock Cake, but only took a sip of tea. "It's just that there are more classes each week than last year."

"Yes, the workload in the second year is indeed heavier than in the first year," Hagrid said with a smile. "But it won't be a problem for you. Harry mentioned you to me when he came here yesterday."

"Harry Potter?"

Kyle was somewhat surprised. He remembered that he and Harry hadn't interacted much. Apart from their encounter in the corridor, they hadn't spent much time alone together since.

He even gave Harry a map and a bag of pet treats back then, so I suppose Harry wouldn't say anything bad about me.

"Harry said he hasn't been late these past few days thanks to the map you gave him," Hagrid said with a chuckle.

Hagrid couldn't stop smiling at the thought of Harry sitting in the hut yesterday telling him all the funny things that happened at school.

The little guy was just too curious, constantly asking about the Philosopher's Stone, which was giving him a headache.

The Philosopher's Stone was a secret that Dumbledore had repeatedly warned him about, and as the most discreet person at Hogwarts, Hagrid certainly couldn't possibly reveal it.

But at the same time, he didn't want to deceive Harry, so he could only make up various excuses to get away with it.

It's quite a dilemma, and it takes a lot of brainpower.

"I see..."

Kyle nodded without asking any further questions.

He guessed that Harry had just casually mentioned it while chatting with Hagrid, like talking about what he had for dinner the night before, without any particular intention.

If he had come a few days later, Hagrid might have forgotten about it.

Seeing that Kyle didn't speak, Hagrid picked up the copper kettle beside him and poured him another cup of tea, while thinking to himself:

This is what chatting should be like: relaxed, enjoyable, and most importantly, requires no brainpower.

"Try this." Hagrid handed over the plate of Rock Cake, smiling as he said, "I just baked them yesterday, they're still crispy. By the way, where are your friends? Why didn't they come along?"

"Sorry, I just had breakfast and I really can't eat anything else."

Kyle politely declined Hagrid's offer to help him get his teeth replaced, saying, "They're selecting new Quidditch players lately, Cedric and the others are at the stadium."

"Yes... Quidditch."

Hagrid exclaimed, "Time flies! It's time for a new player again. I remember you like Quidditch, don't you?"

"Hmm." Kyle nodded and said, "I've already registered, but I can only take the exam next week."

"I believe you can pass."

"That's what I think too," Kyle said with a smile. "And who knows, Harry Potter might even make the team this year."

"Harry? No way." Hagrid shook his head. "First-year students aren't allowed to play Quidditch. That's the rule."

"That's true, but Gryffindor desperately needs a Seeker this year."

Kyle said, "If Harry Potter inherited his father's abilities, Professor McGonagall would probably admit him exceptionally."

"James ..." Hagrid thought for a moment, then suddenly realized, "Oh, right, James was indeed an excellent Seeker. He even led Gryffindor the Quidditch Cup several times back in the day."

Thinking of this, Hagrid couldn't help but laugh out loud.

If Harry could really join the Quidditch team in his first year, I'm sure he'd be very happy.

After all, who doesn't like Quidditch?

But soon, Hagrid realized something and his laughter faded.

If both Kyle and Harry are on the team, then who will he cheer for when Hufflepuff plays Gryffindor...?

Hagrid's face gradually scrunched up as he tugged at his beard in frustration.

Kyle called him three times before Hagrid finally snapped out of his daze.

"What were you thinking about just now, so engrossed?"

"No, nothing, I just suddenly remembered that I haven't finished watering the pumpkin patch," Hagrid lied.

He had just decided to cheer for both colleges at the same time, the kind where he applauds whoever scores, but he definitely couldn't say it out loud.

Hagrid then went to water the pumpkin patch, and Kyle followed him outside, but they didn't return to the castle.

His friends, including Mikel and Ryan, had all gone to the Quidditch Pitch, so there was no point in him going back.

Kyle looked around, found a flat spot, and began taking things out of the bag.

Portable stoves, crucibles, herbs... soon piled up all over the floor.

"Kyle, what are you doing?" Hagrid asked curiously.

"Brewing some Potions, or rather, pet tonics."

Kyle lit the furnace with his wand and placed the cauldron on it.

Hagrid was initially quite interested when he heard that Kyle was going to brew a pet tonic, but he only watched for a short while before turning back to the pumpkin patch.

I don't understand it at all.

Hagrid couldn't understand why Kyle couldn't just put all the powder in at once, but instead had to put it in three separate batches at different intervals.

He wanted to write down the whole process, but the time intervals alone made him dizzy.

I just jotted down something, and I forgot it all in the blink of an eye.

Hagrid decisively abandoned his plan to secretly learn a trick or two and went to water the pumpkins.

Kyle, who was focused on watching the fire, didn't notice Hagrid's strange behavior. He held his wand and stirred the potion in the cauldron every now and then.

Brewing Potions is a delicate task; even the simplest one can be ruined by a single oversight, and he didn't want to start all over again.

Time slowly passed.

By the time Hagrid had finished watering all the pumpkins, Kyle's side was almost done as well.

He poured some dark green powder into the crucible and then stirred it counterclockwise with his wand.

The orange-yellow liquid in the crucible gradually turned red.

That red color was incredibly beautiful, crystal clear, without a single impurity, just like a melted ruby.

Kyle extinguished the fire in the furnace, and after the cauldron had cooled down, he carefully poured the Potions inside into a pre-prepared bottle.

Just one bottle, no more, no less.

"This is pet supplement?" Hagrid looked at the bottle curiously.

"Yes." Kyle handed him the bottle, smiling as he said, "But to be precise, it should be called a special rat tonic."