The Sky-High Price Toy

Ron knew Kyle was popular at school, but he never imagined that he was actually... friends with the obnoxious Malfoy?

This was somewhat difficult for Ron to accept.

Kyle guessed Ron's thoughts with just one glance, but didn't care at all.

What does the conflict between Malfoy and the three have to do with him, a Hufflepuff? Besides, his mother, Diana, was Slytherin graduate, so why should he hate them?

Kyle glanced at Ron and said casually, "What's so strange about that? Salazar Slytherin and Godric Gryffindor were friends, even best friends, just like you and Harry Potter."

"What, if Harry Potter had been sorted into Slytherin, would you not have spoken to him?"

"Of course not!" Ron hurriedly said, "But these are two different things..."

"That's just your opinion." Kyle said impatiently, frowning. "Don't forget I'm a Hufflepuff, and we have good relationships with every House."

Oh, and one more thing... half of your new wand was generously donated by Slytherin. If you can't accept that, I can write to Mrs. Weasley and ask her to get you Charlie's old wand."

Ron's lips twitched slightly. He felt that Kyle was wrong, but he didn't know how to refute him.

Because Hufflepuff really does have good relationships with every house. Even Ravenclaw, who got zero points in the competition, only had a cold war with them for half a month before making up again.

As for the wand, needless to say, it was the only new thing he had, and there was no way he would replace it.

After Kyle finished speaking, he didn't look at Ron again, but instead led Kanna towards Hufflepuff's common room, saying to Hagrid as he did so:

"Hagrid, we're heading back now. See you later."

"Go on, this year's dinner party will definitely not disappoint you," Hagrid said with a smile, then turned to Harry, "Sorry, I have to go too, Professor McGonagall is waiting to decorate the last Christmas tree."

After the three left, Ron finally let out a long sigh of relief and said to himself with a self-deprecating laugh, "Did I look really stupid just now?"

Harry and Hermione exchanged a glance and shook their heads simultaneously.

Ron's reaction was normal; even they were surprised to find that Kyle and Malfoy had a good relationship.

They just didn't say it.

"Actually, Kyle actually helped us," Harry whispered. "I noticed Snape was standing not far away the whole time. He must have been waiting for us to clash with Malfoy so he could take the opportunity to deduct points."

Ron quickly looked up, but apart from a few students on their way to the Great Hall for a banquet, he couldn't see Snape anywhere.

"Believe me, it's true," Harry insisted. "I really saw Snape just now. He was standing around the corner not far behind us. You can ask Hermione!"

"Yes, Harry is right." Hermione nodded perfunctorily.

This is the only way to get from the underground classrooms to the Great Hall, so seeing Snape here is perfectly normal; there's nothing strange about it.

"Never mind that for now," Hermione said, frowning. "Aren't you curious about what that thing Kyle gave Malfoy was that was worth a hundred Galleon?"

"Wait, what did you just say..." Ron paused, then said incredulously, "One hundred Galleon?!"

He was thinking about other things and hadn't paid any attention to what Kyle said.

"Yes, one hundred Galleon." Harry remembered it too, and couldn't help but exclaim, "I have to say, the Malfoy family is really rich."

Although Harry inherited a large sum of Galleon from the Potter family treasury, he had never spent so much money at once.

So far, his biggest expense has been the seven Galleon he spent on the wand.

"Merlin's beard..."

Ron suddenly felt his legs go weak and almost collapsed to the ground. He was starting to understand Kyle better now.

One hundred Galleon... He'd never even seen what ten Galleon together looked like.

"I think there's still some time before the banquet starts," Harry suddenly asked.

"Thirteen minutes to be exact," Hermione frowned. "You wouldn't be thinking of..."

Aren't you curious... what exactly is that thing?

Harry lowered his voice and said, "The Quidditch Pitch isn't far from here; we should still have time to make it there."

"Then what are we waiting for...?"

Ron was the first to rush out of the castle gates, running towards the Quidditch Pitch without looking back.

Harry and Hermione followed closely behind, quickly catching up.

The three quickly arrived at the stadium, but to avoid being spotted by Malfoy, they didn't dare go inside. Instead, they huddled near the tunnel entrance, peeking inside cautiously.

Ten minutes later, they returned to the castle, just in time for the Christmas dinner.

The Great Hall was decorated spectacularly, with colorful ribbons of mistletoe and holly hanging everywhere on the walls.

The twelve Christmas trees were covered with different decorations: ice crystals, snowflakes, candles, golden bubbles, gift boxes filled with all sorts of trinkets... and, for some unknown reason, one of the trees was decorated with ghosts.

There are also many familiar faces among the young wizards, such as the Nearly Headless Nick and the Fat Friar...

They floated above the Christmas tree, warmly greeting and caring for every little wizard who passed by.

Normally, Harry would have been drawn to such unique decorations, but now he only glanced at them and didn't pay any more attention.

Hermione and Ron did the same; the three of them hurried to the Gryffindor table.

As soon as he sat down, Harry asked impatiently, "Did you guys notice? That snake that spews fireworks must be ten feet long... It was only the size of a fist before, how did it manage that?"

"I don't know, Harry," Ron shook his head. "All I know is that Malfoy spent a hundred Galleon on a toy..."

"I've told you so many times, that's not a toy!"

Hermione glared at him, annoyed.

"That's a magical item that combines the Engorgement Charm, the Bluebell Flames, and advanced Transfiguration!"

"Okay... a magical toy," Ron muttered to himself.

No matter what Hermione says, it doesn't change the fact that it's a cheering gadget.

That thing is just a toy.

Buying a toy for 100 Galleon? The world must be insane... no, Malfoy must be insane.

Hermione heard Ron's complaints but ignored him, only scratching her hair in frustration. She had been thinking the whole way and couldn't understand why the Bluebell Flames could change color.

But that's impossible; she'd never seen anything like it in a book.