A Small Profit

By Monday morning, news of Professor Burbage Charity Boubagi's attack and subsequent Hospital Wing had spread throughout the castle.

The school had to temporarily suspend the Muggle Studies because it could not find a suitable substitute professor.

Furthermore, Marcus Flint, who was discharged from the hospital, stated that he personally witnessed the professor being taken to the Hospital Wing on Saturday night.

Everyone who heard the news was stunned... That was a professor!

Rumors immediately spread throughout the school, and everyone became suspicious. Almost everyone started to huddle together in small groups, afraid that they would be attacked if they were alone.

He's lying!

At the Gryffindor table, Harry said angrily, "He didn't wake up at all on Saturday night, he slept like a log!"

"But people are willing to believe him," Ron said without looking up. "Never mind that."

He placed a backpack on the table, rummaged through a pile of books and notebooks inside, and pulled out a piece of parchment, measuring it with a ruler.

"Damn it, another three inches off... Harry, have you finished your History of Magic homework?"

"What? There's homework for History of Magic?" Harry was stunned.

"Of course, it's about the 1289 International Confederation of Wizards." Ron glanced at him. "Did the Bludger hit you on the head too?"

"No... but I think it might have something to do with the fall," Harry said. "I don't remember it happening at all."

"Then you're in trouble. Our first lesson is History of Magic," Ron said sympathetically.

He then looked at Hermione, "Your..."

"No!" Hermione glared at him. "You should do your homework yourself."

"I know," Ron said, "But I was in that room on the Seventh Floor all day yesterday and didn't have time to go to the library at all."

"Who told you to just keep playing with that Broomstick!"

Two people were attacked in succession, one of whom was a professor... Lately, everyone has been extremely upset and confused, and the castle has become deathly silent.

Fred and George could no longer stand the oppressive atmosphere, so one morning they made a grand entrance to the Great Hall auditorium with Broomstick.

Each of them wore three gleaming gold trophies atop their heads, like they were wearing uniquely designed headbands.

Moreover, the brooms they carried were also specially made, with an extra wooden board in the middle, secured with magic tape.

Once enough people had arrived, they emerged from the castle amidst the curious gazes of the crowd, leisurely flying around it while performing a tap dance on their brooms.

The crowd immediately erupted in laughter, everyone bursting into giggles.

Professor McGonagall was also in the crowd, but she neither stopped Fred and George nor dispersed the crowd. Instead, she waited until they had circled the castle and returned to the ground before stepping out with a stern face.

"Professor McGonagall..."

What brings you here?

Fred and George immediately stopped grinning, too ashamed to look at her.

"Gryffindor point deducted."

Professor McGonagall said, "That's not how you use Broomstick. Don't do anything so dangerous again."

"And..." She glanced at the top of their heads, "Remember to wipe the trophy clean and put it back in the Trophy Room, or you'll be in solitary confinement."

"I promise to clean them until they're spotless."

"Like new."

Upon hearing that they had only lost one point and wouldn't have to be put in solitary confinement, Fred and George almost burst out laughing... In fact, they had already prepared themselves for solitary confinement.

Professor McGonagall said nothing and turned to leave.

The crowd became lively again.

Fred and George, like two triumphant Champion, were escorted back to the castle.

They found Kyle and asked with a smile, "How was it?"

"A fantastic performance," Kyle said sincerely.

Cedric gave a thumbs up, "But how exactly did you guys manage to keep the trophy in place?"

"Magic tape." Fred pried the trophies apart. "We originally wanted to have someone use Levitation Charm on them, but we decided to use this instead."

"At least it's safe," George laughed. "We looked for Ron before, but it turned out he couldn't control the Levitation Charm at all. He even lost the feathers we used for the experiment, and we still haven't found them."

"After that, we gave up on the idea of asking someone for help."

Back at the castle, Fred and George decided to put the trophy back before class.

"Is this all there is to it?" Kanna looked at the trophy in their hands, which had many traces of tape that hadn't been completely removed.

"In our opinion, that's enough."

"Don't worry, Kyle's isn't in here..." George blinked. "We specifically looked for them; these trophies all come from Slytherin."

After saying that, the two hurriedly ran up the stairs.

Thanks to them, Hogwarts, which had been quiet for a long time, finally showed some vitality today.

During Defence Against the Dark Arts, Lockhart even mentioned that he would include them in his new book, which he is currently writing.

However, Kyle thought that Fred and George probably wouldn't be happy if they knew this news.

When class ended, Kyle ran into Neville in the hallway. He seemed to have been waiting there, and immediately came over to Kyle upon seeing him.

"I'm sorry, I think I messed things up."

With a sob in his voice, Neville pulled a flowerpot from behind him.

Inside was a slender plant with green roots and stems, but its leaves were dry and yellow, looking as if it might wither at any moment.

"They've been like this since yesterday, and I... I don't know why," Neville said, biting his lip. "I'm sorry..."

Why apologize?

Kyle reached out and touched the leaf, smiling, "The Cloak Grass will sprout new shoots after it withers, and then its leaves will become even wider... That's normal, you've taken good care of it."

"Really?" Neville asked in disbelief. "I didn't mess this up?"

"Of course," Kyle said. "You can take a look at One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi; there's an introduction to the Cloak Grass in Chapter Twelve."

"Thank God... I always thought it was my fault that they turned out this way."

Neville's mood improved considerably. "By the way, Kyle, do you sell amulets where you live?"

"Amulet?" Kyle asked doubtfully. "There are still six months until the exam, why are you buying it so early?"

"No, it's not an exam..." Neville quickly shook his head. "I'm talking about those amulets that ward off dark creatures and protect you, like this..."

As he spoke, he pulled out a stinking onion.

Kyle covered his nose and took two steps back.

This stuff tastes just like canned herring, and it's persistent... Neville actually dared to put it in his pocket!

As expected of Gryffindor, they are incredibly brave.

But it must be admitted that this thing does indeed serve to protect itself, or rather, no normal creature would want to get close to it.

Of course, Fluffy is an exception; he'd probably love it.

"So, do you have any here?" Neville's expression was very calm; he even took a deep breath, as if doing so would make him safe.

"No." Kyle shook his head.

During this time, this kind of thing did become popular at school, and Fred and George even talked to him about it.

However, Kyle didn't take it seriously from the beginning.

There are just too many similar things, and without the Slytherin market, they can't earn much Galleon at all.

It's not worth working so hard to earn a little money for candy.

"I see..." Neville looked somewhat disappointed.

He genuinely wanted to buy something; after all, everyone knew Hogwarts, and the Kyle Gang... their products were far more reliable than those from other groups.

Seeing Neville's disappointed look, Kyle thought for a moment and said, "Never mind, wait a moment, I'll look for it."

He opened the Mokeskin Pouch and pulled out a sharp amethyst.

This was a decorative amethyst that the Dervish and Banges, had casually given him as a gift when he last visited Hogsmeade.

Buying them individually isn't expensive; one Galleon can buy a fist-sized piece.

Neville excitedly accepted the amethyst. "Will it protect me from harm?"

"No," Kyle said. "However, if you use it to light your way before you turn a corner in the corridor, it can save your life sometimes."

Neville looked at the amethyst... his image was clearly reflected on it.

"I know, this must be something like Sneakoscope, capable of finding hidden demons," Neville murmured, feeling that he had discovered its purpose.

"How much."

"Normally, ten Sickle," Kyle said. "This one is for you..."

But before he could finish speaking, Neville pulled out five Galleon.

"Okay... I'll buy ten!"