Anomaly

Hagrid was taken away by the Ministry of Magic, but fear still lingered in Hogwarts Castle.

Because the monster in that Chamber of Secrets hasn't been found yet, it could still attack everyone.

The professors acted as if nothing had happened; during the day they escorted students from one classroom to another, and at night they patrolled the various floors of the castle.

Although Lockhart repeatedly stated that the danger had passed and there was no need to waste any more time escorting the students, no one listened to him.

These days, the Hufflepuff Common Room is always packed with people because after six o'clock in the evening, students have nowhere else to go, and everyone always has a lot to talk about.

After dinner, Kyle played Wizard's Chess with Cedric as usual, but his performance was a bit poor today.

For over an hour, Kyle hadn't won a single game.

"You seem distracted," Cedric asked as he tidied the chessboard. "Still thinking about the Chamber of Secrets?"

"No..." Kyle shook his head, "I just feel a little uncomfortable."

For the past few days, he has felt dizzy and had difficulty concentrating on anything, and this situation has been getting worse.

While he was playing chess, he even heard a buzzing sound, as if many people were talking in his head.

"You don't have a cold, do you?" Kanna looked at Kyle with some concern.

The weather has been a bit strange lately. Although it's almost summer, it's been raining constantly, and the temperature keeps fluctuating. Many people in the castle have caught colds.

"I think so." Cedric put away the chessboard. "Should we write to Professor Sprout and ask her to take you to the Hospital Wing?"

"No need, I have Pepperup Potion right here." Kyle patted his forehead, pulled a bottle of red liquid from his pocket, uncorked it, and took a sip.

The next second, steam rose from his head, and the dizziness lessened considerably.

Feeling unwell, Kyle returned to his dorm shortly after taking his medicine and drifted off to sleep in bed.

Kyle had a very long dream in which he came to Chamber of Secrets where all the snakes carved on the pillars came to life and surrounded him.

But strangely, they neither attacked him nor let him go; they just circled around him...

The next day, Kyle was woken up by Ryan.

Professor Sprout was waiting at the door, ready to take them to class.

"You slept for about twelve hours."

Mikel placed several wrapped sandwiches on the table. "I heard from Cedric that you have a cold. Should you ask Professor Sprout for leave...? If it's you, missing a day of class shouldn't be a problem."

"No need." Kyle shook his head. "I've taken my medicine, I should be fine."

"Alright then..." Mikel and Ryan didn't say anything more.

I don't know if it's because the Pepperup Potion was expired, but Kyle drank it for three days in a row and it didn't help at all.

He remained drowsy every day, and always had the same dream at night.

On the third night, he even fell asleep as soon as he returned to the common room.

"No, you should go to the Hospital Wing."

After Cedric woke him up, he immediately wanted to write a letter to Professor Sprout.

This time Kyle didn't refuse, because he realized that something was indeed wrong with him.

The written message was delivered by Ladon, and Cedric and Kanna changed into their robes, preparing to accompany Kyle to the Hospital Wing after Professor Sprout arrived.

But they waited for more than half an hour before Professor Sprout hurriedly entered the common room.

Her face was very pale, but her eyes were red-rimmed, as if she had just been crying.

"Thank goodness." Seeing Kyle, she forced a smile. "Sorry, kid, something came up and I'll take you to the Hospital Wing right now."

Cedric and Kanna wanted to go together, but were rejected.

Professor Sprout led Kyle out of the common room and down the empty corridor.

She looked very nervous, constantly looking around, and gripping her wand tightly in her hand.

Kyle soon found out why.

Almost all the professors came to the Hospital Wing.

Of course, it wasn't because of Kyle, but because of Ron Weasley in his hospital bed.

He lay there stiffly, like a statue.

Professor McGonagall was angrily questioning Lockhart.

"A student was attacked... all because you went to fix your hair?!"

"I, I don't know..." Lockhart trembled uncontrollably, his wand still stuck in his hair.

"There's only one corridor left...they said we don't need to see them off..." Lockhart stammered, trying to justify himself.

"So you went back?" Professor McGonagall roared like an enraged lion. "You knew Dumbledore wasn't at school today, so why did you let a student leave alone!"

"But Hagrid has already been captured..."

"It's clear the true heir is someone else," Snape said coldly. "Unfortunately, why didn't that monster come looking for you?"

"..."

"Poppy, could you come and see this child?"

At that moment, Professor Sprout led Kyle Kyle in.

Upon hearing her words, the Hospital Wing fell silent instantly. The professors stopped criticizing Lockhart and turned their heads away almost simultaneously.

"Don't be nervous, Minerva ...it's not an attack," Professor Sprout quickly explained.

The professors noticed that Kyle had walked in on his own and breathed a sigh of relief.

Only Snape's expression was somewhat strange, a mixture of regret and relief.

Madam Pomfrey rushed over and pulled Kyle aside for a thorough examination...

Taking advantage of this moment, the professors drew the curtains around Ron's bed, blocking Kyle's view.

Ten minutes later, Madam Pomfrey stood up.

"It's not a cold... maybe you're just too stressed, that's why you keep having the same dream."

She led Kyle to a hospital bed. "You'll be spending the night here..."

Kyle nodded and sat quietly on the bed.

"Is it possible..." Snape asked, drawing out the last word, "That he's actually alright?"

"I have my own judgment, Professor Snape."

Madam Pomfrey said sternly, "I can tell at a glance whether someone is faking illness or not. I can fully predict that if the attacks aren't resolved, there will be more and more incidents like this..."

She walked over carrying a large bottle labeled "Dreamless Sleep Potion".

"Try this first." She poured a large, steaming glass and handed it to Kyle. "It should help you get a good night's sleep."

The medicine from the Hospital Wing tasted awful as always, but thankfully it was bearable.

After Kyle finished drinking, Madam Pomfrey left and pulled the curtain closed for him.

Before long, the professors also left; to prevent further attacks on students, they had to immediately return to patrol the castle.

The Hospital Wing quickly fell silent.

The Dreamless Sleep Potion did give Kyle a good night's sleep... but it was only for a short time.

Two hours later, Kyle suddenly opened his eyes and couldn't fall back asleep.

He thought of Ron, who was lying next to him, and his brows furrowed.

Kyle should have expected this day to come. If the Basilisk hadn't been dealt with, some students would have been attacked... petrified, or even killed outright.

Today it's Ron, tomorrow it might be Cedric, Kanna, Fred...

Is it really worth putting everyone, including your friends, in danger for a Basilisk?

The answer is no... without a doubt.

But why did I hesitate before?

Kyle's face was horribly pale.

Especially a few days ago, he had already thought about telling Dumbledore about it, but after just one night's sleep, he completely forgot about the idea, leaving no trace.

When did my memory become so bad?

Or is it Confundus Charm?

But if it's Confundus Charm, then whose... Riddle's Diary?

When did he do it? Why do I have no recollection of it?

Kyle dared not sleep any longer. He forced himself to sit up in bed, enduring the constant buzzing in his head.