Did the Sorting Hat Drink Fake Liquor? (Seeking Collection, Seeking Recommendations)

The next day, Kyle had to join the Gryffindor first-years to study History of Magic on the second floor of the castle.

There was nothing worth mentioning about this class; as the most tedious subject at Hogwarts, Kyle spent the entire time dozing off.

He had never imagined that a class could be boring to such an extent.

Professor Cuthbert Binns, who was a ghost, didn't give a routine lecture to establish his authority, nor did he engage in any classroom interaction.

When his milky-white body drifted through the wall and into the classroom, he simply clutched a book and began to recite from it, always in the exact same monotone.

Kyle couldn't take it after only ten minutes.

He felt as if countless bees were buzzing around his head, droning on incessantly, making it impossible to hear a single word Professor Binns was saying.

He looked around.

The little lions of Gryffindor had completely given up; they were slumped over their desks in various contorted positions, some drooling, some grinding their teeth, others talking in their sleep... they were sleeping soundly.

Hufflepuff was slightly better, especially the little badgers responsible for taking notes on History of Magic. Because of Mikel, a strong sense of duty had pushed their perseverance and endurance to an unprecedented height.

Even when faced with the Professor Binns-brand hypnotic device, they managed to keep themselves awake, insisting on recording every name and date.

Though it was entirely useless.

Because Professor Binns was simply reading the textbook, word for word, from beginning to end without a single deviation.

Upon realizing this, the little badgers could no longer hold on; they all put away their parchment and started sleeping!

If there was any class at Hogwarts more annoying to young wizards than the dull History of Magic, it was likely the afternoon Potions class.

History of Magic might be a billion times more boring, but at least one could catch up on sleep; as long as the snoring wasn't too loud, Professor Binns wouldn't say anything.

Potions class was different; it was pure torture.

And because of a certain professor's undisguised favoritism, no house other than Slytherin enjoyed Potions.

Among them, Gryffindor suffered the most.

Other houses were just not awarded points, but they were the only ones who were deducted points for all sorts of different reasons every single time.

These reasons included, but were not limited to, writing notes too slowly, not reading the book during class, looking at the book instead of the professor...

It had to be said that Snape played a vital role in Gryffindor's long-standing position at the bottom of the house standings.

This was exactly why Fred and George wanted so badly to send him to the hospital wing.

They truly hated him!

In the afternoon, Hufflepuff finally had their first Potions class, and it was with Slytherin.

Under the repeated instructions of their prefects, the young wizards left the common room early and arrived at the dungeon classroom more than ten minutes ahead of schedule to wait.

Except for Kyle... he had been called to the hospital wing by Dumbledore.

"Kyle, you're finally here!"

When Mikel saw Kyle, it was as if he had seen the light, and he said eagerly, "You're here to discharge me, right? You must be here to discharge me!

God, you have no idea what I've been through; this is no place for a human to stay.

That nurse fixed me to the bed and wouldn't let me move, not even letting me eat snacks.

Then a man with greasy hair came in and made me drink a bottle of some strange potion. I didn't want to drink it, so he used his wand to force it down my throat. Ugh... the taste was even more disgusting than shit!"

Uh...

Kyle looked at Madam Pomfrey, whose chest was heaving violently, and then at Snape, who was standing at the door on the verge of exploding.

He realized he had underestimated Mikel. Saying the hospital wing was no place for humans in front of Madam Pomfrey, and calling Snape a greasy-haired freak... had the Sorting Hat been drinking fake booze? Shouldn't a talent like this be in Gryffindor?

Without a moment's hesitation, Kyle acted on pure instinct: he shut his mouth, lowered his head, and walked quickly to Dumbledore's side, trying his best to minimize his presence.

Honest and obedient.jpg

Who is Kyle? He doesn't know him; he's just an ordinary passerby.

The atmosphere in the hospital wing instantly dropped to freezing.

But Mikel didn't notice anything wrong and continued to chatter on about his experiences over the past two days, until he felt thirsty and turned to get some water, only then seeing the smiling Madam Pomfrey.

"Yikes~~"

Mikel let out a strange cry, immediately covered his head with the quilt, and began to play dead.

"Ahem... such terrible weather, why is it so cold in September?" Dumbledore rubbed his arms, breaking the eerie atmosphere first.

He looked at Kyle and said, "As you can see, Mr. Drake has already taken the Magic Suppressant Potion and can be discharged now. Afterward, I will have Professor Sprout help him learn to control his own magic.

But Kyle, a professor's time is limited. For Mr. Drake, a friend's help is more important."

"I understand, Professor Dumbledore," Kyle said earnestly. "I promise, what happened in Charms class will not happen a second time."

In fact, even if Dumbledore hadn't said anything, Kyle wouldn't have sat idly by.

Mikel was his roommate, after all; they were like brothers, so how could he watch the other boy become a Squib due to frequent magical exhaustion?

Hogwarts didn't need a second caretaker.

"Don't be so serious, Kyle." Dumbledore blinked and said, "Our Potions professor is quite trustworthy. As long as Mr. Drake takes the Magic Suppressant Potion on time, there won't be any more instances of magical exhaustion."

"It's just that you might need to prepare some extra sweets for him; I recommend Cockroach Clusters."

Kyle didn't speak, because he noticed that Snape's complexion had turned even worse.

"Alright, take Mr. Drake back now," Dumbledore said. "You should have classes to attend, shouldn't you? Don't be late."

"Wait a moment, Headmaster."

At this, Madam Pomfrey suddenly spoke up, "The treatment for this young wizard isn't finished yet; it will take a little longer."

Dumbledore hesitated, "But..."

"I said, it isn't finished!" Madam Pomfrey said with a smile. "Rest assured, it will be quick. It's just a small check-up; it won't delay their classes."

"Then I leave it to you, Poppy."

Dumbledore nodded quickly, then strode out of the hospital wing.

Snape, standing at the doorway, let out a cold snort and followed him out.

Kyle actually wanted to leave too, but he still had to pick up Mikel, so he could only retreat into the corridor to wait for the time being.

Before long, a desperate wail suddenly erupted from inside the hospital wing.

"I don't want to drink this... ugh... it's even more disgusting than that Blue Potion... ugh... help... ugh..."

In the corridor, Kyle listened to Mikel's desperate cries for help, and he couldn't help but feel terrible.

He wanted to help, but he couldn't. Even Dumbledore had run off; what could a frail first-year wizard like him possibly do?

So, Kyle silently closed the doors to the hospital wing.

Once the door was shut, the corridor instantly fell quiet.

Very good, now it wasn't so hard to listen to anymore.