I'm Training

After everyone had finished writing assignments that were several feet thick, the Easter holiday quietly came to an end.

This also means that the last Quidditch Match of the year is about to begin, Hufflepuff vs. Slytherin, and the outcome of this match will determine who wins the championship.

In everyone's memory, no match has ever started in such a tense atmosphere.

Everyone could sense that the relationship between the two colleges had become so tense that it was on the verge of exploding, but fortunately, both sides had exercised restraint and no conflicts or fights had occurred yet.

The main reason is that Hufflepuff are known for their unity; they always go in large groups and are never alone.

Cedric, in particular, was practically treated like a protected species. Whether he was in class or eating in the Great Hall, he was always accompanied by at least five students in sixth grade or above.

Flint led his men to ambush the enemy several times, but all their attempts ended in failure.

The rest of the team received similar treatment. Although it wasn't as luxurious as Cedric's, the team had the advantage of sheer numbers. A dozen or so players together, even though they were all relatively young, still made a formidable force.

The only exception was Kyle, who only had one person with him... Kanna.

But surprisingly, not a single Slytherin dared to cause trouble for Kyle. Even when they occasionally bumped into each other in the corridors, they showed no intention of ambushing or tripping him up.

Those from Pure-blood families generally knew from their homes about the connection between Headmaster Snape and the Prince surname, so naturally they wouldn't come looking for trouble.

In addition, Kyle is not as easy to deal with as the others.

Three Special Award for Services to the School and a Order of Merlin, Second Class are prominently displayed in the Trophy Room. If a fight were to break out, it's hard to say who would beat whom.

So, despite the tense atmosphere, Kyle's days were remarkably peaceful, no different from any other day.

The day before the competition.

Kyle and Kanna went to Herbology Class together.

As soon as they stepped out of the castle gate, they saw Malfoy leap out from behind the gate, wielding a large club.

Two legs were placed in front of him, seemingly trying to trip him... It was Crabbe and Goyle, Malfoy's two henchmen.

"Malfoy, what do you think you're doing!" Kanna said angrily.

Upon seeing who it was, Malfoy's hand, which was holding a stick, froze in mid-air, completely dumbfounded.

Why are it Kyle and Kanna...? Didn't Montague say the Beater was coming?

"Damn it, that bastard tricked me!" Malfoy realized he had been scammed and felt a surge of anger.

Malfoy still remembers his experience on the Hogwarts Express three years ago, and he has no intention of causing trouble for Kyle.

And that Prince... If she goes to Snape to complain, no matter the reason or who's right or wrong, he's doomed.

"I, I... I'm training..." Malfoy's mind raced, and he immediately swung the bat twice in the air. "Besides Seeker, I've discovered I can also play the Beater position. You see..."

As he spoke, he swung the stick twice more... and to be honest, it actually looked pretty convincing.

At this moment, Crabbe and Goyle silently withdrew their outstretched legs, then turned their faces to the side, pretending that they knew nothing.

"Then you should practice hard..." Kyle didn't say anything. Once the path ahead was clear, he and Kanna left the castle and headed towards the greenhouse.

Malfoy and his two companions also rushed out of the Entrance Hall... to confront Montague.

However, Kyle didn't see this; he and Kanna made their way to the vicinity of the Third Greenhouse.

Classes hadn't started yet, and everyone was waiting at the door.

About five minutes later, Professor Sprout finally arrived. She opened the greenhouse door and let all the students in.

However, she called out to Kyle.

"So, are you confident about tomorrow's match?" Professor Sprout asked somewhat nervously.

"Of course, Professor," Kyle said with a smile, "This year's Quidditch Cup definitely belongs to Hufflepuff."

"I believe in you," Professor Sprout said. "You have to win, okay?"

Kyle was somewhat surprised. If Professor McGonagall had said these words, he wouldn't have been surprised at all. As a seasoned Quidditch fan, the Quidditch Cup held even greater significance for her than the House Cup.

This is what Fred and George said. They said that Professor McGonagall would only show disappointment when she lost a game; otherwise, even if Gryffindor lost a hundred points, her expression wouldn't change at all.

But Professor Sprout... honestly, Kyle always thought she only cared about her own greenhouse.

But he wasn't wrong.

Professor Sprout wasn't really interested in Quidditch before, but she gradually started watching the games after Hufflepuff won two consecutive championships.

Last year, after Hufflepuff went from a two-time champion to a three-time champion, she watched the matches even more often.

It's mainly because the feeling is different.

She had been at Hogwarts for over a decade. In those years, Hufflepuff had almost never won either of Hogwarts ' two major events, the Quidditch Cup and the House Cup, only managing to win once in a while.

But things are different now. After Hufflepuff's three-peat, Professor McGonagall's eyes were filled with undisguised envy when she spoke to her.

This feeling is so new. I didn't think much of it before, but after experiencing it, I realized it's really different. It seems like I have a lot more confidence when I speak.

And most importantly, she always felt that there were too few plant varieties in the greenhouse and that more should be added, but she had only had this idea before and had never dared to bring it up.

After all, the rarer and more precious a plant is, the more expensive it is. Some seeds can even sell for hundreds of Galleon. Since the school greenhouse is used for teaching, it is impossible to buy just one seed.

The expense was too high, and she felt a little guilty every time she wanted to talk to Professor McGonagall about it.

However, she has now decided to talk to Professor McGonagall about it after Hufflepuff wins its Quidditch title.

Just like Snape... When Slytherin won the House Cup five times before, he applied for a large batch of precious Potions ingredients, and Dumbledore agreed.

If Snape could do it, there's no reason why she couldn't... not to mention that Hufflepuff also won three consecutive House Cup.

Today we're going to learn about the Venomous Tentacula, a dangerous plant with sharp teeth. Although it's not as deadly as Venomous Tentacula, a bite from it is still quite unpleasant.

The wound will remain red, swollen, and numb for up to a week before it heals.

"Everyone, put on gloves."

Professor Sprout cautioned, "And be sure to watch your surroundings later. These little creatures are teething and will always want to bite something. Be careful not to get caught in their twigs behind you."

As she spoke, she reached out and swatted away a thin twig near her shoulder.