Don't Understand, But Respect

When Kyle left the room and returned to the common room, the sudden noise that filled his ears almost made him fall backward.

Kyle didn't even have to walk; a dozen hands simply pulled him inside... Otherwise, given the limited space at the entrance, there would probably have been even more.

"Slap, slap, slap..."

About a dozen confetti cannons exploded in the lounge, and everyone in Hufflepuff screamed and cheered.

"Welcome, Champion of Hogwarts!" someone shouted.

It was Fred and George; they had somehow gotten in and were excitedly preparing to unfurl the second confetti cane.

"You're something else," Cedric squeezed through the crowd. "Professor Sprout came too, and she was jumping for joy. It's the first time I've ever seen her so excited."

"We've prepared food...we're just waiting for you," Fred said. "Seriously, having the kitchen right next door is so convenient."

"And Butterbeer ..." George said, "The House-elf in the kitchen bought three large barrels from Hogsmeade in just five minutes."

Then, Kyle was dragged by a group of people to the table that was put together.

The table was laden with all sorts of delicious food, almost as lavish as a banquet, and next to it were three Butterbeer almost as tall as him, enough for everyone to drink all night long.

Kyle wanted to say he had eaten a lot at the party and wasn't hungry at all, but nobody listened to him.

Everyone surrounded him, and people kept stuffing Butterbeer into his hands. Everyone wanted to know what the First Task of the Triwizard Tournament would be.

"I don't know either," Kyle said. "They didn't say anything. All I know is that the game will start on November 30th."

But there were too many people around, and some of them didn't hear him, so Kyle had to patiently explain again and again... It was the first time he had ever realized that Hufflepuff's common room could actually hold so many people.

Two hours later, Fred and George, with their arms around each other's shoulders, staggered away, and Kyle finally managed to shake off the crowd and hurried back to his dorm.

He really couldn't drink anymore.

No one knows how late they celebrated, but when Kyle woke up on Sunday morning, there were only a handful of people in the common room.

The previously messy table and floor have been cleaned up spotlessly, without a single cookie crumb left.

"You're awake. Would you like something to eat?" Kanna opened a tray on the table, which contained some slices of bread, sliced ham, and a jug of Pumpkin Juice.

"Breakfast time is over, this is what I just got from the kitchen."

"Thank you," Kyle said.

He stuffed the bread and ham into his mouth, but didn't touch the Pumpkin Juice at all... It looked too much like Butterbeer; just looking at it made his stomach churn.

"Would you like to go for a walk?" Worried about being surrounded again, Kyle decided to go outside to hide after finishing breakfast.

"Okay," Kanna said.

The two passed through the wooden barrel door and followed the Entrance Hall to the grounds outside the castle.

Durmstrang's large ship was anchored in Black Lake, rocking gently on the water. Kyle doubted whether they would get a good night's rest.

"Where are you planning to go?" Kanna asked.

"How about going to Hagrid's?" Kyle thought for a moment. "It seems like it's been quite a while since we've been to his cabin."

"Good idea."

The two strolled slowly along the meadow toward the Forbidden Forest.

As they approached Hagrid's Hut at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, Kanna suddenly asked, "Can you smell anything?"

"It smells like alcohol..." Kyle said, looking around before quickly pinpointing the source of the smell.

Not far from the cabin, there was a makeshift enclosure where Hagrid was carrying large wooden barrels into it.

Just then, Hagrid turned around and saw Kyle and Kanna walking towards them.

"You've finally arrived," he said, feigning anger. "I thought you little rascals had forgotten where I live."

"Of course not, we're just too busy," Kyle said. "You know, fifth grade is OWL year, there's so much homework we can't finish."

"That's rare. I never thought you'd complain about having too much homework," Hagrid said with a smile. "By the way, congratulations on becoming Champion. I knew it would be you."

"Thank you," Kyle said. "What are you doing?"

"Prepare breakfast for these horses." Hagrid pointed to the elephant-like Abraxan in the paddock. "They only drink single malt whiskey, which I bought from Hogsmeade early this morning."

But it's all worth it... they're beautiful, aren't they?"

"Yes..." Kyle leaned against the railing, his eyes fixed on the Abraxan inside.

Hagrid was right, these big guys are indeed very beautiful, it's a pity they belong to Beauxbatons, and there aren't many of them...

Kyle shook his head and didn't look any further.

At this moment, Hagrid carried in the last barrel, opened the seal, and a strong aroma of alcohol immediately wafted out.

"That's fine." Hagrid clapped his hands and walked out of the paddock. "This will keep them drinking whiskey all day."

"Do they only drink whiskey?" Kanna asked.

"Of course not," Hagrid said. "They also eat the grass here, and I bring some fresh Rue leaves over in the evening... That's what Madame Maxime said."

For no apparent reason, Hagrid suddenly chuckled.

"What's wrong with you?" Kanna asked, feeling that Hagrid was acting strangely today.

In particular, he seemed to have applied a lot of something like lubricant to his hair, making it look shiny and oily. As for the effect... it's hard to describe, Kanna decided not to comment.

"No, it's nothing." Hagrid said with a flustered face, "Do you want to drink some tea? Come over here quickly."

After saying that, he quickly took two steps and led Kyle and Kanna back to the small house not far away.

The place was much the same as when I came before: huge wooden plank beds, quilts patched together from tattered cloth, and equally huge wooden tables and chairs placed in front of the fireplace.

Hagrid began to make tea, but Kyle noticed a garment hanging on the wall— Hagrid's best... and also his ugliest, furry brown coat.

Next to it was a patterned tie in yellow and orange.

Kyle had never seen such a unique combination anywhere else.

Kanna noticed it too, and the two exchanged glances, neither offering any comment in a tacit agreement.

In fact, they had mentioned it before. When Hagrid first became a professor last year, he wore this outfit, Kyle had repeatedly advised him to go to Hogsmeade to change into a different one. The proprietress of the Gladrags Wizardwear had a good eye and could always create a style that suited everyone.

But after all this time, Hagrid's favorite set is still this one, and he takes it out on important occasions.

Well, although I don't understand it, I just need to respect it.

Besides, these aren't meant for them to see.

It's not easy for Hagrid is over three meters tall, to find someone of similar height and weight. Fortunately, Madame Maxime from Beauxbatons is one of them; she's even half a head taller Hagrid.

As people of the same type, perhaps they share some common aesthetic sense and therefore find this combination attractive... It's not impossible.