Listen, Is That Human Speech?

"Animagus ...no wonder she can write so many exclusive articles."

On the way back, Kanna couldn't help but say, "After all, beetles are so common, and they won't arouse suspicion. She must have overheard many people's secrets using that."

"That's for sure." Kyle nodded.

Rita Skeeter seemed so nervous just now, probably because she knew too much...

Or, if the news that she could turn into a beetle were to spread, many people who have done wrong would be unable to eat or sleep properly.

For example, the names she just mentioned.

Ludo Bagman could guess that Kyle was probably related to Galleon.

Back when the Quidditch World Cup was held, Mr. Weasley placed a bet of one Galleon on Ireland to win, but he still hasn't paid out the winnings.

But Mr. Weasley himself didn't pay much attention to it, nor did he ask Bagman for it. According to him, he considered it payment for the ticket.

However, Kyle was unaware of the story behind the other two names she mentioned... Fudge and Dolores Umbridge.

Thinking about it carefully, the secret between a Minister for Magic and a Senior Deputy Minister must be quite explosive.

To be honest, Kyle is quite curious. If he has the chance, he might try to subtly inquire about it and get some juicy gossip.

Of course, this is contingent on resolving Hagrid's issue first...

"By the way, Kyle, how did you know Rita Skeeter was that beetle...?" Kanna asked curiously as they entered the kitchen hallway.

"It's very simple..." Kyle pointed to his robes, "Because I'm in frequent contact with Norbert, my clothes inevitably carry the scent of the Dragon, so under normal circumstances, those insects would never land on me... unless it's an Animagus."

"Furthermore, if you look closely, you'll notice that the patterns on that beetle are very similar to Rita Skeeter's hairstyle."

"I know that," Kanna said. "Professor McGonagall mentioned that the animals Animagus transform into always retain some of the wizard's characteristics, just like the cat she transformed into, which has the pattern of glasses frames around its eyes."

"That's how it is." Kyle nodded. "However, generally speaking, very few people notice this, especially with smaller animals, and even if they do, it's difficult to connect it to the corresponding person..."

When they returned to the Hufflepuff Common Room, it was already quite crowded. People were sitting in plush armchairs, chatting and playing Wizard's Chess. The common room was noisy.

Kyle had never experienced such a lively Christmas holiday before, and for a moment he was actually a little unaccustomed to it.

"Where did you guys go?" Cedric walked over. "I was just talking to Cho about how to get Hagrid back on his feet. Do you guys have any ideas?"

"Perhaps it's not necessary." Kyle and Kanna exchanged a glance, then smiled and explained what had just happened to him.

Cedric also seemed surprised when he learned that Rita Skeeter was an Animagus.

"I see. It's good you found her," Cedric said, then frowned slightly. "But the question is, are you sure Rita Skeeter will speak well of Hagrid in the newspapers?"

Whether it was psychological or not, Cedric subconsciously glanced around as he said those words, seemingly checking to see if there were any insects around.

"I believe she will." Kyle waved the camera in his hand.

After all, he had already hinted that he would only help conceal the photo that recorded her entire transformation process if he was in a good mood.

His mood, whether good or bad, depended entirely on the next issue of the Daily Prophet's report on Hagrid.

Kyle believed Rita Skeeter was a smart person and would understand what he meant. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to act so nonchalantly for so long after reporting so many infuriating stories.

"Great, you're all here." At that moment, Phoebe and her sister Gabrielle also arrived.

Since receiving Professor Sprout's permission to move here, Phoebe has suddenly discovered that this place is even better than she imagined.

She initially moved here only because of Kanna, but unexpectedly made many new friends here... true friends.

Later, Gabrielle also came, and gradually, unless necessary, they rarely returned to Beauxbatons ' carriage.

The same thing happened this time; they couldn't wait to come back right after Christmas.

"Kyle, how's your research on those stones going?" Phoebe sat down in a chair and asked, "We're about to start the Second Task. Have you found the secret hidden in the stones yet?"

Upon hearing this, Cedric and Cho also looked over.

"No," Kyle shrugged. "Believe it or not, I haven't touched those stones since the First Task ended. They're probably still lying around somewhere."

"What did you say?" Phoebe, somewhat surprised.

If it were anyone else, like Krum, she definitely wouldn't believe such an explanation and would simply assume that the other party didn't want to reveal the information.

But Kyle... to be honest, she didn't think she ever saw Kyle take out the stone. In his free time, he usually played Wizard's Chess with Cedric or his two roommates.

"Why did you suddenly ask this?" Kyle said. "There are still two months until the Second Task starts, is there really such a rush?"

"It was Madame Maxime." Phoebe hesitated for a moment, then decided not to hide anything and said frankly, "She told me that you might already know about the stone, and that you left the school with a professor to prepare for the competition."

"She must be referring to Professor Black," Kyle thought for a moment and explained, "We left the school because we had some personal business to attend to, it has nothing to do with the competition."

"I believe it," Phoebe said, "But Madame Maxime insisted that I ask, so I came."

"But Kyle, are you really not going to study those stones? We have some time now, we can do it together."

"Yes, we can help too," Kanna said from the side, and Cedric immediately nodded in agreement.

"Ah, I won't, you guys do the research," Kyle said. "I think it's good to increase the difficulty a bit, otherwise the game won't be very interesting if it's too easy... Cedric, want to play a game of Wizard's Chess?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire common lounge fell silent.

The people chatting stopped, the chess player held his piece, forgetting to put it on the board, and everyone turned to look at Kyle with disbelief.

Especially Phoebe.

She rubbed her ears, as if she hadn't heard clearly, and asked, word by word, "You said... the competition was easy?"

"Yeah," Kyle said casually as he was setting up the chess pieces. "It's pretty simple, don't you think?"

"I'm sorry, but I don't think so," Phoebe said through gritted teeth.

It's hard to describe her current expression... in short, it looks terrible. If Half-Veela could transform, she might grow a pointed beak and feathers in the next second.

She was nearly driven mad by the Bludger in the second level, but in the end, she exhausted all her magic and smashed most of the Bludger to barely pass the level.

The Dragon in the third level was even worse... He was whipped by the tail of the Hungarian Horntail, his arm broke on the spot, and nearly a third of his carefully maintained hair was burned away by the dragon's flames.

If she hadn't dodged quickly, she probably would have become the first Champion to not finish the race.

And what about Kyle...? This kind of nail-biting game, simple?

Is this human language?

Phoebe gasped for breath, barely managing to suppress the urge to curse. Then, without a word, she stood up, turned, and left.

Although she knew Kyle had easily passed the challenge, and even nearly got a perfect score, it was still infuriating that he so bluntly stated the competition was easy...

Phoebe secretly vowed that if she ever came to Kyle again to discuss the stone, she would be Leprechaun, and the ugliest one at that.

"What happened to her?" Kyle asked, puzzled, watching Phoebe's departing figure.

"Hmm...I think..." Cedric stammered, "Sometimes you can be a little more tactful, after all, she went through a lot of trouble to get through those three hurdles."

"Oh... sorry, I forgot." Kyle slapped his forehead. "Do you think it's too late for me to apologize now?"

"I think it's best not to go." Cedric smacked his lips, "She most likely won't listen to anything you say, and she might even beat you up."

"That's true." Kyle scratched his head.