Catch-up Lesson

Although Kyle felt there was no need for it, Dumbledore returned Hufflepuff's Cup as promised three days later.

When Kyle found Harry with a bottle of bottled mead, Harry was in the library, practically buried beneath all sorts of books.

Ron and Hermione were with him as well.

Several thick layers of "book walls" stood in front of all three of them, hiding them completely. If the Marauder's Map had not shown that Harry was in the library, Kyle might not have found him at all.

It was hard to imagine when he and Ron had become so fond of reading.

"Here's what you wanted."

Kyle sat down across from them and, while Madam Pince was not looking, slipped a bottle of mead into a gap in the wall of books.

"Thanks," Harry said, looking up.

Only then did Kyle notice the pronounced dark circles around his eyes.

"How long have you been here?" he asked instinctively.

"Three days." Ron yawned and muttered, "Other than classes, we've practically been living in the library."

He casually picked up a book beside him, flipped through it for a while, then set it down on the other side.

"You're looking for something?" Kyle asked. "Need any help?"

"No, no need."

"We can find it ourselves."

Harry and Ron spoke almost at the same time.

Kyle did not know whether it was just his imagination, but he always felt as though they were hiding something and did not want him to know about it.

Still, he was not that curious. Seeing that the three of them did not want to talk about it, he did not press further. After giving the bottle to Harry, he got up and left the library.

Meanwhile, because they had instinctively shouted a little too loudly, Harry and