Disclaimer: I don't own anything. This is not meant to infringe upon copyrights.
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The Quidditch craze at Hogwarts lasted a long time, and the library's related books were quickly checked out, with a waiting list stretching into after Christmas.
"I should have come earlier," Harry said with some annoyance at the library entrance on the second floor.
His special training was at 7 pm tomorrow, and he had originally planned to read some related books beforehand to learn more about the subject.
However, Mrs. Pince, the librarian, told him that there were none left, and he would have to wait until after Christmas.
But Christmas was still several months away; that was too long. "There's nothing we can do about it," Ron said with a smile. "Everyone's talking about Quidditch; if you don't know anything, you'll be laughed at."
As he spoke, Ron unconsciously raised the corners of his mouth.
Because of his knowledge of Quidditch, and with two brothers from the house teams, he had been quite popular these past few days, surrounded by groups of young wizards wherever he went.
This feeling of being the center of attention and value was something he had never experienced before.
"How about we ask Hermione?"
Harry suggested tentatively. "I remember she had a copy of Quidditch, I wonder if she's returned it."
"I think we should forget it."
Ron's grin vanished at the mention of her name.
He frowned, his face contorted with worry. "She hasn't spoken to us in ages since she came back from the third floor that day.
And Gryffindor all know that Hermione never keeps a book she borrows for more than three days."
Ron's words reminded Harry… Hermione was indeed like that.
From the first day of school, she always carried two books with her: one was her textbook for class, and the other was borrowed from the library. She wasn't just putting on a show; she was genuinely reading.
Furthermore, in the common room, she rarely interacted with the other young wizards, always sitting quietly in a corner reading.
Someone had noticed that she changed her library books almost every three days.
Seamus Finnigan had even confidently bet with the two of them that she wouldn't last a month.
However, judging from the current situation, he figured he was going to lose. If Hermione changed another book tomorrow, he would have to buy everyone in the dorm a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans.
Harry didn't care about a box of candy, but he still couldn't understand how Hermione could finish a book in two or three days.
Even for him, finishing a book in two weeks was a difficult task.
"I guess I'll pass," Harry sighed.
Actually, he was quite afraid of seeing Hermione; that invisible aura of academic excellence always made him nervous.
"Why don't we ask Kyle?"
Ron suddenly said. "I heard Fred and George say he has Quidditch books, and more than one."
Harry was tempted, but still hesitated. "But I don't know Kyle. Will he lend me the books?"
"Don't worry, I'm here." Ron patted his chest and pulled Harry downstairs.
"Besides, we'll have to try to find him… Come with me, let's go find him now."
The two searched the castle, from the underground classrooms all the way to the Astronomy Tower, but couldn't find Kyle.
Not only that, but even the twins and Cedric seemed to have disappeared.
Finally, while on the Astronomy Tower, Harry glanced out of the castle and saw a group of people fishing by the Black Lake
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"So, you're here to borrow Quidditch books?"
By the Black Lake, Kyle looked at the panting duo and asked, "Isn't there some in the library? Their collection is much richer than mine; you can just go and borrow them."
"They're all borrowed," Harry said nervously, catching his breath. "Mrs. Pince said we won't be able to get them until after Christmas."
On the way here, Ron had offered to borrow the books himself, but Harry thought it better to ask directly.
After all, it was he, not Ron, who really wanted to read the books.
"Quidditch books are that popular now?"
Kyle looked at Harry's nervous expression and didn't say much, simply taking out his wand.
"Accio! Quidditch Origins!"
A moment later, a thick book arced through the air and floated lightly into Kyle's hands.
"Take a look at this first," Kyle handed the book to Harry. "It has some flight instructions, suitable for beginners like you."
"Th-thank you!"
Harry quickly took it. "I'll return it to you as soon as possible."
Kyle waved his hand and said, "It's alright, I don't need this book now, you can read it."
Harry thanked him again before returning to the castle with Ron.
After they left, Kyle turned to Fred and George beside him, puzzled. "What's wrong with you two?"
Ron had greeted them as soon as they met, but the twins acted as if they hadn't heard him, not even turning their heads.
This was a bit abnormal.
Although Fred and George liked to tease their little brother, they had never ignored him, at least they would say something perfunctory.
"Nothing, we just don't want to talk to him," Fred sighed.
"We always thought Ron wasn't very smart, but we never thought he was this stupid."
"How so…" Kyle seemed to smell something fishy.
George asked, "Remember when we met them on the third floor last time?"
Kyle nodded; he not only remembered, but had also seen them with his own eyes.
"We inquired," Fred said. "They went to the third floor because they agreed to a wizarding duel with Malfoy."
"A wizarding duel?" Cedric said instinctively. "Slytherin doesn't easily issue wizarding duels; this sounds like a trap."
"You're right," George shook his head. "Curfew hours, the third floor where they're most easily discovered, a wizarding duel… all three together, even a goblin could see it was a trap."
"But Ron actually believed it…"
"Merlin, is he really a Weasley?"
"Uh…" Cedric opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to say something fair for Ron, but didn't know what to say.
After all, Charlie, Percy, and the twins were all very intelligent; compared to them, Ron's brain wasn't very sharp.
"He can't bite even with a straight hook..." Fred said, shaking his fishing rod. "He's not even as good as the fish in Black Lake!"
[End of the chapter]