When Kael left the room and returned to the common room, the sudden uproar almost knocked him over backwards.
Kael didn't even have to walk himself; a dozen hands pulled him straight in...otherwise, if the space at the door weren't limited, there would probably be more.
"Pop, pop, pop..."
Dozens of confetti poppers exploded in the common room, and all of Hufflepuff was screaming and cheering.
"Welcome Hogwarts' Champion!" someone led the cheer.
It was Fred and George. They had somehow snuck in and were excitedly preparing to open another confetti popper.
"You really did it." Cedric squeezed through the crowd, "Professor Sprout was here just now, and she was so excited she was practically dancing. I've never seen her so thrilled before."
"We prepared food... just waiting for you." Fred said, "Honestly, having the kitchen right next door is too convenient."
"And Butterbeer..." George added, "The house-elves from the kitchen went to Hogsmeade in just five minutes and brought back three big barrels."
Then Kael was dragged by another group over to the tables that had been pushed together.
The tables were filled with a feast as lavish as a banquet; beside them were three Butterbeer barrels as tall as he was, probably enough for everyone to drink all night long.
Kael wanted to say he'd eaten his fill at the feast and wasn't hungry at all, but no one listened to him.
Everyone surrounded him, constantly stuffing Butterbeer into his hands; everyone wanted to know what the first task of the Triwizard Tournament was.
"I don't know either." Kael said, "They didn't say anything; all I know is the competition starts on November 30th."
But there were too many people, and some hadn't heard him, so Kael had to patiently explain repeatedly... It was the first time he realized the Hufflepuff common room could hold so many people.
Two hours later, Fred and George left, leaning on each other's shoulders, staggering, and Kael finally broke free and hurried back to his dormitory.
He really couldn't drink anymore.
...
Not knowing how late they celebrated, when Kael woke up on Sunday morning, only a few people were left in the common room.
The previously chaotic tables and floor had been cleaned up thoroughly, without a crumb of biscuit left.
"You're awake, want something to eat?" Conna opened a tray on the table, revealing some bread slices, cut ham, and a jug of pumpkin juice.
"Breakfast is over, I just got this from the kitchen."
"Thank you." Kael 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 to him, and just looking at it made his stomach churn.
"Want to go for a walk?" Afraid of being surrounded again, Kael decided to hide outside after breakfast.
"Sure." Conna said.
The two of them passed through the barrel door and made their way to the grounds outside the castle.
The Durmstrang ship was docked at the Black Lake, swaying with the waves. Kael wondered how they could get any rest at night.
"Where are you headed?" Conna asked.
"How about to Hagrid's?" Kael thought, "We haven't been to his hut in quite a while."
"Good idea."
The two strolled leisurely across the grass towards the Forbidden Forest.
As they approached Hagrid's Hut at the forest's edge, Conna suddenly asked, "Do you smell something?"
"Smells like alcohol..." Kael said, looking around until he quickly identified the smell's source.
Not far from the hut, there was a makeshift enclosure where Hagrid was moving large barrels.
Just then, Hagrid turned around and saw Kael and Conna approaching.
"Finally, you came." he said, pretending to be angry, "I thought you little ones forgot where I live."
"Of course not, we're just too busy." Kael said, "You know, fifth year is O.W.L. year, and there's just endless homework."
"It's rare to hear you complain about too much homework." Hagrid laughed, "Oh, and congrats on becoming a Champion, I knew it'd be you."
"Thanks." Kael said, "What are you doing?"
"Preparing breakfast for these horses." Hagrid pointed to the large Abraxan horses in the enclosure, "They only drink pure malt whiskey, which I went to Hogsmeade to buy early this morning.
But it's all worth it... they're beautiful, aren't they?"
"Yeah..." Kael leaned against the fence, staring unblinking at the Abraxans inside.
Hagrid was right, these big guys were really stunning, though they belonged to Beauxbatons and weren't many...
Kael shook his head and stopped looking.
By then, Hagrid had moved the last barrel in and opened it, releasing a strong smell of alcohol.
"That should be enough." Hagrid clapped his hands and stepped out of the enclosure, "This whiskey is enough for them to drink all day."
"Do they only drink whiskey?" Conna asked.
"Of course not." Hagrid said, "They also eat grass here, and in the evening, I'll bring some fresh rue leaves over... Ms. Maxime said so."
Suddenly, inexplicably, Hagrid chuckled.
"What's up?" Conna asked; she felt Hagrid was acting strangely today.
Especially since he seemed to have slathered his hair with some greasy substance, making it shine—though the effect was... hard to describe. Conna decided not to comment.
"Nothing, nothing." a flustered Hagrid said, "Would you like some tea, come on over."
With that, he took a few quick steps, leading Kael and Conna back towards the nearby hut.
The place looked much the same as before, with a huge wooden bed, a patchwork quilt, and a large wooden table and chairs by the hearth.
While Hagrid started making tea, Kael noticed a piece of clothing hanging on the wall—it was Hagrid's best... and also his ugliest, a furry brown coat.
Beside it hung a tie with alternating yellow and orange stripes.
This peculiar combination was something Kael had never seen anywhere else.
Conna noticed it too, and the two exchanged a glance, tactfully choosing not to comment.
In fact, they hadn't been silent before. When Hagrid first became a professor last year, he'd worn that outfit. Kael had advised him more than once to visit Gladrags Wizardwear in Hogsmeade for a new set; the shop owner's taste was excellent, and she could put together a style that suited anyone.
But despite the time that had passed, Hagrid's favorite remained that outfit, which he'd bring out for any important occasion.
What can you say, even if you don't understand, just respect it.
Besides, it wasn't for them to see.
At over three meters tall, it wasn't easy for Hagrid to find someone of similar height and build, yet Ms. Maxime from Beauxbatons was one of those few. She was even half a head taller than Hagrid.
As kindred spirits, maybe they shared some aesthetic sense and thought this combination looked good... not impossible.
...