CHAPTER 14: CLOSING DOORS IS A GOOD HABIT

In the wizarding world, rats, being the cheapest of the designated Hogwarts pets, naturally had a wide range of customers. This included many young witches.

But most of them would choose hamsters, which were the same price but had beautiful fur, were docile, and cute. Or black rats, which could live longer, or white rats, which looked cleaner.

This was the first time Kyle had seen a young witch who liked ordinary field rats. Judging from her clothes, she didn't look like a wizard who was short of money.

After eleven years in the wizarding world, Kyle had some experience.

Although the girl's clothes weren't fancy, the fabric was of the highest quality and the craftsmanship was exquisite. Plus, the signature pattern on her cuffs must be from the Fancy Dress Shop, that's for sure.

That place was much more expensive than Madam Malkin's. The starting price was twenty Galleons.

Those who could afford to shop there couldn't possibly afford a better pet.

It seemed like she genuinely liked this rat.

No wonder she had come to find him.

Is rat tonic from Diagon Alley? That stuff was sugar water, similar to an energy drink. It was fine for a pick-me-up, but don't expect it to do much.

Although the girl's aesthetic was unique, Kyle wasn't surprised at all. His expression didn't change.

Don't forget, there were even people who liked Acromantula in the wizarding world.

He had seen one of those in Newt's suitcase. Well, it looked like it was challenging the common human worldview. It was the kind of creature that would become a childhood nightmare just by looking at it.

Anyway, Kyle was disgusted. He hadn't been in Newt's suitcase for a whole year.

In comparison, a young witch liking a field rat was normal.

...

Soon, Kyle took out a bottle the size of a thumb from his suitcase and handed it to her. "This bottle is on me. If you think it's effective, come back again. But it will cost you next time. The price might be a bit expensive, one Sickle, but worth it."

"Th, thanks."

The little girl named Kanna hurriedly took the bottle, but then she didn't leave. She continued to stand there, looking at the bottle in her hand, then at Kyle, with a conflicted expression on her face.

"What, not enough?"

Kyle thought she thought it was too little, and explained, "It's not that I'm stingy, it's just that you should try the effect first. Besides, the dosage of rat tonic isn't that much. Two or three drops at a time is enough. This bottle is small, but it's enough for you to use for a month."

"No, it's not that. I didn't mean it that way."

Hearing Kyle's words, Kanna shook her head repeatedly. Then, under the watchful eyes of Kyle and Cedric, she whispered, "I'm not saying it's too little. I want the red kind."

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Red?

Cedric, on the side, finally noticed that the rat tonic in Kanna's hand was a cloudy orange, kind of like a mashed orange pudding.

While the one Kyle had given Percy was a clear, bright red without any impurities.

It was the same thing, but it looked so different. And anyone could see that the clear red was much better than the cloudy orange.

It was free, but you couldn't cheat like this.

Cedric's eyes changed as he looked at Kyle.

Sure enough, a businessman like Kyle would be sent to Azkaban.

Just then, Kanna seemed to think of something and fumbled to take out a delicate little purse.

"That... I can buy it."

Kanna lightly shook the purse, and a bunch of Galleons clinked onto the table.

Thirty-three Galleons, and a few Sickles.

Seeing this, Cedric's eyes widened.

He only had ten Galleons a term. Thirty-three Galleons, even without the spare change, was three times his amount.

Was he jealous? Definitely. But Cedric could handle it. After all, with his personality, he didn't care that much about Galleons. As long as he had enough, that was fine.

But Kanna's next move broke his defenses.

"Is that all I have left?" Kanna looked a little disappointed. She bit her lip and said softly, "It's okay. If it's not enough, I can get some from Gringotts. As long as I can make Pocky live a little longer, any amount of Galleons is fine."

What, more?

Cedric's lips couldn't help but twitch. At this moment, he was truly shocked by the inhumane words.

Listen, any amount of Galleons is fine...

It would be fine if it was an adult wizard, but for a first-year freshman to say this, was that a bit too much?

Or was this a common sight for Slytherins?

He was learning something new.

On the other side, Kyle didn't care what Cedric was thinking. He looked at Kanna, wanting to say something but stopping himself. He felt a headache coming on.

He knew his own business. This kind of rat tonic should be a cloudy orange color.

As for Percy's bottle, that was laced. A normal rat would probably die on the spot if it drank it.

But the problem was, he couldn't say it. And judging from Kanna's appearance, she seemed to be convinced that he had tonic that could extend a rat's life. She must have listened to everything Percy said without missing a word.

In this situation, unless he told the truth, there was no way Kyle could explain himself.

"That... Kanna, it's like this."

Kyle thought for a moment and said, "That special rat tonic is too strong. You can't drink it directly. You have to use regular tonic to strengthen the rat's body first."

Delay, just delay.

That was the only solution Kyle could think of.

If he said he didn't have it, or couldn't make it, what if she went to Newt? Then it would be a big mess.

Newt was hard to find, but Dumbledore was at Hogwarts. In the wizarding world, even a three-year-old knew how close they were.

Since Kanna was wearing clothes from the Fancy Dress Shop, she couldn't be Muggle-born. If she went to Dumbledore, she would probably see Newt.

"I wish I had closed the door when Percy came." Kyle rubbed his forehead and laughed bitterly in his heart.

Fortunately, it wasn't hard to solve. He just had to go to Dorset when Hogwarts had a holiday.

He remembered Newt had made a tonic for Wrackspurts, magical creatures that were very similar in physical structure to field rats. The rats in pet shops all had a bit of Wrackspurt blood.

Just like cats and Kneazles.

So, he could dilute it a bit and use it directly. It was no problem to make an ordinary rat live for three or five more years.

"I'll feed Pocky the tonic on time."

Kanna didn't doubt him at all and nodded seriously.

"Don't worry, it's fine." Kyle smiled and handed her a Chocolate Frog, "Have some chocolate. It will make you feel better."

"No, I don't need it. I can buy it myself."

Kanna glanced at the Chocolate Frog and quickly looked away, her hands nervously holding the bottom of her robe. She looked like a child who had received a red envelope during the Chinese New Year, wanting it but feeling embarrassed.

"It's okay, take it." Kyle smiled, "Consider it a welcome gift. I hope we can be classmates."

" ... Thank you."

Hearing Kyle say this, Kanna finally took the Chocolate Frog, her face blushing. But she didn't eat it. She carefully put it away.