In the hospital wing, Cedric and Kyle stared at each other, the atmosphere a little awkward.
To be more precise, Cedric was an awkward one. If he wasn’t lying in bed, he would probably have already dug a second Hogwarts Castle in the ground.
“It’s alright." Cedric turned his head to the side, pretending to be calm.
Kyle coughed awkwardly and said earnestly, "Cedric, why did you want to go and duel them? Don't forget, we're Hufflepuffs. Hogwarts is famous for its good and honest children, and model students. This kind of thought is dangerous.
Think of Professor Sprout. If she knew that you had become so impulsive, reckless, and unruly-abiding, she’d be so disappointed.”
“I didn’t, I didn’t think that at all," Cedric said angrily.
It’s just that when he was carried here, he kept hearing people say they wanted to go and fight the Slytherins one-on-one, real men. And there were a lot of them.
But his leg and head were hurting so badly, and he was a little out of it. He wanted to tell them to calm down, but he couldn't speak.
He had thought about it again, and he unconsciously assumed Kyle was thinking the same way.
"Don't rush to explain. I understand."
Kyle didn’t even look at Cedric. He said to himself, "It's normal for you to say something out of anger when you're injured so badly. Just be more careful in the future. Come on, have a Chocolate Frog."
When the badgers left the hospital wing, they had left behind some gifts. They weren’t many, just some common snacks. They were probably going to eat them when they watched the match.
Kyle picked a Chocolate Frog, tore off the wrapper, and handed it to Cedric.
“I told you, I didn't think that at all. You… wait a second."
Cedric was about to explain, but he suddenly noticed the Chocolate Frog card in Kyle's hand.
"What’s that in your hand…"
Kyle calmly put his hand in his pocket, “It’s just an ordinary card. Nicholas Flamel. I just don’t have it."
“No." Cedric sat up, "I saw it. It’s not Nicholas Flamel. It’s Agrippa.”
Although he had only glanced at it, Cedric could still see that the card in Kyle's hand was gold.
This was a special alchemical process. The Chocolate Frog Company had specifically invited a famous alchemist to add this layer to the cards, to prevent forgeries.
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With this protection, copying spells or Accio Charms wouldn't work. Besides, it was much more effective than the ones engraved on Galleons.
Only one card in the entire set used this process. This was the rarest card, Cornelius Agrippa.
Thinking about this, Cedric immediately extended his hand, "Give it back to me. It’s the Chocolate Frog I bought, so the card is mine!"
Seeing that he wasn’t going to be able to get away with it, Kyle stopped pretending. He said brazenly, "But I opened it. If it were you, you’d probably get a Dumbledore at most."
"It doesn't matter who opened it, it's there. Whoever opens it, it’s still Agrippa!" Cedric was furious, "Just give it back to me. I only need this one card to complete the whole set."
"No way." Kyle clutched his pocket tightly, "I only need this one too!"
Just like on the train, they stared at each other. The air was thick with gunpowder.
But this time, Kyle had the advantage. He looked at Cedric defiantly, then walked to the hospital wing door, opened it, and went out.
Then, he came back in...
Out again, then back in.
Cedric was stunned. He didn't expect Kyle to be so shameless. He was tricking him, taunting him, the injured patient!
“Alright, I’m kidding.”
Seeing that Cedric was even having trouble breathing, Kyle finally walked back to the bed and pulled the Agrippa card out of his pocket.
"I really can’t give it to you. I need it." Kyle said solemnly, "I have to say, Slytherin is very lucky. I was worried about what to do. This card came at the right time."
"Slytherin?"
Cedric, without changing his expression, put down his shoes. "Is your plan related to this card?"
Kyle nodded.
"It’s Agrippa!" Cedric looked at the card with a heartbroken expression, and whispered, "If I could get an Agrippa, I'd take another fall, even a few more times."
"It’s just a card. Look at you, all whiny." Kyle looked at him with disdain, "This is about getting revenge for you. And on a larger scale, it’s about Hufflepuff getting the Quidditch Cup.
Is a single Agrippa more important than the Quidditch Cup?"
"Well, no…" Cedric whispered.
“There you go."
"That’s true," Cedric pondered. He looked at Kyle,
He felt something was wrong. Kyle’s expression was too serious. This was very unusual.
Cedric seriously suspected that Kyle was tricking him. Or maybe, Kyle’s original plan didn't need the Agrippa card at all.
But he had no proof.
“How about you still give me the Agrippa?" Cedric thought for a moment and said, "Even for just one night, I’ll have had it.
I’ll give it back to you tomorrow after I leave the hospital. Or we can do that plan together."
"No need. I'll take care of this dirty work." Kyle patted his chest and said with righteous indignation, "Your job now is to heal properly."
"..."
—Confirmed. Kyle was tricking him.
Cedric narrowed his eyes and picked up his shoes from the floor.
When he looked up again, Kyle had already run out of the hospital wing. At the same time, Madam Pomfrey came over carrying a tray.
"What are you doing with the shoes?" Madam Pomfrey frowned, "Bones take time to heal. You need to stay here overnight."
"Sorry, Madam, I understand." Cedric forced a smile and put the shoes back.
"Really, why are the young wizards so troublesome these days." Madam Pomfrey secured the bandage on his right leg, then put a Chocolate Frog card on the bed.
"I found this next to your bed. Remember, don’t leave things lying around."
Cedric's heart suddenly jumped. He looked at it with a look of surprise.
The card showed an old man with a white beard, looking kindly at him.
Cedric's heart, which had been burning with excitement, instantly cooled down when he saw this old man.
"Nicholas Flamelt considered the most famous alchemist of modern times, his well-known contributions include..."
“Kyle!!"
Cedric gritted his teeth, staring at the entrance to the hospital wing. He wanted to rush out and beat someone up, but he saw Madam Pomfrey nearby. The idea quickly dissipated.
He unwillingly unwrapped the remaining two Chocolate Frogs, hoping to find another Agrippa.
A minute later… Cedric sighed softly and stuffed the two Dumbledore cards under his pillow.