November arrived with biting cold, frost coating the ground each morning. The Black Lake had frozen over with a thick layer of ice overnight, drawing many playful students to its surface.
As Kyle and Cedric left the castle's warmth, a blast of cold wind struck their faces.
"Hiss... it's freezing!" Cedric shivered, "Thank goodness I switched to thicker robes a few days ago. Otherwise, I'd definitely catch another cold in this weather."
Last year, he'd been late changing to winter robes, which resulted in steam pouring from his head for three straight days.
Madam Pomfrey's potions were effective but notorious for their strange side effects.
"We'll warm up once we start training." Kyle said, tightening his collar and quickening his pace.
"You're right about that."
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The two crossed the grounds to the Quidditch pitch.
They arrived early. Harris was already there, carrying the box of Quidditch balls. Kyle spotted Hagrid nearby, wrapped in his long moleskin overcoat, removing frost from the broomsticks.
Seeing them approach, Hagrid waved enthusiastically, "Hey, Kyle, is it your team training today?"
"Yes, Hagrid." Kyle walked over and drew his wand.
✭ Scourgify ➜ Scouring Charm ✭
Instantly, all frost vanished from the broomsticks.
"That's so convenient..." Hagrid eyed the wand enviously, unconsciously glancing at the pink umbrella in his pocket.
His own wand was hidden inside that umbrella, but for certain reasons, he couldn't use it in front of others.
"Is there anything else you need help with?" Kyle asked.
"No, thank you." Hagrid picked up the broomsticks with a smile, "If you ask me, you should train after lunch when it's much warmer."
"Can't be helped. Today is the last weekend before the match, and all three houses need to practice." Kyle said, shaking his head helplessly.
If possible, he would certainly prefer training in warmer weather, but unfortunately, Harris was too honest. After minimal persuasion from the others, he had agreed to be the last one to choose field usage times.
As a result, Ravenclaw had claimed the four hours after ten o'clock, Gryffindor took the slot after that, leaving Hufflepuff with only this early morning time.
"Seems everyone's taking this year's competition seriously." Hagrid said, "But I believe you'll win for sure — after all, Hufflepuff was last year's champion."
"Of course, that's what I think too."
By this time, the other team members had arrived at the field. Kyle said goodbye to the big guy and quickly joined everyone for training.
Since today was just regular practice, not strategy development, Harris hadn't closed off the field.
After about half an hour, spectators gradually filled the stands. Most were young wizards who loved Quidditch; discovering the field was freely accessible, they were eager to enjoy the sport before the official match.
At exactly ten o'clock, Harris, who had been training the team for two hours, led everyone down from the air and handed the field over to the Ravenclaw team, who were already waiting.
Kyle followed the group back to the castle.
Soon after, the spectators from the stands also emerged. They were visibly disappointed, but this wasn't the first time such a situation had occurred. After some quiet complaints, they rubbed their shoulders against the cold and hurried back to the castle.
Kyle thoughtfully watched them.
"What are you thinking about?" Cedric asked, noticing Kyle's unusual expression.
"What do you think about us making some kind of warming device?" Kyle suggested.
"A warming device?"
"That's right." Kyle pointed to the students shivering from the cold, "The temperature has dropped rapidly in the last few days, and it'll definitely be colder on the day of the Quidditch match. If we introduce a convenient warming device now, it should be very popular."
"Well..." Cedric hesitated, thinking for a moment, "What you say makes sense, but there's something you might not know. Last year during matches, we used the Hot-Air Charm and Warming Spell to avoid being affected by the bad weather. These are spells that third-years learn."
Kyle wasn't particularly concerned about these objections.
His target wasn't upper-year students anyway. Third-years and above might not need it, but first and second-years would. That was enough.
With this idea in mind, the two quickly found Kanna and the twins to discuss the matter. Cho couldn't join because she had to train.
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The five of them gathered in an empty classroom and stayed until noon.
"So it's settled then, Kyle!" Fred exclaimed excitedly as he stood by the door.
"After waiting two months... we can finally do something big." George said, waving his hand, "You know what? I've been looking forward to this since the start of term."
"It seems I've overheard something rather interesting."
A sinister voice suddenly came from nearby.
Fred and George startled and quickly turned around. Snape and Filch stood at the corner of the corridor, looking at them with ill intent.
"You two again, caught you this time..." Filch stared at the twins, a smug grin spreading across his face, "Repeatedly breaking school rules, and still not repentant."
As he spoke, he glanced expectantly at Snape beside him.
"To teach them a lesson, how about locking them in the dungeon? I've been maintaining those chains, ready to use at any time."
Snape remained silent. His expression darkened when he noticed Kanna standing next to Kyle.
"Shouting in the corridors, Gry... Gryffindor loses ten points." Snape limped toward Kyle and said coldly, "Now, tell me what foolish idea you've concocted this time."
If looks could cast spells, Kyle would have been hit with hundreds of Sectumsempra curses on the spot.
"I think you've misunderstood, Professor." Kyle rubbed his shoulders uncomfortably, "We're just looking forward to next week's Quidditch match, that's all."
"Let's hope so." Snape said, narrowing his eyes, "If I discover you're lying, or that you've broken any school rules, I promise I'll have you expelled."
Kyle's mouth twitched as he felt a toothache coming on.
He couldn't understand it. Wasn't Snape supposed to be focused on Harry? Why was he still fixated on him?
"Why aren't you speaking?" Snape glared at the silent boy, his voice filled with disgust, "Disrespecting a professor... Gryffindor loses another ten points!"
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