Kael stayed with Hagrid until noon before returning to the castle.
Mainly because it was almost lunchtime, he had to go back.
Originally, Hagrid wanted him to stay for a meal, but Kael hesitated for just a moment before decisively refusing.
Because he saw with his own eyes that Hagrid took two long unknown creatures from the shelf outside, simply cut them a few times, and threw them into the pot next to him, then smeared a layer of yellow-green sticky stuff on top of them.
If he didn't leave, he'd probably spend his first weekend of the new school year in the hospital wing.
Kael left decisively, ignoring Hagrid's entreaties, and quickly crossed the field back into the safety of the castle.
At this time, the auditorium on the first floor was already crowded, and due to the influence of Quidditch tryouts, the atmosphere was noticeably more lively than usual.
"I wish I had flown lower,"
a Gryffindor student at the entrance said regretfully, "You won't believe it, the Golden Snitch flew just a few feet below me, and I didn't even see it!"
"That's too bad..." his companion asked sympathetically, "Can you still make the team?"
"It shouldn't be a problem," the person said, "The other Seekers competing didn't do so well; many even fell off their brooms. Compared to them, I've already done quite well."
"That's great!"
...
As Kael walked through, he could hear similar conversations everywhere.
Interestingly, at the Gryffindor table, every participant in the tryouts was very confident. Even those who fell off their brooms and ended up black and blue thought they'd make the team.
When Kael reached the Hufflepuff table, Cedric had just walked over too.
"How was the tryout?" Kael asked.
Cedric shook his head, took a big gulp of pumpkin juice from the table before saying, "There were a lot of applicants, but most were not qualified. Some couldn't even pass the turning test in the air.
Oh right, I also saw your two roommates."
"Mikel and Ryan?"
"Yes."
Kael curiously asked, "How did they perform?"
"Uh..."
Cedric's expression suddenly became a bit strange, as if he were carefully choosing his words. After a long pause, he finally said, "I think... they're probably not very suited for Quidditch."
"It can't be that bad..." Kael was a bit surprised.
For someone like Cedric, who's usually so kind, to say "not suited for Quidditch," it must mean Mikel and Ryan really performed terribly.
But Kael remembered their performance in Flying Class was pretty decent; while not dazzling, at least they flew steadily.
"Maybe they were just too nervous to fly well."
"It's not about that."
Cedric sighed, "Mainly because they have no idea about Quidditch rules. Ryan just charged around recklessly without caring about anyone else's positions, and he didn't look where he was passing, twice handing the ball to the opponent.
The other one was even more outrageous!
...You know what? He actually mistook a Bludger for a Quaffle and ran straight for the goal with it."
"Uh..." Kael was speechless.
But after all, they were his roommates, so he smacked his lips and said, "At least he's strong; that's a plus, right?"
"If only it were that simple," Cedric sighed again,
"In fact, he didn't fly very far before he lost control of the Bludger. If it weren't for the quick response of others, he'd have been sent to the hospital wing by now."
This time, Kael really couldn't find any reason, and perhaps it was his imagination, but he noticed Cedric looking at him with a somewhat peculiar gaze, as if with sympathy.
"It was just an accident," Kael explained dryly, "Besides Quidditch, they're usually pretty normal."
"If I remember correctly," Cedric said thoughtfully, "One of them blew up the Charm classroom with a Lighting Spell last year, right?"
"That was Mikel's physiological issue," Kael said seriously, "He can't control his Magic Power output; it's an irresistible force!"
"Alright." Cedric thought for a moment, then continued, "What about copying your homework and including your name?"
"Uh..."
Before Kael could speak, Cedric went on:
"Asking Professor Snape to add water to the cauldron during the Potion Class exam..."
"..."
"Dyeing himself entirely blue..."
"..."
"Wait..." Kael paused, asking, "How do you know about this?"
He remembered when he brought Mikel back, it was during class and no one should have seen them.
"The Magic History Classroom is right outside the Clock Tower Courtyard," Cedric said quietly, "Through the window, you can see the entrance to the hospital wing."
"..."
After a moment of silence, Kael said earnestly, "Cedric, that's going too far. It's not the Hufflepuff way to discuss people behind their backs."
Cedric looked at Kael with a strange expression but said nothing.
"Alright then, let's drop it this time, but no more next time,"
Kael nonchalantly picked up a piece of toast and said, "Let's talk about the other teams. Have there been any changes this year?"
Cedric, though finding Kael's topic shift rather abrupt, still followed his lead, "Slytherin cleared the field when selecting players. I only know their new captain is Marcus Flint.
Gryffindor has the same team as last year; no remarkable newcomers. Oliver Wood has been pulling his hair all morning on the field.
But Ravenclaw has come up with an outstanding Seeker. Can you guess who it is..."
"It's Cho, right?" Kael said, "She mentioned wanting to be a Seeker last year."
"Yes, it's Cho," Cedric laughed, "Among all those competing for Chaser, she was the fastest to catch the Golden Snitch.
Ravenclaw's captain was thrilled. If it weren't too early, he would probably have agreed to let Cho be the new Seeker right away."
"You have no idea, Wood was so envious his eyes went red."
Cedric picked up a cup of pumpkin juice, smiling, "He rushed over to ask Professor McGonagall if first-years could try out too, only to be reprimanded very sternly."
"Hey, sounds like I heard someone mentioning our beloved captain."
"Has Wood become so popular now?"
At this moment, Fred and George came over from a distance, sitting on either side of Kael, and asked, "What were you guys just talking about?"
"About the Quidditch player selection," Cedric didn't hide it, smiling as he asked, "So, did Professor McGonagall agree to let you pick people from the first years?"