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Kanna stood up. "There are a few small differences between werewolves and real wolves. The werewolf's snout is slightly shorter and the pupils are smaller..."
"Very good, ten points for Hufflepuff."
Snape nodded with satisfaction, and then continued to ask: "Werewolves usually look no different from ordinary people, except for one thing. Who can tell me what it is?"
A few more people raised their hands, and this time he chose Qiu.
"Werewolves only transform into wolves on full-moon nights."
"Not comprehensive." Snape waved his hand and asked her to sit down, without any intention of adding any points, "In fact, they will also become very weak a few days before and after the full moon.
Why don't you write all this down?"
There was a sudden rustling sound of quills and parchment being fumbled with in the classroom.
"Turn to page 395 for a more detailed explanation..."
Snape didn't ask any more questions in the following classes. He just asked everyone to sit there and copy notes about werewolves from the book.
He himself walked back and forth between the desks to make sure everyone had remembered everything completely.
The students seemed to have returned to the days two years ago when they took notes in every class.
The bell finally rang, but Snape didn't let them leave.
"Each of you write a paper and hand it in to me on how to identify and kill werewolves. I require you to fill two rolls of parchment and hand it in on Monday morning."
Everyone left the classroom quickly together, with Kyle walking in front.
He had just sat there in silence for the entire class, trying to reduce his presence as much as possible.
Kyle had a hunch that if he had said something wrong or been caught by Snape, the consequences would have been much more serious than for others.
Fortunately, the get out of class finally ended.
Kyle was the first to walk out of the classroom, followed by the others. When they reached a place where Snape couldn't hear, everyone began to discuss.
"Oh my god, two rolls of parchment," Mikael complained. "That's enough for me to write five Defense Against the Dark Arts homework assignments."
"Even if it's a Transfiguration assignment, you can write it three times." Ryan added, "I really hope Professor Lupin can get better soon, so that we may not have to write this paper again."
Kyle didn't join in their discussion, but walked down the stairs faster.
It was not until he returned to the common room and the barrel door slowly closed behind him that the feeling of being on edge gradually disappeared.
……
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 374 New Team
It was early October and Quidditch season was approaching.
Cedric has been acting more and more nervous lately. Wherever he goes, he always carries a notebook and writes and draws on it.
Moreover, the book he usually read changed from "The Development and Changes of Medieval Spells" to "Detailed Explanation of One Hundred Quidditch Tactics".
In Cedric's words, "When Harris was the captain, the team never lost once. I have to keep the Quidditch Cup in Hufflepuff."
The second weekend in October.
Kyle wanted to sleep in, but Cedric came running over early in the morning and dragged him to the auditorium without saying a word.
"Practice, Kyle, you've missed three times!"
As the two of them were eating beef sandwiches, Cedric said seriously, "Is there anything wrong with you this time?"
"Uh... I guess there isn't any left." Looking at Cedric's unfriendly eyes, Kyle said guiltily.
Mainly because some time ago, the mandrakes he planted in the Room of Requirement began to become active, which was also a sign that they were about to mature.
It’s a few months later than expected, but it’s finally coming of age.
To make sure nothing went wrong in the end, Kyle would go to the Room of Requirement whenever he had time.
Not to mention training, he even did not miss breaks and was extremely busy.
The good news is that his efforts were not in vain...all the mandrakes are mature and healthy, and their calls can be said to be full of energy.
Although Kyle was wearing earmuffs the entire time, judging from their behavior and expressions, this should be the case.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Cedric gave him a suspicious look.
"Sure!" Kyle nodded.
The poisonous tentacles will probably take some time to develop, probably by the end of this year.
But it was still early.
Moreover, it is indeed a bit unreasonable that he missed so many training sessions in a row after Cedric became captain.
Those who don't know might think that he is dissatisfied with Cedric as the captain.
Kyle didn't want to give others this illusion.
After becoming the captain, I have to be responsible for recruiting new players, formulating training plans and game tactics. I'm so busy, so I'd better leave it to Cedric.
"So much the better."
Cedric took a sip of pumpkin juice and said, "The competition is about to start. No matter how busy you are, you still have to participate in training as much as possible. At the very least, you have to cooperate with the new players... We have four new players this time."
There are seven people in a team, four of whom are new players, which means more than half of the team has been replaced. No wonder Cedric was really nervous.
"Wait..." Kyle suddenly realized something and looked up and asked, "How many did you say just now?"
"Four!"
"Aren't there three?" Kyle looked at him in confusion. "Two chasers and a keeper... I remember that there seemed to be only three of them from the same class."
"So, you don't care about the team at all..." Cedric's eyes became unkind again.
But after hesitating for a moment, he explained: "Seventh-year beater Wright wants to join the Auror Army after graduation, but his grades are not outstanding and he just meets the minimum requirements.
Quidditch training takes up too much time, and in order to get a few more certificates after graduation...just yesterday, he submitted his application to me for withdrawal from the team."
"Yesterday?" Kyle frowned. "It's been so long. Will Madam Hooch agree to let us change people?"
"She agreed."
Cedric said, "Because graduation is approaching, many people will hesitate between Quidditch and the certificate, and Wright's situation is not uncommon.
Maybe they don’t want to delay their graduation. As long as they are in the seventh grade, they can quit at any time... even before the last game."
Kyle nodded. He really didn't know this before.
"Have you found someone to replace him?" Kyle asked.
"There are several candidates." Cedric lowered his voice and said, "I think your roommate is good, the one called Mikel."
"Mikel?" Kyle was a little surprised.
"Yes." Cedric said, "Remember when he was in second grade, he carried a Bludger across half the court. This is not something that most people can do. It requires a lot of arm strength.
Now that I think about it, he seems to have a natural talent as a hitter... Of course, he needs a little training."
Afterwards, the two called Mikel, who had just finished breakfast, and two other students, and went to the Quidditch field together.
But just as they arrived, another group of people in red robes walked into the stadium, all holding broomsticks in their hands.
"Cedric?" Oliver Wood strode over. "Shouldn't your training be in the afternoon?"
"That's right," Cedric explained, "but something unexpected happened. Madam Hooch allowed us to book the court today to select new players."
"New player? But now...oh..." Wood suddenly realized in the middle of his sentence and asked tentatively: "Your seventh-grade batsman?"
"Ah, yes." Cedric did not hide it, "He withdrew in order to have more time to study...so we have to hurry up and select a new batsman.
Sorry, you may have to make a wasted trip. "
An unconscious smile appeared on Oliver Wood's face, but he quickly suppressed it.
"It doesn't matter. Your things are obviously more important." He said in a light tone, as if he didn't care at all about taking up his training time.
"I guess Oliver is delighted."
On the way back, Fred whispered to Harry: "He always thinks Hufflepuff is our biggest rival."
"But they ran into some trouble this year," George said. "Three of their veteran players graduated, plus Wright withdrew."
"That means..." Harry thought for a moment and said, "More than half of the Hufflepuff team we're facing this year are new players with no competition experience?"
"You're right!"
At this time, Oliver Wood turned around and said, "This is a great opportunity for us... The glory days of Hufflepuff are over. We will definitely be able to take the Quidditch Cup back from them this time!"
He clenched his fists. "Ever since Harry joined the team, I've always thought that winning the Quidditch Cup was a sure thing, but it has never happened. This is the last chance..."
Wood is in seventh grade this year and will graduate next year. After that, all the achievements the team has made will have nothing to do with him... He desperately wants to win a victory.
……
"I guess Gryffindor must be laughing at this moment." On the court, Kyle watched their backs as they left and whispered, "But there's nothing we can do about replacing so many experienced old players at once."
“But they were wrong about one thing.”
Cedric smiled and said, "Being a new player doesn't mean they are weak. They can slowly accumulate experience during the competition."
"Besides..." He glanced at Kyle, "We also have the best Chaser in Hogwarts."
"Well, you're right." Kyle didn't feel embarrassed at all and admitted it directly.
Cedric is indeed suitable to be the captain...at least he has good vision.
……
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 375: Long-awaited Visiting Day
By the time of lunch, the new batsman had been selected, Mikel.
All those Quidditch books he read before were not in vain. He had basically mastered the rules and so on. In addition, he was also a good flyer, which allowed him to make it all the way to the end of the selection.
Cedric immediately made the decision and decided that he would replace Wright and become the new beater of Hufflepuff.