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When Kyle caught up with Connor, someone was still complaining, "Did you hear the sound of the kale biting on the glove... Merlin, my hands were all sweaty at that time."
"I want to, but Professor Sprout said that the Kale Biting Course will last for a month." A Gryffindor student sighed.
"Really? When did the professor say that?"
"It was just after class, didn't you hear it?"
"No……"
Then, there was another series of sighs.
After returning to the castle, Kyle just arrived at the hallway and saw a tall figure.
Hagrid was talking to Sirius, and what was even more rare was that he was smiling.
After noticing Kyle, Hagrid immediately walked over.
"You'd never guess what happened." He spread out a newspaper and pointed to an article on the front page. "That person... Rita Skeeter, she actually spoke well of me."
"Really?" Kyle subconsciously glanced at the newspaper. It still showed Hagrid's photo of him taking care of an injured kneazle.
[Is the half-blood giant real or fake? What is hidden behind the ferocious appearance? 】
"It's incredible, I never imagined that the giant was bandaging the cat's hind leg instead of eating it.
Besides, similar situations have happened many times before.
"I received a lot of help from Hagrid when I was in school. He was a kind-hearted man and the best gamekeeper." said a person who has graduated for five years.
And letters like this keep coming.
Even the savior, Harry Potter, once said publicly, "We don't care if he's a half-giant."
This makes one wonder whether Rubeus Hagrid, a man of huge stature and fierce appearance, is really a half-giant, or whether he is simply a big-boned man..."
Kyle didn't watch it anymore.
I have to admit that Rita Skeeter has some talent, and although it is a contradictory article, it actually makes sense when I read it.
……
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 536 Bagman and Krum
In addition to the latest article in the Daily Prophet, Sirius also took out a thick stack of letters... all of which Dumbledore asked him to bring.
To some extent, Rita Skeeter's report was not problematic, because there were indeed many graduated students who believed that Dumbledore could not expel Hagrid and sent letters.
What Sirius brought this time was just a part of it. Dumbledore had more, but he just hadn't had time to read them all.
The article and the letter finally helped Hagrid regain his confidence.
"Thank you... thank you."
He patted Sirius' shoulder gratefully and said, "I think I have to go back quickly. The first class this afternoon is the Care of Magical Creatures class for fourth years, and I haven't prepared anything yet."
"Aren't you going to finish lunch here?" Kyle asked.
"No, there's not enough time..."
With that, Hagrid strode briskly out of the hall.
"Hagrid should really realize how strong he is." Sirius rubbed his shoulder and muttered quietly.
The blow just now almost broke his arm. He could even hear the crisp sound of the bone.
"How are you..." Kyle looked at him with amusement, "Do you want to go to the school hospital?"
"No need, I'm not that fragile yet." Sirius waved his hand, "By the way, how are you preparing for your second project.
"Professor Dumbledore has been so busy these past few days that I can hardly see him. I guess he is preparing the venue for the competition."
"Well...it's okay." Kyle shrugged.
"That's good." Sirius patted Kyle's shoulder, "I believe you can defeat them, especially Durmstrang. I really want to see what Karkaroff's expression will be when the time comes."
With that, Sirius also left the hall.
Kyle and Connor walked into the auditorium together.
"That Rita Skeeter actually spoke up for Hagrid." Connor sat on the chair, "Your guess is absolutely right."
“Of course,” Kyle said, ladling stew into bowls. “Like I said, Rita Skeeter’s a smart one. She’ll figure out what we want her to do.”
"Will you send the photos to the Ministry of Magic?" Connor asked.
"Why do you think so?" Kyle looked at her in surprise.
"After all, you didn't promise her, did you?" Connor blinked. "I remember clearly that you just said you were in a good mood and that's why you wouldn't publish the photos, not that you were saying anything good for Hagrid."
"Well... although what you said makes sense, after I thought about it carefully, I still think it's better to keep the photo for the time being. After all, I am a warrior now, representing Hogwarts. I can't do anything against my conscience, right?"
Kanna raised an eyebrow.
If it was three or four years ago, she might have believed what Kyle said, but it was different now... She didn't believe a word of it.
"What are you planning again?"
“No, I promise,” Kyle said, and then quickly added, “Not yet.”
"So it may not be the case in the future?" Connor said. Somehow, she began to sympathize with Rita Skeeter.
Who was the last person Kyle targeted... Oh, yes, the mouse named Peter Pettigrew.
If it wasn't for the purpose of exonerating Sirius, he would have almost never changed back.
"But speaking of this, you reminded me." Kyle patted his forehead, took out a piece of parchment from his pocket, and turned it into an envelope.
Kyle wrote Rita Skeeter's name on the envelope and stuffed ten more Galleons into it.
Then Kyle blew a whistle and Laton flew in from outside.
"Can you help me deliver it to the newspaper office?"
Laton nodded, grabbed the envelope and flew out of the small window under the ceiling.
Looking at Kyle's actions, Connor asked in confusion, "Why are you giving Rita Skeeter gold galleons?"
"Of course it's the reward this time." Kyle said, "Photos are only one aspect. If we want to establish a better cooperative relationship, appropriate benefits are also essential.
Only in this way, she will be more careful when writing articles. After all, it’s only ten Galleons, not much.”
"Are you going to ask her to write articles for the Daily Prophet again?" Connor asked.
"Otherwise." Kyle took a bite of Yorkshire pudding. "Besides the fact that her articles have a large audience, what other uses does she have?"
Kanna was speechless. Kyle just said he had no other ideas, but his thoughts changed in the blink of an eye.
"There is no conflict." Kyle saw what she was thinking and explained, "It's always a good idea to prepare first. Who knows when you might need it."
……
It was mid-January, the first Hogsmeade week after school started.
Kyle did not go to Zonko with Fred and George, but went straight to Davis-Bans. He wanted to see if the store had any new magical items.
But unfortunately, the owner seemed to have never gone out again. Kyle spent a long time picking and only bought a few exploding beans.
Although the power of this thing is somewhat small, it can still be used to scare people.
Kyle then found the others, and Cedric suggested going to the Three Broomsticks for a visit.
The pub was as crowded as usual. Hagrid was sitting at the bar, drinking with Sirius. There were several empty bottles in front of him, and it was obvious that he had been drinking for a while.
Sirius opposite him was probably drunk, his body was staggering, and it seemed that he might pass out at any time.
"Oh, why is he here too..." Fred suddenly pointed to the mirror behind the bar, "There is no Triwizard Tournament activity now, so there shouldn't be a need for a referee."
Kyle looked up and saw Ludo Bagman reflected in the mirror. He was saying something in a low voice, and sitting opposite him were several goblins who had their arms crossed and looked menacing.
"What do you think they are talking about?" George asked.
"I don't know, but his current situation must be bad. The goblin seems to be quite angry." Fred said.
"You tell me, should we go get Dad's one Galleon back?" George suddenly became angry. "That liar... Fortunately, we didn't place a bet at that time. He didn't even pay Dad's one Galleon, so he certainly wouldn't pay our bet..."
As the two were talking, the door of the pub opened again, and Harry, Hermione, and Ron walked in.
Not long after, Krum from Durmstrang also arrived.
At this moment, Bagman suddenly dropped the goblin opposite him and hurried over.
"Oh, Viktor, I'm so glad to meet you here. I wonder if I can talk to you alone for a few words... Don't worry, I won't keep you too long."
Before Krum could say anything, he was pulled to the other side of the bar by Bagman.
The goblins were still staring at that place vigilantly, as if they were afraid that he would run away.
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 537: House-elf Tata
Ludo Bagman chatted with Krum for about ten minutes. When he came back, his expression looked a little gloomy and he was cursing under his breath, as if this conversation made him very unhappy.
Then he hurried out on his three broomsticks, and the goblins all stood up and followed him out.
The goblins looked too fierce, so Fred and George didn't go to him to ask for the Galleon. Instead, they gathered together and discussed the matter with great interest.
"Why do you think Bagman wanted to find Krum?" Fred asked.
"Could it be related to the Triwizard Tournament?" George thought for a moment. "As one of the referees, Bagman should know a lot of information... This must include what the second event is."
"Do you think he would deliberately leak the information to Krum..."
"That shouldn't be the case..." Cedric frowned slightly, "It is absolutely not allowed for the referee to help the warriors cheat. Bagman, as the Director of the Department of Sports and Physical Education of the Ministry of Magic, must understand this.
"And if this kind of thing gets out, his position as director will be over."
"I know..." Fred said, "But it's too suspicious, isn't it? Before the game, deliberately avoiding others to chat alone with a warrior, this is not normal in any way."
"Krum must have rejected him." Qiu thought for a moment and said, "You saw it just now. Bagman's face was ugly when he came over."
"Maybe he was pretending." Cedric said faintly. "We discussed it beforehand and he deliberately put on a show for us..."