Chapter 80: Sweet Talk

Faced with the threat of two second-year students, the weak Kyle, to avoid being bullied, could only verbally agree to a series of unequal treaties.

"Remember what you said, Kyle."

Fred reminded him, "You need to provide technical support for our Weasley joke products."

"And a location." George added, "You have to provide us with a safe place to store them during the holidays, and make sure Mom doesn't find them."

"Of course, I'd be happy to." Kyle smiled, "I'll help you research those products. And don't worry about the location… how about my room? If you put them there, Mrs. Weasley definitely won't find them."

"Good."

Fred and George nodded in satisfaction and let Kyle go.

"If you dare to deceive us…" Fred warned with a menacing expression before leaving, "The consequences will be severe!"

They both extended a thumb and gestured at their necks.

After they left, Kyle strolled over to the Hufflepuff table, as if nothing had happened.

"How was your holiday?"

"Not bad." Kyle glanced at Cedric, "No need to wake up early, no need to do homework. Just read, garden, pet animals… it's the life I've always dreamed of."

Cedric looked a little envious.

"I wish I hadn't gone home." He sighed, "My dad said he was going to take me to France this holiday. But he was too busy. He was working overtime almost all the time. He was only home for less than five hours a day. He didn't have any time."

Cedric's words surprised Kyle.

That couldn't be right. Hadn't Chris and Newt already sent those smuggled magical creatures back? Why was Mr. Diggory still so busy?

Besides, he hadn't heard about anything special happening lately. Everything was calm.

Even Mr. Weasley and Lucius arguing at the Ministry of Magic had made the front page of the Daily Prophet.

If it had been any other time, it would have been lucky to get a corner of the newspaper for something so trivial.

It was clear that there wasn't much news in the wizarding world lately. It felt like a peaceful time.

In this situation, unless there was a special emergency, like a magical creature injuring someone, Mr. Diggory would have at least five days off.

But if something like that happened, the Daily Prophet wouldn't be completely silent.

Cedric seemed to notice Kyle's confusion. He looked around, making sure nobody was paying attention, then whispered, "It's because of the Crumple-Horned Snorkack… My dad has been looking for it."

"The Crumple-Horned Snorkack…" Kyle frowned and whispered back, "Didn't it leave here?"

"No, the Ministry is lying."

Cedric said, "My dad had a bit to drink on Christmas Day. He seemed to think I was his colleague, so I took the opportunity to ask him a lot of questions.

He said the Ministry hadn't found any trace of the Crumple-Horned Snorkack."

Kyle shook his head, "But Newt didn't say that."

If it had been anyone else, he might not have believed it. But Newt never lied, especially when it came to magical creatures.

Unless it was a matter of the wizarding world's safety. Forget Fudge. Even Dumbledore wouldn't… well, that's not necessarily true.

But with Dumbledore's personality, he probably wouldn't ask Newt for a favor for a single Crumple-Horned Snorkack.

Unless Fudge was his son.

"I asked him about that too." Cedric said, "My dad said that Mr. Scamander's exact words were, 'We haven't found the Crumple-Horned Snorkack. It's probably hiding somewhere.'

But the Ministry only gave the Daily Prophet the first half of the sentence. They left out the second half."

"Huh?" Kyle raised an eyebrow, "To avoid causing panic?"

"Yes, to avoid causing panic." Cedric shrugged, "They even found an excuse to send Mr. Chris and Mr. Scamander away, who had been opposing this all along."

Kyle stroked his chin. Now, his previous doubts were cleared.

No wonder he felt something was off about Chris's trip. The problem was here.

It was just transporting some magical creatures. Why would Chris and Newt have to go together?

The Niffler and the Australian Bluemantle were one thing. Those two were too dangerous. Ordinary people couldn't handle them.

But what about the other magical creatures?

It was a simple task. You could just release them into a remote mountain forest, or send two Aurors. But it was still given to Chris and Newt.

Think about it. A Deputy Head of the Ministry of Magic, and a renowned magical creature expert. They both traveled thousands of kilometers just to send an ordinary Kneazle back to its original home.

It's ridiculous.

Normally, even if it had been a Kneazle owned by Grindelwald, it wouldn't have gotten this kind of treatment.

Kyle thought for a moment and asked, "Did your dad find the Crumple-Horned Snorkack?"

"No." Cedric shook his head, "My dad and the others have been looking for over a month. No leads.

But Minister Fudge keeps pushing. He even lost his temper a couple of days ago. That jerk…"

Cedric was still very well-mannered. When he said the keyword, he only moved his mouth and didn't make a sound. He fully demonstrated the qualities of a good student.

But his mouth movements were very clear. Kyle could tell that he was praising the other's family tree in a very sweet way.

After sweet-talking, Cedric's mood inexplicably improved. He glanced at the professors' table and said, "Forget about that. Have you noticed that Professor Snape seems to be in a bad mood today?"

"Is he?"

Kyle picked up a drumstick and said without looking up, "It's probably your imagination. When isn't he in a bad mood?"

"That's true, but…" Cedric glanced at the professor's table again, "I still think he's a little different today."

Snape on the platform looked like he had taken the wrong potion. His face was as black as a pot. His sinister eyes kept scanning the four tables.

As if he sensed someone looking at him, Snape suddenly looked towards Hufflepuff. Cedric quickly lowered his head in fear.

Next to him, Kyle was still leisurely eating his drumstick. He would occasionally say a few words to Mickel, who was sitting on his other side.

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