Only then did the crowd in the Great Hall finally react.
What had they just heard… an out-of-control Werewolf?
Even as first-years, they knew quite well how terrifying Werewolves could be, having already studied them for a year. They recalled learning about the Werewolf Code of Conduct, which labeled Werewolves as Level 5X creatures—extrely dangerous, capable of causing fatal harm to witches and wizards when transford. Werewolves were fierce, agile, and enormously strong.
Many adult wizards—and even Ministry Hit Wizards—found Werewolves beyond their capability to handle. Taking them down had always been the Aurors' responsibility.
How, then, could Kyle have managed such a feat?
At the Gryffindor table, Ron and Harry’s eyes were wide, and they had been frozen in that expression since learning the truth. They were still struggling to morize the Werewolf Code of Conduct, while Kyle, sohow, had already managed to take on a Werewolf.
Hermione, however, seed less surprised. She had guessed Kyle might be the one to receive the dal and had been prepared for this reveal.
Whatever others might be thinking, Dumbledore, seated at the place of honor, had already accepted the box Dugald McPhail handed him and opened it. Inside lay a beautiful gold dal with a purple ribbon.
The Order of rlin ribbons for First Class, Second Class, and Third Class were all different colors—green, purple, and white, respectively. However, the ribbon seed almost too large for Kyle, crossing diagonally from his left shoulder down to his calf.
If it were red, Dumbledore thought, it would look almost too festive.
With a slight movent of his fingers, Dumbledore instantly adjusted it to fit Kyle’s fra.
“Thank you for everything, my boy,” Dumbledore said solemnly, handing Kyle the gold dal.
“Thank you for your teachings, Professor,” Kyle replied, extending his hand and giving Dumbledore a light handshake.
...
If soone had been standing outside the Great Hall at that mont, they might have thought an explosion had just gone off.
The cheers from all four houses grew louder and louder. At the Hufflepuff table, Mikel and Ryan were standing on their stools, practically shouting themselves hoarse in excitent, eager for everyone to know that Kyle was their roommate. Even Cedric and Kanna, usually so composed, were jumping up and down beside the table in exhilaration.
Dumbledore didn’t interrupt them this ti either.
The thunderous cheers finally started to die down only when everyone's hands were numb and their voices had grown raspy.
“As Headmaster of Hogwarts,” Dumbledore continued, “I award Hufflepuff House two hundred points, and Kyle will once again receive the Special Award for Services to the School.”
The crowd, which had just quieted, erupted again. The decorations in the Great Hall reverted to their previous state, but few in Gryffindor were disappointed. After all, Harry and his friends had won Gryffindor 150 points last year, so there was no question that Kyle deserved extra points this ti. In fact, so felt that 200 points was too little—this was the Order of rlin, after all, and it was Second Class! Surely at least 500 points would have been appropriate. Headmaster Dumbledore was far too stingy, so murmured.
As the ceremony wrapped up, Dumbledore invited Kyle to step forward and give a speech. Clearing his throat, Kyle said, “Then I’ll just say a few words…”
Eager to move on to dinner, Kyle kept it brief. Instead of a long speech, he shared a few tips on improving study habits and so ideas for making Hogwarts an even more harmonious school. Most of the students, however, weren’t particularly interested in this topic, though a few listened intently. Hermione not only paid close attention, but also took notes on every word, while Neville… well, he tried to take notes too, but after the first sentence, he couldn’t keep up and quickly lost track.
As he wrapped up, Kyle made a small wish: he hoped that next year’s Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts would make it through the entire school year without any harm befalling them.
Everyone burst into laughter, even the visiting wizards shaking their heads with a knowing smile.
It was, after all, common knowledge in the wizarding world that sothing happened to the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor every single year.
This ti of year was also Dumbledore’s least favorite. He was treated like an unwanted Mountain Troll, shut out wherever he went. So wizards even fled to other countries before Hogwarts’ holiday break, just to avoid Dumbledore showing up at their door, and they wouldn’t return until September, after the start of term.
“Oh, looks like we’ll have to hurry back soon. Wouldn’t want him bothering us,” McPhail chuckled, half-joking as he spoke to Sykes, who was sitting beside him. “I may be fine with handing out dals in my old age, but taking up a teaching position? No, thank you.”
“You’re absolutely right, it’s far too risky,” Sykes replied, covering her mouth as she laughed. “We even considered setting up a special wing just for the Defense professors.”
Beside them, Dumbledore’s face flushed slightly, and he shot a glare at Kyle.
This little rascal—just what was he thinking, saying all that?
As Kyle finished his speech, the long-awaited banquet finally began. Returning to the Hufflepuff table, Kyle found himself the center of attention, with students constantly coming over to congratulate him on receiving the Order of rlin dal. He barely managed to get a bite of food, his stomach soon filling up on pumpkin juice instead.
“You kept it a secret from us this whole ti...” Cedric grumbled once the crowd of well-wishers started to disperse. His face was a mix of mock annoyance and genuine concern. “We didn’t even know you’d been to St. Mungo’s!”
“I didn’t know if I’d actually get the rlin dal,” Kyle explained. “And I figured telling you after the fact would just save you all from worrying.”
“That’s not a reason,” Kanna replied, wrinkling her nose. “It’s only normal to worry about your friends.”
“Yes, so don’t think you’re off the hook that easily,” Cedric said sternly. “Unless you swear that you’ll never keep anything dangerous from us in the future!”
“Oh, co on, that’s hardly fair,” Kyle groaned, giving him a disgruntled look. “It’s not like I’m constantly getting into danger.”
“Really?” Cedric raised an eyebrow. “So, besides the St. Mungo’s visit, there was the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor incident, the tis you disappear during Quidditch matches, and—”
“All right, all right, I get it!” Kyle cut him off, throwing up his hands in surrender. “Fine, I swear it—on Dumbledore’s beard!”
Cedric’s expression finally softened into a grin. “Now that’s what I wanted to hear. Congratulations on the rlin dal,” he said, raising his glass of pumpkin juice.
“Congrats!” Kanna chid in, lifting her glass as well.
Kyle eyed their oversized cups, both filled to the brim with pumpkin juice. His stomach churned just looking at them, feeling the weight of the drink he’d already downed.
“You did this on purpose!”
Cedric burst out laughing. “Serves you right for hiding it from us.”
Kanna joined in, smiling mischievously. “But since you won us the House Cup, we’ll let you off the hook… a little later.”
“Haha…” Kyle chuckled weakly, rubbing his stomach as he looked at his friends. “Thanks, you two.”
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