By Friday, the weather remained as gloomy and rain-soaked as it had been all week. Yet, the Hufflepuff Quidditch team hadn't missed a single training session.
As Fred had pointed out earlier, Cedric was becoming increasingly reminiscent of Oliver Wood, driven by an intense focus on the game. A bit of rain wasn't going to stop him.
At 8:30 p.m., the team returned, thoroughly drenched and exhausted, to the welcoming warmth of the Hufflepuff common room.
Kyle removed the waterproof badge from his uniform and settled into a chair, sipping the hot cocoa Kanna had thoughtfully prepared earlier. Across the room, Cedric sat with a steaming cup of tea, which he'd fetched himself from the kitchen.
"Tomorrow is Hogsmeade visiting day," remarked Midaan Ancona, the new third-year Keeper, as she carefully removed her waterproof badge and stored it safely. "What's it like there? I've never been."
Only students in their third year and above were allowed to visit Hogsmeade on designated weekends. Younger students had to remain in the castle, leaving the village as something of a mystery for those like Midaan.
"It's really fun," Cedric assured her. "I recommend starting with Honeydukes—it's always packed because it's the most popular shop in Hogsmeade."
"Dervish & Banges is another good spot," added Kanna. "They sell all kinds of interesting magical items, like Self-Writing Quills and reusable parchment."
"And if you're into something more unconventional, don't miss Zonko's Joke Shop," Kyle suggested with a grin.
"Then head to The Three Broomsticks for Butterbeer," someone chimed in. "Or try Pumpkin Fizz or Cherry Honey Soda—it's way better than the Pumpkin Juice we get at school."
Midaan's eyes sparkled with anticipation, her excitement palpable. She clearly couldn't wait to experience Hogsmeade for the first time.
The conversation quickly shifted away from training to recommendations for Midaan and the other new third-years. Older students like Kyle and Cedric, who had visited the village countless times, had seen most of the shops so many times that the novelty had long since worn off. Now, their role was to guide the newcomers on where to go and what to avoid.
While Honeydukes and The Three Broomsticks were popular choices, Kyle had another suggestion: the Shrieking Shack.
Sirius had purchased the property not long ago with plans to open a shop there with Lupin. Unfortunately, Voldemort's return had derailed those plans. With Lupin occupied and Sirius under investigation by the Ministry of Magic, the refurbished Shrieking Shack sat unused, its future uncertain.
By ten o'clock, the tired Quidditch team had dispersed to their dormitories, ready to rest before the weekend.
The next morning, the Great Hall buzzed with excitement. Students chattered animatedly about their plans for the Hogsmeade trip, many already debating what to buy first.
Cedric, however, seemed uninterested. As a seventh-year, he'd been to Hogsmeade enough times to consider it routine. Instead of joining the trip, he planned to use the quiet castle as an opportunity for extra Quidditch practice.
Though confident in his team's ability to beat most other houses, Cedric was cautious about Gryffindor. Harry's Firebolt posed a unique challenge. Unlike Kyle, who used the same broom but played as a Chaser and needed to score gradually, Harry's role as Seeker meant he could end the game in an instant by catching the Snitch.
Last year, Hufflepuff had managed to neutralize Harry's Firebolt through a clever and unexpected strategy. But Cedric knew such a tactic wouldn't work twice. Harry was too sharp to fall for the same trick again, and Cedric realized they'd need a new plan.
Kyle wasn't particularly excited about Hogsmeade either. He'd already decided to skip the trip, preferring to spend his Saturday in the common room playing wizard chess.
At least, that was his plan until a brown barn owl swooped into the Great Hall, delivering a short, cryptic note to him.
See you at The Three Broomsticks.
The note contained no signature, leaving Kyle puzzled. As he pondered its sender, he caught sight of Umbridge seated nearby, her gaze fixed intently on him.
Kyle suddenly understood.
He'd been wondering why a week had passed without any new interference from the Ministry. He had assumed Fudge was exercising restraint. The arrival of the note suggested otherwise.
After breakfast, Kyle joined the other students heading to Hogsmeade.
"I thought you said you weren't going to Hogsmeade today?" Kanna asked, her tone curious as they walked across the damp grounds. "What changed your mind?"
"I'm going to see someone," Kyle replied vaguely.
"Who? Professor Black?"
"No," Kyle said, shaking his head. "You'll see when we get there."
Kanna raised an eyebrow at his cryptic answer but decided not to press further.
Once in Hogsmeade, Kyle made a beeline for The Three Broomsticks. Since they had arrived early, the pub was nearly empty, and there was no sign of Fudge.
The Three Broomsticks was typically a spot where people came to rest after exploring the village. Most only stopped in for a drink after they'd tired themselves out.
Kyle ordered a Pumpkin Fizz and took a seat at an empty table, sipping his drink as he waited.
About half an hour later, the door to the pub opened, and Madam Rosmerta's cheery voice echoed across the room.
"Oh, Mr. Minister… what brings you to Hogsmeade?"
"The longing for your Red Currant Rum, of course," replied Fudge with a jovial tone. "To be honest, I think about it every time I go off duty."
"Thank you for the kind words, Mr. Minister," Madam Rosmerta said, beaming warmly. Her gaze shifted to Umbridge, who had entered behind him.
"And what about you, Professor Umbridge?"
"Mead and Cherry Syrup," Umbridge replied in her high-pitched voice.
From his seat, Kyle had a clear view of Madam Rosmerta's reaction. Her polite expression faltered for just a moment as she discreetly held one of the glasses behind the bar. She quickly composed herself.
"One moment," she said before turning away to prepare their drinks.
With so few patrons in the pub, Fudge naturally noticed Kyle sitting nearby. He strode over to the table with a wide smile.
"Long time no see, Kyle," Fudge greeted warmly, as though their meeting were a happy coincidence. "You did an outstanding job at the Triwizard Tournament last year, beating Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. Truly remarkable. It's been ages since we've had any international glory like that."
"It was nothing, Minister," Kyle replied, his tone carefully neutral.
Standing nearby, Kanna glanced between Kyle and Fudge. The situation suddenly clicked in her mind. She gave Kyle a small nod.
"I'll go buy some sweets," she said lightly, excusing herself and leaving the pub.
"What a clever girl," Fudge remarked, setting his striped bowler hat aside as he took the seat Kanna had just vacated.
Umbridge, silent until now, seated herself across from Fudge.
"Kanna has always been clever," Kyle said with a polite smile.