"Kael, are you sure about this?"
As soon as Cho left, Cedric, who had been in the background the entire time, came up and whispered, "I mean, will the new Ravenclaw students really spend money on maps?"
"Who knows." Kael shrugged, "Let's give it a try anyway. We're just idle otherwise."
Even as he said this, Kael didn't think there would be any issues.
Hogwarts doesn't have road signs, and each classroom's location needs to be found by the new students themselves, or they have to ask senior students. So getting lost is something they experience every day.
At times like this, a map can often save them a lot of time.
Besides, it's just ten Sickles, not even a full Galleon. It's not really expensive.
A young wizard from a Muggle family, after buying textbooks and essential items each year, has about six Galleons left as pocket money. Taking out ten Sickles from that to purchase a map that marks most of the staircases' changes is something many wouldn't refuse.
Of course, a few might be exceptions, like a certain red-haired freshman who prefers to remain anonymous next year.
"By the way, here you go."
On the way back to the dormitory, Kael casually tossed the map in his hand to Cedric, saying, "From now on, the task of supplying them is yours."
Cedric asked in confusion, "I have a role too??"
"Of course, since you're the one who gave it to me, there's naturally something in it for you. Cho takes half, and the remaining half is for the two of us."
Kael stated matter-of-factly, "Besides, I'm just starting out, and I'm not yet proficient with the Doubling Charm. I can't sell people a defective product, I'd get yelled at.
So it's most fitting for you to handle this task. After all, you wouldn't want others saying that we Hufflepuffs are all swindlers."
"Well... alright then." Cedric thought it over and realized it made sense, so he said nothing more.
"Great, it's decided then. I'll have Cho find you directly, and we'll meet in the auditorium this afternoon." Kael gave Cedric a meaningful look before turning to walk into his dorm.
Cedric stood there, unmoved, watching Kael's departing figure, becoming increasingly convinced something was off.
Cho handles the promotions, Cedric supplies the maps... and Kael?
Aside from those two tasks, there doesn't seem to be much else to do.
And that line Kael said earlier, "We're just idle otherwise," could he be referring to Cedric himself?
Cedric fell into deep thought...
Meanwhile, after returning to his dorm, Kael had a great nap and arrived at the Transfiguration Classroom right before the afternoon class.
To avoid the scene that happened in front of Cho from happening again and to save face for both himself and Hufflepuff, he dragged Ryan along.
Even though Ryan repeatedly assured him he wouldn't get lost again now that he had the map.
This Transfiguration Class was still shared with Ravenclaw, and since they arrived early, there were only a few young wizards scattered around the classroom.
Without looking, Kael could tell they weren't Hufflepuffs just by guessing.
Moreover, on the desk at the front, a beautiful tabby cat was perched.
Instinctively, Kael reached into his robe pocket and felt for the pack of dried fish he had prepared long ago.
Feeding Professor McGonagall the dried fish was an achievement he had always wanted to unlock, and he had even prepared the dried fish in advance.
It was like moving the trash cans in Diagon Alley; there wasn't any reward, but it was incredibly satisfying, bringing with it an inexplicable sense of achievement.
However, while the trash cans could be moved anytime, the opportunity to feed Professor McGonagall was a one-time chance.
Professor McGonagall would only demonstrate her Animagus form in the first Transfiguration Class for new students. Only then, taking advantage of his newbie status, could Kael blend in unnoticed afterward.
After all, he was just an ignorant young wizard. How could he have known Professor McGonagall could turn into a cat?
As for carrying dried fish with him... that was prepared for Mrs Norris, to thank her for helping him find the Hospital Wing yesterday.
...
Everything was set perfectly; they just needed that last little bit of luck.
There were still too few people in the classroom. If he approached now, it would be too obvious, and it would be easy for Professor McGonagall to figure it out. He needed to wait a bit longer.
Kael was very patient in seizing this one opportunity, letting Ryan go into the classroom first while he found an excuse to stay by the door.
As it happened, Cho appeared around the corner of the corridor, waving towards him, "Kael, I knew you'd be here."
Seeing this, Ryan didn't think much of it, leaving with a simple "I'll save you a seat" before entering the classroom.
"Kael, you wouldn't believe how much smoother everything went than I imagined," Cho panted, running up to him, elated, "I showed them my copied map, and within just an hour, twelve freshmen clearly indicated they wanted to buy one."
Kael wasn't surprised, calmly replying, "That's great, thanks for your effort."
"It's nothing." Cho looked Kael up and down and continued, "Do you have the maps with you? I promised them I would bring everything back after class."
"Cedric has the maps. He's the second-year guy who was with me at lunch."
Kael said somewhat helplessly, "He was worried we couldn't guarantee the map's quality, so he took on the task of copying them for me. You can find him directly in the auditorium after class.
Oh, and he's top of the second year, really good with the Doubling Charm."
"Cedric?" Cho thought for a moment and asked, "I remember you saying he was the one who gave you the map too."
Kael nodded, "That's right."
"Then he really is a good person." Cho marveled and then, seemingly realizing something, suddenly frowned, "If that's the case, I can't take half. It should be split evenly between the three of us."
"If you insist, you can talk to him about it after class," Kael shrugged, "I have no issues with that. I even said before that I'd split the remaining half with him, but Cedric wouldn't accept, insisting he just lent a small hand.
I've said all I can. Maybe you'll have better luck convincing him."
"Alright!" Cho nodded earnestly.
In her view, anyone who participates is an equal member, and the spoils must be shared equally.
Kael grinned, "Well, good luck to you both."
Cho glanced at Kael, frowning, "You seem to be smiling a bit... oddly."
"Am I? Maybe I'm just really looking forward to the upcoming Transfiguration Class." Kael replied seriously, "Let's stop talking about this. We should head into the classroom. It'd be a shame to be late."