In the hospital wing, Cedric and Kael were staring at each other, making the atmosphere a bit awkward.
To be more precise, it was Cedric who felt awkward. If he weren't lying on a hospital bed, he probably would have dug a second Hogwarts Castle into the ground by now.
"As long as you're not," Cedric said, turning his head to the side, trying to sound calm.
Kael cleared his throat and said earnestly, "Cedric, why did you think about dueling them? Don't forget, we're from Hufflepuff, known for being honest kids and model students at Hogwarts. It's quite dangerous to have that kind of thought.
Think about Professor Sprout. If she knew you became so impulsive and reckless, not following rules, she'd be very disappointed."
"I didn't, I never thought that way," Cedric said in frustration and shame.
When he was brought here, he kept hearing voices saying to have a one-on-one man-to-man duel with the Slytherin people, and there were quite a few.
But at that time, his leg and head hurt too much, and he was a bit out of it. He wanted to advise them not to be rash, but he couldn't say a word.
Just now, he thought of this again, and subconsciously assumed Kael thought the same.
"No need to rush to explain, I understand."
Kael didn't even look at Cedric, continuing on his own, "After all, suffering such serious injuries, it's normal to say some angry words in the heat of the moment. Just remember to be more careful in the future. Here, have a Chocolate Frog."
Earlier, before leaving the hospital wing, the young badgers left some comforts, not many, just some common snacks, likely for watching matches.
Kael picked a Chocolate Frog, unwrapped it, and handed it over.
"I told you, I wasn't thinking that way. You... wait a minute."
Cedric was about to explain when he suddenly noticed the Chocolate Frog card in Kael's hand.
"What's that in your hand..."
Kael shoved his hand in his pocket casually, "It's just an ordinary card, Nicolas Flamel, I just don't have him."
"That's not right," Cedric sat up, "I saw it, that's not Nicolas Flamel, it's Agrippa."
Though he only glimpsed it inadvertently, Cedric still saw that the card in Kael's hand was golden.
This is a special alchemical process, a protective measure the Chocolate Frog company took by hiring a Master of Alchemy to prevent forgery.
With this layer of protection, those Doubling Charms or Summoning Charms don't work, and it's far more effective than those engraved on the Galleon.
Only one card uses this technique in the whole set of Chocolate Frog Cards, the rarest Cornelius Agrippa.
Thinking of this, Cedric immediately stretched out his hand, "Give it back to me! That's the Chocolate Frog meant for me, and the card inside is naturally mine too!"
Seeing that he couldn't bluff his way through, Kael simply stopped pretending, assertively saying, "But I was the one who unwrapped it. If it were you, it'd probably just be a Dumbledore."
"It doesn't matter who unwraps it; it's Agrippa regardless!" Cedric said in exasperation, "Give it back to me. I'm just one card short of completing the whole set!"
"No," Kael held his pocket tightly, "I'm also just one card short!"
Just like on the train, the two stared each other down, the air thick with tension.
But this time, Kael clearly had the upper hand. He shot Cedric a provocative glance, then walked to the hospital wing door, opened it, and walked out.
Then came back in...
Walked out, and came back in.
Cedric was numb; he never thought Kael would be so shameless, coming here to trick and mock a patient with a broken leg.
"Alright, enough joking."
Seeing Cedric's breathing becoming labored, Kael finally walked back to the bedside and took out the Agrippa card from his pocket.
"I really can't give this to you; I need it," Kael said, looking serious, "I have to say, Slytherin are really lucky. I was worried about what to do, and this card came just in time."
"Slytherin?"
Cedric quietly put down the shoe in his hand, puzzled, "Your plan involves this card?"
Kael nodded.
"But it's Agrippa," Cedric said, looking pained, mumbling, "If I could get an Agrippa, I'd gladly take a few more falls."
"It's just a card, look at you," Kael sneered at him, "This is about getting even for you. On a larger scale, it concerns whether Hufflepuff can win the Quidditch Cup.
Is an Agrippa more important than the Quidditch Cup?"
"Not really..." Cedric muttered softly.
"There you go."
"That's what you say," Cedric looked thoughtfully at Kael.
Something felt off; Kael's expression was too serious, which in itself was abnormal.
Cedric strongly suspected Kael was bluffing him, or that in Kael's original plan, the Agrippa wasn't needed at all.
But he had no evidence.
"How about you give me the Agrippa," Cedric thought for a moment, "Even for just one night, just so I've had it.
I'll give it back once I leave tomorrow, or we can proceed with the plan together."
"No need, I'll handle this kind of dirty work," Kael patted his chest, heroically saying, "Your task now is to heal up."
"..."
—Indeed, Kael was bluffing him.
Cedric squinted, picking up the shoe from the floor.
By the time he looked up again, Kael had already dashed out of the hospital wing, and Madam Pomfrey was approaching with a tray.
"What are you doing with the shoe?" Madam Pomfrey frowned, "Bones take time to heal, you'll need to stay here overnight."
"Sorry, Madam, I understand," Cedric forced a smile, putting the shoe back.
"Honestly, what's with young wizards today, so restless." Madam Pomfrey bandaged his right leg and then placed a Chocolate Frog card on the bed.
"I found this on the floor by your bed. Remember not to throw things around."
Cedric's heart suddenly skipped a beat, looking at it with surprise.
On the card, an elderly man with a white beard looked at him kindly.
Cedric's once burning heart instantly turned cold upon seeing this old man.
"Nicolas Flamel, recognized as the most famous modern Master of Alchemy, widely known contributions include..."
"Kael!!"
Cedric gritted his teeth, staring towards the hospital wing door, itching to rush out and give someone a good beating. But seeing Madam Pomfrey not far away, the thought quickly dissipated.
Unrelenting, he unwrapped the remaining two Chocolate Frogs, hoping to find another Agrippa.
A minute later... Cedric sighed deeply, tucking the two Dumbledores into his pillow.