On Saturday, Kael arrived at the auditorium early.
He hadn't gone wandering at night yesterday, went straight to bed after dinner, and didn't get up until dawn. His spirits were very good.
Breakfast was sausages and corn chowder, along with a huge plate of roast potatoes.
When Kael was halfway through eating, others joined him.
"Looks like you had a good night's rest," Cedric said, sitting across from him, "No more of those weird dreams?"
Kael replied with a smile, "Nope, slept till morning."
"Good to hear."
Cedric picked up a roast potato and started peeling it. "By the way, I told Professor Trelawney about your situation yesterday, do you want to know her opinion?"
Kael didn't even think about it and immediately shook his head, "Let's pass on that. I've heard her prophecies never end well."
"Uh... you're right," Cedric nodded.
According to Professor Trelawney, Kael would dream for seven consecutive days, collapse mentally, end up in the hospital wing, and then encounter a troll after discharge, only to be sent back again.
Basically, it sounded terribly unlucky.
But looking at it now, Professor Trelawney's first statement was already wrong, and the rest was even more nonsense.
Saying he would meet a troll in the castle... that's simply impossible!
If a troll really did break into Hogwarts, he'd eat that entire plate of roast potatoes in front of everyone.
Cedric rubbed his forehead in frustration.
As others said, Professor Trelawney was nothing but a fraud. He never should have listened to the Weasley Brothers and signed up for Divination Class.
Isn't Numerology intriguing enough?
But now, it was too late to say anything. Even if he wanted to change classes, he'd have to wait until next term.
Cedric sighed.
At that moment, Fred and George arrived.
However, they didn't look great, both seemed as if they hadn't fully woken up.
Though they often experienced sleep deprivation due to nighttime adventures, today seemed different.
Professor McGonagall refused their request to switch classes, only allowing them to add an Ancient Magic Language Class.
Three elective classes made their days very full.
Yesterday, they stayed up till midnight doing their Ancient Magic Language homework.
"Merlin's beard, you guys are doing homework early?!"
Startled, Cedric's hand shook, and the peeled potato fell, rolling under the table.
"Are you guys impostors? Who took a Polyjuice Potion?" Kael suspiciously asked Fred and George, "How do you find Percy?"
George furrowed his brow, discontented, "Hey, we're real."
"Yeah, Percy's just a big tattletale oaf." Fred added.
"Uh... they're real."
Kael was now even more perplexed, asking, "Then why are you doing homework early?"
"For a dream!"
Fred said seriously, "You're right, Ancient Magic Language indeed helps with magic items research. We came up with two great ideas during the class."
"But... it's really hard," George grimaced, "There are so many character variations, and different combinations mean different things. No wonder Percy spent the entire summer reading them."
Cedric deeply agreed, having also chosen Ancient Magic Language. Fred and George weren't kidding; it was indeed challenging.
"Enough, let's talk about something else."
Fred yawned, "Kael, you've decided to join the Quidditch team, right?"
"Yes."
Kael said, "I've already spoken with Harris a few days ago; I'll join the final test next week.
What about you guys, have the new captain and Seeker been decided?"
"Captain will be Oliver Wood, he's the most suitable."
"But we haven't got a Seeker yet."
Kael noticed Fred and George looked even more worried.
Finding an excellent Seeker was just as hard as mastering Ancient Magic Language.
Though many signed up, none qualified, with some unable to spot the Snitch right under their noses.
If they went on the field, Gryffindor would only end up competing with Ravenclaw for third place.
Lately, Wood's been stressing so much his hair started falling out, his hairline advancing despite his young age.
Fretful Fred and George quickly finished their breakfast, dragging their tired bodies to the Quidditch Pitch.
They still had Seeker tryouts today, not expecting to find someone like Cedric, but hoping for someone competent overall.
And Professor McGonagall would be there too, as she's also quite concerned about it.
Upon her suggestion, Lee Jordan temporarily withdrew his commentator application.
If they couldn't find a suitable candidate, it would have to be him.
Lee Jordan understood well the importance of a Seeker over a commentator.
After they left, Cedric raised a brow at Kael, whispering, "Looks like Hufflepuff's got a good chance of winning consecutive titles this year."
"Not necessarily."
Kael pondered, "Maybe they'll find a Seeker in a few days."
"No worries."
Cedric confidently stated, "Regardless of who it is, even if they bring back Charlie, I'm confident I'll catch the Golden Snitch first."
Kael chuckled.
In other aspects, Cedric was always humble. But when it came to Quidditch, he was a different person, not yielding to anyone.
Of course, that was a good thing.
On the first weekend of the new school year, Kael decided to visit Hagrid's hut.
Conna wanted to join too, but Snape, out of nowhere, took her away.
Cedric, like the Weasley Brothers, headed to the Quidditch Pitch.
All four house teams would be conducting initial tryouts over these two days, and he planned to gather some intel on any outstanding newcomers this year.
Perhaps Cho, who also signed up for the Quidditch team, aiming for the Seeker position, for instance.
Cedric wasn't sure about her skills but was quite looking forward to it.
Last year's Ravenclaw Team was just awful, practically a pushover. Anyone could land a few punches, and playing them felt like a mere formality with no excitement.
If Ravenclaw had a reliable Seeker this year, the matches might be more interesting.
As for losing to them... Cedric never entertained such a thought.
With Hufflepuff crowned champions last year and now having Kael, they'd only grow stronger.