Chapter 35: Deal
Professor McGonagall didn't linger for long and soon left the Great Hall to return to her office. But as soon as she was out the door, the Hufflepuff badgers couldn't hold it in any longer. The previously quiet table erupted into laughter, transforming into something more akin to a bustling food market.
Small groups of students gathered, mimicking the pitiful expressions Fred and George had worn just moments earlier, slapping the table as they laughed uncontrollably. Even Kanna, normally shy and reserved, couldn't suppress her amusement, her small shoulders shaking as she laughed quietly to herself.
Kyle watched in disbelief. Good grief, they're all acting pros! He thought. The next time someone tries to tell me that Hufflepuff students are all honest and straightforward, I'll make sure to give them a slap to wake them up. Of course, he excluded himself from that judgment.
...
After lunch, the students began leaving the Great Hall in small groups, but Kyle found himself stopped again at the door. This time, it wasn't Fred or George—it was a familiar-looking Asian girl.
"Hello, I'm Cho Chang from Ravenclaw. Can I have a moment of your time?" she asked politely, extending her hand.
"Kyle Chopper," Kyle responded, shaking her hand.
Out of habit, he glanced at Cedric, who stood nearby but didn't seem to notice anything out of the ordinary. Cedric simply introduced himself, then stepped aside to wait for Kyle, much like when they had encountered the Weasley twins earlier.
Of course, Cedric and Cho Chang didn't seem to know each other yet—after all, Cho Chang was only eleven, and Kyle couldn't imagine Cedric being interested in her at this age. Azkaban doesn't have age restrictions, after all, he thought with a wry smile.