Chapter 139: The Bottom Line of a Conscientious Shop
Malfoy glared at Kyle with fury, his wand raised. Without another word, he cast, "Locomotor Mortis!"
Aiming the Leg-Locker Curse at Kyle, Malfoy hoped to immobilize him just long enough to make a quick escape and find the protection of his fellow Slytherins. But Kyle reacted just as quickly.
"Protego!" he called, a transparent shield appearing before him, deflecting Malfoy's spell right back.
The next moment, Malfoy—who had turned to flee—was struck by his own spell. "Plop..." He toppled forward, landing on the floor with his legs locked together, groaning in frustration.
Crabbe and Goyle finally grasped what was happening. Seeing Malfoy down, they lunged at Kyle, fists clenched. Fred and George moved to intercept them, but Kyle swiftly tossed a few licorice candies their way. Mid-air, the candies transformed into slender ropes, wrapping tightly around Crabbe and Goyle, leaving them unable to move.
"Stop!" came a furious shout from down the corridor, where a group of older Slytherin students were approaching, scowling. The commotion had drawn a crowd, and among the onlookers were several Slytherins glaring at Kyle and his friends.
"Kyle, how dare you bully our first-years!" one of them accused, stepping forward protectively as he glanced at Malfoy, assuming he was one of their own. This was Draco Malfoy, after all—it was obvious he'd be sorted into Slytherin.
The fourth-year leading the group raised his wand without hesitation. "Levicorpus!"
"Protego!" Kyle's shield flickered up again, deflecting the spell. But the older Slytherin, more experienced than Malfoy, sidestepped the rebounded spell.