Chapter 384: An Uninvited Guest on the Field
The wind and rain were just as relentless on the day of the Quidditch match as they had been the day before. But as Hogwarts' favorite sport, Quidditch drew the entire school to the pitch regardless of the weather. Students ran down towards the field, huddling against the fierce wind. Midway there, someone's umbrella got snatched away by a gust, forcing them to trudge along with their heads down.
Kyle's waterproof badges proved incredibly handy. The Hufflepuff team stood in the pouring rain at the front of the bleachers, without umbrellas but completely dry—hair and robes untouched by the rain. Their unusual appearance naturally drew attention.
Malfoy soon approached from the direction of the Changing Rooms, still in his green Slytherin uniform. "Kyle... what's keeping them so dry? Have you invented something again?"
"Sort of," Kyle replied, pointing to the shiny badge on Cedric's chest. "It's a waterproof and moisture-proof badge. Perfect for weather like this."
"I'll take one," Malfoy declared without even asking the price.
"Wise choice," Kyle said, handing him a badge. "That'll be ten Galleons."
Malfoy reached for his pocket, then hesitated, his expression turning slightly awkward—he'd forgotten his uniform didn't have pockets, meaning he had no money with him.
"As a valued customer, you're welcome to experience it first," Kyle offered smoothly. "You can decide on payment after the game."
Malfoy's face brightened, and he tried to brush off the situation casually. He muttered something about simply wanting to enjoy the perks of being a "valued customer" and assured Kyle that the Malfoy family would, of course, settle any debt.
After Malfoy left, several other students came over, curious about the badges. However, at a price of five Galleons each, the waterproof badges didn't sell quickly, though Kyle explained that five Galleons was actually a very low price for magical items. As for the map feature, it was only available as a perk in the welcome pack for new Hufflepuff students.
A few minutes before the match was set to begin, Malfoy returned.