Chapter 508: The Gift
In the days following the wand inspection, Kyle's routine remained largely unchanged. Every morning, he awoke to find a towering stack of books on the table in the Hufflepuff common room. They were sent by well-meaning students and staff who seemed determined to help him succeed in the Triwizard Tournament, bringing in enough books to rival a small library.
Even Madam Pince, known for her strict library rules, had relaxed her standards, no longer insisting that borrowed books be returned before new ones could be checked out. As a result, Kyle's collection of books grew rapidly, cluttering his dormitory. The desks couldn't contain the sheer volume, and the excess was stacked in corners, forming precarious towers of leather-bound tomes. Madam Pince assured him he could keep them until after the competition.
Although Kyle appreciated the sentiment, the gesture was ultimately futile. There was simply no way to read or even skim through dozens of books in a single day. The surplus became a daily nuisance, but he didn't have the heart to discourage the support.
...
A week later, during breakfast on Halloween morning, Rita Skeeter's much-anticipated article was finally published in The Daily Prophet. The owls delivered the papers promptly, and soon the Great Hall was filled with the rustling of pages and murmurs of discussion.
The front page featured an elaborate story on the Triwizard Tournament. Dominating the page was a group photograph of the Champions, the jury members, and Fudge. At the bottom right corner, the photographer had captured part of the Gryffindor table, where Harry could be seen clapping enthusiastically.
The photo was widely praised, with many people cutting it out and keeping it as a collectible. Even Harry kept a copy, proclaiming it his way of participating in the Triwizard Tournament. Ron, meanwhile, was green with envy, regretting his absence from the photo-op.
While the previous issue of The Daily Prophet had focused on the history and origins of the tournament, this edition spotlighted the Champions themselves.
Viktor Krum, being the most famous of the four, occupied a significant portion of the article. A detailed account of his Quidditch career and achievements filled one section, while the rest was packed with juicy gossip. Tales of his frequent romantic escapades, altercations with teammates, and rumors about him forcing the previous captain out of the team made for scandalous reading. Rita Skeeter's vivid descriptions gave the impression she had been present for every event.