Robert saw the team captain off, and without Cedric knowing, he had already been sold out. As the rising star of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team, Cedric was now like a fish on the chopping block. Completely unaware of this, Cedric returned to his dormitory after training, beaming with excitement.
"Our captain said he found me a private coach!" Cedric's face flushed with excitement. "I'm so thrilled! I've mastered the Quidditch moves, and I'm confident in my flying skills. If someone could help me improve my dynamic vision, I wouldn't have to worry about losing sight of the Golden Snitch on the field!"
The honey badger student, who was diligently writing his Transfiguration homework on parchment, glanced at Cedric and then at Robert, as if wanting to say something. However, Summers pulled his head back, and the two continued their discussion on the basics of Transfiguration.
Of course, their ears were still perked up.
"Really? Congratulations, Cedric!" Robert said cheerfully. "By the way, I have some good news to share too!"
Cedric, wearing a charming smile and in high spirits, was taking off his clothes as he headed toward the bathroom. He absentmindedly asked, "What good news?"
"Your captain found me an apprentice! Specifically, to teach him how to improve his dynamic vision!" Robert raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin on his face. "I'm so happy! I actually got an apprentice before graduation! It seems my path to becoming a renowned mentor is coming true soon!"
Thud!
A dull sound echoed as Cedric bumped into the bathroom door.
"What did you say?" Cedric's voice rose in disbelief. "The captain asked you for help? That's impossible! You have no interest in Quidditch, and your vision... well, never mind that."
Cedric sighed, deciding to take a shower to cool down.
"Hey, hey, hey! What's wrong with me, Ced?" Robert was displeased. "I'm just not good at Quidditch moves. I don't know the Porskoff Ploy, the Parkin's Pincer, or the Transylvanian Tackle! But if it's just about flying, whether it's obstacle dodging or speed, you're way behind me!"
Cedric's voice, filled with despair, came from the bathroom. "You failed your flying class test."
Robert stiffened for a moment, then shrugged indifferently. "But your captain didn't ask me to teach you flying!"
There was no arguing with that. Cedric, both physically and mentally rejecting the idea, could only silently weep under the showerhead.
"Remember to wake up early tomorrow morning," Robert said, having already prepared the training schedule. How could he showcase his physical prowess if he only trained alone?
He definitely needed a slender little brother to train with!
After all three roommates had fallen asleep, Robert quietly slipped out of the room.
He ran all the way to the eighth floor, where he spotted the twins waiting for him in front of the Room of Requirement.
"Hey, you two!" Robert raised an eyebrow. "How did you know Cedric was planning to chase after a girl?"
The twins exchanged a glance, and Fred chuckled. "That wasn't us who found out."
George made a disappointed face. "If we had found out, we would've definitely spread the news."
"So we just used a certain little badger's name instead of his," Fred laughed. "Though everyone could figure out it was him, we just didn't say it outright!"
"That way, he couldn't come after us," George grinned.
Poor Cedric, Robert sighed inwardly. He was completely at the twins' mercy.
"Alright, let's go inside. You two better explain everything clearly," Robert said, raising an eyebrow. "I plan to tease Cedric with this little incident."
The twins snickered, looking like two sneaky mice.
The room they entered wasn't the one filled with clutter but a room with many large cushions.
This was a room for practicing spells.
Since casting spells could result in some magical backlash, causing people to be flung around, it was better to have more protection for young wizards who hadn't fully matured yet.
It wouldn't do to injure themselves while practicing spells.
After sitting down, Robert poured drinks for the two and began chatting with them.
"It was Wood who discovered it," Fred started, pointing out who was to blame. "He was practicing wrestling late at night and was the last to leave. He also had to retrieve the Bludgers. You know the feeling, right? Being chased by a ball all afternoon and then having to painstakingly return it to Madam Hooch's crate."
George made a sad face. "It's quite tragic."
"At that moment! He saw a shadow moving outside the training ground," Fred said in a ghost-story tone. "It definitely wasn't a ghost because ghosts are white and transparent, but this shadow was black and solid."
George put on a frightened expression. "Terrifying!"
"Wood, startled, almost screamed, but then he remembered—he's a wizard!" Fred pulled out his wand from his pocket. "As a wizard, one must have the courage and determination to face danger."
Then the twins both gave Robert a deadpan look. "Clearly, Wood didn't have that."
Robert burst out laughing.
Fred shrugged. "Wood stumbled back a few steps in fear and tripped over a rock."
"Luckily, he didn't scream like the Fat Lady," George spread his hands. "If he had screamed, everyone would have been drawn to the training ground, and Cedric might have been surrounded and embarrassed to death."
Robert asked curiously, "So, what did Cedric do? Did he confess?"
"Hahaha," Fred widened his eyes. "You're thinking too much, mate. Do you really think Cedric would confess so easily?"
Robert scratched his head. "Hmm, I thought he might go with the flow?"
"Exactly," George nodded. "Poor Wood lay on the ground for a full ten minutes before snapping out of his shock. He thought he was about to become the first wizard in Hogwarts history to be eaten by a werewolf."
"Huh? Why a werewolf?" Robert looked baffled. "There are so many humanoid magical creatures. Why did Wood think it was a werewolf?"
"He's taking his O.W.L.s this year and has been reviewing the werewolf behavior guidelines recently," Fred laughed. "Who knows why he made that connection."
Well, that's understandable. It's like when you study about solanine in biology class and suddenly think all your potatoes at home must have sprouted.
(End of Chapter)