Relieved of his worries, Cedric became much more cheerful. He set aside his book and initiated conversation with Kyle, "Hello, may I call you Kyle?"
"Of course." Kyle nodded, "Actually, my father also works in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures — he's colleagues with your dad."
"Your father?" Cedric paused, then asked uncertainly, "Is it Mr. Chris Chopper?"
"Yes."
Cedric's face lit up with recognition, "You're a Chopper, and you know the Weasley brothers... Oh, I should have guessed — we're neighbors!"
With this connection established, the two quickly fell into an easy rapport, their interaction becoming as natural as if they'd known each other for years.
Even though they had never met before today.
"By the way, Kyle." Cedric said, seeming to recall something, "I remember trying to visit you once, but you weren't home. My dad mentioned that you'd been learning from Mr. Scamander since you were very young, and that you were destined for great things. Is that true? Did you really study under Mr. Scamander?"
His curiosity was understandable — this was Newt Scamander, after all.
While Britain's wizarding world had many famous figures, most were only recognized within their own country.
Some textbook authors or Order of Merlin, Third Class recipients might be known at Hogwarts, but at places like Ilvermorny or Beauxbatons, their names would draw blank stares.
Only a select few wizards achieved true worldwide renown, their portraits appearing on Chocolate Frog cards while they were still alive.
And Newt Scamander was among these elite few.
The prospect of being so close to such a legendary figure naturally piqued Cedric's curiosity.
Kyle, however, looked at him in disbelief.
He had tried to visit Cedric too, only to find him not home? What a coincidence.
And Amos Diggory worked in the same office as Chris — where had he heard such rumors about him studying with Uncle Newt?
Kyle rubbed his forehead wearily, considered his response, and said, "Well, the part about achieving great things is definitely true, but actually, my father is Newt Scamander's student. I just went there to play."
Unlike Dumbledore, Newt suffered from severe social anxiety. In his younger years, though he spoke little, he could still make friends, fight dark wizards, and teach a few students about magical creatures.
After Grindelwald's imprisonment in Nurmengard Castle, however, Newt withdrew from social activities, devoting himself entirely to magical creatures. His social anxiety worsened over the past thirty years, during which he rarely spoke to strangers.
How could someone like Newt be expected to act as a Hogwarts professor — teaching young wizards daily, checking their work, and grading homework? It was simply impossible.
Newt himself recognized that his personality wasn't suited for teaching. He believed that professors and teachers should embody Dumbledore's qualities.
This was why Chris became his last student.
In the following decades, despite numerous requests — some even with Dumbledore acting as intermediary — Newt declined them all. His conscience wouldn't allow him to potentially mislead anyone, even if they claimed not to mind.
Kyle's presence at Newt's home began when Chris and Diana were overwhelmed with work. Tina, Newt's wife, heard of their situation and offered to take Kyle in.
This arrangement served two purposes: helping Chris while giving Tina something meaningful to do.
After all, living with a husband who barely spoke and focused solely on magical creatures was challenging enough. Without her own pursuits, Tina might have succumbed to tedium.
Kyle was six at the time — an age Tina knew could be particularly trying. She hoped his presence might help with Newt's social anxiety, remembering how their grandson at that age had prompted Newt to speak more in one day than he typically did in a month.
Kyle proved to be exactly what Tina had hoped for. Though well-behaved, his natural curiosity about the magical creatures led him to ask endless questions.
Since these questions centered on magical creatures — Newt's passion — he would always provide thoughtful answers despite his usual reticence. This gradually led him to speak more frequently and enthusiastically.
The arrangement proved beneficial for everyone involved.
This success was why Kyle continued his annual visits to Newt and Tina's home, even after Chris and Diana's schedules became more manageable.
Of course, Kyle didn't plan to tell Cedric any of this. After all, he needed to help maintain Newt's image.
A reclusive legendary Magizoologist sounded much better than a socially anxious old man.
After giving his simple explanation, Kyle wanted to change the subject — saying too much might reveal things better left unsaid.
"By the way, Cedric, what do you think of the Hogwarts professors? Are they all easy to get along with?" Kyle glanced at "The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection" beside Cedric, "Since this is my first time going to school, I'm not sure what to expect. What if I accidentally upset a professor? Could I get expelled?"
"You don't need to worry about that at all." Cedric said with a reassuring smile, "The professors are all good... well, at least most of them are. And even the strictest professor — ahem, even the strictest professor wouldn't expel students easily. Unless you seriously violate school rules."
When he said the last sentence, his expression grew serious, and his lips twitched slightly, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't find the right words.
Seeing this, Kyle guessed what he wanted to say and quickly waved his hand, "Don't worry, I'm not a Weasley, I definitely won't break any school rules."
"Sorry... I didn't mean it that way." Cedric said, finally relaxing.
"It's fine, I understand." Kyle replied.
Since they were talking about Hogwarts, Cedric became enthusiastic and shared more detailed information.
He explained how they shouldn't worry about the yearly changing Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, how the cat-obsessed Transfiguration professor was the strictest, and most importantly, how the greasy-haired Potions professor loved deducting points.
It was all familiar information to Kyle — nothing he hadn't heard before.
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