HP: Hogwart's Model Wizard

In the wizarding world, rats—being the most affordable of Hogwarts' designated pets—naturally have a broad appeal, particularly among young witches. However, most girls tend to prefer pets like hamsters with beautiful fur and gentle temperaments, the longer-living black rats, or the cleaner-looking white mice. 

Kyle, however, was encountering a young witch who liked ordinary field mice for the first time. Judging by her attire, she didn't appear to be a wizard short on money. 

After spending eleven years in the magical world, Kyle had developed some discernment. Although the girl's clothes weren't particularly extravagant, the fabric was of excellent quality, and the craftsmanship was exquisite. The distinctive embroidery on the cuffs confirmed they were from "Outré Wizarding Wear." That shop was even pricier than Madam Malkin's; their starting price was a steep 20 Galleons. Someone who could shop there surely wouldn't have trouble affording a better pet. 

It seemed, then, that this girl genuinely liked her mouse. No wonder she had come to find him. 

As for the rat tonic sold in Diagon Alley? It was essentially just sugary water—like a magical equivalent of an energy drink. It might offer a temporary boost but was otherwise of little value. 

Though her choice of pet struck him as unconventional, Kyle wasn't overly surprised. His expression remained calm. After all, this was a world where some people kept eight-eyed spiders as pets. 

He had once seen such a spider in Newt's suitcase. Its appearance was... let's just say, a challenge to human sensibilities. A single glance was enough to scar one's childhood forever. The sight had disgusted Kyle so much that he avoided Newt's suitcase for an entire year afterward. 

Compared to that, a young witch fancying a field mouse was downright normal. 

... 

Kyle quickly retrieved a small thumb-sized bottle from his suitcase and handed it to her. "Take this bottle—it's on the house. If you find it works, come back for more. But next time, it'll cost one Sickle per bottle. Still, I guarantee it'll be worth the price." 

"Th-thank you," stammered the girl, whose name was Conna. She took the bottle hastily but didn't leave. Instead, she lingered there, glancing between the bottle in her hands and Kyle, her face full of hesitation. 

"What's wrong? Not enough?" Kyle asked, assuming she felt the amount was insufficient. He explained, "It's not about being stingy. It's just that you should test its effectiveness first. Also, you don't need much of this tonic—two or three drops per dose will suffice. This small bottle should last you a month." 

"No, that's not it! I didn't mean that!" Conna shook her head vigorously. Under the watchful gaze of Kyle and Cedric, she muttered hesitantly, "It's not that I think it's too little... I just want the red one." 

The red one? 

Cedric, standing nearby, now noticed the bottle Conna held. It contained a cloudy orange liquid, resembling crushed orange pudding. Meanwhile, the one Kyle had given Percy earlier had been a clear, jewel-like red. 

Although both were ostensibly the same thing, anyone could see the transparent red one was far superior. Even for something free, this felt like cutting corners. 

Cedric's opinion of Kyle instantly shifted. A cunning businessman like Kyle would undoubtedly end up in Azkaban someday. 

At this moment, Conna seemed to make up her mind. She clumsily reached into her small, elegant purse and shook out a pile of Galleons onto the table with a clinking sound. 

A total of 33 Galleons, plus a few Sickles. 

Cedric's eyes widened in disbelief. He only got ten Galleons for an entire term—this was three times that amount. 

He tried not to feel envious; wealth didn't matter much to him. But Conna's next words completely broke his composure. 

"Is this all I have left?" Conna looked a bit disappointed, biting her lip. She added softly, "It's okay. If it's not enough, I can withdraw more from Gringotts. As long as it helps Pochi live longer, I'll pay whatever it takes." 

Wait, what?!

Cedric's lips twitched. That casual declaration stunned him. "Pay whatever it takes"? 

If an adult wizard had said that, fine. But a first-year student? This was outrageous. Was this what life in Slytherin was like? What an eye-opener. 

Meanwhile, Kyle had no time to worry about Cedric's thoughts. He hesitated, looking at Conna with a growing headache. 

He knew all too well that rat tonic was supposed to look orange. The red bottle he'd given Percy earlier had been enhanced with extra ingredients—so potent that an ordinary rat would keel over on the spot if it drank it. 

But he couldn't just say that. Judging by Conna's reaction, she must've taken Percy's words about the tonic's miraculous effects at face value. Explaining it away seemed impossible now. 

"Um... Conna, here's the thing," Kyle began, carefully. "That special red tonic is far too strong to use as is. You'll need to condition your mouse's body with regular tonic first." 

Delay tactics. That was Kyle's only option. 

If he claimed he couldn't make it or that it didn't exist, Conna might turn to Newt Scamander. That would spell trouble. Finding Newt wasn't easy, but Professor Dumbledore—just a short walk from Hogwarts—was another story entirely. Everyone in the wizarding world knew how close Newt and Dumbledore were. 

Given Conna's clearly non-Muggle background and her fancy attire, she'd likely find her way to Dumbledore. 

Kyle sighed inwardly. 'I should've closed the door when Percy came in.'

Thankfully, the situation wasn't unsalvageable. Kyle could visit Dorset during the holidays. He remembered Newt once brewed a tonic for Motra mice—a magical species similar in anatomy to field mice. Most shop-bought pet rats shared a trace of Motra bloodline, much like the relationship between cats and Kneazles. 

Slightly diluting Newt's potion should extend a normal rat's lifespan by three to five years. 

"I'll make sure to give Pochi his tonic regularly," Conna said earnestly. 

"Don't worry, it'll work wonders," Kyle reassured her with a smile. He handed her a Chocolate Frog. "Here, have some chocolate—it'll help you feel better." 

"No, no need. I can buy one myself," Conna said, glancing at the Chocolate Frog before quickly averting her gaze. Her hands fidgeted with her robes, much like a child hesitant to accept a New Year's gift. 

"It's fine. Take it," Kyle insisted. "Consider it a welcome gift. I hope we can become friends." 

"...Thank you." 

Blushing, Conna finally accepted the Chocolate Frog but didn't eat it. Instead, she carefully tucked it away. 

(End of Chapter)