Chris and Diana only stayed home for one day before returning to the Ministry of Magic early the next morning. They had plenty to catch up on, especially Chris, who had been away for half a year and was facing a mountain of paperwork.
Left alone, Kyle decided to visit Hagrid.
St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries was located in London, disguised as an old department store. Much like the Leaky Cauldron, it was protected by a Muggle-Repelling Charm, so Muggles only saw a "Closed for Renovation" sign on the door and couldn't enter.
In front of the display window, Kyle spotted an ugly mannequin. Leaning close, he whispered, "I'm here to see a patient." The doll nodded slightly and waved its joined fingers, signaling him to go inside. Just as one must go through the wall to reach Platform 9 ¾, entering St. Mungo's required passing through the glass window.
It was Kyle's first time at St. Mungo's, and, as the wizarding world's most famous hospital, it was bustling with unusual patients. Not long after he entered, he spotted an elderly wizard with a leg on his head, skipping toward the information desk in the waiting room. The sight was so strange that others in line stared, quickly offering him their place.
"No, no, please, you go first," said the elderly wizard politely. "I just feel a bit dizzy… if someone could hold my head steady, that would be great."
But no one dared to help—not out of distrust, but because the leg on his head was kicking wildly in every direction, making it impossible to approach. Eventually, a heavyset blonde witch from the information desk came out and escorted him away. As they left, his head-leg swung aggressively, seemingly trying to kick her.
Kyle was directed to the second floor's Creature Induced Injuries Ward, where a curly-haired Healer told him where to find Hagrid.
"The big fellow? He's in Janus Thickey's Ward, opposite the Specimen Room. Actually, I'll just show you."
The Healer led Kyle to a door painted a deep red.
"This is it," he said, pushing the door open. "Rubeus Hagrid, you have a visitor."
"Hmm?" came a low, muffled grunt from inside.
Kyle stepped into a spacious room with six beds, though only three were occupied. Aside from Hagrid, there were two other wizards present, one of whom was asleep. The other, to Kyle's surprise, was someone he recognized.
"Professor Kettleburn...why are you here?"
"Huh?" A bald wizard with a white beard looked up at Kyle, squinting in confusion. "Are you… a student from Hogwarts?"
"Yes, Professor," Kyle replied. "I'm in my second year."
"Ah, that explains it…" Professor Kettleburn said, suddenly understanding. Second-years didn't yet take Care of Magical Creatures, so naturally, he hadn't met Kyle before.
"Um… why are you here?" Kyle asked, glancing at the professor's remaining arm and half a leg. He looked intact enough, but if any more limbs went missing, the professor might soon have to retire.
"It's nothing," the old professor said dismissively, adjusting his bandages and waving a hand. "Just got hit by a unicorn, is all. Just a scratch—nothing serious. Now go on and see Hagrid."
Kyle held back a smile. The horn of a unicorn wasn't just for show—it could pierce even dragon scales. Getting hit by one was no small matter. But for Professor Kettleburn, this sort of thing was routine.
Hagrid was seated to the right of Professor Kettleburn, sprawled across three beds that barely contained him.
When Hagrid saw Kyle, his eyes were a bit unfocused. "You… Kyle, why are you here? Shouldn't you be in class?"
"It's summer vacation, Hagrid," Kyle replied, placing a box of wrapped sweets on the table beside him. "How are you feeling?" He made sure to offer a sweet to Professor Kettleburn as well.
"Summer vacation already?" Hagrid muttered, rubbing his head. "I feel awful. It's like I've forgotten so much."
"Mr. Scamander came by two days ago and said it'll take at least a month of treatment before I get my memories back," he added, looking frustrated. "I don't want to stay here. I need to get Harry to Hogwarts."
He shifted irritably, tugging at the hospital gown he'd pieced together with whatever fabric he could find—though even then, it was still a size too small. Hagrid had spent the entire year preparing to get Harry to Hogwarts, and now he feared Dumbledore might not let him go because of his condition. The thought was unbearable to him.
"It's okay," Kyle reassured him. "It's only the start of summer. The acceptance letters won't be sent out for another month and a half, so you've got plenty of time."
"I hope you're right," Hagrid sighed, fiddling with his clothes again.
"Have faith, Hagrid. I'm sure the headmaster will let you go and fetch Potter," Kyle said, handing him a Chocolate Frog. "Have some chocolate. It might cheer you up."
"Thank you, Kyle." Hagrid's eyes grew misty. "I never thought anyone but Dumbledore would come visit me here."
"Wait… your name is Kyle?" Professor Kettleburn, who'd been quietly observing, suddenly perked up. "That unicorn cub—you didn't happen to find it, did you?"
"Sort of," Kyle replied calmly. "But Oren only gave the cub back once he saw someone from the Ministry show up. It just ended up with me."
"The Ministry, huh… Ha!" Professor Kettleburn scoffed. "Didn't expect those clowns to be of any help." He made no effort to hide his disdain for the Ministry of Magic. Turning to Kyle with interest, he asked, "You're a second year, right? Would you be interested in taking the Care of Magical Creatures course next year?"
"It's the course I'm looking forward to the most, Professor," Kyle answered with a smile.
From the neighboring ward, an argument could be heard. The voices were loud, and there was shouting, but Kyle couldn't make out what they were saying over the sound of a nearby patient snoring.
After saying his goodbyes to Hagrid and Professor Kettleburn, Kyle stepped out into the corridor. The argument was louder here, accompanied by the sounds of objects breaking, as if a patient inside was resisting treatment and struggling violently.
Unperturbed, Kyle closed the door and turned toward the stairs.
Suddenly—"Boom!"
Before he could take a step, a fist burst through the door of the neighboring room, stopping right in front of Kyle. The arm was covered in coarse gray hair, and its claws were long, black, and curved.
Before Kyle could process what was happening, a tall figure crashed through the door and dashed out into the corridor. The figure landed on its back legs, baring a long, wolfish snout that opened and closed with a snarl.
…A werewolf?
Kyle couldn't believe his eyes. It was broad daylight—how could there be a werewolf?