Chapter 542 Tea Party in the Sea of Flowers
After having a crowded lunch at the Three Broomsticks, the friends continued to walk around Hogsmeade. Except for Maca, everyone else here is probably the last time to relax and have fun this school year, because in the coming days, everyone has to work hard for the O. exam.
Even Luna, who was a grade lower than Harry and the others, had to study hard for the final exam that was coming soon.
"You guys keep playing! It's almost time for me to go back to school," said Maca, who just came out of Zuko's Magic Joke Shop with everyone, looked up at the sky, and realized that he couldn't go on shopping anymore, "Professor McGonagall asked I'll have afternoon tea with her, I can't be late."
"Oh——" Ron was obviously having a good time, and he couldn't help feeling a little regretful when he heard Maca say that.
"Luna, you can go shopping with them for a while!" Seeing Luna looking towards him, Maca shrugged and said, "There are a lot of people today, if they wait until next weekend, they will be alone." There's no time to come out—"
"Oh, you're right." Luna nodded and said leisurely, "Then will you go shopping with me next week?"
Hermione seemed a little sensitive to Luna's words, she glanced at Maca and Luna on the left and right, looking quite annoyed. It seemed that she might be considering canceling the review plan for next Sunday in advance.
It stands to reason that a top student like Hermione would be able to get a high score in the O. exam without any suspense. But she is a study freak herself, if she doesn't make adequate preparations before the exam, she will definitely feel uncomfortable all over.
"Of course, if it's only for one morning..." Maca warned Luna, "You should review carefully when it's time to review—the other professors have told me that your grades seem to be a bit biased?"
"Hmm..." Luna immediately shifted her gaze to another place when she heard this, and began to be in a trance again.
"Don't be distracted when you hear it, and review the history of magic, potions, and transfiguration when you have time!" Maca stretched out his hand and waved in front of her eyes, "Okay, then I'll go first, you guys continue!"
After all, he didn't delay anymore, he waved his hand casually and walked towards the intersection at the end of the village.
"Luna, are you also partial to science?" Ron was pleasantly surprised to find that he seemed to have found a comrade in the same trench as him. "What a coincidence? I'm also partial to science—"
"Don't compare you with others," Hermione glared at him. "They are biased, but they won't be like you who are always hovering between qualified and unqualified!"
"Oh——so I stood in the wrong trench myself!" Ron immediately dropped his shoulders and sighed secretly for a while.
...
When he came to Hogsmeade, Maca walked here on his legs, but now there is no need to take a walk when he goes back. He found a deserted place outside the village with few pedestrians, and with the power of the portkey, he returned to the main entrance of Hogwarts in a blink of an eye.
Except for the students who were about to graduate, most of the other young wizards were still wandering around in Hogsmeade, so at a glance, there were almost no figures in the school.
Of course, critters like Fred and George will never miss Hogsmeade Day. Although they also have to face the N.E. exam that will come soon, but before that, they will not lose even one day of tossing.
Maca had heard that after the events of Voldemort were over, they seemed to be working on their mischievous inventions again. If Mrs. Weasley found out, they would be scolded again.
While thinking about these messy little things, he walked leisurely to the garden beside the castle. There are some stone tables and benches by the fountain there, and Professor McGonagall made an appointment with him to meet there.
The power of magic is great. As soon as he walked into the garden, the gorgeous flowers immediately caught Maca's eyes. Under the sunlight, the colorful petals have a soft halo, which makes them look more vivid and eye-catching.
And when he turned around a few flower walls, the crystal clear water curtain of the magic fountain made his entire field of vision sparkle.
In the Muggle world, this scene can only be seen briefly in the spring when it is in full bloom; but in the wizarding world, it can be enjoyed all year round, even in winter now. Same.
Maca didn't come too late, but it didn't seem too early either, because Professor McGonagall had already arrived first.
On a stone table by the fountain, Professor McGonagall placed a variety of baked snacks, and even delicious cakes with whipped cream and fruit tarts stacked with various fruits. Compared with the surrounding sea of flowers, the dreamy food color is not inferior.
"Coming?" Mag noticed that there were already more people here. She turned around and smiled at Maca, "Come and sit down! I'm just getting ready too—the time is just right!"
Compared with when Voldemort was still rambunctious, Professor McGonagall is obviously much more relaxed now. When she saw Maca, her always serious and tense face even showed a kind smile, and even the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes relaxed.
Seeing this, Maca couldn't help feeling that this is what an old man should feel.
Hogwarts, a school, occupies an extremely important position in the British wizarding world... and even the entire European magical world, which makes it very difficult to take the position of headmaster here. Not to mention Minerva McGonagall, even Dumbledore gave up a lot of choices when he was in this seat.
Fortunately, the most difficult period of time has passed. Although the next step is hard, at least Professor McGonagall, the principal, will not walk on eggshells every step of the way as before.
Maca sat down at the table, then stretched freely. Thinking about today's weather, every minute and every second makes people feel a little lazy, and after being crowded in the crowd for a long time just now, I am really tired now.
Mag looked at the exceptionally young wizard in front of him, and couldn't help subconsciously recalling his teenage years. Perhaps the changes in the magic world are not as rapid as in the Muggle world, and the changes of the times are far less obvious. She can still see the shadow of her own era in Maca.
But it was just such a comparison, and she couldn't help but feel a little sorry for Maca—this boy's school days passed too hastily, and before he could fully enjoy the carefree that should belong to his age, he was forced to Into a dark quagmire. And now, he was actually a professor at Hogwarts.
"Come on, try these pastries first! I made some with Pomona - I have to say, her baking skills are better than when she was young!"
At Mag's recommendation, Maca picked up a piece of honey scone, and then watched the other party point the table, and a delicate teapot with steaming spout appeared on the cloth on the stone table.
In the early days, when the pure-blood wizard family was still popular in the wizarding world, this kind of afternoon tea was a social event with more rules than Muggles. But now, eating, drinking and drinking are much more casual. Even banquets and dances have canceled many complicated and strict rules.
Maca swallowed the scones in his mouth, and took a sip of the black tea just poured into the cup. The unique aroma of Darjeeling was immediately mixed with the aftertaste of the snacks in his mouth, making people feel more leisurely and enjoyable .
"Oh, I have some good news to tell you first," Maca put down his teacup, and spoke first, "Our Minister of Magic seems to be planning to find a way to facilitate a multi-school joint event like the three-final match— —Of course, we Hogwarts are also in charge."
McGonagall wanted to use this afternoon tea to bring up another matter with Maca. But when Maca told the news, she couldn't help but put aside the thing she wanted to say in surprise.
"An event like the Trifinals? Or is it dominated by Hogwarts?" Professor McGonagall's eyes lit up, and she obviously saw the meaning of it.
After Voldemort's death, Hogwarts' status in the global wizarding community was significantly higher. And if a fire of sufficient weight is added at this time, then Hogwarts will undoubtedly be able to stabilize at a higher place than before.
"Last year's Triwizard Tournament was hosted by Hogwarts. I'm afraid it's not so easy to host another multi-school joint event now? You...you don't have to be like this..."
While Professor McGonagall was happy, he also understood the difficulty, and guessed from this whether Maca had agreed to Scrimgeour.
"No, I didn't do anything." Maca shrugged, picked up a small piece of cake, and explained, "I helped a little secretly in the operation to capture the fugitive Death Eaters yesterday. But I'm really not entirely for the minister's request and favor, mainly...you know, it has something to do with Voldemort."
"Oh, indeed—" Professor McGonagall nodded thoughtfully, "For the sake of prudence, you should really check the specific situation... Then what did you find?"
Maca thought for a while, and suddenly felt that it seemed to be okay to tell Professor McGonagall the truth. The venerable witch was always very just, and she was absolutely willing to treat an innocent baby girl with kindness.
only……
"Voldemort and Bellatrix had a child," Maca said frankly. "The name is 'Delphine', and she is a beautiful girl. The reason why those Death Eaters escaped from the dungeon crazily was to keep Bellatrix Latrix escorted out."
"Vold... child? Delphi?"
Anyone who hears this news will be shocked, even Maca was not immune back then. After Professor McGonagall learned about it, he was also obviously surprised, and even put the tea cup he picked up back on the coaster in front of him again.
"Her... how is that child doing now?" McGillie asked hesitantly.