As the saying goes, "Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a gentleman, and dinner like a pauper." This sentence was originally used to discuss healthy eating, but it is not inconsistent with the three meals a day in the UK. feel.
It is said that British cuisine will make you think that you have strayed into a dark country, but in fact, British breakfast is not as terrible as foreigners know. On the contrary, even Muggle writer Maugham, who was born in Paris, France, once said that if you want to eat well in the UK, you might as well eat breakfast three times a day!
Of course, Maka felt that it was just no harm without comparison.
"... Come, try this roasted quail," Slughorn diligently forked a dark, dry thing onto Maka's plate and said excitedly, "You know, although Hogg Woz’s food is always popular, but it’s still too greasy for us old people. I made these roasted quails myself—it’s been a while since I’ve been in the kitchen, and those little elves are still so relatable!”
Yes, if it was a more normal breakfast, such as bacon and fried eggs, it would be pretty good, but the roasted quail cooked up by this old man was a little hard to accept.
Maka nodded to him, and then moved the ghost quail aside without leaving a trace, so that it wouldn't block the cream cheese baked mashed potatoes she was eating.
Fortunately, Slughorn did not continue to stare at him, but forked another roasted quail and turned to look at Harry's plate.
This breakfast is actually quite sumptuous. Except for Slughorn's unique roasted quail, everything else looks very appetizing. But the atmosphere at the table was a little weird.
Ron was staring intently at Draco, while Draco was concentrating on a piece of grilled sausage; Hermione was stabbing a sunny-side-up egg with her fork, but her attention was obviously on In the corner of his eye, Luna didn't even notice the semi-solidified egg yolk leaking out.
As for Neville across the dining table, he looked like he hadn't had enough sleep, and he was dozing off with half a piece of toast in his mouth.
Finally, of course, there was Harry, who was trying his best to deal with Slughorn's enthusiasm in order to prevent the last roasted quail from falling onto his plate.
Slughorn's hidden meaning behind this meal was actually obvious. Before Harry came here, he paid all his attention to Maka. And when Harry took his seat, he decisively moved his goal of establishing friendship and relationship to the miserable Harry.
"...McLean's performance at the Quidditch World Cup was really wonderful, wasn't it?"
Slughorn was talking to Harry about Macca's World Cup riot, and the shriveled quail on the fork trembled as if it had come back to life.
"No one knew he was acting at that time, but the flying skills he showed were real! Do you know? I was there at the time - well, as long as I wanted, Gwenog would help me get it. Paid tickets. Of course, I mean Gwenog Jones, the captain of the Holyhead Harpies, who was also a student I used to teach... "
Showing his sociability anytime, anywhere is Slughorn's specialty. He can insert the famous people he knows into the conversation, and then tell others naturally.
"To be honest, I mentioned that matter to Gwenog in my letter," the old man continued to talk enthusiastically, regardless of whether Harry heard it or not. "At that time, Maclean had not announced his relationship with the public. Albus’s plan, so Gwenog didn’t have much favorable impressions of McClane in his reply—”
Having said this, Slughorn turned his head again and smiled at Maka. Maka, who was chewing grilled sausage, shrugged indifferently, indicating that she didn't care about this.
"...Hey, even though she was a little angry at McLean for disrupting the World Cup, she highly praised McLean's Quidditch skills on the scene. She said that she was able to win the game shortly after the opening whistle. The players who caught the Golden Snitch later had absolute luck as well as absolute strength—and McClain’s situation at that time was obviously the latter!”
He said, paused for a moment, and then said with emotion: "I think if MacLean doesn't want to be a professor in the future, maybe he can participate in Quidditch competition - it must be world-class! He will definitely be able to Win a series of championships for your team!”
Children generally love Quidditch, and this has always been the case since Slughorn was young. He was right. Even now, this sport is still the favorite of most young wizards.
"Oh! Sir, did you just say you knew Gwenog Jones?" Ron stopped staring at Draco, who was unusually silent today.
"Yes, that's right!" Slughorn nodded, pretending to be reserved, "You heard, I taught her Potions class before, you know."
Ron received his confirmation again, and then looked at Maka in surprise.
"Last time at my house, you told Ginny that there was someone who could help her get Gwenog's signed photo. Could it be that you were talking about Mr. Slughorn?"
What he was talking about was the previous three-on-three match at the Burrow. Maka did mention this to Ginny before the match. Seeing Ron talking about it at this time, Maka nodded simply.
"Autographed photo?" Slughorn, as if he had found a breakthrough point, hurriedly jumped in, "That's easy - believe me, there's nothing easier than that! Ginny? She's your little girlfriend Mr. Weasley?"
"Uh, no no..." Ron waved his hands repeatedly, "Ginny is my sister."
"Really?" Slughorn didn't care what the relationship was. He only needed to know that the two were very close. "You ask Miss Weasley to wait a little longer. I can invite him together next time." Come to the private event I hold, and then I can personally give her the signed photo!"
"Oh! That's really good." Ron seemed very concerned about everything that could make his precious sister happy. "If Ginny knew about it, she would be very happy! But..."
As he spoke, he asked Maka: "Why did you say it was the next school year? I heard it in the broom room. You told Ginny to look forward to the next school year..."
Upon hearing this, Maka looked towards Slughorn and signaled him if he wanted to announce it himself.
Slughorn saw Maka asking him with her eyes. After thinking about it, he moved the chair under his buttocks and stood up with a smile on his face.
"McLean is not wrong. It's just that due to some circumstances, the time needs to be moved forward a little." The old man pretended to pull his collar, as if to make himself look more dignified, "Dear young people here. Mr. and Mrs. are not outsiders, so you can know earlier than other students—from today on, I will officially return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and resume my role as the school’s Potions Professor!”
For a moment, Harry and others were stunned in their seats, and only two people clapped sparsely. One of them is naturally Maka, and the other is Draco. It seems that he has known about this for a long time.
"What about... Snape?" Harry was the first to speak.
There is an old saying in Britain that says, "The person who cares most about you is always your enemy." At this time, this sentence was vividly reflected in Harry's body.
"Professor Snape will replace Dolores Umbridge, who resigned voluntarily, and take up the temporary vacancy of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor." Maka explained casually, "Don't roll your eyes in a hurry, trust me, He is at least much stronger than Umbridge... As for how much stronger, you can experience it for yourselves next!"
"oh-"
Even Maka's comfort could not stop Ron and Harry's heartfelt wails. Even Neville, who was dozing off, was awakened by the name "Snape" and half-pulled a tomato slice in his mouth. The piece fell back into his plate.
"...So, from now on, I will teach you the wonderful course of "Potion Science"!" Slughorn's attention was not on Snape at all, he was still minding his own speech. "Perhaps you haven't felt the charm of this course before, but I will make you really interested in it! By the way, let me tell you some exclusive good news - your Professor MacLean He will be a special guest in my first class, and he and I will show you the brilliance of Potions!"
Perhaps because the name "McLean" was mentioned too many times during this breakfast period, Draco finally pulled his eyes out of the grilled sausage and glanced hesitantly in Maka's direction.
Since Draco was sitting in the seat next to Slughorn, Slughorn immediately noticed Draco's gaze. Somehow, Slughorn, who originally had a soft spot for such flirtatious moments, ended his inaugural speech and suddenly brought the topic to Draco.
"Mr. Malfoy, don't you have something to say to Maclean?" There was a kind look on his face, as if he turned into a kind old man in an instant, "I think he is a good person now." Timing, if you have anything to say, you can say it now! For my sake, I believe McClain will be willing to listen... right?"
Slughorn's last "Yeah" was obviously meant for Maka. Maka wasn't very interested in his "face", but he was willing to know what Draco wanted to say.