After enjoying a crowded lunch at the Three Broomsticks, the friends continued to walk around Hogsmeade. Except for Maka, everyone present was probably completely relaxed and having fun for the last time this school year, because in the following days, everyone had to prepare hard for the OWLs exam.
Even Luna, who was one grade below 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," Maka just came out of Zuko's Magic Joke Shop with everyone, Maka looked up at the sky and realized that she couldn't continue shopping, "Professor McGonagall made an appointment I'll have afternoon tea with her, I can't be late."
"Oh-" Ron was obviously having a good time, and when he heard Maka say this, he couldn't help but feel a little regretful.
"Luna, just go shopping with them for a while!" Seeing Luna looking at her, Maka shrugged and said, "There are more people today. If we wait until next weekend, they will be alone." There’s no time to come out anymore—”
"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 Maka and Luna, looking quite annoyed. It seemed that she might be considering canceling her review plan for next Sunday in advance.
It stands to reason that a top student like Hermione would undoubtedly be able to get high scores even in the OWLs exam. But she is a studyaholic herself. If she does not make adequate preparations before the exam, she will definitely feel uncomfortable.
"Of course, if it's just one morning..." Maka warned Luna, "You still have to review well when it's time to review - other professors told me that your grades seem to be a bit on the subject?"
"Well..." When Luna heard this, her eyes immediately turned away and she began to be in a trance again.
"Don't get carried away as soon as you hear it. If you have time, review the history of magic, potions, and transfiguration!" Maka waved her hand in front of her eyes, "Okay, I'll leave first. You can continue!"
After that, he stopped delaying, waved his hand casually and walked towards the intersection at the end of the village.
"Luna, are you also a science person?" Ron was pleasantly surprised to find that he seemed to have found a comrade standing in the same trench with him, "What a coincidence? I am also a science person -"
"Don't compare you with others," Hermione glared at him, "I'm a partial subject, but I'm not like you, always wandering between qualified and unqualified!"
"Oh - it turns out I was standing in the wrong trench!" Ron immediately dropped his shoulders and sighed secretly.
…
When she came to Hogsmeade, Maka walked here on her legs, but now there is no need to walk again. He found a deserted place outside the village with relatively few pedestrians, and with the help of the portkey, he was back at the main entrance of Hogwarts in an instant.
Except for the students who are about to graduate, most of the other young wizards are still wandering around Hogsmeade, so now at a glance, there are almost no people in the school.
Of course, treasures like Fred and George would never miss Hogsmeade Day. Although they also have to face the NEWTs exam that is coming soon, they will not miss even one day of hard work before that.
Maka heard that after the Voldemort incident, they seemed to be working on their prank invention 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 were some stone tables and benches beside the fountain there, and Professor McGonagall had arranged to meet him there.
The power of magic is great. As soon as he walked into the garden, the gorgeous flowers immediately caught Maka's eyes. Those colorful petals glowed with a soft halo under the sunlight, making them look even more dazzling.
And when he turned around several 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 spring when all hair is blooming; but in the wizarding world, this can be enjoyed all year round, even now in winter. Same.
Maka arrived not too late, but it seemed that it was definitely not too early, because Professor McGonagall had already arrived.
On a stone table beside the fountain, Professor McGonagall placed a variety of baked snacks, including delicious cakes with fresh cream and fruit tarts piled with various fruits. The dreamy color of the food compares favorably with the surrounding sea of flowers.
"Here?" Mag noticed that there were already more people here. She turned around and smiled at Maka, "Come and sit down! I just got ready - the time is just right!"
Compared with when Voldemort was still making trouble, Professor McGonagall is obviously much more relaxed now. When she saw Maka, her always serious and tense face even showed a kind smile, and even the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes relaxed.
Seeing this, Maka couldn't help but feel that this was how an old man should feel.
Hogwarts, a school, occupies an extremely important position in the British wizarding world... and even in the entire European wizarding world, which makes the position of principal here very difficult. Not to mention Minerva McGonagall, even Dumbledore gave up a lot of choices when he was in this position.
Fortunately, the most difficult period has passed. Although the next step will be hard, at least Professor McGonagall, the principal, will not be walking on thin ice every step of the way.
Maka sat down at the table, then stretched without restraint. Thinking about the weather today, every minute and every second makes people feel a little lazy, and after being crowded in the crowd for a long time, I am really tired now.
When Mag looked at the exceptionally young wizard in front of him, he couldn't help but subconsciously recall his teenage years. Perhaps the changes in the magical world are not as rapid as those 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 Maka.
But just by such a comparison, she couldn't help but feel a little sorry for Maka - this boy's school days passed too hastily, and before he could fully enjoy the carefreeness that should belong to his age, he was forced to fall into into the dark mire. And now, he is actually a professor at Hogwarts.
"Here, let's try these snacks first! Pomona and I made some together - I have to say, her baking skills are even better than when she was younger!"
Following Mag's recommendation, Maka picked up a piece of honey scone, then watched the other person tap on the table, and a delicate teapot with steaming steam from the spout appeared on the cloth on the stone table.
In the early days, when pure-blood wizarding families were still popular in the wizarding world, this kind of afternoon tea was a social activity with more rules than Muggles. But now, eating and drinking are much more casual. Even banquets and dances have canceled many complicated and strict rules.
Maka swallowed the scone in her mouth, then took a sip of the black tea she had just poured into the cup. The unique fragrance of Darjeeling immediately mixed with the aftertaste of the snacks in her mouth, making people feel more relaxed and enjoyable. .
"Oh, there is good news I have to tell you first," Maka put down her tea cup and spoke first, "Our Minister of Magic seems to be planning to find a way to promote a joint multi-school event like the Triwizard Tournament - Of course, we at Hogwarts are also in the lead."
Magben wanted to use this afternoon tea to bring up another matter with Maka. But when Maka told the news, she couldn't help but be surprised and put aside what she wanted to say before.
"An event like the Triwizard Tournament? Or is it dominated by Hogwarts?" Professor McGonagall's eyes lit up, and she obviously saw the significance of it.
After Voldemort's death, Hogwarts' status in the global wizarding community has become 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. Now it's not that easy to host another multi-school joint event, right? You... you don't have to do this..."
Professor McGonagall was happy, but she also understood the difficulty, and even guessed whether Maca had promised Scrimgeour something.
"No, I didn't do anything." Maka shrugged, picking up a small piece of cake and explaining, "Yesterday, I helped a little secretly in the operation to capture the escaped Death Eaters. But I really don’t do it entirely for Mr. Minister’s request and goodwill, mainly because... you know, it has something to do with Voldemort.”
"Oh, it's true -" Professor McGonagall nodded thoughtfully, "For the sake of caution, we should really understand the specific situation... So what did you find?"
Maka thought about it and suddenly felt that it seemed like there was no harm in telling Professor McGonagall the truth. This respectable witch is always very fair, and she is absolutely willing to treat an innocent baby girl with kindness.
only…
"Voldemort and Bellatrix gave birth to a child," Maka said frankly. "The name is 'Delphi', and she is a beautiful girl. The reason why those Death Eaters frantically escaped from the dungeon was to take Belle away. Latrix escorts out.”
"Low down... child? Delphi?"
Anyone who hears this news will be shocked, even Maka was not immune at the time. After Professor McGonagall learned about it, she was obviously very surprised, and even put the tea cup back on the coaster in front of her.
"She...how is that child doing now?" McGonagall asked hesitantly.