Chapter 337

When on Friday of the first week, in our tent in the middle of the Secret Room, I decided to help the girl with potions, I was driven away from them in a very strict manner.

"No, no, no," the girl shook her head, moving away from the two large cauldrons in which she was brewing three different compositions. She looked quite aggressive — slightly disheveled hair, rolled up sleeves, a stern look.

"Why? I make potions well."

"We do it for ourselves," Hermione adjusted a small enchanted hairpin in her hair, which did not allow the hair to fall out and get into the potion, and the potion vapors to settle on her hair. "Here, you need to brew potions «Perfectly» and not «Drink if there is nothing left to lose.»"

"You don't have a high opinion of my potions."

"It's just that I can make them perfectly, so why waste time? And after reading so many different books and handbooks... I'm no longer the first-year student who will blindly follow the recipe and, I don't know... Cut nuts, not crush them. Yes, and understanding has come along lately. You, Max, manage to make absurd combinations of runes in Arithmancy as if they should be like that."

"It's simple," I shrugged.

"So it's 'simple' to me in potions. So let's spend our time rationally."

Actually, after that, I did not participate in the process of preparing potions, doing what I do well. At least I have enough knowledge for potions classes.

On Saturday morning, after the traditional jog and other physical exercises, we cleaned up and went on a trip to Hogsmeade in school uniforms and robes, where Lady Greengrass was supposed to be waiting for us.

Getting out of the castle, as always, was quite simple. Complex spells of concealment and disguise, and now we are safely crossing the castle gates, and in a few minutes, we reach the village itself with a leisurely step. The weather was, like all the last days, quite overcast and gloomy. Still, I like it exactly like this, and the view of the Forbidden Forest and the surrounding mountains, painted with vegetation in rather dark shades of green, evokes a sense of mysticism.

The locals go about their business at this time, and in most cases, as I understand it, it's in the Ministry. In fact, few people in Hogsmeade keep shops because they are only useful on the days of permitted trips for students. But that doesn't mean that at other times there aren't students who can get out of the castle. And it's worth noting that the Hogwarts Express runs all over England during non-school hours, carrying goods and cargo that are easier and more profitable to deliver that way - some cannot be reduced, some cannot be put in the bag with Extension Charms, and some are too big. It happens all together. In general, it is quite common to see visiting wizards, but they are mostly content with a cafe on the platform.

We were on our way to the "Three Broomsticks," which I was glad of because Delphine could have chosen the farthest place that stood in the middle of nowhere for the sake of secrecy. The "Hog's Head," run by none other than Aberforth Dumbledore. However, this is rarely mentioned anywhere, so I will pretend that I don't know anything. But, for now, let's put aside our thoughts about this large and strange stone building on the outskirts.

We entered the "Three Broomsticks," a pleasantly light pub that boasted a simple but well-maintained wood finish in light colors, and moved toward the far table, which was occupied by one of the few customers. Lady Greengrass was dressed in a formal blue dress and a navy blue robe with a hood that had now been removed, revealing a thick braid of almost white hair slung over her shoulder.

"Good morning," I said with a smile as we got closer. My sense of magic told me it was Delphine, though something subtly changed in her.

"Hello," Hermione gave a respectful but not a deep bow. It seems that she liked Delphine.

"Good morning to you, too," Lady Greengrass smiled and gestured to the empty chairs at the table. "Have a seat…."