Chapter 20: Willy Blois

Help me in keeping this work alive, become a patron today! + Read extra chapters here!

Patréon.com/shanefreak

If you find any error, do comment!

....

The recent weather has gradually changed, with more clouds appearing in the sky, giving it a slightly gloomy feel. The temperature has dropped, prompting the students at Hogwarts to wear warm sweaters and layered vests under their robes.

In such weather, the library has also become colder.

Many students gather in the common room with a fireplace to do their homework, and they can discuss the latest gossip aloud with their companions without worrying about Madam Pince, the librarian, suddenly appearing and angrily shouting "No noise" or something like that.

As a result, there are fewer students in the library.

Maca, however, enjoys the quietness and finds it more conducive to studying in a less crowded place. As for the cold weather, he easily came up with a convenient and simple way to keep warm.

After slightly modifying the composition of the fire lizard's blood, he created a continuous potion that can keep the body warm. It's a simple thing, just let the fire attribute energy in the blood of the fire lizard slowly diffuse within the body at an extremely slow rate. It can't even be called a potion.

However, because of this, it has a drawback—you have to drink more water, otherwise, the moisture in your body will gradually decrease, causing your skin to become dry. Of course, you would understand this on your own because after drinking this potion, you will often feel thirsty until the effect evaporates.

At the moment, Hermione is sitting next to Maca, listening to him explain some advanced principles of the levitation charm.

Occasionally, they both pick up the cups on the table and take a sip, and there is even a large teapot on the table in front of Maca. Obviously, Hermione has also tried Maca's little invention and finds it quite good, feeling warm and comfortable all over.

Just as Maca was talking about the practical application of the levitation charm, both of them heard clear footsteps coming from behind.

"McClain, I've heard about you, perhaps we can be friends." The person paused for a moment and continued, "I'm Draco Malfoy."

Maca turned around and looked at Draco Malfoy, who had blond hair and a pale complexion, with a slight smile. "Oh, of course. I don't seem to have a reason to refuse this proposal, Malfoy."

Hermione looked at Maca but did not speak, although she had no favorable impression of Malfoy.

"Yes! I think you are different from that stupid Potter. You have a clever mind." Draco seemed pleased and casually criticized Harry.

"No! I think those who casually insult others are the truly stupid ones! Harry is smart, and he knows how to protect his friends!" Hermione couldn't help but retort loudly.

"No noise!" From a distance, Madam Pince looked over in their direction.

Maca nodded apologetically in that direction. Before he could speak, Draco Malfoy spoke.

"No one is talking to you, you filthy mudblood!"

Although Hermione didn't understand the meaning of that word, it didn't stop her from knowing that it was an insulting term. She stared fiercely at Malfoy, like an angry mother hen.

"Malfoy, I must remind you that it is not the behavior expected of a noble to insult others at will!" Maca furrowed his brow and said, "And, I am also what you call a 'filthy mudblood.'"

"You're not pure-blood--" "Petrificus Totalus!"

The look of astonishment froze on Draco's face, causing a few startled students nearby to stand up in fear.

"Oh... Maca, you shouldn't have--"

Hermione became anxious too, but she stopped halfway through her words. After the incident with the giant, her views on dealing with rule-breakers had fundamentally changed.

However, the anxiety still remained, and she worried about the punishment Maca would receive next.

"I didn't do anything wrong, and besides, Full Body-Bind is not as harmful as the Cruciatus Curse. It doesn't cause much harm to the target." Maca swiftly waved his wand again and said, "Finite Incantatem!"

Draco immediately collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath, unable to say a word. It was clear that he was frightened.

"This was just a retribution for your disrespectful words," Maca maintained his calm demeanor, smiling, "You can go and tell the teachers, but I don't think it's a good idea."

Maca put his wand back in his sleeve and calmly sat back in his chair.

As a result, Draco didn't say anything, but the news quickly reached Professor Sprout's ears—it was reported by Madam Pince.

That evening, Maca was called to the Herbology professor's office near the greenhouse, where he found Professor McGonagall waiting for him.

"Mr. McClain, I must say, why do you always get into trouble!" Professor McGonagall said angrily.

"Um... I believe you must have a reason for using a spell on Malfoy. Can you tell us what it is?" Professor Sprout seemed protective, clearly not wanting to punish Maca.

"Oh, yes." Maca nodded, "Malfoy insulted Hermione by calling her a 'mudblood,' and I couldn't tolerate it. You know, I've said it before, she is my friend."

"Oh, 'mudblood'! What a terrible term!" Professor Sprout exclaimed in surprise, "This is discrimination, and it should not happen at Hogwarts."

Since the founding of Hufflepuff by Helga Hufflepuff, the house has always supported children from Muggle backgrounds becoming wizards. Until now, excellent Muggle-born and half-blood wizards have emerged in large numbers, almost becoming a prevailing trend, which further proves the correctness of Helga's initial insistence.

"I understand your feelings for your friend, and Malfoy will certainly be punished for his inappropriate words," Professor McGonagall said sternly, "But your use of a curse on a classmate violates the school rules, do you understand?"

Having said that, she looked at Professor Sprout, apparently reminding her that appropriate punishment should be imposed.

"Um..."

Professor Sprout hesitated and looked at Professor McGonagall, unsure of what to do—she actually didn't want to punish Maca at all.

"Professor Sprout, Professor McGonagall is right. I should accept the punishment," Maca unexpectedly agreed with Professor McGonagall's words, "Only by punishing students who break the rules can we instill the right values in other students, helping them avoid making mistakes in the future and develop excellent character..."

Maca spoke with a seriousness that even he didn't believe, but Professor McGonagall showed a satisfied smile.

"Well then, until bedtime tonight, you will stay in the Herbology greenhouse and take care of the plants!" Professor Sprout also nodded approvingly.

After saying that, the two professors escorted Maca to the entrance of the Herbology greenhouse and went to find Malfoy. Maca watched their retreating figures and then entered the greenhouse.

Well, the effect of his grandiose speech was quite remarkable. Professor McGonagall actually left without deducting any points. That was an unexpected gain. Originally, Maca just wanted to improve Professor McGonagall's impression of him, which was why he voluntarily sought punishment.

"Hmm?"

As soon as Maca entered the Herbology greenhouse, he immediately noticed that there was someone inside. Specifically, it was that mysterious Slytherin girl!

She was holding a small shovel and skillfully repotting the plants. From her quick and fluent movements, there was no sign that she was the clumsy girl who struggled to understand books in the library.

Although she still had that expressionless and indifferent demeanor.

"Um, hello."

Maca paused for a moment and thought it would be appropriate to greet her. Although he guessed that she probably wouldn't pay him any attention.

But Maca was clearly mistaken.

"Hello." The girl immediately nodded in his direction, speaking in a tone devoid of emotion.

"Um," Maca walked over to her and started helping her repot the plants, "If you don't mind, could you tell me your name?"

"Willie Blower." She continued working with her hands, focused on the task at hand, and answered quickly.

Maca still couldn't read this girl, but Willie was different from Severus Snape and Dumbledore. The impression she gave Maca was that she didn't have any complex thoughts, and she didn't even seem to have emotions.

"It's like she's a puppet," Maca thought for no apparent reason.

"Do you like plants?" He continued the conversation in order to further understand this mysterious girl.

"Yes," she replied succinctly, still in that same flat tone.

"What kind of plants do you like?"

"All of them."

"Don't you find one or two that you dislike? Like, for example, the bubotuber?"

"No."

"Do you come to the greenhouse often to take care of them?"

"Yes."

"Do you ever..."

In this pale exchange of questions and answers, they had finished their task. However, Willie surprised Maca once again. He expected her to turn and leave without saying a word, but she didn't move.

After putting the gloves back on the nearby shelf, Willie folded her hands in front of her and continued the empty conversation with Maca, showing no intention of leaving.

"Um, I mean, aren't you going to leave?" Maca asked curiously, "Just like the previous two times."

"Leave after finishing talking," Willie replied calmly.

"Then... if we don't finish talking, will you just stand here and keep talking with me?" Maca felt that his intelligence wasn't enough. He couldn't understand Willie's logic.

"Yes," she confirmed.

"Do you find it interesting to talk to me?" Maca tried to ask a question that drew the conclusion he could think of.

"No," she answered. So she really didn't find it interesting!

"Then why do you keep talking?" Maca couldn't help but speak his true thoughts.

After hearing this, Willie paused, looked at Maca, and took a moment before answering, "My mother said that you should not leave before others have finished talking. It's called courtesy."

With those final four words, Willie completely stunned Maca, who was left dumbfounded.

__________

[Should I continue the translation? Comments please.]

__________

Find any error and become helper of the day!

&

Don't Forget to Vote!