The weather had gradually changed in recent days. The sky was becoming cloudier, and there was a hint of gloominess in the air. The temperature kept dropping, prompting the students of Hogwarts to don warm sweaters and padded vests under their robes.
In such weather, the library also grew a bit chilly.
Many students gathered in the common rooms with fireplaces to work on their assignments, discussing the latest gossip with their companions. Here, nobody needed to worry about the librarian, Madam Pince, suddenly appearing and angrily shouting, "No noise allowed" or anything like that.
Consequently, the number of students in the library dwindled.
Maca, however, was content with the quietude. Learning in a less crowded environment seemed to enhance efficiency. As for the cold weather, he had a simple and convenient solution in mind.
After a bit of preparation, he concocted a potion using the blood of a fire lizard. This potion, once ingested, released a slow, sustained warmth throughout the body. It was a straightforward concoction, requiring the fire attributes within the lizard's blood to gradually disperse within the body. It wasn't even truly a potion.
But precisely because of this, it had a downside—you needed to drink plenty of water. Otherwise, the moisture in your body would gradually decrease, leaving your skin dry. Of course, this would become evident on its own, as you would feel thirsty frequently until the effects of the potion dissipated.
At this moment, Hermione was sitting next to Maca, listening to him explain the advanced principles of the Levitation Charm.
Occasionally, both of them would pick up their cups from the table and take a sip. There was even a large teapot on Maca's table. Clearly, Hermione had also tried Maca's little invention and found it quite satisfactory. She felt comfortably warm all over.
Just as Maca was discussing the practical application of the Levitation Charm, both of them heard a distinct sound of footsteps from behind.
"McLean, I've heard about you through rumors. Perhaps we could be friends," the newcomer paused for a moment before continuing, "I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."
Maca turned his head to see a blond-haired, pale-faced Malfoy and gave a faint smile. "Oh, of course. I don't seem to have a reason to decline this proposition, Malfoy."
Hermione glanced at Maca but didn't say anything—she didn't hold any favorable feelings for Malfoy.
"Yes! I think you're different from that foolish Potter. You've got a clever mind," Malfoy seemed rather pleased, throwing derogatory words about Harry carelessly.
"No! I believe that those who casually insult others are the truly foolish ones! Harry is smart and knows how to stand up for his friends!" Hermione couldn't help but retort loudly.
"Noisy! Quiet!" In the distance, Madam Pince looked over.
Maca nodded apologetically in that direction. Before he could say anything, Malfoy spoke up.
"No one's talking to you, you stinky mudblood!"
While Hermione didn't understand the term, she could tell it was an insulting word. She stared fiercely at Malfoy, like an angry mother hen.
"Malfoy, I must remind you that casual insults are not behaviors befitting of a noble. And by the way, I am the so-called 'stinky mudblood,'" Maca raised an eyebrow, "You're not a pureblood—Petrificus Totalus!"
Malfoy's astonished expression froze on his face, causing a few scattered students nearby to stand up in fear.
"Oh—Maca, you shouldn't have—" Hermione started, looking concerned, but then stopped herself. After the encounter with the giant, her perspective on rule-breaking had shifted fundamentally.
Still, the unease remained. She worried about the consequences Maca might face next.
"I haven't done anything wrong, and besides, Full Body-Bind Curse doesn't cause as much harm as a Cruciatus Curse. It's just a disciplinary measure," Maca remained his mild demeanor, smiling, "You can report to the teachers if you want, but I don't think it's a good idea."
Maca tucked his wand back into his sleeve and calmly resumed his seat.
As a result, Malfoy didn't say anything, but the news quickly reached Professor Sprout's ears—it was Madam Pince who reported it.
That evening, Maca was summoned to the Herbology professor's office near the greenhouse, where he found Professor McGonagall waiting for him.
"Mr. McLean, I must say, why do you always manage to get into trouble!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed in frustration.
"Well," Maca nodded, "I believe there must be a reason for your use of magic on Malfoy, right? Could you share it with us?"
"Ah, yes." Maca nodded, "Malfoy insulted Hermione, calling her a 'mudblood,' and I couldn't stand for that. As you know, I've mentioned before, she's my friend."
"Oh! Mudblood! What a dreadful term!" Professor Sprout exclaimed in surprise, "That's discrimination, and it shouldn't be allowed at Hogwarts."
Since the time of the founding by Helga Hufflepuff, Hufflepuff House had always supported children with Muggle backgrounds becoming wizards. Even now, exceptional Muggle-born and half-blood wizards were on the rise, proving how correct Helga's initial stance had been.
"Regarding your feelings for your friend, I understand. Malfoy will certainly be punished for his inappropriate words and actions," Professor McGonagall said sternly, "However, your use of magic on a fellow student violates school rules. Do you understand?"
With that, she turned to Professor Sprout, apparently prompting her to decide on the appropriate punishment.
"Um."
Professor Sprout looked at Professor McGonagall in a dilemma, not quite sure what to do—she didn't really want to punish Maca.
"Professor Sprout, Professor McGonagall is right. I should accept the punishment. Only by punishing students who break the rules can we instill proper values in other students and help them avoid going astray in the future, cultivating excellent character..." Maca agreed with Professor McGonagall's words, even though he was actually the one being punished.
Maca spoke with an air of seriousness, saying things he himself didn't fully believe in. However, Professor McGonagall displayed a hint of satisfaction upon hearing his words.
"In that case, until bedtime tonight, you shall remain in the third greenhouse, taking care of the plants," Professor Sprout also nodded in approval.
With that said, after escorting Maca to the entrance of the third greenhouse, the two professors went to find Malfoy. Maca watched their receding figures and then entered the greenhouse after a while.
Well, well! The effect of his tall tales was surprisingly remarkable. Professor McGonagall didn't even deduct any points and left. This was an unexpected gain. Initially, Maca merely wanted Professor McGonagall to hold a better impression of him, which was why he voluntarily sought punishment.
"Hmm?"
Upon entering the third greenhouse, Maca immediately noticed that there was someone inside. To be precise, it was the mysterious Slytherin girl!
She held a small trowel in her hand, skillfully repotting the plants with fresh soil. From her quick and fluid movements, one couldn't tell that she was the same clumsy girl who had struggled with books in the library.
Although she still wore that expressionless demeanor.
"Um, hello."
Maca hesitated for a moment, thinking he should at least greet her. Even though he suspected she might not acknowledge him.
But Maca's guess was clearly off again.
"Hello." The girl nodded towards him, her tone devoid of emotional fluctuation.
"Um," Maca walked over to her side and began repotting alongside her, "If you don't mind, could you tell me your name?"
"Verlie Bulova." She kept working with her head down, answering promptly.
Maca couldn't quite read this girl, yet she was unlike Severus Snape, Dumbledore, or even any other students. The impression she gave Maca was that this girl had no complex thoughts, not even emotions.
"She's like a puppet," Maca couldn't help but think.
"Do you like plants very much?" In order to understand this enigmatic Slytherin girl better, he continued the conversation.
"Yes." Her answers remained concise, and her tone remained just as flat.
"What kind of plants do you like?"
"All."
"There must be at least one or two that you dislike, right? Like, say, bubotuber tubers?"
"None."
"Do you often come to the greenhouse to take care of them?"
"Yes."
"Then wouldn't you..."
Between these pale questions and answers, their tasks were completed. Yet, Verlie surprised Maca once again. He expected her to simply turn and leave without a word, but she didn't move at all.
After placing her gloves on a nearby shelf, Verlie folded her hands in front of her and continued their shallow conversation, showing no intention of leaving whatsoever.
"Um, I mean, aren't you going to leave?" Maca asked curiously, "Like you did the last two times."
"I leave after finishing the conversation," Verlie stated plainly.
"So... if the conversation doesn't end, will you just stand here and keep talking to me?" Maca found himself running out of brainpower, struggling to understand Verlie's logic.
"Yes."—She confirmed it.
"Then, do you find it entertaining to talk to me?" Maca attempted to present his conclusions as a question.
"I don't."—Indeed, not finding it entertaining!
"Then why do you keep on talking?" Maca couldn't hold back his own truth.
Upon hearing this, Verlie paused unexpectedly. She looked at Maca for a moment before responding, "Mother said you shouldn't leave before someone finishes speaking."
"That's politeness."
With these final four words, Verlie thoroughly bewildered Maca with her simple logic.