After March arrived, the weather turned a little clearer. But every time they stepped outside the castle, the biting wind still stung their cheeks painfully...
On the first Saturday of March, Hogwarts students in third year and above once again had the chance to visit Hogsmeade.
Jon had originally planned to spend the weekend quietly in the Hufflepuff common room. But while eating breakfast in the Great Hall on Friday morning, he received an invitation—
The white owl Jorgrin delivered a letter. In it, Astoria invited him to meet her at Madam Puddifoot's Tea Parlour on Saturday.
"Is this a date?" Jon muttered to himself.
After some hesitation, he decided not to reply right away.
...
When the last Transfiguration class ended on Friday morning, Jon headed straight to Dumbledore's office on the eighth floor.
The ugly stone creature was lying there lazily, scratching itself. It glanced at Jon in surprise.
"Today is not Sunday."
"May I go in?" Jon asked calmly. "I need to see Professor Dumbledore."
"In theory, no..." The stone creature stood up, pacing slowly. Then it blinked. "But if you answer one question... I'll let you in!"
"What question?" Jon asked curiously.
"Well... what do you usually like to eat?" the stone creature asked eagerly, plopping down onto the floor.
"You really want me to answer that?" Jon gave it a sympathetic look.
The stone creature nodded quickly and obediently.
"Alright then, listen carefully!" Jon began counting on his fingers as he spoke. "Roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, shepherd's pie..."
"...fish and chips, Cornish pasty, toad in the hole..."
"...black pudding, steak and kidney pie, spotted dick..."
Jon went on for more than ten minutes, rattling off hundreds of traditional British dishes. For some he couldn't quite recall, he simply made up odd combinations of meats and puddings just to drag the list out longer...
The poor stone creature was completely stunned. At first, it tried scribbling the names onto the back wall with both paws at once, but in just a few minutes it had filled the entire wall...
"...spotted dick, treacle tart, custard trifle, bread and butter pudding!"
Jon let out a long sigh.
"Well? Did you remember all that?" He glanced at the stone creature and asked.
"Well..." The stone creature forced an awkward smile, stammering. "Could... could you repeat it?"
"I'll just make you a list next time!" Jon said casually, exactly as he had expected.
"That would be wonderful!" The stone creature stuck out its tongue excitedly, like a husky.
"Then can I go in now?" Jon asked.
"Of course... The password is 'Cockroach Clusters.'"
"Oh, Cockroach Clusters?" Jon murmured.
At hearing the password, the stone creature quickly stepped aside. Jon could finally enter.
...
Albus Dumbledore was sitting at his desk, stuffing cockroach-shaped sweets into his mouth. Technically, they were candy.
He looked up in mild surprise as Jon entered, then quickly took a sip of lemon juice to wash down the mouthful of "cockroaches."
"Oh, Jon, what brings you here?"
"Professor Dumbledore, I have something important to discuss with you!" Jon said quickly.
"Hmm, go on then!" Dumbledore nodded and popped another "cockroach" into his mouth.
"I heard that Professor Karkaroff has been in terrible shape lately..." Jon explained calmly. "It might be because of the Triwizard Tournament... Since Durmstrang is falling so far behind in points, some worry Professor Karkaroff might lose control and do something reckless!"
"Something reckless?" Dumbledore frowned.
"Yes... After all, he was once a subordinate of the Dark Lord, a Death Eater!" Jon explained firmly. Having seen that memory in the Pensieve, he had no reason to hold anything back.
"Voldemort," Dumbledore corrected casually. "One should always use the proper name for everything. Still, your concern is not without reason."
Jon gave a perfunctory nod.
"So you're worried someone might try to attack you because you hold too great an advantage in the Goblet of Fire competition?"
Jon nodded again.
"You can rest assured!" Dumbledore suddenly said, his expression turning serious. "No one can harm my students under my watch... no one!"
"Yes, Professor!" Jon stood up. "Thank you... I won't disturb you further!"
"Well then, before you go, would you like to try one of these Cockroach Clusters?" Dumbledore tossed a "cockroach" toward Jon as he spoke. "Honeydukes' newest product—more realistic and tastier than the old cockroach skewers. Too bad sales are reportedly even worse."
Glancing at the disturbingly lifelike "cockroach" in his hand, Jon quickly shook his head.
"Ah well, everyone has their own tastes!" Dumbledore said regretfully.
But just as Jon was about to leave, the bright red bird suddenly flew over. It pecked at Jon's clothes, as though begging for some tasty, edible herbs.
Jon gave Dumbledore an awkward smile.
Clearly, he didn't dare feed Fawkes right in front of Dumbledore... It would feel like betraying the master in his presence!
"Seems you're quite popular with birds," Dumbledore remarked casually, waving at Fawkes.
The phoenix flew back to its perch, looking thoroughly displeased.
"Well then, Professor, I'll take my leave!" Jon hurriedly escaped from Dumbledore's office.
...
After leaving Dumbledore's office, Jon returned to the Hufflepuff common room.
Jorgrin was still waiting for him back in the dormitory... This 'clever' owl had already stolen a slice of cake from Jon's wardrobe, and after eating it, neatly dropped its mess into the trash can.
Seeing Jon return, it quickly flew to his side, cooing happily.
"I'll write a reply now!" Jon murmured.
On a slip of paper, he wrote: "I'm honored. See you tomorrow." He tucked the note into the pocket on Jorgrin's right leg.
"Go back to Astoria!" Jon patted its head.
The white owl suddenly swooped down, snatched something from his pocket... and then flew away.
Jon froze for a moment before realizing it was the Cockroach Clusters he'd taken from Dumbledore's office.