The weather had started to change recently. The sky was often filled with clouds, making it seem a bit gloomy. The temperature dropped again and again, forcing the students of Hogwarts to wear warm sweaters and lined vests under their robes.
In such weather, even the library had become somewhat cold.
Many students gathered in the common rooms with their fireplaces to do their homework, where they could loudly discuss recent news with their friends. Here, no one had to worry about the librarian, Madam Pince, popping out from somewhere and angrily shouting "Silence!"
As a result, the number of students in the library had dwindled.
Marcel was happy for the peace and quiet. Studying in a less crowded place was clearly more conducive to efficiency. As for the cold weather, he had easily come up with a convenient and simple solution.
He had slightly modified the blood of a Fire-Lizard to create a long-lasting warming solution. It was a simple concoction; all it did was allow the fire-based energy in the Fire-Lizard blood to dissipate very slowly throughout the body. It couldn't even really be called a potion.
Because of this, however, it had one drawback: you had to drink a lot of water. Otherwise, the moisture in your body would gradually decrease, causing your skin to become dry. Of course, you would figure this out on your own, as drinking this solution made you feel constantly thirsty until the effect wore off.
Right now, Hermione was sitting next to Marcel, listening to him explain some of the advanced principles of the Levitation Charm.
The two of them would occasionally pick up the cups on the table and take a gulp. There was even a large teapot on the table in front of Marcel. It was clear that Hermione had also tried Marcel's little invention and found it wasn't bad at all; the warmth spreading through her body was particularly comfortable.
Just as Marcel was explaining the practical application of the Levitation Charm, they both heard the distinct sound of footsteps behind them.
"Maclean. I've heard the rumors about you. Perhaps we could be friends," the newcomer said, pausing before continuing. "My name is Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."
Marcel turned his head and smiled slightly at the pale, blond-haired Malfoy. "Oh, of course. I see no reason to refuse that offer, Malfoy."
Hermione glanced at Marcel but said nothing, though she clearly had no fondness for Malfoy.
"Yes! I believe you're different from that foolish Potter. You have a sharp mind," Malfoy said, seemingly pleased, casually slandering Harry.
"No! I think people who casually insult others are the truly foolish ones! Harry is smart, and he knows how to stand up for his friends!" Hermione couldn't hold back any longer and retorted loudly.
"Silence!" Madam Pince glared in their direction from afar.
Marcel gave her an apologetic nod, but before he could speak, Malfoy cut in.
"No one was talking to you, you filthy little Mudblood!"
Although Hermione didn't understand the word, she knew it was an insult. She glared fiercely at Malfoy, like an angry mother hen.
"Malfoy, I must remind you that casually insulting others is not the behavior of a nobleman," Marcel said with a frown. "Furthermore, I am also what you call a 'filthy little Mudblood'."
"You're not a pure-blood—" "Petrificus Totalus!"
Malfoy's shocked expression froze on his face. A few scattered students nearby stood up in alarm.
"Oh, Marcel, you shouldn't have—"
Hermione grew anxious at the sight, but she stopped herself mid-sentence. After the troll incident, her views on breaking school rules had fundamentally changed.
But the anxiety was still there. She worried about the punishment Marcel would face.
"I did nothing wrong. Besides, the Full Body-Bind Curse isn't like the Blasting Curse; it doesn't cause much harm to the target," Marcel said, raising his wand again and giving it a swift wave. "Release Petrification!"
Malfoy immediately crumpled to the floor, gasping for air, unable to speak. It was clear he was terrified.
"This is just a punishment for your insolence," Marcel said, his gentle expression unchanged. He smiled. "You can go and tell a teacher, but I don't think that would be a good idea."
Marcel tucked his wand back into his sleeve and sat back down in his chair, completely composed.
In the end, Malfoy didn't tell, but the news quickly reached Professor Sprout's ears anyway—it was Madam Pince who reported it.
That evening, Marcel was summoned to the Herbology professor's office next to the greenhouses. He found that Professor McGonagall was also waiting for him there.
"Mr. Maclean, I have to say, why are you always causing trouble?" Professor McGonagall said angrily.
"Mmm, I'm sure you had a reason for using a spell on Mr. Malfoy, didn't you? Would you care to tell us what it was?" Professor Sprout, on the other hand, was clearly still in a protective mood.
"Ah, yes," Marcel nodded. "Malfoy insulted Hermione, calling her a 'Mudblood.' This is something I cannot tolerate. You know, I've said it before, she's my friend."
"Oh! Mudblood! What a horrible word!" Professor Sprout said in shock. "That's discrimination! It shouldn't be heard at Hogwarts."
Hufflepuff House, since its founder Helga Hufflepuff, had always supported Muggle-born children becoming wizards. To this day, outstanding Muggle-born and half-blood wizards continued to emerge, a trend that had become almost unstoppable, proving just how correct Helga's initial beliefs were.
"I understand your feelings for your friend, and Mr. Malfoy will certainly be punished for his outrageous words," Professor McGonagall said sternly. "However, your act of casting a spell on a fellow student violates the school rules. Do you understand?"
With that, she looked at Professor Sprout, clearly reminding her that a corresponding punishment was due.
"Er..."
Professor Sprout looked at Professor McGonagall, unsure what to do. She really didn't want to punish Marcel.
"Professor Sprout, Professor McGonagall is right. I should accept the punishment," Marcel said, surprisingly agreeing with Professor McGonagall. "Only by punishing students who break the rules can we set the right example for others, helping them avoid mistakes in the future and develop excellent character..."
Marcel spoke with great seriousness, spouting words he didn't even believe himself. A satisfied smile appeared on Professor McGonagall's face.
"In that case, you will spend this evening until bedtime in Greenhouse Three, tending to the plants," Professor Sprout said, also nodding in gratification.
After leading Marcel to the door of Greenhouse Three, the two professors went to find Malfoy. Marcel watched them leave before ducking into the greenhouse.
Well now! The effect of his grand speech was quite significant. Professor McGonagall had left without even deducting points. That was an unexpected gain. Originally, Marcel had only proactively asked for punishment to improve Professor McGonagall's opinion of him.
"Hmm?"
The moment Marcel entered Greenhouse Three, he realized someone was already inside. To be precise, it was the mysterious Slytherin girl.
She was holding a small hand trowel and skillfully replacing the soil for the plants. From her quick and fluid movements, you would never guess she was the same clumsy girl who had flipped through a book in the library for ages without getting anywhere.
Though she still wore the same expressionless, cold look.
"Er, hello."
Marcel paused for a moment, thinking he should at least say hello, though he expected her to ignore him.
But Marcel was wrong again.
"Hello," the girl said, immediately nodding in his direction, her tone as flat and emotionless as ever.
"Mmm," Marcel said, walking over to her and starting to help with the soil. "If you don't mind me asking, what's your name?"
"Villie de Blois," she replied quickly, her hands never stopping as she focused on the task before her.
Marcel could never see through this girl, but this girl named Villie was different from Snape or Dumbledore. His impression of her was that she had no complex thoughts, not even any emotions.
"Almost like a doll," Marcel thought for no particular reason.
"Do you like plants?" he asked, continuing the conversation to try and understand this mysterious girl better.
"Yes," the reply was still concise and just as flat.
"What kind of plants do you like?"
"All of them."
"Surely there must be one or two you dislike? For example, Bubotubers?"
"None."
"Do you come to the greenhouse often to take care of them?"
"Yes."
"Do you ever..."
During this somewhat pale question-and-answer session, their work was completed. But Villie once again surprised Marcel. He had thought she would turn and leave without a word, just like before, but she didn't move at all.
After placing her gloves back on the nearby utility shelf, Villie clasped her hands in front of her and continued her empty conversation with Marcel, showing no intention of leaving.
"Er, I mean, aren't you leaving?" Marcel asked curiously. "Like the last two times."
"I will leave when we are done talking," Villie said flatly.
"So... if we never finish talking, you'll just stand here and talk to me forever?" Marcel felt his own intelligence was failing him. He couldn't comprehend Villie's logic.
"Yes." She actually confirmed it.
"Then, do you find talking to me interesting?" Marcel tried to frame his conclusions as a question.
"No." So she didn't find it interesting!
"Then why do you keep talking?" Marcel couldn't help but ask what he was really thinking.
Hearing this, Villie paused for a moment, looked at Marcel, and thought before answering, "Mother said I cannot leave before the other person is finished talking."
"It is polite."
With those final two words, Villie completely shattered a dumbfounded Marcel.