After four hungry individuals strolled into the bustling restaurant, Luke's face suddenly lit up as he realized a crucial oversight.
"Oh Merlin's beard! I forgot to hand over those notes to Snape," he exclaimed, eyeing the forgotten parchment clutched in his arms.
Harry, ever the optimist, chimed in with a reassuring grin, "No worries, Luke! Professor Snape's class is still on the day after tomorrow!"
Relieved, Luke nodded, comforted by the fact that Snape's class wasn't an immediate concern. The memory of Snape awarding his numerous points in class had certainly improved Harry's opinion of the intimidating professor.
However, not everyone was in the clear. Ron found himself in a sticky situation as Snape seemed to be directing his disapproval squarely at him.
"Who told you to mix a blood tonic that makes the cauldron explode?" Luke questioned, a hint of disbelief in his voice.
Perplexed, Ron defended himself, "I, I... The book said to mix it with cold water!"
Hermione, ever the voice of reason, interjected, "But the cold water should be added after the refining is finished and during bottling."
Ron, left without words, couldn't escape the fact that he had made a novice mistake.
To lighten the mood, Luke decided to shift the focus to lunch. "Have a pumpkin pie and a glass of chocolate milk," he suggested, ordering a delightful meal for everyone.
Hermione, concerned about health, warned, "Drinking chocolate milk every day will make you fat and give you cavities!"
Unfazed, Luke retorted, "If there are cavities, then please. Mr. Granger is a top-notch dentist."
Hermione, not willing to relent, shook her head and opted for a cup of black tea instead.
Just as the group settled in, a familiar voice disrupted the peace. "Hey, Geralt! I knew you were here," called out Malfoy, approaching with a confident swagger.
The atmosphere shifted as Harry and Ron eyed Malfoy with a hint of hostility.
"Why are you looking for me?" Luke inquired.
Malfoy, ignoring the tension, relayed a message, "Flint asked me to tell you, come to practice Quidditch tomorrow."
Quidditch? Luke had other plans—specifically, diving into potion-related books at the library.
"Help me tell him I'm not free tomorrow afternoon. I have to finish Professor Snape's punishment," Luke requested, revealing a brewing conflict with Shafiq that had become the talk of Slytherin.
Malfoy, understanding the situation, nodded and promised to deliver the message.
After voicing his willingness, Malfoy lingered, a hesitant energy radiating from him.
Luke, ever curious, probed, "What's wrong?"
Malfoy, with a mischievous glint, gestured towards a bewildered Harry, prompting a surprising introduction. "Let's be friends, my name is Draco Malfoy!"
The rejection from Harry, delivered with a comical disdain, was met with an amusing retort. "Go away, who wants to be your friend!"
Harry's reaction, akin to tasting a distasteful concoction, painted a vivid picture.
Undeterred, Malfoy, the persistent socialite, attempted a gentlemanly approach. A rejected handshake later, he retreated with an amusingly sour expression, having faced rejection twice now – once from Harry and the other from a laughing Ron.
The unexpected encounter prompted laughter and banter.
"Redhead, it's you again!" Malfoy's disdainful glare at Ron was met with jovial mockery.
Observing the spectacle, Luke, an amused spectator.
Amidst the jest, Luke decided to play the benevolent potion master, gifting Harry a vial of 'Gender Bender'. The impending Christmas added a festive touch, and Harry, appreciative, accepted the thoughtful present, ready to navigate the wizarding world's peculiarities with a sense of humor.
As the trio, Luke, Harry, and Hermione, left the table for a leisurely stroll by the Black Lake, the magical world remained as enchanting and unpredictable as ever.
.....
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