Chapter 20 Villy Brova

The weather has gradually changed recently, with more clouds appearing in the sky, giving it a slightly gloomy feel. The temperature kept dropping, prompting the students of Hogwarts to don warm sweaters and padded vests under their cloaks.

In such weather, the library also became somewhat chilly.

Many students gathered in common rooms with fireplaces to do their homework, occasionally discussing recent gossip with their peers. Here, no one needed to worry about the librarian, Mrs. Pince, popping up from somewhere and angrily shouting "No noise!"

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

Maca, however, was happy with the quietness, finding that studying in a less crowded place was more conducive to efficiency. As for the cold weather, he easily came up with a convenient and simple way to keep warm.

After slightly adjusting the blood of fire lizards, he made a continuous potion that could keep the body warm. This concoction was simple, only requiring the fire attribute energy in the blood of fire lizards to slowly dissipate in the body at an extremely slow rate; it couldn't even be called a potion.

However, because of this, it had a drawback—you had to drink more water, or else the moisture in your body would gradually decrease, making your skin dry. Of course, you would realize this on your own because drinking this potion would often make you feel thirsty until the potion's effects wore off.

At the moment, Hermione was sitting next to Maca, listening to him explain some advanced principles of the Levitation Charm.

From time to time, they would pick up the cups on the table and take a sip, and there was even a large teapot on the table in front of Maca. Obviously, Hermione had also tried Maca's little invention and found it quite nice, feeling comfortably warm all over her body.

Just as Maca was explaining the practical application of the Levitation Charm, both of them heard clear footsteps behind them.

"McLain, I've heard about you, maybe we can be friends." The newcomer paused for a moment, then continued, "I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."

Maca turned his head and looked at the blond, pale-faced Malfoy with a slight smile. "Oh, of course. I don't seem to have a reason to refuse this proposal, Malfoy."

Hermione glanced at Maca but didn't say anything—she didn't have any fondness for Malfoy.

"Yes! I think you're different from that stupid Potter, you have a smart mind." Malfoy seemed pleased, casually insulting Harry.

"No! I think those who casually insult others are the truly foolish ones! Harry is a smart person; he knows how to protect his friends!" Hermione couldn't help it; she retorted loudly.

"No noise!" From afar, Mrs. Pince looked over.

Maca nodded apologetically in that direction, but before he could speak, Malfoy spoke up.

"No one's talking to you, you stinky mudblood!"

Although Hermione didn't understand the meaning of that word, it didn't prevent 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 casually insulting others is not behavior befitting a noble! And, I am also the so-called 'stinky mudblood' you mentioned." Maca frowned, "Petrificus Totalus!"

Malfoy's surprised expression froze on his face, frightening a few students nearby who stood up in terror.

"Oh—Maca, you shouldn't—" Hermione became uneasy when she saw this, but stopped halfway through her words. After the incident with the giant monster, her attitude towards breaking the rules had changed fundamentally.

But the uneasiness still existed; she was worried about the punishment Maca would receive next.

"I haven't done anything wrong, and Petrificus Totalus is not as harmful to the recipient as the Breaking Charm." Maca raised his wand again and swiftly waved it, "Finite Incantatem!"

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

"This is just a punishment for your disrespect," Maca still had that gentle demeanor, smiling, "You can go tell the teachers, but I don't think it's a good idea."

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

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

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

"Mr. McLain, I have to say, why do you always get into trouble!" Professor McGonagall said angrily.

"Um—I think there must be a reason why you used magic on Malfoy? Can you tell us?" Professor Sprout still seemed protective.

"Ah, yes." Maca nodded, "Malfoy insulted Hermione, calling her a 'mudblood,' which I couldn't tolerate; you know, I've said it before, she's my friend."

"Oh! Mudblood! What a terrible term!" Professor Sprout exclaimed in surprise, "This is discrimination, it shouldn't exist at Hogwarts."

Since the founding of Hufflepuff House by Helga Hufflepuff, she has always supported Muggle-born children becoming wizards. Until now, outstanding Muggle-born and half-blood wizards have emerged in large numbers, almost becoming a trend, which further proves the correctness of Helga's original insistence.

"I understand your feelings for your friends. Malfoy will definitely be punished for his inappropriate words," Professor McGonagall said seriously, "But, your behavior of casting spells on classmates violates school rules, do you understand?"

With that, she looked at Professor Sprout, apparently reminding the other party to impose appropriate punishment.

"Um."

Professor Sprout looked at Professor McGonagall with some hesitation, not knowing what to do—she actually didn't want to punish Maca at all.

"Professor Sprout, Professor McGonagall is right, I should accept punishment." At this point, Maca unexpectedly agreed with Professor McGonagall's words, "Only by punishing students who violate school rules can we instill the correct principles of conduct in other students, so that they will make fewer mistakes in the future and develop excellent character qualities..."

Maca said these words as if they were genuine, although even he didn't believe them. But Professor McGonagall seemed somewhat satisfied with his statement, showing a slight smile.

"In that case, you will stay in the third greenhouse until bedtime tonight and take care of the plants!" Professor Sprout also nodded in satisfaction.

With that said, the two professors escorted Maca to the door of the third greenhouse, then went to find Malfoy. Maca watched their departing figures for a moment before finally entering the greenhouse.

Well! The effect of a bunch of nonsense was quite remarkable; Professor McGonagall didn't even deduct any points and just left, which was an unexpected gain. Originally, Maca just wanted to make Professor McGonagall have a better impression of him, so he actively sought punishment.

"Hmm?"

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

She was holding a small shovel in her hand, skillfully changing the soil for the plants! From her quick and smooth movements, it was impossible to tell that she was the clumsy girl who couldn't grasp anything after flipping through half of the books in the library.

Although she still had the same expressionless cold demeanor.

"Um, hello."

Maca was taken aback for a moment, feeling that he should at least say hello! Although he guessed that the other party probably wouldn't pay attention to him.

But Maca was obviously wrong again.

"Hello." The girl immediately nodded towards him and spoke with her usual emotionless tone.

"Um," Maca walked up to her and also started to help her change the soil, "If you don't mind, can you tell me your name?"

"Villy Brova." She didn't stop her hands, just kept bending down and working on what she was doing, but answered very quickly.

Maca still couldn't see through this girl, but this girl named Villy was different from Snape and Dumbledore. She gave Maca the feeling that this girl didn't have any complex thoughts, not even emotions.

"It's like a puppet." Maca couldn't help but think so without reason.

"Do you like plants very much?" In order to further understand this mysterious girl, he continued their conversation.

"Yes." The answer was still concise and still so flat.

"What plants do you like?"

"All."

"There must be one or two that you dislike, right? Like, tuberous begonias?"

"No."

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

"Yes."

"Do you ever..."

In this somewhat pale question and answer, the task at hand was completed, but Villy once again surprised Maca. He thought that Villy would probably turn and leave without saying a word, but she didn't move.

After putting the gloves back on the shelf beside her, Villy crossed her hands in front of her and continued to engage in meaningless dialogue with Maca, showing no intention of leaving.

"Um, I mean, aren't you leaving?" Maca asked curiously, "Like the last two times."

"After speaking, leave." Villy said plainly.

"Then... if we don't finish speaking, will you continue to stand here and talk to me?" Maca felt that his intelligence was a bit insufficient; he found it difficult to understand Villy's logic.

"Yes." —She actually confirmed it.

"Do you find it... interesting to talk to me?" Maca tried to ask questions based on the conclusions he could think of.

"No." —Didn't find it interesting at all!

"Then why do you continue to talk?" Maca couldn't help but speak out his true thoughts.

After hearing this sentence, Villy paused, looked at Maca for a moment before answering, "Mother said, don't leave until others finish speaking."

"It's polite."

With these last four words, Villy completely sank Maca's expression of dullness.