Matthew and Professor Slughorn crossed the road and entered the small bar a few minutes later. The bar was warm and smoky, filled with a bustling crowd.
At the bar, a woman with a beautiful appearance and an elegant figure was busy greeting a group of noisy wizards. A bald-headed middle-aged wizard carried a tray with five or six wine glasses of different colors, serving them to various tables.
Rosrta! Slughorn called out.
Oh, Professor Slughorn! an attractive woman wearing glittery open-toed high-heels abandoned the other guests and quickly approached Matthew and Professor Slughorn. What a rare visit! How many of you are there? Would you like a table upstairs?
No, no, no Its just and Matthew today! Professor Slughorn replied with a smile.
Alright, follow , please! Ms. Rosrta led the two guests behind the bar.
Between the windowsill and a beautiful Christmas tree, he found them a good spotan empty table by the fireplace. Matthew waited for Slughorn to take his seat before sitting down himself.
Is there anything you need, Professor Slughorn? Ms. Rosrta asked eagerly.
Two glasses of Mulled ad! Professor Slughorn looked at Matthew generously and smiled. rry Christmas, Matthew. Its my treat today! Rosertas ad has over ten years of history and is quite famous in Europe!
Alright, please wait! Mr. Rosrta acknowledged before hurrying off.
Wait, didnt Professor Slughorn ntion butterbeer before? Matthew wondered to himself.
rry Christmas to you too, Professor Slughorn! Matthew quickly replied respectfully.
No need to be so formal, Matthew. Professor Slughorn shook his head with an indifferent expression. Its vacation ti now; you dont have to treat like a Professor! You can even call Horace if you want
Alright, Professor Slughorn, Matthew agreed.
At that mont, Ms. Rosrta arrived with two glasses of ad.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, due to severe water pollution caused by the industrial revolution in Britain, and the lack of reliable water purification thods, alcohol, especially beer, was considered a cleaner drink than water for most people.
This habit gradually spread to the wizarding world, so even children in their early teens drinking alcohol was considered normal, except for highly concentrated spirits.
While Professor Slughorn seed to enjoy the ad, Matthew found its taste sowhat repulsive, like rotten apples.
Nevertheless, he had to drink it with a forced smile. Strangely, as he took a few sips, the chill he had felt earlier vanished, and his body ward up.
Why arent you going ho, child? Professor Slughorn asked, savoring his wine. Its Christmas now.
Im a Muggle-born student, Professor, Matthew answered honestly.
Oh, I see Professor Slughorn paused and burst into laughter. I almost forgot Haha A Slytherin Muggle-born child, how rare!
From Professor Slughorns expression, it was clear that he didnt care about blood or lineage.
Yes, Professor, Matthew replied with a sip of ad before asking innocently, Why did Mr. Percival from the Hogs Head Inn get extrely angry when I casually asked how long his bar has been open?
Percival Slughorns face turned serious. He didnt answer directly, saying instead, That strange old man is a troublemaker, Matthew. I suggest you stay away from him.
I understand, Professor, Matthew nodded quickly.
But speaking of the Hogs Head Inns age its been around for quite a few years, nearly 50 or 60, I cant rember exactly, Professor Slughorn pondered, tilting his head. Why do you ask, Matthew?
I just noticed that the stain on the floor seems about fifty or sixty years old, Matthew replied softly.
Professor Slughorn couldnt help but laugh, and Matthew joined in. But underneath his smile, Matthews expression grew serious.
The fact that the Hogs Head Inn hadnt changed owners in 50 or 60 years ant it likely had connections to the Order of the Phoenix, and the bartender might be associated with Aberforth Dumbledore.
It was valuable information, even if it seed aningless to him at the mont. In the future, it could prove to be useful.
Matthew and Professor Slughorn continued their conversation by the fire, discussing ordinary topics. Professor Slughorn seed to be in a good mood, and their chat was enjoyable.
As Professor Slughorns glass of ad gradually emptied, he said, Im planning to visit Madam Malkins later to buy a new robe. What are your plans, Matthew?
Im going to Honeydukes Sweet Shop Professor Slughorn interrupted him Before Matthew could finish his sentence.
Professor Slughorn laughed and patted him on the shoulder. Ah, Ambrosio Flus candies are truly irresistible to you youngsters. But I dont have a taste for such sweets So lets skip that, Matthew!
As he spoke, Professor Slughorn began rummaging through his pockets.
Ill take care of the bill, Professor! Matthew hurriedly offered.
Theres no need for students to pay, Slughorn declined firmly, then proceeded to the bar to settle the bill with Mrs. Rosrta.
This surprised Matthew a little. Was Professor Slughorn always this generous in the original book? Or was there sothing that made him particularly happy today?
However, Matthew quickly ran out of ti to contemplate as sothing else caught his attentiona more important matter.
When he had left the Hogs Head Inn earlier, he had noticed the witch with the thick black scarf trailing them discreetly.
He assud she was tracking Professor Slughorn since she had no apparent connection or grudges in the wizarding world. So when Professor Slughorn left, Matthew stayed behind alone.
Now that Professor Slughorn was gone, the mysterious witch occasionally glanced in Matthews direction.
Could it be that I am her target? Matthew thought to himself.
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