The topic about house-elves didn't continue because Hagrid approached, guiding the thestral-drawn carriage through the morning mist.
"Hello, Hagrid, thank you for preparing the carriage for us," Professor Morry said warmly and politely.
"It's nothing, Professor!" Hagrid said cheerfully, "Happy to help you—hello there, kid."
He bent down to greet Vid.
"Good morning, Mr. Hagrid," Vid said, looking up.
His gray eyes appeared indifferent yet serene, making Hagrid's impression of him suddenly become more tangible.
"Oh, you are... you are... Vid from Ravenclaw, right? Harry told me about you..." Hagrid looked at him curiously, then puzzled, "Uh... you should be in first year?"
He glanced at Vid and then at Professor Morry, clearly puzzled.
Although Professor Morry was smiling, he said with an undeniable tone, "Vid is my student, and I need to take him to Hogsmeade for alchemy studies."
Hagrid scratched his head.
Though he didn't understand why alchemy studies required going to Hogsmeade... after all, he had only gone through to third year at school and hadn't thoroughly learned basic magic, let alone knowing what conditions alchemy studies required?
Hagrid hesitated for a moment and didn't question anymore. He soothingly patted the thestral's neck, seemingly whispering something to it, then said, "Professor Morry, Vid, you can get on the carriage now, this creature will take you to Hogsmeade. After it's done, it will bring you back."
"All right, thank you, Hagrid."
Professor Morry said courteously, first boarding the carriage, then said, "Come on up, Vid."
Once they both sat down, the thestral, stepping through the thin mist, took its strides towards the morning light, the carriage creaking as it exited the school. Behind them, Hagrid pushed the massive oak doors and closed them.
The thestral occasionally stretched its black wings, seemingly wanting to fly, but ultimately continued quietly walking on the road.
"Can you see the thestral?" Professor Morry suddenly asked, noticing Vid's gaze.
"Hmm."
"Who did you see die?" Professor Morry asked, quickly adding, "Oh, if you don't want to say, you don't have to answer."
"...It was a Muggle friend." After a long time, Vid said, "Years ago, he died of illness... I watched it happen, watched his parents in painful despair, yet there was nothing to be done..."
His eyes were dark and his gaze somewhat empty, as if still immersed in the sorrow of that time.
Professor Morry reassuringly patted his back and said gently, "I understand — losing a friend is like losing a part of yourself, but time will slowly heal everything... perhaps your friend's parents have already moved on, even having another child."
"Hmm... perhaps so..." Vid, somewhat lost, said softly, "Hopefully so..."
The carriage advanced in silence, Hogsmeade Village gradually emerging from the mist.
Since it wasn't a Hogsmeade weekend, this little village appeared very quiet, with only two or three people wearing wizard robes walking the streets. From afar, they saw the Three Broomsticks Inn.
The windows of the tavern were radiating orange-yellow light, appearing warm and bright. Through the glass, people bustling about could be seen, as if there were quite a few guests early in the morning.
Vid jumped off the carriage and looked back.
"Go inside, kid—I'll enter in two minutes," Professor Morry said from the carriage, "If everything goes well, I won't need to appear. But if that fellow is late, don't hesitate, just dismiss him... hmph, just a mere werewolf... I'll introduce someone better to you."
Professor Morry's protective yet overbearing words made Vid chuckle, and he nodded, "Of course, I remember, Professor."
Pushing the door open, the sound of a wind chime rang crisp and clear. The tavern was brightly lit even in the early hours, two wizards dozing, presumably asleep.
A lady with a graceful figure was standing at the bar, directing a cloth to clean the tables itself. Upon hearing the sound, she immediately showed a warm smile, but upon seeing a student clearly not tall enough, she walked over somewhat puzzled.
"Kid, today isn't a Hogsmeade weekend, is it? Did you sneak out of school?" she asked seriously.
"I arranged to meet someone here and got permission from my professor," Vid said, already spotting the wizard sitting in the corner, nodding, "Sorry to bother you, ma'am. Please give me a non-alcoholic drink."
Having said that, he walked towards the corner.
Remus Lupin, this person looked even more haggard and aged than he imagined, seemingly having had a difficult few years. He watched Vid walk closer, his eyes slowly widening, his previously calm face showing clear astonishment.
"You... you are..."
"Vid Gray." Vid extended his hand, saying, "I believe my father should have introduced me to you?"
"Yes, yes..." Lupin, a bit at a loss, shook his hand, "He said you have some business that needs someone to manage, but I thought... uh... I thought you would be older..."
"I understand, many people think first-year students know nothing."
Vid said, choosing to sit opposite Lupin. The awkward part was that the bar's chairs were quite high, and once he sat down, his feet dangled.
Vid supported himself against the chair and adjusted backwards, looking at Lupin nonchalantly, "Let me introduce myself again, I am the inventor of Friendship Book, Vid Gray, a first-year student at Hogwarts. As you might know, my invention has brought me considerable profit, and I'm planning further collaborations with Aslan Magic Workshop—ah, thank you, ma'am."
"Enjoy your drink."
The tavern owner, Ms. Rosmerta, smiled and placed a mug of Butter Beer on Vid's table, looked at Lupin, then walked away. After Vid thanked her, he stared at the golden color and creamy foam for a moment, falling silent.
—Butter Beer is actually a non-alcoholic drink?
Then what was it last time that knocked him out? Just two alcoholic chocolates?
—Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Butter Beer must have alcohol in it, or why call it beer?
Perhaps the lady didn't hear his request clearly.
Vid glanced away, recollecting, finding his previous topic, "—So I need an agent to liaise with Aslan Magic Workshop on my behalf. Additionally, since my personal study progress has far exceeded the content currently taught at school, I also need a teacher for magical studies."
Lupin thought over the recruitment ad's contents, "—You want to learn Patronus Charm? And Animagus?"
"Not just that." Vid said, "Also Disillusionment Charm, Apparition, and memory-related spells, among others. I want to learn all magic I don't know about."
Lupin was silent for a while before asking, "—Including Dark Magic?"