The weather gradually warmed up, and as soon as the ice and snow outside the castle melted, the young wizards eagerly stuffed their thick winter robes into the wardrobe.
It's worth mentioning that due to some special reasons, there wasn't another session organized to learn the Patronus Charm in February.
Professor Lupin was too busy. Besides normal classes, you could never see him around school at any other time—whether it was after the last class of the day or on weekends.
He almost always headed straight to Hogsmeade whenever he had a bit of free time.
Gradually, some rumors began to spread throughout the castle.
Someone swore up and down that Professor Lupin was pursuing Ms. Rosmerta of the Three Broomsticks.
Though there wasn't any solid evidence, this claim was accepted by most students.
And if you think about it, Hogsmeade is just that small, with barely a dozen shops in total. Visiting once is indeed fresh, but frequent visits could become quite boring.
If he wasn't going to meet someone, how could Professor Lupin be so enthusiastic, leaving the castle every day at five, and only returning after the curfew... That must be the reason, since no one has ever seen him before curfew.
Especially on weekends, you couldn't see him for the entire day.
Thus, gossip about Professor Lupin and Ms. Rosmerta started to spread like wildfire in the castle, involving various characters—Scrivenshaft's staff, Ms. Andel at the Owl Post Office, Madam Puddifoot's brother-in-law, the Hog's Head Pub owner—there were versions involving every shop in Hogsmeade.
Susan Bones even took these stories as her bedtime tales, having trouble sleeping without hearing a new version each night.
She even compiled and bound these stories into a thick booklet, which many people sought to borrow daily, yet few were able to get their hands on it.
Susan regarded that booklet as a treasure and carried it nearly everywhere with her.
Some saw a business opportunity, so early one morning, Fred and George specifically sought out Kael.
"It's Katie who asked us to come to ask," Fred said, "She also compiled a booklet like this and wants to cooperate with us."
"Cooperate? What do you mean?" Kael asked.
"She provides the booklet, and we're responsible for copying and selling it," Fred explained, "and we split the profits seventy percent to thirty percent."
Kael raised an eyebrow, "We copy and sell it, and only get thirty percent?"
"Seventy percent is hers, we're the ones getting thirty,"
George said, "But don't worry, we definitely won't agree to it... But she said her bottom line is fifty-fifty, no less."
"We did some research, if this deal goes smoothly, we'll at least earn thirty Galleons," Fred added.
"So what do you think…"
"Do you want to join us?"
Fred and George picked up a biscuit from the table, munching on it as they looked at Kael.
"I'm definitely not getting involved," Kael said calmly as he held a book.
Even if they could each earn thirty Galleons, there's no way Kael would agree.
What's that amount of money good for, feeding the House-elves?
"Also, I need to remind you,"
Kael continued, "If you still want to go to Hogsmeade outside of the visiting hours, you'd better not agree.
Otherwise, I can guarantee, as soon as you step foot in Hogsmeade, Professor McGonagall will receive a message, and by then you won't be able to escape."
Conna and Cedric, who were nearby, also nodded. They shared the same thoughts as Kael.
"Hmm… you're right," Fred shrugged.
"And we've thought the same," George said.
"But since we're teammates… we have to ask anyway."
"This works out…"
"You disagree, so it's none of our business…"
"Being just the two of us, what can we do."
In Kael's speechless gaze, the two cheerfully finished the last piece of bread on the plate, then put on a face of regret, and turned toward the Gryffindor table.
Katie Bell had already finished breakfast and was waiting for them.
"Such a shame…" Fred shook his head, sighed and said, "They all have other things to do, so they probably won't have time in the near future…"
"We also have to help out…"
The two sat beside her, offering the excuse they had already prepared…
On the other side, after Fred and George left, Kael also finished his breakfast and got up to walk toward the library.
He had borrowed a book a few days ago, and just finished reading it yesterday.
Conna and Cho went over to Hagrid's place.
The success of the first class gave Hagrid a lot of confidence. He no longer thought of showcasing animals with sharp teeth and pointy mouths, but switched over to various Fantastic Beasts' cubs.
Besides the initial unicorn, he later brought little Nifflers and little Kneazles… The feedback was positive.
Students gradually began to acknowledge him as a new professor, though there were exceptions, like some from Slytherin.
At first, Hagrid was quite bothered by their mocking words, but as he gradually got accustomed, he chose to ignore them.
Last night, Hagrid sent them a note saying he found some new Fantastic Beasts cubs and asked if they wanted to come see them.
Conna and Cho agreed without a second thought and even got up early today.
If it weren't for Hagrid's really questionable cooking skills, they wouldn't have planned to come to the auditorium to eat breakfast.
Cedric also went along with them.
But for Kael, he had seen plenty of Fantastic Beasts cubs… Even two years ago he helped deliver a litter of Nundu cubs.
So comparatively, returning the book seemed more important.
Arriving at the library, Madam Pince was still at her original spot, cleaning the dust off the table.
Kael placed the book "The Great Potion" on the table.
He borrowed it to research the Wolf Poison Potion, and just finished it yesterday.
Madam Pince picked up the book, as usual checked it over, and after confirming it wasn't damaged, she took it and walked toward a distant shelf.
Kael didn't borrow any other books, possibly because it was invented just recently, as the records on Wolf Poison Potion were too little, the most detailed only described the ingredients needed and the order to put them in the cauldron, and nothing more.
After Madam Pince left, Kael turned to head for Conna and the others.
But just then, he noticed the two high stacks of thick books on the nearby table.
The stacks were piled high and wobbly, seemingly ready to collapse if slightly nudged. Through the narrow gap, Kael could vaguely see a messy mop of hair—it was Hermione.
Seemingly noticing Kael's gaze, Hermione also looked up. She appeared tired, with heavy dark circles under her eyes.