On the eighth floor of Hogwarts Castle hung a tapestry depicting a Troll clubbing Barnabas. Charlie, Rowan, and Bill waited there for Barnaby to join them.
When everyone was in class, the castle seemed to have empty rooms everywhere. Once classes ended, those vacant classrooms were claimed by all sorts of clubs, and the few that remained were quickly occupied. There was simply no such thing as "private space."
"He's here." Charlie spotted Barnaby first.
"Let's go. Did you bring your permission slip?" Bill asked Barnaby.
"Did your mum sign it for you, William?" Charlie asked Bill with a grin.
"Ignore him. You can call me Bill." Bill held out his hand to Barnaby.
"Nice to meet you." Barnaby shook Bill's hand.
Then they left the castle together and went to spend the weekend in Hogsmeade.
"They didn't mention anything else?" Pomona asked the House-elf Robby.
He shook his head. "Robby did not leave the castle. Before they got into the carriage, they said they were going to the Three Broomsticks."
Pomona did not think much of it. It was just that Bill and Barnaby appearing together at the Three Broomsticks would probably surprise a lot of people.
She had been furious yesterday, leaving her weak all over. She had lain in bed until the afternoon before finding the strength to sit up.
At such a young age, she already felt she needed the same quiet rest as a retiree.
When Scamander had been in New York, the magical creatures in his case had all escaped. One Erumpent had run into a Muggle zoo and smashed through the walls, letting lions, ostriches, and other animals loose. Fortunately, the animals had all been fed.
Pomona drank a cup of hot cocoa. In this steadily growing colder season, nothing could have been