It snowed again as the boat sailed along the Piyu River. That was nothing unusual in Scotland, but the students aboard still found it fascinating, reaching out to catch the snowflakes.
When the boat arrived at Lower Hogsmeade Village, two villagers came to meet them. Both had once been Hogwarts students. They led the flotilla to Aindale in Hagrid's place and delivered supplies there along the way.
Although Aindale was barren, a kind of fire weed still grew there. It had a rich fragrance, a sharp, spicy taste, and remarkable vitality. A two-inch cutting could survive simply by being planted in the soil.
It bloomed with small red flowers shaped like little birds. Its leaves could be used to brew Memory Potion and cough medicine, and it could also be made into drinks. Fire weed itself tasted bitter, but when mixed with other fruit beverages, it created a distinctive flavor.
It had once been the miners' favorite. Now the miners were gone, but the pub was still open, and it was easy to find. The Goblins had originally chosen Aindale because the mine waterfall flowed through it, powering a waterwheel. Water from the waterfall and the Piyu River fed into the canal, allowing boats to travel through it. The pub stood where the waterfall met the canal.
The students were delighted by the two older students' account and all said they had to try it. Rather than serving detention, they seemed to be here for fun.
These younger students had been fortunate enough to avoid the Dark Lord's reign. Émilie and Bill, however, had entered school right in the middle of it. Bill had been a first-year then, while Émilie was already in her second year. Pomona and Minerva had been busy with matters outside the school, and the students