At The Three Broomsticks

"Bubbling Brew can fill a room with bluebell-colored bubbles."

Having read this far, Loren put down the candy label and looked with interest at the decorative bubbles floating on the ceiling of the candy store. They weren't just the color of bluebells, but also the colors of oleander, night-blooming jasmine, and violets—all sorts of flowers.

"Were these candies made using Potions Master or Alchemy?"

Hermione asked, casually popping a Sugar Quills into Loren's mouth. She had just ordered a bunch of quills, parchment, and book-shaped candies from the next shelf, not only identical in appearance but also perfectly replicating their function.

The books actually contain text, and the pictures even move. The quill pen also has ink and can write.

Before Loren could answer, the candy shell of the Sugar Quills melted in his mouth, and the strangely flavored octopus ink burst open, staining his teeth, tongue, and lips black.

"Hehehe!" Loren stuck out his little tongue, wanting to see for himself too, his comical appearance making Hermione laugh until she couldn't breathe.

After a while, the quill pen was finished, and the ink naturally faded.

"That's too much! They clearly had regular butterfly pea flower ink over there, but they fed me a prank octopus ink quill pen," Loren complained.

"You took the wrong ones!" Hermione said, suppressing a laugh. "You still haven't answered me, are these Potions or alchemical artifacts?"

Loren looked up and examined the special effects candy shelf in front of him.

The Pepper Imp makes you breathe fire is fiery red like chili peppers; the Ice Mice that makes your teeth chatter is icy white like snow; the Peppermint Toads ice cream that jumps in your stomach is green like mint leaves; and the exploding gummy candy is rainbow-colored.

If you disregard the colors of the raw materials used in these special effects candies, you can see that they shimmer with Magic Power light and display the patterns of Alchemy Array.

Loren exclaimed, "Mr. Flume. Ambrose Froome has combined Alchemy and Potions; traces of both techniques can be seen in these candies."

Although Mr. Flume's alchemical skills were very rudimentary from Alchemy perspective, suggesting he was self-taught and had not received formal training—even Loren could see several points where he could simplify his techniques to complement the Rune —his bold idea of combining Alchemy with Potions ingredients was truly astonishing.

Under the pretext of studying Alchemy and Potions, Loren also ordered a large box of sweets, which he had the shopkeeper deliver to Hogwarts by owl.

They were almost full inside before they finally left the candy store, completely satisfied.

They weren't familiar with Hogsmeade's shops, but fortunately, the streets were crowded with young Hogwarts wizards, so they just had to follow the flow of people to the busiest and most lively places.

Colorful ribbons hung everywhere in Hogsmeade Village, and banners with magically drawn waving signs and various animals adorned the shop entrances.

The banner hanging in the Honeydukes depicts a shower of candy, and Witch on a broomstick lives in the candy Castle.

There really is a Golden Snitch swimming around on the sign of the Quidditch Emporium, and a large group of young wizards are gathered around the shop window, staring wide-eyed at the flying broomsticks inside.

Even though none of the young wizards gathered around would buy a broom, the unshaven middle-aged owner and young clerk weren't annoyed at all. They stood in front of the window, listening with smiles to the young wizards' chattering discussion.

Hermione leaned closer to take a look. "This is Nimbus 2001, the fastest flying broomstick right now?"

Loren said, "Yes, the entire Slytherin team has switched to this model of brooms, which is better than the equipment of many professional teams. Wood is worried sick."

Hermione said regretfully, "Alas, Professor McGonagall's hopes for the Quidditch Cup may be dashed again this year."

Hearing their conversation, the shopkeeper tentatively asked, "Which academy are you junior wizards from?"

"Gryffindor!"

The shop assistant next to him laughed, "Our boss was also Gryffindor student, and he was even Quidditch player!"

"That was decades ago." The shopkeeper handed them some candies meant to entertain guests, which looked like they were bought from the Honeydukes next door.

"Quidditch Match is not just a sport that pursues speed, and flying brooms are not necessarily better the faster they are. The Beater's broom needs to be stable, and the goalie's broom needs to be quick to turn. Although the brooms of professional teams may look the same as those outside, the details are all customized."

"Does our team have a chance to win?" Loren asked.

"As long as the tactics are well-planned and the players cooperate effectively, that's all that matters." The owner's face held a nostalgic look.

"Back in the day, we did the same thing. The despicable Slytherin paid for the latest model of brooms themselves, and I led the team to easily defeat them using the Wollongong 'Z' flight technique in conjunction with the Eaglehead Offensive Formation."

The boss sighed deeply, with a sense of the vicissitudes of time. "I heard that Gryffindor hasn't won the championship for several years. The Gryffindor of today doesn't have the same drive we had back then."

The shop assistant stepped forward at the opportune moment. "You can go back and ask the team captain and Professor McGonagall if they'd like to buy a set of the latest brooms from our store. Since they're both Gryffindor, we'll give them a 30% discount!"

"No, no!"

Loren and Hermione shook their heads and ran away into the crowd.

The unshaven boss slapped the shop assistant on the head. "When have you ever stopped trying to sell things? Coming up here now and disturbing the customers, you really are..."

"Uncle, during your training, you told me to grasp every single one..." Under the boss's gaze, the shop assistant's tone grew weaker and weaker, eventually turning into a low mutter:

"What? I just interrupted your bragging. You were just a substitute goalkeeper back then, but you're talking like you're the team captain."

"What did you say?" The boss, hearing his muttering, couldn't help but get angry. "Isn't a goalkeeper a player? Isn't he part of the team? Don't you know how important a goalkeeper is?"

"Back then, the Gryffindor Quidditch Team was completely dominant, and the Slytherin Quidditch Team couldn't organize an attack at all. Even if Peeves played as goalkeeper, they could still win..."

"You!"

Finally, the shop assistant was kicked out by the boss to steal samples from the candy store next door. The candy boxes used to serve customers in the store were a little empty and needed to be replenished.

Loren and Hermione, on the other hand, followed a male and female wizard with the idea of playing with the older students, and entered a small teahouse along the street.

The teahouse sign was adorned with pink ribbons. The reception area inside was small and steamy. Everything was decorated with pleats and ribbons, and little golden angels flew above each small round table, occasionally sprinkling pink confetti at the guests.

The room was full of couples; some had their hands glued together, others their lips were sealed together—it was incredibly brazen. Clearly, this was a teahouse specifically catering to couples.

"Ah!" Hermione panicked and grabbed Loren, turning and running away.

Madam Puddifoot, who was greeting guests at the door, only saw the backs of two young wizards fleeing in a panic. She laughed so hard that her fat body jiggled and her smooth black hair was about to come undone, "Shy little couple, they must have just gotten together not long ago."

The customers at the nearby tables laughed along, saying, "They'll definitely come back!"

In a corner of the teahouse, oblivious to the noisy commotion at the entrance, Percy and Penelope were engrossed in staring intently at the table. They had exchanged many words and sweet nothings in their summer correspondence, but seeing the daring couples around them, embracing and kissing, they still felt shy...

On the streets, some people went to Zonko's Joke Shop to look at new prank toys, while others went to the magic equipment shop to buy magic robes that could automatically remove dust.

Hermione dragged Loren a long way before stopping, leaning against a lamppost and panting heavily. Once they caught their breath, they seemed to find it incredibly funny, and the two of them leaned against the lamppost, laughing uncontrollably until they were panting again.

Why are you panicking?

"Then why are you panicking?"

"I saw Prefect Percy inside, and I was afraid he would find us."

The two continued walking down the street, this time sneaking into the Three Broomsticks Pub, which was famous among the students.

The bar was extremely crowded and noisy. Even though it was not yet October, the fireplace was already burning, making it hot and smoky. All sorts of people were in the bar: chattering little wizards, noisy adult customers, even fairies, and some strange creatures of unknown race, all crammed into this small bar.

Inside the noisy little bar, a different kind of order was maintained amidst the chaotic atmosphere. In this order, everyone was free from worries about fighting and focused on what was in front of them: it might be a glass of Redcurrant Rum, a deal with the Dark Lord sitting across from them, or the strikingly beautiful and curvaceous proprietress, Madam Rosmerta.

The Three Broomsticks were famous at Hogwarts, largely due to the boasting of most of the male students, who mainly talked about Madam Rosmerta.

Loren and Hermione went to the front desk to get their Butterbeer, while observing the woman who was greeting a group of noisy wizards.

She wore a form-fitting but not revealing dress that showcased her beautiful curves without appearing gaudy. The pale yellow and rose-red color of the dress made her look like a ripe peach.

A male wizard, emboldened by his drunkenness, started making a ruckus, shouting loudly. Madam Rosmerta handed him a glass of Violet Water; as she slid it across the glass, a few drops spilled and landed on the wizard's hand. The coolness of the ice seeped into his skin, sending a chill down his spine.

The wizard looked up and met Madam Rosmerta's gaze. A chill ran through him, and his drunkenness subsided. He bowed his head, took the Violet Water, and stopped making a fuss.

By a chance angle, Loren noticed a fleeting hint of sarcasm in Madam Rosmerta's eyes and immediately realized that this bar owner was no ordinary person.

Loren and Hermione each grabbed a Butterbeer and picked out a small, empty table in a quieter area behind the bar.

The Hogwarts Kitchen occasionally prepare Butterbeer. To cater to the students' tastes, the Butterbeer made by the House-elf has a prominent milky and sweet flavor, and tastes completely without any alcohol.

The bar's Butterbeer didn't taste like alcohol, but it had a slightly sour and astringent flavor. This peculiar fermented taste accentuated the creamy and sweet notes from another angle. The two Butterbeer might be indistinguishable in flavor, but the latter tasted more unique. The foamy hops floating on top were salty and sweet, offering a distinctive flavor.

Once they started drinking, they couldn't stop, taking several quick sips. Soon, they felt a lightheaded sensation and a warm feeling spread through their bodies.

They unconsciously relaxed, becoming somewhat carried away, and rambling on without realizing what they had said, as if they were taking a nap during recess, a fleeting dream.

Loren's cheeks flushed. "Hermione, don't you think the owners of Hogsmeade are all extraordinary?"

Hermione quietly held her beer mug, obediently sipping it, completely unaware of Loren's question, and mumbled a reply, "Hmm?"

Loren took a sip of beer. "The owner of the candy store is an expert in Potions Master and also knows some Alchemy; the magic equipment store and Zonko's Joke Shop also have people who are proficient in all sorts of strange Alchemy. They can make weapons for war with just a slight change in direction."

"And then there's Madam Rosmerta at the bar. She's very sociable and can keep all sorts of random people in line. She—" Loren paused, "She's a very strange person."

Hearing Madam Rosmerta's name, Hermione snapped out of her daze, picked up her glass, and slammed it on the table. "What's so strange about her?"

"She must be very good at gathering intelligence and leveraging power, but this kind of behavior involves using others to intimidate guests with ill intentions. If she doesn't have much ability to protect herself, she can be easily manipulated," Loren said vaguely.

"Oh~" Hermione didn't hear anything noteworthy and became confused as well.

"Hogsmeade can serve as the school's military defense line; the location and personnel are both excellent."

"Oh--"

Two young wizards, who could get drunk even on Butterbeer, were muttering to themselves in a corner. No one noticed them, and no one could hear how horrifying their conversation was.

Meanwhile, in another inconspicuous corner, two the Dark Lord shrouded in black cloaks were having another conversation that could not be heard.

Although the two the Dark Lord were hidden beneath cloaks, they were easily distinguishable. One, a tall man, sat on the outer edge, his movements relaxed, subtly asserting his dominance. His figure loomed over the other, more ordinary-looking the Dark Lord, seated on the inner edge.

The Dark Lord sitting on the outside had a badly worn cuff sticking out of his cloak, with loose threads showing. The other man had a clean suit sleeve sticking out from under his cloak, and seemed to be a person of status.

If someone gets close enough to them, they can enter the invisible Magic Power barrier and hear their turbulent conversation.

"You're dreaming! How is this possible!" The Dark Lord in the suit sitting on the inside shouted angrily, his hands clenched into fists on the table.

The Dark Lord on the outside casually replied, "Hehe, why not? There's no better deal than this. Just sell me the Azkaban defense map and the Aurors patrol time, and you'll get ten years' worth of Wolfsbane Potion."

He leaned forward, gripping the table, and pressed the man. "Think about it, you need Wolfsbane Potion to maintain your respectable life. Otherwise, your beautiful wife and obedient daughter will discover that their husband and father—the respectable Deputy Minister of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement —has turned into a despicable Werewolf. Hahahaha!"

"You!"

"Hehehe, think about it."

"You lowly beasts!"

"Likewise, Mr. Deputy Minister."

The man sitting opposite me, with his neatly folded cuffs, was so angry he wanted to smash his wine glass, but noticing the surroundings, he gritted his teeth, swallowed his anger, and put the glass back on the table.