Cinnamon Apple Tart

Lucretia shook her head.

"It's better than Madam Pomfrey's potions, at least she doesn't get so drowsy she can't eat, but the duration is still an issue. It's only been four hours and the headache is back, and it seems worse."

Little Barty frowned in thought. "It looks like we need to adjust the formula further. Controlling the temperature of the thorn honey is probably the key. I found some relevant literature in the library yesterday."

Lucretia confirmed, asking, "Are we still continuing on Thursday? I've been thinking amber resin might help stabilize the potion; it can preserve magical properties."

Little Barty nodded. "I've already spoken to Snape. I've booked the Potions Classroom. He's been quite interested in this formula lately, especially the method for processing thorn honey."

Regulus watched the two of them curiously. "Still that headache potion? You said morning dew improved its stability last time, but the duration wasn't long enough?"

Lucretia nodded. "Yes. And the taste issue hasn't been completely resolved either. I tried adding licorice root extract before Sophia drank it, and it was better, but..."

Little Barty said concisely, his brow furrowed. "So, taste is still a challenge. We need to balance efficacy and palatability."

Regulus chimed in with a smile. "You described it more vividly last time, Barty. Like someone boiled rotten socks and decaying sage for three days. I don't know how Snape managed to lean over the cauldron without changing his expression. If I recall correctly?"

Little Barty glared at him, the tips of his ears starting to turn red.

Turning back to Lucretia, his tone immediately softened.

"Efficacy is the primary consideration, followed by the smell. I found in Advanced Potion-Making Materials that thorn honey from Devon is the most potent, providing more stable magical properties. Snape also mentioned that if we could cut it with a silver knife at a specific angle, it might reduce that strange taste."

Regulus commented, then patted Little Barty's Ancient Runes textbook on the windowsill. "Sounds like your research is progressing well. It's a shame we have Professor Pratt's group assignment to finish tomorrow."

Lucretia looked at the book curiously. "Is that the Ancient Runes you have to translate tomorrow? It looks quite complex."

Regulus added, "He said we can form teams freely. So, we plan to preview the material in the library tonight. It might keep us busy very late."

Little Barty opened his mouth, then closed it, tapping his fingers on the book.

This action continued for several seconds.

Lucretia tilted her head, her gaze lingering on his face. "What's wrong, Barty?"

Little Barty closed the book, glanced at Lucretia, then looked away.

He cleared his throat, his tone feigning casualness. "Are you coming tonight? Some of the plant symbols in Ancient Runes might be useful to you... and we might need your help deciphering a few old recipes related to herbs."

Regulus lowered his head, drawing meaningless circles on the parchment with his quill pen, the ink leaving marks of varying depth on the paper.

He coughed lightly, his voice a little strained, trying hard not to laugh.

Lucretia's gaze flickered between Little Barty's nervous expression and Regulus's suppressed amusement.

The corners of her lips curved upwards. "I can bring some snacks. How about cinnamon apple tarts? With some caramel? I saw a new recipe in the cookbook Headmaster Dumbledore gave me last time and wanted to try it."

Little Barty's voice sounded casual, but his speech was a little faster than usual. "I knew you'd say that. Seven o'clock, West Wing Library, by the window. Don't be late."

Lucretia said with a smile, "Then it's settled. But I have to go to class now. I can't be late for Defense Against the Dark Arts."

Little Barty pointed down the corridor. The direction was so obvious it didn't need pointing out. "The classroom is that way. Be careful, Sheffield might talk about practical combat theory today."

Lucretia nodded, took a few steps, then turned back. "Oh, the cinnamon apple tarts will be the kind you both like. I'll try to make the caramel not too sweet."

As she said this, her gaze rested on Regulus, and a knowing smile was exchanged between them.

Little Barty's gaze followed her figure.

Lucretia walked with light steps, her long hair swaying behind her.

Along the way, she even stopped to greet a passing Ravenclaw girl with a gentle smile.

Then she continued forward, her schoolbag swinging on her shoulder.

Lucretia reached the corner of the corridor, turned, and waved to them.

Little Barty subconsciously raised his hand in response, an almost instinctive reaction.

Until her figure disappeared around the corner, he didn't look away.

Regulus had been observing him the entire time.

When Little Barty turned his head, Regulus was already ready with that mischievous smile.

"So..."

He drew out the word, his eyes full of a roguish grin.

"Did you rehearse that invitation in your head a few times before saying it, or did it just slip out naturally?"

Little Barty's hand clenched abruptly. The pale red on his ear tips instantly turned a deep crimson, the blush spreading to his cheeks.

His voice was tense. "Shut up, Reg. We still have a ton of Ancient Runes to preview."

Regulus said thoughtfully, tapping his chin with his finger, pretending to recall seriously. "Ah, cinnamon apple tarts made by your sister. How many did you eat last time the owl delivered them? Three?"

Little Barty stared at the page. "...Four."

Regulus burst into unrestrained laughter.

Little Barty froze, realizing he had been tricked again.

He looked up at his friend irritably, his face a picture of frustration. "Can you focus? Professor Pratt's assignment is no joke."

Regulus raised one eyebrow, his smile deepening, like a smug cat.

"You want me to focus? Who came up with the excuse that Ancient Runes plant symbols and ancient herb recipes are related? Tomorrow's translation assignment has nothing to do with herb recipes, Barty. We're supposed to be studying the application of numeral symbols in Ancient Runes to cauldron material selection."

Little Barty's neck turned red, and his voice grew smaller. "I just... used an example she'd understand..."

Regulus nodded understandingly, but the smile in his eyes didn't diminish in the slightest. "I understand. It's like how my brother keeps showing up in the herbology section of the library for no reason lately."

Hearing this, Little Barty's entire expression changed.

The previous shyness vanished, and his gaze turned hostile.

His voice carried a clear disdain, each syllable enunciated distinctly. "Black? What, does he really think he's some kind of herbology expert?"

Regulus shrugged, a thoughtful smile playing on his lips.

"Who knows? Sirius and I don't really communicate privately. But, Barty, I have to say, you two are quite similar sometimes. One is at the top of the herbology section researching Devon thorn honey, and the other is at the bottom researching some ancient magical herb treatment plan..."

He paused meaningfully.

"Both are earnestly pretending to have purely academic interests, but their goals are surprisingly consistent."

Little Barty's expression was as if he'd been force-fed a whole bottle of absinthe. "What are you implying, Reg?"

Regulus blinked innocently. "Nothing. I just find it... thought-provoking that you both suddenly developed such an unusual passion for herbology."

The bells rang at that moment, their deep chimes echoing through the corridor.

Little Barty looked as if he'd been granted amnesty. He immediately grabbed his books, his movements so hasty that several pages scattered.

"We're going to be late."

He said this and walked forward, his pace much faster than usual.

Regulus slowly packed his things, even deliberately sighing. "A pity. I still have many observations to share."

Little Barty strode forward without looking back, his voice laced with indignant anger. "Say one more word, Reg. I swear I'll turn your entire school uniform into a dress by tomorrow morning. I imagine those young ladies would greatly enjoy the spectacle."

Regulus bent down to pick up the fallen papers and followed his pace, smiling smugly.

Opportunities to tease both Little Barty and Sirius at the same time were rare.