A light brown robe in an Eastern style, though Pheobe was sure it hadn't originally been that color. Judging by the faded cuffs and collar, it must have been washed so many times that it had faded from blue-green to brown----
The cotton shoes were patched all over, too.
Then there was Dumbledore, chatting arm in arm with the old man. His robe was neat, but he was wearing a nightcap----
Did all legendary wizards have a slovenly streak?
Pheobe felt a little disillusioned.
Just then, she noticed the old man smile at her. She hesitated, unsure whether she should politely return the greeting, when Dumbledore turned and waved them over.
Madame Maxime led her over.
"Dear Olympe, come, let me introduce you. This is Master Li, the former headmaster of the Central Academy of Qi Refining. Oh, 'Master' isn't his name; it's an honorific, as is customary among Qi Refiners."
So this is one of the four Masters the Muggle girl mentioned?
Madame Maxime was curious, but maintained her composure as she exchanged greetings with him.
Master Li seemed very kind, and he appeared to be quite close to Dumbledore. He also spoke fluent French. "Welcome to China, Madame Maxime. Seventy years ago, I studied at Beauxbatons for a time. In Paris, I met CM and a group of like-minded friends. Those were wonderful days that I'll always remember."
Madame Maxime didn't know what CM was, much less what "like-minded friends" meant.
She only felt, all of a sudden, that this legendary wizard she'd just met had eyes as clear and limpid as autumn waters, yet they seemed to contain a captivating passion and power.
Clarity and coolness mingled with a fiery warmth. It was a deeply contradictory feeling, yet somehow harmonious.
She was clearly the taller one, but