This Saturday was a Hogsmeade day.
Early that morning, after breakfast, Sylvia set off for Hogsmeade with a smile, pulling Will along.
The swirling wind and snow did nothing to dampen her spirits.
This was the first Saturday Will had taken off all term—mainly because he had so little time to spare.
Though it was a day off, Will felt utterly helpless.
That was because Professor Flitwick and Snape had joined forces to insist that he take Saturday off.
Yes, Professor Flitwick apparently felt that Will had been overworking himself lately and had privately approached Snape to discuss it.
As he left the Great Hall with Sylvia, Will couldn't help recalling the scene from the night before:
Several volumes of reference material on ancient ritual studies were piled in Will's Book Trunk. He had just stepped out of the Library when he spotted a figure in black robes nearby.
"Will, come to my office. I have something to discuss with you."
His greasy hair hung down his back as usual. Will was rather puzzled about what Snape wanted with him; lately, he only visited Snape for extra lessons.
These days, however, they discussed both potions and dark magic, so their sessions were no longer simply extra lessons. Often, they felt more like academic exchanges.
It wasn't until he pushed open the door to the Defence Against the Dark Arts office that Will saw Professor Flitwick.
Professor Flitwick sat on the sofa with three cups of tea in front of him, apparently waiting for them.
Seeing Will and Snape return, he said in his high-pitched voice, "Will, come and sit down."
"This is my office, Filius." Snape felt that his colleague often had very little sense of boundaries. "Will is my pupil."
"He's my student too, Severus," Professor Flitwick said as