Leisurely afternoon tea always passed quickly. The newly arrived little Whomping Willow and Stone Soldier had also received meticulous care from Hogwarts' House-elves-there was now a little bib around the soldier's neck and the tree's trunk-even though neither needed to eat.
The professors in the staffroom were all interested in the two little fellows, but none asked Brian where they had come from, not even Snape-just as all the staff were interested in the back of Professor Quirrell's head, yet never mentioned it. Brian had thought he would have to offer at least some explanation.
Brian inwardly sighed with relief and relaxed. His colleagues had all mastered a skill that required talent: maintaining politeness and distance when faced with another person's secrets.
After finishing the fried onion rings on her plate, Professor Sprout began thinking about her Venomous Tentacula and promptly prepared to take the little Whomping Willow to the greenhouses. The Stone Soldier watched her rise with a pleading look and waved the sword in his hand.
"Oh, I almost forgot," Professor Sprout said with a smile. "Little fellow, your swordsmanship teacher is right here. Minerva, would that be all right?"
Professor McGonagall nodded confidently. "Of course."
"Hm?"
Brian blinked and glanced at Professor McGonagall's arms. Nothing about Hogwarts' deputy headmistress suggested a martial artist. Before he could say anything else, Snape spoke first.
"Pomona, would it be convenient for me to visit your greenhouses now?" Snape had raised his head at the mention of the greenhouses. "I need to replenish my knotgrass," he said stiffly.
"Of course. Come with me." Professor Sprout nodded readily, then asked in some puzzlement, "Hmm... Severus, even you have days when you run short of knotgrass?"
Knotgrass was a common potions ingredient. Brian remembered seeing two whole cabinets of the herb the last