Brian could tell that although Ron's expression remained composed, every part of him, from the tips of his red hair to the boots on his feet, proclaimed his true wish: "Let me leave."
He had actually only wanted to ask how the rat named Scabbers had been doing lately. When he bought the Rat Tonic, the shop assistant had told him that no rat could resist that delicious liquid, just as no customer could refuse the thirty-percent discount he offered.
Having received that thirty-percent discount, Brian thought the assistant made an excellent point. So why did Scabbers dislike the Rat Tonic?
An underlying injury? Or a psychological problem? Of course, it could simply be an isolated case-there were plenty of cats that disliked catnip, too.
Considering that this was indeed an awkward moment, and that another opportunity would be better for talking to Ron, Brian was about to let Ron leave. But before he could find the words, Hagrid, who had received good news, rushed over excitedly.
"Ron, why aren't you coming down? Frozen stiff? Haha, don't worry, I'm here!"
Ever observant of the atmosphere, Hagrid very considerately stepped forward, hauled a wide-eyed, helpless Ron down the stairs, and called up through the trapdoor:
"Harry, Hermione, come down and sit for a bit! It's much warmer down here!"
"No-" Ron said in a voice as faint as a mosquito's.
"Oh, Hagrid, we'll be right down... Hm? Something doesn't seem quite right?"
Half of Hermione's head appeared through the trapdoor. Once she saw that there were no fewer than four pairs of eyes in the basement, her expression changed. She immediately ducked back and said in a very well-behaved voice,
"No need, Hagrid. Since you've already heard the news, we won't stay. Um... actually, I just remembered that I haven't finished