At that moment, both of them quickly flattened themselves against the branch and cast Disillusionment Charms on themselves.
Before Wormtail could wonder what was happening, he was stuffed into a pocket.
Soon, footsteps sounded beneath the tree. It was Hagrid, carrying a Magical Lamp. Without noticing anything overhead, he strode toward the valley.
Once Hagrid had passed, the two sat up again.
Douglas explained casually, "Hagrid has rarely patrolled since the classes for werewolf students started. There must be some problem with the Acromantulas."
Maeve spat out the Licorice Wand in her mouth and casually pulled a crumpled pack of cigarettes from her pocket. She put one between her lips and snapped her fingers, lighting it.
She took a deep drag and blew a smoke ring, nostalgia showing in her eyes.
"I went to see the orchard. It's growing quite well. The students are still the same, grumbling while they work hard. Want one?"
Douglas looked at her and shook his head. "I don't smoke."
"I started an orchard in Australia too. It's called Doyle Little Orchard."
Douglas looked at her.
Maeve offered no further explanation. She simply took a deep drag and looked back at him with a knowing look.
Douglas smiled too.
Between good friends, nothing needed to be said.
Some secrets did not need to be spoken aloud.
The real reason behind that battle between the Four Houses all those years ago lay hidden in that shared smile.
Even Dumbledore would never have imagined that the Ravenclaw girl thought to have deliberately damaged the orchard had been the target of a calculated revenge all along.
After finishing her cigarette, Maeve jumped down from the branch.
Douglas followed her down.
They stood beneath the ash tree. Maeve was well over half a head shorter than him.
"It's getting