harry potter book of crimes

In the UK, bar culture has been deeply rooted in people's hearts since ancient times.

In a certain area of ​​a town, a bar is often the public gathering place in that area, where people from all walks of life will find their own leisure time.

When it comes to the close connection between the bar and this land, it is difficult to describe it in full in the history books.

And precisely because there was an era when wizards and Muggles lived together in the past, the bar culture has also continued into the current magical world, allowing wizards to continue to enjoy this rare leisure time.

Today, Maka rarely stayed in the Pig's Head Bar for a while, and enjoyed a "Salted Baked Mashed Potatoes with Unknown Vegetables Set Meal" provided by Aberforth.

To be honest, Maka wanted to know what those miscellaneous vegetables were. But unfortunately, while Aberforth didn't want to explain, he also couldn't taste the vegetables because they were over-seasoned.

Well, but overall...

“It tastes pretty good.”

Maka put down her fork and wiped her mouth, then picked up the butterbeer and rinsed her mouth.

You can feel that the strong salty taste in your mouth was diluted by the smooth wine, and then there was a burst of sweetness from potatoes. After tasting it this time, it really felt like returning to nature.

Of course, that is the original taste of potatoes, and it has nothing to do with Aberforth's craftsmanship.

While Aberforth was putting away the plates and taking them to the sink, Maka turned around on the high stool with a glass in hand, leaning against the bar counter and looking at the scene inside the bar.

Even though the business of the Pig's Head Bar is far less popular than that of the Three Broomsticks, as night falls, the number of customers in the bar increases.

The customers who come here on weekdays are still the same as before, most of them are showy people.

Some of them were drinking alone, and some were just whispering to acquaintances who had come for an appointment... The alchemy competition was over, and the hustle and bustle of outsiders soon disappeared here, and gray tones once again occupied this small and dirty area.

Treasure land.

Maka enjoys this feeling very much, especially during the recent period. He needs a place where he can truly relax without any worries.

"Let's go see Delphi another day..."

He was quite concerned about Voldemort's daughter.

In fact, he now somewhat understands how Dumbledore felt back then. Dumbledore had been worrying about the black-haired boy he found in the orphanage for half his life.

Now, Maka actually doesn't really believe in the influence of genetics on personality, but she can't help but want to pay more attention to it herself.

After all, the Delphi child was different from other troublesome things. At least half of the decision to leave her there was also made by him.

After making a plan for herself for the next time she wanted to relax, Maka took another sip of the drink in the cup and briefly recalled what she had said to Aberforth before.

Yes, he said he was a little "fed up", which was of course the truth.

However, Aberforth was not the kind of character who was good at comforting others, and he knew this very well. Therefore, he did not make any comments of his own, but gave him another bottle of butterbeer.

To be honest, Maka was very happy that Aberforth didn't pursue his rare negative performance. Because what he needed was not some persuasion or comfort, but just a short listening ear.

As for the annoyances and frustrations in his heart, most of them have to be relieved by himself. Then, he will still complete the things that need to be done step by step and silently.

By now, those disturbances have become entangled with everything around him.

If we compare it to a tree that thrives, then the soil in which it takes root is Hogwarts. The more dense and lush the branches and leaves on the ground are, the more intertwined the roots underground are.

It was already impossible for him to escape halfway.

"...many things are probably doomed from the beginning," Maka sighed casually while holding the cup, "Maybe this is actually one of the characteristics of the rules of time, right?"

"Brother, what's wrong? You're starting to miss life at such a young age?"

Just as Maka was secretly laughing at himself, not forgetting to mention some magic theory conjectures even when he was being silly, suddenly a witch covered in black veil came over and sat next to him.

"Would you like me to let my sister teach you some real 'life principles'? Tomorrow morning, little brother, you will definitely thank me..."

Listening to that sweet voice, the corners of Maka's mouth couldn't help but twitch.

"Mundungus," he said indifferently without even having the interest to glance aside, "why are you pretending to be an 'experienced' big sister when you come here to me if you don't want to resell your second-hand crucibles?

If you have some spare time, how about you find a wife first and then play this game?"

Speaking of the most obscure guy among the members of the Order of the Phoenix, he is Mundungus Fletcher. He has been hanging around at the bottom of the magic world all year round, doing various inconspicuous businesses, and he is also a very solid "basic skill"

news dealer.

"Eh?" The black veil witch immediately lowered her voice and said, "Maka, how did you recognize me? I feel like my own voice has been imitated very much?"

To be honest, Mundungus is indeed very good at disguise. There is no magic element from head to toe. Even his female voice was practiced with his own voice, and Maka did not sense anything related to it.

Magic power fluctuates.

But just as Muggles can distinguish each person based on their DNA profile, wizards' own magical powers also have roughly similar but completely different individual differences.

If you want to disguise yourself in front of Maka, it is completely meaningless if you don't have the ability to even try to change the magic power fluctuations.

However, this can be regarded as one of his big secrets, and he has nothing to say to Mundungus.

"Do you think a witch dressed like this would take the initiative to strike up a conversation with an underage boy?" Maka said angrily.

"Hi!" When Mundungus heard this, he immediately smiled and said, "Isn't this the most wonderful difference between being cold on the outside and hot on the inside? Well...seriously, are you even a little bit moved? Just like that.

A little bit..."

"No." Maka replied decisively, and then said, "Since you are here, tell me about the recent news in the British magical world! This will also save Lupine from having to be sent there by you.

Picking and choosing among the news—it’s really a waste of time!”

Hearing what Maka said, Mundungus couldn't help but feel a little more serious.

In the hearts of the members of the Order of the Phoenix, Maka's status is higher than that of anyone today. Because in the slightly gloomy period in the past, his decisions made the Order of the Phoenix almost no attrition, and even he stayed on

The highly effective treatment medicine in Blake's old house also saved more than one life.

Now, when Voldemort has become a thing of the past, only the existence of Maka can connect the members who have returned to ordinary life without leaving a trace.

"Recently... of course it's nothing major. It's all thanks to your contribution..." Mundungus first complimented him as usual, and then said, "If there is anything worth mentioning, it should be

It's the south side - I came here to talk to you about this."

He thought for a while, quickly sorted out his thoughts, and continued: "There is a gathering area of ​​wizards on both sides of the Strait of Dover, as you know... We have more foreign wizards here in the UK. From them

Judging from the things I brought, they should have come from the French magic world across the strait..."

Maka then nodded.

"Going to sell goods underground?"

He was naturally talking about the black market located underground in London. Almost every day, a group of foreign wizards would come over with private goods, which could be considered as a contribution to the circulation of materials in the British magical world.

And Mundungus also understood that when Maca said this, he was actually asking him: Isn't this a normal thing? Is there something fishy in it?

Mundungus realized this and immediately got closer.

"There is some cheating, but it seems that their main purpose is not this..." He whispered, "Someone told me that the group entered the Dark Spirit Pavilion twice, and each time there were a few more people in the team.

personal."

At this point, he paused and then said: "I think they should have gone to the Dark Spirit Pavilion to look for help!"

The groups and individuals listed by An Ling Pavilion for employment are not cheap, but correspondingly, with An Ling Pavilion as an intermediary, the employment agreement and service level will be much more reliable.

In the beginning, even Voldemort "borrowed" people when he was short of fighting power, which shows that the Darkling Pavilion still has a good reputation in the gray area of ​​the magical world.

"Then what?" Maka thought about the matter for a while and then asked, "If you didn't find any key abnormalities, you wouldn't mention it to me, right?"

"Hey, as expected of you," Mundungus said with a muffled laugh through the black gauze, "During the Alchemy Competition, you dealt with a group of people at the gate of Hogwarts, didn't you? That group of people dressed up, and Lu

The records in Ping's files are very similar - they are all wearing black robes, and the styles seem to be similar."

"The bald one?"

Maka then frowned - he didn't expect that that trivial incident at that time might lead to some follow-up.

"Is there more information? Even if it's not very accurate," he asked, "for example, their movements and general patterns in the British magical world?"

"That's true," Mundungus replied without thinking about it. "That group of people is difficult to follow... A few of my old friends just saw something was wrong with them and wanted to follow them to get some information before changing hands.

, but in the end they were all chased and lost in the same alley."

When Maka heard this, she couldn't help but think about it carefully. After a while, she waved her hand gently.

"Tell your 'family' not to send your own people to inquire about this matter first, as it may be dangerous."