Hogwarts in the shadows

Hefeth actually wanted to be a salted fish.

But like he said, now that he's here, if he doesn't try his best, he'd feel like he's wasting this opportunity for rebirth.

And he had an even crazier idea.

Since the shadows of all things can be swallowed, what about the planet under his feet?

What kind of feeling is that?

After arranging Vanasha's tasks, Hephis left.

He was thinking in his mind that he must find the shadow of an orator and swallow him up when he had time.

It feels so good to be humbled by those words.

Time flies, and Christmas is here in the blink of an eye.

Owls began to frequently come and go from Brian's house in broad daylight.

Fortunately, An An was there, and he carefully sorted and put away all the gifts.

Hephis looked closely at the gifts from the others.

The first one is of course Hermione's. This little girl has a pair of gloves knitted by herself this year.

It's the kind of gloves that don't distinguish between fingers and look like Doraemon when you put them on.

Hephes tried it on and found it was just the right size.

The gift Snape gave was a bit strange. It was a magazine - "Potions Cover".

Hephis opened it and took a look. On the last page of the magazine, there was a very small article about a conjecture about a tonic potion.

The contributor was none other than Severus Snape.

Hefeth read the article carefully.

Although Snape wrote it rather obscurely, he could sense that this was actually an article asking for help.

The gist of the article is that he has almost completed the research and development, but the efficacy is still a bit poor.

I hope to get your suggestions and help to improve the efficacy of the medicine.

Hephaest could understand that Snape posted a message asking for help, but why did he send this to him?

At this moment, there was a rapid knock on the door.

An An opened the door.

"Professor Snape, good afternoon." An An bowed respectfully and greeted.

"Where's Hephis?"

"Upstairs..."

Snape didn't have the patience to listen to An An's words, so he hurried to the stairs and bumped into Hephis on the stairs.

Snape's eyes fell on the "Potions Covered Journal" in Hephis's hand, and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.

He reached out and snatched the magazine, "Have you read it?"

"I was just opening a present and didn't have time to look at it." Hephis understood instantly.

"The gift was delivered to the wrong person." Snape calmly put the magazine back into his pocket.

He pulled a notebook from his other pocket and tossed it to Hefeth.

"It's a little too early for you to read the 'Potions Final Issue' now. It's easy to go astray. It's best not to read it." Snape said seriously.

"Okay, Professor." Hephis shrugged.

Snape drew his wand and seemed ready to Apparate away.

Seeing this, Hephis grabbed Snape's sleeve.

"Professor, let's have lunch together. Today is Christmas."

"I'm busy." Snape refused.

"It doesn't matter if you take a meal." Hephis continued to persuade, staring at Snape with his green eyes.

Snape still looked a little hesitant.

"Professor, please spend Christmas with me, all by myself." Hephis selectively forgot about Theodore.

Anyway, as long as that guy is not hungry, he will never think about eating.

Just tell An An not to call him later.

Snape hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded.

They had known each other for a year and a half, and this was the first time they sat at the same table to eat.

Lunch is a mix of Chinese and Western dishes, including grilled steak and braised stir-fried meat.

There are both grilled chicken wings and braised pig's trotters.

Following Hephes' attentive introduction, Snape was very polite and tried every dish.

Among them, Snape's favorite is the spicy version of the hot bullfrog.

When they were having lunch together, apart from Hefeth introducing the dishes, there was little conversation between them, but the whole scene was filled with warmth.

When Snape was eating, he would always subconsciously observe what dishes Hefeth liked to eat.

He always moved the dishes closer to Hephes when Hephes was not paying attention.

Not only that, Snape also reminded Hephesus to be more polite from time to time.

In fact, I was just afraid that Hephis would eat too fast and have difficulty digesting it.

Whenever Snape's plate was empty, Hephis would immediately fill it with the public cutlery, as if he was afraid that Snape would not be full.

Lunch ended in such a harmonious atmosphere.

Snape left without Apparating.

Maybe he is afraid of vomiting if he eats too much, or maybe he wants to meet someone.

Hefeth rubbed his swollen belly and went upstairs to continue opening presents.

What Snape gave him was a handwritten potions notebook, which contained basically all the potions that only a potion master like him could brew.

At the end of the notebook, there are three more spells, all of which are quite practical.

What Lucius sent was a suit, and it was obviously tailor-made according to his body shape and it fit him perfectly.

Others' gifts were quite ordinary, showing their thoughtfulness.

After Hephis opened the presents, it was almost the appointed time.

He changed into the dress that Lucius had carefully prepared and waited quietly.

Suddenly, the purple envelope in his hand flickered slightly, and Hephis felt a pulling force in his hand, which took him away directly.

As soon as Hephis landed, he saw an elderly wizard wearing a lavender suit and with slightly gray hair combed neatly, waiting for him with a smile.

"Welcome, Mr. Dam." The old man extended his hand and said in a gentle but powerful voice, "I am Prince Foley."

"Hello, Mr. Foley." Hefeth responded politely and extended his hand to shake the other party.

"Please follow me." Old Fuli's voice was low, but strangely it gave people a sense of intimacy.

Hephis followed old Welfare's footsteps and walked into the manor.

The manor is not very large, only about one tenth the size of Malfoy Manor.

From the outside, the house looks like a three-story villa, built entirely with black stones.

The bright windows inlaid in it make the house look less gloomy.

Hephaestus entered the house,

The house is simply furnished without any expensive decorations, but it gives people a solemn feeling.

"Mr. Dam, do you think we should talk while eating, or go to the study first?" asked old Foley with a smile.

"Let's talk first! Otherwise, I won't be able to eat this meal!"

Hephis responded with a smile.

His eyes fell on a portrait on the wall, which was the world-famous painting "The Last Supper".

"It seems that Mr. Dam also knows something about paintings in the Muggle world!" Old Foley laughed heartily.

"Is this an authentic work?" Hephes smiled.

Old Foley did not answer, but looked at Hephis meaningfully and said, "What do you think?"

"Mr. Dam, do you mind talking to an old man like me about your views on Muggles?" Old Foley suddenly changed the subject.

"I would like to hear your opinion first."

"Well, let's go sit in the study and talk slowly."