Chinese students at Hogwarts

December in London has begun to enter the coldest month of the year.

A thin mist has begun to disperse in the air, giving this ancient city a mysterious atmosphere.

Dudley pulled up his hood, and the white breath he exhaled became a ball of smoke in front of him. After drinking the bottle of holy medicine, he found that his body temperature was much higher than that of ordinary people, reaching an astonishing 42 degrees Celsius, so much so that he breathed The white air coming out is more obvious than others.

He glanced back at the quiet hut at No. 4 Privet Drive, then took a step forward and disappeared into the darkness.

There was no one on the street, and it was so quiet that everyone seemed to have fallen into a sweet dream. Only the bottom of the boots made a crisp sound when they hit the ground.

Occasionally, a car would pass by quickly, and a midnight broadcast would be playing inside. Some fantastic sounds would come out through the cracks in the glass. Just a few intermittent words, Dudley couldn't help but frown. .

The fog was getting thicker and thicker. Dudley raised his head and glanced at the moon in the sky. He couldn't see it clearly, but it was already high in the sky.

A few drunkards staggered out. With their drunken eyes, they saw Dudley in strange clothes. A weird smile appeared on his face, and he walked towards this side with his arms around his back.

Dudley's eyebrows that had just calmed down were knitted again. It was hard to imagine that the British Empire, which was well-dressed and full of gentlemen during the day, was actually one of the places with the most drunkards in the world.

There were quite a few people who got drunk at night. Vernon had never let Dudley go out late at night before.

Dudley paused for a moment, then wanted to go around these unconscious people, but the other party came closer without mercy.

Gee, it looks like it will be a little late.

Dudley quietly clenched his fists.

When she came out of the Room of Requirement, Hermione had already agreed to dance the opening dance with Malfoy. Just as Malfoy thought, Hermione could take Ginny into the ball, but Hermione still needed a partner for the opening dance.

With the help of Ms. Glove's emotional power, which was comparable to the power of the Twelve Labor Arrays, Hermione finally accepted Malfoy's invitation with embarrassment.

Zhang Xiao said goodbye to the little wizards and walked towards the principal's office not far away. The matter was done, but Dumbledore still needed to wipe his butt.

In the beautiful principal's office, Dumbledore took off his glasses, looked at Zhang Xiao with a smile, and made a self-help gesture.

Zhang Xiao was also unceremonious, skillfully pulling up a chair, placing a tea tray and brewing Gongfu tea.

British black tea needs to be added with milk or sugar and lemon. It is okay to drink it occasionally, but Zhang Xiao is really not used to drinking it for a long time.

It is a pity that the Englishman Robert Fortune (Note 1) stole tea seeds and tea-making technology from China, otherwise the world would still be dominated by Chinese tea companies.

The portraits came to life from their dull movements, stretching and stretching their bodies.

The entire principal's office came alive in an instant. The originally deserted principal's office became lively. The portraits exchanged information, and some even loudly congratulated Zhang Xiao.

"First place, well deserved! Zhang, I know you can do it!" Phineas Black said loudly. If you look at this sentence alone, it is just a normal congratulation.

But his next sentence immediately changed his perspective: "The excellence of pure blood is most vividly reflected in you! Facts have proved that the ancient and noble bloodline is better than others!"

The corners of Zhang Xiao's mouth twitched, not knowing how to answer it.

Fortunately, there was no need to pick it up himself, because Phineas was quickly beaten up by the other principals.

After the unknown principal wearing a turban took off his turban and tied Phineas's mouth tightly, the other person with a cupboard in the portrait opened the cupboard and threw him in.

Many principals clapped their hands, as if nothing had happened, and asked about the details of the competition, and congratulated Zhang Xiao for winning first place in the competition.

And loudly praised the outstanding performance of the little wizards at Hogwarts.

Dumbledore was still watching happily. He liked this lively atmosphere very much. He watched the little wizard pour two cups of hot tea with skillful techniques, then he picked up the cup and pointed directly at the core:

"What trouble did you encounter again?"

Zhang Xiao held the tea and shook his head:

"Nothing really, but the Glove Lady at the Room of Requirement said someone went to the Room of Requirement during the first round."

Dumbledore's expression became a little more serious, and after thinking for a moment, he asked:

"Going to the room where the things are hidden? The room where Tom's Horcrux and Slytherin's leftover information are stored?"

Zhang Xiao nodded. Dumbledore's terrifying logical analysis ability was fully demonstrated. It would be easy to communicate with Dumbledore.

Like now, he just said one sentence, and he immediately thought of everything, without needing to say more to explain.

"Professor, is there still no movement from Voldemort's side?"

A hint of gloom quietly appeared on Dumbledore's old face, and he shook his head:

"No, the Order of the Phoenix has been busy working on this matter for more than a year, but they really seem to have disappeared.

If Tom wanted to remain completely hidden, we would have a hard time finding him.

But that didn't fit with what I knew about him. "

Dumbledore finished the tea in his cup and sighed softly:

"Zhang, I'm afraid as you guessed, Tom received considerable help. This help made up for Tom's mental shortcomings caused by splitting the Horcrux.

Let Tom and his gang become even more secretive."

He paused and added:

"He has also become more cunning."

There was silence in the principal's room, and the portraits were also silent. They exchanged glances with each other, or covered their mouths and whispered.

The situation was originally looking good, but Fudge simply stepped down and Barty Crouch Sr., who had a strong stance and outstanding ability, came on.

The Horcruxes that Voldemort regarded as his trump cards and back-ups were unearthed one after another.

The sinister trap in Gunter's old house that specifically targeted Dumbledore was also cracked with Zhang Xiao's hard blow.

As soon as the last snake and Harry's body were solved, everyone could sing a song to welcome the wonderful new future of the wizarding world.

But now Voldemort is uncharacteristically dormant, completely hidden.

The wizarding world was originally prepared as if facing a formidable enemy, but the tense nerves would eventually dissipate in this peaceful atmosphere.

No matter how powerful Old Barty was, he still couldn't keep everyone on high alert when facing Voldemort who looked like he was completely dead.

An old man and a young man drank tea quietly, and Zhang Xiao said softly:

"I feel that if Voldemort really wants to do something, then it is very likely that he will continue to act in the second game."

Dumbledore's blue eyes shone with thought as he shook his head.

"But the problem is we don't know if it's getting what it wants."

Suddenly he seemed to have thought of something, his eyebrows raised suddenly, and then dropped again. He opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end it turned out to be:

"Although I can't guarantee it, I guess she probably didn't succeed -"

oh? Zhang Xiao raised his head, Professor Dumbledore is so sure?

Or is it something you don’t understand?

Just as the little wizards understand Zhang, if there is something that cannot be said, Zhang will definitely not say it. Zhang Xiao also understands Dumbledore.

If something couldn't be said, Dumbledore wouldn't say it either.

So he simply didn't ask, but directly stated his arrangement:

"I asked the elves to keep an eye on the corridor on the eighth floor during the second game. If it is as you guessed, Professor, then she will definitely be exposed."

Dumbledore smiled and nodded:

"Proper approach, Zhang. I'm very relieved to leave this matter to you."

The two continued to drink tea. Fox stared at him on the solid gold shelf, with questioning and murderous intent in his golden pupils, but Zhang Xiao pretended not to see it.

Sister Bird, no, Aunt Qing is busy with big things. How can you disturb her with such trivial matters as love at this time?

Oh, by the way, I haven’t asked about the situation in my hometown this month, whether the number of irrational monsters has increased. Zhang Xiao slowly took a sip of clear tea, but his thoughts flew back thousands of miles away. of China.

At this moment, Dumbledore's faint voice floated over, with a teasing tone:

"Tell me, what kind of trouble have you encountered that you can't solve?"

Hiss, the one who knows me is Dumbledore!

Zhang Xiao put down his teacup and smiled sheepishly:

"You are really good at judging people!"

The portraits laughed with Dumbledore. After more than four years of getting along, their understanding of the little wizard was growing day by day.

Unless he encounters unsolvable troubles, the little wizard rarely comes alone to look for Dumbledore.

The Room of Requirement matter was indeed a problem, but Zhang's solution was very good. He could have waited until he knew the identity of the intruder.

Dumbledore changed to a more comfortable position and gently placed his fingers on the food box, revealing various exquisite preserves and snacks inside.

Zhang Xiao just took a look and actually found Drunkard's peanuts and broad beans!

Dumbledore picked one up and put it in his mouth, smiling as he waited.

"Actually, it's not a big deal. I just need a partner for the Christmas dance, right?"

"Well, Minerva and Filius also guessed which outstanding little witch you would invite, so Zhang, your dance partner is-"

Zhang Xiao scratched his head in embarrassment:

"That, not the student, is the one from the Room of Requirement, Ms. Gloves."

Dumbledore twisted a peanut again:

"Oh? Not a student? It's a glove——"

Peanut stopped in front of his mouth, and the smile on Dumbledore's face gradually disappeared. This was the first time Zhang Xiao saw him look so shocked.

His long beard was trembling, and his blue eyes were wide open.

? ? ? ?

Dumbledore closed his eyes and began to wonder if he was hallucinating. Soon he opened them again and asked in a very complicated and unbelievable tone:

"Who??"

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1. Monthly ticket 2. Recommended ticket

Note 1:

Excerpted from: American writer Sarah Rose: "The Tea Thief: Spies, Empires, and the Mystery of Tea That Takes the World"

Australian article - Robert Fortune: Tea robber or tea hero?

Movie: The Tea Thieves - Robert Fortune

Autobiography of Robert Fortune: A Journey to the Tea Countries of China" (1852)

The rest of the information is omitted. It is only used to prevent fraud. I will discuss the matter as it is without any malicious intent.