Chapter 23 Timid Malfoy

The temporary selection test ended as expected, and Maca successfully became one of the youngest players in Hufflepuff and Hogwarts history.

Judging by his performance, the title should be accompanied by the words "the strongest" to be more accurate.

As Maca expected, his study time was significantly reduced. However, the training schedule was intense. While Maca became more familiar with various formations and coordination, Darren designed new combat tactics. It was the strongest team Hufflepuff had ever had, and they had the desire to compete for the Quidditch Cup!

The new tactic revolved around the strategic placement for basic scoring. With Maca's addition, everyone developed a strong desire for the Quidditch Cup, which was rare among the modest badgers.

Because of this, the news of Maca joining the team was unanimously agreed to be kept confidential. In the next match against Slytherin, Maca would enter as a surprise player and defeat those Slytherins who liked to play dirty tricks!

Thus, Maca became busy in the following days. Whether it was in the library or on the Quidditch pitch, whenever Maca started practicing, several senior Hufflepuff students would be lurking around the field. It seemed that these hardworking and focused badgers were fully committed to this surprise plan.

Unbeknownst to them, Christmas was approaching.

On a particularly cold morning, everyone discovered that Hogwarts was covered in a thick layer of snow. The snowy scenery outside the window informed everyone that the first snow of the year had silently arrived during their sleep.

The lake behind the castle was frozen, bringing joy to the students. The sleds stored in the storage room could finally be used, and they no longer had to ride the swaying little boats during the Christmas holidays!

Fred and George Weasley had recently received punishments because they enchanted several snowballs, causing them to chase and hit Filch everywhere, coincidentally hitting him on his wrapped head.

At that moment, Maca happened to pass by a window upstairs, and he couldn't help but burst into laughter at the scene. Poor old Filch!

Several owls braved the stormy night to deliver mail, losing many feathers in the process. They had to rest under Hagrid's care for some time before they could resume their work.

Maca's owl, Marfa, seemed fascinated by the snowy weather, perhaps because it was something it had never seen before in its homeland, Sumatra Island!

Maca watched as Marfa circled high in the sky, flapping its wings to climb higher and then swooping low. From a distance, no one would think it was just an ordinary owl.

Lately, Maca had been wandering around the Restricted Section at night, deepening his understanding of dark magic. However, he still had no plans to study the most dangerous curses. He believed the time was not yet right, and there was no need to seek trouble.

Therefore, while gradually accumulating experience in potion-making, he also devoted himself to Transfiguration. To be precise, it was a long and endless struggle with various living and non-living materials.

Since there were no shortcuts, he decided to learn from Hermione. At least, studying and memorizing various materials would help advance his knowledge of potions to some extent.

Speaking of which, Christmas came with holidays.

Last week, Professor Sprout came to register the list of students staying at Hogwarts during the holidays. Maca hesitated for a moment but eventually signed his name. He planned to visit Luna during the break. He had been busy since the beginning of the school year, and taking a break during Christmas seemed like a good choice.

Moreover, he realized that ever since he mastered the Patronus Charm, he had developed a slight longing for Luna.

He felt like he had developed a sister-like affection for Luna!

Surely he couldn't admit that he was actually a lolicon?

"No, no, no, that's absolutely impossible," Maca shook his head, finding his thoughts amusing.

At the moment, Maca was on his way to the Potions classroom. He had a few questions he wanted to ask Severus Snape.

But as he turned the corner of the corridor, he encountered the massive figure of Hagrid, huffing and puffing as he struggled to carry a larger-than-himself fir tree.

The previously spacious corridor was now completely blocked by Hagrid and there was no way to pass through.

"Hey, Hagrid, do you need help?" A head popped out from the other side through the branches, and it seemed to be Ron.

"No, I'm good, thanks, Ron." - It was indeed Ron.

"Can you move aside and stop blocking the way?" Suddenly, Maca heard Draco Malfoy's cold and disdainful voice coming from behind the fir tree.

"Are you trying to earn some pocket money, Weasley? I was thinking maybe you'd like to work at the gamekeeper's hut after graduating from Hogwarts? Compared to Hagrid's cottage, it must look like a palace!"

Ron's head immediately retreated back into the branches, clearly angered by Malfoy's sarcastic remarks.

"Weasley!" Maca heard Severus Snape's voice.

"Someone provoked him first, Professor Snape," Hagrid stuck his unkempt head out from behind the tree and said, "Malfoy just insulted his family."

"Regardless, physically attacking someone is against Hogwarts rules, Hagrid," Severus Snape said in a smooth tone, "It would have been wise for you to take the punishment like McClain did. Gryffindor has been docked five points. Weasley, consider yourself fortunate that I didn't assign you to polish the trophies. Now, move along, all of you."

Upon hearing the surname "McClain," Malfoy immediately revealed a bitter expression, showing that he harbored a strong hatred towards Maca.

As he rudely squeezed past the tree with Crabbe and Goyle, causing the needles to fall all over the ground, and walked forward with an annoyed expression on his face, he noticed Maca.

Malfoy quickly erased the anger from his face and pretended not to see Maca as he walked past from the other side of the corridor. However, his deliberate avoidance of Maca exposed his underlying fear.

"It seems that the punishment had some effect."

Maca turned around and coincidentally met Draco Malfoy's still resentful gaze. When Malfoy noticed Maca looking at him, he quickly turned his head away.

"...But maybe it's still not enough." Maca smiled and continued walking forward.

"Professor Snape, if I may interrupt," Maca called out to Severus Snape, who was walking towards the Great Hall, "I was wondering if you have some time to help me with a few questions regarding Potions."

Severus Snape turned around and gave Maca a cold glance before raising his chin as a signal for him to quickly ask the questions.

"Oh, it's like this..." Maca began his inquiry.

At the counter where Maca was asking questions, Ron couldn't help but whisper to Harry, "I really admire Maca for being able to ask questions to Severus Snape with that freezing gaze..."

"I think the best time to approach Severus Snape is when Maca goes to ask him questions," Harry said, stealing a glance at Severus Snape's expression, "but it still doesn't seem too pleasant."

"I can't keep up with Maca's progress in Potions class," Hermione said with a regretful expression, "even though I often discuss some topics with him, I can't understand the contents he writes in his notebook lately."

In fact, in recent times, although Maca said he was asking questions to Severus Snape, it usually ended up being a discussion between the two of them about a certain Potion theory. While Maca gained a lot from these discussions, Severus Snape also found some new and innovative inspiration in the topics.

Of course, the knowledge of a Potions master is not to be taken lightly. Most of the time, the discussions would end with Severus Snape correcting Maca.

But it must be mentioned that in Severus Snape's buried heart, there seemed to be the emergence of Maca's presence. Through their numerous discussions, he keenly observed that Maca had a research philosophy that was nearly identical to his own – disregarding all moral standards in pursuit of their goals.

In their minds, there was no substantial distinction between Dark Magic and Light Magic; both were tools to be utilized. The difference lay only in the moral compass of the user, nothing more.

Perhaps Maca himself was not aware of this, but Severus Snape, who had once been immersed in a more terrifying darkness, noticed it.

After clearing up the doubts encountered during their research, Maca bid farewell to Severus Snape and walked towards Harry and the others who were waiting for him. Behind him, Severus Snape stared at his figure expressionlessly for a while before turning around and heading towards the Great Hall.

Perhaps only Dumbledore truly understood what Severus Snape was thinking.

As Maca reached Hermione's side, they were chatting with Hagrid about something.

"Oh! You're finally done. Come with me to the Great Hall to have a look! It's simply marvelous!" Hagrid exclaimed happily, and the fir tree in his arms trembled even more, dropping more pine needles with his laughter.

"I'll help you, Hagrid. Let me levitate the tree and shake off the needles!" Maca drew his wand and cast a Levitation Charm, causing the fir tree to float above everyone's heads as he floated it forward.

"Oh... Actually, there's no need for that. I mean, thank you," Hagrid said embarrassedly.

So, Harry, Ron, and Hermione followed Hagrid and his fir tree, along with Maca, to the Great Hall. Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick were there, busy decorating for Christmas.

"Ah, a very good Levitation Charm, Mr. McClain," Professor Flitwick exclaimed cheerfully. "Put it over there—in that corner, alright? This is the last one."