Yes, Madam Rosmerta was indeed a witch with a vast network of gossip. If she were to encounter Rita Skeeter—the narcissistic gossip reporter who, at forty-three, still described herself as an attractive blonde—it would likely spark an unstoppable clash of thunder and fire.
During their conversation, Miss Rosmerta vividly recounted various whispered rumors about the staff: the little sparks between certain professors; Professor McGonagall, the stern Dean of Transfiguration; Hagrid, the gentle giant and Keeper of the Keys; and Albus Dumbledore's peculiar, legendary fondness for sweets.
Ryan soon realized that Madam Rosmerta assumed he was an older student attending Hogwarts, as most of her gossip relied heavily on internal school jokes that only enrolled pupils would fully understand.
While they chatted, a steady stream of local Hogsmeade residents and visiting Hogwarts students began filling the tavern. Ryan felt inwardly grateful; had Madam Rosmerta not intervened with her warm chatter, he likely would have suffered the same awkward social paralysis he had experienced back in the London ice cream shop.
Before he even realized it, he glanced at his watch and saw that it was 1:30 PM.
Figuring he would arrive early enough to set up his little prank, Ryan politely bade Madam Rosmerta farewell and headed straight toward Honeydukes.
When he arrived, the sweetshop was packed shoulder-to-shoulder with holiday crowds. Ryan instantly regretted not wearing his monster costume as planned, realizing that going completely uncostumed on Halloween drew an uncomfortable amount of attention.
Those who hadn't dressed up for the holiday stood out like sore thumbs. Ryan overheard a short, plump witch excitedly whispering to a companion, "Molly! Do you know who that handsome wizard is? Which house is he from?"
"I bet that guy isn't even a Hogwarts student!"
"Mum, I've fallen in love again!"
His heightened senses could occasionally be a curse. Ryan could constantly feel the wave of eager, curious glances evaluating him. Every so often, bold little witches and even young wizards would venture close to call out greetings.
"Hello!"
"I'm sorry, I'm waiting for someone right now," Ryan replied politely, trying hard to suppress his rising impatience. Then, a familiar voice cut through the din...
"Penelope!" Ryan suddenly perked up. Penelope had disguised herself as a vampire countess, attempting to project an air of sophisticated maturity, but her youthful stature betrayed her, and stray strands of sweat-soaked hair clung to her flushed cheeks.
"Hmph, hmph—serves you right for trying to sneak up on me," Penelope said, sticking out her tongue playfully.
"Boss, two glasses of iced liqueur, please," Ryan called out to the shopkeeper.
"The secret passage is terribly long; you must be exhausted." Ryan poured on the charm, expressing deep concern for her journey. Once the drinks arrived, he offered them with extra enthusiasm, hoping to completely distract her from the earlier moment she had caught him off guard.
"Penelope, do you happen to recognize that werewolf over there?" At Ryan's prompt, Penelope casually raised a portable pocket mirror and pretended to check her hair.
A short distance behind them, a tiny first-year student disguised in a cheap werewolf costume was covertly watching them.
Signaling for Penelope to follow, Ryan steered her out of the crowded shop and into the crisp afternoon air.
Meanwhile, switching perspectives to Kate: she had watched Penelope suddenly emerge from Honeydukes accompanied by the strikingly handsome wizard. At first, she pretended not to notice, but after waiting a respectful three beats, Kate drifted casually toward the exit, acting as though nothing unusual was happening.
However, after rounding a corner, the two of them abruptly vanished.
Kate felt a spike of anxiety. Just as she quickened her pace, a warm, powerful pair of arms suddenly swept her off her feet, hoisting her up like a struggling chicken as her legs kicked wildly in mid-air.
"Tell me, who are you and why are you following us?" demanded a clear, sharp boy's voice.
"Quickly now, identify yourself," urged a gentle, slightly exasperated girl's voice—undeniably Penelope.
Kate let out a silent breath of relief. The frantic scream she had been saving for a full-blown kidnapping died in her throat. Thank goodness; for a split second, she had genuinely thought she was being abducted.
A second later, however, her hood was yanked back, revealing her delicate baby face and dark hair.
"Kate?!—Kate Levenster! What on earth are you doing here?!" Penelope stared at her in utter astonishment. Ryan could only mentally echo the sentiment: I thought I was drawing stares because of my looks, but what is with this bizarre streak of being tailed today?
"Haha!"
"Hehe, my foot!" Penelope rubbed her temples, fighting a sudden migraine.
Though only two months had passed since the term began, Penelope knew her roommate's personality all too well. If anyone else caught her sneaking out, it might blow over, but if Kate knew, the entire school would know within hours—even if Kate put on an innocent, butter-wouldn't-melt expression and claimed complete ignorance.
"Well, you know... I was just out for a casual walk! It's Halloween, after all, and I honestly don't know anything about any secret passages," Kate stammered, her voice dropping to a squeak. Set back down on her feet by Ryan, she looked up and blinked her large eyes with theatrical innocence, though her rapidly twitching toes betrayed her sheer nervousness.
"Penelope, let's go find a place to sit. How about the Three Broomsticks?" Ryan intervened, sensing the atmospheric pressure plunging rapidly.
A few minutes later, the trio arrived at the familiar tavern.
The sharp-eyed Madam Rosmerta spotted Ryan from across the room. Catching sight of the two young schoolgirls flanking him, she offered a knowing wink, then played along flawlessly. "Welcome to the Three Broomsticks! What can I get started for you three?"
"I want Butterbeer!" Kate, who had essentially been playing dead on the walk over, instantly bolted upright, waving her hand excitedly.
"May I look at the menu first? What do you have?" Penelope asked with characteristic academic seriousness.
"Penelope, order whatever you like—I'm easy. I'll take whatever's available," Ryan replied smoothly.
"The menu? There's a blackboard hanging right by the bar, dear. Take a look over there," Madam Rosmerta gestured toward the counter before hurrying off to tend to other patrons.
Near the bar hung a large blackboard glowing with a warm yellow light, bearing an uncanny resemblance to an oversized modern smartphone screen. At the top sat a grinning pumpkin illustration, followed by bold lettering: Halloween Special: Three Broomsticks Iced Pumpkin Juice, Chicken Sandwiches, Fried Chicken Drumsticks.
While Penelope remained absorbed in studying the holiday specials, Kate slipped away unnoticed, ordered a Butterbeer and a plate of spaghetti, claimed a table in the corner, and frantically waved Ryan over to join her.
Penelope turned around to discuss her findings, only to find herself standing alone.
"Penelope, over here!" Ryan called out, waving her over. "Come sit, it's fine."
Penelope crossed her arms, her expression dark with unspoken exasperation, as she and Ryan walked over to join Kate, who was already casually sipping her Butterbeer through a straw, her short legs dangling and swinging restlessly beneath the chair.
Taking a seat next to Ryan, Penelope narrowed her eyes and fixed a piercing stare squarely on Kate.
The tension spiked instantly, but salvation arrived in the nick of time as Madam Rosmerta returned, balancing a heavy tray laden with steaming sandwiches and flanked by two tall, frosted tankards with straw-like reeds sprouting from the rims.
"Here you are, your orders are all set."
Madam Rosmerta's cheerful interruption effectively shattered the standoff.
Desperate to change the subject, Ryan pointed toward the drinks. "Look, Penelope, that pumpkin juice looks remarkably like a real pumpkin..."
"It certainly does," Penelope replied, her gaze still locked onto her roommate. "However, Kate... would you care to explain how you managed to make it all the way to Hogsmeade? Because I am intensely curious."