分卷阅读18（2 / 2）

“Draco, are you coming?” Pansy stood inside the doorway staring at him. She didn’t say anything else as he composed himself and for that he was grateful. They followed Potter inside and headed to the staff lounge.

They hadn’t got far before someone blurted, “Harry!” There in the hallway stood Neville Longbottom, tall and lean and beaming with a bright smile. Draco had barely blinked before Potter practically disappeared in Longbottom’s arms for an embrace. The familiarity between the two Gryffindors left Draco with a warm sentimentality tainted by a twinge of regret. “I haven’t seen you in months.” After they’d separated, Longbottom looked over Potter’s shoulder, his happy demeanor deflated at the sight of Pansy and Draco. “What are they doing here?”

“We’re working a case, Nev,” Potter explained, his face shifted from obvious joy to an earnest determination. “And we have some questions for you.”

“Me? I’m not sure how I can help you.”

A thoughtful expression took over Potter’s face, and he bit his lower lip. Draco gulped at the sight of it. He thanked Salazar when Pansy stepped forward and explained the time constraints, then suggested they use Longbottom’s office to discuss the case further. The Herbology professor nodded and led the way to the greenhouses. Pansy followed next to Longbottom, leaving Draco to trail behind with Potter at his side.

Trying to recover from whatever had just overcome him, Draco said, “I barely recognise you, Longbottom.” After the words left his lips, he realised in another time and place, they might have been misconstrued as mocking. Draco quickly added, “Teaching must suit you.”

He glanced sideways and smiled at the complete astonishment that had taken over Potter’s face. Draco leaned over and whispered, “Don’t die of shock, Potter.”

Harry rolled his eyes, but Draco noted the hint of a smile. The group approached Neville’s office at the back of the main greenhouse without any other conversation.

The greenhouse was just as Draco remembered it, wild yet methodically organized, with the heavy scent of earth and lively magic. Longbottom used the same office at the back that Pomona Sprout had occupied. He led them inside and gestured for Pansy to have a seat in a large armchair near the desk. She adjusted her skirt and a mild look of annoyance crossed her face. Draco could practically hear her unspoken complaint about having to galavant about in her travel apparel. Their eyes met and he grinned.

“I apologise for the lack of seating. I don’t normally get so many guests at once,” Longbottom said as he leaned against his desk. A shift of parchments near him rustled, and a large, green toad hopped out and onto Longbottom’s lap.

“Trevor?” Potter asked.

Longbottom shook his head. “This is Trevor-deux, I’m afraid.”

Potter nodded. “My condolences, Nev.”

The other Gryffindor sighed and then blinked between Potter and Pansy. “So how can I help?”

“Well,” Potter began with a long pause as if choosing his words wisely. “We need to get our hands on some inquollis anicorpus folia.” Longbottom’s eyebrows rose halfway up his forehead and his mouth fell open. His stare shifted to the ground at Potter’s feet, and he shook his head.

“That’s—that’s going to be impossible, I’m afraid.” He looked back up at Potter. “Inquollis anicorpus in all its forms has been extinct for over a century. I’m sorry, Harry. But even if it wasn’t,” he added with a stern determination, “I wouldn’t—no sane Herbologist would touch the stuff.”

Draco jumped at the admission. “Could you elaborate as to its properties, perhaps? What was it primarily used for?” Longbottom visibly tensed, as if he suddenly remembering he was under the appraisal of the two other people in the room.

“Please,” Pansy stood. “A young girl’s life is in danger.”

Longbottom digested her words and then crossed his arms. “It was called the Soul Catcher for the longest time. Not much is known about its properties, but it was the main ingredient in two potions on the first List of Forbidden Elixirs issued by the Ministry in 1709.”