69novels Chapter 196 The Breakfast Plate Develops a Patina
Chapter 196 The Breakfast Plate Develops a Patina
After dinner, Qin Yu remembered the purpose of their trip and quickly took out the large tablecloth from his "storage bag".
He gave it to Hagrid as a belated Christmas gift.
Uncle Hagrid was quite pleased with it after receiving it, stroking it repeatedly and saying that the material was really good.
"I forgot to take it out earlier, otherwise I could have tried it while we were eating."
Qin Yu said with a hint of regret, as he did indeed want to see if the tablecloth matched Hagrid's room.
However, he and Hermione were so stunned by Hagrid's rock cakes as soon as they entered that they had no time to think about anything else.
However, it's not too late to bring it out now.
They helped tidy up the things on the table. Hagrid took away the old, supposedly white, jet-black linen tablecloth, wiped the table twice more, and had Qin Yu use a spell to dry the table before carefully and solemnly placing the new tablecloth on top.
The brand-new tablecloth with its vibrant and refreshing hollyhock print certainly adds a lot of color to the whole room.
"Haha, this tablecloth is really nice. I'll use it when I invite everyone over for a meal another day!"
Hagrid laughed heartily and began to imagine himself showcasing his culinary skills, preparing a table full of delicious food, and everyone sitting around the table to eat together.
"..."
Qin Yu hesitated, but that didn't dampen Uncle Hagrid's enthusiasm.
"Um, I actually prepared a gift for you all too... I made it by hand, but it's not very good..."
As Hagrid spoke, he took out two small wooden carvings from a cabinet.
Of course, the wood carving was small to him, but it was the size of the palm of Qin Yu and Hermione's hands.
The two leaned closer to the light and discovered that they were two small wooden figures: a boy dressed in a wizard's robe and a girl with fluffy hair dressed in the same robe. Clearly, it was the two of them.
However, it was indeed quite rough, only showing a rough outline with no details.
"There's no way around it. This kind of wood, which carries the blessing of good fortune, grows very slowly. It won't grow very thick even after decades or hundreds of years. I even used a piece of it to make a wooden flute for Harry before. That was relatively simple. But carving a human figure is too difficult for me."
As Hagrid spoke, he showed the two of them his two large hands. Qin Yu estimated that one of his fingers might be thicker than Hermione's arm.
It was really a bit much for Hagrid to carve such a small piece of wood.
Well, as for aesthetics and craftsmanship, that's another topic altogether.
"Thank you, Hagrid!" Qin Yu thanked him first, and then continued, "Actually, it's already taking shape. How about Hermione and I do some finishing touches and consider it a gift that the three of us completed together?"
"That's a great idea!" Hermione exclaimed eagerly.
"Haha, of course I have no objection. I'll go find you some carving tools. I really can't do anything too delicate."
After Hagrid finished speaking, he went to look for carving knives suitable for the two of them, and was in a very good mood.
However, even the smallest tool he had was quite large for Qin Yu and Hermione, so they could only make do with it. After all, they weren't aiming for perfect carving.
So the two sat down at the dining table, which was now covered with a new tablecloth, each taking a carving knife, and began cutting and shaving the two wooden carvings that were barely recognizable as resembling themselves.
Putting everything else aside, the brownish-red wood that Hagrid chose is indeed quite hard—no wonder it grows slowly; it seems all its energy is focused on becoming sturdy.
They didn't just focus on one piece of wood carving at a time; instead, they exchanged their carvings and started working on any parts they felt needed improvement.
Most of the time, Qin Yu was in charge of cutting large areas, because cutting wood was indeed quite strenuous, while Hermione was responsible for depicting small details. Her artistic skills were better than someone else's from the very beginning.
Hagrid wasn't completely idle either; he went to the fireplace, boiled water, and brewed a large pot of black tea.
Then, Uncle Hagrid sat to the side, drinking tea and watching the two busy themselves with great interest, feeling inexplicably as if he were a witness to some kind of ceremony.
……
"Alright, I think that's about right," Qin Yu said, examining the two wooden carvings in his hands.
"Okay, that's fine, my hands are getting sore." Hermione rubbed her wrists, feeling that this was much more tiring than writing all night.
Those two wooden carvings, while not completely transformed, have certainly undergone a significant change. (Hmm???)
It's a bit smaller than before, after all, a lot of the excess and rough edges have been cut off, and the level of detail has also improved. At least you can see the folds of the robe and the facial features of the character.
It was easy to tell—they were two smiling little wizards, who, in Qin Yu's opinion, looked a bit like chibi figurines.
Therefore, I, Qin, will definitely take this Hermione's millet today!
So cute!
Qin Yu liked it more and more the more he looked at it.
"Alright, whichever you want, you choose first," he said to Hermione with a casual and generous wave of his hand.
"..."
Hermione was speechless upon hearing this.
If you hadn't been secretly pulling the wooden carving of the curly-haired little witch closer to yourself when you said that, I could have believed you were genuinely generous in letting me choose first.
Miss Granger thought to herself helplessly.
She felt that this guy could be quite childish at times.
But, well, even cuter...
"let me see……"
As she spoke, she made a gesture as if to reach for the wooden carving in her likeness, which was immediately met with a soft cough.
"Hmm?" Hermione looked puzzled.
"Think about it some more..." someone kindly reminded him.
"Um--"
Hermione hesitated for a moment, then withdrew her hand.
The guy immediately showed a relieved expression.
Seeing this, the little witch raised an eyebrow, a slight smile playing on her lips. She quickly extended her hand again, pressing it directly onto the wooden carving, muttering to herself:
"I still want this one~"
"Hey! Hey! Hey!" Qin Yu panicked and hurriedly pressed down on the little hand.
"Want some?" Hermione smiled sweetly, sweeter than the raspberry sauce on ice cream.
"Mmm-hmm-hmm!" Qin Yu nodded vigorously, no longer caring about being calm and magnanimous. If he didn't express his opinion soon, this girl would really take him away.
"Then say something nice!" Hermione said, giving off an expression that said, "I'll agree to anything as long as you make me happy."
Qin Yu immediately spoke with great emotion and from the bottom of his heart:
"I truly love Miss Granger's wood carving and wish to collect it! I hope I will have the honor of owning it, and I will cherish and treasure it dearly!"
Hermione almost burst out laughing at his serious and earnest demeanor.
How should I put it? It felt like I had grabbed Crookshank by the scruff of his neck.
Yes, she needs to summarize and record these kinds of things carefully. Little by little, she can easily control him in the future, and act like a tyrant and do whatever she wants over him!
Thinking about it this way, doesn't it seem a bit sinister?
However, I am a witch, after all. Shouldn't legendary witches be a bit wicked?
"Is it okay, Hermione?"
Seeing that she didn't respond, Qin Yu asked again with anticipation.
At worst, I'll just play the victim and pretend to be pitiful, saying I'm still a student, it's Thursday, and I'll tell you about my rebirth as a wood carving seller in London.
Qin Yu's thoughts wandered aimlessly.
"Alright, alright, you can have it. Choose this one." Miss Granger waved her hand calmly and generously.
Then, Hermione heard this guy cheer and say things like "Hermione is the best" that she couldn't quite understand. Then, she saw him happily pick up the wooden carving of the curly-haired little witch, stroke and wipe it for a while, and even rub it on his nose, saying something like "Let it develop a patina soon" that she understood even less.
Although she didn't understand, Hermione felt a little jealous seeing his enthusiasm for wood carving.
This guy has never been this nice to me, how could he treat a piece of wood like this?!
Miss Granger felt instantly resentful.
However, upon further reflection, the wooden carving depicted his own likeness, as if he had shrunk down and was holding it in his hand...
Forget it, I really can't understand some boys' thinking.
As she thought this, she picked up the wooden carving of another little wizard and, without thinking, touched and rubbed it, just like someone else.
Hmm, it feels pretty good.
Qin Yu played with the "Q version Hermione wooden carving figure" for a while, then put it back into the pocket of his robe with satisfaction.
Seeing that it was getting late, the two bid farewell to Hagrid and returned to Hogwarts Castle.