The room on the second floor of the inn is slightly better than downstairs, perhaps because there aren't many guests staying, at least there isn't as much grime on the floor.
For Wizards, cleaning is much simpler than for ordinary people; ordinary dirt can be solved with just a Scourgify.
But for the terrible hygiene situation like on the first floor, it requires a lot of detergent and brushes to really clean it up.
When Abeforth was about to leave, Lupin called out to him, "Please wait a moment, sir."
Abeforth turned back, gloomily asking, "What else do you want?"
"Previously… thank you for your care and shelter," Lupin sincerely said, "And thank you for not revealing my identity to others."
Abeforth snorted coldly, "No need, just don't cause trouble for me."
He turned around, closed the door and left, the creaking sound on the stairs gradually receding—Abeforth was going downstairs.
"Remus..."
"Hold on"
Vid was about to speak, but Lupin shook his head, then drew out his Magic Wand, casting several anti-eavesdropping and anti-intrusion spells in succession, before relaxing and sitting down.
"I have to say, meeting up here isn't a good idea; The Hog's Head Inn always has some unidentified guests and some people who like to eavesdrop on others' secrets," Lupin said.
Vid almost thought he was talking about Snape—
Back then, Snape, as a Death Eater, eavesdropped on Trelawney's prophecy at The Hog's Head Inn, reported it to Voldemort, indirectly leading to the death of the Potters.
But after observing Lupin's expression closely, Vid confirmed that Lupin was just speaking from experience, not implying anything.
Otherwise, his current expression would be more resentful, and he wouldn't be grateful to Snape for helping with treatment.
"What's wrong?" Lupin found his observation a bit odd, and couldn't help touching his face, "Is there something dirty on my face?"
"A bit of dirt."
Vid disguisedly picked up the teapot from the inn, preparing to pour himself a cup of tea, but upon seeing the dust on it, he silently put the teapot down.
Then he used a dozen Scourgify spells, finally making the surroundings barely presentable.
"I guess I know why this room is at least passable—probably everyone who chooses to stay has to help the owner with cleaning?" Vid joked.
Lupin couldn't help but laugh, reaching into his pocket to take out a bottle of Muggle drink, placing it on the table in front of Vid and saying, "Drink this instead."
Vid looked at the shallow pocket on Lupin's body, raised an eyebrow, then carefully examined the label on the drink bottle indicating it was non-alcoholic, before unscrewing the cap.
Before long, Machioni pushed the door open, happily spreading his arms wide and saying, "Long time no see, Vid! How's the new term?"
"As good as ever."
Vid hugged him, then Machioni enthusiastically hugged Lupin again, patted his back, and said joyfully, "Mate, I'm so glad to see you well again!"
A while ago, Lupin wasn't well, and even broke off daily contact with Aslan Magic Workshop; Vid had explained it was due to illness.
Actually, over such a long time, Machioni had guessed Lupin's werewolf identity, but he didn't mind.
—As long as one can make money, Machioni would dare to employ even a Dementor, let alone a very cultured werewolf.
Before sitting down, Machioni eagerly asked, "Vid, I bet you'll surprise me?"
Vid knew his style, so he didn't waste words, opening his palm to reveal several colorful Fava Beans.
"Communication Beans, wanna try?" Vid said.
He handed one to Machioni, one to Lupin, then gestured for them to wear it on their ears like he did.
Vid's bean had changed its color to match his skin tone, so that even without a Disillusionment charm, it seemed invisible.
Then, he lightly tapped the bean and whispered, "Marco Marchioni."
The bean in Machioni's ear buzzed, he suddenly widened his eyes and saw Vid across from him mouthing silently.
"Money brings honor and friends, governments and territories."
The same voice resonated in his ear too, like a duet.
He didn't notice Lupin beside him deeply glanced at him, just surprisedly took the bean down, looked at Vid, then at the bean, pointed at Vid, then at the bean, too excited to speak.
Suddenly, Machioni grabbed the bean, shouted, jumped up, and walked around the room, filled with excitement.
"Haha! Communication Beans! Communication Beans! Vid, you're truly my lucky star!"
He jumped over, hugged Vid forcefully, and laughed ecstatically.
Lupin didn't understand why, mimicking Vid's actions, he tapped the bean and softly said, "Vid Gray?"
Vid tapped his bean, chuckled, and said, "I heard you."
Simultaneously, Lupin heard his voice, understanding the function of the bean, but still didn't grasp why Machioni was so excited.
"Is this the conversational version of Friendship Book?" Lupin asked, "He seems overly excited."
Machioni was in the room, naturally hearing his words, immediately loudly refuted, "That's because you simply don't understand its significance!"
He pulled a chair near Vid, couldn't suppress the joyful smile on his face, and happily said, "Awesome, Vid! You solved a big trouble for me!"
"You've encountered trouble?" Vid asked.
"Of course, business people face trouble almost every day, but this time it's more tricky."
Machioni said, "Although there aren't any in the United Kingdom, counterfeit Friendship Books have appeared in other countries. They don't match our quality or have stable transmission, but they're cheap! Since last year, Friendship Books haven't been selling well..."
"Huh?" Lupin asked puzzledly, "I thought it was because those who needed them had already bought enough Friendship Books, so the profits were less than before..."
"Alas!" Machioni waved his hand and said, "These things are like women's clothes; there's never a 'enough' point. Reduced sales are due to overwhelming knock-offs."
"But my profits don't seem to have decreased?" Vid asked, confused.
Gringotts sends him new financial reports weekly, and the monthly increase in income hasn't shown a noticeable downward trend.
"That's because Soft Light Badge and Poppets are selling extremely well."
Machioni explained, "Especially Poppets, currently the counterfeits of these cheat even three-year-old children—not even comparable, poor quality difference; knock-off Poppets have intelligence less than a Troll, some even attack their owners, incomparable to ours."
"I even bought one specially… Look, it's like this!"
With a bang, Machioni placed a gray-green Poppet on the table.