October at Hogwarts was always spent amid howling winds and torrential rain. A clammy chill swept in with the storm, permeating the entire castle.
Colds had suddenly become fashionable among the staff and students. In particular, several students came down with severe fevers every day in Defence Against the Dark Arts, and their numbers showed signs of rapidly increasing.
Dolores Umbridge suspected someone was up to something and ordered Madam Pomfrey, the matron, to find a way to cure the students' strange fevers. However, her efforts achieved little, as the symptoms seemed unpredictable. Even after being cured, they could relapse.
As a result, Fred and George's Fever Candy sold like hotcakes, earning them a hefty pile of Galleons. They were cheerful every day, as though celebrating a holiday. They had clearly begun to enjoy the pleasures of making money and getting rich.
In such damp conditions, the spots beside the Common Room fireplace became highly sought after. It was also where the crowds gathered most densely. Many students liked to sit by the fire to warm themselves, chat, and do their homework.
Albert had once enjoyed sitting there to keep warm as well, but now he was rather indifferent about it.
At that moment, he sat by a window in the Common Room. Though the heavy curtains kept out the dampness from outside, this spot was still beyond the fireplace's range of warmth. Few students came over here, but Albert did not mind. He had brought a small heater of his own, which spared him the cold and damp of the corner. It was as warm as sitting by the fireplace, and no one came to disturb him.
Tom lay sprawled on a cushion, watching Albert write something with a quill. After opening his mouth in a yawn, he flopped