On the night before the holiday, Hogwarts was blanketed by snow that fell all night long.
The goose-feather snow turned the entire world into a vast expanse of white. Hogwarts Castle, too, was covered in snow, looking especially beautiful from afar.
As Andy left the castle, he saw Filch struggling to clear the snow from the open grounds. His face was red from the cold, and he had only a battered old broom in his hands. He looked pitiful.
Boarding at Hogsmeade Station, Andy and Hermione found an empty compartment. To avoid being disturbed, Andy even used magic to lock the compartment door.
The train moved slowly onward, drawing ever closer to its final stop, King's Cross Station.
"Do you remember when we first met?"
Watching the scenery slide past outside the window, Andy smiled. "Back then, you knew nothing about the Wizarding World and looked so nervous. Who would have thought that in the blink of an eye, that little witch would become an expert at spells?"
"How am I an expert at spells?"
Hermione looked a little embarrassed. "Besides, when was I ever nervous?"
"If you say you weren't nervous, then you weren't."
Andy smiled. "Merry Christmas in advance. Once the holiday comes, you'll only see those words on a Christmas card."
"Merry Christmas in advance to you too, Andy!"
Hermione said softly, "Thank you for looking after me these past few months."
Near evening, the train stopped at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
"Hi, Neville!"
As he got off the train, Andy spotted Neville. Since they knew each other, he casually greeted him.
"Hi! Andy, Hermione."
Neville immediately ran over. "I was going to look for you, but I couldn't find which compartment you were in."
"Next time!" Andy patted Neville on the shoulder.
After leaving the train,