Christmas Holidays Begin

December 19th, Saturday, 5 days until Christmas.

As soon as Loren opened the window early in the morning, a cold wind blew in, chilling him to the bone in an instant. Thick clouds drifted across the pale sky, blocking the sunlight and making the sky appear bright, while snowflakes continued to fall.

The distant forests and hills were draped in silver, vast expanses of white stretching between heaven and earth. Heading towards the Greenhouse, a figure the size of a soybean slowly made its way—it looked like Professor Sprout. Herbology professors are really busy; even on holidays they're never idle.

Loren muttered under his breath, "Tsk, freezing."

Get dressed, wash up, and make the bed.

Last night, I was kept up by Voldemort for half the night, and then I consulted Flamel for a long time. He went to bed quite late, and judging from the sky, it seems he got up a bit late.

Since there are no classes, waking up early or late won't make a difference.

It just means I might miss breakfast in the Great Hall.

After finishing all that, I walked out of the dormitory. Before I even went downstairs, I subconsciously glanced down through the stair railing and saw Ginny, George, and Fred sitting in a row on the sofa in the middle of the Common Room.

The Twins brothers were whispering to each other with their heads down, each saying a sentence, and judging from their lip movements, they were speaking very fast.

In contrast, Ginny was very well-behaved, her hands tucked into her trousers, quietly waiting for something. Hearing Loren's footsteps coming downstairs, the three of them looked up at the same time, their faces showing surprise and delight.

"You guys were waiting for me?" Loren stopped and met the three men's gazes, asking in confusion.

Impatient with his slow movements, George and Fred stood up, strode over to him, each grabbed one of his arms, and carried him to the sofa to sit down.

There were some beef pies and hot milk on the small table in front of him, which looked like breakfast prepared for him.

George picked up the beef pie wrapped in parchment and stuffed it into his left hand. "Percy told us that you guys have found out the real Heir of Slytherin."

Fred picked up the glass of warm milk and placed it in his right hand. "They even chased it into the Chamber of Secrets and killed the Basilisk!"

Ginny shoved Fred aside and squeezed in front of Loren, her eyes full of concern. "I heard Harry was injured. Is it serious? How is he now?"

Loren: "..."

Don't you care about your Ron? He's in the hospital too...

"It's not serious, they're basically fine now." Loren looked at the Weasley family siblings with a puzzled expression. "They're in the Hospital Wing, why don't you just go and see them?"

"Percy said that Madam Pomfrey strictly controls who can visit and when, and she won't let us in. Percy told us not to disturb their rest unless necessary." Ginny was relieved that Harry was alright and sat back down, pushing Fred back towards her.

"You really believed that?" Loren asked, taking a bite of his beef pie. It sounded like something Percy would say to scare his younger siblings, especially since the Hospital Wing was packed with people yesterday and Madam Pomfrey hadn't said anything.

"Madam Pomfrey has always believed that the area outside the Hospital Wing is dangerous," George explained.

Fred shook his arm excitedly. "Tell us the story of the Gryffindor Champion ' battle against the Basilisk! We can't wait!"

The milk in the glass kept sloshing around, as if it was about to spill at any moment.

Loren finished the pie in a few bites, downed his milk in one gulp, and wiped the foam from the corner of his lips. "I'll take you to the Hospital Wing. You can ask Harry and Ron directly."

Ginny stood up immediately...

After leaving the Gryffindor Tower, Loren walked down the stairs to the door of the Hospital Wing on the Second Floor and knocked on the door.

After a while, the door slowly opened a crack, and Madam Pomfrey's head peeked out from the crack, wearing a white swallowtail cap.

With a calm gaze sweeping over Loren directly in front of her, Madam Pomfrey looked at the Weasley twins behind him, her brows furrowing tightly.

Loren pursed his lips. He probably knew why the Twins weren't coming to the Hospital Wing on their own; they were probably on Madam Pomfrey's blacklist.

George and Fred grinned at her, looking as obedient as two model students.

But Madam Pomfrey had an extremely bad impression of them.

Mischievous and naughty, faking illness to skip school. If any young wizard suddenly loses their nose, or their eyebrows grow so long they drag on the ground overnight, there's no need to investigate; these two are always behind it all.

"Good morning, Madam Pomfrey. We've come to visit Harry and the others," Loren said.

Good morning, Madam Pomfrey.

The Weasley siblings greeted each other in unison, very politely.

Madam Pomfrey squinted at them, but eventually stepped aside to open the door and led them to Harry and the others' beds. "No horseplay, no noise, no snacks."

Harry and Ron had just finished the nutritious breakfast provided by Madam Pomfrey, a special meal for the hospital ward: boiled eggs, buckwheat bread, boiled chicken breast... its defining characteristic was that it was healthy but tasted terrible. The two were looking at each other with bitter expressions, wanting to open the snacks, when Madam Pomfrey caught them.

Yesterday, with the headmaster present, Dumbledore led the way in eating snacks, and out of consideration for the headmaster's feelings, she couldn't easily intervene. Today was different. Madam Pomfrey efficiently cleared away the snacks, leaving space for the young wizards to gather together.

Harry and Ron watched the snacks fly away before noticing the group. "Why are you guys here so early?"

Ginny suddenly darted between Harry and Ron, carefully examining Harry's bandaged right hand.

Harry felt a little shy under the eager gazes and scratched his head. "It's all fine now, there's not a scar at all. It was Madam Pomfrey insisted on putting a bandage on it."

The little Witch's courage was like a soap bubble, punctured by his voice. Ginny, who had just been boldly looking around, blushed instantly, murmured, and shrank back to Ron's side.

George and Fred, mindful of Harry's injury, turned their attention to Ron. They sat on either side of Ron, placing their hands on Ron shoulders and affectionately rocking him.

George patted his shoulder hard. "Look what our little Ronnie did! He gave us a surprise right after the start of his vacation!"

Fred chuckled twice, "You guys completed a great adventure right after Seamus left, was that on purpose?"

"It's a pity that Harry hasn't used petrification to intimidate them in the Quidditch Match yet."

"Tell us what exactly happened!"

They laughed and joked around, and Loren turned and shrank into Hermione's cubicle.

The curtain seemed to block out the noise from outside, filling the cubicle with a peaceful atmosphere, like another world.

The Catgirl sat on the hospital bed with her legs stretched out. She was wearing a white striped hospital gown on her upper body, with a long robe draped over her shoulders. The blanket covered her lower body, and her little paws were scratching at Animagus's notebook.

Having already noticed the noise outside, Hermione's eyes lit up when she saw Loren enter. Her big, round cat eyes seemed to hold golden stars within them.

"Are you bored in the ward?" Loren sat down next to Hermione and peered into her notebook.

"It's alright, it's just a little inconvenient to turn the pages." Hermione's voice was soft and gentle.

Although she was initially distressed by her current appearance, Hermione quickly accepted her new state after the Basilisk incident was resolved, she didn't have to attend classes during the holidays, and there were no urgent matters to worry about.

She has always been a person who can endure loneliness; as long as she has books, she can feel at ease wherever she is.

Looking at the curled-up, cat-paw-like hand, Loren smiled maliciously, "Great, if my palms were also curled up, then I wouldn't have to do my holiday homework because I can't hold a quill pen."

What are you saying... Hermione pushed his head away impatiently. "Don't talk nonsense. Madam Pomfrey said I'll be back in about two weeks, and I'll definitely catch up on my studies."

Suddenly, she sniffed, brought her face close to Loren's, and tilted her head to ask, "Beef pie and milk?"

The triangular cat nose brushed against my cheek, cool and wet... Loren's neck stiffened, and he awkwardly dodged slightly. "I overslept, George and Fred brought me breakfast."

Hermione, oblivious to his odd behavior, nodded to herself. "Don't get lazy as soon as you're on vacation. Finish your homework early so you don't end up like Harry and Ron, working overtime to finish before school starts."

She thought about it and was still worried, "From now on, you can come to my place every day. I'll watch you do your homework and review the Animagus material while I'm at it. After all, Professor McGonagall will be giving you exams after the holidays."

"Understood, Professor Granger— "

Bang!

The sarcastic Loren got punched by the cat again.

Bang bang bang!

The sound of knocking on the shelf with the curtain hanging on it could be heard, like knocking on a door.

"Hermione, can we come in and take a look?" George's excited voice came from outside.

They learned the whole story from Harry and Ron, how they infiltrated the Slytherin Common Room, and heard that Hermione's Polyjuice Potion had gone wrong. George and Fred were very interested.

"No!" Hermione cried out and quickly shrank under the covers to hide.

Although she had accepted her current appearance and could remain calm in front of Loren, the thought of appearing like this in front of others still lingered...

Can't!

Absolutely unacceptable!

Outside the cubicle, George and Fred were still somewhat unwilling to give up. They were too interested in Polyjuice Potion, which could change a person's appearance and even give them the characteristics of other animals. This was a potion with such effects that they had always dreamed of making.

Since Loren was allowed in, there shouldn't be anything he couldn't see, and it wouldn't be considered offensive...

Fred reached out, wanting to lift the curtain and sneak a peek.

Snap!

Ginny slapped his hand hard across the back, leaving a red mark instantly. Ginny put her hands on her hips, glaring angrily at the Twins, her expression somewhat resembling Molly's, like a little lion.

She looked at the Twins sternly. "Hermione said you're not allowed to see this!"

Loren, who was about to leave the cubicle, stopped and stood there listening to the sounds outside.

"We—" George hadn't finished his explanation.

Ginny raised her hand as if to hit them again, not giving them a chance, just like Mrs. Weasley disciplining her children.

For some reason, George and Fred chickened out, muttering sullenly:

"Fine, I won't watch it then."

"Why are you being so fierce?"

The noise attracted Madam Pomfrey, who rushed over and glared at the Twins, her expression even fiercer than Ginny's, her hair sticking up in anger as she yelled, "Didn't I tell you not to make noise?"

George and Fred hung their heads and did not answer.

Madam Pomfrey snorted, went to Harry and Ron's side, and after a quick check, confirmed that they were both mostly alright.

She looked at the group of people with disdain. "Those two can be discharged now, you should all leave!"

"Madam Pomfrey!" Harry and Ron's faces lit up with joy, and they quickly got up, dressed, and put on their shoes.

After tidying up, she slipped away, leaving Ginny trailing behind with her two troublesome brothers, sighing deeply.

To be honest, before school started, her brothers pooled their money to buy her a whole set of new books, a cauldron, a magic robe... Ginny was very grateful to them.

After classes officially started, she saw some young wizards coming to school wearing old robes and carrying old books. Even though they tried their best to avoid it and restrain themselves, their embarrassment and troubles still showed in every aspect of the class.

Ginny's gratitude towards her brothers grew even stronger; she almost thought they had finally matured, but they were still a mess.

George and Fred are addicted to pranks. A well-timed prank can bring joy to everyone, but a prank without limits can become tiresome.

Hermione had so clearly refused, yet these two still tried to peek.

"Sigh, really..." Ginny shook her head, dragging her two older children out wearily, feeling a bit empathetic towards her mother's troubles.

Hermione lets Loren see because Loren is special; why can't these people understand that... Ginny glanced furtively at Harry, who was playing with Ron in front of her, thinking to herself, if only her brothers were half as good as Harry ...

Hearing that everyone outside had been kicked out of the Hospital Wing, Loren sat back down with a clear conscience. Madam Pomfrey kicked them out, what did it have to do with me Loren Morgan?

Just as I was thinking this, Madam Pomfrey's voice came from outside. "Mr. Morgan, you come out too."

Hermione and Loren exchanged a glance. Seeing the helpless expression on his face, Hermione smiled gently and silently gestured with her lips, "Goodbye, Mr. Morgan ~"

"You've arrived, Madam Pomfrey." Loren waved goodbye, slipped out of the cubicle, and stood in front of Madam Pomfrey before leaving.

Madam Pomfrey glanced at him and stopped him. "Have you forgotten? Dumbledore instructed that you would come with me to escort Lockhart to St Mungo's Sanatorium."

As she spoke, she went to Lockhart's bedside and poured him a small vial of medicine that shone with a moonlit glow. "His soul has suffered irreversible damage. I searched through books until late at night to find this medicine that can awaken him."

Hermione peeked through a crack in the curtain, her round eyes peering outside.

The medicine took effect quickly; Gilderoy Lockhart blinked a few times and slowly opened his eyes. He sat up swiftly, looking at them kindly with a friendly smile, showing no signs of illness.

"Hello," he said. "This place is strange, isn't it? Do you live here?"