Giant's Winter

"Stars full of sky." That was today's password.

"I hope so," The Fat Lady said wistfully.

Before climbing through the Portrait Hole, Loren looked back at the sky beyond the corridor. Night had already fallen, and with clouds as thick and dark as ink, let alone stars, there was not even the slightest glimmer of light. It was eerie and strange, perfectly suited to the atmosphere of Halloween.

The Common Room, however, was brightly lit. Jack-o'-lanterns and enchanted candles hung overhead, while the firelight from the fireplace glowed beneath their feet, dyeing the soft armchairs orange-red.

The feast had not yet begun, and some young wizards were still lingering in the Common Room—reading, playing chess, doing homework, and... dating.

The sight that greeted them was rather hard on the eyes. On an armchair in the middle of the room, Lavender and Ron were tangled together, kissing passionately.

Most of the young wizards in the Common Room were used to it. Ever since the two had announced they were together on the night of the Quidditch match, scenes like this had occurred from time to time. The girl named Lavender Brown was madly in love with Ron Weasley and considered every second she could not kiss him a waste of time.

Unfortunately, their friends still could not calmly face the stares of the crowd. Just like now, Harry, Ginny, and Parvati were hiding in a corner. Their expressions were blank, but their gazes were somewhat similar—they were all embarrassed and ashamed by their friend's behavior.

"Hey, Parvati!"

Hermione put one arm around the prefect and pulled Ginny over with the other. The three girls huddled together and whispered quietly.

"..."

Loren sat down beside Harry and casually grabbed a few Every-Flavour Beans, tossing them into his mouth. "Have you been watching?