The New Year

Beyond the Castle's Entrance Hall, a path cut through the white-blanketed grounds and wound into the woods. Snow laden the branches of the straight-trunked trees, like pear blossoms in full bloom.

The snow-buried path turned rugged as it entered the Forbidden Forest, yet the ground became much flatter. The Gamekeeper and Care of Magical Creatures professor had not taken a holiday break, patrolling the woods every day with his hound.

At the start of the new year, the Gamekeeper's Wooden House had not changed much. Its roof was covered in pristine snow like a blanket, and the yard was stacked with firewood reserves. Beyond it lay the pumpkin patch. As it was the coldest time of the year, the ground was frozen solid and nothing had been planted, leaving it bare and empty.

Loren and the others' boots made soft crunching sounds in the snow, alerting the hound inside. A flurry of barking immediately erupted.

The wooden door was rammed open with a creak, and Fang came racing out impatiently. He circled their trouser legs, rubbing against them so hard that the young wizards could feel his springy muscles and enthusiastic warmth.

Steam drifted from the dog's mouth and turned to white mist. The short-haired dog seemed utterly oblivious to the cold, darting back and forth tirelessly.

Loren gently nudged the little dog's belly and rump with the top of his foot, herding Fang back into the house.

"Hagrid!"

"Hagrid!"

"You're here! So early too. I thought you'd sleep in."

"Someone slept through breakfast, so we dragged ourselves here early for lunch."

Loren teasingly glanced at the two beside him, then naturally sat down at the table. He picked up the kettle and poured himself some steaming tea, driving away the chill from outside. "What are you making for lunch?