December 20th, Saturday.
In the Gryffindor boys' dormitory, Loren and the others got up even earlier than they did for class. After breakfast, they returned to the dormitory, neatly folded up their sheets and bedding, stuffed them into the wardrobe, and added sachets to keep out insects and moths. They would take everything out again after the holidays. They could also leave a few Puffskeins inside; the little creatures could keep out insects and moths too.
Before leaving, they drew the bed curtains to keep dust from settling on the beds. Everything was packed away, and all that remained was to wait for the train to arrive.
Loren was counting the Christmas presents he had prepared for the professors. In previous years, he had entrusted owls to deliver them on Christmas Eve. This year, he planned to leave them at Hogwarts Castle and have them transported to the professors' offices early on Christmas morning.
"Tut, tut..."
Whenever Loren imagined the professors' expressions upon receiving their gifts, he could not help leaning back with a smile.
What was a Merlin-level surprise?
This was a Merlin-level surprise!
For some reason, Seamus, despite staying at school for the holidays, had gotten up early with them, gone downstairs for breakfast, and returned to the dormitory without taking another nap. Instead, he sat nearby and watched them pack.
He looked so pitiful, like a child left behind at home.
Loren did not mind. He patted the parchment paper-wrapped package in his hands and said with a smile, "Seamus, this is my Christmas present for you. I'll leave it hidden somewhere in the Castle, and it'll appear in front of you on Christmas Day."
"Then why tell me about it now?"
Seamus frowned at the package, looking rather miserable. "You're only making me curious. Now I