Compared with the lively atmosphere at the Defence Association Headquarters, the Shelter was deserted, without the slightest hint of a holiday mood.
No, it would be more accurate to say they had no intention of celebrating Christmas—or rather, no intention of celebrating Christmas in the Shelter.
Many underage wizards were unable to attend the Christmas Ball because of their age, and they harboured considerable resentment toward Albert. When they learned that Albert had come to the Shelter, they fixed him with resentful stares, leaving him rather speechless.
Albert could understand it. Anyone forced to hide in the Shelter all day would suffer physically and mentally, but...
"You seem to have forgotten your situation. The moment you attend the Christmas Ball, the Trace on you will completely expose the Association Headquarters to the Death Eaters' eyes, and besides..."
The expression on Albert's face grew stranger still as he asked, "Why don't you hold your own Christmas Ball?"
His words left everyone stunned. Clearly, no one had expected Albert to say that—or that this was even an option. Why not hold a party in the Shelter? Right!
Why not hold their own Christmas Ball? But... many of them still felt that something was off.
As for what exactly was wrong, they could not put it into words for the moment.
"That may be true, but we have nothing here. How are we supposed to hold a Christmas Ball?" someone muttered quietly.
Everyone immediately came to a realization!
That was right!
They had nothing here. How could they hold a Christmas Feast? "Are you sure you really have nothing?"
Albert raised a hand to suppress the surrounding chatter and swept his gaze over the crowd.
"As long as you're willing to spend some time clearing out the hall, there's more than enough space