Adding Fuel

After Albert handed the prepared holiday gifts to the House-elves for delivery, the holiday break had quietly drawn near.

The holiday atmosphere in Hogwarts Castle grew even stronger. As in previous years, twelve holiday trees stood in the Great Hall; the staircase banisters were wrapped in holly and tinsel, and large bunches of mistletoe hung at intervals along the corridors. The girls liked gathering beneath the mistletoe, hoping their dream Prince Charming would give them a romantic kiss.

By the fireplace in the Gryffindor Common Room, Fred and George were equally excited about the approaching holiday. They were discussing how, on the day they boarded the Hogwarts Express to leave school, they could secretly prepare an unexpected surprise for Filch.

"Where are you going for the Christmas Holiday?" Lee Jordan reached over and poked Tom Cat, who was lying by the fireplace. "Going abroad again?"

"Nowhere. I'm planning to stay home for the entire holiday."

Herb had been busy running around outside lately, so the Anderson family had no plans to go away for the holidays this year. They intended to stay home and hibernate through winter.

"Oh, right. I asked my father to look into that thing from last time. I just got his reply not long ago."

"Which thing?"

Fred and George had clearly forgotten what it was.

"Investigating the rents for shops in Diagon Alley. They're higher than we imagined, and there aren't any suitable vacant shops left." Lee Jordan took a letter from his pocket and handed it to Albert. Then he said to Fred and George, "Unless you're willing to open a shop somewhere with a terrible location. Of course, there are still plenty of shops for rent in Knockturn Alley, and they're quite cheap, but you know the security there isn't exactly good."

"What