Lynn's Christmas Eve

The weather gradually turned colder.

Hogwarts officially began its Christmas holiday as well.

Before leaving, Cedric had invited Lynn to spend Christmas with them, but Lynn had declined.

He had been in this world for over ten years and had never developed the habit of celebrating the holiday. Besides, Christmas was meant to be spent with family, and it would not have been appropriate for an outsider like him to go along.

As for Ian, although he no longer resisted spending time with Lynn and Cedric, they were not close enough for him to invite Lynn home to meet his parents.

After several days of contact, Lynn had also figured out Ian's family background.

Like him, Ian came from a pure Muggle family, but Ian had both a father and mother, unlike Lynn, who was an orphan.

Hogwarts began to grow quiet. Hardly any young wizards remained in the castle, and even meals were no longer divided by House; the students who had stayed shared a single table.

Professor Foxx did not seem to be planning to leave Hogwarts either. Lynn had cautiously brought it up once, and the professor said that he was a bachelor now—wherever he went was home.

The day before Christmas, Professor McGonagall informed all the young wizards staying at school that Professor Dumbledore would spend this year's Christmas Eve with them in the Great Hall that night.

On Christmas Eve, Lynn arrived at the Great Hall, which the professors had carefully decorated.

A huge Christmas tree stood in the center. Hagrid had specially selected it from the Forbidden Forest, and Lynn had even greeted him when he carried it over that morning.

The tiny, glittering stars floating above the tree were Professor Flitwick's work.

Given his height, casting spells on such a large tree had not been easy. He had stacked two stools beneath himself and even had two young wizards hold them steady to keep him from falling.

Professor McGonagall had long since conjured countless ribbons, bells, and wreaths throughout the Great Hall, making the previously plain room much more dazzling.

Professor Sprout's flowers and plants, along with Professor Snape's sour face looking somewhat less sour than usual, made the festive atmosphere at Hogwarts especially strong.

There were not many young wizards staying at school, but nearly all the unmarried professors were there, along with Hagrid, who was not yet a professor but the Keeper of Keys and Grounds, Filch the castle caretaker, Madam Pince the librarian, and Madam Pomfrey the school matron. Everyone had gathered together.

Not only the living were there—the ghosts of Hogwarts had come as well. They had escorted Peeves in, forcibly dressed him as a reindeer, and followed Bloody Baron into the Great Hall to attend the feast with everyone else.

Professor Dumbledore had been seated in the middle of the long table for some time. He wore a red Christmas hat today, and a gentle smile remained on his face, making him look exactly like a harmless old grandfather next door.

The feast was equally lavish. The long table was covered with Western dishes: enormous turkeys enlarged with the Engorgement Charm, yule logs that looked like actual pieces of wood, German gingerbread, sausages, roast suckling pig, and a Christmas pudding in front of every person.

After the young wizards, professors, and ghosts sang Christmas carols before the tree, the feast officially began.

The professors did not sit together, instead scattering themselves among the young wizards. Lynn's seat was rather unusual—he was seated beside Professor Dumbledore.

It was his first time being so close to the greatest white wizard of the twentieth century. Dumbledore did indeed look very old, with snow-white hair and beard, loose skin, and countless wrinkles.

Yet he still appeared vigorous and full of spirit, not at all like a centenarian.

"Lynn Belloc, correct?" Dumbledore's eyes always gave people a sense that he could be trusted. As soon as Lynn entered, he had waved him over to sit beside him.

Lynn was actually rather uneasy. Dumbledore could be said to stand at the very pinnacle of the wizarding world. He was not sure whether the Legilimency rewarded by the system would work, nor did he know why the headmaster, who had not appeared at school for half a term, knew who he was.

"Yes, Professor. You know me?" Lynn's nervousness was not an act.

Dumbledore smiled.

"Adrien often mentions you to me. He says you are the most outstanding student Hogwarts has ever seen."

Well then, he had found the culprit!

Lynn's expression darkened slightly. He had actually been sold out by the professor he trusted most.

He discreetly glanced at Professor Foxx, who was chatting with Professor McGonagall, then shook his head.

"Professor Foxx overpraised me. I'm still far from that. Among the young wizards I know, second-year Cedric and Ian, who's in the same year as me, are both better than I am."

"They are indeed talented students, but you needn't belittle yourself. All of you have bright futures ahead."

Dumbledore had been slowly savoring his Christmas pudding. Known as an old bee, he loved sweets just as much as Lynn did.

"Have you grown accustomed to life at Hogwarts?"

"The professors are all kind, the students are friendly, and magic is fascinating. Compared with living alone before, this place could be called paradise."

Lynn felt that this flattery had been flawless. It would surely delight the old bee.

Sure enough, Dumbledore laughed happily. But his next words wiped the smile from Lynn's face.

"I heard from Minerva that while I was away from Hogwarts, your roommates once attempted to frame you. Do you not hate them?"

Lynn pondered the old bee's meaning, but could not make sense of it. He could only force himself to answer.

"Of course I resent them, Professor. But you know, Hubert ended up like that. He has already received more than enough punishment. Besides, I can't change the way they think. I don't hate them; I only want to stay away from them."

Lynn's mood seemed somewhat low, and Dumbledore comforted him.

"Belloc, everyone has beliefs they cling to. You need not bear anything because of other people's prejudice. Think of your friends, and the professors who care about you. They are all people you can trust."

"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore."

"You're welcome. Come, try this pudding. It truly tastes wonderful."

While Hogwarts's teachers and students celebrated Christmas Eve, a little girl in a white dress stood happily gnawing on a steak in front of the door to an underground storeroom in the castle.

Her hands were covered in grease, as was the area around her mouth. As she ate, she patted the wooden door with her little hand.

"Sophia wants another piece!"

Before long, another steak suddenly appeared on the empty plate in front of her.

The person behind the wooden door said something, and Sophia, so happy she was nearly crying, nodded repeatedly.

"I know, I know. I'll leave once I'm full. I definitely won't let Lynn suspect anything."

I know, I know. Once I finish writing, I'll post it. The dear readers will definitely vote for me.