Christmas Holiday Begins

The battle was over, and the cottage was a complete mess.

Aside from the three Goblins Charlie had knocked unconscious, the four Goblins Professor Flitwick had struck were dead beyond dead.

Charlie looked at the bodies on the ground, feeling somewhat unaccustomed to the sight.

Although he had a strong mentality, this was still his first time seeing real corpses.

"Professor, they're all..."

"Dead." Professor Flitwick's expression was calm, completely lacking his usual gentleness in class.

Professor Flitwick might usually seem amiable, but he was not at all hesitant when it came to fighting.

After all, he had lived through the turbulent era the Wizarding World had once endured.

Hermione had said that, in those days, anyone who had never killed a Dark wizard would not dare go out alone.

Professor Flitwick waved his Wand, and the bloodstains on the ground vanished instantly.

Charlie gained a new understanding of this Head of House.

It seemed that none of the Hogwarts professors were pushovers.

Griphook trembled in the corner, his face deathly pale as he stared at the corpses filling the room.

"It's over. Bagman escaped. He'll definitely come back for revenge." Griphook clutched his head.

"I have to move. The farther away, the better."

Professor Flitwick walked over and patted him on the shoulder.

"Don't worry. I'll take care of it. Bagman and the others attacked Wizards. The Ministry of Magic won't let them off."

As he spoke, Professor Flitwick waved his Wand and bound the three unconscious Goblins.

"We'll return to Hogwarts first. Then I'll send these fellows to the Ministry of Magic."

Charlie put on the Troll vest and returned to Hogwarts.

The sky was growing dark.

The corridors were deserted. Most of the students had already gone home for Christmas.

Professor Flitwick walked ahead, then suddenly stopped and turned toward Charlie with an embarrassed smile.

"Charlie, about what happened today... could you not mention it to anyone else?"

Charlie looked at him suspiciously.

"Especially don't tell Professor McGonagall," Professor Flitwick whispered.

"Otherwise, if she hears about it, I'll be finished."

Charlie understood immediately. He definitely could not betray his teacher.

"Don't worry, Professor. I won't tell anyone."

Just then, an emotionless voice came from beside them.

"What is it that must not reach my ears?"

The two of them jumped in fright and turned around. Professor McGonagall was standing at the corner of the corridor, staring at them expressionlessly.

"P-Professor McGonagall." Professor Flitwick stammered.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm inspecting the castle." Professor McGonagall walked over, her gaze sweeping over the two of them.

"But what about you? What are you doing outside so late?"

Charlie secretly glanced at Professor Flitwick and saw that the Head of House was breaking out in a cold sweat.

Ten minutes later, Charlie watched Professor Flitwick get scolded by Professor McGonagall until he looked utterly pitiful, then slipped away.

Even a dueling champion was afraid of a lioness.

Charlie dragged his suitcase onto the Hogwarts Express.

There were quite a few students in the carriages, though some had chosen to remain at school for the holiday.

Harry and Ron had stayed too.

Charlie found an empty carriage and lay down comfortably.

"I can finally go back and see Grandma White." He murmured to himself.

"She must miss me terribly."

"Who are you?" Grandma White asked coldly.

Charlie was stunned.

"It's me, Charlie."

"Which Charlie?"

Charlie froze on the spot.

Could Grandma White have developed dementia?

Charlie's eyes instantly reddened.

"It's all right, Grandma. Even if you don't remember me, I'll still stay with you."

Grandma White: "???"

The next second, a fist landed on Charlie's head.

"You little rascal, what did you say before you left? You'd send me letters. Where are they?"

"You haven't sent a single letter back. Should I even recognize you?"

Charlie rubbed his head. It did not actually hurt; Grandma White had barely used any strength.

"Hehe, sorry, Grandma. I forgot because I was busy."

Grandma White shook her head helplessly. In truth, she had missed Charlie terribly too.

Charlie had been studying all alone so far away. It must have been hard for him, right?

Ernie: "?"

I wonder if anyone has bullied him.

Malfoy: "?"

Charlie is such an obedient child.

The professors: "?"

At that thought, Grandma White's gaze softened, and she beckoned Charlie into the Orphanage.

"Come inside quickly. It's so cold out."

Charlie grinned and hugged Grandma White's arm.

"Grandma, I missed you so much."

"Don't give me that. If you really missed me, how come you couldn't even send one letter?"

Grandma White grumbled with her mouth, but the smile on her face betrayed her true feelings.

"Grandma, I was wrong. I'll definitely send letters on time next term." Charlie raised his hand and swore.

Laughter from the children echoed through the Orphanage, sounding especially familiar to Charlie.

This feeling was completely different from being at Hogwarts.

Hogwarts had friends too, and it felt like home.

But the former was like an old house, while the latter was more like a family he had worked to build himself.

"Big Brother Charlie!"

Several small children rushed out and ran circles around Charlie.

Charlie became dizzy from being surrounded. He crouched down and chatted with the children.

Of course, he did not mention a single word about magic.

Grandma White watched from the side, her eyes full of affection.

This child was still the same as before.

That evening, Grandma White, Charlie, and the younger children of the Orphanage had Christmas dinner together.

Although it was nowhere near as lavish as the feast at Hogwarts, it made them feel warm and cozy.

There was simple roast chicken, mashed potatoes, vegetable soup, and apple pie made personally by Grandma White.

"Grandma, your cooking is still amazing."

Charlie ate the apple pie in great mouthfuls.

"If you like it, eat more." Grandma White ladled him a large bowl of soup.

"Look how thin you are. Doesn't that school feed you?"

Charlie almost spat out his soup.

Thin? He was eleven years old and already five foot seven, with a well-proportioned build.

At Hogwarts, who did not call him a handsome and graceful young man?

Sure enough, there was a kind of malnutrition called Grandma Thinks You're Thin.

After dinner, Charlie and Grandma White sat before the fireplace and chatted.

"Charlie, how are things at school?" Grandma White asked with concern.

"Pretty good, Grandma." Charlie answered seriously.

"I've made some very good friends, and the teachers take good care of me too."

"That's good." Grandma White sighed in relief.

"I was afraid you'd be mistreated out there all alone."

"How could I be?"

"My teachers and classmates are all very good to me."

They chatted late into the night. Only when Grandma White grew so sleepy that her eyelids drooped did they return to their rooms to rest.

Early the next morning, Storm began to busy himself.

He was responsible for delivering all the Christmas presents Charlie had prepared.

First was Professor Snape's.

Charlie had prepared thirteen-in-one shampoo for him, because his hair was always greasy. At a glance, it was clear that he did not like keeping clean.

The shampoo could be used as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, peanut butter, a sports drink, Milk, aluminum foil, tennis shoes, dental floss, and eye drops. With thirteen effects in total, it was perfect for a shut-in like Professor Snape.

Next was Professor McGonagall.

Charlie had prepared a large portion of catnip for her. He had heard that Professor McGonagall kept a cat, and this was a cat's favorite. He hoped Professor McGonagall's cat would not become too addicted.

Then there was Professor Flitwick.

Charlie had prepared a small stool for him, so he would not have to stand on books during class anymore.

Professor Sprout's gift was a new pair of Dragonhide Gloves.

Her old pair had already worn out, and she had nearly been bitten by a Mandrake in the greenhouse last time.

As for Professor Dumbledore, Charlie rarely saw him, so he had not prepared a gift.

A Headmaster as important as him must have plenty of people keeping him company at Christmas. Surely he would not be short of presents?

Harry and Ron were easy to please.

A complete set of Charlie's exclusive study notes.

Charlie had worked himself to the bone for several days, writing down his insights into various spells and Transfiguration before giving them to the two of them.

They would definitely be deeply moved.

There were also the Weasley Twins. Charlie had bought each of them a book containing a complete collection of prank props. He imagined they would like them.

Hopefully, they would offer Hogwarts even greater pranks.

In the eyes of his classmates and teachers, Your Majesty was no different from a devil child now. Tyrant Points +10

"How could a cold, heartless system understand the bond between us?"

He had also bought plenty of Wizarding World candy for the younger children at the Orphanage.

Pop Rocks, Chocolate Frogs, and Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans.

Of course, he told the children that they were imported candy.

For Grandma White, he bought a thick woolen scarf.

It was light blue and suited Grandma White's complexion very well.

After finishing all that, Charlie had almost spent all the money on him.

But he did not feel heartbroken in the slightest.

Excessive extravagance detected in Your Majesty. Tyrant Points +5!

"Did you really have to appear right now and ruin the mood?"

Charlie was speechless.