Christmas Holiday Begins

After the battle ended, the cottage was a mess.

Besides the three Goblins Charlie had knocked out, the four Goblins Professor Flitwick hit were all dead as doornails.

Charlie stared at the bodies on the floor, feeling unsettled.

Even though he had a strong mental fortitude, this was his first time seeing real corpses.

"Professor, are they all..."

"Dead." Professor Flitwick's expression was calm, completely lacking the gentleness he showed in class.

Don't let Professor Flitwick's usual friendliness fool you—when he fought, he didn't hold back at all.

After all, he had lived through the turbulent times of the wizarding world.

According to Hermione, back then, anyone who hadn't killed a Dark Wizard wouldn't dare go out alone.

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

Charlie gained a new understanding of his Head of House.

It seemed none of the Hogwarts professors were pushovers.

Griphook trembled in the corner, his face pale as he stared at the room full of bodies.

"It's over. Bagman got away. He'll definitely take revenge on me." Griphook clutched his head.

"I need to move, as far away as possible."

Professor Flitwick walked over and patted his shoulder.

"Don't worry, I'll help you handle it. Bagman and his lot attacked wizards—the Ministry of Magic won't let them off."

With that, Professor Flitwick waved his Wand, binding the three unconscious Goblins.

"We'll head back to Hogwarts first, then I'll send these guys to the Ministry."

Charlie grabbed the Troll Vest and returned to Hogwarts.

The sky was growing dark.

The corridors were empty; most students had already gone home for Christmas.

Professor Flitwick walked ahead, then suddenly stopped and turned to Charlie with an awkward smile.

"Charlie, about today's events... could you not mention them to anyone?"

Charlie looked at him, puzzled.

"Especially not to Professor McGonagall," Professor Flitwick whispered.

"If it gets back to her, I'm done for."

Charlie caught on—he definitely wouldn't sell out his teacher.

"Don't worry, Professor. I won't tell a soul."

Just then, a flat voice came from beside them.

"What is it that can't get back to me?"

The two jumped in fright. Turning around, they saw Professor McGonagall standing at the corner of the corridor, staring at them expressionlessly.

"McG... Professor McGonagall." Professor Flitwick stammered.

"What are you doing here?"

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

"More to the point, what are you two doing out here so late?"

Charlie sneaked a glance at Professor Flitwick and saw the Head of House breaking out in a cold sweat.

Ten minutes later, watching Professor Flitwick get chewed out like a grandson by Professor McGonagall, Charlie made a quick getaway.

Even a dueling champion feared the lioness.

Charlie dragged his suitcase onto the Hogwarts Express.

The train car had plenty of students, but some had chosen to stay at school for the holiday.

Harry and Ron had stayed behind too.

Charlie found an empty compartment and lay down comfortably.

"Finally, I can go back and see Grandma White," he muttered to himself.

"She must miss me a lot."

"Who are you?" Grandma White asked coldly.

Charlie was stunned.

"I'm Charlie."

"Who's Charlie?"

Charlie froze on the spot.

Could Grandma White be losing her memory?

His eyes instantly turned red.

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

Grandma White: "???"

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

"You little brat, what did you say before you left? You promised to write me letters—where are they?"

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

Charlie rubbed his head. It didn't actually hurt—Grandma hadn't used any force.

"Heh, sorry, Grandma. I got busy and forgot."

Grandma White shook her head helplessly, but she really did miss Charlie.

Charlie was studying so far away all alone—it must be hard, right?

Ernie: "?"

She wondered if anyone was bullying him.

Malfoy: "?"

Charlie was such an obedient kid.

Professors: "?"

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

"Come on in, it's cold outside."

Charlie grinned and hugged Grandma White's arm.

"Grandma, I missed you so much."

"Cut it out. If you really missed me, how come you didn't even send a single letter?"

Grandma White grumbled, but the smile on her face gave away her true feelings.

"Grandma, I was wrong. Next semester, I'll write on time for sure." Charlie raised his hand in a vow.

The laughter of children echoed from inside the Orphanage, and it sounded incredibly familiar to Charlie.

This feeling was completely different from Hogwarts.

Hogwarts had friends too, and a sense of home.

But the former was like an old house, while the latter felt more like a family he'd built himself.

"Brother Charlie!"

A few kids burst out, circling around Charlie.

Dizzy from the swarm, Charlie crouched down and chatted with the children.

Of course, he didn't breathe a word about magic.

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

This kid—still the same as ever.

That evening, Grandma White, Charlie, and the younger kids from the Orphanage had Christmas dinner together.

It was nowhere near as lavish as Hogwarts' feast, but it felt warm.

Simple roast chicken, mashed potatoes, vegetable soup, and Apple Pie made by Grandma White herself.

"Grandma, your cooking is still amazing."

Charlie wolfed down the Apple Pie.

"Glad you like it—eat up." Grandma White ladled him a big bowl of soup.

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

Charlie nearly spat out his soup.

Skinny? He was eleven, already 1.7 meters tall, with a well-proportioned build.

At Hogwarts, everyone called him a dashing young gentleman.

Sure enough, there's a kind of malnutrition called "Grandma thinks you're too thin."

After dinner, Charlie and Grandma White sat by the fireplace, chatting.

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

"Pretty good, Grandma." Charlie said earnestly.

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

"That's good to hear." Grandma White breathed a sigh of relief.

"I was just worried you'd be mistreated out there on your own."

"How could that be?"

"My teachers and classmates have all been very kind to me."

The two talked late into the night, until Grandma White's eyelids were heavy with sleep, before they each returned to their rooms to rest.

The next morning, Storm began bustling about.

It was tasked with delivering all the Christmas presents Charlie had prepared.

First up was Professor Snape's.

Charlie had prepared a thirteen-in-one shampoo for him, because his hair was always greasy and oily, clearly showing he didn't care much for cleanliness.

This shampoo could serve as: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, peanut butter, sports drink, milk, tinfoil, tennis shoes, dental floss, and eye drops. Thirteen effects in total, perfect for a homebody like Professor Snape.

Next was Professor McGonagall's.

Charlie had prepared a large batch of catnip for her. He'd heard Professor McGonagall kept a cat, and this was a feline favorite. He just hoped Professor McGonagall's cat wouldn't get too addicted.

Then came Professor Flitwick's.

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

Professor Sprout's gift was a new pair of dragon-hide gloves.

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

As for Professor Dumbledore, Charlie rarely saw him, so he hadn't prepared a gift for him.

Surely a headmaster that big would have plenty of people to keep him company at Christmas—would he really be short on gifts?

Harry and Ron were easy to handle.

A full set of Charlie's special-edition study notes.

Charlie had pulled several all-nighters, jotting down insights on spells and Transfiguration to give to them.

They'd definitely be touched.

And the Weasley Twins—Charlie bought each of them a copy of The Complete Guide to Prank Props. They'd probably love it.

He hoped they'd contribute even greater pranks to Hogwarts.

[In the eyes of classmates and teachers, Your Majesty is no different from a demon seed. Tyrant Points +10]

"That cold system could never understand the bonds between us."

He also bought a bunch of magical-world candies for the kids at the orphanage.

Fizzing Whizbees, Chocolate Frogs, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans.

Of course, he told the kids these were imported sweets.

For Grandma White, he bought a thick wool scarf.

A light blue one, which suited her complexion perfectly.

After all this, Charlie's money was just about gone.

But he didn't feel a bit of regret.

[Detected Your Majesty's reckless spending. Tyrant Points +5!]

"Do you really have to come out and ruin the mood right now?"

Charlie was speechless.