Christmas

December arrived as scheduled, blanketing Hogwarts Castle in a thin layer of snow, with delicate ice flowers forming on the windowpanes.

Life within the castle seemed not to be entirely overshadowed by the "Heir of Slytherin" menace. This was partly due to the effective reassurance and control exerted by Dumbledore and the professors, and partly because the most recent "attack" lacked the expected terrifying atmosphere—

Nearly Headless Nick was found frozen beside an armor on the eighth-floor corridor, his body covered in a cold, grayish-white hue. He had, without a doubt, been petrified.

However, unlike the horrifying scene when Mrs. Norris was attacked, this Gryffindor resident ghost showed no trace of terror or pain on his face.

On the contrary, his translucent visage was frozen in an expression of unusual serenity, even a kind of devout anticipation, with what seemed to be a smile of contentment lingering on his lips.

The first low-year student to discover him didn't even scream, merely scratching his head in confusion before running off to inform Filch.

After the news spread, students were more curious and gossipy than panicked.

"Nick looks... pretty happy?"

At lunch, Ron, spearing a potato, couldn't figure it out.

"Maybe he was thinking about joining the Headless Hunt?"

Hermione guessed, but even that reason didn't seem to fully explain the overly peaceful expression.

Harry frowned; this was far from the "terrifying attack" he had envisioned.

He subconsciously touched the scar on his forehead, a chill of urgency crawling up his spine—

No matter how bizarre this attack seemed, it meant that whatever was in the Chamber of Secrets was still active.

They had to be faster, had to beat the next... or the next victim.

Meanwhile, in the office of the Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, Lin Du was examining his reflection in the mirror, scrutinizing his changes.

The ominous silver at his roots had spread to a more conspicuous position; the backlash from the Moonlight Contract was proving more stubborn than he had anticipated.

He frowned for a moment, then lightly tapped his wand, and a soft halo enveloped his head.

A moment later, the man in the mirror sported even, lustrous silver-white hair—

This striking new hair color, paired with his Eastern, serene features, strangely blended to create a cool, mysterious aura, fitting quite well with his growing image as the "eccentric but capable new professor."

"Satisfied now?" Chao Feng coiled on a pile of books, its tone complex. "You look rather like a melancholic elven prince."

"Better than looking like I've been cursed by some Dark Magic, or aged prematurely," Lin Du replied calmly, his fingertips brushing a strand of silver hair.

"Self-deception," Chao Feng snorted.

The castle, thus, welcomed the Christmas feast amidst surface-level festive revelry and hidden, self-serving thoughts.

The Great Hall at night was enchanted; snowflakes drifted softly from the ceiling, vanishing before they touched the long tables.

A hundred plump roast turkeys, mountains of roasted meat and boiled potatoes, and a dazzling array of pies and puddings filled the four house tables, the air thick with the enticing aroma of food and cheerful noise.

Great piles of wizard crackers were set off one after another, with loud bangs, spewing blue smoke, and spitting out naval hats or lively colorful birds, eliciting bursts of laughter.

The atmosphere at the High Table was equally lively.

Dumbledore had swapped his pointed wizard hat for a lady's hat adorned with bright feathers and was happily listening to Professor Flitwick tell a joke.

Professor McGonagall, though sitting upright, also had a gentle smile on her lips.

When Lin Du entered the High Table, his striking silver hair immediately caught the attention of several professors present.

"Good evening, Professor Lin," Professor McGonagall nodded first, her gaze lingering on his hair for a moment with the rigorous curiosity befitting a professor. "Please forgive my curiosity... your hair color seems different from before?"

Lin Du paused for a moment, then naturally sat down in his seat, offering a slightly awkward smile. "Ah, this... yes, Professor McGonagall. Just a small experiment, to change my mood. Do you think... it's alright?"

"Very striking, my dear boy!" Professor Flitwick chirped, looking over his wine glass. "Very distinctive! It reminds me of the frost sprites of the north, mysterious and elegant!"

"Thank you, Professor Flitwick," Lin Du's smile became more natural, and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

At this moment, a cold, slippery voice came from the other side of the long table, like a basin of ice water attempting to extinguish the flames of joy.

"I've heard that white hair is a... special preference for some Easterners?" Professor Snape slowly cut a piece of roast turkey, not looking up, but his voice carried clearly. "Perhaps to match your unconventional teaching philosophy?"

The table fell silent for a moment.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled behind his half-moon spectacles, Professor McGonagall frowned slightly, and Professor Flitwick blinked.

Lin Du's expression remained unchanged, and he casually raised a hand to brush his silver bangs.

"Special preference?" He chuckled softly, a hint of well-placed helplessness in his tone. "Professor Snape, if you wanted to compliment my new look's Eastern charm, you could have just said so."

He paused, raising his goblet in a mock toast towards Snape. "As for teaching philosophy... it's like this mead. Some prefer the mellow richness of aged brew, others favor the crisp sweetness of a new blend. Each has its own way of drinking, doesn't it?"

Snape finally raised his eyelids, his black eyes sweeping over Lin Du with no warmth. He let out an almost inaudible snort through his nose but said nothing further, returning his attention to his plate.

"Haha, alright, alright," Dumbledore said at the opportune moment, raising his goblet of mead, his voice cheerful as he smoothed things over.

"Christmas Eve is for laughter and good food. Professor Lin's new hair color is very festive! Let us toast to the peace of Hogwarts, and to the coming New Year!"

"Cheers!" Professor Flitwick responded enthusiastically.

Professor McGonagall also raised her glass in agreement, adding sternly, "May there be less trouble in the new year."

Snape grudgingly touched the rim of his glass.

Lin Du smiled and took a sip of wine, but his gaze caught a fleeting glance from Dumbledore. The glance was so quick it was almost an illusion, yet it made Lin Du's heart tighten slightly.

The feast continued, with laughter filling the Great Hall.

On the surface, Lin Du joined the professors' idle chat about the weather, students, and the history of the Triwizard Tournament, but inwardly, he was calculating the ripening date of the Mandrakes and how to make his planned "accident" appear utterly flawless.

The silver strands of hair shimmered in the candlelight, like a meticulously crafted armor, concealing the gradually spreading Moonlight Curse beneath.

The Christmas revelry was merely a curtain; behind it, the real stage was quietly being set.