Soul Detention

Christmas was fast approaching, and Breeze could finally return to the Owlery to live as he pleased, since everyone in Slytherin had chosen to go home. Breeze had no desire to stay alone in that place with so little vitality; it was, after all, just a converted dungeon.

Snow was falling heavily, and Professor Quirrell was about to leave Hogwarts—this was truly good news.

"Ah!"

At the castle gate, Breeze, having just finished Potions Class, was enjoying the cool breeze and preparing for a stroll in the snow when he saw the Weasley brothers. It was unclear who had started it, but they were throwing snowballs at each other, and one of them had deliberately pelted the back of Quirrell's head with a heavy one.

After a startled cry, Quirrell turned around in a panic, only to see Snape walking out of the gate, staring right at him.

Swallowing hard, Quirrell hurriedly pulled at his large turban and headed toward Hogsmeade Village along the path.

"Hahaha!" After Quirrell left, the twins burst into laughter, while Snape, after casting a glance at Breeze, flicked his cloak and strode into the castle.

"Little Breeze, come join the snowball fight!" George saw Breeze and shouted loudly, his dancing movements quite comical. They were wearing pointed felt hats and bulky sweaters embroidered with English letters—hand-knitted by their mother.

"Oh, sorry George, I need to go for a walk. I ate a bit too much this morning."

Breeze smiled and did not join their game.

George said, "Oh, look, cute Breeze recognized me."

Fred raised an eyebrow; he thought it might have been luck, but he didn't dwell on it, instead grabbing a handful of snow and throwing it at a passing Wizard.

"Hey, you can't do that!" The passing Little Lion bared his fangs and brandished his claws, grabbing snow from the ground to join the fray. As time passed, more and more people joined the frolic.

The Weasley twins always knew how to bring joy to everyone.

"You're here, Breeze."

Ever since Breeze helped Sprout prepare plants for Christmas decorations a few days ago, she had started calling him by his first name.

"Come, there is a big task that needs your help; the magic of the other Wizards just won't do."

"Hagrid is picking out this year's Christmas tree, but I think he needs your assistance."

Sprout used a Levitation Charm to float the decorative plants and pointed the way for Breeze. It was clear that the professors were all busy today; Snape would likely be called upon to fiddle with ribbons, as this holiday was very important in Britain. Many things had to be done by hand, unlike Halloween, where Transfiguration was used directly.

It was a pity that Breeze didn't like Christmas, even if it was interesting. To be honest, historically speaking, this was a day Wizards should have hated; Christmas was a Muggle holiday.

"Mr. Hagrid!"

Breeze walked through the snow and soon arrived at Hagrid's hut. Because he had cast a Warming Charm on himself, Breeze didn't feel the cold. Hagrid didn't either, but he relied on his own constitution; being a half-giant, he was always a bit special.

"Professor Sprout said you needed help. I think my spells can assist you."

"Oh, you're Order, right? I've heard of you. Um, I mean, if you can help, I can give you some Rock Cakes as a reward."

Seeing a little snake approach, Hagrid was clearly very awkward and felt it was incredible, but since it was the professor's arrangement, he had to accept it.

"Rock Cakes?" Breeze had never heard of this food, but after thinking about a giant's dietary habits, he firmly refused.

"Sorry, I think I'm already quite full."

"Is it this one?" Breeze asked, looking at the massive pine tree in front of him. Hagrid scratched his hair and nodded, "Yes, that's it. In a while, we'll hang many decorations on it; it will make it the most eye-catching thing this Christmas."

Actually, putting an undecorated pine tree in a room was also quite eye-catching.

Breeze's wand slid from his sleeve, and he quickly exerted his magic. The pine tree floated into the air; his magical intensity was high, reaching a level that most adult Wizards today could not achieve.

"Oh, what a little monster." Hagrid gulped, looking at the calm Breeze, feeling it was unbelievable.

Ignoring Hagrid's shock, Breeze had a profound understanding of his own magic; it was all thanks to natural magic. If he set aside natural magic, his power would only be on par with a fourth or fifth-year Wizard.

Of course, his level of spellcasting and Transfiguration was different; he could absolutely crush most Wizards, and even some adults did not have as comprehensive an understanding as Breeze.

By the time Breeze and Hagrid brought the large pine tree to the entrance of Hogwarts, those Wizards had already been rounded up by McGonagall and taken back to the castle; she didn't want to see students with steam coming out of their ears all day.

"Oh, Hagrid, do you need help?"

Breeze walked behind, waving his wand, while Hagrid led the way. However, when Harry and Ron were at the gate seeing Hermione off to the Hogwarts Express, they spotted Hagrid and the large pine tree floating behind him, so they called out to him.

Ron asked, "Hagrid, aren't you not allowed to use magic?"

Hagrid's wand had been snapped by the Ministry of Magic years ago, so he couldn't use magic. But Harry knew that Hagrid's wand was actually hidden in the handle of the umbrella he always carried. Of course, he wasn't a blabbermouth, and he didn't want the loose-lipped Ron to accidentally let it slip, as that would get Hagrid thrown into prison by the Ministry.

"Oh, no, not me!"

"It's Order. It's truly hard to believe."

"Breeze?" Hermione pulled her suitcase, and Breeze also moved to the front of the pine tree with his wand.

"Merry Christmas, Hermione."

Hermione was a Muggle-born, with parents who loved her, so she was returning to the Muggle world via the Hogwarts Express today to spend Christmas.

"Merry Christmas, Breeze." Hermione's expression was a bit sour; anyone would feel that way seeing a monster appear in their grade, especially Hermione, who prided herself on being able to keep up with Breeze.

Well, Hermione had been dealt another blow, but thinking back to the last time Breeze had hung all the Wizards upside down in mid-air, this giant pine tree probably wasn't much.

"I'll be going then; this is the only train leaving Hogwarts."

Hermione smiled, declined Harry and the others' farewell, and took her suitcase alone to catch up with some Wizards who were already walking ahead.

Those Wizards were also shocked when they saw Breeze holding up a massive pine tree with a Levitation Charm. The little snakes were silent; they dared not imagine what it would feel like if this tree fell on them.

Malfoy walked out empty-handed at this moment, followed by two burly lackeys, Crabbe and Goyle, who were carrying his luggage.

"Oh, who do we have here? It's dear Order and..." Malfoy scanned Harry and Ron, smiling slowly, "our unwanted Potter Savior, and the Weasley brat whose family has so many kids they don't even want to take him home."

"Malfoy!" Hearing this, Ron immediately clenched his fists, ready to step up and punch Malfoy.

"Weasley, I suggest you be careful!" Pansy walked over at this moment, staring at Ron with a cold, vicious gaze before linking her arm with Malfoy's.

"Let's go, Draco. Your family is hosting a ball on Christmas Day, and I need to go back and pick out a beautiful dress."

"Hmph, of course. The Malfoys only host elegant and beautiful guests."

Breeze watched the drama unfold in silence. This was the first time he had watched Malfoy tease Harry and Ron, and he felt it was truly quite boring.

"Move aside, quickly. I imagine the professors are getting impatient for this."

Breeze smiled as he watched the group, then carried the pine tree through the main gate, causing the young wizards to scramble out of the way.

Malfoy and his group dared not express their anger, nor did they pay any more attention to Harry and the others.

"Oh, look at this Order, just as annoying." Ron straightened his robes, brushing off the snowflakes that had accidentally clung to him from the pine branches.

"It's already good enough; at least he didn't call me an unwanted child," Harry muttered.

Ron raised an eyebrow. "He stayed at school too, didn't he? That's a first for a Slytherin."

Harry didn't know what to say to that; he even felt a bit of pity for Breeze in his heart. When the Sorting Hat was sorting Harry, it had hoped to place him in Slytherin. If Harry hadn't insisted on Gryffindor, he feared he would be in a worse position than Breeze now. At the very least, Breeze was excellent and no one dared to provoke him, whereas he was different—he even worried about whether he would be held back a year for failing his exams.

"Oh, thank you, Order." Flitwick was very enthusiastic about helping with the holiday decorations. He had woken up early to decorate the Great Hall. He and Dumbledore had even made some small crackers that would go bang with a pop when pulled, revealing a small gift inside.

"Place it in the center!" Flitwick directed Breeze to set the Christmas tree in the middle of the teachers' dais. The seats at the teachers' table had already been moved aside; since not many students were staying for Christmas, the professors would come down to dine with the students at the smaller tables.

Snape stood to the side, cold and statue-like. It seemed he was not satisfied with the arrangement of having to come and help Flitwick decorate this verdant pine tree.

After placing the Christmas tree, Breeze prepared to return to the Owlery to read. Flitwick did not insist that Breeze stay; he was enjoying the joy of decorating for Christmas and didn't need many people to help with this part.

"Oh, a lonely little wizard! Let's see who can save you this time!"

Peeves suddenly rushed out from a corner, holding a large water balloon in his hands. Using such a thing to attack a young wizard in the middle of winter—this Peeves was truly detestable.

Breeze drew his wand and cast an Impediment Jinx on the incoming water balloon, deflecting it back at Peeves. Although it didn't drench the poltergeist, it still made him extremely angry.

"Oh, I'm going to find Filch and have you scrub the corridors! You used magic here!"

School rules stated that magic was not to be used in the corridors.

"You really shouldn't have provoked me, Peeves."

Breeze knew that Peeves was immune to many spells, but he also knew there were still some that could affect him. While searching for soul-related magic in the Forbidden Section, Breeze had discovered a spell that could temporarily put portraits into a deep sleep. If he cast it using natural magic, he figured it might have some effect on Peeves.