Christmas had dispelled the unease brought by the Chamber of Secrets.
By the time January arrived, the Black Lake had turned a clear blue-green beneath the bright sunlight. The dark trees of the Forbidden Forest were still draped in silver, every branch bearing fluffy clumps of snow that scattered into flurries whenever an owl swept past.
In such an atmosphere, Hogwarts students happily returned to school, and the quiet Hogwarts once again brimmed with life.
Life after returning to school was much as the students had imagined.
Professor Li Wei still assigned just as much homework, but his classes remained just as interesting.
The Duelling Club he had founded with Professor Snape began enthusiastically selecting members, bringing the students a new source of enjoyment.
Just when everyone thought the semester's main activities would be attending classes, studying, and beating up Slytherins after class, the dangers lurking beneath the Chamber of Secrets incident, which had fermented over Christmas, erupted completely.
During the holidays, parents had learned what their children had encountered at school.
They could scarcely believe that Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry actually contained a monster that attacked students! Their children had spent three months studying in such a dangerous environment!
Amid the parents' dissatisfaction and the agitation of certain interested parties, the Hogwarts students had barely returned to school before they discovered, in terror, that the school was beginning to change.
First, immediately after the holidays ended, Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge personally arrived to arrest and take away Hagrid, the Keeper of Keys and Grounds. Even with Headmaster Dumbledore standing right beside him, Hagrid could not be protected.
The students watched Hagrid being escorted away from Hogwarts with a dejected expression, unable to understand what had happened.
Some said he was the culprit behind the Chamber of