It took Vaughn more than three hours to finish dealing with all the gifts.
The meaningful ones had to be put away, the food had to be dealt with as soon as possible, and anything with a signature required a reply.
Fortunately, he did not need to write too much. Most replies to customers or classmates could use a few similar templates, copied automatically by a charmed quill.
That greatly reduced his workload.
At noon, Vaughn, Ron, and Harry carried a large bundle to Hogwarts' Owlery and sent the letters out one by one.
By the time they finished, it was already afternoon.
The deserted Great Hall contained only Filch, who was hanging mistletoe on the walls.
The wreaths, their green leaves dotted with white berries, looked especially fresh and festive.
Just as the three entered, Hagrid came in carrying a Christmas tree over his shoulder.
He greeted them happily. "Harry, Vaughn, Ron, Merry Christmas, kids! I really liked your presents."
Vaughn had given him a tin of beard-conditioning balm, and apparently Hagrid had used it that very day. His usually unruly beard now hung smoothly over his chest, making his rough face suddenly seem almost handsome.
"Merry Christmas to you too, Hagrid. Need a hand?"
"No, no. You lot go eat first!"
Hogwarts' Great Hall never lacked food, as long as the plates remained.
Halfway through their meal, Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick arrived to decorate the hall.
Under the effects of their magic, the Great Hall was quickly transformed into a dazzling venue, with the twelve Christmas trees Hagrid had laboriously carried in standing throughout the room.
Some of the lush green trees were lit with candles, some hung with sparkling icicles, and some with lanterns. A handful of fine snowflakes transformed into wind and mist, fluttering back