Three Girls Together I (Sincere Thanks to Crazy Oregano for the Bobo Milk Tea, Thank You)
The rain at Hogwarts started falling incessantly from the end of October in late autumn. The drizzling rain, accompanied by the cold wind, relentlessly pattered against the stone walls and stained-glass windows of the castle, continuing all the way until December, lasting for more than a month.
Lead-gray clouds perpetually shrouded the entire castle. The magical Sky Void above the Great Hall ceiling had never seen a clear day again. The corridors were filled with damp, cold drafts, and even the Forbidden Forest was shrouded in mist. A chilly, damp atmosphere permeated the campus. Most students longed for the rain to stop and the sky to clear, but Su Yu, on the contrary, had a particular fondness for such rainy weather.
Slytherin Common Room is located deep in the castle's basement, next to the Black Lake. Originally, one could only glimpse the dark water and swaying water plants at the bottom of the lake through a narrow window. However, Su Yu used his Earth Release is a type of magic that allows one to escape through earth) ability to quietly create a private little room in a secluded corner of the common room.
He had made this private room extremely comfortable. In the center, a warm stone fireplace crackled and flickered, warming the entire room and preventing any damp chill from the lakebed from seeping in. Thick wool carpets covered the floor, and soft sofas and cushions lined the walls. Most importantly, he had deliberately installed a floor-to-ceiling window in this room facing out of the castle, allowing a clear view of the rainy days, the courtyard, and the Sky Void outside, so he no longer had to stare at the Black Lake.
The rain slanted against the glass, winding into streaks of water. The grass outside the window shone brightly after being washed, and the distant Forbidden Forest was hazy in the rain and mist. Mixed with the crackling of firewood in the stove, it became the most comforting white noise.
On a leisurely Saturday, without heavy schoolwork or the hustle and bustle of the castle, Su Yu invited Daphne, Ka-jie, and Fa-jie to this private room.
The hidden stone door slowly opened, and a wave of warm air rushed in, instantly shutting out the chill outside. The three girls were immediately drawn to the large window that offered a view of the rainy day. Daphne ran straight to the window, gazing at the dense curtain of rain outside, and couldn't help but gasp in amazement. Ka-jie walked in slowly and gracefully sat on the velvet sofa by the fireplace, casually smoothing her skirt as she looked at the rain scene, her eyes filled with a languid gentleness. Fa-jie walked to the fireplace, reaching out to feel the warmth of the flickering flames, a gentle smile playing on her lips as she softly praised the comfort of the little house.
Kurama jumped into Ka-jie's arms, found a comfortable spot to lie down, his orange-red fur was particularly eye-catching in the warm light, his tail was casually draped on the carpet, and he dozed off with his eyes half closed.
Su Yu leaned back in the recliner by the window, raised his hand and used magic to summon the ceramic tea set he had prepared in advance, poured a cup of warm honey fruit tea for each of the three girls, and then took out plates of exquisite cookies, cakes and cream puffs, which he neatly arranged on the low table in the middle, and the sweet aroma instantly filled the small house.
The four sat around a low table, leisurely enjoying snacks and fruit tea, chatting about interesting things that happened in the castle. Kurama was no longer sleeping, taking small bites of a small cake. Daphne told stories of jokes her classmates had made in Potions, while gently handing Kurama a tissue to wipe the cake crumbs from the corner of his mouth. Ka-jie occasionally chimed in softly, Fa-jie had already put her feet in Su Yu for a massage, saying it was a reward for him. The scene was warm and harmonious.
After a short massage, Ka-jie took out an exquisite Wizard's Chess. Each piece was carved with lifelike detail. With a gentle tap of her wand, the pieces automatically and neatly arranged themselves on the chessboard. "Want to play a game?" She looked up at the three of them. Daphne immediately came over with great interest, eager to play against Ka-jie. Su Yu and Fa-jie sat down to the side, continuing their massages while quietly watching the game.
Daphne was exceptionally focused while playing chess, her brows furrowed slightly as she carefully considered the placement of each piece with her wand, occasionally biting her lower lip in frustration. Ka-jie, on the other hand, was unhurried, tapping her fingertips lightly on the table as she calmly maneuvered her pieces. Fa-jie leaned back on the sofa, her gaze fixed on the chessboard, occasionally offering Daphne soft advice, and sometimes letting out a soft hum as she watched the mischievous Su Yu.
After one round ended, Daphne, unwilling to give up, dragged Ka-jie into another round. Su Yu also got interested and suggested playing a magic bubble game—the four of them waved their wands, and colorful, glowing magic bubbles emerged from their fingertips. The bubbles floated in mid-air, and when gently touched, they would release a faint floral fragrance and change into different shapes, sometimes turning into small fish, sometimes into small flowers, looking especially beautiful under the warm light.
The Kurama was instantly energized by the floating magic bubbles. His previous lazy demeanor vanished, and his orange-red figure leaped up, his nine tails swaying wildly behind him.
It nimbly leaped and darted across the carpet, sometimes tiptoeing to pounce on the lower-floating bubbles, sometimes leaping up to reach the bubbles near the ceiling. The moment its paw touched them, the bubbles burst silently, releasing a faint fruity fragrance.
The more Kurama played, the more excited it became, chasing bubbles all over the room. Its fluffy body leaped nimbly between the soft chairs and carpets, occasionally letting out a light, low growl, its nine tails causing the cushions to sway slightly. Seeing this, Daphne deliberately waved her wand, making more bubbles circle around the Kurama, teasing it to jump and leap about, unable to stop.
After playing for a while, the group sat back down around the table. Fa-jie and Ka-jie flipped through a magical fashion magazine, huddled together discussing the color scheme and patterns of the new wizard robes, occasionally pulling Su Yu and Daphne to join in the critique. Daphne picked up the snacks on the table and carefully distributed them to the group, then poured everyone some warm fruit tea.
Su Yu leaned back in his chair, looking at the three smiling girls beside him. The rain was still falling outside the window, tapping on the glass with a soft and rhythmic sound.
The cold rain that had been falling for more than a month finally began to subside as Christmas drew closer. The leaden clouds hung low, replaced by a soft patter of snowflakes, one after another, gently covering the rooftops of the castle, the stone bricks of the courtyard, and the branches of the Forbidden Forest.
Hogwarts was slowly enveloped in a blanket of white, the air crisp and quiet, lacking the dampness of rainy days and possessing the unique gentleness of winter.
The Christmas atmosphere in the castle grew stronger day by day. Holly and silver ornaments were hung in the corridors, a tall Christmas tree was erected in the Great Hall, lights twinkled, gift boxes were placed in a haphazard manner, and even the wind carried the sweet aroma of hot Butterbeer and cinnamon.
It's already Saturday of the last week before winter break.
The heavy snow continued, snowflakes falling softly on their shoulders, but it did not dampen the students' spirits at all. Today was the day to go to Hogsmeade Village, and the castle gates were crowded with people. Everyone was wrapped in thick cloaks and walked in twos and threes. The noisy voices carried far in the wind and snow.
Hermione had told Su Yu before that she was going to buy some Christmas presents to send home from Hogsmeade Village, so she went with Ginny instead of shopping with Su Yu's group. Su Yu was worried about their safety, so he left Kurama with them and took Ka-jie, Fa-jie, and Daphne to stroll Hogsmeade Village at their leisure.
The four of them walked through the snow-covered Hogsmeade Village and went straight into Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop. A warm, sweet aroma wafted towards them, but when they saw the person greeting them at the door, they all froze at the same time, their eyes filled with unexpected surprise.
Callis stood by the door, her demure maid outfit accentuating her lithe figure, and a pair of soft cat-ear hair ornaments adorning her head. This unprecedented appearance left the group stunned and completely surprised.
Just as the group was staring in astonishment at Callis's attire, frozen at the teahouse entrance, they suddenly heard familiar footsteps behind them.
Draco and Blaise walked into the teahouse side by side, with Malfoy casually remarking, "Pansy said the Earl here is pretty good, so we'll just have to try it today."
However, as soon as the two crossed the threshold, they saw the crowd at the door and instinctively stopped in their tracks.