On Christmas Eve, snowflakes danced outside the windows once more, beating against the frozen frames.
The Christmas holidays had finally arrived at Hogwarts, but this year was different from previous years. Far more students were staying at school, many choosing the safety of Hogwarts because of the current situation in the wizarding world.
Hogwarts was therefore rather lively this year.
Will and Sylvia passed through the Great Hall on their way to Slughorn's office and found that it had been redecorated. Hagrid had brought in twelve Christmas trees to adorn the hall.
Holly and tinsel wound around the stair rails; everlasting candles flickered inside the helmets of suits of armor, and great bunches of mistletoe hung at intervals along the corridors.
Many people stopped when they saw Will and Sylvia in their formal attire-a handsome young man and a beautiful young woman naturally drew more attention.
Sylvia wore a dark green gown with silver patterns embroidered along the skirt, making her look like a forest beneath the moonlight.
Will wore predominantly black robes adorned with silver lines, simple yet elegant.
Their formal attire was new, sent by Sylvia's family. Although Will and Sylvia had not left school to order it, Galleons could solve most problems.
They made their way through the corridors and soon reached Slughorn's office, where he stood at the door, warmly greeting every guest.
"Will! Sylvia! You're here!" His smile scrunched up the flesh of his face. "Come in, come in!"
Slughorn's office had been lavishly decorated. Will noticed that it had grown considerably larger again; Slughorn had clearly expanded it with an Undetectable Extension Charm.
Emerald, crimson, and gold drapes hung from the ceiling and walls.
Golden chandeliers hung from the ceiling, each little light glowing softly.
Holly covered the walls, and the scents of roast