Jerry and Hermione strolled across the lawn, their footsteps tracing two shallow furrows through the powder-fine, glittering snow. Snowflakes drifted around them, dampening their socks and the hems of their robes until a thin layer of ice crystals formed.
The Forbidden Forest looked enchanted. Every tree wore a shimmering silver cloak, while the frozen Black Lake lay like a vast mirror, reflecting the sky and trees in a breathtaking sight.
"Looks like everyone's here!" Jerry said, watching the students on the frozen lake. "Don't worry. This is Hogwarts. Professor Dumbledore won't let anything happen to Harry!"
"I hope so," Hermione replied. She silently prayed that Hagrid could talk some sense into Harry and persuade him to stop fixating on finding Black. Then she pushed the troubling thought aside.
Just then, the Weasley Twins came gliding toward them on a sled, leaving graceful tracks across the ice.
"Wow, where did you get that sled?" Jerry asked.
"Heh. Pretty cool, isn't it?" Fred boasted. "It took us ages to haul this beauty from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts!"
"The sled's just a cover," George confided quietly. "What we really brought is a crate of Stink Bombs. It's the special Christmas 'present' we prepared for Filch!"
Jerry: ...
You two are unbelievable!
Jerry and Hermione played beside the Black Lake until lunchtime drew near. Only then did they reluctantly leave the snowy scene and return to Hogwarts Castle. To their surprise, they didn't see Harry, Ron, or Neville at lunch.
"Maybe they stayed at Hagrid's for lunch?" Hermione guessed. But then she remembered Hagrid's cooking, and her teeth ached at the thought. His food was far too hard!
On Christmas Day, the Castle was decked out in colorful decorations, just as it was every year, though few students had stayed to enjoy the festive display.