Very few students had chosen to stay at school for Christmas. Apart from Malfoy, Harry, and the others, there were two rather nervous-looking first-years and an older Slytherin student they did not know, who wore a constant scowl.
Oh, and there were the Weasley twins, George and Fred, but they had set off an entire box of Stink Bombs, so Professor McGonagall had sent them off to scrub toilets!
The four house tables had been moved against the walls, leaving room in the middle of the Great Hall for a special dining table. A dozen or so people sat around it, including Dumbledore, Snape, McGonagall, Flitwick, Professor Sprout, and Filch, the caretaker whom the students disliked. Notably, Filch had taken off his usual brown coat today and changed into an ancient, slightly moldy tailcoat.
"Merry Christmas, everyone!" Dumbledore announced cheerfully once everyone had finally gathered. He looked around at the small but convivial group of students and smiled. "There are so few of us that the house tables would feel rather empty. Come, sit wherever you like. No need to be formal!"
"Now for the crackers!" Brimming with enthusiasm, Dumbledore raised an enormous silver cracker and offered its end to Professor Snape. Though Snape looked somewhat displeased, he reluctantly pulled the cracker's string.
With a deafening bang, the cracker burst open, revealing a tall, broad witch's hat. A stuffed vulture actually adorned its peak, making it look both peculiar and ridiculous.
Neville stared at the hat, struggling not to laugh aloud. It reminded him of their Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson, when the Boggart had turned into Professor Snape wearing his grandmother's clothes and a very similar hat.
"Everyone, enjoy the feast!" Dumbledore finished his performance and cast a warm gaze over everyone at the table.
Jerry had just