Harry's eyes lit up. "Can I?"
"Of course!"
"But..."
He soon hesitated again. After all, Harry didn't know the rest of the Weasley family. Wouldn't barging into their family gathering just spoil things for them?
Ron saw what he was thinking and immediately added, "Or... I could stay here with you instead of going home!"
Hermione pressed her lips together and said quietly, "Sorry, I already promised Mum and Dad I'd come home for Christmas... I can't stay with you, Harry. Why don't you go and find Edward and Audrey..."
Harry shook his head. "Never mind. I'll go and see Hagrid then."
He turned to Ron again. "You should go home too, Ron. Your mum and dad must really miss you!"
Ron muttered, "All right. I'll be sure to bring you a present."
"Thanks!"
Dumbledore hadn't made this decision on the spur of the moment; he had planned it long ago. Still, suddenly starting the holidays early at a time like this could easily put Barty Crouch Jr. and the other Death Eaters on their guard.
Perhaps he wanted to stir things up and alert them, ideally making the Death Eaters abandon their operation so that, once he became Minister, he would have his hands free to deal with them?
Chapter 244: Yes, yes, yes!
When he returned to the dormitory, Cedric had already packed his luggage and was sitting beside his bed, looking thoroughly frustrated.
"What's wrong? Can't bear to leave me and go home early?"
Cedric rolled his eyes dramatically, then sighed. "I... I was planning to ask Cho Chang out next week. Now that the holidays are starting early, all my plans are ruined."
"Oh, it's only a few weeks' delay, isn't it? That gives you plenty of time to prepare, and a better chance of success."