A Tiger Bitten by a Snake...

In the blink of an eye, Christmas had arrived.

During this time, aside from researching Curses in the prepared classroom every day, Bell had also been keeping an eye on the construction progress of the Space Battleship.

Most Muggle scientists were utterly amazed by the magical Magical World. The existence of magic had practically shattered the worldview and common sense they had built up over the years. On top of that, this was a massive project involving the construction of a Space Battleship, so many of them had voluntarily forgotten the fact that they had been kidnapped and willingly joined the project.

As for the small number who could not accept the Menethil Family's "kidnapping," their memories were altered before they were sent back.

Thanks to the assistance of leading physicists, materials scientists, weapons manufacturing experts, and the like, although it was their first time building one, the magical battleship was steadily taking shape at a visible pace.

Of course, since it was their first attempt, no one could yet say when it would be completed or what it would ultimately look like.

On the morning of the twenty-fourth, after the usual roll call, everyone chatted and laughed as they headed to Hogwarts Platform, ready to return home for Christmas.

Unlike the cheerful atmosphere around her, however, Hermione was somewhat unhappy.

This Christmas, Bell's grandparents and the others would finally be returning to Britain after a long absence. They were also bringing Bell's aunt Helena's newlywed husband—Justin—over to meet the family.

Naturally, Bell had invited Hermione as well. However, this was, after all, a Bell Family gathering, and Hermione's parents felt too awkward to let her go and impose on them.

Considering that she had not gone home for Christmas last year either, Hermione agonized over it for a long