Chapter 1397: A Snowy Christmas Ball (Part 2)
Chapter 1397: A Snowy Christmas Ball (Part 2)
Compared to the bustling atmosphere at the Defense Association headquarters, the shelter was quiet and devoid of any festive cheer.
No, it seemed they had no intention of celebrating Christmas, or at least not within the confines of the shelter.
Many underage wizards, unable to attend the Christmas ball due to their age, harbored resentment toward Albert. Upon learning of his presence at the shelter, they glared at him with unspoken grudges, leaving him at a loss for words.
Albert could understand their frustration. Anyone cooped up in the shelter day after day would suffer mentally and physically, but… "You seem to have forgotten your situation. If you were to attend the Christmas ball, the Trace on you would expose the association headquarters to the Death Eaters, and moreover…"
A strange expression crossed Albert's face as he countered, "Why don't you hold your own Christmas ball here?"
Everyone was stunned by his suggestion, never expecting such an idea, nor that it was even possible.
Why not hold a ball at the shelter?
Yes, why not?
But something still felt amiss to them.
As for what exactly felt off, they couldn't quite put their finger on it.
"That's true, but we don't have anything here. How can we hold a Christmas ball?" someone muttered softly.
Everyone suddenly realized the truth of those words.
Indeed, they had nothing here. How could they possibly hold a Christmas banquet?
"Are you sure you have nothing at all?"
Albert raised his hand to quiet the surrounding murmurs and scanned the crowd.
"If you're willing to put in some effort to clear out the main hall, there's more than enough space for a party. As for music, getting a record player shouldn't be too difficult. As far as I know, Mr. Tonks has one, and I'm sure he wouldn't mind lending it to you."
"No problem," Tonks readily agreed.
"Just add some food, and you can have a simple Christmas ball right here," Albert said, feeling that they hadn't considered preparing their own celebration simply because of their own shortcomings. They hadn't yet adjusted from their previous comfortable lives at Hogwarts, causing them to shift the blame onto others.
"But we don't have any food here, nor butterbeer, or anything…"
"Don't you have hands?" Albert interrupted impatiently. "Make whatever you want to eat, and if you don't know how, ask Mr. Tonks to buy some food from outside. It's not a difficult task, and we have the money from before. Stop blaming others for everything. You have hands and feet; figure it out yourselves."
"Or do you think the ball being held at the association headquarters will be like the Christmas ball at Hogwarts a few years ago?" Albert looked around at the crowd, seeing the fantasies of these "children" being shattered, and shook his head. "Don't be foolish. They're just looking for their own entertainment."
No one expected Albert to lecture them so bluntly. Although some of his words were hard to hear, they were undeniably true. They had the means to hold a Christmas banquet here at the shelter; they just needed to take the initiative.
This was a new perspective for them.
"You've got a point there."
Mr. Tonks smiled at the group of whispering youths and turned to Albert. "However, you're being a bit harsh. These kids do need more discipline, though."
"No, they stopped being kids the moment they were expelled from Hogwarts. It's too comfortable here, causing them to forget their dire situation," Albert shook his head disappointedly.
"They're wanted fugitives, the kind that will surely face death if captured by the Ministry of Magic. They're no longer the spoiled students of Hogwarts, expecting everything to be handed to them and throwing tantrums when faced with problems," Albert said, looking at the group that was about to erupt into an argument.
Mr. Tonks fell silent, as Albert was speaking the truth, even if it was a bit cruel.
"You won't believe it, but they'll probably come to me with their problems again soon," Albert said, glancing at the group that was already devolving into chaos. "Hannah used to manage things here, but she's at the association headquarters for the ball. Without someone to organize them, they fall apart and can't even coordinate themselves."
As soon as Albert finished speaking, Mr. Tonks saw several people approaching. They had come to confront Albert and hoped that he would help them come up with a solution, just as he had suggested. They needed someone to take charge.
"I'll leave it to you, then. Should be fine, right?"
"What about you…?"
"I plan to pay a visit to the Order of the Phoenix headquarters. If they're willing, I'll invite them to join us here at the shelter for the Christmas banquet."
"Do you think they'll come?" Mr. Tonks asked, his mouth slightly agape.
"They will. It's a good opportunity for both sides," Albert said meaningfully. "By the way, gather the others from the shelter as well. The more people, the merrier."
"All right."
Mr. Tonks reluctantly took on the task.
Under everyone's resentful gaze, Albert left the shelter directly and arrived at the Order of the Phoenix headquarters, where Mrs. Weasley was in the midst of preparing a Christmas feast for everyone.
They were quite surprised by Albert's arrival, and upon hearing his suggestion, they hesitated, looking somewhat uncertain as they had almost finished their preparations.
However, after learning of Albert's proposal, Kingsley also thought it was a good idea and agreed to it after discussing it with the others. After all, the students expelled from Hogwarts who were taking shelter were also members of Dumbledore's Army, and they were all potential recruits for the Order. This Christmas banquet would be a good opportunity for both sides to interact.
"Is the Defense Association coming too?" Harry asked curiously.
"No, they've already started their celebration at their headquarters," Albert explained. "This was a rather spontaneous idea, and as for food, we can spend some money to buy from the Muggles. You know, there are quite a few decent shops over there, and I don't think it would be much of a problem for you."
As he spoke, he looked at Kingsley.
"The biggest problem is that I don't have any Muggle money here."
"I do."
"Then we're all set." Kingsley nodded.
"What about the food in the kitchen?" Mrs. Weasley asked, a bit annoyed.
"We can take it all with us!" Sirius replied without hesitation. "It's always better to have more food than less."
"I want to come with you too." Hermione suddenly spoke up. "I know a great place to get food."
"Me too." Ron also wanted to go, but he was rejected by Kingsley, who explained that they didn't need that many people, and since Ron wasn't familiar with the Muggle world, he might cause unnecessary trouble.
The three of them set off to the Muggle world to purchase fast food.
Of course, due to the large quantity they needed, they made their purchases separately at various chain stores across Britain to avoid attracting attention.
"What are you buying all this for?"
Seeing Albert buying even more food, Hermione asked in confusion.
"It's for the Dumbledore Army members who stayed behind at Hogwarts!" Albert replied as he stuffed several pizzas into an Undetectable Extension Charm bag.
"Are you going to Hogwarts?"
Hermione was very surprised to hear of Albert's plans, as she had assumed he would stay for the banquet.
"After all, they are also part of our group. It wouldn't be fair for everyone else to celebrate Christmas while they're holed up in the Room of Requirement, only able to eat bread," Albert said.
When Albert arrived at the Room of Requirement, a small banquet was already underway, and they had managed to get some pies from the Hogwarts kitchens.
"Albert!"
As soon as Albert appeared, he was surrounded by the students.
"Merry Christmas, look what I brought you."
Albert smiled and handed them the Undetectable Extension Charm bag filled with the food he had just bought. "I picked it up on the way from a Muggle shop. I hope you don't mind."
"Of course not, thank you! This is the best Christmas present ever," Ernie said, and he immediately had everyone share the delicious, still-warm food that Albert had brought. They were all equally surprised and delighted by the Muggle food, and it tasted wonderful.
"I heard they're having a ball over there?" Ernie said enviously. He wanted to go too, but they hadn't received an invitation from a house-elf.
"You can have a ball here too if you want. If you feel like dancing, just play some music," Albert suggested.
As Albert spoke, the Room of Requirement began to change.
Albert waved his wand lightly, and a radio appeared out of thin air. After he tapped it twice, familiar music began to play.
Albert had brought even more food than expected, including desserts. Everyone excitedly laid out the food on the table and poured Albert a cup of Butterbeer that Aberforth had sent over.
"Here!"
Luna handed the Butterbeer to Albert.
"Just a moment."
Albert gently tapped a few people, and he brought out the Christmas gifts that Fred had prepared, piling them under the Christmas tree, soon creating a small mountain of presents.
"What's this?"
For the students staying in the Room of Requirement and resisting Snape, receiving Christmas gifts was a wonderful surprise.
"They're Christmas presents for you all." Albert smiled and explained, "The red ones are from me, and they contain foreign sweets. The other packages are from Fred."
Albert took the Butterbeer that Luna had handed him and clinked glasses with them. Then, to everyone's surprise, they even started singing Christmas carols.
"Are you leaving?"
Everyone regretted that Albert had to go, as they had hoped he would stay and spend Christmas with them.
"Yes!" Albert scanned the task progress and smiled. "I still need to go back to the shelter and make sure they don't mess things up."
(End of Chapter)
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