Chapter 58: Interrupting a Spell
Chapter 58: Interrupting a Spell
Sherlock quickly went to help Dumbledore, who was just getting up from the ground.
"Professor, what happened? Why did you suddenly fall?"
In front of Dumbledore, he naturally wouldn't show any coldness but instead expressed genuine concern.
Dumbledore, who had accidentally tripped, didn't mind Sherlock seeing his embarrassing moment. He chuckled and said, as Sherlock helped him up by the arm.
"Old age, I suppose. Sometimes my legs just aren't as reliable as they used to be."
Sherlock glanced back at the spot where Dumbledore had fallen. It was just an ordinary, unremarkable step.
While the stairs were known to be mischievous and often liked to play tricks on students, they likely wouldn't dare to prank the headmaster.
So, it was most likely that Dumbledore had simply experienced a mundane trip and fall.
Sherlock couldn't help but inwardly comment on how unexpectedly cute the headmaster could be, even at his age.
As they reached the corridor on the first floor, Dumbledore waved off Sherlock's assistance.
"I'm not so old that I need you to be my walking stick all the time, Sherlock. I really enjoyed the Christmas gift you gave me. You're the only one who remembers my fondness for Cockroach Clusters and always brings me a box every year."
If it weren't for the original owner's firsthand experience, who would have guessed that his taste could be so peculiar?
Sherlock, of course, only dared to think these thoughts. On the surface, he remained concerned.
"Actually, Professor, I think you should be a bit more cautious with sweets. Too much sugar isn't good for your health."
"At my age, there's not much else I desire."
Dumbledore winked at Sherlock playfully. "Now that I can still enjoy them, I'll eat as many as I can. Who knows when I might not be able to anymore?"
"You're joking, Professor", Sherlock said with a serious expression. "Your health is excellent; you could easily live for another hundred years."
Dumbledore laughed heartily.
"You've become quite the flatterer, Sherlock. The old you never used to butter me up like this."
"I'm not now, Professor."
"Change isn't a bad thing. I actually hope your words just now were a compliment and not the truth."
They chatted as they walked into the Great Hall. Most of the students who were staying at the school hadn't come down for breakfast yet.
Hagrid was carrying a fir tree, looking for a suitable spot to place it in the Great Hall. Professor Flitwick was beside him, giving directions. Later, he would add some beautiful decorations to the tree.
Professor Mcgonagall was creating various Christmas wreaths made of holly and mistletoe on the walls around the Great Hall.
Tonight, the castle would host a small but still grand Christmas dinner. Not only the students staying in the castle, but many of Hogwarts' professors, who hadn't formed their own families, considered the castle their home and always spent Christmas here.
Additionally, the ghosts, who loved Halloween the most, still found Christmas a worthy holiday to celebrate.
Others, such as Hagrid, the Keeper of the Forbidden Forest, Filch, the caretaker, and Madam Pince, the librarian, who were not professors but still part of Hogwarts' staff, would also join the festivities.
So, while the Christmas banquet wouldn't be as crowded as the Welcome Feast, with the Great Hall filled to the brim, it would still be a lively and joyous occasion.
The snow had been falling for a week. After breakfast, most of the students left the castle to play in the snow or go skating on the frozen Black Lake.
Sherlock, however, stayed in the Great Hall to assist Professor Flitwick and Professor Mcgonagall with the holiday decorations.
"How about adding some stars?"
Professor Flitwick stroked his chin with one hand and waved his wand at the Christmas tree. Instantly, the tree was adorned with many bright silver stars.
Sherlock examined it for a moment and shook his head.
"Golden stars would be more suitable."
He waved his wand, and the silver stars transformed into shimmering gold.
"Aha! Excellent, we can add more decorations to it."
Flitwick waved his wand again, and the entire tree began to emit tiny specks of light.
Decorating the Great Hall was not a difficult task. In less than a morning, they had completed most of it.
With some free time on his hands, Sherlock didn't intend to spend this rare day of relaxation working or practicing magic.
He left the castle and decided to take a walk along the edge of the Black Lake to unwind.
At that moment, Harry and Ron were returning from the Quidditch Pitch. They certainly weren't training on Christmas Day, but the snow there was plentiful, and many students were playing in it. Harry and Ron both had red cheeks, clearly indicating they had just finished a snowball fight.
"I'm sure they used magic to cheat. That snowball seemed to have eyes, always aiming straight for my forehead."
"Don't talk about them. We cheated too. I saw you hide a Dungbomb in the snowball you threw at the Slytherins."
As they chatted, they walked toward the castle and ran into Sherlock, who had just come out.
Sherlock and the boys locked eyes. Harry and Ron immediately looked away, like mice seeing a cat.
But they couldn't just leave after being seen.
So, Harry and Ron, feeling uneasy, greeted Sherlock.
"Good morning, Professor Forrest."
They didn't dare wish him a Merry Christmas, fearing that if he returned the greeting, their Christmas would be ruined.
Sherlock raised an eyebrow at their strange behavior and asked.
"What have you done wrong this time?"
Harry scratched his head.
"Nothing, Professor. It's Christmas today. What could we possibly do wrong?"
"Exactly, we've been on our best behavior."
Sherlock, of course, didn't believe their lies. In all of Hogwarts, besides George and Fred, only they were the most likely to cause trouble.
But it was Christmas, and Sherlock didn't want to spoil their holiday spirits, so he said lightly.
"Keep it up, go have fun. Merry Christmas to you both."
Before he could finish, Harry and Ron's faces changed dramatically, and they quickly interrupted.
"My stomach hurts, Professor. I need to get back to the castle!"
"I'll go with Harry to get some medicine for him!"
The two of them ran back to the castle like they were fleeing, leaving Sherlock puzzled about what was going on.
(End of Chapter)
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