Chapter 645: The Full Moon of Christmas
Chapter 645: The Full Moon of Christmas
The dinner concluded in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.
The invited guests gradually departed, and Felix scanned the crowd, but he couldn't find Carlotta Pincestone. He had originally planned to find an opportunity to talk to her, but judging by the expression on Madam Bones's face when she returned, it seemed their conversation hadn't gone well, and Pincestone had left early.
Professor Slughorn was extremely satisfied with the party. He stood by the ornate fireplace, bidding farewell to each departing guest, thoroughly enjoying himself. He bustled about, responding appropriately to each person based on their status and position.
"Elder, my dear student, you haven't published much in recent years. I'm looking forward to your next masterpiece—"
"Mclaggen, give my regards to Tiberius! And Scrimgeour, I hope he's had some downtime recently."
"Madame Shafini, thank you for the gift—"
"Oh, Frank and Alice, can I call you that? Great... I'm sorry I missed your opening. I was still considering whether to accept this teaching position at the time... Neville? Yes, he's doing very well..." Slughorn warmly held Frank Longbottom's hand, speaking in a very intimate tone: "Honestly, I think your performance during the war deserves two Orders of Merlin, but since you already have two First-Class ones..." He patted Frank's shoulder heavily, "Give Augusta my best regards."
Alice kissed Neville's forehead and disappeared with her husband in the green flames.
"How are you getting back?" Hermione asked her parents. Felix's gaze swept past the Grangers and saw Sirius and Madam Bones bidding Harry farewell.
"Of course, the Floo Network", Mr. Granger said with a hint of excitement. "That's how we came. It's incredible! Professor Slughorn said he temporarily connected our fireplace to the magical network. I imagine it's similar to connecting to an internet signal."
Hermione was startled.
"Heavens! How could you...?" she said anxiously, "What if you call out the wrong address? Harry once ended up in Knockturn Alley because of that... Professor?" She looked at Felix for help.
"I can Apparate—", Felix thought for a moment and said.
"Oh, don't worry!" Professor Slughorn, after seeing the Weasleys off, waddled over, his walrus mustache twitching as he spoke cheerfully, "Thanks to Amelia! When I mentioned it in passing, she kindly agreed to help."
Madam Bones nodded in acknowledgment.
"That's how it is", Slughorn smiled, leading them to the fireplace. Sirius and Harry hugged, and Sirius left through the flames. Slughorn tapped the fireplace with his wand.
"Alright, no matter what you say, you'll all end up in the same place—just for today."
"Thank you for the wonderful evening", Mr. Granger said, holding Mrs. Granger's hand. "We enjoyed it very much." "You're welcome, Mr. Heap", Mrs. Granger said politely. "Indeed", Mr. Granger looked at Felix, seemingly remembering something, "I have a collection of various teeth specimens. If you're interested..."
Mrs. Granger squeezed his hand.
"Cough, um—goodbye."
The next morning, most students left the school on the Hogwarts Express to spend the holidays at home. However, a fair number chose to stay, including those from the Animagus class and a few who were punished for misusing magical transformations.
During breakfast in the Great Hall, Harry shared what Sirius had told him the previous night with Ron and Hermione.
They each expressed their thoughts. Hermione looked worried, "I had a hunch from Madam Bones's letters." Ron was more indifferent, "According to Sirius, that's decades from now, right? We should focus on the present."
He frowned, looking around at the slow, methodical eating of those seated nearby, which made him lose his appetite. Professor Mcgonagall had mentioned that starting from the full moon, she would provide a special diet for students preparing to practice.
"To prevent some of you from accidentally swallowing Mandrake leaves."
After breakfast, Hermione, as usual, headed to the Library, "We have twelve essays to write!" "It's eleven, Hermione", Ron corrected her, "Harry and I don't count Divination."
In the end, only Hermione went to the Library.
Harry and Ron chose to go for a broom ride. With the school mostly empty, they could race around the Black Lake to their heart's content. They accidentally ran into Valen, who was ice skating with a horde of Nifflers. The two grinned and started a snowball fight with Valen.
So engrossed in the fun, Harry and Ron's ordinary grass leaves fell out of their mouths several times. When they returned to the castle and calmed down, they shared some pessimistic thoughts about their futures.
"I don't think I can do it, can't stop talking", Ron said despondently. "Even if we do manage, we'll have to recite spells morning and night, and wait for thunderstorms. Even the top students like Bill Weasley and Percy never considered becoming Animagi..."
"Don't lose heart, Ron. We've made it through Voldemort before." Harry encouraged, but his spirits sank as well when Ron pointed out that he would have to lead Quidditch practices after school, which required him to speak loudly.
That evening, Hermione didn’t greet them with a smile. Instead, she scolded them for being irresponsible and went to bed early. It wasn’t until the next day, when Harry opened his gifts under the small Christmas tree, that his mood improved.
As usual, Harry received a hand-knitted sweater from Mrs. Weasley, some candies, and products from the twins, including a Boxing Telescope. When he showed it to Ron, Ron angrily tossed it aside. The twins had given it to him for testing, and he had lazily passed it on to Professor Hup. When he realized it was one of his unreliable brothers' inventions, he was terrified.
Harry also opened Ron’s gift—a tiger-head hat.
"Collins picked it out. If you don’t like it, you can talk to her." Ron said, putting on a parrot hat and admiring himself in the mirror. "Where did she buy it?" Harry asked, intrigued. It seemed to be part of a series, and he wanted to ask if they had a deer antler version for Ginny next year.
"From the Elegant Wizard Wear shop. It could only be there."
"Is Collins doing well?" Hermione asked as they went downstairs. "Didn’t she and Tonks have to keep an eye on Carlotta Pincestone? She appeared at the party last night."
"Shouldn’t be a problem", Ron thought for a moment and said slowly, "Their mission ended at noon yesterday. Who would have thought that woman would be invited to Professor Slughorn’s party?"
Meanwhile, Felix had just finished unwrapping his gifts, which was no small task.
Felix was most pleased with Luna’s gift—perhaps because he had helped 'suggest' it—a portrait of himself, smiling brightly. Felix wasn’t sure when he had given Luna that impression, but he soon found out.
A small note from Luna read:
Merry Christmas, Felix. I love the gift you sent. I’m going to show it to Dad. Also—I got inspired by your magical portrait at St. Mungo’s, when Dad was being treated on the fourth floor.
Valen also received a painting, but—perhaps this one better suited Luna’s taste—it was a stone painting. In a one-foot square frame, hundreds of carefully selected pebbles were painted and arranged to form a Niffler, its green cloak made from palm-sized leaves that fluttered majestically at the edges.
Valen stared at it for a long time, seeming both annoyed and delighted.
When Felix said teasingly, "We can trade", Valen immediately clutched the painting protectively and shot him a wary glance. After circling around, the stone painting ended up next to Felix’s blank magical portrait. If the portrait ever returned from St. Mungo’s, it would be surprised to find a quirky new neighbor.
Felix wondered what he and Luna had talked about that made them laugh so much, and even had her paint it and send it to him?
By afternoon, a strong aroma of cooking wafted through the cold air into the house.
Valen, who was curled up on the sofa watching cartoons, quickly rattled off a list of dishes. Felix and Valen exchanged glances and decided to turn off the projector and head down to the Great Hall.
The hall was quite empty, with only one of the four house tables remaining. Every few seats held a plump Wizard Cracker, which would burst with various hats and odd trinkets. They arrived early, before dinnertime, but some students were already there.
"Bang! Bang!"
Two loud explosions echoed through the Great Hall, followed by a cloud of purple smoke. Two students’ figures appeared and disappeared, accompanied by coughing and the phrases, "It’s your fault" and "You suggested it."
Felix couldn’t help but laugh. These were two Hufflepuff students, who had been left behind as punishment for tarnishing the house’s reputation by turning each other into honey badgers, which led to a lost student. Professor Sprout had mobilized half the Hufflepuff house to search the common room for the unfortunate student.
More students trickled in, and Felix whispered to Valen.
"Those four? I heard they’re from the same dorm, planning to secretly study Animagus transformation. They formed a secret study group, but the uncontrollable tiger roars were overheard, scaring the other three to death..."
Four Ravenclaw girls passed by, glaring at them in embarrassment.
The professors began to arrive, dispersing along the long tables. Dumbledore, wearing a moon-white robe, looked delighted. "Merry Christmas!" he said warmly. "There are many people this year, so I’ve added more Wizard Crackers. Sit down quickly!"
Few people were as happy as he was. Most students—either punished (with Gryffindor having the most), or members of the 'Animagus' class—were there, with only a few staying voluntarily.
Dumbledore’s gaze swept over the room, landing on the students who looked glum. "Today is Christmas, and I believe—our task is to fill our mouths with delicious food, not a few leaves... Don’t you agree, Minerva?"
Professor Mcgonagall pursed her lips. "You’re right, Dumbledore." As soon as she spoke, half the students happily spit out the leaves in their mouths, and the atmosphere became lively. Dumbledore, seizing the moment, grabbed a handful of Wizard Crackers and handed them to everyone within reach.
The others followed suit, and the long tables were soon filled with popping sounds as bursts of multicolored smoke exploded. Felix drew an ordinary wizard's hat, intricately patterned with four colors of thread. Harry and Ron pulled out two sailor caps, which Felix found far less impressive than the tiger and parrot hats they already wore. Hermione, on the other hand, drew a wide-brimmed lady's hat, which she happily fussed over.
They then glanced at Snape out of the corner of their eyes—last time, he had drawn a ladies' pointed hat. What would it be this time? Even Dumbledore watched with interest. Snape, expressionless, pulled the cracker. When the smoke cleared, a set of antlers appeared in his hand.
This time, it was Harry's turn to be unhappy. He stared enviously at the beautiful antlers, thinking that such a hat was a waste in Snape's hands. If no one wanted it after the feast, he might try to sneak it away... Snape, indeed, didn't like it and casually handed it to Professor Mcgonagall, who was fond of her feathered hat. In the end, the antlers ended up with Dumbledore.
"Enjoy your meal!" Dumbledore said with a smile, wearing the antlers.
Everyone began to savor the food. Valen also found a seat, sitting opposite Professor Flitwick. Their chairs were custom-made, giving a peculiar sense of symmetrical beauty.
Harry wolfed down the smooth and creamy mashed potatoes, while Ron tore into the meat on his rib. Half the students were devouring their food with fierce determination, their suffering expressions evoking sympathy even from Felix.
But this was their last meal. Because tonight was a full moon. These students would face a more rigorous test. Felix had seen the special menu Professor Mcgonagall prepared for the House-elves in the kitchen, consisting mostly of tasteless but quickly filling dishes.
During the feast, everyone was busy eating, except for Trelawney, who clutched a bottle of sherry and repeatedly spread the rumor that "a six-legged creature would bring misfortune to the castle." As Felix puzzled over what this could be, Professor Mcgonagall leaned over and whispered in a peculiar tone, "Albus is planning to hire a Centaur to join the school."
Felix's eyes widened in realization.
By the twelfth time Trelawney mentioned it, her tone becoming more and more certain, Dumbledore stood up.
"... Not just one death, I see—"
"Filch", Dumbledore asked cheerfully, "is that thing ready?"
Filch lifted his head from his plate and said, bending over, "Yes, Headmaster. I've placed it in the corner, covered with a green cloth."
"Excellent", Dumbledore said, scanning the room. Others followed his gaze. Dumbledore pointed his wand, and a green cloth flew from a corner, revealing a finely crafted machine.
"The latest model of the projector—" he said excitedly, "I tried it myself and especially like the 'immersive experience' mode." He glanced at Felix and then moved the machine closer.
With a "click", a large amount of dark golden smoke spewed from the magical projector, seemingly endless, as if it were filling the entire Great Hall. Soon, the floor was covered with a foot-thick layer of golden mist.
"Meow—"
Mrs. Norris darted out from under Filch's feet and jumped onto his lap. "Don't be afraid, Mrs. Norris", Filch croaked, though her bulbous eyes remained wary of the machine.
Then, a song filled the air, as if whispering in their ears. The smoke rose and coalesced into golden figures, identical to real people, dancing around the long tables, their skirts trailing wisps of golden mist.
The students' eyes widened. It felt as if they had stumbled into a lively party, watching performances by the Weird Sisters, a skeletal dance troupe, and rough dwarves, as well as the graceful singing of what might have been Veelas, interspersed with a strange, incomprehensible language.
"This Christmas is really worth it", Ron said in awe. The students around him nodded in silent agreement.
As the feast ended, the students began to push back their chairs and prepare to leave. Felix glared at Valen, who had slipped over to Grindelwald during the chaos and taken a very beautiful Christmas hat from him.
Grindelwald instinctively leaned back, touching his chest.
Dumbledore's movement paused slightly before he continued to stand up. Harry, who had noticed this moment, felt a strange sensation. "What's wrong, Harry?" Hagrid leaned over two tables to ask.
"N-nothing—" Harry stammered, staring at Hagrid, whose thick beard contained a small piece of onion.
He remembered Hagrid mentioning in passing that Dumbledore seemed to have known Professor Baddock for a long time, and Baddock was a follower of the Dark Wizard Grindelwald. Harry had also learned from a letter from Lily, given to him by Sirius, that Dumbledore and Grindelwald were close friends in their youth. A vague thread connected these three people.
What was it?
"Students in the Animagus class, stay behind", Professor Mcgonagall said through the Sonorus charm, "get dressed, we're heading to the courtyard."
(End of Chapter)
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