Christmas is Coming

Fred and George's minor transgressions were resolved smoothly, without even attracting any further attention. This was because Gryffindor students were already accustomed to waking up every morning to find their graders short by ten or twenty points—

It's no big deal.

In this atmosphere, the Gryffindors' school life continued normally and peacefully.

It was even surprisingly peaceful.

During this time, nothing unexpected happened at the school. The Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin ended as expected, with Harry winning the Golden Snitch as predicted. Although Snape's expression in the audience was not good, as if he had swallowed a Flobber caterpillar, he could only grit his teeth and accept the result.

Incidentally, on the day of the competition, Quirrell also drank a sedative that Mrs. Pomfrey forced him to drink in the school infirmary.

The only minor incident occurred when Hermione returned the conch shell. After Victor completely "turned it off," some blue scales fell out of her trousers—an accident from Halloween night. If she used it too long, perhaps she really would develop a mermaid tail.

But she pulled back from the brink in time.

Victor's assessment was that Hermione was destined for great things. She possessed an extraordinary willpower, like someone who could jump out of bed in a second during winter.

Amidst all the trivial matters, December arrived.

As December arrived, the weather at Hogwarts turned cold and harsh. The Black Lake outside the castle was frozen solid with a thick layer of ice, and it snowed almost every day—but none of this deterred the students from wanting to go home.

For students in England, Christmas is like winter break for Muggles—a holiday where they can just play around without thinking about anything.

And that is indeed the case. Because of the Act of Secrecy, many young wizards cannot use magic freely at home—which has become their excuse for not studying much during the Christmas break.

The professors expressed their frustration with this.

"Once they come to their senses from the silly joy of receiving gifts, they will realize that they have forgotten all the knowledge that we have worked so hard to cram into their heads this semester."

In the faculty lounge, Snape said sarcastically.

He was still grading assignments in the faculty lounge. Just now, he had given one student a big T on his grade—meaning Troll. He was also the only professor at Hogwarts who used this grading standard, since the lowest grade was only P.

"Don't say that, Severus," Professor Flitwick said cheerfully, standing beside him. "Enjoying life is a form of learning too. Give them more homework when they get back, and they'll naturally remember."

"—Speaking of which, Victor, I think you should move the 'Pawn' forward one space instead of the 'Knight'. Otherwise, it will just get eaten up for nothing."

Sitting next to him was Victor, still wearing his black cloak. However, in front of Victor was a wizard's chessboard, with Professor Sprout at the other end.

There were only a few professors in the lounge now.

Having heard that there was no Wizard's Chess in Victor's original location, several professors volunteered to teach Victor, and they are currently conducting their first round of matches.

But Victor undeniably pushed the chess piece in front of him, forcibly moving the struggling knight two spaces forward, ignoring the piece's complaint, "Why don't you move the pawn?"

"I think this way of going will be more efficient," Victor said in a slightly ethereal voice.

Professor Flitwick could only shake his head helplessly.

But to his surprise, when Professor Sprout's queen captured the knight, Victor moved his castle three squares to the right, completely checkmating Professor Sprout's king, and the game ended.

This series of events unfolded so smoothly, as if it were a move made by a skilled wizard chess player, immediately surprising the amateur chess players.

"Okay, it seems our understanding is still not deep enough."

Professor Sprout exchanged a wistful glance with Professor Flitwick, then couldn't help but ask Victor:

"Is this really your first time playing Wizard Chess? How did you do that?"

"The fortune teller's intuition."

Victor simply said it.

"Sometimes when I see a chess piece, I have a premonition of which square to put it on next, and then I just have to do it."

"...That divination was truly amazing."

Professor Sprout could only shrug and shake his head with a smile. Snape, meanwhile, snorted to express his displeasure—he'd done this many times recently, clearly still annoyed by Victor's vague prophecy.

Professor Sprout then quickly changed the subject:

"By the way, Victor, what are your plans for Christmas?"

"Let's go home for dinner," Victor said casually.

But after a while, he remembered something and asked again:

"Speaking of which, is it possible for our school to invite students to come home for dinner?"

"Invite the students back?"

Professor Sprout was somewhat surprised to hear Victor ask such a question, then thought carefully for a moment and hesitantly said:

"If you apply to the principal, perhaps it's not impossible..."

In theory, Hogwarts does not have such restrictions, because the staff are only responsible for getting students to the school gate; where they go and who they spend the holidays with is their own business.

In previous years, it wasn't uncommon for people to spend holidays with relatives.

After listening, Victor showed a knowing look.

……

That very evening, Harry received a note delivered by a griffin, signed in a flamboyant handwriting by Victor—

Harry,

I heard you signed your name on the list of students staying at school for Christmas. Since we're having Christmas dinner at home, and Grandma Barbara has mentioned you often, I was wondering if you'd like to come over for dinner? I've already gotten permission from Professor Dumbledore, and you can bring one or two friends along.

Note: If you are willing to come, you will need to participate in some pre-dinner preparations, which will take place about half a day before the dinner.

V. Vanderbohm.

Harry's expression changed from drowsy to excited. Almost without hesitation, he grabbed the owl that was trying to fly away and wrote a reply agreeing to the request.