Chapter 41. Lynn's Christmas Eve.
The weather was gradually turning cold.
Hogwarts had officially begun its Christmas holiday.
Before leaving, Cedric had invited Lynn to spend Christmas with them, but Lynn declined.
He had been in this world for over ten years and had no habit of celebrating the holiday, especially since Christmas was always spent with family; it wouldn't be appropriate for an outsider to go alone.
As for Ian, although he wasn't against spending time with Lynn and Cedric, their relationship wasn't close enough for him to invite Lynn back to meet his parents.
After a few days of interaction, Lynn had also figured out Ian's family background.
Like him, Ian was from a pure Muggle family, but he had parents, unlike Lynn, who was an orphan.
Hogwarts began to feel deserted. Few young wizards remained in the castle, and meals were no longer divided by house; the remaining wizards shared a table.
Professor Fawkes didn't seem to be leaving Hogwarts. Lynn had cautiously mentioned it once, and the professor said he was now single and wherever he was, that was his home.
The day before Christmas, Professor McGonagall informed all the remaining wizards that Professor Dumbledore would be spending Christmas Eve with them in the Great Hall.
On Christmas Eve, Lynn arrived at the Great Hall, which the professors had meticulously decorated.
In the center stood a huge Christmas tree, specially chosen by Hagrid from the Forbidden Forest; Lynn had greeted him when he carried it over that morning.
And those glittering little stars floating on the Christmas tree were Professor Flitwick's doing.
It wasn't easy for someone his height to cast a spell on the Christmas tree; he had to use two stools and even had two junior wizards help him hold the stools to prevent him from falling.
Professor McGonagall had conjured up ribbons, bells, and wreaths throughout the Great Hall long ago, brightening up the otherwise monotonous space.
Professor Sprout's arrangements of flowers and plants, and Professor Snape's less grumpy face, all contributed to the festive atmosphere at Hogwarts.
While the number of young wizards remaining at the school was small, almost all the single professors were present, including Hagrid, the gamekeeper who wasn't yet a professor; Filch, the castle caretaker; Mrs. Pince, the librarian; and Mrs. Pomfrey, the school doctor. Everyone was gathered together.
Not only the living, but also the ghosts of Hogwarts, escorting Peeves and forcibly dressing him as a reindeer, led by Barrow the Blood, also came to the Great Hall to join the feast.
Professor Dumbledore was already seated in the center of the long table, wearing a red Santa hat and sporting a gentle smile, looking every bit like a harmless old neighbor.
The dinner was equally lavish, the long table laden with Western delicacies: an enormous turkey enchanted with a swelling spell, a log-shaped cake, German gingerbread, sausages, roast suckling pig, and Christmas pudding for everyone.
After the young wizards, professors, and ghosts sang Christmas carols to the Christmas tree, the dinner officially began.
The professors didn't sit together, but rather scattered among the young wizards. Lynn's position was somewhat peculiar; he sat next to Professor Dumbledore.
This was the first time he had been so close to this greatest white wizard of the twentieth century. Dumbledore certainly looked very old; his hair and beard were completely white, his skin was loose, and he had many wrinkles.
But he still looked very energetic, not like a centenarian.
"Lynn Bellok, is that right?" Dumbledore's eyes always gave people a sense of trustworthiness. It was he who beckoned Lynn to sit down beside him as soon as he entered the room.
Lynn was actually a little uneasy. Dumbledore was arguably the top wizard in the world, and he wasn't sure if the brain-sealing technique the system had rewarded him with would work. He also didn't know why the headmaster, who hadn't been to school for half a semester, would recognize him.
"Yes, Professor, you know me?" Lynn's nervousness wasn't feigned.
Dumbledore smiled.
"Adrian often mentions you to me, saying you're the most outstanding student he's ever seen at Hogwarts."
"Well, the culprit has been found!"
Lynn's face darkened. He had actually been betrayed by the professor he trusted most.
He glanced discreetly at Professor Fawkes, who was chatting with Professor McGonagall, and then shook his head.
"Professor Fawkes, you flatter me. I'm far from good enough. Among the young wizards I know, Cedric in second year and Ian, who is in the same year as me, are both much better than me."
"They are indeed very talented students, but don't underestimate yourselves. You all have bright futures."
Dumbledore was savoring his Christmas pudding. Known as the Old Bee, he, like Lynn, loved sweets.
"How have you been doing at Hogwarts?"
"The professors are all very nice, the classmates are very friendly, and magic is very interesting. Compared to living alone before, this place is heaven."
Lynn thought his flattery was spot on and would surely please the old bee.
Sure enough, Dumbledore smiled happily, but his next words made Lynn's smile vanish.
"I heard from Minerva that when I wasn't at Hogwarts, your roommates tried to frame you. Don't you hate them?"
Lynn pondered the old bee's meaning but couldn't figure it out, so he could only bite the bullet and say it.
"Of course I resent Professor, but you know, Hubert has become like that, he's already suffered enough punishment. And I can't change their minds. I don't hate them, I just want to avoid them."
Lynn's mood was somewhat low, and Dumbledore comforted him.
"Bellok, everyone has their own beliefs. You don't have to bear anything because of other people's prejudices. Think of your friends, and those professors who care about you. They are people you can trust."
"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore."
"You're welcome. Try this pudding, it's delicious."
…
While the teachers and students of Hogwarts were celebrating Christmas Eve, in front of the castle's underground storage room, a little girl in a white dress was happily munching on a steak.
Her hands were covered in oil, even the area around her mouth was greasy, and she patted the wooden door with her little hands as she ate.
"Sophia, another piece!"
A moment later, another steak suddenly appeared on her empty plate.
The person behind the wooden door said something, and Sophia, almost crying with joy, nodded repeatedly.
"I know, I know, I'll leave as soon as I'm full, I definitely won't let Lynn suspect anything."
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(End of Chapter)