Chapter 1302 Merry Christmas!

On Christmas Eve, Hogwarts Castle was just as bustling as the streets of London.

The auditorium dome was enchanted, and warm, dry magical snowflakes drifted down like feathers.

They do not stick to clothes or blend into the ground; they refract a silvery-blue light in the candlelight, as if stars have fallen to earth.

In the center of the auditorium stands a tall Christmas tree with a crown reaching the dome, its branches adorned with countless rotating ice crystal decorations, each reflecting the smiling faces of different students.

Just like last year, the walls were coated with a thin layer of icing-like silver frost.

Even the portraits are filled with a joyful holiday atmosphere. In the principal's office, the portrait of Principal Phineas Black is wearing a Christmas hat and drinking hot cider with the portrait of Principal Armando Dippert next door.

Pippi also got a Santa hat, but it was too big and covered his whole head.

Today, Dumbledore wore a deep purple velvet robe, with flowing silver threads embroidered with stars and a crescent moon, as if he were draped over the entire night sky.

He stood in front of the staff's long table, his voice as deep and clear as a fireplace on a winter night, "Children, another year has quietly turned a new page amidst your laughter, tears, and courage."

His deep blue eyes glanced unconsciously at the Gryffindor table, then at the empty seat. "You have learned to light hope with your wands, and you have also learned to hold each other's hands in the darkness."

I need not utter the word "peace," for true peace lies not in the protection of incantations, but in the unextinguished light within your hearts.

Some students turned to look at the empty seat at the Gryffindor table, the seat that had originally belonged to Vincent.

Dumbledore smiled and withdrew his gaze. "Tonight, may your dreams be filled with flying reindeer, snow that never melts, and a fireplace that always awaits your return. And tomorrow..."

He paused slightly, "We must continue on our journey, but tonight belongs to you alone."

He didn't mention anyone, not Vincent, not Voldemort, and certainly not the truth that the Ministry of Magic had hidden.

As the banquet began, a series of sumptuous dishes were brought up by the house-elves in the kitchen.

The atmosphere in the auditorium was lively, but Snape, sitting at the staff table, had a gloomy face.

His most hated student was gone, as was that disgusting pink toad, but he still couldn't fit in.

On the other side, Dumbledore wore a bright smile as he watched the students below enjoying their meal.

Halfway through the banquet, Snape came up to him and whispered a few words, after which the two quietly left the hall.

With a "whoosh," Fred and George took the opportunity to set off a giant firework, shaped like a fire dragon. If you looked closely, you could even see a person standing on the dragon's back.

McGonagall pursed her lips instantly. She glared at the mischievous twins, then looked thoughtfully at the closed auditorium doors.

As is customary, there is no curfew on Christmas Eve.

After eating and drinking their fill, some students stayed in the auditorium, some went to the Owl Court Club activity room, and some even sneaked out of the castle.

On the eighth floor, Fred and George, who had dressed their armor in Christmas sweaters, walked into the Room of Requirement with smiles on their faces.

Everyone was there; the girls were arranging snacks, while the boys were decorating.

The arrival of the twins greatly accelerated the process, and their secret base gradually transformed into a warm and comfortable room.

"That's it!" George, having laid out the deep red carpet, lay down directly on it.

It was soft and comfortable, and he closed his eyes as he lay there.

Suddenly, he sat up abruptly. "Now is not the time to sleep!"

Everyone was startled by his shout, and he quickly scrambled to his feet. "Who will contact them?"

Everyone turned their attention to Hermione on the sofa. She nodded and raised the magical communicator on her wrist.

A familiar figure emerged from the giant projection screen; it was Rove, who had become a magizoologist.

Luo Fu was in a small Nordic-style wooden cabin, with the chubby nine-tailed fox Xiao Bai lying next to him.

Years have passed, and the little guy is still like a fluffy ball.

With its big, round eyes wide open, it jumped into Luo Fu's arms, its chubby face almost taking up the entire projection screen.

Hermione on the sofa opened her contacts again, and soon Vincent, who was at the Lane Hotel in London, appeared on another giant projection screen.

"Hello everyone!" He smiled broadly, his most relaxed smile in months.

The members of the House of Requirement smiled knowingly, and Ralph also smiled as he held Little White.

They chatted about their recent lives and reminisced about their school days, including nighttime outings, adventures, and pranks.

"Remember the Batcave flooded last year?" Fred and George grinned mischievously. "Dude, the castle dungeons and Slytherin dormitories are all under the Black Lake? What if we blow up the outer walls... hehehe~"

The dungeon is flooded! The little snakes are going to have a really cold winter this year.

After laughing, Cedric raised his cup and took a sip of hot cocoa. "Speaking of which, Vincent, that time you flew over London on a dragon was truly amazing. My dad said that after that day, the offices of the International Department of Magical Cooperation were almost overwhelmed with letters from all over the world asking, 'Has Britain started taming dragons as a means of transportation?'"

“It’s not just the Ministry of Magic,” Fred interjected. “My dad said Diagon Alley is packed with tourists hoping to catch a glimpse of a dragon, and George and I sold out of our dragon-shaped fireworks at school!”

Vincent knew, of course, that there were still many tourists outside the hotel with their camera equipment, waiting for the fire dragon to appear.

Rolf hugged the mischievous little white dragon again. "Speaking of fire dragons, my business trip this time was to treat a Swedish short-nosed dragon that had accidentally eaten a glowing fern. Their local magizoologist thought it had some rare glowing disease and gave it a lot of medicine, which caused it to develop severe gastroenteritis."

"How serious is it?"

"After a week of continuous diarrhea, the dragon droppings he produced could fill the entire bat cave."

"Ew—" Daphne withdrew her hand with a look of disgust. She was just about to have some snacks when they started talking about this.

Hermione, however, continued eating her pudding without a care in the world. She glanced at the time and said, "It's almost midnight. Shall we count down? Even though we're not together, at least we can hear the bells at the same time."

Everyone nodded in agreement and sat down with expectant faces.

Vincent operated the hotel room's equipment and played Mariah Carey's Christmas song released last year, "All I Want for Christmas Is You".

This is a Christmas song with the theme of passionate love, and Mariah Carey, who sang it, was crowned the "Queen of Christmas".

As the cheerful melody played, the time quietly arrived at 23:59 PM.

Even from the top floor of the hotel, one could still faintly hear the cheers of the crowd outside.

"Ten!" Fred and George shouted first.

"Nine!" Rolf picked up the mischievous little white dog for what felt like the umpteenth time.

“Eight!” Daphne grasped Astoria’s small hand.

“Seven!” Hermione looked at Vincent with deep affection through the projection screen.

“Six!” Cedric and Cho also looked at each other affectionately.

"five!"

"Four!"