In the days that followed, as the weather grew colder and colder, Hogwarts was also wrapped in an atmosphere of joy.
Because Christmas vacation was about to begin.
Although life inside Hogwarts was also full of fun, as a boarding school, the students were still far more eager to hurry home and reunite with their families.
Not to mention, Christmas also came with presents.
In past years, by this time the students would have already made a huge racket, with no intention of studying at all, and the professors would just turn a blind eye.
But this year was different.
Because Umbridge, the Hogwarts High Inquisitor, was "investigating" the professors, all the professors, aside from someone like Professor Binns, who simply could not be managed at all, were forced to maintain an extremely high teaching load.
Of course, a talent like Umbridge naturally wouldn't let someone like Professor Binns continue drifting around outside her control.
Rumor had it that she had already submitted a request to the Ministry of Magic to remove Binns, whose teaching license had expired nearly 100 years ago, from his position.
Not only that, the students were also facing the pressure of Educational Decree No. 24.
Although that decree was specifically created to target the D.A., it didn't stop Umbridge from enlarging her scope of attack.
The first to be affected were the Quidditch teams of each House, the teams also counted as student organizations, and holding practices or activities required Umbridge's approval.
The Quidditch teams were actually already considered pretty lucky.
Umbridge did deliberately make things difficult for the captains of each House who came to apply, but in the end, she still approved their requests. Overall, the whole affair was more like a warning tap.
But other miscellaneous clubs, Gobstones Club, Wizard Chess Players' Association, Chocolate Frog Card Exchange Group, and so on, weren't so lucky.
Except for a tiny handful of rich and well-connected students who used their money-power to "persuade" Umbridge, the other organizations could be said to have been wiped out completely.
These changes piling up together put a layer of gloom over the students' hearts.
Good thing Christmas vacation had finally arrived.
———
On the day Christmas vacation began.
Link and Emily leaned against one another.
And all around them were students lugging big bags and small bags, chatting and laughing.
A little farther away, George and Fred were gleefully having a snowball fight.
This made the students waiting in the Entrance Hall for professors to lead them to the Hogsmeade Station unbelievably jealous.
Quite a few of them looked ready to spring into action at any moment.
After watching the snowball fight for a bit, Link and Emily turned their gaze toward Harry and his two friends standing to the side.
"You're not going back this year?" Link asked with a smile.
This question obviously wasn't for Harry, so Ron immediately leaned in and whispered an explanation, "My mum and dad have gone back to the Order of the Phoenix this year, and they've been pretty busy lately, no time to take care of us. So it's not just me, George, Fred, and Ginny are all staying at Hogwarts for Christmas. You know, it's safer here."
At that, Ron looked over at Hermione, curled his lip, and said, "As for Hermione, she's gotten addicted to being a professor."
The moment he said that, Hermione's eyes, full of fire, glared straight at him.
Seeing this, Link said, "How can you say that? Hermione is also making a contribution for everyone. She's even giving up the chance to go home and reunite with her family. That's a very noble quality!"
Ron rolled his eyes, clearly unconvinced.
With what he knew of Hermione, she was simply too controlling.
Link turned and spoke to Hermione again, "The D.A. is in your hands over Christmas. I've already enabled the permissions for your coin, so you can summon the D.A. for meetings and practice anytime. But make sure the gatherings aren't too frequent; don't wear yourself out."
Hermione's face flushed hot at once. She nodded and lowered her head shyly, trying to hide the redness in her cheeks.
But at that moment, Emily mercilessly exposed everything, "What Link means is that if the meetings are too frequent, Umbridge is very likely to discover it. You need to be careful. She's been absolutely insane lately."
Hermione's shyness froze on her face, and Link also felt extremely awkward.
He gave a small laugh and instinctively tried to change the topic, only to see Harry, his face even paler than before, staring blankly into the distance.
Following his gaze, they saw Cedric and Cho Chang standing together, whispering to each other with their arms around each other.
'Oh no…'
'Harry! What are you doing!!'
Link's face darkened, and he coughed, "Harry, why's your face gone so pale?"
"Huh?!" Harry jumped, reflexively running a hand through his hair. "Ah, it's my… old problem acting up."
'Yes, your old problem, thinking about someone else's girlfriend.' Link complained silently in his heart, giving Harry a very strange look.
Harry felt nervous under Link's stare and was just about to ask what was wrong, when the acting Care of Magical Creatures professor, Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank, arrived with Professor McGonagall along with a line of carriages.
"Students, please line up to board the carriages!"
With McGonagall's shout, a chorus of cheers erupted in the Entrance Hall. The students, unable to wait any longer, surged forward in chaos, only to be forced into two lines by McGonagall's sharp rebuke so she could take roll.
After bidding farewell, Link took Emily's hand and stepped into the line.
Only when they sat inside the carriage did Emily finally speak, wearing a strange expression, "Harry… still hasn't given up?"
Link knew she meant Cho Chang, and shrugged, "Obviously."
"Should we warn Cedric?" Emily frowned. "If something actually happens, it would be really… unpleasant."
Link shook his head, "Don't worry. Cedric already knows. He won't let anything happen."
Emily gasped, covering her mouth in shock, "You're saying he already knows Harry's been thinking about his girlfriend? Then why is he still..."
"Shh..." Link cut in. "Keep your voice down. It wouldn't be good if someone heard."
Emily nodded quickly, then tugged Link's sleeve, telling him to explain more.
Seeing that bright gossip-glow in her eyes, Link's eyelids twitched nonstop. As expected, gossip is a woman's instinct. But he still couldn't refuse her, so he cast a Silencing Charm on the carriage and shared some of his own guesses.
———
Twenty minutes later, the carriage arrived at Hogsmeade Station.
The students got off one after another and cheered as they rushed toward the Hogwarts Express.
Link and Emily, who had spent the ride engrossed in gossip, also got out.
Of course, they wouldn't be taking the Hogwarts Express.
Without leaving the station, they went to a deserted corner. Link had Emily hold tightly onto his arm, then took out his wand.
"Retainer Apparate!"
Hum~
After a dizzying spin, they appeared in the teleportation hall of Flamel Castle.
"Welcome home! Link, Emily!"
Before they even stood steady, a familiar voice filled with joy sounded.
Link looked and saw Madam Flamel in a white dress, smiling warmly at them.
Not only that, Krell, Old Beckman, and Mister Victoria were also standing beside her.
Mister Victoria's eyes were red and swollen, as though he had just finished crying.
"Dad!"
Emily shouted happily and threw herself into Mister Victoria's arms, which instantly forced out the tears he had tried so hard to hold back. He wept as he praised her.
Link also stepped forward with a smile to greet Madam Flamel, then nodded to Krell and Old Beckman.
But the two old men had already completely ignored him.
All their attention was on Emily's posture and movements.
The moment they noticed her walking in a slightly different way from before, the two old men exchanged a look and revealed deeply satisfied expressions.
Looks like they'll have a grandson/granddaughter soon.
Both men had the exact same thought at the same time.
They had long made an agreement.
Once Link and Emily had a child, Krell would take care of the baby on Monday, Wednesday, Friday.
Old Beckman on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday.
As for Sunday, that would be for Link and Emily, since a young couple ought to spend more time bonding with their child.
Of course, having a few more kids would be even better.
Then each old man could take one and wouldn't have to fight.
"Ahem!"
Seeing their expressions grow increasingly smug, Link coughed twice helplessly, finally pulling their attention back.
"Uncle Krell, Grandpa Beckman, how are the preparations going?"
Glancing at Emily, who had been quietly dragged outside by Mister Victoria for a private talk, Link asked in a low voice.
"I've brought back everyone you asked for!" Old Beckman, delighted to hear Link call him "grandpa," spoke first, smiling so hard his eyes nearly disappeared.
"Seventeen veteran Saints, these are the most elite troops under your grandpa's command! They're stationed in Flamel Castle now!"
Link nodded with a smile, but before he could speak, Krell squeezed in, "You already know my situation. But since you only need elites for this operation, I prepared only twenty of our most elite dragon-hunters for you!"
Krell then raised an eyebrow at Old Beckman in a provocative way. "Not only that, I also got my hands on Gringotts' layout maps and guard rotation schedules. Those goblins are as greedy as ever, they'll sell anything for a few Galleons!"
His expression turned disdainful.
Though house-elves and goblins were related in origin, they had always despised each other.
Link praised both of their arrangements, but soon narrowed his eyes and changed the subject, "What about the reactions from the other factions?"
At those words, the smiles disappeared from both old men. After exchanging a look, Krell spoke seriously, "It's not great. The Death Eaters and the Order of the Phoenix have been fighting fiercely all across Europe, both sides have taken heavy losses. But recently, things have gone quiet. They might have returned to Britain. If we attack Gringotts now, they might interfere."
"They're not the main issue. The Order is still cooperating with us on the surface, and if Voldemort or the Death Eaters dare interfere, we can bring in the Ministry. The real problem is the mysterious force behind Voldemort!" Link's voice grew softer. "Any movement from them recently?"
Old Beckman shook his head, "From what I've learned, most of that group's forces are tied up in excavating ruins and their war with the Order. But the leading legendary-level dark wizards haven't made a move. They're likely watching from the shadows."
Link was silent for a long time before finally taking a deep breath, "Then station more people in Flamel Castle for protection. Speed up the Anti-Apparition and Fidelius enchantments. This operation is important, but home is more important."
"Don't worry about that," Krell said. "I've long finished arranging the castle defenses."
Link nodded and turned toward Madam Flamel, who had been watching him with worry etched all over her face, "Mother, don't worry. We'll be fine."
Madam Flamel forced a smile and reached up to smooth a stubborn tuft of hair on Link's head, "Does it really have to go this far?"
"Things have developed to this point, there's no turning back," Link answered with a smile. "You know that too, Mother."
"At least you're not planning to act today, right? I've been waiting so long, I just want all of us to sit down, have a meal, and be together."
"Of course!"
Hearing Link say that, smiles finally reappeared on Madam Flamel's and the others' faces.
Madam Flamel snapped her fingers. A house-elf, Little Button, appeared out of thin air and bowed, "Master, the kitchen is ready."
Hearing this, the group left the teleportation hall in good spirits and headed toward the dining hall with Mister Victoria and Emily, whose eyes were still red.
———
[Hogwarts]
[Gryffindor Common Room]
After seeing Link off, Harry sat alone before the fireplace, covering his face with both hands.
He could clearly feel his temples throbbing at almost the same rhythm as his heartbeat, and he could also feel… that intense pain.
Harry's condition was far worse than he claimed.
Ever since that night, he had been plagued by nightmares. And along with them came the spreading, increasingly unbearable pain radiating from his scar.
By now, the pain had grown so severe that he had begun to fear sleep itself, and it even struck him during the day.
Just then, Ron's familiar voice suddenly echoed through the empty Gryffindor Common Room, "Hey! Harry! There you are, I've been looking everywhere! Don't just sit there! Come with me to the Great Hall! Dinner's starting soon!"
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