After a heavy snowfall, even the solid surface of the lake was covered with a soft, white blanket. The cold weather also affected the owls delivering letters, and Hagrid had to find a cozy spot to rest in his hut.
The Weasley brothers were being punished. They had cast a spell on a snowball, making it chase Professor Quirrell and hit him on the head.
This made George's story seem almost unbelievable. During that time, the Dark Lord had possessed Quirrell, causing him to behave oddly—almost like Neville. It was unclear whether this was Quirrell's own will resisting, or if the Dark Lord was unusually weak.
Everyone was eagerly anticipating going home for the holidays. In the last few days of classes, many students were distracted, and poor Neville was scolded several times because of it.
The Great Hall had been decorated beautifully, with colorful streamers on the walls. Twelve straight Christmas trees stood in the room, adorned with sparkling ornaments and tiny candles.
The professors carefully hung beautiful decorations on the trees using magic, seemingly indifferent to the fact that students would soon leave.
Today was the last day of school, and everyone had already started chatting and saying their goodbyes early.
"I can't stand Malfoy anymore. I almost beat him today!"
Ron was furious. He hated Malfoy with a passion. Despite being academically superior to him, when Malfoy relentlessly attacked him and Harry with his sharp tongue, Ron wanted nothing more than to punch him square in the face.
"I really hate Malfoy and Snape," Harry said helplessly.
Recently, Malfoy had been mocking Harry for being unpopular. These insults struck a nerve. Harry didn't want to spend Christmas at the Dursleys'. He was almost eager to escape from the Dursleys' relatives, desperate not to go back.
"You can come to my house for Christmas," Hermione offered. She understood some of Harry's situation and wanted to invite him to her home for the holiday.
"Thanks, Hermione, but I can't leave Ron here alone," Harry said with a smile, politely declining.
Ron's parents were going to Romania to visit Charlie, and the brothers had to stay at school.
Ron rolled his eyes in disagreement at Harry's teasing.
"Don't worry. The Christmas break will be over soon, and you'll be together again," George said, understanding the feelings of Harry, Hermione, Ron, and others.
George had his own business and life and did not plan to spend Christmas at the school with Harry.
"I'll send you gifts," George said after a moment. "The school is on break, the professors are on holiday, and few people are around. Harry and Ron should be more careful."
"If you find out who Nicholas LeMay is, remember to write and tell me," Hermione added.
George glanced meaningfully at Harry and the others. "Perhaps I should warn you—this adventure might be a bit difficult for you."
"Oh! You know Nicholas LeMay! I'm sure you've read many more books than I have. But why didn't you tell us then?" Hermione exclaimed, immediately curious.
As Hagrid had said, Nicholas LeMay was not on their curriculum. To avoid giving incorrect information, George did not plan to volunteer details unless asked by Harry and the others.
"So we decided to pull you into this," Hermione said, showing no intention of being polite.
"All right, but for safety's sake, I'll tell you after the holidays," George said after a moment, leaving school immediately to avoid causing trouble.
"Oh! No! You'd better tell me in advance. We've read at least a hundred books during class breaks, yet couldn't find any trace of Nicholas LeMay. Now even his name appears in my dreams!" Hermione began to fuss like a child.
"At least give us a hint. I think I've seen his name somewhere," Harry said, recalling Nicholas LeMay enough that a small clue might jog his memory.
"All right, stop causing trouble. Be quiet and enjoy Christmas," George refused to give in, preferring Harry figure it out himself.
"All right! At least we don't have to stay in the library during Christmas," Ron said after a moment, finding a good excuse.
"Hmm, I suppose I should say, Merry Christmas!" Harry added, not wanting to ask George further—perhaps he would remember soon anyway.
"Merry Christmas!" George's words piqued Hermione's curiosity, though he didn't answer further. Hermione seemed a little displeased, but thinking of the holiday, she cheered up immediately.
"Merry Christmas!"
Along the way, they headed toward Platform 9¾. The train was less crowded this time, as many had stayed at school. George and Hermione found seats near the middle.
As the train departed for Watts, excitement filled the carriage; leaving Watts brought joy as well.
"Oh!" Hermione was particularly excited. This was her first time leaving the boarding school. While at school, she hadn't felt anything unusual. But now, leaving school and knowing she would soon see her parents, she was excited, nervous, and full of anticipation.
"Do you want to sit and eat something?" George asked, unsure how to comfort Hermione and trying to distract her.
"I didn't expect to be this excited," Hermione said, her voice trembling.
"You've been away from home, entered a completely new environment, and now you're returning. It's normal to feel excited," George explained. Though mature and rational, he understood the feeling. As novels describe it: homesickness—"the closer you are to home, the more timid you become."
Those far from home, once accustomed to a new environment, usually don't feel particularly homesick. But when leaving familiar surroundings and entering the unfamiliar, a sudden sense of isolation and estrangement evokes intense longing for home. One craves familiar sights and faces.
People always face the unknown and are vulnerable around strangers.
For Hermione, both school and home were familiar and safe places. But traveling between them, she felt a touch of unfamiliarity and a longing to return to what she knew.
"That's something to be happy about," George thought, seeing Hermione shiver slightly. As their destination drew nearer and higher, he felt a little envious.
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