Christmas holiday

The last week before the Christmas holiday arrived, and the students were becoming increasingly distracted during classes.

However, it wasn't because the holiday was imminent; rather, they were looking forward to the chance to play in the snowball arena, which had been reduced by half.

Yes, now you had to fight for the opportunity to play there.

Initially, only the one hundred upper-grade students who had attended classes could easily and joyfully engage in snowball fights there.

But soon, the other upper-grade students who had only been auditing the classes also learned the techniques of magic snowball fighting.

After practicing for a few days, they finally caught up with the rest.

Similarly, lower-grade students discovered that they could also try it out for half an hour, although few could meet the standard of magic snowball fighting.

But even just chatting with the little ghosts was fun!

So, almost all the students in the castle took advantage of their free time every day to queue up at the snowball arena.

Even as the weather grew colder and the nights darker, it couldn't dampen the students' enthusiasm.

Fortunately, Tewell had thought for the students and limited everyone to half an hour of playtime per day, preventing the situation of students crowding there all day long.

However, Filch later caught several students who had run out of the castle late at night, waiting outside in the snow and rushing in to play snowball fights as soon as midnight struck.

These were just the ones caught later; there were probably more who hadn't been caught at first!

Tewell had to set a rule for the ghosts not to open the snowball arena for students at night to curb this trend.

Otherwise, Filch, the old grump, would squat outside in the ice and snow all night, eventually becoming the second ghostly staff member in the school...

As the holiday approached, the students regretted why they hadn't registered to stay at the school in the previous week!

Especially Malfoy; he had been looking forward to mocking Harry and others for not being able to go home for Christmas, only to suddenly realize that he was the one at a disadvantage!

He thought about going to Snape to re-register, but when he saw his own head of house recently filled with murderous intent, he decided to give up after half a second's consideration.

As fun as the game was, his life was more important...

As for Harry and Ron, who were preparing to stay at school, they were much happier.

On the first day of the holiday, they got up early, happily playing wizard chess in the common room while discussing their holiday plans.

"George said we can go over there and play snowball fights today, and if we go with them, maybe we can learn!" Ron said excitedly.

Harry couldn't help but smile. "I wonder if we can learn. It seems quite difficult."

"Don't worry, if those two idiots, George and Fred, can learn it, why can't we?" Ron said confidently.

"You guys are still playing!" Hermione suddenly appeared beside them, looking at them unkindly. "Can't you do something productive?"

"Productive?" Ron blinked in confusion.

" Nicolas Flamel!" Hermione reminded loudly.

Harry scratched his head awkwardly. He had actually forgotten about it, spending all day thinking about playing with snowballs.

Ron belatedly said, "Oh~" with a thick skin, then added, "I've been busy writing essays lately. If you didn't remind me, I would have forgotten. But, Hermione, you've been reading books all the time lately. Have you found any clues?"

"No," Hermione sighed dejectedly as she sat down.

But after a moment, she perked up again, quickly looking around and saying in a low voice, "There's still one place in the library we haven't checked."

Ron looked at her in shock, as if she had been replaced by someone else.

"You mean the Restricted Section in the library?"

"Yes," Hermione said confidently, raising her head. "That's the place we haven't searched yet."

"Then I might as well go check Professor Flitwick's office to see if he has anything on Snape!" Ron said with a grimace.

Harry nodded in agreement, but Hermione didn't look pleased.

"During this time, the professor often stays alone in his office. If you dare to go over there, you'll be caught immediately!"

"Well, you don't have to worry. The professor said he won't stay at the school during the Christmas holiday; he's going to see an elder."

Ron shook his head triumphantly, adding, "He mentioned it casually last night while we were playing wizard chess."

Even if he had suspicions about the professor, he wouldn't give up the opportunity to chat with him every day.

Harry also wanted to play chess and chat with the professor, discussing those magical wonders that only existed in Hermione's books. However, with his wizard chess skills, he couldn't even beat Seamus, so he could only admire from afar.

Hermione envied it to the point of feeling sour. She couldn't count how many times she felt that not being able to play wizard chess was an unforgivable mistake.

"You're already unable to win against the professor, and... and... Anyway, focus on finding information about Nicolas Flamel!"

After saying this, to prevent Ron from saying anything more upsetting, she simply dragged her luggage and left.

Today was the first day of the holiday, and as a non-resident student, she could only reluctantly bid farewell to the snowball fights - when they came back, there would be no more of this place.

Seeing Hermione leaving, Ron said without any embarrassment, "I managed to stay ahead of the professor for a month; that's much better than Percy and them!"

"Tell us about last night," Harry eagerly looked at Ron.

Every day, Harry looked forward to Ron telling him about the professor's affairs, claiming it was to increase their understanding of the professor, but really to uncover the truth.

Hermione didn't buy this excuse, but she still brought a small stool to listen to Ron's bragging every time.

Ron proudly lifted his little head. "The wizard chess match with the professor last night was so exciting that it drained all the wisdom from my mind. Although I ended up losing, it was the most thrilling game of my life!"

"What's more, at the end of class, the professor gave George and Fred special badges, thanking them for their special contributions!"

"Badges?" Harry puzzledly took out his badge from Halloween. "What's so special about these?"

Ron looked at the badge enviously. He had one too, but it could only be used twice, unlike Harry's, which could be recharged.

"Their badges are a bit larger, with a slightly higher magic consumption, but they can be worn anywhere on the body! Displayed on the chest!"

Harry didn't feel any difference; unlike Ron, he could accept wearing it around his waist or on his chest.

But when the twins walked proudly past, he noticed something special.

"Why do your badges have red and blue colors?"

At this, George joyfully pointed to the red badge on his chest. "The professor said that when we're together, the two badges can alternate, avoiding excessive magic consumption!"

"When facing powerful magic, they can also work together to form a powerful shield charm!" Fred excitedly added.

Ron grumbled unhappily.

"I could beat both of you with just one badge!"

"Come on," George waved his hand disdainfully, "we're going to have a real snowball fight. Do you guys want to join?"

Harry and Ron simultaneously toppled over the wizard chessboard.

"Of course, we'll go!"