Hogwarts in the shadows

After Hephis and Hermione had eaten and drunk their fill.

At Hermione's suggestion, they practiced spells for a few hours in the Room of Requirement.

In Hermione's words, it helps digestion after a meal.

As for An An, she was happily eating hotpot.

Hefeis originally wanted Anan to eat with them.

But An An refused at first, until Hephis gave the order as the master, he reluctantly sat down at the dining table.

However, he was always trembling when eating, as if every bite of food carried some unknown fear, and tears were flashing in his eyes.

Looking at this scene, Hephis could only sigh helplessly and set aside separate portions of meat and vegetables.

Wait until they finish eating, then An An can eat.

An An instantly became happy when she heard this.

He bowed so low to Hephaestus that his head almost touched the floor.

After seeing this scene, Hermione lost her appetite.

Later she fell into deep thought, and no one knew what she was thinking about.

Christmas is coming soon, and the Grangers decide to go out and travel this year.

So Hermione had to stay in Hogwarts for Christmas.

But she was quite satisfied with this arrangement because she would have more time to practice magic.

This little girl has been casting various spells on a round medal in a mysterious manner recently.

When Hephis asked, Hermione said that he would know when it was finished.

He could only shrug and let Hermione do as she pleased.

In the castle, Christmas decorations have been set up.

The corridors were hung with heavy sashes woven with holly and mistletoe, and each suit of armor was lit up with lights.

As always, there were twelve Christmas trees in the auditorium, decorated with golden stars.

Most of the students have already left.

Heffers also prepared to have Christmas lunch with Hermione and then leave school.

After all, Vanasa had sent him a letter before, asking him to visit during the Christmas holidays.

By noon, Hermione hurriedly found Hephis.

"Harry received a Firebolt for Christmas." Hermione said with a hint of uneasiness in her tone.

"Just get it! Don't worry, it's hard for Slytherin to lose now." Hephis responded indifferently.

"What are you talking about? Of course I hope Slytherin loses." Hermione quickly defended.

"No...no, don't interrupt." The little lion began to show his teeth.

"You talk, I listen." Hephis rubbed Hermione's little head.

"There's no signed card on the gift, so I suspect it's from... Sirius Black," Hermione said worriedly.

Hephis frowned slightly, "You really dare to think, why would he give Harry such an expensive thing?"

"Maybe he did something with the Firebolt, and..." Hermione bit her lip.

"And the broom lost control and killed Harry?" Hepherdess asked rhetorically.

"It's not impossible, is it?" Hermione's voice became smaller and smaller, but her worry became more and more serious.

"Hermione, I understand that you care about your friend." Hephis interrupted her thoughts, "but you should know that Harry's broom is broken."

Hermione looked at Hephis in confusion, waiting for what to come.

"Harry is known as the savior of the world. Living in the wizarding world, there are countless eyes watching him."

Hephis organized his words, trying not to move in Snape's direction.

"Although it may be unfair for me to say this, Quidditch is now Harry's only thing to show his talent to the wizarding world."

"And how should I describe his childhood? It was a bit unfortunate. Playing Quidditch is his greatest joy now." Heffie looked at Hermione seriously.

"But what if there is danger?" Hermione could understand what Hephis said.

But as a friend, she felt that life was more important than fun.

"Honestly, it's not that I look down on Sirius Black. It's just that with his level of magic, he is still a little bit short of being able to tamper with a top-notch flying broom like the Firebolt."

Hephis said with some disdain.

"Okay!" Hermione agreed reluctantly, but her expression was still somewhat unhappy.

"Well," Hephis thought for a moment.

"I'll teach you a spell that will cancel the effects of the Portos. As long as the Firebolt is not a Portkey, then no matter what danger Harry encounters while riding, he will definitely not die."

Hermione breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this, "Then teach me as soon as possible."

"Okay, let's eat first. The professors are already seated." Hephis gently pointed to the long table in the center of the auditorium.

Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Sprout and Flitwick were all seated in their respective seats.

Hermione hurriedly pulled Hephis towards the long table and sat down at the edge.

After a while, Harry and Ron arrived.

"Merry Christmas!" Dumbledore said happily.

"Firecracker!" he called again enthusiastically, handing Snape a large silver firecracker.

Although Snape was a little reluctant, he still took the firecracker and pulled it gently.

The firecrackers exploded instantly, and with a bang, they scattered.

Then a pointed witch's hat appeared, with a stuffed mountain eagle adorning the top of the hat.

Snape pursed his lips slightly and pushed his hat towards Professor Dumbledore.

Dumbledore immediately replaced the wizard's hat on his head with it.

"Eat!" Dumbledore said to everyone present with a smile.

Just then, Professor Trelawney slowly walked in.

She was wearing a bright green robe, and with her oversized glasses, she looked like a giant dragonfly.

"Sybil, I'm so glad you can come!" Dumbledore stood up and welcomed her warmly.

"Headmaster, I have been searching the crystal ball for the secrets of the future," Trelawney said in her characteristic fuzzy voice.

"I saw myself attending this dinner. How could I resist the call of fate? So I left the tower without hesitation."

"Of course, of course." Dumbledore smiled and waved his wand, and a chair fell between Snape and Professor McGonagall.

"Ah!" Trelawney suddenly uttered a low scream. "It seems that I was right to follow the guidance of fate. Now there are exactly thirteen of you here."

She paused, then continued in a more murky voice.

"Thirteen, what an unlucky number! The first person to stand up after dinner will be the first to die!"

"Thank you for your reminder, Sybil." Dumbledore smiled and invited Trelawney to take a seat.

Hermione glanced at Trelawney with some displeasure.

It was this guy who said that she had no talent at all in divination.

"What's wrong, Hermione?" Hephis asked softly.

"Hmph!" Hermione didn't answer, but just cut the steak on the plate fiercely.