December at Hogwarts was enveloped in a biting cold wind, with occasional sleet showers. The howling drafts that blew through the castle corridors left the passing students shivering and trembling.
Every time Vid passed the lawn on his way to class in the greenhouse, he could see Hagrid bustling about.
His relationship with Madam Maxime seemed to be progressing very smoothly, so Hagrid, like a peacock displaying its feathers, not only dressed himself up brightly every day but also went out of his way to please her, including showering affection on the Divine Talisman Horses.
A few days ago, Vid saw that Hagrid had built a large stable for the Divine Talisman Horses. In recent days, he had been busy hand-knitting wool blankets for them, carefully adding some patterns.
The Care of Magical Creatures Lessons had also become lessons on how to care for the Divine Talisman Horses—Hogwarts' Thestrals never received such treatment!
As soon as class started, Hagrid came in hugging a gigantic barrel, and he cheerfully said, "Look, a twelve-year-aged single malt whiskey, the favorite of the Divine Talisman Horses. You're supposed to mix it with their feed..."
The whisky's strong aroma was so overwhelming that many students felt dizzy by the end of class. Michael even secretly drank some of the whisky he was supposed to handle, and by the end of class, his neck was red and he was so tipsy that he almost walked into a tree, only to be pulled back by Vid just in time.
Michael squinted for a long moment at the person beside him, then suddenly exclaimed:
"By Merlin's beard... Vid, why didn't you tell me... you have a twin brother?"
Vid: "...You're drunk, Michael."
Vid had been on alert since Hagrid came in with the barrel. He had cautiously drawn his magic wand and transformed a tissue into a filtration mask, thus avoiding getting drunk like the others.
Michael waved his hand dismissively: "No... I'm not drunk... I just had a little sip..."
He stammered as he spoke, stumbling forward to hang onto Padma, only to be pulled back by Vid under her disapproving gaze.
Vid said helplessly, "Let's go; the Medical Wing should have a sobering potion."
"Okay... okay then... to the Medical Wing..." Michael, who had just claimed he wasn't drunk, let out a boozy hiccup and mumbled, "I think I've lost track of my feet..."
A thin layer of frost coated the castle's stone steps. Just as Michael was about to step up, his leg gave way and he nearly fell to his knees, only to have his arm caught in time.
"Thanks, brother... you saved my life..." Michael mumbled.
After much effort, he managed to climb the steps when suddenly the oak door ahead swung open. Professor McGonagall stood in the doorway like a granite statue, looking down at the two of them with a slight frown and her lips pressed into a thin line.
"Mr. Kona, is this the attitude you bring to class?" she asked icily.
Professor McGonagall's voice was like a bucket of ice water poured over Michael's head. He looked around in confusion, then shivered violently, breaking into a cold sweat as his intoxication quickly dissipated.
"Pro-Professor!" Michael stammered, standing up straight in panic: "I... I was just feeding the Divine Talisman Horses, and accidentally..."
"Accidentally?" Professor McGonagall raised an eyebrow: "You 'accidentally' drank the feed meant for the Divine Talisman Horses?"
Michael: "Uh..."
"Five points from Ravenclaw, Mr. Kona," Professor McGonagall said sternly. "Furthermore, as punishment for letting the Divine Talisman Horses go hungry, you will assist Professor Hagrid in preparing feed tonight at seven. Any questions?"
"No, Professor," Michael said forlornly.
Then, Professor McGonagall's gaze shifted to Vid, her stern expression softening slightly.
"Gray, I'm glad you've maintained a clear head. But next time you see a fellow student acting... irresponsibly, I expect you to intervene rather than idly watch them err."
"I understand. I apologize, Professor," Vid said, bowing his head in contrition.
Professor McGonagall nodded in satisfaction: "Go sober up! Don't miss afternoon classes."
Once Professor McGonagall had gone, Michael finally relaxed and said, "Good thing it was Professor McGonagall... If it had been Professor Snape, he would have docked more points off you too."
No sooner had he spoken when a cold voice came from behind them:
"It seems Professor McGonagall's punishment wasn't enough to serve as a warning, does it, Mr. Kona?"
Michael froze, his neck turning slowly as if rusty. Halfway around, he spotted the signature black robe.
"Five points from Ravenclaw for your disrespecting a professor; another five from Ravenclaw for violating the public drinking rule; and—"
Professor Snape said slowly, ending with a cold smile: "As you wished, Vid Gray witnessed an internal theft of school property and failed to act. Ten points from Ravenclaw!"
After that, he didn't wait for them to argue, snorted and marched into the castle, his black robe billowing behind him, making him look like a bat spreading its wings.
The two of them remained standing there in front of the entrance, dumbstruck.
Michael belatedly leaped up: "This is unfair! How could he take points off you?"
"Stop shouting, or Professor Snape might turn around and dock even more points," Vid advised. "That's just his style. Haven't you gotten used to it?"
"But Professor Snape is ten times harsher than usual today," Michael said, looking guiltily at Vid. "He never targets you for no reason... I got you in trouble."
"Actually, it's quite the opposite. Gray is the one who got you in trouble."
Daphne stepped up onto the stairs from behind them, speaking kindly: "Because Slytherin doesn't have a single Champion, while Gray and the others made it to the second round of the competition..."
She stopped before saying more.
Michael thought for a moment: "...Jealousy, huh?"
Daphne said tactfully: "I guess that might be the reason, but as for what Professor Snape is specifically thinking, I wouldn't know."
As soon as Daphne arrived, she took over the duty of looking after Michael, giving Vid the relief to head to the Umbrella House to do homework.
…
In a pond more than two hundred miles away from Hogwarts, a toad struggling against the severe cold felt itself growing stiffer with each passing moment. It desperately longed for a warm bed, a burning pinewood fireplace, and sturdy walls to shield against the chill wind.
But ultimately, unable to resist its biological instincts, it clumsily crawled through the damp mud, curled up in a small muddy hole, listening to its heartbeat slow, as if its body had turned to ice.
As it was about to fall into slumber, it seemed to return to a warm home—
The fireplace flames danced, casting a gentle amber glow over the entire lounge. Narcissa sat in an armchair, gently brushing a teacup, her head turned toward the front with a faint smile on her lips;
In her gaze, the round-faced Draco rode his toy broom, zipping close to the floor, shouting occasionally and getting startled by his own echo.
The snake-headed staff rested by his side, its familiar, icy touch bringing an unusual sense of comfort.
All ambition, scheming, and fear dissolved in this warm illusion, and the toad lay motionless in the dirt, the darkness gradually enveloping its consciousness.
A tear slid down its skin.