With just one week left before the Christmas holidays, students were getting more and more distracted in class. But it wasn't the anticipation of the break that had them restless—it was the excitement of getting a chance to play on the now half-sized snowball field. Yes, you actually had to fight for a turn there.
At first, only the hundred senior students who had taken the class could freely and easily have snowball fights. But soon, other upper-year students who had been watching figured out how to make magic snowballs too. After a few days of practice, they finally caught up with the rest. Likewise, the younger students discovered they could also take turns for about half an hour. Few could make proper magic snowballs, but even "chatting" with the little imps was fun!
So almost every student in the castle spent every bit of free time lining up for the snowball field. Not even the freezing weather or the early darkness could dampen their enthusiasm. Fortunately, Tver had considered their well-being and limited each student's playtime to thirty minutes a day, preventing the area from being overcrowded.
Even so, Filch later caught several students sneaking out at night, waiting past midnight so they could rush in to play first. And those were just the ones who got caught—there were probably many more who hadn't! Tver eventually had to set a rule forbidding students from using the field at night to stop the behavior. Otherwise, poor old Filch might have ended up patrolling outside all night in the snow until he became the school's second ghostly staff member...
As the holidays drew nearer, students regretted not signing up to stay behind for the break. Especially Malfoy—he'd been eager to mock Harry and the others for not going home for Christmas, only to realize that he was the one stuck here! He thought about asking Snape to re-register him, but one look at his Head of House's murderous expression made him drop the idea instantly. The game was fun, but his life mattered more...
Meanwhile, Harry and Ron, who had decided to stay at school, were enjoying themselves. On the first morning of the holiday, they woke up early, playing wizard chess in the common room while chatting about their plans.
"George and Fred said we can head over there today and play snowballs. If we go with them, maybe we'll learn how to do it too!" Ron said eagerly.
Harry grinned. "I wonder if we can actually learn it. It looks pretty hard."
"Relax! If those two idiots George and Fred can do it, so can we~" Ron said with confidence.
"You're still playing!" Hermione suddenly appeared beside them, scolding. "Can't you do something useful for once?"
"Useful?" Ron blinked in confusion.
"Nicolas Flamel!" Hermione snapped.
Harry scratched the back of his head awkwardly—he really had forgotten, too busy thinking about snowballs.
Ron let out an "Oh~" and said sheepishly, "I've been buried in assignments lately. I'd have forgotten completely if you hadn't reminded me. But haven't you been reading nonstop? Found anything yet?"
"No." Hermione slumped into a chair, disappointed.
But a moment later, she brightened up. After glancing around, she whispered, "There's still one place in the library we haven't checked."
Ron stared at her in disbelief, as if she'd been replaced by someone else.
"You mean the restricted section in the library?"
"Yes," Hermione said, lifting her chin confidently. "That's one place we can't search."
"Then I might as well go look through Professor Fawley's office to see what dirt he's got on Snape!" Ron said, his face sour.
Harry nodded in agreement, but Hermione frowned.
"The professor's been spending a lot of time alone in his office lately. If you dare go in, you'll get caught immediately!"
"Don't worry about that. The professor said he won't be staying at school over Christmas. He's going to visit an elder relative."
Ron nodded smugly, adding deliberately, "He mentioned it offhand last night while we were playing wizard chess."
Even if he had suspicions about the professor, he wouldn't give up this daily chance to chat with him.
Harry also wanted to play chess and talk with the professor—to discuss the magical wonders that only existed in Hermione's books. But with his wizard chess skills, he couldn't even beat Seamus, so he could only envy them in his heart.
Hermione was so envious she felt physically sick. For the umpteenth time, she thought her inability to play wizard chess was an unforgivable mistake.
"You can't beat the professor anyway, and... and... just hurry up and look up Nicolas Flamel!"
With that, to prevent Ron from saying anything more painful, she decisively dragged her luggage away.
Today marked the first day of the holidays. Students like her, not staying behind at school, could only bid a reluctant farewell to the snow fort—by the time they returned, this place would be gone.
Ron curled his lip at Hermione's retreating figure and retorted, "It took me a whole month before the professor beat me! That's way better than Percy and the others!"
"Tell us about last night then. You went straight to bed as soon as you got back and haven't mentioned the private lesson yet." Harry looked at Ron expectantly.
Harry's daily anticipation was for Ron to recount the professor's activities, ostensibly to "gain insight into the professor's methods" and uncover the truth behind them.
Hermione didn't use excuses either, always bringing her little stool to listen to Ron's boasts.
Ron immediately lifted his little head proudly. "Last night's wizard chess match with the professor was incredible. It drained every last bit of wisdom from my brain."
"Even though I lost in the end, it was easily the most brilliant game I've ever played!"
"More importantly, at the end of class, the professor gave George and Fred two special badges, saying it was to thank them for their exceptional contributions!"
"Badges?" Harry pulled out his own Halloween badge, puzzled. "What's so special about these?"
Ron eyed the badge enviously. He had one too, but it could only be used twice, unlike Harry's rechargeable version.
"Their badges are a bit bigger, so they drain more magic, but they can be worn anywhere on your body! Displayed right on your chest!"
Harry didn't notice any difference. Unlike Ron, he was fine wearing his badge either on his waist or his chest.
But when the twins strode over, chest puffed out proudly, he spotted the distinctive feature.
"Why do your badges come in red and blue?"
George beamed, pointing to the crimson one on his chest. "Professor said when we're together, our badges can alternate effects to conserve magic!"
"And when powerful spells hit, they combine into a massive Shield Charm!" Fred added excitedly.
Ron scowled, pursing his lips. "My single badge is worth both of yours!"
"Give it a rest," George waved dismissively. "We're heading out for a snowball fight—a serious one. Want to join us?"
Harry and Ron simultaneously knocked over the wizard chess pieces.
"Of course we're coming!"