Karl walked out of the common room and ate some food in the kitchen to fill his stomach.
Then he went into the Forbidden Forest, transformed into a Jungle Cat, and headed straight for the Acromantula's territory.
He had only gone halfway when the sound of hooves echoed from the dense forest ahead.
Karl leaped onto a large tree, his eyes fixed on the direction of the sound.
Soon, two Centaurs with bows and arrows appeared in his sight, seemingly on patrol.
These intelligent creatures had the upper body of a human, but below that, the body of a horse.
They had red hair and beards, and reddish-brown fur and tails, looking quite festive.
"I really don't know what's gotten into those Acromantulas? They hid for a long time, out of sight, but these past few days, they've been running out and slaughtering animals in the Forbidden Forest."
"The elders said that the thing that used to scare those beasts is gone, which is why this is happening."
"Do you know what it is?"
"If I knew, I'd be an elder, would I still be patrolling with you?"
"You're right..."
Karl watched the two Centaurs quickly move away, their voices gradually fading.
This unexpected encounter saved him time; there was no need to go to the Acromantula's territory to check.
When Elvis Heller left Hogwarts, he also took his Basiliskwith him.
Although Karl had decided to take him out the moment Heller tempted him to find a Horcrux.
He didn't expect this guy wasn't a Death Eater and was connected to Herpo the Foul, so he had to plan carefully.
After all, Lord Voldemort's Horcruxes were easy to deal with; just burn them directly with Fiendfyre according to the guide.
But facing Heller, whose depths were unknown, it was best to act cautiously, as they hadn't had a direct conflict yet.
At the same time, Karl had the same question as Lord Voldemort: why did Heller know the location of the Horcruxes?
Could it be that Herpo the Foul had a secret method to sense Horcruxes, and after finding ravenclaw's diadem, he wanted to lure others to test it?
Regardless, Karl didn't believe that such a mysterious Dark Wizard came to Hogwarts just to be a Professor.
He must have had ulterior motives!
Considering the information Helena revealed, could Heller and that guy who also came from Greece and called himself Merlin have some connection?
...
This was Karl's first time attending a Christmas feast, and the lively atmosphere made him feel like it was New Year's.
The long tables in the Great Hall were piled high with all sorts of delicious food, almost forming small mountains.
After Headmaster Dumbledore announced the start of the feast, Karl quickly targeted a turkey.
This turkey was plump and meaty, perfectly roasted, with a shiny, oily sheen.
Hmm, it looked very delicious.
Karl tore off a drumstick and ate it heartily.
But gradually, his expression changed from anticipation to confusion.
"This stuff (chew, chew, chew) tastes pretty ordinary, huh? Why did I (chew, chew, chew) used to think it was delicious?"
Even with the House-elves' cooking skills, they could only achieve this level.
If those British and American people were to make it, would it even be edible?
After careful thought, Karl concluded that "Tom and Jerry" was to blame for this.
It was because of watching the cartoon in his previous life that he always thought turkey and cheese were especially delicious.
He didn't have the means in the orphanage, and only now, upon tasting it himself, did he realize something was off.
Never mind, never mind, he'd eat something else.
"Karl! Come play this!"
Tonks threw over a cracker; this thing could make a sound like a cannon and would explode into many small gifts.
For example, hats, balloons, toys, Wizard Chess, and even small white mice.
Karl pulled the cracker, and he was immediately swallowed by blue smoke.
"Ah!"
He only had time to let out a surprised cry before Karl fell backward off his stool onto the floor.
He helplessly looked at the giant rabbit in his arms, nearly 3 feet long; this guy was a bit heavy.
"Looks like you had a good haul!" Tonks stood by, laughing heartily, as happy as a silly roe deer.
"Not bad, this rabbit looks so delicious... no, so cute!"
"Especially this rabbit head, with its smooth lines and soft feel, it's just perfect for spicy stew!"
Tonks: (⊙ ˍ ⊙)
Huh? Is bunny really that... delicious?
If you put it that way, then I really want to try it!
...
Karl had a very happy holiday, with every day being fulfilling.
In the morning, he went to the greenhouse to help the academy's leader take care of plants, and in the afternoon, he went to Professor Flitwick to chat and play chess.
In the evening, he studied Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall and was even guided to start writing a thesis.
He spent his evenings writing stories with the magical quick-notes quill Nina gave him, occasionally wandering into the Restricted Section.
Incidentally, he finished reading "Secret Stories of Hogwarts Headmasters."
Karl rated it as clickbait; the content was not exciting at all, but rather extremely boring.
He had thought there would be exciting little stories, like Principal Ximen walking through the Castle, suddenly getting hit on the head by a wand, looking up to find a female Professor standing by the window.
Tsk! Disappointing!
However, although the holiday was fun, happy times are always short-lived.
With the new term starting, the Professors and Young Wizards who had left school were about to return.
On this day, Karl appeared at the Castle gate, leaning against a pillar, waiting.
"Hey! Karl! How was your holiday?"
Shabi and Stebbins rushed up and high-fived him hard, then squatted down with their arms crossed.
Heh! With that little strength, you want to ambush your godfather? That's wishful thinking!
"Not bad, how about you?"
Karl calmly pulled his numb hand back into his sleeve; these two brats won't be sleeping in anymore!
"Hiss-ha! Pretty good too! Hiss-ha!"
Ignoring these two Hogwarts students, he looked at Ninaand Cho behind them.
"Have you gained weight?"
One sentence successfully made Cho, who was giggling, stop giggling. "Shut up! I just wore a few more clothes because it's too cold!"
"But I was talking about your face."
Cho: ...
No wonder Cedric said this guy had a poisonous tongue; he really experienced it today.
Karl winked at Nina, "See, I told you not to worry, didn't I?"
"Mm-hmm, it's good to see you again, Mr. Orolin."
"How happy?"
"Hmm..."
Nina thought for a moment, then pinched a small gap with her index finger and thumb. "About this happy."
"Alright, then I'll take it as a universe between your fingers."
The two gently bumped fists again, smiling as happily as everyone else.
The Young Wizards dispersed in the entrance hall, eager to put their luggage in their dorms.
As Karl and the Hufflepuffs returned to the Hufflepuffcommon room, they ran into Cedric and Prefect Judy.
They say a new term brings a new look, and this was certainly true for them.
Cedric, whose emotional wounds had healed, now looked invigorated and full of fighting spirit.
And Judy, wearing a horse-face skirt, couldn't bear to sit down, elegantly standing in the middle of the common room, showing off her new skirt to the Hufflepuffs.
Karl inadvertently looked once, twice... several times.
Hmm, to be honest, it was indeed beautiful.