"Asking about holiday plans," Vid said. "How about you? Are your parents okay with you coming to my house for Christmas?"
"They couldn't be happier!" Michael scoffed. "My mom was thrilled, saying she could finally have a relaxing Christmas! They've decided to spend it as a couple and told me not to bother them too much."
He glanced sideways and saw several girls from Muggle families slipping their home phone numbers to Carrel, reminding him, "Remember to call during the holidays, Carrel."
"Sure!" Carrel said, tucking away the notes with a smile.
"This guy's popularity is almost catching up to mine!" Michael snorted.
This time, Vid didn't respond; his fork paused mid-air as goosebumps prickled his back.
He finally knew what was giving him that eerie feeling.
Carrel kept talking as if Mrs. Johnson were still alive.
But this... was too strange!
Wasn't Mrs. Johnson already deceased?
Could Mr. Johnson have hidden the news of her passing from Carrel during their communication?
But from the way Carrel talked, it seemed like his mom was still personally contacting him... Even though he's careless, he would notice something if his mother remained "invisible" in their communication, right?
Vid put down the fork, feeling as if he'd swallowed a chunk of ice, heavy and completely losing his appetite.
"Hey, look at Professor Abigail!" Michael suddenly said, "Haha, she's dressed up for Christmas early!"
Vid turned his head and saw Professor Abigail wearing a rather cartoonish Christmas robe, a red robe trimmed with fluffy white edges, adorned with patterns like Christmas trees, bells, and stars.
She even wore a pointed red hat, just like the one Santa Claus wears.
Professor McGonagall looked at her in surprise, while Hagrid wore a silly expression, hesitating on whether to remind her that there were still days until Christmas.
Dumbledore admired her attire enthusiastically, conjuring a pointed Christmas hat for himself as well, with a glittering star at the top.
Over at Gryffindor, Fred whistled and said loudly, "Professor, your outfit is fantastic!"
"Haha, not bad, right?" Professor Abigail said proudly, hands on her hips, showcasing her unique ensemble. "Even though I won't be staying at school for the holiday, for me, today is Christmas at Hogwarts!"
"Yes, exactly! Today is our Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas, Fred!"
"Merry Christmas, George!"
The Gryffindors joined in, banging on tables, stomping feet, clapping, and some even started singing Christmas carols.
The previously somber atmosphere instantly became lively, and Professor Flitwick pointed his magic wand upwards, causing lots of white snowflakes to gently float down, while little fairies carried flower baskets, flying around the hall.
Lee Jordan from Gryffindor jumped up, shouting towards the teacher's table, "Professor, can we have some mead? Professor!"
Dumbledore said cheerfully, "Why not?"
With a wave of his wand, golden mead appeared on each table. Though not a lot, the students were nearly ecstatic.
Only Vid's expression remained unchanged as he silently moved the apple juice in front of him.
"Don't get too drunk, kids."
In the midst of the cheers, Dumbledore said happily, "Or you'll all oversleep and miss the train tomorrow morning."
But the students were no longer listening as they happily started pouring drinks, with House-Elves timely delivering some special Christmas candies to the long tables, filling the air with sweet scents and joy.
They all exclaimed—
"Merry Christmas at Hogwarts!"
"Buzz——————"
Vid vaguely felt like he heard a long sound, and instinctively switched to another visual perception, seeing the protective magic flowing throughout the castle still the same.
It's just... the golden magic text seemed more active, and the slender magic power lines became clearer, as if the castle was rejoicing along with the students.
...
Early the next morning, students who couldn't handle their alcohol were still rolling on their beds, clutching their heads, while Vid had already packed up his things and left the dormitory.
He went to the library first, using the Gemino Curse to copy the books he planned to read over the holiday, thus bypassing the library's borrowing limit.
Unfortunately, many books with powerful protective magic couldn't be copied, or else Vid could eventually build another library.
There were quite a few books to copy, but Vid could reverse time. After he finished, Hermione also arrived at the library.
She borrowed several large books for herself, tucking them all into her bag, which had been enchanted with The Undetectable Extention Charm.
"Let's go, Vid," Hermione checked the time and urged, "Everyone's about to leave."
"Alright."
Vid shouldered his backpack, and the two of them headed to Professor McGonagall's office together.
On the way, Hermione suddenly asked, "Vid, are you planning on taking all the courses like Percy did, until you get twelve OWLs certificates?"
"Hmm, that's the plan," Vid replied.
He glanced at Hermione, who looked troubled, and said, "You don't have to consider my opinion. Follow your own thoughts and pace."
"I'd also like to get all the certificates, but..."
Hermione frowned, showing a hint of frustration, "Professor Trelawney's Divination Class is entirely pointless; she always encourages students to spout nonsense. Honestly, Numerological Divination is much more interesting."
"Every subject has its purpose... but currently, there's no real need to attend Divination Class," Vid agreed.
Useful knowledge lies in books, and Professor Trelawney's supposedly mystical comments are just for listening to and don't hold much weight.
Even though Vid thought he might have some talent in Divination, he always approached it with great caution.
In historical legends, those who trusted Divination few ended with positive outcomes, and hardly anyone could change the so-called "bad" fate.
Instead of struggling in vain and end up having one's own decisions become part of fate's propulsion, one might as well move forward unknowingly.
"Are you still planning to keep taking it?" Hermione asked.
"Hmm... consider it as me collecting all achievements," Vid said.
Hermione was speechless for a moment and then added, "Actually, Muggle Studies doesn't really help me much either... I think I'll discuss this holiday with my parents, maybe I'll drop two classes afterwards."
"That sounds good; you've been wearing yourself out too much lately," Vid agreed. "Focusing on a few courses you're good at is more beneficial."
Hermione glared at Vid resentfully.
It seemed that he didn't notice it was because there was another student in the same year as Vid who was taking all the electives, which made Hermione feel even more pressured. Even though she really disliked Divination Class, she always gritted her teeth and went.
She hesitated for this reason—being a student from a Muggle background, Hermione had an undercurrent of inferiority and insecurity.
So, she always pushed herself to be the best, afraid of doing poorly on exams, afraid of not having read the professor's questions in advance, afraid of being surpassed by others.
But in Vid's view, her hesitations seemed simple—either it suited her, or it didn't.
Hermione exhaled discreetly and suddenly made a decision—
Stick it out for another half semester. If she really couldn't gain worthwhile insights from those two courses, then... she might as well give them up.
While they talked, they arrived at Professor McGonagall's office.
Vid knocked on the door, and soon heard Professor McGonagall's voice, "Come in!"
They entered the office and took off the Time Turner hanging around their necks. When handing it over, Hermione couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, whereas Vid felt quite reluctant.
Professor McGonagall couldn't help but chuckle at the sight, "Don't worry, in three weeks, you'll have it back."
She locked the Time Turner in a box, then put it back on the shelf, and said to them, "Off you go... the carriages are waiting for you."
Vid and Hermione bid farewell and left. As they walked out of the castle, they saw students from various houses getting ready to set off, with Hagrid leading Thestral Carriages, waiting outside the castle.
That brief yet long semester had finally concluded.