great-warnovel Chapter 41 is the same as now.
Chapter 41 is the same as now.
After packing up everyone's gifts, Hermione left the dormitory.
Harry and Neville were already waiting in the lounge.
"Oh no! How could Mom be so biased!" Harry complained the moment he saw Hermione. He was also wearing a fragrant Gryffindor scarf, but his little lion was empty, unlike Hermione's, which had a majestic scepter.
"Perhaps Professor Potter thinks it's too strange to weave a flail up there," Hermione chuckled, nodding to Neville in the process.
The latter said gratefully, "Thank you, Hermione. The notebook you gave me is very important to me."
According to Harry, this little Longbottom used to be a solid little fat boy, but perhaps because he had had such a terrible few months, he was almost unrecognizable when he was rescued. He has only managed to regain some energy in the last few days at Hogwarts.
"Let's hurry! They say the Great Hall is serving some delicious food that's hard to find even in Malfoy Castle! If we're late, we'll only get leftovers."
The three traveled together. Although Hermione and Neville were not familiar with each other, Harry, a warm and cheerful young man, made them feel at ease along the way.
"It's a pity Ron went home, otherwise we could have gone on a nighttime outing together. The four of us would have no problem with the invisibility cloaks!"
"Oh, right, I also need to take you to see Hagrid. I wonder if his injuries have healed yet. Remember to remind me to pack some good food for him tonight."
Perhaps because we were hosting guests from out of town, we put in a lot more effort to decorate for Christmas this year.
The entire Hogwarts was adorned with beautiful ribbons and curtains. Although these decorations looked quite old, with some creases and even faded colors, they were considered a luxury in this world of scarcity.
There were also Christmas trees brought from who-knows-where, standing tall and verdant in every corner. Given the current climate outside, even cold-resistant tree species would have a hard time surviving in the wild, so they must have been specially cultivated by Malfoy Castle.
Along the way, besides the students, we could see groups of adult wizards. Some were huddled together with their children, some were dressed in fine clothes, exuding aristocratic airs, and others were holding huge cameras, taking pictures everywhere.
Before they even reached the Great Hall, the three of them could already hear the melodious Christmas carols playing, and the aroma of food wafted over with the warm air. Hermione, the long table sweeper, immediately went into a state of readiness.
Once inside, it became clear that the entire auditorium was quite different from usual.
The magic on the ceiling conjured a bright and clear starry sky, with fine snowflakes forming in the air and slowly falling, but without making anyone feel cold.
A huge Christmas tree stood in the corner, adorned with twinkling stars and ribbons. Filch, the usually meticulous gentleman butler, was all smiles as he politely greeted the guests.
Many professors were already seated in the faculty section, but the four deans chose to sit at their own college's long table. Besides students, they were surrounded by adult wizards, some of whom were graduates of the college, and others were the professors' partners. Even the Potters were squeezed into the crowd; they were probably a group belonging to the Order of the Phoenix and didn't have time to look after their own children.
Meanwhile, Slytherin was even more lively. Lucius did not choose to return to Malfoy Castle. His lameness had not been fully cured, so he chose to bring his wife to the school. He probably regarded this Christmas party as a good opportunity to promote his reputation. Some nobles dressed in gorgeous clothes gathered there, elegantly holding wine glasses and talking. Draco sat in the middle of them, his stiff smile like a puppet doll.
The four house tables, which were originally set up, were now covered with beautiful tablecloths. Plates of carefully decorated roast chicken, beef ribs, and other foods that were rarely seen were casually laid out on the tables. There were also many novel desserts, soups, and even dishes that Harry couldn't name. The dazzling array of food was overwhelming.
"All I can say is that Malfoy Castle really went all out this time," Harry exclaimed.
"Even Draco would rarely get such a lavish dinner at home, right?" Neville licked his lips. His kidnapping experience had given him Hermione's "sickness," making him unable to resist food.
"Enough talk, let's fill our stomachs first!" Hermione rushed toward the Gryffindor table.
Because some students went home for the holidays, the long table was even more spacious, allowing Hermione to occupy a large area by herself and enjoy the food to her heart's content.
"Good heavens, how am I supposed to swallow cockroach milk and rat legs after this!" Harry struggled to swallow a piece of chocolate pudding, holding a golden roasted chicken leg in his left hand and a large piece of succulent foie gras forked in his right. Even though he was already very full, he didn't want to stop.
The little elves are still working overtime in the kitchen to serve dishes, and new dishes keep emerging from the empty plates on the table.
Hermione was too busy to talk; she had never eaten so much good food in both of her lives combined.
At this moment, the sickly phoenix reappeared on the stage. He tapped the wine glass with his claws, making a crisp sound, and everyone's attention was drawn to him.
"Congratulations! On this peaceful night, we once again celebrate our annual festival!" Dumbledore's voice filled the hall, followed by enthusiastic applause. Some mischievous students pulled confetti cannons, and colorful ribbons exploded in the sky above the hall.
"What a hard-won peace!" The phoenix surveyed its surroundings. "The smiles on your faces are the very reason we are dedicated to restoring peace!"
"Neither winter nor death can defeat us, for we hold onto an undying hope within us!"
"Everyone here, enjoy yourselves tonight! Thank you, Fort Malfoy, for providing all the food!"
Colorful fireworks exploded outside the castle, casting vibrant colors through the windows and illuminating the people inside the hall.
The thunderous cheers nearly lifted the roof off the auditorium. The phoenix vanished in the flames, and the joyful music resumed. Everyone was immersed in the happy atmosphere. Some people pulled those around them to sing and dance. At this moment, the cold wind outside the window was defeated by the people's will.
Hermione's binge eating finally came to an end. When she looked up again, she found that everyone around her had already finished eating. Harry and Neville had gone to their parents' side. They gathered in twos and threes, chatting over juice and red wine. Only then did Hermione truly feel the Christmas atmosphere, a kind of homey atmosphere.
She recalled the Christmases in her original body's memories, when she and her parents would huddle together in a cave, cherishing candles that night, the small family huddled together, sharing a bowl of hot soup—the feeling then was the same as now.
She recalled her past in the border region, when the blessings of gold had not yet faded, the Altan Plateau was rich and beautiful, and her family was harmonious and happy. The feeling then was the same as now.
Yes, just like now, this is my home too.