This was the penultimate week before the end of the semester.
Unlike the tense and stressful atmosphere of the second half of the school year, when exams and assignments loomed over the students, the atmosphere before the end of the first half of the school year had always been warm and pleasant. Even the strict and demanding professors were slightly more lenient and forgiving of the students during this time.
During the lunch break, the Gryffindor common room was more lively and cheerful than usual.
Among Harry's roommates, Dean and Seamus had already started eagerly and excitedly packing their bags to go home. They were looking forward to seeing their families and friends, and enjoying the festive season. And Percy, the eldest Weasley brother, took advantage of this opportunity to persuade Ron to go home for Christmas.
"Fred, George, and Ginny are all going home. Even Charlie will rush back from Romania to spend Christmas with Mum and Dad. It's just you, Ron!"
After learning that Ron had signed his name on Professor McGonagall's form, indicating that he would stay at Hogwarts for the holidays, Percy immediately sought him out and said unhappily.
"Bill is also in Egypt, so he can't go home."
"Bill can't go home because he hasn't been able to get rid of the goblins at Gringotts," Percy said triumphantly, as if that was a valid excuse. But after Ron gestured to Harry to pretend he hadn't heard anything, Percy frowned and walked away reluctantly, muttering under his breath.
"You don't have to do this, Ron," Harry said sincerely, feeling grateful and guilty at the same time. "This is a time for family reunion, and you should go home and spend time with Mrs. Weasley. She'll be happy to see you."
"Oh, you don't understand, Harry!"
Ron shook his head and pretended to be annoyed, but Harry could see the concern in his eyes. "There are already so many people crowded in the house. If I go back, I'll just trouble my parents!"
"Hey, Harry!"
Harry knew that Ron was doing this for him. He was about to say something touching, but Colin, the second-year student, suddenly came over with a camera, eagerly walking with Ginny, who was blushing slightly.
"Can I take a Christmas photo of you? My little brother Dennis will be of age to attend Hogwarts next year, but he's not sure if he'll be accepted. I want to give him your photo, maybe it will give him some luck and confidence!"
"Oh, well, if you insist–"
Harry didn't understand why Colin thought his photo could bring good luck to people, but he couldn't find a reason to refuse.
Harry let Colin drag him to the Christmas tree in the common room, which was decorated with mistletoe, holly, and many flying lights. The tree sparkled and shimmered, creating a festive and magical atmosphere. He let Colin fiddle with his camera for a long time, adjusting the angle and the focus, before finally taking a photo that satisfied Colin.
"Can I have one, too, Colin?"
Ginny's plea came softly from a few steps away. Ron chuckled mysteriously, making Harry's ears turn red.
"Where's Hermione? I didn't see her. Did she go to the library again?"
To avoid Ron bringing up Ginny's admiration for him, Harry quickly changed the subject.
"She's trying to convince Neville to overcome his fear of his grandmother and go home for Christmas."
Ron shrugged and pointed in the direction of the bustling common room, where Hermione was talking earnestly to Neville, who looked nervous and scared.
"She always likes to take on these impossible tasks. She thinks she can change everyone's mind with logic and reason."
Harry smiled, and the lively common room in front of him diluted the gloom in his heart. He tried to forget about the dark and dangerous things that lurked outside the castle walls, and focus on the joy and warmth of his friends.
"Speaking of which–"
Seeing that Harry's mood was finally lifted, Ron also breathed a sigh of relief and casually asked, "Did you figure out about Professor Lupin's reaction yesterday?"
"Not really," Harry sighed, feeling the gloom return. "I don't understand why he cares so much about the passage under the Whomping Willow, but he's my dad's friend. I think he's just like Professor Watson, who doesn't want me to use those passages to leave Hogwarts again. Maybe he's worried about my safety, or something."
The portrait of the Fat Lady frequently opened to allow young wizards to enter and exit, but this time, the person who walked in quickly quieted down the noisy common room. Everyone turned to look at the visitor, who wore a serious and solemn expression.
Bryan looked kindly at the young wizards who showed surprise and curiosity on their faces, and then found Neville in the corner. He walked towards him with a gentle smile, and said
"It's good news, Mr. Longbottom–"
Without any pretense or hesitation, Bryan took out the wand from his pocket and handed it to Neville.
"Your wand has been found, Mr. Longbottom. You don't have to worry about your grandmother kicking you out of the house anymore."
"Where did you find it, Professor!"
Neville's mournful face suddenly relaxed, and he was so excited that he didn't know how to express his gratitude. He clutched his wand tightly, as if afraid that it would disappear again. Hermione asked this question on his behalf, curious and concerned.
"I saw it accidentally when I passed by the yard last night. It was lying under a bush, covered with snow. By the way–"
Bryan smiled and, after thinking for a moment, he lowered his voice and said to Hermione, who was standing next to Neville.
"Last night, um, I found Crookshanks in Hogsmeade. He was wandering around the streets, looking for food. Considering the recent cold weather, I brought him back directly. If you're willing, you can come to my office and take him back to the dormitory."
Glancing at Harry and Ron, who were peering over, Hermione's still young face showed a touch of sadness. She had missed her ginger cat terribly, but she had also felt guilty for leaving him with Hagrid, who had enough trouble with his own pets.
"It seems that Crookshanks doesn't like staying with Hagrid. Professor, can you help take care of Crookshanks for a while?" Hermione quickly added, "I will visit him frequently!"
"No problem, Hermione," Bryan nodded, understanding her dilemma.
"Crookshanks found a playmate for himself in the wild. It's a black cat. he's very friendly and smart. I brought both of them back, so you don't have to worry about him feeling lonely."
"You're such a good person, Professor!"
Hermione was so grateful that she was about to cry, and Neville, who was next to her, nodded frantically.
This made Bryan feel embarrassed. Fortunately, at this time, Harry and Ron also rushed over, as if they had something to say.
"Let's talk outside, Harry."
Bryan knew what Harry wanted to ask, but this topic was obviously not suitable for public discussion. He didn't want to attract any unwanted attention or cause any panic. After giving an order, he turned and walked out of the common room, and Harry and the others followed without hesitation.
Walking through the corridor, Bryan stopped at the corner of the stairs. He looked around to make sure no one was listening, and then faced Harry and his friends.
"Did you find anything, Professor?"
Harry's eyes were burning, and he asked the expected question without surprise. He was eager to know if Bryan had any clues or leads about the secret passage under the Whomping Willow. After receiving the answer, he could already foresee the obvious disappointment on his face.
"Still thinking about avenging your parents by killing Sirius Black?"
Bryan asked, his voice calm and stern.
"Harry wouldn't think like that, right?"
Afraid that Harry would be stubborn again, Hermione hurriedly said.
"I don't think like that, Professor," Harry said frankly, looking Bryan in the eye. "I just hope you can send that criminal back to where he belongs as soon as possible. He deserves to rot in Azkaban for what he did."
'This is really a confusing situation.'
Looking at Harry, who was trying to hide his hatred, Bryan shook his head in his heart.
"Don't worry, Harry. I will find a way to make the real culprit pay as soon as possible."
"The real culprit?"
After Bryan left, Hermione immediately frowned her eyebrows trembling in confusion. She sensed that there was something more to Bryan's words, "What did Professor Watson mean?"
"What's so hard to understand about this–"
Ron crossed his arms and confidently said, as if he knew everything. "Wizards in the wizarding world know that it was You-Know-Who who killed Harry's parents, but few people know that it was Black who caused their sacrifice. He betrayed them to You-Know-Who. So, Professor Watson said he wants to make the 'real culprit' pay. By the way, I wonder if Professor Watson will stay at the school for the holidays. Maybe I should write to my mom and ask her to knit him a sweater too. I bet my mom won't refuse. She's very grateful to him for saving Ginny last year."
"I don't think so,"
Harry, who was also puzzled by Professor Watson's answer, blurted out.
"Normally, he goes back to the orphanage every year to spend Christmas with the kids–"
"Where did you hear that, Harry?"
Hermione suddenly stretched her head over, staring at Harry suspiciously. This made Harry realize that he seemed to have said something he shouldn't have. His heart skipped a beat, and he pretended to be casual.
"Oh, you know, over the summer, I spent a month alone with Professor Watson. He told me some things about his past."
"Oh, you kept it a secret from us, mate!"
Ron became interested and curious, and grabbed Harry's collar, forcing him to answer.
"Tell us, what do you know about Professor Watson?" Ron demanded, his voice eager and impatient.
"If you want me to die in the hands of Professor Watson instead of dying in the hands of Sirius Black-" Harry said with 'tears streaming down his face'. He was exaggerating, of course "-then go ahead and force me!"
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