December at Hogwarts was like a serene and dreamy painting.
Snowflakes fluttered down from the sky, gently covering the ancient castle's walls, while the distant Black Lake was gradually covered by a thin layer of ice.
The precious Whomping Willow now seemed to have lost its former vigor, its branches covered in glistening icicles that reflected enchanting light in the sunlight.
Occasionally, a few mischievous snowflakes would drift into the corridors, landing with a soft rustle, as if whispering winter tales to the ancient castle.
...
Slytherin Common Room.
After signing his name on the leave form for the Christmas holidays, Ino returned to his dormitory.
It had been two weeks since the unexpected freezing incident, and much had happened since then. The most sensational event was the sudden deduction of 150 points from Gryffindor overnight, along with a 50-point deduction from Slytherin.
Of course, he never cared about the elusive House Cup. What mattered to him was always himself or matters concerning him.
Although two weeks had passed since the freezing incident, and Draco had come forward to clarify the situation after being discharged from the hospital, Ino still felt that the Slytherins looked at him strangely. While it wasn't as severe as Hermione's ostracization, there seemed to be an invisible distance between him and the others.
Moreover, he noticed that among his peers, except for a few like Draco, Pansy, and Daphne, the rest carried an obvious sense of alienation and restraint.
In such an atmosphere, let alone telling stories, even just staying in the common room felt awkward.
...
Back in the dormitory.
Ino was working on his Transfiguration homework while also planning his Christmas holidays.
Unlike Harry, who had a home he couldn't return to, Ino had no home at all, or rather, the vast city of London was his home.
This was true because once basic survival needs were met, any place could be called home.
Moreover, with a pocket full of several hundred Galleons, there was no place he couldn't go, as long as he didn't touch a broomstick. The money he had now was more than enough to last a long time.
"Hogsmeade it is then, and I can inquire about the Mandrake leaf as well..."
Looking at the Transfiguration homework on his desk, Ino also thought of his earlier plans regarding the study of Animagus.
Perhaps his current abilities were not sufficient, but that didn't stop him from starting the 'leaf holding' process in advance.
To learn Animagus, the prerequisite was to keep a Mandrake leaf in one's mouth for an entire month.
During this time, the leaf must not be swallowed or taken out of the mouth. If it left the mouth, all previous efforts would be wasted, and the process would have to start over.
The subsequent steps, like the full moon night and the dawn dew untouched by sunlight, were all very tedious.
Precisely because of these cumbersome procedures, some things had to be planned early.
In the dormitory.
The candlestick burned quietly, emitting a soft and warm light.
Bent over his desk, Ino tirelessly wrote the homework assigned by the professors for the Christmas holidays.
The quill lightly danced on the parchment, making a raspy sound, while the room was filled with a faint ink scent.
To his left was a stack of books, covering all subjects for the first year at Hogwarts.
Since it was a holiday, there should be no external factors interfering. So, it was essential to finish all the homework before the holiday started.
...
"Knock! Knock, knock~"
Just as Ino was lost in the words on the pages, a knock came from outside the dormitory.
He gently put down his quill, a look of helplessness flashing in his eyes. At this time and this pace, it was undoubtedly Draco returning from his misadventures.
Although Ino had promised multiple times not to practice magic in the dormitory, he always knocked before entering, regardless of how often he was advised against it, remaining stubborn as ever.
A few seconds later.
"Phew, I knew you'd be here. You're either in the library or in your room every day. If you keep this up, you'll be forgotten," Draco said cheerfully.
"Being forgotten is a minor issue. After all, socializing only reflects one's external value, whereas solitude reflects true inner value."
Ino tidied the scattered books on his desk and looked at Draco.
"But you, what are you so happy about today? You look... well, you look very happy."
Ino almost voiced his thoughts, as Draco at that moment resembled a little dog wagging its tail in delight.
"You noticed?" At this moment, Draco's face could no longer hide his beaming smile.
"It's still about that point deduction. Our punishment was to patrol the Forbidden Forest at night, but I just spoke to Filch, and he said he would ask Professor McGonagall to reassign me to trophy polishing duty. The night patrol will be left to Scarhead and his gang. I can't wait to see their shocked faces, hahaha..."
Seeing Draco about to immerse himself in his self-created euphoria, Ino decisively changed the subject.
"Have you finished your Potions homework? There's a Potions class on the last day before the holiday. You don't want to be reprimanded by Professor Snape, do you?"
"Uh... cough, cough, cough!" Draco instantly stopped laughing but couldn't help coughing from the momentum.
"Damn it! It's all because of Scarhead and his sidekicks. Ino, could you..."
"It's on the desk! Remember not to copy it all verbatim. Make a few changes, even if they're wrong."
Ino pointed to the neatly stacked parchment on his desk.
"Ha, I knew it! Thanks, mate." Draco quickly walked to the desk, dipped his quill in ink, and started copying the homework.
Meanwhile, watching Draco quietly do his work, Ino leaned against his bed, lost in thought.
The Forbidden Forest patrol punishment was a milestone, leading to the discovery of Quirrell hunting unicorns...
Despite his thoughts, Ino had no desire to get involved. The first year was truly dangerous, unlike Harry, who had layers of magical protection from love.
In his view, the events of the first year were more dangerous than anything in the following years combined.
Even compared to the Basilisk in the second year, which could kill with a direct gaze and attack indiscriminately, Ino felt reassured after recalling his conversation with Dumbledore on the tower. It was clear that the headmaster could monitor the entire castle at any time.
Under such surveillance, the so-called Basilisk was merely a prop for atmosphere, a joke.
After all, even if Fawkes had wisdom comparable to a wizard's, how could it so precisely time its appearance at Harry's most critical moment, peck out the Basilisk's eyes, and drop the Sorting Hat?
...
Leaning against the headboard, Ino's thoughts drifted as he began to feel drowsy. Then Draco's voice broke the silence again.
"Almost forgot the main thing. Do you have time over the Christmas holiday? My father wants to invite you to our house. Don't worry, it's not because of that incident. I promise! It's just an invitation."
It seemed copying homework was always faster than writing it. Draco had already started packing up the scattered stationery on the desk.
"I'm sorry, but I've already made plans for the holiday," Ino said, half-closing his eyes.
With more and more drowsiness washing over him, he felt like he could fall asleep at any moment.
"Even I got turned down. Pansy's request was a long shot..." Draco muttered to himself.
Seeing Ino already asleep, he stopped his complaints and quietly went to his own bed.