The Christmas holiday arrived as scheduled.
After declining Christmas invitations from Malfoy, Pansy, Hermione, and Neville, Ino followed his original plan and set off alone for Hogsmeade to spend his first Christmas in the magical world.
…
The path from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade was a secluded cobblestone path.
Ino carried his suitcase in his left hand and held the Wand in his right. As he walked leisurely, he casually waved the wand in the air.
Wherever the tip of the wand moved, clusters of white snowflakes would appear, drifting briefly in the air before slowly falling and merging with the snow on the ground.
"I guess this fulfills an old dream of mine: a bubble gun with infinite ammo..."
Ino gazed at the snowflakes floating from the tip of his wand, feeling a sense of nostalgia.
This delightful snowflake trick was something he had recently discovered and was also the second spell left by the White Witch.
Scattering snowflakes was an intriguing spell. Not only was it highly ornamental, but it also trained his adaptation to ice and snow, achieving multiple benefits at once.
Because of this, once he learned the spell, he started casting snowflakes everywhere he went, except for the classroom and the library.
Naturally, this behavior annoyed the castle caretaker, Filch.
However, after Professors Flitwick and Dumbledore intervened, this action was reframed as adding to the festive atmosphere of the castle during Christmas, considered a public service, and even earned him some points.
Although the issue was settled, Ino had to endure seeing a grumbling Filch following him around whenever he was in the hallways.
Filch, though no longer able to stop him, would bang his mop on an iron bucket, creating an irritating noise, muttering sarcastic comments under his breath. It seemed as though he was saying, "I might not have the authority to stop you, but I'll make you as uncomfortable as possible."
Faced with this petty behavior, Ino had no choice but to yield. After all... Harry had chosen to clash with Snape.
But to engage with Filch? That seemed beneath him.
…
Time passed quietly on the road.
In the distance, the buildings of Hogsmeade came into view.
Ino looked forward to this village composed entirely of wizards.
Here, he could bypass the Ministry of Magic's Trace and not worry about the Statute of Secrecy. Whether practicing magic or going about daily life, there was no need for caution in Hogsmeade.
As he drew closer, the full view of Hogsmeade unfolded before him.
The streets were lined with quaint, ancient houses, giving the impression of stepping back in time to a medieval village.
The festive atmosphere here was no less than at Hogwarts, and in some details, even surpassed the castle's decorations.
All the shops in Hogsmeade seemed to have agreed to don Christmas decorations early. Colorful bells, tiny gift boxes, miniature Santa hats, and moving snowmen lined the streets...
Though Ino was always curious why wizards celebrated Christmas, this curiosity did not diminish his enjoyment of the present.
In this magical and vibrant world, one could forget all their troubles.
…
On the main street.
Ino looked up at the first shop he came across, the nearest to him.
"Gladrags Wizardwear."
Glancing at his standard robes, he pushed the door open without hesitation.
The shop's interior was spacious, with various new clothes neatly arranged.
Gladrags Wizardwear, known as an international brand in the wizarding world, offered a far greater variety of products than Madam Malkin's in Diagon Alley.
From robes to pajamas, even to various unique socks, all were displayed on the shelves.
"Merry Christmas! Welcome to Gladrags Wizardwear, Hogsmeade branch."
A clear voice sounded beside Ino. Turning, he saw a slender, freckled woman who looked quite young.
"Merry Christmas, miss. I'd like to buy two casual robes. Do you have any recommendations?"
"Of course! We have many robes that might suit you," the shop assistant said with a smile. "But I'll need to know your preferences in style first."
"Simple, solid color, no decorative embellishments. Preferably in dark gray or brown."
Ino quickly listed all his requirements.
"Oh, and two pairs of thick woolen socks."
…
Half an hour later.
When Ino emerged from Gladrags Wizardwear, the standard Hogwarts robes he had been wearing were gone.
In their place was a gray hooded robe, somewhat like a cloak but with sewn-in sleeves.
"This money..."
He had to admit, though he thought the robe was well-tailored, he still felt like he had been taken for a ride.
The robe had no magical enhancements; it was merely well-made and well-chosen in materials.
However, this robe, which a Muggle could make, cost a whopping 9 Galleons and 12 Sickles, a sum that could buy three similar robes at Madam Malkin's.
Perhaps, there was something to the brand effect in the magical world as well.
Despite his internal grumbling, he didn't linger. After leaving the robe shop, Ino began looking for a place to stay.
After all, arriving in a new place, finding a place to settle down was a priority.
…
Hogsmeade truly lived up to its name as a village.
From the beginning to the end of the main commercial street, Ino took less than fifteen minutes to walk through it.
And this was at a leisurely pace, taking in the sights. If he had hurried, it would have taken even less time.
This indicated that Hogsmeade wasn't very large, or that the number of wizards in the whole of the British Isles was always quite small.
However, one thing he could confirm was that even if the number was small, it certainly wasn't as low as the rumored three thousand.
Even without counting the students at Hogwarts, there were more than three thousand people just in Hogsmeade.
Though the main street wasn't long, there were many residential areas nearby, and the lights in the windows showed that these houses were not vacant.
…
As he strolled leisurely, the entire main street unfolded before him like a beautiful painting.
Before long, Ino spotted the Three Broomsticks Inn in the distance.
Probably due to the Christmas holidays, when he entered the pub, he found it already filled with many customers. While not overcrowded, it was quite noisy.
"Hey there! A new face, and such a handsome, adorable young man. Dear, every first-time visitor here gets a free drink, of course, non-alcoholic. I wouldn't want to get a Howler from your mom."
The pub's owner, Madam Rosmerta, had appeared in front of him at some point.
"Thank you for your generosity, but I'm looking to stay here for a while, at least until the end of the Christmas holidays. Do you have any rooms available?"
Ino replied with a smile, his eyes inadvertently scanning her.
A middle-aged woman who perfectly fit Western standards of beauty.
Though the crow's feet at the corners of her eyes hinted at her age,
The charm and grace that came with time were something younger women couldn't easily possess.
___