HPDBC Chapter 41 – Christmas holiday
Chapter 41 – Christmas holiday
In the evening, there was a grand celebration dinner to honor the victorious Quidditch team and to welcome the arrival of Christmas.
Hoare couldn't quite understand why wizards celebrated Christmas, but that didn't stop him from enjoying the moment.
[Ding]
[Available Galleons: 4198 Galleons, 6 Sickles, 23 Knuts]
As soon as the match ended, Hoare couldn't wait to settle accounts with Headmaster Snape.
That familiar, melodious sound was truly irresistible.
"Henry! I never knew you had it in you! Well done!" Draco only knew that Hoare was usually strong and skilled in physical arts, but he never imagined that this advantage could also shine in a Quidditch match!
"Let Gryffindor see, just because they have Potter doesn't mean they can win!"
At the long Slytherin table, from first years to seventh years, they all looked at the opposite side with a unified gaze from top to bottom.
At the Gryffindor table, everyone was gnashing their teeth and biting into various foods, imagining them as substitutes for that Henry William from Slytherin.
If it weren't for all the professors sitting at the main guest table, Hoare thought, the two houses would have already started a brawl.
Dinner finally concluded smoothly, and everyone went back to their respective houses to find their headmasters.
After tonight, early tomorrow morning, after a good breakfast, unless some students stayed at school, the rest would pack their suitcases and take the Hogwarts Express home for the holidays.
"Henry, are you staying at school for Christmas?"
Hoare was sitting in the common room, reading a book. Blaise curiously leaned over to ask, as in the entire Slytherin house, apart from the headmaster, no one stayed at Hogwarts.
Slytherin families had various banquets to host at home.
Moreover, they needed to go home to recount the intense process of this match to their families, as Slytherin had once again defeated Gryffindor!
"I submitted an application to stay. My family isn't around." Hoare continued flipping through his book.
"You can come to my family's manor. My father would certainly like you very much." Draco overheard the conversation and joined in.
"Thanks for the invitation, but I'd rather read more books." Hoare raised the book in his hand, which he had managed to get permission from Headmaster Snape to access the restricted section.
Draco and Blaise exchanged a glance, shrugged, and went back to packing their luggage.
Hoare sat alone on the sofa, watching others busily packing their suitcases, feeling a bit homesick himself.
This year, the Weasley couple was going to Romania to see Charlie, who was researching dragons there and hadn't been home for several years.
So this year, he and a few of his brothers stayed at school.
In his casual attire, holding a relaxing book, he leisurely strolled to the Great Hall.
The students he met on the way, regardless of their house, were all in a hurry.
In stark contrast to Hoare.
"Henry!" It was Harry calling out loudly.
Due to Wood's repeated pleas, Harry had been asked not to reveal anything to anyone, especially not to the Slytherins.
Wood almost directly named Henry William.
Harry felt incredibly guilty, thinking it was wrong for friends to keep secrets from each other. Henry was always generous in sharing his assignments and some magic tips.
Even during the match, Henry had saved him!
Although he ultimately lost the match, Harry was happy for Slytherin's victory.
Afterward, there was a small argument within the Gryffindor Quidditch team, as they felt Slytherin's win was unfair and wanted a rematch, but Harry refused.
Henry had won fair and square through his own efforts.
As a just Gryffindor, how could they not accept defeat? After Harry's argument, the Quidditch players gave up the idea of a rematch and decided to train harder, determined to knock Slytherin off their brooms next year.
Harry felt... something wasn't quite right, but it didn't matter.
Now he could speak to Hoare loudly again.
At that moment, Harry was sitting at the Gryffindor table, playing wizard chess with Ron.
Ron, hearing Harry calling Hoare, rolled his eyes at Hoare and muttered something under his breath.
It seemed to be something about Slytherin's troll, the little William who rides on others' coattails.
Hoare rolled his eyes back and then unceremoniously sat next to Harry, as he needed to borrow Harry's Parseltongue skills and didn't want to make things too awkward.
Since Harry had offered a way to reconcile, why not take it?
"Harry, aren't you going home for Christmas?" Hoare asked mischievously, knowing the answer.
Harry scratched his head, about to reply, when Ron interrupted, "Aren't you staying too?"
"My family isn't around; they've gone to visit my brother far away." Hoare helped himself to some food.
Harry immediately exclaimed, "What a coincidence. Ron's parents are also visiting Ron's brother." Ron frowned in disdain, thinking, "What's so coincidental about that?"
Hoare shrugged indifferently. Of course, it was a coincidence, considering it was the same set of parents.