Chapter 533: House-Elves and Centaurs
For most students, the first part of the holidays was all fun and games, leaving homework as an afterthought until just before term resumed.
So on the last day of the Christmas break, the Hufflepuff common room was transformed. Gone was the laughter and cheer of the previous days; now, every flat surface was occupied by students frantically trying to catch up on their unfinished assignments.
This panicked, last-minute effort was something of a tradition in Hufflepuff, occurring once or twice a year without fail.
With only a day left until classes began, the urgency was palpable. Even at lunchtime, the usually crowded Great Hall felt emptier than usual. Hufflepuff's table, in particular, looked almost deserted.
Of course, this might also have been because Hufflepuff's common room was so conveniently close to the kitchen. Many students likely grabbed their meals without venturing to the Hall at all.
Elsewhere, odd behavior could be seen among other houses, too.
Harry and Ron from Gryffindor, for example, only spent five minutes in the Hall before hurrying off with their pockets stuffed full of baked potatoes. Hermione trailed after them, berating them non-stop.
However, when they reached the door, she abruptly stopped. Instead of following them, she turned on her heel and headed straight toward Hufflepuff's common room.
Kyle, meanwhile, was deep in a discussion about Firebolt with Cedric when Hermione appeared, sitting down in the empty seat across from him.
"Hermione?" Kyle asked, startled. "Have you and Ron had another fight?"
"No," Hermione replied firmly. "I've come to the conclusion that arguing with him is pointless and just makes me feel worse. I'm here to see you."