Chapter 35: The Christmas Break Approaches
Christmas break was approaching at great strides, and students could already feel the excitement in the air.
The usual rumors of Hogwarts being haunted by ghosts carrying candy canes or the occasional whisper of secret presents hidden in corridors weren't the hot topics this year.
No, this time it was something far more peculiar: a school-wide frenzy of studying. The fire ignited by Nero, Ember, Alaric, and Lilith had yet to die down, and the result was an unusual holiday season at Hogwarts.
It had become a daily occurrence to see students receiving howlers from their parents.
The letters were increasingly filled with frantic concern, as parents sent long, scolding messages about how the students should come home for the holidays and spend time with their families instead of locking themselves in the library.
One particularly creative howler that echoed throughout the Great Hall came from none other than Callum Ashridge's mother, the roommate Nero had helped reignite a fire for studying.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'RE STAYING AT SCHOOL TO STUDY FOR VACATION? YOU'RE 11 YEARS OLD FOR MERLIN'S SAKE! YOU HAVE ALL YOUR LIFE TO STUDY! COME BACK HOME FOR CHRISTMAS THIS INSTANT!"
A few students giggled as they passed the letter around, but Callum's face turned an alarming shade of crimson.
The next howler came from Lavender Johnson's parents, whose concerns were equally extreme but much more... emotional.
"LAVENDER! WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'RE STAYING AT HOGWARTS? YOU CAN'T POSSIBLY THINK YOU'LL BE ABLE TO LEARN ANYTHING MORE IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS THAN YOU COULD FROM SPENDING TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY! DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG IT'S BEEN SINCE WE'VE HAD A PROPER SUNDAY DINNER TOGETHER?! COME HOME, NOW!"
Lavender sighed, but when her mother's voice screeched through the hall, she gave a resigned nod. "I know, I know, Mum... I'll come home next year... probably."