Chapter 49: Holidays
Melvin stepped out of the Three Broomsticks. Snow was still falling, and the air was exceptionally cold.
In a few breaths, he felt the tip of his nose freeze, as if he were submerged in an icy lake. Exhaling a long puff of white air, he moved his lips slightly as a transparent film enveloped his body, isolating the cold air like a soap bubble. Snowflakes floated around him, just inches from his shoulders, then drifted aside as if they had touched an invisible barrier.
This was his Bubble Head Charm, recently refined, which offered a light protective effect, though its strength was still inferior to the Shield Charm.
The Shield Charm was a true protective spell, theoretically capable of blocking most curses. From a wizard's perspective, the Bubble Head Charm was more practical.
It was generally used to make breathing easier in specific environments, such as underwater, in windy deserts, or in places with strong odors.
Melvin's magical power had recently increased, and using the Bubble Head Charm allowed him to cover his entire body. This transparent bubble also had a slight strengthening effect, insulating against heat and cold and refreshing the air. It could even protect against minor curses. He had tested it privately in his office and found that, in extreme conditions, it could withstand two mild repulsion spells, slightly weakening the curses.
It wasn't as powerful as the Shield Charm, but the transparent bubble could cover the whole body.
The protective power of this bubble could be further enhanced. As magical power increased, it could be combined with the Shield Charm and improved. With enough magical power, it could even combine the advantages of both spells, unlike the Shield Charm alone, which only projected a shield in the direction of the wand tip.
Passing the post office on the main street and following the path, a few hundred meters ahead was the entrance to Hogsmeade, with a small roadside pub.
Melvin looked up and saw the tattered wooden sign hanging from its frame. It depicted a severed pig's head, dark red and rusted, as if blood had seeped through the white cloth covering it.
Inside, the lights were dim, and the silhouettes of a few patrons could be seen wandering. Business wasn't bad.
Hadn't Hagrid invited him for a drink?
He only glanced at it from afar, worried that this pub, surrounded by shady business, was meant for guests only, so he didn't even enter the Pig's Head. He returned to Hogwarts, wrapped in bubble wrap, before the lights went out, and met with the deputy headmaster to calculate the income.
Professor McGonagall, deeply concerned about the school's Quidditch competition, was pleased to learn that, after deducting Melvin's commission, the school would earn 500 galleons, which she immediately converted into two Nimbus 2000s. She spent the entire conversation praising Melvin for the transformation he had brought to the school.
Melvin felt a bit of warmth from the 400 galleons he carried in his arms.
December 16 – Light Snowfall
The first class of the morning was Muggle Studies for the third years, the last before the Christmas holidays. Melvin did not assign essays but asked them to explore ways to use Muggle artifacts during the break, recording their experiences.
It was a challenge for purebloods but easy for Muggle-borns or half-bloods. The students reacted differently, but there was no other option; the class was Muggle Studies.
Lunchtime – Great Hall
The four deans walked around the long tables of their respective houses, holding a register, questioning each student who was eating, and compiling a list of those staying on campus during the Christmas holidays.
Regardless of whether they stayed on campus during the holidays, they had to sign. This signature was required using a quill and inkwell provided by the professor. The quill had golden thread inlays, and the special ink had a shiny, beautiful quality.
At first glance, nothing seemed out of place; the golden thread was fine, and the ink crystal was luminous, inviting a second look.
Melvin was slightly surprised to discover that the deans, when questioning each student individually, only asked first-years to sign, while students from other years were registered randomly. He had a vague sense that something was off and looked more closely at the quills and inkwells they held.
"That seems to be…"
"It's a magical contract."
Professor Kettleburn from the Care of Magical Creatures class saw that he had discovered the clue and pointed it out directly:
"Based on relevant regulations of the International Statute of Secrecy and the Reasonable Restriction Law for Underage Wizards, the Ministry of Magic prohibits underage wizards from performing magic without permission and requires new students to sign a magical contract called Tracking Silk before the Christmas holidays."
"Tracking Silk?"
"As the name suggests, it's a magical thread that monitors traces," Kettleburn explained. After signing the contract, a tracking thread created by the Ministry of Magic would be rolled around the student's ring finger. Until the student reached adulthood, any magical fluctuation near the tracking thread would be immediately detected by the Ministry's Office of Misuse of Magic, allowing identification and investigation. If it occurred in a normal magical environment, such as Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, or Knockturn Alley, it was considered a normal magical trace. If it happened in a Muggle village, a warning letter would be sent immediately."
During the 16th century, conflicts between Muggles and wizards escalated. Unaware of the truth, Muggle residents conducted large-scale witch hunts, arresting wizards and witches showing signs of magic, decapitating or burning them publicly.
Except for some unlucky individuals, such as Nicholas, who was arrested without his wand and whose head remained attached to a skin cloak, most adult wizards escaped successfully through magic. However, underage wizards were less skilled, and many students were persecuted for displaying magic during that period.
Muggles pursued underage wizards, and adult wizards retaliated. Such tragedies occurred repeatedly, fueling resentment and escalating the situation.
The newly established British Ministry of Magic sent a delegation to the Muggle monarch, hoping for recognition and protection under Muggle law. However, England was then ruled by Mary II, known as the Bloody Queen, and negotiations failed as expected.
The Ministry of Magic did not want to engage in a formal war with Muggles. To protect underage wizards and ensure strict adherence to the Statute of Secrecy, the Department of Mysteries' Unspeakables unearthed tracking contracts from ancient magical texts and had students sign them via Hogwarts.
Until a young wizard reached adulthood, the tracker could detect all magical fluctuations in the surrounding area. If there was a risk of exposure, the Ministry would immediately send a warning letter.
Over time, Statute regulations were refined, and warning letters evolved. If violations carried serious consequences, the Law Enforcement Department could take legal action if necessary. These regulations remain in effect today.
Given the current improvement in the situation, the disappearance of witch hunts, and the limitations of Tracking Threads, false detections are common, even for ordinary adult wizards casting spells near them. In short, these rules are implemented with much flexibility.
The warning letter is mostly a formality, and under normal circumstances, the Ministry rarely bothers young wizards.
Melvin's gaze swept the Gryffindor table, pausing on a bespectacled student with a subtle expression.
"What does the Ministry's final word mean? What is flexible enforcement?"
He asked Kettleburn curiously: "What counts as normal?"
"As long as there's no serious accident."
"What counts as a serious accident?"
"The entire Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes will work overtime… Never mind, let's not talk about those terrible things." Kettleburn's forehead wrinkled with a smile, in good spirits for the upcoming holidays. "Melvin, will you stay at school during the holidays?"
"Under normal circumstances, I should."
"You should stay. The school Christmas dinner is very good."
"Seems like you don't plan to attend."
"I plan to go to Cornwall. There's an elf festival there."
Kettleburn rolled up his empty sleeves with one hand, grabbed a napkin to wipe his mouth, and turned to one side:
"Quirinus, if you don't want to stay at school, why not come with me to Cornwall? By the way, I'll tell you about the three-headed dog. You've asked me several times lately. You can also tell me about your experience in Albania last summer. I've always wanted to go on an adventure in the forest there."
"No… no need!"
Quirrell looked away quickly at Melvin, panicked, and stepped back a bit, stumbling as he explained:
"The fever has subsided over the last half month, and I feel sick and uncomfortable. I plan to stay in the dorm to recover and don't want to attend the Christmas dinner."
"Well, if that's serious, better see Poppy!"
Kettleburn's expression changed slightly. He didn't ask more questions and left limping.
Melvin watched Kettleburn leave slowly, thoughtful. The previous invitations had hidden meanings. The old, limping professor, about to retire, seemed to have noticed something.
December 20
The weather grew colder each day.
Hogwarts was festive today. At ten in the morning, the Express arrived at Hogsmeade station, and students returning home brought the Thestrals to the station.
In the past few days, Hagrid had brought twelve fir trees to make Christmas trees and filled the hall. Professor Flitwick wandered the castle, waving his wand, obsessed with decorating it with colored lights and shiny ornaments. Professor Sprout hung holly and mistletoe on the walls. Professor McGonagall was busy with paperwork for the board.
Snape and Quirrell distrusted each other and tested each other constantly. They were often seen staring in a corner. The scene usually had three phases: first, both stared silently. Second, Quirrell hesitated to speak. Third, Snape intimidated the others, stammering and cursing ineffectively.
Melvin was helping decorate the Great Hall, assisting Flitwick and Hagrid, and doing small tasks.
He was gently tugged at the corner of his clothes twice.
Melvin thought it was Professor Flitwick needing help, but looking down, he saw Miss Granger coming to say goodbye. She was half a head taller than Flitwick.
Her hair was messy, wrapped in a red-and-gold scarf, making her face look small, but her front teeth were slightly large, giving her a beaver-like appearance quite adorable.
"Professor Lewyn."
"Miss Granger."
Melvin half-kneeled to meet her eyes. Without asking what she wanted, he pulled out a handful of sweets from his pocket, thought for a moment, and handed her an apple:
"Merry Christmas in advance. I won't buy you any gifts."
Hermione blinked, a bit confused: "Merry Christmas to you too."
Does the professor think I'm in kindergarten? The sweets are fine, but why an apple?
Hermione looked down at her gloved hands, then at the sweets, and froze, unsure how to take them.
Melvin noticed her confusion and carefully placed the sweets and apple into her hood. Hogwarts winter robes have hoods, which can serve as pockets.
"Have fun at home during your holidays. Don't always think about studying."
Again, the corner of his clothes was tugged.
This time, it was really Professor Flitwick.
"Melvin, pass me that star ornament."
"All right."
"Melvin is very popular among the students."
"Maybe it's because the Halloween troll thanked me."
"I think it's because you're handsome…"
The fir tree was gradually decorated like a Christmas tree, with all kinds of bright star and moon ornaments hanging among the branches, scattering fine, sparkling dust. Snape approached at one point, greasy-haired and expressionless, watching as they decorated.
Indeed, after Melvin was selected for Slytherin by the Sorting Hat, Snape initially had a good impression of him. Later, after the psychology incident, he became annoying.
"Professor Lewyn is really charming. Even first-year students without electives make an extra effort to say goodbye before leaving. You must be very proud, right?"
"I'm very happy."
Melvin looked up and used levitation to hang an ornament on the top of the tree. Lowering his head to pick another, he glimpsed a familiar figure from the corner of his eye and couldn't help smiling:
"Professor Snape is also charming. Students from his house have also come to say goodbye to you."
Snape turned his head and looked, eyes slightly narrowed:
"Draco… Malfoy. Professor…"
Draco looked away, not daring to meet Snape's gaze. He handed over a beautifully bound invitation and said hesitantly:
"Our family will have a Boxing Day dinner at the mansion. My father… my father asked me to give you the invitation and invite the professor."
"Your father, Lucius?" Snape did not accept the invitation but looked down at Draco's. "Why did he invite me?"
Draco's hand trembled as he handed over the invitation: "I… I don't know."
Snape saw his behavior and immediately reacted, his face ugly as if he had eaten a fly.
(End of Chapter)