In 1819, the music score for this piece was spread across Europe by the piano tuner Carl Malach, and it quickly became widely popular afterwards.
Vivi's singing was lovely. Even though she'd never had any special training, singing itself was just a matter of talent.
Some people go their whole lives without learning much, but others are born singers the moment they open their mouths.
As the song ended, everyone finally snapped out of the spell and began applauding Vivi.
"That was a really nice song." Cassandra clapped softly. "Maybe you can sing for us more often in the future, right, Potter?"
Harry cleared his throat—he honestly had no idea how to answer that.
Cassandra was mischievous; she was obviously setting a trap. One wrong move and he'd be under attack.
"What's this song called?" Pabi asked curiously.
"'Silent Night.'" Vivi replied with a smiling squint, "There's a little story behind it, actually."
"What story?" Harry asked, equally intrigued.
"In the 1860s, the song not only spread through all of Europe, Australia, and North America, but also to most South American countries, and even many places in Asia took it up," Vivi paused thoughtfully, "My uncle became interested in this 'song that brought honor to the Empire', so he sent the music minister of the Empire to investigate the author. Of course, then plenty of people claimed to be the composer."
"But in the end, no one was able to figure out who actually wrote this song." Vivi sighed, "My aunt cared a lot about it too, but unfortunately the truth was never found."
"I see…" Hermione nodded knowingly, happy to have learned something new.
But…
Aunt? Uncle? Sent the music minister of the Empire?
Hermione was well-versed in history, and she knew that Austria at the time was really the Austria-Hungary Empire—a dual monarchy.
Thinking this, Hermione tentatively asked, "The aunt and uncle you mentioned…"
"Oh," Vivi said, "You've probably heard of my aunt… hmm… Elizabeth Amalie Eugenie—does that name ring a bell?"
"No…" Hermione shook her head. "But that name does sound familiar somehow."
Harry suddenly interrupted, "That's Princess Sissi—that's definitely a name you've heard before, right?"
"Oh! Princess Sissi!" Hermione exclaimed in surprise, "If you call her by that name… then I get it! I've watched a bunch of old movies about her… My mum and dad love anything about her!"
"I just never imagined she'd be your aunt… Oh my, if Mum and Dad found out you were her niece, they'd be absolutely shocked…"
"She's not only Princess Sissi's niece, but also her lady-in-waiting," Harry shrugged. "Vivi was a Dud before she turned fifteen, so she spent her days serving Princess Sissi as her lady-in-waiting."
"I see…" Hermione said, nodding with comprehension.
"Alright, time for the next song," Vivi interrupted at just the right moment. "'Jingle Bells'—you guys must know this one, right? Tsk… Even if it was written by an American, it doesn't stop it from being popular."
What she didn't say was, when she was young, during Christmas, whenever Gellert missed his parents, Vivi would sing 'Jingle Bells' for him.
Vivi's slender fingers danced over the piano keys again, creating a delightful melody.
"Ready—sing!" she commanded.
"Jingle bells jingle bells (Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells)"
"Jingle all the way (Jingle all the way)"
"Oh what fun it is to ride (Oh, what fun it is to ride)"
"In a one horse open sleigh hey (In a one horse open sleigh, hey)!"
...
That night, Vivi led everyone in singing several songs, before reluctantly declaring it was time to end the festivities.
With the singing done, Christmas was finally drawing to a close.
"May our friendship last forever!"
Hermione raised her eggnog cheerfully.
"Forever!" Little Sirius also lifted his glass.
Everyone raised their glasses high and clinked them together.
"Cheers!"
It was clear that everyone was happy, except Snape.
He wasn't really unhappy, he just always wore the same frosty expression. In another era, he could have been crowned the King of Cold Faces.
After the singing, Snape hurried back to his own chambers.
Harry went back to his room too, and got started opening his gifts.
He'd just unwrapped one from Hagrid—Hagrid had given him an ounce of Eight-eyed Giant Spider Venom.
No idea where that stuff came from. Harry scratched his head, mulling over whether he ought to head to the Forbidden Forest after school started, visit the Eight-eyed Giant Spider nest and ask them for some venom.
Eight-eyed Giant Spider Venom was really expensive. Rumor had it that it cost more than gold by weight.
Harry thought, being a student at Hogwarts, those spiders would definitely show him some respect, and lend him a little venom.
A knock sounded at the door.
"Who is it?"
He looked back—it was Cassandra.
Cassandra was wearing a silver and green sleep robe, standing with her chin up as she looked at Harry, appearing lazy yet proud.
"Cassandra?"
Harry genuinely hadn't expected Cassandra to show up in his room at this hour.
What's she up to?
"I forgot to give you your gift." Cassandra strode up to Harry, glancing down at the pile of presents by his side, curled her lips, and gave a little snort, "Looks like you haven't grown up, Potter—still waiting for Christmas presents like a kid, aren't you?"