My Hogwarts has a serious problem.

Chapter 41. Lynn's Christmas Eve

The weather is gradually getting colder.

Hogwarts has officially begun its Christmas holiday.

Before leaving, Cedric invited Lynn to spend Christmas with them, but Lynn declined.

He has been in this world for more than ten years and has never had the habit of celebrating this holiday. Moreover, Christmas is always spent with family, so it wouldn't be appropriate for him, an outsider, to go.

As for Ian, although he doesn't object to spending time with Lynn Cedric now, their relationship isn't good enough for him to invite Lynn to go back home with him to meet his parents.

After a few days of getting to know him, Lynn also figured out his family background.

Like him, Ian was also from a pure Muggle family, but he had parents, unlike Lynn who was an orphan.

Hogwarts began to become deserted. There were hardly any young wizards left in the castle. Now, even meals were no longer divided by house, but the remaining young wizards shared a table.

Professor Fawkes didn't seem to be leaving Hogwarts. Lynn had mentioned it briefly, and the professor said that he was now a bachelor and that wherever he went was his home.

On the eve of Christmas, Professor McGonagall informed all the young wizards staying at school that Professor Dumbledore would be spending Christmas Eve with them in the Great Hall that evening.

On Christmas Eve, Lynn arrived at the auditorium, which had been meticulously decorated by the professors.

A huge Christmas tree was placed in the very center. Hagrid had specially chosen it in the Forbidden Forest, and Lynn had greeted him when he carried it over this morning.

And those glittering little stars floating on the Christmas tree are Professor Flitwick's creation.

It wasn't easy for him to cast a spell on the Christmas tree given his height. He had to use two stools and even found two little wizards to help hold the stools to prevent him from falling.

Professor McGonagall had long ago conjured up many ribbons, bells, and garlands all over the auditorium, making the originally monotonous auditorium much brighter.

The flowers and plants arranged by Professor Sprout, and Professor Snape's less grumpy face, all contributed to the festive atmosphere at Hogwarts.

Although there weren't many junior wizards remaining at the school, almost all the single professors were there, including Hagrid, the hunting grounds guard who wasn't a professor yet, Filch, the castle caretaker, Mrs. Pince, the librarian, and Mrs. Pomfrey, the school doctor. Everyone was gathered together.

Not only the living, but also the ghosts of Hogwarts, escorted Peeves and forcibly dressed him as a reindeer. Led by Barrow the Blood, they also came to the Great Hall to attend the banquet with everyone.

Professor Dumbledore had been sitting in the center of the long table for a long time. Today he was wearing a red Santa hat and had a gentle smile on his face, looking just like a harmless old neighbor.

The dinner was equally lavish, with long tables laden with Western delicacies, including an enormous turkey that had been enlarged by a spell, a log-shaped cake, German gingerbread, sausages, roast suckling pig, and a Christmas pudding for everyone.

After the little wizard, the professor, and the ghosts sang Christmas carols together over the Christmas tree, the dinner officially began.

The professors did not sit together, but were scattered among the young wizards. Lynn's position was somewhat peculiar; he sat next to Professor Dumbledore.

This was the first time he had been so close to the greatest white wizard of the twentieth century. Dumbledore did look very old, with gray hair and beard, loose skin, and many wrinkles.

But he still looked very energetic, not like a centenarian.

"Lynn Bellocchio, is that right?" Dumbledore's eyes always gave people a sense of trustworthiness. As soon as Lynn entered the room, he was the one who beckoned him to sit down next to him.

Lynn was actually a little uneasy. Dumbledore could be said to be the top wizard in the world, and he was not sure if the Occlumency spell that the system rewarded him with would work. Moreover, he did not know why the headmaster, who had not appeared at school for half a semester, would know him.

"Yes, Professor, you know me?" Lynn's nervousness was not an act.

Dumbledore smiled.

"Adrian often mentions you to me, saying you are the best student he has ever seen at Hogwarts."

Alright, the murderer has been found!

Lynn's face darkened; he had been betrayed by the professor he trusted most.

He glanced discreetly at Professor Fox, who was chatting with Professor McGonagall, and then shook his head.

"Professor Fox is too kind. I'm far from being good enough. Among the young wizards I know, Cedric in second year and Ian, who is in the same year as me, are both better than me."

"They are indeed very talented students, but don't underestimate yourselves; you all have a bright future ahead of you."

Dumbledore was savoring his Christmas pudding, and like Lynn, he, known as the Old Bee, had a great love for sweets.

"How are you getting used to your time at Hogwarts?"

"The professors are all very nice, the students are very friendly, and the magic is very interesting. Compared to when I lived alone, this place is paradise."

Lynn felt that his flattery was spot on and would surely please the old bee dragon.

Sure enough, Dumbledore laughed happily, but his next words made Lynn unable to laugh either.

"I heard from Minerva that when I wasn't at Hogwarts, your roommates tried to frame you. Don't you hate them?"

Lynn pondered the old bee's meaning but couldn't come up with anything, so he could only bite the bullet and say something.

"Of course I resent the professor, but you know, Hubert has become like that, he's already suffered enough punishment. And I can't change their minds. I don't hate them, I just want to get away from them."

Lynn seemed a little downcast, and Dumbledore comforted him.

"Bellock, everyone has their own beliefs. You don't have to bear anything because of other people's prejudices. Think of your friends and the professors who care about you. They are people you can trust."

"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore."

"Don't be shy, try this pudding, it tastes absolutely delicious."

……

While the students and teachers of Hogwarts were celebrating Christmas Eve, a little girl in a white dress was happily munching on a steak in front of the castle's underground storage room.

Her hands were covered in oil, even the area around her mouth was greasy, and she patted the wooden door with her little hands while eating.

"Sofia wants another one!"

Not long after, another steak suddenly appeared in the empty plate in front of her.

The person behind the wooden door said something, and Sofia, who was so happy she was almost crying, nodded repeatedly.

"I know, I know. I'll eat and leave right away. I definitely won't arouse Lynn's suspicion."

I know, I know. I'll post it as soon as I finish writing it, and I'm sure my readers will vote for me.

(End of this chapter)