"Uh-huh."
Ron was busy suppressing the rebellious black chess pieces and replied perfunctorily with two hums.
…
…
"...Kids, remember today's password, 'Filthy mongrel dog'!"
Arriving at the portrait hole, Harry and Hermione saw Sir Cadogan enjoying a Christmas feast with a few monks, several former Hogwarts headmasters, and his fat little grey zebra. He pushed up his helmet and raised a jug of mead in greeting to the two.
"Alright, sir, same to you!"
Harry retorted in a cheerful tone, making Sir Cadogan burst into laughter, which echoed behind them as they turned the second corridor.
"I kinda miss the Fat Lady; at least she wasn't so loud...and didn't change the password three or four times a day."
On the staircase, Hermione rubbed her forehead, seemingly attempting to rub out the enchanting laughter that had seeped into her brain. But in the next moment, Harry suddenly grabbed her collar.
"What are you doi... Oh, oh, Professor, Merry Christmas!"
Hermione's question was interrupted by Harry, and she turned to see across the corridor, where three heads of houses were standing at the corner—except for Snape—Professor McGonagall had a smile on her face, "The Fat Lady was frightened, and she said she needs some quiet time to recover. The Headmaster said she could rest until the end of this term."
"If you miss her, perhaps you can visit the Armoury Corridor on the fourth floor, right next to my classroom, within a hanging portrait of a garden. I'm sure the Fat Lady would be happy knowing there are still little wizards who remember her."
Professor Flitwick playfully winked, and Harry noticed that the severe dark circles he'd had since the beginning of term seemed to have faded considerably.
"Where are you planning to go? Why are you wandering around the castle?"
Professor McGonagall frowned, her gaze lingering on Harry. She had been patrolling the castle earlier, as they mustn't let their guard down even during Christmas—after all, that wretched Sirius might still be lurking outside the castle. That damned murderer wouldn't take a holiday—
…
"Ah-choo!"
In Hagrid's hut, a certain black dog rubbing its nose looked toward the empty bed overhead with a frown. Why hadn't Hagrid returned yet? Sirius pondered for a moment, then abandoned his thoughts, leaning his head beside the fireplace where he tranquilly closed his eyes and let out a long sigh—
Snow falling outside, warmth beside the fire, a full belly, and cozy clothes; this was indeed comfort...
What kind of hard life had he led before?
At this moment, behind Sirius who was not paying attention, another black dog's creeping form slighty paused. Then, seeing Sirius lie down again, Fang's face showed a sneaky smile, but it didn't rise; it kept creeping slowly, inching closer to Sirius—
…
"Minerva, it's the holidays; you don't need to be so harsh with the children—"
Professor Sprout interjected, "There are not only us here, but also five or six Aurors patrolling the lower levels of the castle. Security should be fine. The Ministry of Magic had earlier speculated that Sirius might attack during the holidays and had strengthened security measures accordingly."
"But—"
"We're going to find Senior William."
Seeing Professor McGonagall's frown deepen, Harry quickly spoke up and Professor Meow's face visibly softened.
"Coincidentally, we seem to be going to the same place!"
Professor Flitwick tiptoed and patted Harry's elbow. Then, the five of them began walking towards the spiral staircase while chatting—of course, mainly the three professors were concerned about the duo's studies, and Harry and Hermione responded with "Uh-huh," "Ah-ha," accompanied by awkward smiles.
"We've arrived!"
Looking at the stone door emerging opposite the tapestry, Professor McGonagall eyed her surroundings in slight disbelief, "Really? Was that night not a dream?"
"What?"
"Over a decade ago, after leaving the Headmaster's Office, I had urgent business and needed a Floo Powder fireplace to visit the Ministry of Magic, then a door appeared here, leading to a room full of fireplaces. I didn't think much at the time and directly went to the Ministry and never found that room again."
"This is the Room of Requirement, Minerva. At the time, your mind must've been filled with 'I need a room with fireplaces and Floo Powder'."
Professor Flitwick knocked on the door with familiarity, evidently not his first visit here, and the stone door slowly opened. Dobby, dressed in a blue waiter's uniform, held a napkin tucked under its arm and gestured for everyone to enter.
"Good evening, Minerva, Filius, Pomona—along with Mr. Potter and Miss Granger."
Professor Dumbledore turned around, warmly welcoming everyone into what must be the Room of Requirement's busiest moment in a century. Harry took a cursory glance around and found that from the lunchtime gathering, all professors except Snape and Trelawney were now in the living room.
The rich aroma of roasted meat wafted from the terrace; Lupin, dressed scantily in winter, was busy with sweat upon his brow. Professor Percival and Professor Dumbledore assisted him, passing trays of fragrant grilled skewers to Dobby, who then carried them to the living room's central table.
Hagrid sat in a corner of the living room, a wide smile on his face, with a Three-Headed Dog shrunk to a size resembling Fang sitting on his knee.
Hagrid held a large handful of grilled skewers, teasing the three heads of Fluffy.
So where's the senior?
Harry and Hermione exchanged a glance, seeing the three heads of houses already seated beside Hagrid, wisely choosing not to disturb them, having been tormented by study-related questions all the way here. Then, they hesitated and took advantage of Professor Dumbledore's diversion to the other side of the living room to quietly slip over to Lupin's side.
"Professor, where's the senior now?"
Lupin, overwhelmed with busyness, raised his head in confusion, then didn't answer and instead stuffed a handful of skewers into each of their hands.
"?"
"Ahem ahem, got used to it, used to it—William's in, he's in..."
Upon realizing it, Lupin hastily waved, first glancing back at the chaotic living room, then shaking his head, "I don't know either."
"..."
Harry paused speechlessly, exchanged a look with Hermione, and unhesitatingly bit into the skewers in their hands.
Delicious.
Harry, despite having eaten lunch not long ago, found himself feeling hungry again.
Lupin clearly possessed culinary talents, having lived alone for nearly a decade after graduating; had he not learned to cook, he probably would have starved to death by now. Furthermore, these grilled meats were simple enough, requiring only a heap of spices and a mastery of fire.
Thus, the two briefly ate until finally welcoming the arrival of the room's master. Having just sorted through his suitcase once more, William crawled out of a suitcase behind Newt, and, seeing the bustling scene before him, was undeniably taken aback, "Oh, so many people."
As expected, Hermione secured Newt's autograph, with Harry following suit and successfully forgetting their purpose for being there.
Afterward, Professor Dumbledore waved his hand, summoning dishes meant for the Great Hall to the Room of Requirement's table. Hermione and Harry were stunned into seating at the table, staring at the array of food, as their stomachs gurgled once more with hunger.
Mid-banquet, Harry and Hermione exchanged yet another look—
"Did we forget something?"
Harry frowned in contemplation.
"...You forgot the squid."
William casually handed a plate of squid to Hermione's side, interrupting their train of thought, after which the two paused momentarily, resolutely chose to continue eating.
…
…
Meanwhile, inside the Hogwarts Great Hall.
"Looks like Mr. Weasley doesn't have much appetite?"
At the center of the Great Hall's dining table, the similarly "forgotten" duo exchanged glances, Ron sorrowfully watching Snape reveal a set of uneven yellow teeth. He really wished to leave, but the fifth-year student who could've shared the attention fled the moment the doors opened, and the other first-years had simply never appeared.
Thus, ultimately, only he and Snape remained at the table.
Harry! Hermione! Where are you? Someone save me!
Choking down tasteless food, gazing at Snape "smiling" at him, Ron wailed loudly in his heart.