As Kirk, in his capacity as Hufflepuff Prefect, assisted Professor Sprout in compiling the list of students staying at Hogwarts over Christmas, Wentworth suddenly realized that the holiday was fast approaching.
"Wentworth, are you heading home for Christmas, or staying at Hogwarts?"
Kirk and Cedric entered Wentworth's dormitory, inquiring directly.
Wentworth pondered for a moment before replying, "I'll go home. If I don't return for the holidays, those old folks at home might think Dumbledore has locked me up. I'd rather not have another Battle of Hogwarts on my hands! Speaking of which, would you two like to come with me? You could meet some of your predecessors."
As he spoke, Wentworth playfully winked at Kirk and Cedric.
Their expressions changed instantly, and they both waved their hands in refusal.
"No, no!"
"Maybe next time!"
Wentworth chuckled and didn't seem to mind their reaction. Instead, he remarked, "Honestly, they're good people—some of them are even quite endearing."
Kirk and Cedric forced polite smiles but remained silent.
Endearing? If someone outside Hogwarts dared to call members of the Pureblood Party "endearing," they'd surely be laughed at—or worse. The thought crossed both their minds.
"Time really flies, doesn't it?" Wentworth mused aloud.
Without realizing it, he had already spent nearly six months in this world.
Cedric sighed beside him, "Of course it feels fast to you! If we wrote down everything you've experienced this term, it'd be at least three hundred thousand words long!"
Kirk burst into laughter at that remark.
As Christmas approached, Hogwarts transformed once again, adorned with festive decorations.
Soon, Wentworth, Cedric, and Kirk found themselves boarding the Hogwarts Express for their journey home.
Looking back at the festively decorated castle, Kirk commented with a hint of regret, "You know, I've been at Hogwarts for years, but I've never actually spent Christmas here. Thinking about it now, I feel like I've missed out."
Cedric responded, "That's because we all have families waiting for us. The students who stay behind might not be as happy as you imagine."
Hearing this, Wentworth glanced back at Hogwarts. For the first time, he found himself missing Rosier and Abernathy.
Perhaps, in this world, they were his real family, he thought to himself.
The three of them settled into a compartment on the Hogwarts Express. As soon as the train started moving, Kirk opened his suitcase and pulled out two beautifully wrapped packages.
"Ta-da! An early Merry Christmas to you both! Here are your presents!"
Wentworth was momentarily stunned, while Cedric, who seemed prepared for this, calmly accepted his gift and thanked Kirk—but he didn't rush to open it.
Then, Cedric reached into his own luggage, retrieved two packages, and handed them to Wentworth and Kirk.
"Merry Christmas, mates!"
Wentworth, now holding a package in each hand, looked slightly embarrassed.
"I'm really sorry—I thought Christmas presents were meant to be sent by owl post after getting home!"
Kirk waved it off. "Either way works. Some students just prefer exchanging gifts on the train back to London. Handing them over in person feels more sincere. But you're a first-year, so it's normal that you didn't know."
Wentworth quickly expressed his gratitude before rummaging through his own belongings.
Seeing this, Cedric and Kirk exchanged glances. Kirk hesitantly asked, "Wentworth, if you didn't prepare a gift, it's fine. Just send one later by owl—just don't forget! But don't feel pressured to give us something last-minute just because we gave you gifts."
Cedric rolled his eyes at Kirk.
A moment later, Wentworth stopped searching and, looking rather embarrassed, said, "Sorry, I only have one suitable gift in my trunk."
Kirk and Cedric looked at each other.
"You take it first!"
"No, you take it!"
"You're a Prefect, I can't compete with you!"
"How could I take something from a younger student?!"
As the two bickered, Wentworth cleared his throat and awkwardly interjected, "Actually… the gift isn't for either of you."
Kirk and Cedric: "…"
Just as the situation grew awkward, the compartment door slid open.
The three of them turned to see Cassandra entering, holding something in her hands. Upon seeing her, Cedric and Kirk both shot questioning looks at Wentworth.
"Cassandra? What's this?" Wentworth asked curiously.
Cassandra beamed. "My father came back yesterday!"
The three boys immediately brightened with surprise and joy.
"Really? That's wonderful! I suppose that's the best Christmas gift you could ask for!" Cedric said sincerely.
Cassandra nodded enthusiastically before explaining, "It turns out my father was injured and had been unconscious for a long time. Fortunately, a passing Muggle found him! He stayed in a Muggle hospital for weeks. Without his wand or an owl, he had no way to contact us. It wasn't until he finally recovered a few days ago that the hospital discharged him, and he was able to return home."
As she spoke, she handed something to each of them.
Wentworth took a closer look and realized it was an invitation.
Cassandra continued, "To celebrate my father's recovery, I'm hosting a Christmas banquet at our home. I hope you can all come!"
The three of them immediately responded in unison, "Of course! We wouldn't miss it!"
Cassandra smiled and then left their compartment.
After she was gone, Kirk's expression turned serious. "You know, I'd bet anything that Cassandra's real reason for hosting this banquet is to let everyone at Hogwarts know that her father is back—that her family is still as prestigious as ever! Not to brag, but if a girl like her tried to pursue me, I would—"
Before he could finish, Wentworth grabbed something from his trunk, flung open the compartment door, and ran after Cassandra without looking back.
Kirk: "…"
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