The cold wind howled and howled overhead, but the flames in the fireplace were still strong and the Slytherin common room was quite warm.

At the same time, the décor in the common room is beautiful and welcoming. The walls are covered with ribbons of holly and mistletoe, and several towering Christmas trees stand throughout the room, some with shiny Xiaoice pillars, others with hundreds of candles......

There is no doubt that these are the work of Professor Horace-Slughorn, the former head of Slytherin House who still has a deep affection for his old house.

In the corner of the common room, two girls were whispering.

"You mean...... Professor Horace-Slughorn's invitation?" Astoria Greengrass exclaimed, "He invited us to tonight's Christmas dinner?"

"Yes!" her sister Daphne Greengrass nodded a little embarrassedly, "I sent the invitation letter a long time ago, but I was taking care of you in the school hospital at the time and didn't see the letter...... It wasn't until a second invitation letter came in asking if we were ready to go......"

Due to the desertion of Greengrass Manor, the sisters returned to Hogwarts for only a few days after the start of the Christmas break, preparing to spend the Christmas at Hogwarts.

"Sister, what should I do then?" Astoria looked a little embarrassed.

"It looks like I can only participate...... It would be too much to refuse now......" Daphne said thoughtfully.

"Isn't it time to bring a dance partner with you at the Christmas party......" Astoria asked in a low voice.

"Where are you going to find a dance partner now...... Only then we won't dance, although it may be a bit embarrassing!" Daphne shook her head: "Let's go back to the dormitory first, let's change into a dress and meet in the foyer in half an hour?"

"yes, okay!" Astoria nodded as well.

The two sisters entered the two stone gates and completely disappeared from people's sight.

......

Half an hour later, the two of them met in the foyer.

"Shall we go?" Daphne asked in a low voice, glancing around.

"Oh, where is the party?" Astoria asked quietly.

"It seems to be in Slughorn's office......" Daphne replied thoughtfully, "I heard...... There were a lot of people at this dinner...... Even Professor Dumbledore!"

"Professor Dumbledore?" Astoria raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Yes!" Daphne didn't notice her sister's strangeness, she just nodded, "yes, it's a rare thing...... I've heard from them that Professor Dumbledore has been busy with something lately...... It is said that one of his sworn enemies escaped from the prison where he was held a few months ago......"

"What...... Professor Dumbledore's sworn enemy......" Astoria muttered, a worried look on her face.

Looking at her sister's face, Daphne couldn't help but cover her mouth and smile, and at the same time touched her head: "It looks like you're still worried about Professor Dumbledore...... Don't worry, Professor Dumbledore must have his own way......"

Astoria hurriedly smiled in disguise.

Before they knew it, they were approaching Professor Horace-Slughorn's office—

The laughter, music, and loud voices in the room grew stronger as they approached.

I don't know if this was the case, or because of the magic that was used on purpose, Professor Horace-Slughorn's office seemed much larger than the average teacher's room. The ceiling and walls were draped in emerald green, crimson and gold, making them feel like they were in a big tent.

The room was crowded, somewhat crowded and stuffy, and lit red by a golden lamp hanging in the center of the ceiling. There seemed to be real elves flickering in the lamp, and each elf was like a bright point of light.

In the distance, a loud song sounded like a mandolin, a few students gathered around and talked excitedly, a few old wizards chatting about the mist of pipes on their heads, and other house-elves squeaked through the jungle of shrugged legs, holding heavy silver plates that covered their bodies......

"Welcome, my children!" Slughorn cried as Daphne and Astoria walked into the office, "Come in, come in!"

"Merry Christmas, Professor Slughorn!" Daphne hurriedly smiled politely at the old professor.

Astoria was slightly stunned for a moment, and glanced at the slightly unfamiliar face.

Horace-Slughorn wears a velvet hat with tassels, which matches his pale green robes. This bald old man, fat as a walrus, with bulging eyes and a thick silver beard like a walrus, seemed to be amiable, but always revealed a shrewdness......

"I want to ...... You should be little Astoria!" Glancing at Astoria, he was the first to smile and said, "It's so beautiful, exactly like Diana when she was young......"

"Thank you for the compliment, Professor Slughorn!" Astoria quickly smiled sweetly.

"I heard that you were sick before and didn't come to school for more than half a semester...... But now, it looks pretty good?" Slughorn asked, as if casually.

"yes, it's much better...... Astoria replied with some perfunctory expression.

Slughorn seemed to want to say something to her, but there was an exclamation near the gate, and he smiled apologetically at the sisters, and then hurried over......

......

"Look, Professor Dumbledore!" Daphne whispered in her sister's ear, pointing to a familiar face in front of her.

Sure enough, it was Albus Dumbledore!

Dressed in his trademark lilac robe, he sat calmly at a long table at the front.

At the same time, he seemed to be savoring a delicious meal in front of him: what looked like a plate of delicious herbal soup......

"Professor Dumbledore is as eccentric as usual. Daphne whispered.

"yes!" Astoria also frowned slightly and nodded thoughtfully.

"Wait, everyone!" Near the gate, Horace-Slughorn's loud voice rang out from behind them, "Let me introduce you to two distinguished guests!"

All the guests quickly turned around and looked at the location of the gate.

Beside Slughorn stood a withered old man, and a somewhat familiar young face—

"...... from Durmstrang Headmaster Winston Vance!" Slughorn said with some excitement:

"And his protégé: Christopher Patrick!"

vertex