As winter arrives completely, snowflakes begin to swirl outside the castle windows again, fluttering against the frozen windows.

The Gryffindor students have just finished their two-week...... For them defeated their sworn enemy Slytherin in a Quidditch match.

Then they suddenly realize that Christmas is coming.

Rubeus Hagrid had been preparing for half a month in advance, and had brought the twelve Christmas trees that were indispensable in the auditorium every year, the railings of the stairs were wrapped in holly and metal foil, the helmets of his armor were flickering with bright candles, and the corridors on the eighth floor were hung with bunches of mistletoe at intervals.

"Professor Dumbledore!" a Gryffindor girl paused in some trepidation and greeted.

"Good morning!" Albus Dumbledore just nodded to her gently, and walked straight into his office.

All this is already familiar with the road.

......

First he put the lilac robe on a nearby hanger and changed into a casual suit, then he added a fire to the fireplace, and Jon Hart sat down at the headmaster's desk.

"Woo-woo-" The light bird's call came from the side.

Glancing at the phoenix with an expectant expression on his face, Jon shook his head helplessly, and he stood up and walked over to the lilac robe that had just been placed on the hanger, and then took a small bag from the pocket of the robe.

I opened the packet and put the leaves inside in the bird tray -

Fawkes let out a few cheerful calls, then busily feasted.

"It's a fresh leaf of grass, it's precious!" Principal Dalys-Devonte said with some surprise on the portrait wall next to her, "Jon, where did you get it?"

"It's easy...... I just told Pomona that I needed a little bit of this for my injury, and she quickly got it for me. Jon shook his head helplessly and explained, "It seems that all the teachers think that my injuries are very serious, very serious...... There's nothing I can do about it. ”

Several principals couldn't help but cover their mouths and couldn't help laughing.

But fortunately, the quality of the principals is very high, and no one laughs out loud.

"Hey, cheap stupid bird. Phineas Blake on the side shook his head: "Fresh Mosa grass blades, a hundred years ago, it would have been two Galleons a piece...... Now it's up at least fivefold. ”

Fawkes glared at Phineas with some displeasure, and he quickly shut his mouth as well.

"Well, let's not talk about that. Jon asked, "What's going on lately?"

"Of course......" Several principals had been waiting for a long time, and they almost said in unison.

"Horace has sent you an invitation!" the principals first glanced at each other, and then Armando Dippert spoke first, "He wants you to be able to attend his Christmas party...... Just the day before Christmas. ”

"Slughorn's Christmas dinner?" Jon frowned, "Wasn't it always just the students invited before...... Horace-Slughorn's favorite student. ”

"yes!" Principal Armando Dippet continued, "but Horace told me that there will be a little change this year...... How's that, Jon, do you need me to turn him down?"

Jon looked down for a moment, then shook his head, "No, Armando...... You tell Horace that I'll be on time. ”

"Oh, well!" Armando Dippet nodded.

"Then you're going to be busy the day before Christmas. Phineas Blake said lazily, "Alastor Moody, the ugly Auror, is planning to hold a small gathering of the Order of the Phoenix in Grimmauld Square before dinner the day before Christmas...... You'll definitely have to, but if you do the math, it's barely time to go back to school for the party. ”

"Okay, thanks for the reminder, Phineas, I know. Jon replied flatly.

"Severus has something to bring to you. "He says Horace-Slughorn received a case of excellent oak aged mead from Grunwald as a gift, and that there is a high probability that there is something wrong with that case!"

"Okay, thank you, Elizabeth. Jon nodded, touching a silver goat statue in his hand and nodded, "Although I already know this information." ”

"I'm just reminding you again. Elizabeth Bock explained, "Also, Severus said he would visit the principal's office later, and he seems to have something to do with you. ”

"Is it more important than that box of problematic mead?" Jon was slightly stunned, then nodded:

"Dexter, remember to tell Severus the new password for the Headmaster's Office later. ”

"I understand that the new mantra is 'chocolate puffs,' right......" Principal Dexter Fosco responded.

......

Half an hour later, there was a knock on the door of the principal's office.

Professor Severus-Snape walked in with a solemn look on his face.

"Good morning, Severus. Headmaster Albus Dumbledore smiled and greeted, "What, what's the matter?"

"Albus......" Professor Snape nodded, "You already know about the mead......

"Of course, in fact I got the information before you. Dumbledore said casually: "As early as half a month ago, I knew that Lady Rosmerta had brought that gift to Horace. ”

"Of course, I have no doubt about that. Snape calmly replied, "So...... Do you still need me to help Draco Malfoy?"

"Of course, please, Severus!" Dumbledore nodded solemnly.

"Okay, that's not a problem. Severus Snape took a deep breath: "Also, one more thing...... That is, I found it!"

"Oh?" Dumbledore was stunned, "What did you find?"

"A year and a half ago, someone disguised himself as me and went to Number Four Privet Road...... Snape said coldly.

"Oh, yes!" Albus Dumbledore's face changed slightly.

His left hand, without leaving a trace, reached into his pocket.

Snape didn't notice the headmaster's strangeness, and spoke in a dark voice:

"I found something very important at the Ministry of Magic...... On that same day...... Dolores Umbridge was also present on Privet Road in Little Whinging, Surrey......"

"Wait...... Professor Umbridge?" Dumbledore looked startled.

"That's right!" Snape nodded, "It can't be a coincidence, can it, Dumbledore?"