When Harry and the others heard Hermione mention that the Christmas holidays were approaching, genuine smiles spread across their faces, the heavy atmosphere from before instantly swept away.
After all, no student could resist the allure of the holidays—unless, of course, they had far too much homework!
While Harry and his friends eagerly anticipated the coming festivities, Wentworth returned to his dormitory clutching a letter.
It had arrived that morning during breakfast in the Great Hall, delivered by an owl—though the envelope bore no signature.
Wentworth suspected it might be a letter from Rosier and the others, so he chose not to open it on the spot, opting instead to wait until he was alone.
As soon as he entered the empty dormitory, he couldn't resist tearing open the letter.
Inside was a single folded piece of parchment, bearing only one line:
I've been discovered. Be careful!!!
Wentworth's heart clenched.
There was no signature, but he recognized the handwriting at once—it belonged to the same person who had left him a message in the Grindelwald family's vault at Gringotts.
The handwriting was more hurried this time, less neat than before—a clear sign that the writer had been in a dire situation when they wrote it.
A heavy sense of foreboding settled over Wentworth, though he had no idea what to do. An inexplicable sense of danger prickled at him.
At that moment, the door to his room creaked open.
Without thinking, Wentworth drew his wand and pointed it at the doorway.
"Oi! Wentworth, what are you doing?"
Relief washed over him as he recognized the intruder—Kirk.
Wentworth let out a long breath and quickly tucked both his wand and the letter away.
Kirk strolled in, grinning.
"I say, Lord Grindelwald, are you planning to purge your ranks? I've done nothing to offend you, I swear!"
Wentworth rolled his eyes. "What do you want?"
Kirk's grin widened. "Just doing my Prefect duties—checking if you'll be going home for Christmas or staying at Hogwarts."
Wentworth blinked, only now realizing how quickly the holidays had come around again. Memories of last year's journey home with Kirk and Cedric aboard the Hogwarts Express flooded back—along with the encounter with Cassandra and everything that had unfolded during the break.
"Time really flies," Wentworth murmured.
Kirk smirked. "Come off it, Wentworth. There's only the two of us here—who are you trying to impress with that brooding act?"
Wentworth chuckled awkwardly. "I'm definitely going ho—"
He stopped mid-sentence, glancing toward the hidden letter. His mind raced.
"I'm staying at Hogwarts this year."
Kirk's eyes widened in surprise but didn't press further. "Got it."
With that, Kirk left, and Wentworth returned to the letter, studying it carefully before composing a reply to Rosier and the others, informing them he wouldn't be leaving for the holidays.
Soon, the Christmas break began.
At Hogsmeade Station, Wentworth waved goodbye to Kirk and Cedric as they boarded the train home.
As he turned to head back, a voice called out beside him.
"Why aren't you going home?"
It was Cassandra.
She wore a snow-white coat, made from some unknown creature's fur. Wentworth, curious, had tried to pluck a strand of the fur—only to receive an exasperated glare from Cassandra.
"My father's working overtime at the Floo Network Authority," she explained flatly. "Christmas means more people using the network, and there'll be wizards trying to hook up their fireplaces without permission. I couldn't be bothered to go home if he's not there."
Wentworth nodded. "Ah, I see. I thought maybe you stayed behind to keep me company."
Cassandra scoffed. "As if."
Wentworth smirked.
That's more like her.
Without warning, Cassandra announced, "I'm heading to Hogsmeade for a bit. Not that it's any of your business."
Before Wentworth could respond, she changed direction and started off toward the village.
Second-years weren't technically allowed to visit Hogsmeade yet.
Still, Wentworth hurried to catch up, calling, "Cassandra, you can't break school rules like this! You should come back with me!"
His feet, however, never stopped following her.
Cassandra smirked. "Hmph. Typical man."
Wentworth: "???"
Together, the two slipped into Hogsmeade, marveling at the vibrant shops around them.
They were both used to wealth—but that didn't stop them from browsing each store with unabashed excitement.
Especially since neither of them lacked money.
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