This Christmas holiday, Professor Severus Snape was, in theory, spending his break at his old house on Spinner's End.
But in truth, only a select few knew he hadn't actually gone there at all.
In fact, most years, Snape spent Christmas at Hogwarts. His absence this time was already a little out of character—not that anyone ever paid much attention to his holiday whereabouts.
As Ron had mentioned, Professor Snape returned to the castle before the break was even over.
And soon after, he was seen—"sneaking about," as Ron would say—slipping into a long-abandoned classroom.
It just so happened that Ron—lost and searching for his wayward rat, Scabbers—caught sight of him.
To be honest, Ron wasn't nearly curious enough to risk following the notoriously prickly Potions Master and get caught. He simply grabbed his unusually restless rat and hurried off.
Once Ron was gone, Snape entered the empty classroom, where someone was already waiting for him.
"Why insist on meeting here?" Snape asked first, his tone edged with skepticism.
"If you'd marched straight to my office the moment you returned, it would've looked far too suspicious," the other replied, voice light and amused.
"Fair enough…" Snape conceded, though a hint of disappointment crept into his words. "I didn't learn much this time. They're unwilling to speak about almost anything."
"Don't worry! Before their master truly returns, I doubt they know what to do themselves," the other said with a casual confidence that Snape couldn't quite share.
"I could sense it—some of them are lost, lacking conviction or purpose. Of course, there are still a few who are as fanatical as ever, maybe even more so."
He paused, then continued, "I did pick up one thing about Wizard God's Blood. Apparently, they managed to acquire some from the G.A. by other means. It's likely connected to reviving that person. Still, they haven't found any trace of him—or if they have, they're keeping it very close."
"That's actually rather important… Speaking of which, it was that boy Qin Yu who first uncovered the Wizard God's Blood business—last Christmas, if I recall. That child certainly has a knack for stumbling into trouble," the other said, as if discussing the weather.
"People who go looking for trouble always have trouble following them," Snape remarked, voice dry as ever.
"Haha, don't let him hear you say that. But don't worry, my lips are sealed." The other chuckled, then shifted topics. "By the way, there's news of Professor Swinton in North America. I thought you should know—he might be in some trouble."
"Wasn't he just traveling in Egypt? How did he end up in North America?" Snape frowned.
"I'm not sure of the details. But he appeared publicly as a member of the G.A. Like I said, something must have gone wrong," the other said, his tone growing more serious.
"G.A.? What's he doing tangled up with them?" Snape's frown deepened.
"I'm wondering the same. I'm already trying to investigate, see if I can get in touch with him. When Mr. Flamel recommended him to the school, he did mention Professor Swinton had some secrets—maybe this is one of them."
"…Anyone who can befriend that Qin kid is bound to attract trouble as well."
"It seems the three of you are always together, aren't you?"
"…"
"Haha, look at you—don't get so prickly. And don't be so wary of having friends, Severus. The past is hard to let go, but hope lies in the present and the future."
"…Thank you for your pearls of wisdom."
"Alright, I'll stop nagging. If there's nothing else, let's end it here. You go first."
"Very well. Until next time."
"Until next time."
The door to the abandoned classroom creaked open. Snape strode out, his gaze shadowed, deep in thought.
No second person left the room for a long while—as if there had never been anyone else inside at all.
…
Since the heavy Christmas snow, not a single flake had fallen. The few snowdrifts left on the streets were now filthy and gray.
Rather like the air itself—London's winter pollution was as dreadful as ever.
If the Grangers didn't have a "modern" air purifier, Qin Yu would probably be using magic every day just to keep the air bearable.
So he stayed in as much as possible. Home was cozy, especially with a certain little witch for company. Between teasing her and being teased in return, boredom was never really an option.
Of course, the holiday had slipped by almost unnoticed. Tomorrow, they'd be heading back to school.
After Hermione finished packing her own trunk, she scampered upstairs to help Qin Yu with his.
"Are all these clothes going in?"
"Yeah, these for sure. A few more I'll pack tomorrow."
"Ugh, what a mess."
Qin Yu had been lazily piling clothes at his bedside. Hermione looked at the heap with undisguised disapproval, clambered right up, and started refolding everything from scratch.
Watching her methodically fold his shirts, Qin Yu felt a wave of déjà vu. After a moment's thought, he realized this wasn't the first time she'd helped him like this.
So that's what familiarity is—doing the same small things, again and again.
Yet even if the ritual was routine, it still warmed his heart.
Not just the silly fantasy—"the future Minister for Magic, kneeling on my bed, folding my clothes"—but the genuine comfort of being cared for by someone close. That warmth was real, and it was enough.
And truth be told, the little witch's folding skills had improved remarkably—almost as good as an Organizing Charm.
Clearly, half a year of boarding school had taught her a thing or two.
"Look, you fold sweaters like this—first this way, then like this… Pants go like this, mind the crease and waistband…"
Hermione worked as she explained, sharing all her little tricks and insights.
Qin Yu only half-listened. He suspected she wasn't really trying to teach him—just showing off her "professionalism" and hoping her one-man audience would look suitably impressed.
He obliged, showering her with praise for her speed and neatness, and gave her a gentle pat on the head for good measure.
Miss Granger looked thoroughly pleased, as if she'd just won "Employee of the Month."
"Next, the small stuff—underwear and socks… Hm? Boys' underwear is kind of weird, there's this little pouch here," Hermione said, holding up a pair of boxers with scientific curiosity.
"…"
Really, there's no need to be quite so curious, my dear know-it-all!
He almost blurted out, "Wait till you're older, you'll wear ones with two pouches," but wisely bit his tongue.
After all, his mental state had greatly improved lately.
He owed a lot to Professor Dumbledore's letter—and that mysterious stone he'd sent.
In fact, his recent mental training seemed to be paying off. He was sure that if he tried connecting with Snape's alchemical longsword again, the results would be even better.
He'd have to borrow it after term started.
And he needed to talk to Snape about Second Brother Swinton.
Come to think of it, he'd be plenty busy once they were back.
"Qin?!"
Hermione's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. She even poked his leg with a foot—this time, clad in pale yellow wool socks.
"Hm?" Qin Yu looked up.
Seeing his blank face, Hermione pouted in mock annoyance. She could tell he hadn't heard a word she'd just said.
"Sorry, Hermione, I was lost in thought. What did you say?" Qin Yu quickly leaned over, cupping her little pouty face in apology.
Not that he'd admit he just wanted to pinch her soft cheeks.
"Hmph! I was talking about Crookshanks! You, as his father—no, his uncle—don't care about him at all!" Hermione said, her face squished between his hands, accusing him with all the gravity of a judge.
They hadn't brought the cat home for the holidays, leaving him in Hagrid's care—Uncle Hagrid had even built a special little cat house.
"Alright, as Crookshanks' father—"
"Uncle!" Hermione corrected, stern as ever.
"Right, uncle. As Crookshanks' uncle, I admit I haven't been attentive enough! So, most sincere apologies to the lovely Miss Granger—would you please repeat your sage advice about our little cat?"
"Hmph! Since you're so polite, I'll say it again."
Magnanimously, the little witch repeated her earlier suggestion: they should bring some treats for Crookshanks.
Qin Yu readily agreed. "Great idea. We should also get something for Hagrid, to thank him for looking after Crookshanks."
So, while it was still light out, they asked Mr. Granger to drive them to the nearest supermarket.
They bought a pile of treats that, according to Hermione, Crookshanks used to love. For Hagrid, they picked out a huge tablecloth covered in hollyhock patterns and fringed edges, to replace his ancient, un-washable relic.
Back home, Qin Yu tucked the heavier things into the "storage pouch" Swinton had given him.
With the packing almost done, he wished the little witch goodnight, ending another busy day. All that was left was to wait for the train back to school tomorrow.
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