To be honest, Jon wasn't troubled by what he'd seen at the Hog's Head.
In fact, he soon pushed Aberforth Dumbledore's words out of his mind.
As December came and the snow fell heavier, Jon felt the pressure on the "Dolores Association" mounting...
This was mainly because, with Christmas approaching, Pansy Parkinson and Draco Malfoy's prefect duties were getting harder and harder. They had to supervise the castle decorations while keeping Peeves at bay; watch first- and second-years who were confined indoors during breaks because of the cold and rain; and take turns patrolling corridors with caretaker Argus Filch, who suspected that fights might increase as the holidays neared...
So they were clearly unable to contribute much to the D.A.'s organization.
Deprived of two capable assistants, Umbridge had to rely on big oafs like Crabbe and Goyle, or on a showy but ineffectual girl like Selwyn, to keep an eye on Harry Potter and his friends during their ever-more-frequent illegal meetings at school.
High Inquisitor Dolores Umbridge was getting more and more irritable, especially because of the three new teachers—Scamander, Hagrid, and Firenze—whom she detested.
Fortunately for Jon, she still trusted Christopher Patrick and the "Dolores Association" a great deal.
Jon was already thinking he should find the right opportunity to sell the other D.A.—the "Dumbledore's Army"—for a good price; to cement his place as Umbridge's "top lackey."
Of course, he'd have to run it by Professor Dumbledore first.
...
Astoria Greengrass had been in a bad way lately.
She was ill.
Maybe it was the weight of too many worries: fear of Umbridge's reprisals, worry that her mother might be sent to Azkaban, anxiety that Jon's false identity might be discovered...
She spent the penultimate week before the Christmas break in the Hospital Wing. Her sister Daphne Greengrass took leave from school and stayed with her constantly...
So Jon found it hard to visit often and could only learn bits about her condition through Selwyn.
"She looks awful — pale and feverish," Tiffany Selwyn said. "I heard her mother is scheduled for a Ministry trial at the Wizengamot on the second day of the holidays... she just collapsed before that."
No matter how worried Jon was, there wasn't much he could do.
Luckily, Astoria was finally discharged two days before the Christmas holiday began.
During Astronomy class, Jon found a chance to slip close to her.
"You okay...?" he asked.
"I'm fine..." Astoria forced a small smile, though it was weak. "Don't worry about me..."
"Mind if I use this telescope, Astoria?!" Selwyn's voice cut in from behind at the worst moment.
"All right..." Astoria stepped aside and moved to the other telescope.
Seeing Astoria distracted, Selwyn leaned in and whispered to Jon, "Christopher, I've found a lead... Marietta Edgecombe from Ravenclaw — I overheard her boasting she goes to Potter's meetings too. Her mother works at the Department of Magical Transport, at the Floo Network Authority, and her direct superior happens to be my father. I might be able to use that to make her talk..."
"Sounds promising!" Jonne sounded a little annoyed, but hid it well. "But I'll wait until after Christmas—let Potter and his gang enjoy their holiday in peace"
"Then Christopher, would you like to come to Selwyn Manor for Christmas?" Selwyn suddenly asked, smiling a little. "There's a Yule Ball hosted by a pure-blood family. Most pure-blood families will attend..."
"I'd be glad to," Jon said somewhat stiffly. "But I think I should accompany my great-aunt — it's rare she spends Christmas in Britain."
"Then I'm sorry!" Selwyn replied, disappointed. "I hope Madam Bagshot stays well; she's one of the last living legends of the British wizarding world!"
"Yes, thank you."
...
That evening Jon spent a long time researching in the Restricted Section.
Until Madam Pince finally appeared, feather duster in hand, to drive him out. She snapped, "It's almost nine o'clock — even if Professor Umbridge is backing you, you need to leave now..."
"I'm terribly sorry!" Jon hurriedly closed the last book and handed it to her.
Madam Pince glanced disdainfully at the book and muttered, "Another dark-magic enthusiast!"
But Jon was already out of the library.
The Hogwarts corridors at night felt eerie... ghosts drifted by now and then, giving the place a chill.
Jon quickened his pace and headed for the dungeons.
"Stop!" A boy wearing a prefect badge came darting from a side corridor and grabbed Jon's sleeve.
He glanced at the house badge on Jon's chest, then cried out, excitedly, "A lower-year Slytherin! Are you one of Draco Malfoy's friends... Ha! You've broken curfew!"
Jon glanced at the boy's flaming red hair and, in the torchlight, recognized him. "Curfew for fourth-years is nine o'clock. It's two minutes to nine."
"Your watch is five minutes slow!" Ron Weasley protested stubbornly. "Let me think... detention or copying out lines..."
"Who's there?" another voice called from the far end of the corridor — Draco Malfoy's, wand glowing in his hand.
"Ha! Christopher... what are you doing with the Weasleys? Don't you find them filthy?" Draco stepped closer, recognized him, and laughed.
"Malfoy, your friend broke curfew!" Ron said bluntly.
"That's none of your business, Weasley!" Draco pulled Jon closer. Seeing Ron's anger, he sneered, "Want to pick a fight?"
Crabbe and Goyle's footsteps sounded from where Malfoy had been standing. They soon joined them; the four of them lined up.
Ron Weasley's expression shifted. He backed up a few steps and muttered, "Lucky you this time..."
"Wait!" Jon said calmly, looking at Ron. "You're Ron Weasley, aren't you?"
"Of course!" Draco cut in. "That pure-blood traitor from the Weasley family... His father is Arthur Weasley — the one who spends his days with Muggles and Mudbloods!"
"Arthur Weasley?" Jon looked intrigued by the name. He turned to Ron and asked, "Is your father well?"
"What do you mean?" Ron took the question for mockery and shook with anger.
"No, I mean it — is your father all right?" Jon asked again, sincerely.
"He's fine — none of your business!" Ron snorted.
"If I were you, I wouldn't be so sure," Jon said again, without any sarcasm or insult. "If I were you, I'd write your father a letter right now to make sure he isn't in mortal danger!"
"Crazy..." Ron cursed, then began to back away.
"Wanna teach him a lesson, Draco?" Crabbe asked in his thick voice.
Draco looked to Jon for permission.
"No need," Jon said calmly. "Let's go back to the Slytherin common room."