Christmas is almost here again! Last night, a gentle snowfall continued all through the evening.
Regulus Black instinctively glanced around as he got up early in the morning—right, there were no windows in his room.
After a quick wash, he stepped outside and found even the hallway windows were frosted over with a thin layer of ice. Over by the lake, where one could usually spot oddly-shaped fish or a giant squid, there was nothing to be seen today.
Everything around was blanketed in white, reflecting a kind of inner purity—but this wasn't the kind of purity Regulus Black desired.
He returned to the Room of Requirement and turned his attention to the colorful pile of gifts by the bedside.
These were all presents from those lovely girls. "Holidays boost the economy"—that saying holds true no matter where you are.
With a wave of his hand, the entire bed rose to reveal a bath underneath. He enjoyed a long, relaxing soak.
Compared to last year, his body didn't seem to have changed at all.
Regulus Black clicked his tongue in admiration at his reflection in the mirror—what a perfect physique. Oh! Though that part had gotten a bit bigger...
After lingering a little longer, Regulus finally started unwrapping his gifts properly.
Hermione had given him a book on alchemy and the synthesis of living creatures. Cho Chang sent a landscape scroll. Pansy gave him a tie that perfectly matched his usual style. Several older girls had gifted him limited-edition chocolates, along with red-lip-print blessing cards.
But among the neatly stacked gifts waiting to be opened, a few stood out unexpectedly.
Draco had gifted a men's skincare set. Harry Potter gave him a golden Snitch—and look! The wings were still fluttering!
Regulus sighed. He'd seen those individually sold Quidditch Snitches in specialty shops before. Since they were all handmade from pure gold, even the smallest one cost no less than fifty Galleons... Fifty! Galleons!
Harry Potter truly lived up to his status as the poster child of rich heirs—giving something like this without a second thought. Most students from pure-blood wizarding families didn't have that much pocket money. One word… loaded.
Of course, the gifts Regulus sent in return would certainly satisfy them as well.
Harry and Ron had accepted Nearly Headless Nick's invitation to attend the ghosts' Christmas celebration.
By the time evening arrived, Regulus finally saw Harry Potter in the Great Hall.
He looked absolutely terrible. Harry and Ron's robes were speckled with frozen sweat stains—clear signs of some indescribable adventure. Honestly, it was a relief they didn't show up engulfed in spontaneously combusting phosphorus flames.
Regulus Black wore a modest black velvet dress robe in a gothic style. The soft fabric highlighted his tall, lean figure. A pristine white shirt underneath, paired with a dark floral-patterned tie, gave him the air of a black hole—mysterious and irresistibly alluring.
Harry and Ron made it just in time for dessert: a serving of milk pudding. The two ravenous boys devoured the pudding in a few gulps, and in an instant, the table was spotless—not a single breadcrumb left behind.
"Sleep well, children. Merry Christmas!"
After Dumbledore's traditional speech concluded, students began trickling out of the Great Hall.
Not far away sat Pansy Parkinson. As everyone else left, she remained seated, arms crossed. Today, she had also tidied herself up nicely—still cute, but with a hint of sensuality. The handkerchief Regulus had once used to wipe her tears had been folded into a flower shape and pinned to her chest.
"Why aren't you going back to rest?"
Regulus asked casually as he passed behind her.
"Waiting for Draco. Our platinum prince has officially gotten himself a girlfriend."
Pansy lifted her chin slightly, gesturing toward Draco and Astoria, who were seated not far away. The two of them appeared to be deep in intimate conversation, although Draco wore a faintly cold smile, slightly leaning forward as he whispered something to Astoria.
"Maybe the little dragon's just threatening someone again," Regulus mused.
He knew well enough—on and off the stage, those two were a couple. May all lovers find their happy ending.
Draco had once said in the original story that the partner he sought must share his ideals. Family background, wealth, and bloodline were secondary.
Astoria's usually radiant golden hair looked even more dazzling today. It flowed down to her waist, tied back with an elegant silver ribbon. She wore a dark blue cocktail dress with a puffy skirt that made her look both adorable and fashionable. She smiled as if she hadn't noticed Draco's unfriendly expression, tilting her head to listen to his words.
"I think they'll end up together in the end."
Pansy Parkinson sounded a little melancholy. Draco had always been her goal—that had never wavered.
But ever since receiving word from her family, the young girl had been under long-term pressure and began to feel uncertain.
Regulus Black's rejection of her family's proposal gave Pansy a faint sense of affection toward him. That handkerchief he had gifted her, which she kept by her side, had slowly turned that affection into something called love.
Meanwhile, Draco Malfoy had found a new love interest—the youngest daughter of the Greengrass family, who had just started school this year: Astoria Greengrass, an even clingier little vixen than her sister, Daphne Greengrass.
In comparison, though Pansy was emotionally unwilling to admit it, she had come to understand rationally that she had no hope with Draco anymore.
Regulus Black wasn't particularly interested in this little girl called Astoria. After all, a seven-year-old's nature rarely changes—better to leave this little one to Draco. But her older sister, Daphne, now she was a worthy target.
"I really like the tie you gave me. You have good taste! If anything's bothering you, you're always welcome to come and talk to me."
Regulus Black praised her softly, then took his leave from the hall.
On the other side, Astoria showed more willingness than her sister to become part of the Malfoy family, which only added to Draco's pressure.
Although he knew his marriage likely wouldn't be his own choice, Draco still hoped to find someone within those constraints who truly matched him. And truth be told, Draco had never been lacking in female attention.
Among those who had stayed by his side, there was Pansy Parkinson nearby, and Daphne Greengrass from afar.
In fact, Draco initially had quite a good impression of Hermione as well, which is why he used to target her in all sorts of ways. But due to the opposing nature of their respective houses, those provocations gradually turned into hostility.
However, once Hermione changed houses, those childish excuses no longer held up. But by then, Draco realized Hermione already had someone in her heart—and no matter how outstanding he was, he couldn't compete with a professor at the same school, even if the man was merely a teaching assistant.
And now, someone had appeared—someone who laid all her cards on the table and was willing to obey his every word: Astoria Greengrass.
Would she be Draco's ideal partner? Would she truly share a connection with him, as she claimed?
Draco didn't know. But time would tell. They still had six more years together at Hogwarts.
"That's all for today. I'll keep an eye on you in the future."
Draco ended his conversation with Astoria, then left with his ever-present shadows, Crabbe and Goyle.
Astoria blinked, surprised that Draco had just walked off without even saying goodbye. But upon seeing the silently trailing Pansy Parkinson behind him, she quickly followed after them.
In one of the school's main corridors, a pile of bones had been dumped. Students and professors who had come after hearing the news had blocked both ends of the passage.
Professor Snape and a few other professors were inspecting the bones.
"There are many small animal bones in here, but no human remains."
Snape finally let out a sigh of relief and stood up to report to Dumbledore. After all, if any student had been eaten down to the bones, Hogwarts would have to be shut down—it would no longer be considered safe.
"Well then, Severus! Can you identify what kind of creature did this?"
"I'm afraid it was a snake, Headmaster."
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