The classroom buzzed with excited discussions, as people shuffled out in groups as usual, many wishing Harry a "Merry Christmas."
"Hey, Ron, Hermione." Harry called out to Ron and Hermione, "Dico asked me to let you know to go to the classroom a couple of doors down. There are some Christmas gifts prepared for you in there."
"Christmas gifts?" Ron's eyes widened like saucers, "Cool, uh... I mean, I love Christmas gifts! Merry Christmas, Harry!"
The two left happily, and everyone else wished Harry a Merry Christmas as they left the classroom.
Except for Annie, who remained in place as if frozen, wide-eyed, staring at Harry.
"Oops, forgot about you." Harry chuckled as he approached to release the magic spell on Annie.
"I suspect you did it on purpose!" Annie pouted, glaring at Harry, "Fixing me in the classroom like that. Has anyone ever told you, you're really naughty, Harry!"
"Well, now someone has." Harry shrugged, "Class is over; I think we should head back—"
After taking a few steps outside, he was pulled back by Annie.
Turning around, he noticed the mischievous sparkle in Annie's eyes.
"What's up?" Harry asked, puzzled.
"Nothing." Annie smiled with her hands behind her back, "Just remembered something amusing, like—"
She gestured upwards.
Harry looked up and saw the lush green mistletoe.
In Europe and North America, mistletoe holds rich cultural significance.
Before the rise of Christianity in Europe, mistletoe was generally seen as a representation of sacred male elements; after Christianity integrated with folklore, mistletoe became a Christmas decoration and symbol.
It gradually developed into a Christmas tradition: a woman under the mistletoe should accept a kiss from a man, and refusal would bring her bad luck.
But now, it clearly wasn't about Harry, the boy, kissing Annie.
"Don't you think you should do something, Harry?" Annie teased with a charming smile.
"Do what?" Harry swallowed, noticing Annie's moist lips.
"What should be done under the mistletoe?" Annie tilted her head, "Think about it; it's under the mistletoe, and I won't refuse you..."
Oh.
Harry understood.
Goodness, appearances can be deceiving...
So this is how you are, Annie!
He glanced around, seeing classmates walk out of the classroom until it was empty.
"I don't recommend doing this, Annie." Harry sighed, "You know, with Vivi, Cassandra, and Pabi..."
"Then why not add me?" Annie tilted her head, "I know, with Vivi or Kathy's personalities, those proud ones would never allow another woman to share you with them... But now the situation is different, everyone has crossed time for you, so they can put aside pride and grudges..."
"It's true." Harry nodded, acknowledging Annie made a fair point, "But..."
"You're worried about Sebastian?" Annie laughed, "Sebastian won't blame you for this, Harry—"
"I'm worried about you, Annie." Harry looked elsewhere, speaking gently, "Like I said earlier, with Vivi and the others around me, it might be something you can't accept."
"You're not me, how can you know I can't accept it?" Annie reached out to grab Harry's tie, "Stop talking, kiss me!"
Having gone this far, Harry felt it would be somewhat impolite to refuse.
He lowered his head and pressed his lips to Annie's soft lips.
Meanwhile, in another room decorated for Christmas, Ron and Hermione faced their own crisis.
"Mistletoe, huh..." Ron tried to speak, with both of their heads under a green mistletoe.
This was arranged by Harry, who had Dico decorate the nearby classroom in hopes of accelerating his friends' relationship.
"Yeah, mistletoe." Hermione hugged her books, lacking her usual agility.
She awkwardly looked at the green plant on the windowsill, her thoughts unknown.
After a while, it was Ron who broke the stalemate.
"Um."
"What?" Hermione asked.
"About the mistletoe." Ron licked his dry lips, "It's just... uh, I'm not sure if you Muggles have this rule, but in the Magic World, Wizards also regard mistletoe..."
Hermione, being perceptive, understood Ron's meaning. Blushing, she lowered her head and said, "Yes, Muggles do have this tradition."
"Then I..." Ron cleared his throat, speaking formally, "Since that's the case, under the mistletoe, you can't say no, Hermione..."
"I won't." Hermione replied, still blushing.
"Then," Ron placed his hands on Hermione's shoulders, "shall I begin?"
To anyone unaware, it might seem like Ron was about to give Hermione a massage.
Hermione closed her eyes and slightly raised her head.
Ron gulped, leaned forward, and didn't disappoint Hermione.
But then...
"Stop, stop!"
In the middle of the kiss, Hermione suddenly gasped, "You're doing it wrong, Ron. Are you trying to suffocate me? Listen—you're supposed to be gentler, yes... a bit slower."
This déjà vu...
Ron felt like he was back in Spell Class, with Hermione stopping him from waving his magic wand dangerously, warning him he'd poke someone's eyes out.
In hindsight, it was indeed quite amusing.
"Oh." Ron, feeling a bit foolish, let Hermione guide him to fulfill their sweet promise under the mistletoe.
Returning to the dormitory, Ron was still chuckling silly.
"What's up with him?" Seamus and Neville whispered.
"I don't know either." Harry decided not to expose Ron, "Maybe he found Golden Galleons, or maybe Umbridge really was turned into a pink toad?"
"Really?" Seamus suddenly lifted his head, hopeful, "I mean, Harry—did you finally take action?"
"Nope." Harry lazily rolled his eyes. "If I did, I'd definitely borrow Neville's Lafu."
"Why?" Neville asked, puzzled, "Why borrow my Lafu?"
"Lafu is a male toad, Neville, you know that." Harry drawled.
"And then?" Neville asked, confused.
"I've got it." Seamus slapped his hand, "That's a great idea, a really great idea—I wonder what Umbridge's reaction would be."
"I can't say." Harry spread his hands, adopting a detached attitude.
"Back to the main topic." Seamus glanced at Ron, "Guys, have you noticed Ron seems a bit off? It's like... um, can't quite describe it, like he's found something valuable."
"Could it be..." Harry looked at Ron with a grin, "Could it be Ron really found something valuable?"
"What kind of windfall?!" Seamus and Neville's interest piqued.
Such gossip was hard for classmates to resist.
"Ron?" Harry called out, glancing at Ron.
Ron snapped back, wiping his mouth.
"Huh? What's wrong?" he asked.
"Seamus and Neville are curious about what windfall you found." Harry laughed, "I think the person involved should elaborate, rather than me. Right?"