The first day of the holiday wasn't the actual day of the Christmas break. Once Sirius dropped Harry off at home, he hurriedly left to return to the Ministry of Magic to battle with Fudge... no, to go to work.
After all, the takeover of the Ministry of Magic had not yet succeeded, so Sirius still needed to make an effort.
Annie rented a place not too far from Harry's; smartly, she didn't choose the eye-catching next door, which would definitely grab the attention of the European Vinegar King.
That afternoon, Pabi arrived at Number 12 Grimmauld Square, to spend the holiday with Harry.
"I still don't get it." Pabi, sitting on the couch, swinging her pale little legs, said, "Why do we wizards even celebrate Christmas? We don't believe in Jesus Christ. Look, even in Diagon Alley, there's ...
"Crucifix?" Annie was puzzled by what that was.
"Cross," Harry quickly explained. "You see, Jesus was crucified on it, wasn't he?"
Annie held back and held back, but finally, she couldn't help it and burst out laughing.
"We'll have a few more people celebrating with us this year," Sirius winked at Harry during dinner, "I have to say, my old friend Moon Face, he has finally fallen in love..."
"Professor Lupin has fallen in love?" Harry immediately looked up.
Annie was a bit confused as she didn't know who Lupin was—when Lupin was teaching at Hogwarts, she was still asleep in some little secret realm.
"Yeah, every dog has his day." Sirius remarked with a double entendre—after all, in some way, a werewolf is also like a dog, "And you might not believe it, but Lupin's girlfriend is Hufflepuff's Tonks—Nifadora Tonks, although she doesn't like being called by her name, make note of that."
Harry was no longer that innocent teenager; he knew that the word "Nifadora" didn't have the best connotations, referring either to a nymphomaniac or to a pusillanimous person.
No one would want to be called that, right?
"Alright, got it, Sirius," Harry shrugged.
"By the way," Sirius asked, "how's school going now? I heard the Twenty-Fifth Education Order just got passed, is that true?"
"She's still struggling in vain," Harry stirred his mashed potatoes, "but she's like a grasshopper after the autumn, not much longer to go."
Well, she's like a pustule on Banban's tail, not much pus left.
"I say, Harry!"
An empty portrait suddenly displayed Phineas's face, "You should've driven that Umbridge out ages ago! Ha! Where's the courage you had when you drank the Polyjuice Potion to impersonate me? Listen, don't let her steal my title of the most unpopular person!"
"Why are you so fixated on that title?" Harry asked, exasperated.
"Infamy is still fame," Phineas laughed heartily, "Anyway, get rid of her, will you? Consider it a request from an old friend..."
"I will, Phineas," Harry nodded politely.
He then turned to Sirius and asked, "So, speaking of Phineas, I have a question for you—actually, a question Phineas once raised."
"What question?" Sirius suddenly felt a bit uneasy.
"When are you getting married?" Harry asked with a grin, "Look, even Professor Lupin has found his love, are you planning to stay single forever?"
"Oh, don't bring up Remus," Sirius rolled his eyes, "Tonks is not of the same generation as us, technically speaking, Tonks's mother is my cousin—Andromeda Black, now known as Andromeda Tonks."
Harry remembered how Sirius had once talked about the erased names on their family tree, mentioning Andromeda.
Andromeda was quite similar to Sirius in her rebellious spirit, daring to challenge the family's traditions and rules, pursuing her happiness and love. This trait was fully evident in her marriage to Ted Tonks.
Despite facing pressure and opposition from her family, she firmly chose to be with Ted, facing future challenges and difficulties together.
Andromeda was always filled with kindness and sympathy toward others, earning the respect and affection of many in the family, especially Sirius, who spoke of her with some reverence when mentioning his cousin.
Even after losing the family's protection, she maintained her independence and dignity, providing solid support and protection for her family.
"Never mind," Harry shrugged, "after all, she's your niece, not Professor Lupin's—"
Sirius snorted through his nose and didn't respond.
The night before Christmas, gifts began arriving at Number 12 Grimmauld Square.
That evening, Vivi and Cassandra arrived together, followed by Jemma Farrell.
Miss Farrell was holding some files, looking slightly distracted, seemingly thinking about Ministry matters.
"Harry."
Upon seeing Harry, Vivi stepped forward to give him a hug.
"Merry Christmas, half a day early." She smiled mischievously and winked at Harry.
"Oh," Harry responded, "Merry Christmas to you too—and Kathy." He didn't forget Cassandra.
On hearing this, Cassandra's mouth curved up slightly, her eyes rolling as she shot Harry a big white-eyed look.