The Admiral of Hogwarts

Neither Hugo nor Veneto had anticipated how quickly Hermione would make her decision. That very evening, after their training session, Hermione, who had been waiting in the common room, pulled them into a corner and told them she was willing to learn combat in exchange for keeping their secrets.

Considering that Hermione, while inclined to follow rules and authority, valued family and friendship even more, and was also a person who kept her promises, Hugo and Veneto finally agreed to let Hermione join their small combat training class.

However, unlike Hugo, who had been enhanced by his game avatar, Hermione's physical fitness was that of an ordinary 11-year-old girl. Therefore, her training was completely different from Hugo's and needed to start with basic physical exercises.

So, starting the next morning, Hermione was also woken up early by Veneto and joined Hugo and the others in their morning exercises around the castle. At first, she was clearly unaccustomed to it, but as time went on, Hermione gradually got used to this life of waking up early to exercise and learning combat on weekends.

Several weeks passed in this way. During this time, besides studying various subjects according to his plan, Hugo practiced combat with Veneto and the others, occasionally visited Hagrid, or chatted with Harry and the others. In short, everything was peaceful during this time, and no accidents occurred. Before they knew it, Christmas was fast approaching.

One morning in mid-December, Hogwarts awoke from its slumber to find itself covered in several feet of snow, and the lake frozen solid. The Weasley twins were punished for bewitching several snowballs to chase Quirrell and pelt him on the back of his turban.

Hugo expressed extreme admiration for the Weasley twins' actions because very few people dared to throw snowballs at Voldemort's face. Of course, Hugo also directed Veneto to surreptitiously throw a few snowballs at the back of Quirrell's head from a distance, earning himself 0.5 Fate Points.

When Hugo and the others braved the wind and snow to make their last visit to Hagrid's hut before Christmas, they found several owls staying there. Hagrid said that these owls were exhausted after delivering letters in such stormy weather and needed to rest before they could continue working.

"I heard you're all going home for Christmas," Hagrid said as he poured a pot of hot cocoa into Hugo and the others' cups before settling back into his large chair. "Then I wish you all a Merry Christmas."

"Thank you," Hugo said to Hagrid, taking a sip from his cup. "After all, this is the first time we've been away from home for so long, so we miss home as soon as the holidays start and want to go back and reunite with our families."

"Of course, I can understand that feeling," Hagrid said with an approving expression after hearing Hugo's words. "Having family by your side is a very good thing—"

Speaking of this, Hagrid turned his head to look out the window as if thinking about something. Hugo knew he was probably remembering his parents, who hadn't been with him for very long. After all, his parents were no longer around when he was expelled.

Seeing that Hagrid's mood was a little low, Hugo and the others quickly said goodbye to Hagrid and left the hut. On the way back to the castle, Hermione asked Veneto, "By the way, do you and Firefly have any plans for Christmas?"

After all, the relationship between Firefly and Veneto was not kept secret from anyone, and Hermione had dealt with Firefly quite a bit in the previous training sessions, so she would ask these questions at this time.

"I think we'll definitely stay in London with Sister Hood," Veneto said with a shrug. Although she didn't want to call Hood 'Sister,' she couldn't compare to Hood in terms of tonnage or other aspects, so she could only call her 'Sister' outside as arranged before.

"You and Firefly are in London for the holidays? That's great! I was thinking of going out to play with you during the holidays," Hermione seemed very happy after hearing that Veneto and the others would be staying in London during the holidays. After all, finding a friend she could get to know during the holidays was clearly something to be happy about.

Everyone at school was looking forward to the holidays, whether they chose to stay at school or go home. After finishing the last Potions class of the first semester that afternoon, everyone cheerfully rushed out of the classroom.

"Hi, Hugo, there's something I wanted to ask you," Veneto and Hermione looked at their watches and decided to go straight to dinner, while Hugo had something to do and was preparing to return to the Ravenclaw Tower. As a result, he heard someone calling out to him as soon as he climbed the stairs. Turning around, he found Harry hurriedly catching up the stairs, followed by Ron, who was inseparable from him.

"What's the matter, Harry?" Hugo asked, turning around with his textbooks in his arms. "I'm going home for Christmas, so I might not be able to help you if you have something to ask."

"Uh—I'm sorry," Harry felt that his approach might not be right after hearing Hugo's words, but he really had no other choice at this time. "I just hope you can help me look for information about Nicolas Flamel during the holidays. Really, just take a look when you have time, it doesn't matter if you can't find it."

"If that's the case, I think I can help you," Seeing Harry's anxious expression, Hugo realized that he must be desperate. Otherwise, someone like him, who basically didn't ask others for help, wouldn't have come to him. "Anyway, I have to read a lot of books during the holidays. If I find any information related to Nicolas Flamel, I'll definitely let you know."

"Then thank you so much," Harry said, shaking Hugo's hand and thanking him after hearing Hugo say he was willing to lend a hand during the holidays. "I'm glad you're willing to take the time to help me during the holidays."

The next morning, Hugo and Hermione ate breakfast as usual, then returned to their dormitories to finish packing their luggage. After all, today was the day for the students who were going home for Christmas to leave, and they needed to be prepared.

Unlike when they arrived, the train back to Platform 9 3/4 in London departed at 9:00 AM, so it wasn't too dark when they arrived in London. After exiting the platform, Hugo and Hermione happened to see their father chatting with Hood by the roadside.

Seeing Hugo and the others come out, Mr. Granger gave Hugo and his sister a warm hug, then waved goodbye to Hood and the others. However, before they got into their respective cars, Hood accepted the Granger family's invitation, saying that she would visit the Granger family during the holidays.

"Miss Hood is indeed not easy, so young but having to take care of two younger sisters who are not related to her by blood," Mr. Granger said on the way home. "In this situation, she was actually able to complete her studies at Cambridge and obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree. She's really amazing."

Sure enough, the uses of Fate Points were much more complicated than Hugo had previously imagined. It could even create an impeccable background for Hood, who had appeared out of nowhere, which made him even more interested in Fate Points.

But now, Hugo just wanted to go home quickly and enjoy a delicious dinner.