"Come on, Ron. It's just like your normal, everyday chess."

"It will be if it bloody moves on its own! Which one's the pawn again?"

Currently, Harry and Ron were an extremely serious conversation over a new game that Xing have just introduced them to a few days ago. The duo's voice echoes through the increasingly empty spaces in the dining halls as many students were preparing to leave for the holidays.

"Would you like some help professor?" Meanwhile, the figure of the tall girl was situated near the dozens of evergreen trees floating all over the hall. Standing next to her was the Charms professor.

Professor Flitwick who was busy with unravelling a knot in this year's garlands perked up at Xing's question. "Of course, Ms. Forest. Things would certainly flow much faster with your help."

Xing happily grinned, casting a simple spell to relieve Professor Flitwick out of the trail of garland that he was making. Once finished, Xing scanned the heaps of decorations that were already put out. "Instead of doing a color theme for this year, why don't we break tradition for a bit? The green and blue decorations are getting a bit crusty." Xing turned a blind eye on the hidden meaning of this.

"What do you have in mind then?" Though awkward, Professor Flitwick was willing to listen to Xing's ideas.

Xing crouch down to touch the ornaments that were starting to lose their shine. "We'll use all of them."

"How?"

"Dear professor, Christmas is the time of reunion, in order to show that across the dining hall, we will decorate a tree a specific color, representing a color of each house and place them around the hall."

"Interesting, Ms. Forest but unfortunately, I do not think we have enough time to do so."

Xing's grin only grew wider, "Don't worry, Professor, I have just the right people we need." With that, Xing turns her head towards the Gryffindor table, specifically the three first years that she have gotten the opportunity to get closer to.

As she approaches the table, the clearer their conversations became. "That's the whole point, Ron. We need to do during this time?" The voice of the only girl in the trio traveled through the space.

"You can't expect us to tell her that!" Followed by the only pureblood.

"You're not telling her anything, you're convincing her."

"You're telling me to convince the Xing F--" Finally, concluding with the only mystery Hogwarts could not answer.

"Convince me about what?" Stopping behind Hermione, who was towering over Harry, Xing looked down at the increasingly panicked expressions of the trio.

Hermione was the first to snap out of the minuscule panic attacks that they were all sharing, but not for good reason. She hurriedly grabbed the books that she had placed on the table. "Looks like the train is leaving soon. Have fun." Turning back, Hermione made the initiative to hug Xing which she amusedly reciprocated. "Of course, spend loads of time with your family. Send me an owl if you have any questions when you're reading the books."

"Will do!" Without as much as a second glance, Hermione sprinted out of the dining hall.

Waiting for the girl's shadow to disappear into the corridors, Xing turn her attention back to the duo. Xing smile, calm taking a seat next to Harry. "Now, what was it that you were talking about?"

Seeing how close they were, Harry scoot a bit farther away but the action was quick to enter Xing's line of sight. "And why are you moving away?"

Harry nervously grin, "Nothing."

Xing glanced down at the play they were currently playing. "Either way, just in time, I wanted to talk to you both either ways."

Ron light up, "Just the two of us?"

Xing shrug, "With Hermione, preferably, but she left."

Though a bit flatten out by the comment, Ron continue pushes on. "Well, what did you want to talk about."

Xing props her hands on the table, closing the gap between the two. Tempted by her actions, the duo quickly did the same. "What you are planning?"

Harry jumped up at her words, anxiously pulling at the hem of his shirt, "What are you talking about?"

"Yeah, Xing, what are you talking about?" Ron backed him up.

Contrary to their anticipation, Xing only smiled before pushing herself up. "That's a topic for another time. Now, Professor Flitwick is in very dire assistance of some helping hands on decorating the Christmas trees. Think you have it in you to help him?" She pointed at the professor who was busy picking which ornaments would best adorn the tree he was working on.

And with that, the three went to where Xing previously pointed to and did their best to decorate the hall. Finally satisfied with the aesthetics of the dining hall, Xing happily let the two first years off.

After everything has settled and leftover decor being put back into the storage, Xing left the hall, hoping to catch the last glances of the leaving train. As Hogwarts enter the Winter months, the snow have gradually become much thicker and harder to walk through.

Her boots crunch down onto the snowy pathway that led to the station. Despite the slight snowing, Xing could make out the figures that were bunched up together, one giddily waving at her while the other was quite the opposite.

"What took you so long, Forest?" Dion grumpily mumbled out.

"Apologies, something came up."

"We thought that you wouldn't make it."

Xing grin, coming close to embrace Aella. "I made it in the end, didn't I? That's what's important."

Aella rolls her eyes at Xing's attempt on comforting her, "Of course, Forest, affectionate as always." Which she responded with an awkward smile before moving away.

"If we talk about affection, shouldn't we also mention Mr. Auclair?" Xing was quick to switch the target. "Come here." That, unfortunately, did so much to further motivate the boy from the physical affection. However, he was also as quick to give in before coming closer to give Xing a hug.

"Don't be in too much trouble, Forest."

"Don't worry. If I'm in trouble, so will you both." Xing cross her hand to emphasize her point. "Focus on healing that broken nose will you? You don't look good with a crooked nose." As if on cue, Aella cracked out a laugh.

Previously, a quidditch match have been held between Slytherins and Hufflepuff. While it was a good game, it was also aggressive--which was mostly initiated by the Slytherins. During the last few moments of the game, a blunger slammed right into the centre of Dion's face, resulting in a broken nose. The injury have already healed for the most part due to Madam Pomfrey's experienced skill but Xing was not about to pass out on the opportunity to tease the bonkers out of him.

"Stop it, Forest." Dion tiredly grumbled out. Meanwhile, Aella was just having the best time of her school year laughing about it. "I can't imagine you with a crooked nose."

In those moments, Xing and Dion shared a stare before ending off with a nod. "Right, it's about time. I'll send you both off here."

"Don't miss us too much."

Xing chuckled, "Don't worry, we'll all be busy. Before we know it, the holidays will be over."

Sharing the final glances, the group of friends departed. With them being checked out from her mental list of those she should greet, she was down to her last person. She have already greeted the young Malfoy, of course, without a few back-handed statements along the way. Overall, it went fairly decent. Draco was feeling much more relaxed now that Slytherin have scored a win against Hufflepuff. While it was amusing to watch Draco ranting to his peers about how unfair the previous match the their house participated in, it was much more pleasant for her mental state of mind to watch him be content and brag about the win. Anything to relieve any pressure off her mind.

Afterwards, she also met with Oliver. Aside from their Quidditch-related conversations, they also shared their plans for the holidays. Oliver, was of course going to spend loads of time on strategic plans for his team as well as study for the upcoming semester. Meanwhile, Xing was going to be buried in the piles of books that she could get her hands on. Sounds like the perfect plan to be excited in the warmth of the fireplace while enjoying a hot mug of hot cocoa or tea.

"Xing, there you are!" An excited but slightly out of breath voice fly through the air from behind her.

Turning out, she was met with a hurriedly looking badger that was wrapped in what looks to be dozen layers of clothes. The sight made her chuckled. "Hello to you too."

As Cedric Diggory comes closer, his steps also slowed down. "Looks like you're well prepared for the winter."

"It's because the coat's thick."

"Of course, Sunny boy , whatever you say. Need to make sure your back is properly cushioned for the long ride."

Like Dion, Cedric was also injured during their match.

"Stop with the teasing, Forest." Cedric playfully rolls his eyes, using Xing's last name to emphasize his point.

Xing brings her hand up to cover the overly dramatic gasp she was making, "What do you mean? I'm concern as the person who caught you before further damage could be made and carried you to--" Cedric blush, hands coming out to block anymore noises from coming out.

Unintentionally, Cedric's hands also came into contact with Xing's lips. The poor face was becoming more red by the moment, hands clumsily moving away. "I get it, Forest. Stop with the teasing."

Seeing his awkward look, Xing broke out into a laugh. Cedric, who was also tensed also relax along with the waves of Xing's laughter. "You seem more relaxed nowadays."

The comment made Xing's laugh halter, she looked at Cedric for a few moments before turning around and looking at the white sky. "Of course, it's the holidays after all."

Extending her hands out, Xing opens her palm to touch the snowflakes that was falling from the sky. In the almost empty station, Cedric also followed Xing's movements. "That's a good thing."

Xing chuckled, "Of course it is." As the two stand in peaceful silence, Cedric noticed the redness that have started blooming on Xing's cheeks and nose. Quietly, the Hufflepuff unravel his scarf from his neck before wrapping it around Xing's. At this intimate distance, it was hard for Cedric to ignore the warm breath of Xing fanning into his neck. To defend himself, Cedric hurriedly wrap the scarf around, and step back to a safe distance.

"Better stay warm."

"Thank you."

Cedric nervously fidget his fingers, hidden under the cover of creating friction for more warmth. "Look at the time, the train's about to depart."

Xing calmly look at the time before nodding in agreement, "Of course, have a nice trip."

Cedric happily nodded before rushing on to the train.

Once the train have left, Xing took her time to return to the castle. From afar, she could properly admire the sight of the ancient castle slowly being covered in snow. She must admit, it's quite the sight.

Going back to the dungeon, Xing was greeted with the calming space of greenery and warmth coming from the fireplace. Plopping herself on her bed, she cuddle Yueyue as the warmth lures her into sleep.

"It's just the two of us now."

____

Hi, it's Mint here. We're finallying approaching the rise in climax. Im planning to complete the first book in about ten chapters or so. I hope you all will continue to support me.

I have a few questions:

After the first book, would it be better to continue to the second in this book or create a new one for every book. Which one is more convenient for you all? 🌿 🍵