This is what Ravenclaw looks like..

Chapter 234 Christmas Gift
"This job is really not for humans..."

Andrew sighed - he had just finished planning the menu for Christmas dinner, and all he had to do was decorate.

But here comes the problem. According to past records, even the elves didn't need to do this job. It was Professor McGonagall who asked Professor Flitwick to do it.

Can…

'Dean? I'm crazy for bringing this trouble upon myself!'

Andrew closed the record angrily and prepared to do it himself - the Christmas tree was arranged, Hagrid provided it, which was not a big problem, but the decorations...

"Oh my god, if I do this by myself, I'll be exhausted, right?"

And a big problem is that he is not that good at decorative deformation - this thing requires a careful look, and it cannot be spread out with area casting, otherwise he will be fooled.

"Practice slowly on your own? That's fine, but can I let Dumbledore handle the documents? What a joke..."

"It's really too late. It seems that I can only trick others. The power of one person is limited, but the power of a group is limited..."

-

【notify:

Two days before Christmas, the school will hold a "Wizard Chess Tournament" event, and the winning college will have the right to decorate the school auditorium for Christmas this year. 】

This frivolous notice was posted on the notice board, but the signature and seal below were incredibly authentic.

"It's not Quidditch but Wizard Chess."

"Yeah, a duel is fine, playing chess is a bit boring... I don't know who the referee will be..."

"Wizard chess is not good? Your academy is not afraid of it?"

"Afraid? It's obviously that Taylor who let their school down!"

"If you can't play, just say so. There's no need to make excuses... Not many Ravenclaws know how to play chess..."

After a burst of noise, the crowd dispersed - and went back to prepare for the game.

That being said, since we couldn't get the decoration event for the College Cup, it would be great to try it now - it doesn't matter how many people are left behind, as this thing can be crushed with just one chess king.

-

"A duel is impossible. I can't even watch over it. Quidditch and Thunderbolt Explosion cards are not possible either. Wizard chess at least doesn't require too strong a guard. I've asked Professor Adams to make a permanently deformed trophy with some materials, and then have Dumbledore sign it. I can add more materials during the decoration event and it'll be done..."

"As for the event, Principal Baojiao said he is in charge, so don't worry..."

"Performance activities, it seems that there has been no such example in previous years, don't worry about it..."

"The elves are in charge of the castle cleaning and the banquet..."

"That's about it. The alchemical shrinking of the new lamp hasn't been completed yet, so it can't be used yet..."

"That's it... Oh, by the way, I still have to send the congratulatory letter to the Ministry of Magic, and, um, those schools... I have to make arrangements, and I have to get Dumbledore to at least sign it, otherwise it would be too embarrassing..."

"worn out…"

He packed up a bunch of things, then sighed and closed the door to Dumbledore's office.

"By the way, what is Dumbledore doing? Slacking off? No, he said he would give me the job, but he doesn't seem to be stopping at all..."

"Forget it, I'll go back to studying that piece of wood. I don't care about anything other than my strength..."

-

"Taylor's not here?"

"There is a professor who is in charge."

Perhaps they were a little bored, so almost all the students who stayed in school came to the scene - ten chessboards were placed there, and all the class leaders who stayed in school were invited to patrol. With the addition of a referee, it could barely be considered a decent game.

After all, the rules of Wizard Chess are there, the number of players is registered, and it’s a single elimination system, so there are basically no problems.

The basic meaning is that three people were eliminated because of casting evil curses on their opponents, and after the game, one person was so dirty that he was sent to the school hospital.

However, after a difficult choice, the Hufflepuff students won - among those who stayed in school, there happened to be a student with excellent chess skills.

No one even felt unconvinced - because he defeated the last opponent with a huge advantage.

So the cheerful Hufflepuffs almost jumped up and down as they dragged their champion to get the materials - to decorate the auditorium, this kind of honor was something they hadn't experienced in a long time!
-

"Take a break from your busy schedule and take a nap..."

Andrew didn't even care about the outcome of the competition - he just needed someone to decorate the auditorium, any color would do.

The amount of documents these days is really too much, and his work and rest schedule can hardly cope with it. Fortunately, there will be no problem after Christmas. If Professor McGonagall comes back, the workload will be reduced to normal in an instant.

"Tomorrow I just need to calculate the expenses and get the principal's signature. It's not a big job, and I can even watch the winners decorate and take a break... I won't have any work to do the day after tomorrow because of the holiday... It's a perfect arrangement..."

Stretching, Andrew suddenly thought of a problem - damn, he hadn't prepared any Christmas cards or gifts!

"It's too late tomorrow. No, I have to leave school now to buy... the leave slip... Oh, by the way, you don't need to approve it. I will take care of it myself..."

He had originally planned to care about the results of the game, but now it seemed impossible - he hurried to Dumbledore's office, then directly borrowed the Floo Network and flew towards Diagon Alley.

-

"Yes, yes, that's it over there, a very perfect decoration, just do it like that!"

Andrew walked among the Hufflepuffs, feeling comforted when he saw each student was full of energy.

Throwing away the last bit of his guilty conscience, he began to experience Dumbledore's happiness.

"Great, that's the Transfiguration. Make the ribbons better. It's beautiful!"

He paced back and forth, doing nothing at all - or so the Hufflepuffs watched him to prevent him from interfering if he so desired.

They had fought so hard to gain this power!
Thanks to our chess king!

"That's it. Very good. I'll go look somewhere else, the castle's armor and stuff. Mr. Filch has complained about it many times..."

Andrew said with a big smile on his face, and left the motivated Hufflepuff.

As for his own academy - it was a bit frustrating yesterday, but he was not blamed.

Using an intellectual game like Wizard Chess for selection is already a form of letting people down - what else can you say if you can't beat them?
'The situation is very good!'

And there were no flags this time - the defeated houses started piling up snowmen and signs in front of the castle, trying to grab the exterior decorations, and Hufflepuff just assigned someone to carve a simple one and then ignored them.

There were no problems with the elves and Filch either.

Andrew also asked his own owl and the owls from the college to take out the Christmas presents in batches. In short, everything was ready and they were just waiting for Christmas to come.

-

"Today, I'll sleep in... After all, it's New Year's Eve here..."

Andrew rarely woke up and didn't go out for a run, so he slept for another hour.

He was extremely tired during this period.

After waking up, Andrew, feeling energetic again, stretched his body, looked at his pile of gifts, then blinked and looked again.

No?

Why does it feel a bit high?

He hurried over and decided to return anything of high value - damn it, he was doing odd jobs at school, not working for the Ministry of Magic!
"Well, this is..."

A Hufflepuff? A candy bar?
Can…

Another Hufflepuff student?
chocolate?
Okay... After opening more than a dozen gifts and finding that they were all Hufflepuff snacks, Andrew sighed - damn it, no, he really didn't do anything for personal gain!

But candy couldn't be considered a bribe, so he sighed and accepted it all.

Then, the next package.

Singing the devil’s advocate???

Um... that's fine.

He put it aside and continued to open another portion. This time it was, well, this one was good, it wasn't even melted. It was a portion of lemon-flavored ice cream, which was especially delicious to eat around the fireplace in winter!

He happily opened the package, then opened the next one, and then felt terrible.

It's another hardcover feather pen set, but the final feather is changed from phoenix to thunderbird - damn it, why are you rushing to submit manuscripts during the holidays?

"Fortunately, the name used in the communication magic there is not a pseudonym..."

"What is this? Um, um, this is——"

He opened the package and checked the name. Sure enough, it was his roommate. It was perfect, a precious card that he didn't have!
It turns out that only our own family members understand.

The other roommates also gave just the right gifts, but the one that Andrew remembers most was the gift from Dumbledore—a very special magic pocket watch, but its function was not marked.

'We'll do it later...'

He finally counted the presents and found that the hardest ones in the pile belonged to Hagrid - those rock biscuits looked like they could smash the ground.

"Besides those gifts, I have already sent them... so have the other friends from the other colleges. There is also a letter about a gift that needs to be replied... Huffman, you are indeed different."

Andrew sighed, gave up saying anything extra, and began to write his reply on the table.

Huffman's letter, the first one they had corresponded since the training, really made Andrew take it very seriously - he wrote about his good results in the training camp and expressed his vision for the future. He was so eager to share that Andrew couldn't help but reply immediately.

[Dear Huffman;
I am very happy to receive your letter... (a long paragraph of greetings about your health)...

(A long paragraph of blessings and praise for Huffman's adventure)...

Thanks to you, I am doing well in school. I just do those things every day, except that I am a little tired...

The first-grade kids are still naughty and playful. Nothing has changed much from when you left. There is nothing much to say about my personal experience. If I have to say something, it would be those bad things that are widely circulated in the school.

The only thing I can mention is the adventure, but unfortunately, I didn't make any outstanding contribution. I just got that opportunity by chance.

I hope you can do the same in the future. To be honest, I really look forward to you taking risks like that...

Your friend
Andrew Taylor

With a smile that could not be wiped off, Andrew sealed the envelope and began to imagine the scene of Huffman cursing after receiving the letter. This was really too funny.

After getting dressed and putting away his gifts, Andrew prepared to go out to mail the letter.

-

"It's amazing! The Hufflepuffs are so happy... Why isn't that guy Ron here? His house was robbed!"

There were wails from the Gryffindor table.

They originally had a chance, because Ron was recognized as the best chess player in the house, but unfortunately the Weasley family had gone back home to celebrate Christmas.

This makes people feel very uncomfortable, especially when seeing a pair of decorations.

Fortunately, the full gems in the scoring hourglass make people feel very reassured - if nothing unexpected happens, they can win the College Cup this year, and the celebration scene at that time may be even more grand.

However, the sumptuous Christmas dinner made everyone's worries disappear, especially since there were not many cups to give out this time - forget it, Hufflepuff decorations are Hufflepuff, they are better than Slytherin's.

But even the Slytherins were not too angry now - the Gryffindors had had so much fun cleaning the toilets these days, and they didn't win, which made people feel more at ease.

The only person who looked weird was the Ravenclaw.

Andrew wanted very much to draw his wand at this moment, but he couldn't.

The reason was very simple, because Dumbledore specially thanked him in his speech before the banquet - Damn it, dear headmaster, you are roasting me on the fire!
I can't even sit at this table!
If the food in front of him wasn't so tempting, Andrew would have wanted to leave - he had finally settled down and eaten his fill.

"Some firecrackers!"

As Dumbledore spoke, a pile of specially made firecrackers piled up in front of everyone. Andrew packed them up with a single spell. He couldn't stay any longer, so he took the firecrackers back to study them and see if there was any difference...

But soon after he left the seat, he was stopped.

"Professor Black? Aren't you taking leave until after Christmas?"

Andrew looked at Sirius curiously.

"Harry still likes the crowded scene here at school," said Sirius, but his expression was not very good, which made Andrew a little suspicious.

"The school is indeed lively. They are setting off firecrackers over there. When did you come back, Professor?"

"This morning, I just arrived..."

Sirius said, then took a deep breath.

"That's, um...reward..."

He pushed a box over and handed it to Andrew.

???

I've already refused once, Professor Black...

Andrew sighed and prepared to quietly refuse again.

After all, he is a professor. I can't speak too loudly and lose face for him.

But something happened that puzzled him. Dumbledore's voice suddenly came over, "Here, Taylor..."

???

Andrew was stunned for a moment, but he tried to act as if nothing had happened.

Principal, you are kidding me?
But he couldn't say it directly now, so he could only pretend to be calm and wait for the next instruction.

"Take it. I witnessed it."

...

Ok.

Andrew sighed, “Okay, if you insist, but we have no relationship for a long time, never had it.”

Sirius nodded frantically, then ran off with a red face.

Andrew was left with a surprised look on his face, waiting for Dumbledore to speak.

"If you don't accept it, my new professor will probably be troubled by it all day long... Consider it as the gift you brought him out of Azkaban."

Dumbledore sighed, "Ghosts don't always spread useful things, but after you take it, I think he will be more restrained in the castle in the future."

"It just so happens that you can use it during this period of time. After you use it, I will help you return it at the end of the school year - by then he will probably be more mature..."

Wait, Headmaster, did you deliberately force me to leave? And this box...did you discuss it with Sirius's ancestor and ask him to bring it over?

Andrew was very skeptical, but thought about the Astronomy Tower...

'Never mind, I don't know what happened.'

(End of this chapter)