On Christmas afternoon, the sunlight was bright enough, shining on the snow-covered yard, where countless crystal-clear sparkles could be seen, like endless tiny diamonds.
Vid and his parents stood at the door; not far away, the church bell had just rung, and faintly came the voices of children singing Christmas carols—
"Hark! The herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled..."
"Dong! Dong!"
The sound of a cane tapping the ground came from afar, closer and closer. Ferdinand stepped forward, opened the door, and happily said:
"Alastor, you're here! I'm so glad you accepted my invitation!"
Moody walked into the yard from outside, the hem of his cloak still dusted with snowflakes. His magic eye and his normal eye simultaneously glanced at Vid, then he shook Ferdinand's hand forcefully and said in a deep voice:
"Thank you for inviting me to your Christmas dinner, Ferdinand."
Then he turned to Fiona, nodded, and said: "Fiona, you've arranged the holiday atmosphere just right."
"Thank you, Alastor!" Fiona said with a smile: "Come on in, dinner is ready!"
Moody nodded to Vid and said: "Haven't seen you for a while, Vid."
Vid smiled and said: "Welcome, Professor Moody."
But after taking two steps forward, Moody didn't immediately enter the house. Instead, he stood on the path with his cane, quickly scanning the fence, roof, windows, rose bushes, and even the drainpipes on the courtyard wall.
He squinted his eyes and roughly said: "This house... is different from before."
"Of course!" Fiona said: "We put a lot of thought into decorating for Christmas this year! Look at those colored lights and stickers; the whole family worked on them together."
Moody stared at the eaves and said: "It's indeed beautiful, but Fiona, I'm not talking about these decorations."
"Oh?" Fiona tilted her head in confusion.
Vid explained: "I've added some protective measures to this house."
Moody immediately looked at him and snorted: "No wonder... I felt something was off from outside. But if you ask me, you should've done this long ago!"
His gaze swept around again and he muttered: "Not bad, kid, really not bad! If I were still at Hogwarts, I'd give you fifty points!"
Despite the tough tone, it was a rare high praise from him.
Walking into the house, the warm air instantly enveloped everyone completely, the lights on the Christmas tree radiated dazzling brilliance, and the aroma of food seemed to seep into every pore.
Moody took off his cloak and hung it on the coat rack, while his magic eye spun rapidly in its socket.
When he saw the three little poppets above the fireplace clock, his mouth couldn't help but twitch, and the muscles on his shoulder stiffened for a moment.
He sat stiffly in the chair, his expression somewhat unnatural.
The dinner was unexpectedly abundant: golden crisp turkey surrounded by chestnut roast goose, aromatic honey-glazed ham, golden Yorkshire pudding, shiny roast potatoes, and creamy baked spinach.
A myriad of appetizers, salads, and dips were laid out, the desserts also looking tempting, with Christmas pudding, mincemeat pies, cream cake, various cookies, and chocolates piled high on the table.
Except for the turkey, which was basically a symbolic decoration, none of the other foods were for show.
Even though Alastor Moody was weathered by a life of constant vigilance to near indifference to material things, the sight of the Christmas dinner before him stirred a long-lost desire in his stomach, and his throat instinctively swallowed.
Beyond the rich and mellow aroma, the most captivating was the long-lost scene of life—
No scheming, no probing, no doubt about safety, and no cost calculation. Everyone around was filled with goodwill, their brows and eyes soft with warmth.
Moody's eating style was as straightforward and efficient as he was, barely speaking, seriously sampling each dish, with an impressive appetite.
After the meal, he didn't stay for a drink but stood up directly, holding his cane, and said:
"Thank you for the hospitality, Fiona, the cuisine was top-notch."
Fiona laughed and said: "I'm glad you liked it, Alastor."
Moody nodded to Fiona, then looked at Ferdinand and said, "I have to go, there's still some matters to handle."
Ferdinand said, "I'll walk you to the door, Alastor."
"No need." Moody waved his hand, and looking at Vid who was also standing up to see him off, said, "Let this kid walk me out. I want to have a word with him."
Vid softly said, "Okay, Professor Moody." He stepped forward, voluntarily helping Moody with his cloak.
The two of them walked out of the warm, bright living room to the porch, their breath forming white mists in front of them.
Moody didn't immediately walk down the steps. He stood at the doorway, with Magic Eye openly scanning the area, and gruffly murmured:
"Tsk, standing in this place now makes me feel uncomfortable, feels like there're eyes everywhere... well done, kid."
Vid smiled, "I knew you could see through it... Professor Moody, in your opinion, just how formidable of an enemy can my arrangements fend off?"
"Fend off?" Moody smirked, irritably saying, "I'm more curious how many could crawl out alive!"
Then he turned around, his eyes fixed on Vid.
A gust of wind blew by, dislodging snowflakes from the treetops and roof, which fell onto Moody's graying hair and scarred face.
He leaned slightly forward, and in a lowered voice, said, "Dumbledore gave me some hints— I hear he's temporarily put quite a load on your shoulders with matters in the United Kingdom?"
"I wouldn't say that." Vid modestly replied, "I simply know a bit more than others."
"A bit more?"
Moody snorted, muttering a curse at Dumbledore under his breath before continuing:
"Fifteen years old... under usual circumstances, I would have called that old fellow crazy! But since it's you... in the United States, even if the sky burst open, you'd manage to patch it up again, so I trust you'll do well here too."
"But don't push yourself, kid!" He reached out to pat Vid on the shoulder and said, "When you can't hold on, just seek help from Dumbledore; don't be afraid of mistakes, and don't think just because Dumbledore entrusted responsibility to you, that you have to do everything perfectly."
"Yes." Vid gratefully smiled and said, "Thank you, Professor Moody, I know what to do."
"Damn you know!!"
Moody eyed him sideways, demanding, "When the United States was in chaos, how much of it was on your hand? We were sent by Dumbledore to assist you, yet you only had us protect a few mirrors at the end?"
Moody's normal eye widened, angrily saying, "Do you think we're useless, or untrustworthy? Afraid we'd be a burden to you?"
"How could that be?" Vid earnestly said, "Quite the opposite, precisely because I know each member of the Order of Phoenix's capabilities and significance, I have always felt that the critical moment to need your power hasn't arrived yet."
Moody stared at him intently, questioning, "Then when, exactly, do you think is the 'critical moment'?"
Meeting Moody's scrutinizing gaze, Vid said, "Naturally... when real war is on the verge and I can't, nor dare to, face it alone."
"Sharp-tongued kid!"
Moody huffed, unsure if he was satisfied with the response, turning to walk down the steps and said without looking back:
"Remember what you just said! Just like last time, kid, contact us whenever you need, we're ready to act anytime! Don't let me wait cluelessly till death, and never get the chance to draw the Magic Wand!"
Vid calmly said, "It won't be long, Professor Moody."
Almost stepping out of the yard gate, Moody seemed as if something held him back, suddenly stopping to turn and look at Vid.
He scrutinized this seemingly frail figure of a young man, his gaze scanning Vid's slightly puzzled face, his straight back, and the house behind him resembling a dormant beast.
Finally, those calm eyes, like a reflection of the gray sky.
Moody hoarsely said, "You know, Vid. You now... with that look of seeing through everything, knowing everything, wanting to bear everything yourself... you're becoming more like Albus Dumbledore."
Pausing for a moment, his Adam's apple moved as he said:
"But don't learn from that old fellow... he's nothing worth learning from, and neither am I, of course!"
"We've had everything taken from us by the past. But you're different, you're still young. Don't live as an anchor stone too soon, forgetting how to love and be loved."
Vid never expected to hear such advice from the "constant vigilance" Moody, and immediately looked at him in astonishment.
But Moody probably wasn't used to saying such things, for as soon as he finished, he walked swiftly off, leaning on his cane, leaving only the crisp tapping sound of the cane on the ground.