Every weekend, Charlie would take Harry to Hogsmeade, trying to catch the big black dog at the Shrieking Shack.
Charlie was certain that the big black dog was Sirius; he had secretly learned Animagus and never revealed it.
After Halloween, students above the third year could all go to Hogsmeade.
To avoid exposure, Harry would wear his invisibility cloak in crowded places.
He would only take it off in secluded areas in the wilderness, specifically lingering there to try and attract Sirius.
But Sirius seemed to have completely disappeared.
The last time he showed up at Hogwarts, he ripped the fat lady's portrait, causing a huge commotion.
Now, he was probably worried that Charlie would connect the Black dog to him, so he never appeared near the Shrieking Shack again.
Until close to Christmas, Charlie still hadn't found any trace of the big black dog.
On the last weekend before the holiday, Charlie realized that Sirius was very unlikely to return to the Shrieking Shack.
So, he decided not to wait there today, but to have a good look around Hogsmeade.
During breakfast that morning, Ron was feeding Scabbers dried meat.
Charlie glanced at the rat and paused.
Scabbers, who was originally quite plump, was now as thin as a stick, with several patches of fur missing, revealing pink skin.
His eyes bulged, and the entire rat looked like it was about to die.
"Is your rat dying?" Charlie asked, frowning.
Ron sighed and placed the dried meat at Scabbers' mouth.
Scabbers sniffed it, took a tiny, weak bite, and chewed slowly.
"It's all Hermione's cat's fault," Ron glared at Hermione.
"That monster stares at Scabbers every day, scaring him into this state."
Hearing this, Hermione immediately pulled her cat's head into her embrace and said, huffily,
"Crookshanks isn't a monster, and he wouldn't eat your rat."
"There's plenty for him to eat in the Castle; your rat isn't appealing at all."
"Regardless, Scabbers was still scared by him."
"That's because your rat is too timid!"
The two argued more and more fiercely, and the surrounding students began to look over.
Charlie silently moved aside, staying further away from these two powder kegs.
Harry sat next to Ron, trying to mediate.
"That's enough, stop arguing."
Ron huffily stuffed Scabbers into his pocket; Scabbers struggled for a moment, then slumped limply again.
"Poor Scabbers, you should rest well in the dormitory today; I won't take you out."
Charlie, Ron, and Hermione followed the crowd out of the Castle and headed towards Hogsmeade.
Ernie and Justin also walked beside Charlie.
Harry, wearing his invisibility cloak, took another secret passage alone.
Before leaving, he had agreed with Charlie to meet at Honeydukes.
The snow fell heavier and heavier, with goose-feather-like snowflakes falling everywhere. Not long after, Charlie's hair and shoulders were covered in a layer of white.
Ron hunched his neck, wrapping his scarf tighter.
"This weather is deadly."
Hermione breathed out, and her warm breath condensed into white mist in the air.
"Let's go quickly; it'll be warm inside the shop."
At the entrance of Hogsmeade village, several students gathered around a notice board, pointing and gesticulating.
Charlie walked over and glanced at it.
The notice board displayed an announcement from the Ministry of Magic, with golden edges on the parchment, making it look very official.
"Ministry of Magic Order: Dementors will patrol the streets of Hogsmeade after sunset. All patrons are requested to finish their shopping before sunset. Additionally, if a big black dog is seen, please inform the Ministry of Magic immediately."
Ernie whispered, "Charlie drove the Dementors out of the school, so they arranged for the Dementors to be in Hogsmeade. Honestly, if the Dementors could catch Black, he wouldn't have escaped from Azkaban."
The group of five walked into Hogsmeade; the houses on both sides of the street were covered in thick snow, and icicles hung from the eaves.
Warm light shone from the shop windows, and people came and went in the shops.
They waited for a while at Honeydukes, then heard Harry's voice from the air beside them.
"I'm here, where are we going?"
Ernie and Justin were a bit surprised; it was their first time seeing Harry's invisibility cloak.
Hermione rubbed her hands, shivering from the cold.
As a girl, she felt the cold more easily in such weather.
"Let's go to the Three Broomsticks pub and have something warm to drink."
Ron nodded vigorously.
"Good idea."
Pushing open the pub door, a wave of heat rushed out.
The pub was packed with people; the noisy chatter, laughter, and clinking of glasses blended together.
The fire in the fireplace was burning brightly, making the entire pub warm and cozy.
Charlie looked towards the bar.
Behind the bar stood a woman with long golden hair casually tied back, a graceful figure, pouring drinks for customers.
Ron said from the side,
"That's Madam Rosmerta, the landlady of the pub. You guys find a seat, I'll go order the drinks."
Charlie and the others found an empty table and sat down. Ron voluntarily went to the bar and ordered six warm butterbeers.
When he returned, Ron's face was a bit red, and his eyes kept darting towards the bar.
Charlie raised an eyebrow at him.
Doesn't this kid like men? Why is he blushing when he sees an older sister?
Could it be that this kid plays for both teams? Not simple.
Charlie picked up his glass and took a sip.
The warm butterbeer slid down his throat, warming him all over.
"Merry Christmas," Charlie raised his glass.
"Merry Christmas!" The others also raised their glasses.
Harry's voice came from the air, and his glass floated in mid-air, looking a bit eerie, but no one noticed this scene.
At this moment, the pub door suddenly pushed open, and a blast of cold wind rushed in.
Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick walked into the pub, followed by Hagrid.
Minister Fudge was also there, talking to several Professors.
Harry's glass trembled, almost spilling.
After all, he was restricted from leaving school, and it would be bad if a teacher found him.
He instinctively wanted to shrink back but quickly realized he was wearing an invisibility cloak.
Why panic?
Professor McGonagall walked to the bar and ordered some drinks.
Fudge and Hagrid also followed.
They said something to Madam Rosmerta, which made her cover her mouth and chuckle softly.
Then Madam Rosmerta, holding drinks with them, walked straight to the table next to Charlie and sat down.
Professor McGonagall saw Charlie and nodded.
"Oh, Charlie, good to see you."
"Professor McGonagall," Charlie responded politely.
Professor Flitwick also waved at Charlie, smiling.
When Hagrid sat down, the chair let out a groan.
After the Professors and Minister Fudge sat down, they began to converse in low voices.
Charlie held his glass, his peripheral vision scanning them.
Fudge was there; maybe he could hear some news about Black.
He put down his glass, pulled out his wand, and lightly tapped it under the table.
He cast a Spell on his ears, allowing himself to hear what they were saying.
[Your Majesty is eavesdropping on your officials, tyrant points +10]
The system's voice rang in his mind, and Charlie's lips curved slightly.
Hermione happened to see this scene. She first looked at Charlie, then at the Professors at the next table, and with her understanding of Charlie, she immediately understood.
She lowered her voice:
"Charlie, don't do that. Eavesdropping on Professors is going too far."
Ron's eyes lit up.
"Eavesdropping on Professors? That's so cool, Charlie, I want to listen too."
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