Chapter 620 Preparations For The Ball

"Dobby, what are you doing?" Evan quickly backed away from the elf. "Do not lie down near me again!"

"Dobby is sorry, Master Evan!" Dobby squeaked anxiously, retreating with his long fingers over his mouth. "Dobby just wanted to wish Master Evan a 'Merry Christmas' and bring a gift."

"It's alright, everything's fine," Evan said, gradually catching his breath.

He got up from the bed. In the dim light, he saw a large pile at the foot of his bed, all Christmas gifts.

Dobby stood nervously by Evan's bed, still concerned about having upset Evan.

He was quite possibly the quirkiest house-elf in the world, wearing socks on one after the other, the outer pair in such festive colors that they reached up his shorts-clad legs. He wore the clothes Evan had given him some time ago, and a Christmas bauble tied to the bow on top of his tea cozy.

"May Dobby give Master Evan his gift?" he squeaked shyly.

"Of course you can!" Evan ruffled his head. "I have a gift for you too!"

He took a wrapped box from his own bedside table, inside of which were gloves he had bought especially for Dobby.

"Master Evan is so generous, so noble, so selfless! You have given Dobby clothing and now you are giving Dobby a pair of gloves!" unwrapping the package, Dobby danced with joy, "This is exactly what Dobby needs..."

"Well, they're just gloves!" Evan said, inspecting the gifts at the foot of his bed.

The first thing he found was Hermione's gift. Evan thought it would be another book, but it turned out to be a hand-knitted sweater.

It seemed she had been secretly crafting it in the room during this period, with many loose threads. Though not exquisite, it held great significance.

After Evan put on the sweater, Dobby handed him a small package, which turned out to be something made by himself: a pair of socks.

"Dobby is making them himself. He's buying the wool with his salary, Master Evan!"

The left sock was a bright red, while the right was green with nonsensical patterns.

"Thank you, Dobby!" Evan said, without inquiring about the patterns on the socks. He put them on, making Dobby's eyes fill with happiness once again.

"Dobby must go, sir, Dobby is giving a present to Harry Potter!" Dobby said, bowing deeply. "And then he will return as soon as possible, we are already preparing the Christmas dinner in the kitchens."

After Dobby left, Evan began to open the rest of the gifts.

Harry had given him a book on ancient magical texts. Ginny's gift was also a book. Ron had bestowed upon him a bulging bag of Dungbombs; Colin a slim photo book he had taken over the past year; and Cho, a beautifully crafted quill.

As for Fred and George, they had gifted him the latest newly developed prank products and the product list.

Sirius had sent him a magical item that could automatically remind and record the time. Hagrid, a huge box of treats that included all sorts of sweets: Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, Chocolate Frogs, Drooble's Best Blowing Gum, and Fizzy Wizzies.

Gabrielle had also given him a gift, a lovely crystal owl decoration symbolizing good luck and blessings.

Mrs. Weasley sent the usual package, which included a new sweater and a large assortment of homemade pies.

There were also many other students who had sent many other things. There were dozens of assorted items.

To Evan's surprise, he received a bat-shaped medallion printed by Elaine with a touch of magic, using a special technique to seal a blood-specific protective magic that could be activated in critical moments.

Recently, Evan had specially ordered a batch of Blood Pops at the Honeydukes candy store. This was Elaine's favorite candy; he delivered them directly to fake Moody Caresius.

It seemed that Elaine had indeed received his gift.

Over half an hour later, Colin woke up.

When Evan and Colin went to the Common Room, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were waiting there.

They went down together for breakfast. They spent most of the morning in the Gryffindor Tower, where everyone was enjoying their gifts, then returned to the Great Hall for a magnificent lunch, which included at least a hundred turkeys and Christmas puddings, and large piles of Magical Cribbage Crackers. There they met Gabrielle.

At Fred and George's suggestion, Evan did not return to the Common Room after lunch. They ventured outdoors. The snow remained pristine except for the deep tracks left by the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students on their way to the castle.

Hermione, Ginny, and Gabrielle chose to watch the snowball fight between Evan, Harry, Colin, and the Weasley brothers rather than join in.

The three gathered and chatted about the dance, erupting into laughter occasionally.

At five o'clock, they mentioned they were going to head back to get ready for the ball.

"Return so early?!" Harry asked.

"Girls always need time to primp. It's not just about slipping into dresses," Evan explained.

"They are completely mad, needing three hours to get ready!" Ron said incredulously.

They didn't return to the castle early but continued their snowball fight.

At seven o'clock, when it was becoming challenging to aim accurately, they abandoned their snowball battle and returned to the Common Room.

The Fat Lady was seated in her frame with her friend Violet below, both quite intoxicated, empty boxes of chocolate liqueurs scattered in the background of their portrait.

"Wild fights, that's her!" she laughed as they gave the password, leaning forward to let them in.

Now, all the boys in the Common Room seemed a bit nervous.

They teased each other for a while before returning to their dormitories to change into their formal robes.

Evan's robes fit him well, the additional pattern on them lending him a noble temperament.

Colin hadn't expected to attend the ball. His ceremonial attire had been ordered just a few days ago.

It seemed a bit larger than his slender figure, hanging loosely on him.

It was evident that boys accustomed to school robes did not feel comfortable in formal attire.