When Rock got back to the common room, the place was buzzing.
Theo and the others were in the middle of a heated discussion. Spotting Rock, Theo waved him over immediately.
"Hey man, where were you? How come you didn't catch the match today?"
Michael nodded in agreement. He was a huge Quidditch fan, and today was Ravenclaw versus Hufflepuff.
That explained why the castle had felt so empty when Rock went out at noon.
"I had some stuff to take care of," Rock said, glancing around at the energetic atmosphere. "Judging by the noise, did we win?"
"Nope. We lost," Theo said, spreading his hands helplessly.
"And get this—Hufflepuff won with a substitute Seeker," Michael chimed in.
"But honestly, most people just went to watch for the fun of it. Now that we're back, the reality that break is starting has hit everyone, so we're all just hanging out and talking."
"A substitute?" Rock blinked.
"Yeah. Their usual Seeker, Cedric Diggory, is in the Hospital Wing with the flu. So they subbed in a fifth-year player," Michael explained.
Flu... Cedric?
Rock recalled seeing someone lying in a bed when he visited the Hospital Wing earlier.
He hadn't realized it was him.
"You don't know him?" Padma asked curiously from the side.
"Uh, I've heard the name," Rock admitted. "Is he famous or something?"
"Cedric Diggory? He's practically a celebrity among the Hufflepuffs," Adam explained. "Great grades, great personality. Every time I talk to a Hufflepuff, they can't stop talking about him."
Rock nodded slowly. If he got the chance, he'd like to meet the guy.
In the original timeline, Cedric was one of the true tragedies—a genuine Hufflepuff through and through who deserved better.
"By the way, there's something I wanted to run by you guys," Rock said, addressing the group.
"What's up?" Everyone turned to look at him.
"Neville is going home for the holidays. I was thinking we could write a letter to his grandmother. Neville can take it with him. Just something to let her know how much he's changed and improved."
Hearing Rock's idea, the group immediately lit up.
"That's easy enough," Theo said, grinning as he draped an arm around Rock's shoulders.
"You know, Rock, you've totally got the potential to be the 'Cedric of Ravenclaw'."
"Hahaha!" Michael and Terry burst out laughing.
Padma, however, nodded seriously. "True. But Rock is missing one thing."
"Missing what?" Adam looked confused.
"The Seeker position. Rock needs to be the Seeker," Padma said, looking at Rock with a glimmer of excitement in her eyes.
"Well, that's never happening. Rock has zero interest in Quidditch," Theo groaned, slapping his forehead as if mourning a great loss.
Rock rolled his eyes. These guys were just bored and looking for someone to roast.
"That's it. Access to my notes is revoked. I want to see if you guys can finish your holiday essays on your own."
"No! Don't do that! This is all Theo's fault, don't punish the rest of us!" Adam practically threw himself at Rock, shouting his defense.
"Exactly, exactly!"
Michael and the others panicked. The holiday homework load was brutal—parchment after parchment for every single subject.
"Hey! You guys are totally shameless! You only love him for his brain!" Theo looked betrayed, then immediately turned to Rock with puppy-dog eyes.
"I was wrong! Forgive me, Your Majesty!"
"Get lost."
---
The weekend flew by, and the Christmas holidays officially began.
Technically, students could have left over the weekend, but since the second Quidditch match was on Saturday, most people stayed, pushing the departure to Monday.
Rock and his friends packed up early in the morning. After saying goodbye to the few Ravenclaws staying behind at the castle, they headed down to the small station.
Hagrid was there as always, his massive figure looming over the platform as he checked names off a parchment list.
Rock's group gathered together. Neville and Hermione joined them as well.
There were quite a few Gryffindors heading home, but since Neville and Hermione rarely hung out with the loud Gryffindor crowd, they naturally gravitated toward Rock's circle.
"Hey! Rock! Say hello to your grandpa for me when yeh get back!"
After Hagrid finished organizing the students, he walked over to Rock.
"Will do, Hagrid," Rock chuckled.
Ever since his grandfather received Hagrid's letter, the two of them had been keeping in touch.
"Alright then, get on the train now," Hagrid beamed, ushering them aboard.
The compartments only held four people comfortably, so the group split into two adjacent ones.
As the Hogwarts Express chugged out of the station, the group chatted for a while before gradually drifting off to sleep.
Between the excitement of going home and the late-night partying in the common rooms the night before—plus the early wake-up call—everyone was exhausted.
Rock leaned against the window and opened a book. It was given to him by Professor McGonagall.
She had tasked him with submitting a thesis and a set of experience notes upon his return. Rock had naturally agreed without hesitation.
When it came to Transfiguration, Professor McGonagall was a master.
Under her guidance, his progress with Switching Spells and general Transfiguration had accelerated significantly.
Time passed quietly.
Theo woke up after a nap. Seeing Rock engrossed in his book, he didn't disturb him and slipped out of the compartment to go find Michael and the others.
After the train crossed the plains, the outline of the city began to appear on the horizon.
Rock finally put away his book and notes, shaking Adam and Neville awake.
"Whoa! We're here already?"
Adam leaned forward, looking out the window at the scenery, amazed that he had slept through the whole ride.
"Let's go. Make sure you have everything."
Rock stood at the compartment door as Michael and the others emerged from next door.
"Catch," Rock tossed Theo his backpack, and the group stepped off the train.
"See you guys after the break!"
Theo waved, sprinting toward a couple who were waving at him from down the platform.
After saying their goodbyes at King's Cross Station, the group dispersed.
Rock scanned the crowd, finally spotting three familiar figures standing together.
"Grandpa, Grandma, Grandpa Theseus!"
It had been over three months. To be honest, Rock had missed them. He quickened his pace and ran over.
"Welcome back."
Tina pulled Rock into a tight hug.
Rock paused for a second, feeling her shoulders trembling slightly. He hugged her back gently.
"Grandma, I'm back."
Standing beside them, Newt and Theseus exchanged a smile.
After Tina had calmed down, Rock started telling them about his life at Hogwarts.
Even though he wrote letters constantly, Tina nodded along to every word. In her eyes, Rock was still the little kid who used to follow her around the manor.
Even if that little kid was a bit taller now.