Chapter 16: AVeryFrosty Christmas

At the Burrow, Harry and Ron peel sprouts, discussing Harry’s eavesdropping: Snape made an Unbreakable Vow to Narcissa to protect Draco and offered help. Fred and George tease Ron about Lavender. Harry plans to tell Dumbledore and perhaps Arthur Weasley.

On Christmas Eve, amid Celestina Warbeck’s broadcast and family chatter, Harry tells Arthur and Remus Lupin what he overheard. Arthur suggests Snape might be probing Draco on Dumbledore’s orders; Lupin stresses Dumbledore’s trust in Snape and advises Harry to inform Dumbledore without expecting surprise. Lupin explains his undercover work among werewolves, Voldemort’s alliance with them, and reveals Fenrir Greyback bit him as a child.

Harry asks about the Half-Blood Prince; Lupin denies knowledge and notes fashionable jinxes like Levicorpus predated their time. Later, Harry checks Advanced Potion-Making and finds it was published nearly fifty years earlier, ruling out his father’s circle.

On Christmas morning, Ron is dismayed by Lavender’s gaudy “My Sweetheart” necklace, and Harry receives maggots from Kreacher. At lunch, a tense exchange about Tonks’s absence and her changed Patronus hints at emotional turmoil. Suddenly Percy arrives, bringing Minister Rufus Scrimgeour.

Scrimgeour separates Harry for a garden walk and tries to enlist him as a public symbol aligned with the Ministry, dangling Auror connections. Harry refuses, condemns Stan Shunpike’s imprisonment and the Ministry’s desire to use him as a mascot. When pressed about Dumbledore’s activities, Harry withholds information and warns against interfering at Hogwarts. Scrimgeour labels him “Dumbledore’s man,” which Harry proudly affirms before returning inside.