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EXPLODING SNAP WAS undoubtedly one of the most popular games amongst the students at Hogwarts. This was especially true when Christmas season rolled around, and the Great Hall traded its studious scenery for a festive, childlike aura. The rules were simple, but all one really had to know was that a card could explode at any point in the game.
The usually silent Slytherin table was girdled with chatter, its arrogant students seemingly giving into the Christmas spirit. Even Valerie Grindelwald, who had been experiencing a pounding headache ever since she had woken up that morning, was laughing her head off with no other than Draco Malfoy.
The two somewhat acquaintances rooted the cause of their laughter to Theodore Nott and Blaise Zabini, who were playing a rather intense match of Exploding Snap.
To Valerie's right, Crabbe and Goyle were occupied in their own little world. When Draco had insisted that they 'get a life' after pissing him off earlier in the month, the goons had been trying out all sorts of pastimes.
"What might you two be up to?" Valerie asked, intrigued at the Zonko's bag that sat atop their table. Crabbe and Goyle gave her no answer, as expected. It seemed she hardly needed one anyway, catching sight of the emptied 'Wizard's First Potions Set'. Now, they had taken a liking to the subtle science and exact art of potion-making.
Well, it was better than last week's activity at least. Jump-roping was certainly notfor everyone.
It was all fun and games, until from the other side of the table, an unsuspecting Theodore leaned down to get a closer look at the deck, only for a card to blow up right on his head.
Blaise's eyes shot wide open in panic as Theodore's hair caught fire, darting around to find a solution to the crisis while Valerie and Draco burst into laughter.
One might question how their friend's head catching fire would crack the two up, but it was all alright. Draco had assured Valerie that Exploding Snap only gave off a painless illusion of a flame, otherwise the company would be facing more lawsuits than sales.
Clearly not having received the memo, Blaise was still in full panic. Instinctively, he grabbed the goblet closest to him and splashed it on Theodore's head.
They all gasped as a bare patch of what used to be hair appeared- or rather disappeared- from the top of his head.
"What?" Theodore questioned, confused at their lingering just above his forehead. His hand slowly raised to touch his hair, which it never did. A whole chunk of his sandy- blonde locks was gone.
