Snow, Gifts, and a Certain Flamel
The two boys woke up the next day remembering the conversation with their mother from the night before. They had even received a call literally a few seconds later, during which they used all their sweetest techniques to convince her not to pull them out of school.
For Harry, especially, because this place truly made him feel like himself. He could learn more magic; magics that were different from the ones in his magical tome, which obviously contained more powerful spells… but it had to be admitted that Hogwarts magic was much more fun. It seemed to cover a huge range; from cleaning charms to transfiguration. For Harry to turn an illusion into something real, he had needed to train extremely hard, but surprisingly, transfiguration in comparison felt easier, even though Professor McGonagall insisted it was one of the most complex arts.
Of course; when you are capable of giving physical existence to an illusion, transfiguration becomes a bit simpler.
Percy, on the other hand, who would normally accept going home without thinking too much about it, was far more fascinated by this school than he wanted to admit. He had friends here. Obviously he still hated studying, but studying while you basically live a daily adventure inside the castle… who could say no to that? So, grudgingly, he endured the academic part.
"Remember what Mom said; if anything dangerous happens, she won't hesitate to ask the knights to come for us. And we really don't want to suffer that embarrassment," Harry said with a serious look at his brother.
"Why are you looking at me?" Percy asked, frowning.
"Because you have a talent for finding trouble everywhere you go," Harry replied with a painful amount of direct simplicity.
"And what about you? Trouble follows you everywhere," Percy shot back immediately. Neither of them was innocent.
"That's right, because you're always nearby," Harry answered quickly.
"Ha, sure. Me being near you is what keeps you safe," Percy added with a mocking tone.
"Do you think so, or does it put me in more danger?" Harry asked with sarcasm.
"Hmph."
Both turned away, annoyed, before continuing their argument while walking down separate paths. Controlling themselves so their mother wouldn't come for them was going to be… exhausting, especially for them. And even more considering that not even half the school year had passed and enough dangerous things had already happened to fill a book.
Even so, they carried the days with a bit of calm. Although Percy seemed to be watching Grover lately; the satyr kept giving him confused looks, having asked several times why Percy was always keeping an eye on him. But Percy simply kept his friendly smile and, seeing that Grover wasn't doing anything suspicious, began to think that maybe Neville had been mistaken… and Hagrid too. And so, the brothers' daily life passed smoothly for almost a month, without getting into trouble.
Well… without getting into too much trouble.
At one point Percy almost got sent to the headmaster again after he accidentally made a water fountain explode right when Snape had taken one of his sandwiches yet again.
Fortunately, Professor Flitwick was passing by and saved him, saying it was surely one of those magical outbursts typical of young students; that Percy must be stressed by classes in a new environment and that it was completely normal. He even helped scare Snape away a little, who was completely soaked, while drying his robes with a charm.
Percy began to wonder if he could use that magical-outburst excuse more often; but it seemed Professor Flitwick could already see right through him, and warned him it wouldn't work many times.
That kind little goblin was, in truth, an old rascal. Percy grew fond of him quickly; he reminded him of his teacher Einjard. May he rest in peace.
Although, remembering that Einjard was actually still alive and would probably beat him up for thinking nonsense, Percy stopped thinking about it immediately.
With Christmas approaching, the days grew colder and colder. Now all of Hogwarts was covered in at least two centimeters of snow. The Black Lake, meanwhile, looked like one of those perfect places for skating; but Professor McGonagall strictly forbade the students from even considering it.
By the way, Percy's punishment had begun some time ago. He had already had to help various teachers with tasks around the castle, while Harry simply enjoyed being a normal, ordinary student… although a very famous one, because they kept encountering students whispering as he walked by. Harry really couldn't get used to that.
The brothers also learned that the Weasley twins had been punished for charming snowballs to repeatedly hit the back of Professor Quirrell's head. Percy, feeling guilty for the previous blow that had broken a couple of bones, somehow became his protector. He even had a small and funny confrontation with the twins about how you should not attack a professor.
With Christmas approaching, Professor McGonagall began asking for permits from students who would return home. Percy and Harry were among the first to hand theirs in, because they truly wanted to go back. They missed their mom.
And of course, they weren't the only ones; everyone was impatient for the holidays to begin. Some couldn't stand classes in that horrible cold anymore; not even the fireplaces scattered through the hallways helped when the icy air swept ruthlessly across the castle. And classrooms like Professor Snape's were even worse; damp, freezing, sunk into the deepest part of the castle. Only the potion cauldrons provided a bit of warmth.
"I feel so sorry," Draco Malfoy said during one of the potions classes, where, as always, he happened to be placed next to the Gryffindors. Something that, ironically, made those classes increasingly entertaining. "All those people who have to go back to houses with people who claim to be their families, but who don't share even a bit of blood with them. Maybe they accept them out of simple charity… or as future servants," he added with a mocking tone, looking at Harry.
That guy really never got tired of trying to bother Harry or Percy. Though with Percy he did it far more carefully, always aware of whether a professor was nearby, afraid of getting punched again. And with good reason; the deadly glare Percy threw at Draco and his lackeys, Crabbe and Goyle, would definitely have ended in a good punch if Snape hadn't been so close.
But Harry stopped him; those words couldn't hurt him. He knew his mother truly loved them both: Percy and Harry, as her sons. Even if she didn't share blood with them.
It was more than that; with the people he actually shared blood with… he seemed to despise them, and they literally lived in the house next door. Of course that didn't affect him at all; he loved his mother. And he loved his brother.
Their other friends would also return home to celebrate Christmas.
When class ended, everyone hurried to the Great Hall, one of the warmest and most comfortable rooms in the entire castle. No one wanted to stay near the dungeons, with that damp cold that seeped straight into their bones.
Upon arriving at the entrance, a large fir tree was blocking almost the entire doorway, with two enormous feet sticking out underneath. That caught the attention of Percy, Harry, and Ron.
"Hi, Hagrid, need any help?" Ron asked, sticking his head between the branches.
"No, I'm fine. Don't worry," Hagrid replied with a kind smile, happy to see the kids. Hagrid always tried to make the students feel comfortable at Hogwarts; sometimes he invited them for tea so they could tell him how their school days were going and how they were feeling in general. That really helped in the madhouse that was the school, full of shouts and noise everywhere.
Hagrid seemed to worry especially about Harry, and therefore also about Percy. Even though the attention was mostly on Harry, Percy didn't mind; it made him happy to know that someone cared so much about his brother besides their own family.
"Move out of the way," a voice ordered rather than requested, with an authoritative tone.
As they turned around, who else could be so disrespectful toward an adult but Draco Malfoy?
After all, for him anyone who wasn't a professor didn't deserve respect. And perhaps not even professors did; Draco acted as if he were superior to everyone.
"Trying to earn some coins, huh, Weasley?" he said with a mocking tone toward Ron. "Planning to become a gamekeeper? That shack must seem like a palace compared to your poor, humble house, right?" he added with cruelty.
Percy frowned, about to jump on Malfoy, furious at seeing Ron insulted right in front of him. Ron also looked ready to pounce. Harry, meanwhile, tried to stop them, but only managed to grab his brother, who was the closest one.
Ron got close enough to stand right in front of Draco, who stepped back slightly in sudden fright from having him so near.
Too bad Professor Snape appeared at that exact moment from around a corner, as if he had been waiting for that precise instant.
"Weasley!" Snape shouted, while Ron immediately let go of Malfoy's robe collar out of pure reflex. That horrid voice appeared in his nightmares.
"Professor Snape, it wasn't Ron's fault; Malfoy was insulting his family," Hagrid said quickly, trying to help.
"Whatever. Fighting is against the school rules," Snape said, completely ignoring Hagrid's words. His dark eyes fixed themselves on the students. "Five points from Gryffindor."
"And be grateful it isn't more," he added with mockery. "Now, disappear."
Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle gloated with victorious grins before heading into the Great Hall.
"I'm really going to miss those two over the holidays," Percy said with pure sarcasm.
"One day I'm going to get Malfoy," Ron muttered, full of hatred toward that insolent brat who always insulted his family for believing himself superior just because he had money. "At least my father wasn't sent to a Muggle prison where who knows what they did to him before releasing him," he added sarcastically.
Harry could only nod at Ron and Percy.
"Come on, don't get discouraged," Hagrid said to calm them down. "Let's go in; you'll see how beautiful it's turning out."
The three followed Hagrid into the Great Hall and, upon entering, were left speechless.
The professors were busy decorating it, but it already looked truly stunning. Things floated from one side to the other; garlands sparkled, colors lit up the enchanted ceiling… It really would be a magnificent Christmas. For a moment, they almost felt like staying to spend Christmas there… if it weren't for the fact that their mother wouldn't be with them. So they quickly dismissed the idea.
Percy and Harry looked with interest at the twelve decorated trees, each different from the others, as well as the lights and enchanted icicles adorning the surroundings.
"How many days until the holidays?" Hagrid asked, a bit sad knowing that Harry and the others would be going home and he wouldn't be able to spend Christmas with them.
"Just one," Harry said, noticing the slightly downcast expression on the groundskeeper's face. "Don't worry, Hagrid. We already have your gifts, so you just have to wait for them. And we'll be back next week," Harry added first.
"Oh yes. I'm sure my gift will be your favorite," Percy added proudly.
Ron widened his eyes, realizing he had forgotten to prepare Hagrid's gift. He only nodded as if he already had it ready.
"Then I'll be waiting for it," Hagrid said, much more cheerful.
At that moment Hermione approached quickly.
"Harry, Percy, Ron, here you are. I've been looking for you. Why didn't you go to the library?" she asked with a slightly annoyed tone, since they had left her waiting there alone for several minutes.
"Ah, right…," Percy said as if he had just remembered.
"Let's grab what we can eat on the way and let's go," Ron said, also remembering, though struggling not to get distracted by the golden bubbles Professor Flitwick was conjuring in the air.
"The library?" Hagrid asked, confused. "Right before the holidays… a bit sad, don't you think?" he added while watching them, noticing Percy grabbing several sandwiches from the table before hurrying to the group.
"Oh, it's not homework. It's to find information about Nicolas Flamel. Since you won't tell us anything," Harry explained with a somewhat excited smile.
Hagrid nearly choked from the number of words he wanted to say at once, but Hermione interrupted before he could speak.
"We just want to know who he is, that's all," she added. "We've been looking in books for a few days, but we haven't found anything."
"Wait… we're idiots," Percy suddenly said, giving himself a light smack on the forehead. "Why don't we ask Mom or Aunt Mor? They must know who he is."
Harry widened his eyes for a moment, realizing the overwhelming logic of the comment. It was so obvious it hurt.
Hermione and Ron also stared at him.
"Why didn't you say that earlier?" Hermione asked, as if it were Percy's fault that they hadn't thought of it before.
"Well…" Percy truly had no answer.
"Then let's go," Harry said, nodding. Even though they could ask the next day when they'd be going home, the excitement of finally unraveling a mystery wouldn't let them sleep.
The four of them ran off like a whirlwind, while Hagrid remained there processing all the sudden information, without having managed to say anything else. He raised a finger to stop them, but they were already gone.
Oh, by the way: when the four ran through the hallways to look for the two-way mirror, Snape crossed paths with them and deducted two points from each. So they could only continue walking quickly instead of running.