Exchanging and delivering gifts is the most important thing on Christmas Eve.
By now, no one at Hogwarts could pay attention in class— even Hermione, a little excited, copied "Uric the Oddball" as "Eureka."
Hagrid, hugging his fir tree, came into the Great Hall just as Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick were leaving; they'd hurried to finish putting up the Christmas decorations.
"Ah, Hagrid, the last tree is in—could you set it over in that corner?" The Hall looked magnificent: garlands of holly and mistletoe hung along the walls; twelve towering Christmas trees stood all around—some draped with glittering icicles, some sparkling with hundreds of candles.
"How many days 'til the holidays?" Hagrid asked.
"One," Hermione answered from beside Sean.
Just then, Sean was quietly tying parcels to his owl's claws and watching it fly swiftly away.
He started to wonder whether he should give it a name.
Before dawn tomorrow, the witches and wizards would have all the gifts delivered—the road of longing is always so long.
But only on Christmas Day do they begin to open them. It's a small tradition.
Sean needed just one more Apprentice alchemical item to unlock the Beginner Alchemy title; so for much of the day he pondered which animal the last biscuit should be.
Justin and Hermione were leaving in the afternoon. They had spent a week trying, and still couldn't persuade Sean to spend Christmas at their homes.
Ron, after learning a bit of news, wanted to invite him too—but he himself wasn't going back; his parents had decided to visit his brother Charlie in Romania.
Harry—needless to say—was probably like Sean: he'd happily stay at Hogwarts forever.
The list of students remaining over the holiday had been set in the second week of December; so everyone already knew whose gift could be delivered in person and whose could not.
So when Sean reached the Hall, a few things had already appeared at his place.
He didn't know who they were from, but he carefully took them to his dormitory and checked every name, to make sure he had something to give in return.
As he counted names in the Hall, Hogwarts seemed to boil over.
"Hurry up! Sir!" The Fat Lady might be stout, but she ran faster than any portrait.
"My lady—my lady—" Sir Cadogan was eating her dust.
"Fat woman! Now you can move so fast!" Lady Violet, clutching her white underdress, cried in a small, anxious voice.
"At such an important time—even if I only ran once in my life, I'd spend it on this!" The Fat Lady whisked through the third frame along the second-floor corridor; the knight and Lady Violet were still in the first.
"My lady, how many times have you said that?" asked the knight, puzzled.
"It's a metaphor! Ah—blockhead!" The Fat Lady's voice faded into the distance.
Below their staircase, in the garlanded Great Hall, Sean checked several signatures and still hadn't found…
He didn't know why his hand reached for the letter from Mrs. Rowland Taylor—the kindly old lady's daughter:
[Whether your "great day" arrives or not…]
Even though the staff table was empty—Headmaster Dumbledore nowhere in sight—by lunchtime the Hall was lively again.
Before leaving, Hermione received a parcel from Professor Flitwick; she didn't know what was inside, but it was hard to imagine it wasn't notes or quills and the like.
Justin got a parcel from Professor Sprout and laughed that he probably had a new recipe.
Naturally, no one receives parcels from Professor Snape; first-years even wondered whether he ever sends anything for Christmas.
As Sean ate in the Hall, snow melted on the windows into clear crystalline trails.
He walked beneath the Great Hall's satin banners and breathed air that was fresh and keen.
Hogwarts had given him so much… what more could he hope for?
"Magic is the best gift of all…" His eyes shone.
But when he had taken all the letters back to the dormitory, an owl smashed through the right-hand window.
Shards scattered everywhere—Sean froze. The left window was open.
Ten minutes earlier. Outside, the snow of the Scottish Highlands made the castle look like a fairy tale.
In the Headmaster's office it was snug; the fireplace burned with gold-red flames.
Albus Dumbledore stood facing several people, the blue behind his half-moon spectacles both gentle and sly.
At his side, Professor Filius Flitwick stood atop a stack of heavy books, particularly animated; Professor Sprout held a pot of snowdrops blooming thickly.
In the portraits, even Headmaster Black held his tongue—beside him, the ladies' eyes glimmered, and the knight had a tight hold on his pony.
Under their gaze, an owl dwindled into the distance, then struck Sean's Ravenclaw window and shattered it.
"Reparo."
No sooner had Sean mended the window and turned to the odd owl than it—unfazed—arched its neck, pointed a talon at the desk; Sean guessed it meant the letter—it had clearly knocked itself silly.
Curious, he picked up the thick envelope—and, at a glance, found he couldn't move at all:
[Issued jointly by Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the Ministry of Magic
Special Order of Adoption]
Two lines in gilt seemed to pulse with magic, and Sean could only read on:
[We solemnly notify Mr. Sean Green:
In view of: Sean Green's compliance with the newly revised exceptions of the International Statute of Secrecy and the revised Protection of Underage Wizards Act.
And in view of: Madam Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, Head of Gryffindor House; and Mr. Severus Snape, Professor of Potions at Hogwarts, Head of Slytherin House,
having jointly expressed their firm willingness to undertake the sacred duties of guardianship, education, and protection:
It is decided:
On Christmas Day of this year, in the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts School, under the auspices of Headmaster Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, and witnessed by Professor Filius Flitwick and Professor Pomona Sprout, a formal adoption ceremony will be held.
The coming into force of this ceremony and of the adoptive relationship shall follow the core terms below:
The adoptee, Sean Green, has an inalienable right of free choice. Only if, with clear mind and full understanding of the meaning of adoption, he expresses his true will to "consent" or "refuse," shall it stand.
If he consents, the adoptive relationship shall take effect upon completion of the ceremony.
Madam McGonagall and Mr. Snape shall become his legal guardians and family, enjoying all rights and bearing all responsibilities of guardians at law. He shall gain a permanent home, and his personal safety and inner growth shall receive the strictest protection.
If he refuses, this order of adoption shall be void at once. Hogwarts and the Ministry shall otherwise arrange properly for his placement and ensure his welfare and magical education are not affected.
His presence or absence shall determine the establishment or non-establishment of the ceremony.
Therefore:
Place: Headmaster's Office, Hogwarts Castle
Time: Christmas Day]
"Oh—heavens—"
The Fat Lady's scream in Ravenclaw Tower was cut off by Lady Violet; she cast a quick glance at the small wizard, silent not far from the frame, and, furious, stuffed the apple hard into the Fat Lady's mouth.
Sir Cadogan hugged his pony, eyes wet:
"Yes. They've done it. This is the moment that decides fate—but perhaps the cold wind of fate should sometimes blow me a few warm seeds too, don't you think?"
~~~
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