Chapter 165: The Adoption Order
Exchanging gifts was the most important event of Christmas Eve.
By now, no one at Hogwarts could focus on lessons. Even Hermione had excitedly misspelled 'Uric the Oddball' as 'Eureka.'
Hagrid dragged his fir tree into the Great Hall just as Professors McGonagall and Flitwick were finishing the decorations.
"Ah, Hagrid, the last tree—put it over in the far corner, would you?"
The Great Hall looked spectacular. Festoons of holly and mistletoe hung from the walls, and no fewer than twelve towering Christmas trees stood around the room, some sparkling with tiny icicles, others glittering with hundreds of candles.
"How many days left until the holidays?" Hagrid asked.
"Just one," Hermione replied from beside Sean.
Sean silently attached a package to his owl's leg and watched it fly off into the distance. He wondered if he should give the owl a name.
Wizards would be delivering gifts until dawn, as the journey of missing someone was always long. But they wouldn't start opening them until Christmas Day itself. It was a bit of a tradition.
Sean needed just one more 'Apprentice' level alchemical creation to unlock the Novice Alchemy title, so he spent a large part of the day pondering what his final animal should be.
Justin and Hermione were leaving that afternoon. They had spent a week trying to convince Sean to spend Christmas with their families, but he had politely declined. Ron, upon hearing this, had wanted to invite Sean too, but his parents were going to Romania to visit his brother Charlie, so he was staying at Hogwarts himself. Harry, of course, was thrilled to be staying; like Sean, he would happily live in the castle forever.
The list of students staying for Christmas had been finalized in the second week of December, so everyone knew whose gifts could be given in person and whose couldn't.
When Sean arrived at the Great Hall for lunch, a small pile of parcels was already waiting at his seat. Though he didn't know who they were from, he carefully carried them back to his dormitory, checking each name to ensure he had a return gift prepared.
While he was counting names, the castle seemed to boil over with activity.
"Faster, Sir Cadogan!"
The Fat Lady, despite her size, was the fastest portrait in the castle when she ran.
"My Lady—My Lady—" Sir Cadogan trailed far behind.
"Fat Woman! You're fast now?" Lady Violet panted, hitching up her white gown as she ran.
"At a time like this, even if I can only run once in my life, I'm using it now!"
The Fat Lady zoomed through the third frame in the second-floor corridor while the Knight and Lady Violet were still in the first.
"My Lady, how many times have you said that?" Sir Cadogan huffed, confused.
"It's a figure of speech! Honestly—wooden head!"
The Fat Lady's voice faded into the distance.
Below their corridor was the Great Hall, festooned with holly and mistletoe.
Sean checked the signatures on several letters but still hadn't found...
For some reason, he picked up the letter from Ms. Roland Taylor, the daughter of the kind old lady:
> Whether your great moment comes or not...
Although the staff table was empty—even Dumbledore was missing—lunch in the Great Hall was lively.
Before leaving, Hermione received a package from Professor Flitwick, likely containing notes or quills. Justin got one from Professor Sprout, joking that it probably contained new recipes. No one received anything from Snape; students doubted he even knew what Christmas was.
As Sean ate, snow melted against the enchanted windows, turning into crystal-clear droplets. He walked beneath the festive banners, breathing in the crisp, cold air. Hogwarts had given him so much. What more could he possibly hope for?
"Magic is the greatest gift..." his eyes shone.
But when he returned to his dormitory to deposit the letters, an owl crashed through the right windowpane, shattering the glass. Sean stared, dumbfounded. The left window was wide open.
Ten minutes earlier.
Outside, the Scottish Highlands were a winter wonderland of snow and ice.
Inside the Headmaster's office, however, it was warm and cozy, the fire crackling merrily.
Albus Dumbledore stood facing several others, his blue eyes twinkling behind half-moon spectacles with warmth and a hint of mischief. Beside him, Filius Flitwick stood on a stack of books, looking exceptionally excited, while Pomona Sprout held a pot of vigorously blooming snowdrops.
The portraits were silent, even Headmaster Black. Beside him, the ladies dabbed their eyes, and the knight clutched his pony's reins tightly.
They watched an owl fly into the distance, heading for Ravenclaw Tower, where it promptly smashed through Sean's window.
"Reparo," Sean cast, mending the glass. He was about to check the owl for injuries, but the bird shook itself off as if nothing had happened, puffed out its chest, and pointed a talon imperiously at the desk. Sean assumed it was pointing at the letter, perhaps dazed from the impact.
Curious, he picked up the thick envelope. One glance at the first line froze him in place:
[JOINT DECREE OF HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY AND THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC]
[SPECIAL ADOPTION ORDER]
The golden lettering seemed to pulse with magic, compelling Sean to read on:
We solemnly inform Mr. Sean Green:
WHEREAS:
Mr. Sean Green meets the criteria set forth in the Statute of Secrecy (Amended) and the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery (Amended).
AND WHEREAS:
Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts and Head of Gryffindor House; and Severus Snape, Potions Master of Hogwarts and Head of Slytherin House,
Have jointly expressed a firm intention to assume the sacred duties of guardianship, education, and protection.
IT IS HEREBY DECIDED:
That on Christmas Day of this year, a formal adoption ceremony shall be held in the Headmaster's Office at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, presided over by Headmaster Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, and witnessed by Professor Filius Flitwick and Professor Pomona Sprout.
The establishment of this adoption and familial bond is subject to the following core provision:
The adoptee, Sean Green, possesses the inalienable right of free choice. He must, while of sound mind and with full understanding of the implications of adoption, clearly express his "Consent" or "Refusal" of his own free will.
If he consents, the adoption relationship shall take effect immediately upon completion of the ceremony.
Madam McGonagall and Mr. Snape shall formally become his legal guardians and family, enjoying all rights and bearing all responsibilities thereof. He shall gain a permanent home, and his safety and emotional development shall be under the strictest protection.
If he refuses, this Adoption Order shall be immediately voided. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the Ministry of Magic shall arrange alternative placement for him, ensuring his welfare and magical education remain unaffected.
His attendance shall determine the enactment of the ceremony.
THEREFORE, NOTICE IS GIVEN:
Location: Headmaster's Office, Hogwarts Castle
Time: Christmas Day
"Oh—Heavens—"
The Fat Lady's shriek in the Ravenclaw Tower corridor was cut short by Lady Violet, who quickly glanced at the silent boy standing not far from their frame. She furiously stuffed an apple into the Fat Lady's mouth.
Sir Cadogan was hugging his pony, eyes misty.
"Yes, they did it. This is the moment that decides fate. But surely the cold wind of destiny must sometimes blow us a warm seed, must it not?"
(End of Chapter)
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