Adrian naturally had no way of knowing what dark thoughts and desperate schemes were currently churning through Umbridge's mind as she sat there in her ridiculous pink hat, plotting her revenge.
His attention had already shifted away from her. His gaze swept carefully across the four House tables, taking in the sparse attendance, noting that far fewer students had remained at school this particular year compared to previous holiday seasons.
Though the numbers were reduced, he still recognized several familiar faces among those who'd stayed.
Harry had naturally stayed behind, as he almost always did.
In addition, seated alone at the far end of the Slytherin table, there was John Selwyn—notably the only first-year student in the entire school who had remained at Hogwarts for the holidays. That was unusual. Most first-years were still homesick enough to desperately want to return to their families for Christmas.
What surprised Adrian most, however was that he actually spotted Luna Lovegood at the Ravenclaw table.
This observation left him somewhat puzzled and concerned, because given everything he knew about Xenophilius Lovegood's personality and his close relationship with his daughter, it didn't make sense for him to let Luna stay at Hogwarts alone over Christmas.
Seeming to sense Adrian's focused gaze on her, Luna lightly jumped down from the bench. She bounced over to him with an energy that suggested good news, her steps were light and her expression was bright.
"Good morning, Professor Westeros," she greeted cheerfully. She seemed to have immediately perceived Adrian's confusion from his expression alone, and without waiting for him to actually ask his question, she took the initiative to explain the mystery. "Remember what we discussed and agreed upon before? About the article?"
Her silvery eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.
"The next issue of The Quibbler will publish an extensive feature article about the Treants."
Adrian nodded with understanding; the pieces were now clicking into place. "It seems Mr. Lovegood is already well-prepared for this, then."
"Yes, exactly!" Luna's voice carried obvious excitement and pride. "Father will actually be coming here to Hogwarts during this Christmas holiday period to conduct his research and interviews. Professor Dumbledore has already agreed to grant him access and has been wonderfully helpful with arrangements."
She clasped her hands together. "Ever since I first told him about the Treants and showed him my initial sketches, he's been absolutely eager to witness them in person and document their existence properly. He says it could be the most important article The Quibbler has ever published."
"Please give my regards to Mr. Lovegood," Adrian said warmly. "Tell him I look forward to reading his article."
It was indeed time, Adrian thought. Time for the Treants as a distinct magical species to make their official, public appearance in the broader wizarding world.
The next day, Christmas morning, Adrian rose considerably earlier than usual, well before dawn had fully broken over the castle.
Following his usual practice from previous years, he would visit his family today. Spend time with his parents, check on his sister's unchanging condition, maintain those crucial connections to his life before Hogwarts.
However, before setting out on that journey, he had to spend substantial time sorting carefully through the pile of Christmas gifts he had received from various people.
It must be said, observing the sheer volume with mixed feelings, that the good relationships and connections Adrian had built over his years at Hogwarts were now fully apparent in physical form.
Wrapped packages and parcels filled an entire corner of his office, stacked in wobbly towers—gifts from colleagues, students, acquaintances, even some magical creatures. The variety was remarkable.
While this generosity was certainly gratifying and touching, preparing appropriate return gifts for everyone was going to be genuinely mentally exhausting.
Most unexpectedly, even Bart had managed to send a gift via owl—a beautifully fragrant tree branch. The branch emitted a pleasant, forest-fresh scent that filled his office.
Adrian was somewhat curious and amused about how exactly Bart had learned to use the owl post system. He imagined a massive Treant carefully tying a package to a confused owl's leg.
After finally putting everything in reasonable order, organizing his own gifts to distribute and setting aside the items he'd received, he dressed warmly and went directly to the Great Hall for breakfast before his departure.
In the rich Christmas atmosphere that flooded the decorated hall, the hardworking house-elves had already prepared a festive breakfast spread. Plates of special holiday foods filled the tables.
But in the vast, echoing hall that normally held hundreds, there was currently only one thin figure visible.
That of John Selwyn.
He sat completely alone at the Slytherin table, isolated in that enormous space. Before him sat a cleverly crafted Christmas tree-shaped pancake, decorated with what appeared to be syrup and berries arranged as ornaments.
Upon noticing Adrian's arrival, John immediately set down his knife and fork and stood up. He walked quickly toward him.
He extended his hands, offering Adrian a rectangular object that had been wrapped in plain brown paper and tied with simple twine. "Merry Christmas, Professor," he said. "This is a gift. I hope you'll accept it."
Adrian was genuinely slightly taken aback—this gesture was something he hadn't expected at all. First-year students rarely gave professors gifts beyond perhaps a card.
He accepted the package John handed him with some surprise and curiosity, touched by the thoughtfulness.
Carefully unwrapping the brown paper, he found inside a rather worn, clearly secondhand book. The leather cover was cracked and faded with age, as if it had been well-read or had sat in a shop for years. Curiously, there was no visible title on the spine or cover, and no author's name anywhere to be found.
"I bought this from a secondhand shop in Diagon Alley at the very start of term," John explained somewhat shyly. "I was just browsing, not looking for anything particular. I only just discovered it again when organizing and sorting through my things recently."
He gestured to the book. "It seems to be a professional text about wandmaking—quite technical, actually. I remember you've been actiely researching this area recently. I thought it might prove helpful or at least interesting."
"Thank you very much, John," Adrian said with sincerity and appreciation, carefully examining the book. "This is very thoughtful of you."
Then he asked with puzzlement, his curiosity piqued, "But how did you know I've been researching wands recently?"
"Harry told me," John explained simply. "We were talking about various things, and it came up. I thought the book might be useful to you, so I saved it."
"Ah, I see," Adrian nodded with understanding.
Then, feeling that a return gift was necessary and appropriate, he reached into his robes and drew out a wooden amulet.
"As a return gift, I'm giving you this protective amulet," he explained, placing it in John's hand. "It's been properly enchanted. It can ward off and deflect some common spells and minor curses—nothing too powerful, but it should help protect you from everyday magical threats. Keep it on your person."
A return gift was necessary, particularly for a student who'd shown such consideration.
John carefully accepted the amulet, turning it over to examine the strange symbols carved into its surface. They seemed to shift slightly in the light. He placed it in his coat pocket.
"See you next term, John," Adrian said warmly, reaching out to pat the boy's thin shoulder in a kind gesture. "Enjoy your holiday."
Then he picked up a small piece of bread from the table for the road and turned to leave the Great Hall.
After Adrian's tall figure had completely disappeared behind the massive door, vanishing from sight down the corridor, John slowly retrieved the wooden amulet from his pocket.
He placed it carefully in his open palm, staring down at it.
His expression was completely flat and emotionless as he gazed at the carved wood and its protective symbols.
Then something deeply strange and disturbing happened.
In the dim morning light of the Great Hall, the supposedly protective wooden amulet quietly, soundlessly began to crumble. It turned to ash in his palm.
The boy calmly closed his palm around the ashes, showing no surprise. He simply let the gray powder drift slowly through the gaps between his thin fingers, falling to scatter on the floor like disturbing snow.
His face remained expressionless throughout.
"Good morning?"
Harry's cheerful voice suddenly rang out as he walked in through the main entrance from the Entrance Hall. Spotting John standing there alone near the Slytherin table, he approached with a friendly smile. "John, are you here by yourself? Bit early for breakfast, isn't it?"
John showed a faint, perfectly natural smile and smoothly withdrew his ash-stained hand back into his pocket, concealing it. "Harry. Merry Christmas. Did you receive my gift?"
"Of course I did!" Harry laughed appreciatively, clearly pleased. "Opened all my presents before coming down."
He had indeed opened his pile of gifts before heading to breakfast. John had sent him a small leather pouch containing specially made magic powder—an unusual item. According to the enclosed note, when sprinkled on any ground surface, it would reveal all the footprints left by anyone within the past twenty-four hours, making them glow faintly.
A genuinely useful little item for tracking or investigation.
"Did you make this yourself?" Harry asked with impressed curiosity. "The powder, I mean? It seems quite advanced."
John nodded modestly. "I came across the formula in the library by chance while researching detection spells. It seemed interesting, so I experimented until I got it right."
"That's brilliant," Harry exclaimed with admiration. "First-years definitely couldn't brew something like that normally. Most would struggle with basic color-change potions."
John smiled faintly again, neither confirming nor denying this assessment, giving no further explanation.
"Oh, by the way," Harry suddenly remembered something and lowered his voice conspiratorially, leaning in closer to John.
He looked around alertly, making absolutely sure no professors or prefects were within hearing distance. "In a few days, Ron and I are planning to sneak off to Hogsmeade village... do you want to come along with us?"
His green eyes sparkled with mischief.
"We know a new secret passage that Umbridge definitely doesn't know about. Should be safe."
"Certainly," John agreed immediately, his young face showing interest. "I'd like to."
Adrian, of course, had no idea that the supposedly protective amulet he had just given with good intentions had mysteriously turned to ash in John's small hands few seconds after his departure.
After leaving Hogwarts through the main gates, he immediately set out for his parents' residence.
The Christmas holiday had begun.
His parents were still as healthy and energetic as ever, thankfully. His mother fussed over him, his father asked about Hogwarts news, they shared a meal together. The normalcy was comforting.
Unfortunately, his sister remained trapped in her unchanging unconscious state, lying pale and still in her bed.
However, at present, both Voldemort himself and his crucial Horcruxes were all missing without a trace. So naturally there could be no meaningful progress in developing treatment for her condition.
During the holiday period, he also received an unexpected letter from Sirius. The letter warmly invited him to visit Grimmauld Place for an informal gathering.
Adrian naturally wouldn't refuse such an invitation. Besides, he genuinely had no other particular plans for the holiday, and seeing Sirius would be pleasant.
The last day of December arrived with winter gloom.
At noon, Adrian appeared at Number 12, Grimmauld Place.
The weather was bitterly cold, with a sharp wind cutting through London's streets. The house itself loomed as gloomy and forbidding as ever like a Gothic monument to pure-blood darkness.
Interestingly, the front door stood slightly open rather than sealed shut, which was unusual. As he climbed the steps and entered the mansion, carefully crossing the threshold, a surprising wave of warm air washed over him.
The warmth was mixed with the scents of ancient wood, aged parchment, and a faint pleasant herbal scent—possibly Christmas wreaths or decorations. The combination dispelled some of the chill that had settled into his bones.
Reaching the main entrance hall and looking around at the transformed space, Adrian immediately noticed something startling.
All the portraits of the Black family ancestors that had hung prominently on the stairway landing for years had completely disappeared. The walls stood bare in places.
They had been replaced by cheerful decorations.
Several brass bells hung where portraits had been, along with lush wreaths woven from fresh holly and mistletoe. Red ribbons and gold ornaments caught the light.
These simple items brought an unexpected hint of genuine Christmas atmosphere to this traditionally dilapidated, oppressively gloomy house.
"I see you've noticed the changes," Sirius's voice called out warmly from somewhere above.
Adrian looked up to find him leaning casually against the second-floor stairway railing, looking down with satisfaction. His handsome face bore a relaxed, genuinely happy smile.
"I made a bold decision—perhaps reckless, but it was satisfying. I sent all those unpleasant, bigoted fellows screaming up to the attic."
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