After checking on the Bitterthorn, Leonard made his way to the medicinal garden.
The magical plants here were all medicinal herbs, including his enhanced Dittany and the fortified Aconite cultivated from Aconite Fruit.
This particular variety of Aconite was unique. Once fully matured, its roots and leaves completely degenerated, leaving only a single, potent Aconite Fruit for use in potion-making.
It served as the primary ingredient for the enhanced Wolfsbane Potion.
Because the medicinal garden was bordered on one side by dragon-scale-enhanced Bitterthorn and on the other by Dragon Blood Chomping Cabbage, the temperature here remained pleasantly warm. With such favorable conditions, the herbs thrived.
Leonard trimmed a few plants, planning to take them back for potion brewing.
Finally, he moved on to the section dedicated to seed-bearing plants.
Here grew Mandrakes, Chomping Cabbage, and Bitterthorn that hadn't yet undergone enhancement.
The Mandrakes were still young, only a few tender green shoots visible above the soil. The Chomping Cabbage, on the other hand, was already restless, its gaping maw open wide to reveal rows of sharp teeth.
Their appearances differed depending on which Magical Creature materials they had absorbed.
Those that had consumed Dragon Blood were a vivid crimson and occasionally spat small bursts of flame when they opened their mouths.
Those that had absorbed Acromantula venom were deep violet, their teeth ridged like the fangs of a poisonous serpent.
As for the dozen or so Bitterthorn plants here, they had absorbed the same Magical Creature materials as the defensive ones outside and showed little difference in growth.
All in all, the botanical garden was flourishing.
While Leonard pruned and fertilized the plants, the little unicorn followed him curiously. It stayed quiet and well-behaved, its clear, luminous eyes fixed on his every movement like an attentive child.
When Leonard finished his work and turned around, he saw the unicorn's focused little face and couldn't help but give it another affectionate rub.
That was the joy of raising a young unicorn.
With its company, time in the garden passed quickly.
After completing all his work, Leonard stretched and stood, ready to leave.
But before he could exit the garden, the little unicorn caught the hem of his robe between its teeth.
"Neigh!" It tugged gently, reluctant to let him go, its eyes full of longing.
Leonard smiled, ruffling its head. "I have to go back for now. I'll come visit you at Christmas and bring something tasty."
The little unicorn let out two soft whines of protest but obediently released his robe.
Where else could one find such a well-behaved and affectionate companion? Well—perhaps an owl.
Leonard chuckled, patted the little unicorn's head, spoke briefly with another unicorn, then climbed onto its back and galloped toward the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
...
The Christmas banquet at Hogwarts was far quieter than the Halloween feast.
Even with all four Houses combined, there weren't enough students to fill a single long table. But in both formality and richness, it far outshone Halloween.
The Halloween feast had been more like a dessert celebration, dominated by all kinds of pumpkin pastries—an entire night that felt as if everyone were soaking in a vat of honey.
The Christmas banquet was a proper formal dinner, complete with appetizers, main courses, and desserts.
The centerpiece, naturally, was roast turkey. Though Leonard found the meat a bit too tough for his taste, the house-elves' skill more than made up for it—the turkey was perfectly roasted, tender inside, and seasoned just right.
It was a pity Leonard couldn't try the mulled wine the house-elves had prepared. The spiced red wine smelled delightful, but it was reserved exclusively for the Hogwarts professors.
After a satisfying Christmas feast, Leonard declined Harry and the Weasley twins' invitation to play games and returned to his dormitory alone to rest.
As night fell and curfew began, Leonard opened his eyes and quietly climbed out of bed.
Since he was the only one left in the dormitory, there was no need to move quietly.
He left the common room, slipped out of Hogwarts Castle under the moonlight, passed Hagrid's hut, and made his way to the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
There, leaning against a tree with Gray perched on her shoulder, stood Midgard.
"Merry Christmas."
Leonard's footsteps did not escape her sharp hearing. Midgard slowly opened her eyes, her pale golden irises glinting faintly in the darkness.
"Merry Christmas. Though, really, you're the one making me spend it on some adventure."
Leonard dispelled his Disillusionment Charm with a grin. "Christmas doesn't really mean much anyway. People just use it as an excuse to take a break and feast. What does the birth of some Muggle's 'savior' have to do with us?"
Midgard shrugged, then walked over and gave Leonard a quick once-over. She nodded approvingly. "Not bad. You've grown taller—and sturdier too."
"I'm eleven. Growing taller isn't exactly surprising, is it?" Leonard brushed her hand away with mild irritation.
Midgard grinned. "At your age and height, among werewolf wizards, you'd still be considered half-crippled."
Leonard rolled his eyes but didn't reply.
Still, he noticed something different in her tone. When she mentioned being a werewolf, there was no trace of pain or resentment—only pride.
"By the way, do you really have to explore that ruin now?" Midgard asked.
"This is the best time," Leonard replied. "Most professors have already left Hogwarts, but they'll start returning tomorrow."
He paused, studying her expression. "Why? Something urgent?"
"Sort of," Midgard said, clicking her tongue. "The full moon's in two days. I've already taken a Wolfsbane Potion—and even drank a bottle of the enhanced version. Feels like a waste."
"Once it's drunk, it's not wasted. Feeling weak is worse," Leonard said flatly.
Midgard chuckled. "It's not that bad. Feels a bit like being tipsy—actually helps me sleep."
Leonard rolled his eyes again.
"But honestly," Midgard continued, "if nothing else were pressing, I'd tell you to wait until the 27th to explore. I'll have transformed by then, and I'd be a lot more useful to you."
"Besides," she added, "if another monster like the one from the last ruin shows up, I could at least help you run for it."
That last expedition had been more than enough to shake her. The massive creature impervious to all magical attacks had left a deep mark on her memory.