Nearing the end of the journey, Harry escorted Blaise to the loo so she didn't run into any creeps in the halls. She had been a little nervous asking him to do that, but was relieved when he instantly said he would go and wait in the hall until she was done.
While they were gone, Hermione turned to Padma and said, "I know Harry's an apprentice and all, but don't you think he's a little bit mature for his age half the time?"
"You noticed that too?"
"I think we all did," Susan offered, pulling them all into the discussion.
Padma continued, "I talked to Terry about him last week and we've both noticed some of the older students talking about him. I mean most Ravenclaws are smart in theories, but not too good in practicals. But Harry exceeds in both."
"Not to mention he's a cute boy," Pam said.
"I am right here as well," Edward put in.
"Sorry, Edward, but I call them as I see it," Pam grinned at her housemate.
"Sometimes I wish I had his brains," Hermione said, surprising the rest as they considered her very intelligent. "He knows so much. A couple weeks back I went up to his room to wake him from a nap and found a book he'd been reading on his nightstand. It was about magical theories on enchanting. Something you only read after you've graduated school and go onto…"
"… an apprenticeship?" Padma concluded for her friend.
"Well… yes. But it's magical university level if you ask me," Hermione said. "Anyway I wonder if Harry would know anything about why a Cerberus is currently being housed on the 3rd floor?"
"What?!" Pam nearly shouted.
"Pam, calm down," Edward said. "Hermione, please explain."
"… um, Padma and I sort of got turned around about a month ago and we sort of ended up on the third floor. I heard this noise coming from behind a door and tried a few unlocking spells on the locks."
Padma picked up the story, "I wasn't sure what it was, but curiosity getting the better of me, I opened the door. Hermione and I looked in and we both saw a 3-headed dog waking up. That door was shut immediately I tell you."
"So when Padma and I got done with classes that afternoon, we went to the library and did some research. We found that a 3-headed dog is not the most practical guard dog, but can be domesticated through the use of soft names like Powder, Daisy, Fluffy, and Snuggles unlike the names they are usually saddled with like Killer, Maimer, Hey You, and Buster."
"So Hermione and I went to Hagrid next to get some more information on the dog. Its name is Fluffy by the way. Questioning Hagrid provided another clue why the dog was there. It has something to do with Nicholas Flamel. I wonder if Harry would know who that is as well."
Returning with Blaise, Harry overheard only a little of the conversation and said, "Know what?"
The kids explained about the Cerberus on the third floor and about their discovery about Nicholas Flamel. Harry was grateful that Hermione and Padma hadn't noticed the trapdoor under Fluffy and agreed to look into who Flamel was over Christmas. But inwardly he knew he needed to get them to drop the subject. There was no way he was going to allow any of his friends down that rabbit hole.
Not again if he could help it.
At long last, the train arrived at the station. As everyone got up and collected their things, Harry reached into his back and pulled out presents for his friends, unshrinking them as he pulled each one out. It was the same size and shape for everyone. Grinning, Harry admonished, "Okay, everyone, don't open until Christmas. I've charmed the paper to not allow opening until then."
"You've charmed the paper? That's an OWL-level skill," Hermione asked wide-eyed.
"I know. That's why I'm yanking your chains. I didn't charm the paper. I just said it to see who was paying attention."
"Oh, ha-ha, Harry," Susan grinned and shook her head in mock annoyance.
"Thanks, Harry," Hermione said still looking at the package.
"Oh, don't thank me, Hermione, until you've seen it. It's not much. I made it at school using some things I just happened to find laying about."
Indeed, Harry had used his magic to create a few gifts for his friends out of things that just happened to be laying about. That was not a falsehood. And as is, he was pretty confident that Hermione would like what he made for her. And Padma, well, Harry knew she loved Astronomy. He wasn't so sure about the others, but they would probably be well-received by this crowd. It wasn't like they held the same anti-studying fixation that Ron had.
"Did that laying about include anything out of Longbottom's trunk that went missing a couple weeks back?" Edward said with a raised eye.
"I'm not saying. Just be content knowing he'll never recognize it again and he certainly won't need it again. He already had enough statues about him being the greatest son ever from his parents. What's six more missing?"
"Uh-huh," Padma grinned, putting the package with the rest of her things.
"Have a happy Christmas everyone," Harry said as they started to troop out of the compartment.
"You too, Harry," Hermione said, pleased that her first friend had gotten her something for Christmas. Hopefully the book she'd ordered for him would be in and she could get it to him before the holiday.
The students all got off the train and waved to one another as they broke up to meet their parents. Harry noticed Edward met a woman who he thought was his mother. They certainly seemed related. His father was not there.
Before Harry could think of his friend anymore, he was suddenly hugged by his sisters and mother.
Harry gasped.
"Mum! I need… to breathe!"
....
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