Chapter 208: Christmas Gifts
Stepping out of Grimmauld Place Number 12, Wade hailed a taxi on the streets of London. Lupin opened the car door for him.
"Are you sure you don't need me to take you?" Lupin asked, holding the door open.
"No, I'm fine," Wade replied. "There's still a lot to sort out after the funeral. I can get back on my own."
"Alright... Be careful on the way," Lupin said.
"Don't worry."
A small tip of Wade's Wand peeked out from his sleeve, then retracted. With his abilities, even without his Wand, it would be difficult for an ordinary person to harm him unless they ambushed him.
"Stop fussing, Remus!"
Sirius pushed Lupin aside, then leaned down and said to Wade, "Come over after a few days at home. It's probably not convenient to practice magic there, is it? You're always welcome here, and feel free to read any book in my study."
Wade smiled. "Thanks. The books I brought this time will last me a long while."
Everyone knew his magic use would be restricted at home, and several people had already invited him over for the holidays. Steven and Professor Murray, Sirius, Lupin, Harry, Michael, and Theo had all mentioned it. Even Marchioni had invited him several times, with such an earnest tone that Wade suspected he might cry if he refused again.
But Wade already had a full and satisfying plan for his vacation.
The taxi slowly accelerated, its speed cautious due to the snow on the road. Through the window, Wade watched as the figures of the two men gradually receded. He smiled, turning back, a unique sense of accomplishment swelling in his chest.
In the original story, Sirius would still be imprisoned in Azkaban at this time, only to escape half a year later, lurking near Hogwarts and surviving by eating rats. Lupin would be wandering in destitution until he heard the news of Sirius's escape, prompting his return to the school he had long left behind.
Witnessing firsthand how he had gradually changed the destinies of others filled him with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that even surpassed the thrill of seeing thousands of Galleons pour into his vault.
...
On Christmas morning, Wade awoke to the sound of chirping. He pulled back the curtains to see several gray sparrows hopping outside the window, pecking at the millet and melon seeds scattered on the windowsill.
Wade smiled, pointed his Wand at his heart, and, as usual, recited a Spell before putting on his thick, fleece-lined pajamas and getting out of bed. A large pile of gifts was stacked at the foot of his bed. Wade pulled out a utility knife and began unwrapping them.
New electronic toys, books, Quills, candy, clothes and hats, Wand maintenance oil, Alchemy tools... Wade unwrapped them with great enthusiasm.
The gifts, to some extent, reflected how others viewed him. Some thought he was still a child who loved toys, some gave perfunctory gifts, and others' gifts were clearly carefully chosen and prepared.
Halfway through unwrapping, Wade suddenly heard a scream from his parents' bedroom – he couldn't tell if it was surprise or fright – and he immediately ran over. As soon as he entered, Fiona embraced him.
"Oh my goodness, is this my gift? Is this the magical pet you made?" Fiona cried out in delight.
"Yes," Wade said. "Do you like it?"
"Of course, it's such a wonderful surprise! This is the best gift I've ever received!" Fiona happily declared.
Ferdinand raised an eyebrow. "Darling, isn't the best gift my engagement ring?"
"How can that be the same, Ferdy~" Fiona turned and kissed her husband's cheek, watching his feigned displeasure instantly vanish. Then, the couple went together to look at Wade's gift.
He had given Fiona a half-human-sized box that, when unfolded, revealed a realistic dollhouse villa that any little girl would love, complete with three palm-sized figurines inside. Fiona initially thought Wade had made a mistake, wondering if it was a gift for some other girl. As she examined it, she saw the little figures suddenly move. This was the source of the earlier scream.
Wade introduced his gift to his mother. "These are Coco, Ari, and Lena. They can alert you, remind you of the time, and clean. If you're bored, they can also chat with you."
"Hello, beautiful lady," Lena said in a tiny voice, daintily lifting her skirt in a curtsy. "I'm truly sorry for startling you."
Ari took off his hat and bowed, while Coco ran straight over and hugged Fiona's finger, saying softly, "Are you alright? I can sing for you."
"Oh, how adorable—" Fiona's face lit up with a beaming smile.
Her pet hamster had recently entered old age, becoming less active and eating much less. Although Fiona had long known that hamsters had short lifespans, she often felt sad about it. The three little figures clearly and quickly dispelled that sadness.
Wade had carefully selected them, and they were diligent, hardworking, gentle, kind, and quite articulate. It didn't take long for them to capture the mistress's attention and earn her continuous praise.
Ferdinand suddenly felt a sense of crisis.
He looked at his son and asked, full of insinuation, "Aren't all your magical pets in animal form?"
Wade replied, "Most are, but humanoid ones are more flexible."
Ferdinand pondered for a while before subtly offering his opinion: "...They talk a bit too much."
Wade looked helplessly at his father and said, "They won't chat when they have work to do."
Ferdinand immediately found an opening and sent the three humanoids to clean the attic.
House Gray's attic was used less than twice a year and was piled high with clutter. It would probably take the three little guys one or two weeks to sort it all out.
Then, Ferdinand contentedly unwrapped the gift Wade had given him.
"—Beetles?"
Several beetles of various colors lay quietly in the transparent box. Although their colors were as beautiful as gems, their slender antennae and three pairs of curved legs clearly identified them as beetles.
Wade tapped the box, and the beetles curled up, looking almost identical to gems.
"You can wear them as cufflinks," Wade said. "They'll be very quiet normally, but if you encounter danger, they can protect you."
"This one can spray venom that makes the target unconscious."
"This one causes intense pain when it bites an enemy."
"This one makes people itch all over."
"This one is the most dangerous."
Wade pointed to the last black beetle and said:
"It carries a deadly toxin, so don't use it lightly. If you accidentally misuse it, squeeze the green liquid from its rear; that's the antidote, and it must be taken within three minutes."
Ferdinand was silent for a moment, then asked, "Wade, is magic school that dangerous?"
"No," Wade said. "I'm just afraid you might encounter danger when I'm not around."
Ferdinand patted his shoulder, feeling both gratified and a little sad.
He realized very clearly that he had transitioned from his son's protector and guide to someone who needed protection.
At least, that's what Wade thought.
Back to update after a dizzying train ride.
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