Dana's enthusiasm for learning surged once more. Both War Magic and Natural Magic were ancient—and incredibly powerful—branches of magic, lost to most of the Wizarding World. Their casting techniques were nearly impossible to replicate by modern wizards.
After successfully imprinting a small guiding magic array into his left arm, Dana was already able to cast some impressive spells—spells that might soon become his ultimate trump card. He attended classes during the day, sneaked into Merlin's Secret Treasure on the second floor by night to study ancient magic and sleep, and on rest days—when the Chudley Cannons played—he'd show up for a few seconds. His life had become both fulfilling and regular.
Then came the Christmas holiday. With it came the return of Earl Dantes, who had been "handling family affairs in the East." This year, he brought the twins the best Christmas gift they had ever received: a twenty-year lease on a shop in the new city center, plus five hundred Galleons in startup capital.
"Dana is too generous!" Fred exclaimed, moved.
George hugged his brother, bouncing with excitement. "Our magical joke shop can open right away!"
Fred nodded, "But we must give Dana fifty percent of the shares!"
George shook his head. "That's not enough. The shop and the money are both from Dana. Have you seen housing prices in the new city recently? A shop there probably costs more than everything our family owns!"
"True. Dana should be the boss—but he's only been playing Quidditch for less than a year. How could he afford a city-center lease?"
George grinned. "Don't forget—he's the backbone of the Chudley Cannons for decades to come. And the Chudley Cannons belong to Earl Dantes! The Earl owns almost the entire new city, by the way."
"Wow, I heard the Earl was generous, but this really proves it!"
"Let's visit the new city tomorrow to see our shop!"
"Absolutely!"
Their home—The Burrow—stood on a hill just east of the new city. A half-hour walk or a brief broom flight and they'd be there.
"Dinner!" Molly's booming call echoed through the house. The twins came down, beaming—and nearly collided with Ron, who was chatting cheerfully while a small cat owl perched on his head.
"Look, Fred, George—my Christmas gift! A cat owl!"
Fred whistled. "That's not cheap. You must have a very wealthy friend. Harry?"
"No…" Ron hesitated. "It was from Emrys. I admit, he really is generous."
George clapped Ron on the back. "You got a heavy gift and you don't even call him by name. Did you get Dana a gift?"
Ron blushed. "Of course I did—by tomorrow, definitely!" He paused, frowning slightly. "Cat owls are very busy at Christmas… delivery can be late by a day or two."
As Ron fretted over what to give Dana—after buying gifts for Harry, Hermione, Neville, Seamus, Dean, and Ginny—he realized his Galleons were dwindling. He'd planned to pick up some sweets on the Hogwarts Express.
Downstairs, the dining table groaned beneath an array of unfamiliar dishes, and the twins dove in.
Fred grabbed a square of reddish-brown meat, chomped, and groaned with delight. George followed suit, equally impressed.
Molly emerged from the kitchen with a huge pot of soup. "Fred! George! Wash your hands!"
"Yes, Mum!" the twins chorused, giggling as they ran.
"Mum, when did your cooking get so good?" Fred asked.
Molly smiled. "All thanks to the Christmas gift Dana sent me—a translated Chinese cookbook!"
Ron, stroking his cat owl, declared, "A cookbook isn't as valuable as mine."
Molly rolled her eyes. Ron ignored her disdain and turned to Ginny—who had just come downstairs, still looking pale.
"Ginny, besides family, did you get any Christmas gifts from classmates?"
Ginny nodded. "Harry and Dana both gave me gifts."
Ron winced. "Dana gave you one too? What did he send?"
Ginny answered quietly, "A set of strawberry‑flavored tonics."
Ron frowned. "Who sends medicine for Christmas?"
Ginny retorted, "My body got weak in early December—I still haven't recovered. And you're my brother! You don't care for me as much as Dana does."
As she spoke, Percy descended with a book titled Management tucked under his arm.
"Percy, put the book down—it's time to eat," commanded Molly.
"Right," Percy murmured, obedient.
Ron glanced at Percy's book. Management. Typical Percy—always studying.
Molly called out into the yard, "Arthur! Come back for dinner!"
Arthur replied excitedly from afar, "Just a moment—I'm almost done with this generator!"
Ron smiled knowingly—it wasn't magic. Clearly, Dana had given Arthur a Muggle generator.
At the dinner table, Molly announced, "That child Dana sent gifts to the whole family. I'd like to invite him here for a couple of days."
Arthur nodded. "Of course. I'll write after dinner."
Fred chuckled. "Dad, you don't need to write—Dana isn't in Britain this Christmas holiday."
"Not here? Where is he?"
Percy spoke up. "I heard Professor McGonagall say he went travelling in Europe. His mother's dying wish was to travel across Europe with him."
Molly's hand flew to her chest. "Poor child."
Ron suddenly thought of his gift: five Galleons. It was probably the most valuable.
He asked Fred and George, "What did Dana give you?"
The twins exchanged mischievous grins. "Nothing," they said in unison.
"Nothing?" Ron repeated.
Fred smiled. "He gave us a future."
Ron blinked. "A future? How much is that worth? Is it as expensive as five Galleons?"
Reflection & Notes
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