Exchanging gifts was the heart of Christmas Eve at Hogwarts.
By now, no one at the school could focus on lessons—not even Hermione, who was so excited she accidentally wrote "Eureka" instead of "Wizard Uckly" in her notes.
Hagrid lumbered into the Great Hall, hauling his fir tree, just as Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick were leaving. They'd been rushing to finish decorating the hall with Christmas cheer.
"Ah, Hagrid, you've brought in the last tree—could you set it in that corner over there?" McGonagall called.
The Great Hall looked spectacular. Garlands of holly and mistletoe draped the walls, and twelve towering Christmas trees stood proudly, some adorned with sparkling icicles, others glowing with hundreds of flickering candles.
"How many days till the holidays?" Hagrid asked.
"Just one," Hermione answered from beside Sean.
Sean, meanwhile, was quietly tying a parcel to his owl's leg, watching as it took off and soared away.
He started wondering if he should give his owl a name.
Before dawn tomorrow, witches and wizards would have their gifts delivered, because the journey of longing always felt so long. But it wasn't until Christmas Day that they'd start unwrapping them—a little Hogwarts tradition.
Sean was just one Apprentice-level alchemical creation away from unlocking the Beginner Alchemist title. So, for much of the day, he was lost in thought, pondering which animal to choose next.
Justin and Hermione were leaving that afternoon, and despite a week of trying, they couldn't convince Sean to spend Christmas at their homes. Ron had wanted to invite him too, but he couldn't even go home himself—his parents were off to Romania to visit his brother Charlie.
As for Harry, he was like Sean—practically glued to Hogwarts, wishing he could stay forever.
The list of students staying for the holidays had been finalized in the second week of December, so everyone already knew whose gifts could be given in person and whose had to be sent by owl.
When Sean reached the Great Hall, he found a small pile of gifts waiting at his spot. He didn't know who they were from, but he carefully took them to his dormitory, checking each name to make sure he had a return gift ready.
The castle was buzzing with excitement as he counted names in the Great Hall.
"Hurry up, Sir!" the Fat Lady called out. She might've been hefty, but she was the fastest portrait around.
"Madam—Madam, wait!" Sir Cadogan panted, trailing far behind.
"Fat Lady, you're moving like lightning now!" Violet shouted, clutching her white petticoat and struggling to keep up.
"This is too important! If I only get to run once in my life, it's gotta be for this!" the Fat Lady declared, already darting through the third portrait frame on the second-floor corridor while Sir Cadogan and Violet were still stuck at the first.
"You've said that how many times now?" Sir Cadogan muttered, confused.
"It's a figure of speech, you blockhead!" the Fat Lady's voice echoed as she sped off.
Downstairs, the Great Hall shimmered with holly and mistletoe garlands.
Sean checked the signatures on several letters but still couldn't find what he was looking for. For some reason, he picked up a letter from Mrs. Roland Terra, the kind old grandmother's daughter:
"Whether your big moment is coming…"
Though the staff table was empty—not even Dumbledore was there—the Great Hall came alive again at lunchtime.
Before leaving, Hermione received a package from Professor Flitwick. She didn't know what was inside, but it was probably a notebook or quill. Justin got a parcel from Professor Sprout, and he grinned, joking that it was probably another recipe.
Of course, no one expected a gift from Professor Snape. Some students even wondered if he'd ever sent a Christmas package.
As Sean ate in the Great Hall, snow melted on the windows, turning into glistening droplets. He walked beneath the silken banners, breathing in the crisp, chilly air.
Hogwarts had given him so much—what more could he want?
"Magic," he murmured, his eyes shining, "is the best gift of all."
But just as he was placing his letters in the dormitory, an owl crashed through the right window, sending glass shards everywhere. Sean froze, baffled, since the left window was wide open.
Ten minutes earlier, outside, the snow-covered Scottish Highlands made the castle look like a fairy tale. Inside the Headmaster's office, a cozy warmth filled the room, with golden-red flames crackling in the fireplace.
Albus Dumbledore stood before a small group, his blue eyes twinkling with kindness and a hint of mischief behind his half-moon glasses. Beside him, Professor Flitwick stood atop a stack of books, practically vibrating with excitement, while Professor Sprout held a pot of blooming snowdrops.
The portraits in the office, even Phineas Nigellus Black, were silent. Nearby, misty-eyed witches and a knight clutching his pony watched as an owl flew off, heading straight for Ravenclaw Tower—where it promptly smashed through Sean's window.
"Reparo," Sean said, quickly repairing the window. He turned to deal with the strange owl, which strutted proudly and pointed its claw at the desk, probably aiming for the letter it carried—though it seemed a bit dazed from the crash.
Curious, Sean picked up the thick letter. One glance, and he was rooted to the spot.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the Ministry of Magic Jointly Declare
Special Adoption Decree
The two lines of golden text seemed to pulse with magic, drawing his eyes downward.
We solemnly notify Mr. Sean Green:
Whereas:
Sean Green meets the criteria of the amended International Statute of Secrecy Exception Clause and the amended Protection of Underage Wizards Act.
And whereas:
Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and Head of Gryffindor House, and Severus Snape, Potions Master and Head of Slytherin House,
Have jointly expressed their firm willingness to undertake the sacred responsibilities of guardianship, education, and protection.
It is hereby decided:
On Christmas Day of this year, in the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts, under the supervision of Headmaster Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, with Professors Filius Flitwick and Pomona Sprout as witnesses, a formal adoption ceremony will be held.
The establishment of this adoption is subject to the following core conditions:
The adoptee, Sean Green, holds the inalienable right to choose freely. He must, with full clarity of mind and understanding of the adoption's significance, express his true intent to either "accept" or "reject" the adoption.
If he accepts, the adoption will take effect immediately upon completion of the ceremony.
Minerva McGonagall and Severus Snape will become his legal guardians and family, with all the rights and responsibilities that entails. He will gain a permanent home, and his safety and emotional growth will be safeguarded with the utmost care.
If he rejects, this adoption decree will be nullified immediately. Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic will arrange alternative provisions to ensure his well-being and magical education remain unaffected.
His presence or absence will determine whether the ceremony proceeds.
Therefore, you are notified:
Location: Headmaster's Office, Hogwarts Castle
Time: Christmas Day
"Oh—my goodness!" the Fat Lady's scream from Ravenclaw Tower was quickly hushed by Violet, who glanced at the silent young wizard nearby and shoved an apple in the Fat Lady's mouth to quiet her.
Sir Cadogan, clutching his pony with teary eyes, said, "They did it. This is the moment that shapes destinies. But even fate's cold winds sometimes carry warm seeds, don't they?"