The Great Hall was adorned with glittering garlands and sparkling Christmas trees, and the students were buzzing with excitement for the upcoming Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw Quidditch match.

Harry and Thomas were particularly eager for the game, as it would be the first time they faced each other on the Quidditch field. They had been practicing tirelessly with their respective teams, each determined to come out on top. Especially Thomas who had quite a lot of his head between his studies, finding the true culprit and his Quidditch training, unlike Harry, who focused his entire being on the training or so Hermione told Thomas.

As the day of the match approached, tensions ran high throughout the school. The Gryffindor and Ravenclaw students engaged in friendly banter, each confident in their team's ability to win.

On the day of the match, the sky was a bright, clear blue, and the stands were packed with cheering fans. Harry and Thomas took their positions in the air, eyes fixed on the golden Snitch hovering in the center of the field.

The referee's whistle blew, and the game began. The two teams soared into the air, each vying for control of the Quaffle. Thomas, as the Ravenclaw Seeker, had his eyes peeled for the golden Snitch, but he couldn't help but keep an eye on Harry, as well.

The Gryffindors were quick to gain an early lead, with their Chasers scoring several goals in quick succession. However, Matthew and the Ravenclaw's Chasers soon found their stride and managed to score a few goals of their own, closing the gap between the two teams.

While Matthew was leading the team, Thomas was doing his best to keep an eye on the Snitch, but Harry was proving to be a formidable opponent. The two Seekers were darting around the field, jostling for position and trying to catch a glimpse of the tiny golden ball.

As the game wore on, tensions continued to mount. The Gryffindor and Ravenclaw supporters were on the edge of their seats, cheering and shouting encouragement to their teams. Thomas could hear Hermione's voice among the Ravenclaw supporters, cheering him on and urging him to catch the Snitch. It made Thomas smile, imagine Hermione amongst the other Ravenclaws, especially since she was supposed to be a Gryffindor, thought ever since that time when both houses joined together to fight the Slytherin, many of the students have started befriending people from the other house.

Thomas was brought back to the present as he saw a glint of gold out of the corner of his eye. He immediately turned his broom and shot toward the Snitch. Harry followed suit, and the two of them were soon neck and neck, both reaching out to grab the Snitch.

It was a close call, but at the last second, Thomas managed to snatch the Snitch out of the air, just before Harry's fingers could close around it. Thomas let out a whoop of joy as the Ravenclaw supporters erupted into cheers.

As the adrenaline wore off, Thomas felt his arms and legs start to ache. He looked over at Harry, who was also looking winded but still grinning from ear to ear.

"Good game, Potter," Thomas said, extending a hand towards him. Harry took it and shook it firmly. "Good game to you too, Grayson," he replied.

The two boys made their way back down to the ground, where they were greeted by their respective teams. The Gryffindors were gracious in defeat, congratulating the Ravenclaws on a well-played game. Thomas felt a sense of pride in himself and his team as they were cheered by their housemates.

As the two boys made their way back to the castle, they talked and laughed about the game. Despite their rivalry on the field, they had both thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Thomas couldn't help but feel a newfound respect for Harry, who had proved himself to be a worthy opponent.

However, the excitement of the game caught up with them, and they both suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion. Thomas swayed on his feet and felt his broom slip from his fingers. Harry stumbled as well and they both fell to the ground, landing with a thud.

As they lay there, panting and laughing, Thomas couldn't help but feel grateful for this moment. A few seconds later, both of them got on their feet and walk to their respective houses. When he walked into the Ravenclaw common room, Thomas was welcomed back with cheers and applause. His fellow Ravenclaws were thrilled with his performance. They congratulated him on his efforts and praised him for his skill as a Seeker. He chatted with some of them about the game, exchanging stories and anecdotes, and reliving some of the exciting moments from the match.

Eventually, Thomas excused himself, before he made his way up to his dormitory, feeling tired but happy. He was looking forward to a good night's rest, knowing that he had another busy day ahead of him. As he entered the room, he found that his roommates had returned and were waiting for him.

"Hey, Tom! How do you feel?" James asked, grinning.

"Tired, but happy," Thomas replied, beaming. "Even though it was by no means an easy win, I had fun."

"I bet you had," Adam said. "You guys are both really good Seekers. Besides, everyone saw just how much fun you two crazy bastards were having up there."

Michael nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it must have been quite the race."

"It definitely was," Thomas said, nodding. "But it was a lot of fun. I'm just glad I got to play."

The boys chatted for a few more minutes before settling down to sleep, exhausted from the excitement of the day. Thomas lay in his bed, feeling content and happy with his new life at Hogwarts. He couldn't wait to see what other adventures and challenges lay ahead for him at the magical school.

A few more days pass by and Christmas was coming. One morning in mid-December, Hogwarts woke to find itself covered in several feet of snow. The lake froze solid and the Weasley twins were punished for bewitching several snowballs so that they followed Quirrell around, bouncing off the back of his turban. The few owls that managed to battle their way through the stormy sky to deliver post had to be nursed back to health by Hagrid before they could fly off again. Thought that didn't stop Dr.Whoo from going back and forth between Hogwarts and Thomas' home bringing letters and packages for his human friend.

No one could wait for the holidays to start. While the house's common room and the Great Hall had roaring fires, the draughty corridors had become icy and a bitter wind rattled the windows in the classrooms. Worst of all were Professor Snape's classes down in the dungeons, where their breath rose in a mist before them and they kept as close as possible to their hot cauldrons.

"I do feel so sorry," said Draco Malfoy, one Potions class, "for all those people who have to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas because they're not wanted at home."

He was looking over at Harry as he spoke. Crabbe and Goyle chuckled. Harry, who was measuring out the powdered spine of lionfish, ignored them. Malfoy had been even more unpleasant than usual since the Quidditch match. Disgusted that Slytherin had lost, he had tried to get everyone laughing at how a wide-mouthed tree frog would be replacing Harry as Seeker next. Then he'd realized that nobody found this funny because they were all so impressed at the way Harry had managed to stay on his bucking broomstick. So Malfoy, jealous and angry, had gone back to taunting Harry about having no proper family.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

It was true that Harry wasn't going back to Privet Drive for Christmas. Professor McGonagall had come round the week before, making a list of students who would be staying for the holidays, and Harry had signed up at once. He didn't feel sorry for himself at all; this would probably be the best Christmas he'd ever had. Ron and his brothers were staying too because Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were going to Romania to visit Charlie.

When they left the dungeons at the end of Potions, they found a large fir tree blocking the corridor ahead. Two enormous feet sticking out at the bottom and a loud puffing sound told them that Hagrid was behind it.

"Hi, Hagrid, want any help?" Ron asked, sticking his head through the branches.

"Nah, I'm all right, thanks, Ron."

"Would you mind moving out of the way?" came Malfoy's cold drawl from behind them. "Are you trying to earn some extra money, Weasley? Hoping to be gamekeeper yourself when you leave Hogwarts, I suppose, that hut of Hagrid's must seem like a palace compared to what your family's used to."

Just as Ron was about to charge at Malfoy, the younger Wesley heard the familiar voice of his friend.

As Thomas spoke, Malfoy's sneer disappeared, and his face paled with fear. He was surprised by Thomas's confidence, and it shook him to his core. He was used to bullying those weaker than him, and he never expected anyone to stand up to him.

"What's the matter, Malfoy? Cat got your tongue?" Thomas taunted, noticing the fear in Malfoy's eyes.

Malfoy took a step back, and his goons followed suit, suddenly unsure of themselves. "No, I...I just don't want any trouble," he stammered, his voice quivering.

James stepped forward, his eyes blazing. "You never do, do you, Malfoy?" he spat. "But you always seem to find it."

Adam and Michael moved to flank their friends, standing tall and ready to defend them.

Malfoy's face twisted with anger, but he knew he was outnumbered. He glared at the group before turning on his heel and storming off, his goons following him like loyal lapdogs.

Thomas, James, Adam, and Michael watched them go, feeling victorious once again. They knew that Malfoy and his goons would never learn, but they also knew that they would always be there to stand up to them.

Before Ron, Hermione, or Harry could say anything, Snape walks out of the class looking right at the four Ravenclaw boys. "Mr. Grayson, Mr. Wood, Mr. O'Sullivan and Mr. MacKenzie, I take it, you four enjoy making Mr. Malfoy and his friends run away, scared for their life?"

The four Ravenclaw boys turned to face Snape, their expressions a mixture of surprise and unease. Thomas stepped forward, hoping to god that Snape would listen.

"We don't enjoy making anyone run away in fear, Professor," he said, his tone respectful but firm. "But we won't stand by and let them bully anyone either. Especially when they are aiming it at our friends."

Snape's eyes narrowed as he studied the boys. "And do you think you're capable of handling such situations on your own?" he asked, his voice laced with skepticism.

Thomas straightened his shoulders. "We may not be as experienced as the teachers, but we're not helpless either, sir," he replied, his confidence unwavering. "We know how to stand up for ourselves and our friends."

Snape's expression softened slightly, though his voice remained stern. "I understand your desire to protect your peers," he said. "But be careful not to let your bravado get the better of you. Before you start becoming some kind of justice fighter, it's important to remember that sometimes it's better to seek help from a teacher rather than take matters into your own hands."

The four boys nodded, taking Snape's words to heart. As he walked away, they exchanged a look, each feeling a little better for the stern Potions Master. They knew that while they may not always agree with his methods, Snape had their best interests at heart and was only trying to keep them safe.

Once Snape had left the classroom, Ron, Harry, and Hermione walked over to their friends. Harry spoke up first, a grateful smile on his face.

"Thanks for having our backs back there," he said.

Ron nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we appreciate it," he added.

Hermione chimed in next, her tone earnest. "We know Malfoy can be a real git sometimes," she said, "and it's nice to know we have friends who aren't afraid to stand up to him."

Thomas grinned in response. "Hey, what are friends for?" he quipped, and the other boys chuckled.

James spoke up next, a hint of mischief in his tone. "Besides, it's always fun to see Malfoy and his goons running scared," he said, and they all shared a laugh.

Adam and Michael both nodded, their expressions serious. "But in all honesty," Adam said, "we don't think anyone should have to put up with that kind of bullying."

Michael added, "Yeah, we're just glad we could help."

Harry nodded in agreement. " It's good to know that we can all come together when it counts."

Hermione smiled, her expression warm. "And it's nice to have friends who share the same values," she said, "who aren't afraid to stand up for what's right."

Thomas nodded in agreement. "C'mon, we may be in different houses," he said, "but we're all here at Hogwarts to learn and grow. And we can all do that by supporting each other."

The group fell into a comfortable silence, each lost in their own thoughts. They all knew that Hogwarts could be a challenging and dangerous place, but they also knew that they had each other to rely on.

"Come on, cheer up, it's nearly Christmas," said Hagrid. "Tell yeh what, come with me an' see the Great Hall, looks a treat."

So the kids followed Hagrid and his tree off to the Great Hall, where Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick were busy with the Christmas decorations.

"Ah, Hagrid, the last tree, put it in the far corner, would you?"

The Hall looked spectacular. Festoons of holly and mistletoe hung all around the walls and no fewer than twelve towering Christmas trees stood around the room, some sparkling with tiny icicles, some glittering with hundreds of candles.

"How many days you got left until yer holidays?" Hagrid asked.

"Just one,' said Hermione. 'And that reminds me, Harry, Ron, we've got half an hour before lunch, we should be in the library."

"Oh yeah, you're right," said Ron, tearing his eyes away from Professor Flitwick, who had golden bubbles blossoming out of his wand and was trailing them over the branches of the new tree.

"The library?' said Hagrid, following them out of the Hall. "Just before the holidays? Bit keen, aren't yeh?"

Hermione just smiled at Hagrid before grabbing Thomas' hand and dragging him along with them. James, Adam, and Michael laughed at what they were seeing as they followed behind.

"Well, we need to do some research," Hermione said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "We're looking for information on Nicolas Flamel."

"You what?" Hagrid looked shocked. "Listen here. I've told yeh, drop it. It's nothin' to you what that dog's guardin'."

"We just want to know who Nicolas Flamel is, that's all," said Hermione.

"Unless you'd like to tell us and save us the trouble?" Harry added. "We must've been through hundreds of books already and we can't find him anywhere. Just give us a hint, I know I've read his name somewhere."

"I'm sayin' nothin'," said Hagrid flatly.

"Just have to find out for ourselves, then," said Ron, and they left Hagrid looking disgruntled and hurried off to the library.

Meanwhile, Thomas, who was still being dragged by Hermione, and his friends were looking blankly at the three Gryffindors not knowing what they had just been dragged into. When they settled down at a table in the library, Thomas couldn't help but ask the trio what they were searching for with such urgency. Hermione, as always, was the first to respond.

"We're searching for information on Nicolas Flamel," she said, her eyes scanning the bookshelves around them. "We heard Hagrid mention his name and we think Snape might be trying to steal something from him."

James, Adam, and Michael leaned in, intrigued. "Who is Nicolas Flamel?" James asked.

"That's what we are trying to find out," Hermione explained.

"And since Snape wants to steal from him, we think he's someone famous," Ron added

Thomas raised an eyebrow. "I mean if I knew where something valuable that belong to a famous guy, I might want to steal it too right?"

"Exactly," Hermione nodded. "But the problem is, we have no idea where to find any information on Flamel. We've been searching for hours and we're no closer to figuring out what Snape is up to."

Michael thought for a moment before speaking up. "Well, we can help," he said. "I mean, the Ravenclaw common room has its own library and we're pretty good at finding information quickly. We could split up and search for Flamel in both libraries, maybe we'll find something faster."

Hermione's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "That's a great idea," she said. "Thank you, guys. I don't know how we didn't think of that before."

And so, the group split up and began searching for any information on Nicolas Flamel. Thomas, James, Adam, and Michael went to search through the Ravenclaw common room library, while Ron, Harry, and Hermione remained in the library trying to find anything about Nicolas Flamel.