As the first snowfall of December blanketed Hogwarts, Adam prepared for his journey home for the winter break. He felt a pang of bittersweet excitement—while he looked forward to seeing his family and magical friends back home, he knew he’d miss the thrill of exploring Hogwarts and the company of Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

The day before break officially began, Adam and Hermione found Harry and Ron engrossed in a heated game of wizard chess in the Great Hall. Students and teachers alike were busy hanging ornaments on the Christmas tree and decorating parts of the castle, conjuring snowflakes, and stringing enchanted lights around the hall to welcome the holiday season. The usual restrictions were lifted; even enchanted snow was allowed to drift through the enchanted ceiling, adding a soft glow to the otherwise dark stone hall.

Hermione sat down beside Harry, watching the intense chess match. “You know,” she began thoughtfully, her gaze fixed on the chess pieces as they moved under Ron's directions, “I was thinking about the forbidden section in the library. If we could find anything about Nicholas Flamel there…”

Ron snickered, glancing up at her. “Hermione, you’ve been influenced by us,” he teased. “I never thought I’d see the day you suggested sneaking into restricted sections.”

Adam chuckled, and Hermione’s cheeks flushed a little. “Well, just because it’s against the rules doesn’t mean it’s not the right thing to do.” She tilted her chin up defiantly. “It’s for educational purposes.”

“Right, ‘educational purposes’… sure,” Harry added, grinning. Hermione glared at them and said, "The chess game is pretty barbaric.

Adam and Hermione said their goodbyes to the boys a little later, as they had already packed their luggage and would be going back to their respective families. Harry and Ron, however, would be staying at the castle, as neither planned to leave for various reasons. “I’ll be sending all of you some Christmas gifts,” Adam promised, waving at them as they left the Great Hall. Ron and Harry waved back, giving them exaggerated nods of thanks.

After a few moments, Adam and Hermione made their way toward the Hogwarts Express. The walk through the snowy grounds, with Hogwarts behind them and a few other students nearby, was filled with chatter about their holiday plans. “If you’re ever in the area, you can visit my place,” Adam offered, seeing Hermione’s curious look. “I’ve got a few… interesting friends I think you’d like.”

Hermione’s face brightened. “Really? I’d love that! Maybe Harry and Ron can join too; I’m sure they’d love to meet your magical creatures.”

Adam grinned. “It’s settled, then. Maybe before second year begins. We’ll have more time then instead of visiting between mid breaks from Hogwarts”

As they reached Hogsmeade Station, Adam and Hermoine found a cabin to share with a few other students. After a few hours on the train, they finally arrived at King's Cross Station, where they said their goodbyes and promised to reconnect after the holidays. Adam soon found his sister, Elara was already out of her compartment, and together they eagerly exchanged stories about their time at school as they searched for the family carriage to take them back to their castle.

Finally, they spotted one of the family’s butlers waiting by their carriage. Soon, they were riding along familiar forested paths until their home came into view—a magnificent castle standing proudly against the winter sky, its towers dusted with snow.

Once inside, Adam placed his bags in his room and released Seraphina, who flew up to her perch with a soft hoot. He returned downstairs to join his family for dinner, eager to share his stories. Elara was equally excited, and they both talked about their school life, friends, and their teachers over the meal. Adam recounted tales of adventure and mentioned his budding friendship with Hagrid, careful to leave out any secrets about the forest.

Adam’s parents and grandparents listened intently, nodding with pride. His father, ever the stoic presence, gave a rare smile. “You’re doing well, Adam. Hogwarts seems to be treating you just as we’d hoped.”

As the sun sank below the horizon, painting the sky in soft hues of orange and purple, Adam ventured into the sprawling garden to reunite with his magical friends. The crisp winter air nipped at his cheeks, but his excitement shielded him from the chill. The familiar grounds brought a wave of nostalgia and joy—it felt good to be home.

His first stop was Ember, his fire crab. She was nestled near a small, enchanted pool that had been specially created for her comfort. Her thick, iridescent shell glowed faintly in the dim light, flickering with embers at the edges. She had grown significantly, now almost as big as a large pumpkin, but she still approached him with the same gentle, almost shy manner she had as a young hatchling. Adam squatted down beside her, extending a hand, and she clinked her claws softly against his palm in a greeting. He chuckled, noticing how her ember-spotted shell glowed brighter with excitement. “Look at you, Ember! You’ve been growing up while I’ve been away.”

He moved on to find Glimmer, his beloved niffler, who, as always, was drawn to the shiny watch he wore on his wrist. She gave him an enthusiastic nuzzle, her little nose sniffing out any treasure he might have brought. Adam laughed as he felt the gentle tug of her claws; she was already nudging his pockets, ever curious and hopeful. But it wasn’t just Glimmer this time—she was surrounded by her growing brood, a lively collection of baby nifflers that scampered around her. One of them, with fur that shone slightly more silver than the rest, seemed particularly keen on causing trouble.

Adam knelt down, holding out a shiny sickle in his palm, and the tiny niffler's eyes lit up as it darted forward, snatching the coin and clutching it close with its small, greedy paws. Adam couldn’t help but laugh, the creature's enthusiasm reminding him of its mischievous nature.

“Well, you’re certainly your mother’s child,” he murmured fondly, reaching out to scratch the little niffler’s head. The niffler chittered happily, leaning into the touch while still eyeing him for any more treasures he might have hidden.

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I think the name Hoarder suits you,” Adam added with a grin. Hoarder nuzzled his hand, clearly pleased with the name he had been given just before Adam left for school, along with his shiny new prize.

Hoarder gave an approving little chirp, quickly dashing off to add his new prize to a growing stash he had assembled in a corner of the garden. Adam noted the impressive pile of trinkets—buttons, coins, a few rings—that the young niffler had already amassed.

As he continued through the garden, he felt the gentle, familiar tug on his collar. Twiggle, his ever-loyal bowtruckle, had quietly clambered onto his shoulder, looking at him with beady eyes that sparkled with a hint of reproach, as though chastising Adam for leaving him behind. Adam chuckled, reaching up to give the little bowtruckle a gentle scratch. “Sorry for leaving you, Twiggle. Bet you’ve kept everything here in check, though.” Twiggle responded with a pleased trill, settling comfortably against Adam’s neck, as though ensuring he wouldn’t leave again.

Adam spent a few more moments taking in the garden’s familiar sights and sounds, but a small pang of concern tugged at him. He hadn’t seen Eclipse, the family’s noble hippogriff. Usually, Eclipse would greet him with a dignified, if aloof, nod, as though acknowledging Adam’s presence in his territory. Adam scanned the grounds but saw no sign of the sleek, proud creature. Part of him felt a worry bubble up, but he reminded himself that Eclipse had always been independent, a bit of a wanderer at heart. He probably had his own routine and would return in his own time.

The stars were beginning to prick through the night sky, and as Adam looked around at his beloved creatures, he felt a deep sense of peace. It was moments like these that reminded him why he loved magical creatures so much—their loyalty, their quirks, and the undeniable magic they brought into his life. With a final stroke to Twiggle’s head, he turned back toward the castle, feeling grateful and content, already looking forward to the next morning when he’d come to check on his magical companions once more.

Before heading to bed, Adam made his way over to Seraphina's perch, where his loyal owl waited, watching him with her intelligent, amber eyes. He gently stroked her feathers, murmuring softly to her as he set out her night meal. Seraphina hooted appreciatively, tilting her head as if listening intently.

“There you go, girl. Rest well—you’ve got a few important tasks coming up soon,” he said, scratching under her chin. She nipped his finger affectionately, a silent promise that she was ready and eager to help him with whatever he needed.

The next morning, Adam made his way to Diagon Alley, accompanied by his faithful house-elf, Wimble, and a few guards discreetly blending into the crowds. Security was still a priority for his family, even as he grew older.

Their first stop was Gringotts. The grand, marble entrance loomed before him, and once inside, the goblins greeted him with respectful nods, acknowledging the Morgan family name. They led him through the winding tunnels and intricate railways until they reached his vault. Adam’s eyes widened slightly at the sight before him: towering heaps of gleaming gold, silver, and bronze, each coin catching the light from the enchanted torches lining the walls.

With a steady hand, Adam withdrew a substantial amount of half a million Galleons, planning to set aside funds for upcoming projects and necessities. He transferred the coins into his charm-expanded bag, which seemed as light as ever despite the wealth it now held.

Satisfied, Adam and Wimble ventured back into the bustling heart of Diagon Alley. Shoppers filled the narrow streets, the air alive with excitement, and Adam felt a sense of freedom as he wandered from store to store, keeping his mind on finding the perfect gifts.

For Harry, he found a beautiful set of polished broomstick servicing tools, complete with a charm to keep them organized. Adam knew how much Harry loved flying and figured a well-cared-for broom would be a great asset in the years ahead.

Ron, on the other hand, would appreciate something he might not be able to get easily, so Adam found a set of enchanted chess pieces—one-of-a-kind, made from dragonstone, which glinted faintly in the light and could enhance the strategy for a skilled player like him.

Finally, for Hermione, he picked out an elegantly bound leather notebook enchanted with a spell to increase its storage capacity; she’d be able to jot down endless notes and ideas without running out of space. He imagined her excitement at receiving something both practical and magical.

After finishing his shopping and buying the remaining gifts for his family, Adam used his family’s portkey to return to the castle. He placed the family gifts near the Christmas tree, along with a few treats for his magical companions in the garden and a delicious meal for Seraphina, who would be delivering the gifts to the trio.

Christmas morning arrived with joy and cheer as his family gathered around the grand tree in the main hall. After unwrapping gifts and enjoying breakfast, Adam spent the rest of the day in a mix of relaxation and practice. In the quiet moments, he found himself delving into his studies, honing spells he’d learned at Hogwarts, and reading more about magical creatures.

As winter break drew to a close, Adam seized a quiet moment to speak with his older brother, Lucien. They met in the family study, a room lined with shelves of ancient magical texts, the soft glow of enchanted lamps casting a warm light. Adam knew he could trust Lucien with his concerns—his brother had always been someone he could rely on, especially when it came to matters involving their family’s influence and resources.

“I’ve been hearing whispers,” Adam said, lowering his voice. “There are disturbances in the Forbidden Forest. I think something—or someone—is after the unicorns. I believe it’s the Dark Lord.”

Lucien’s face darkened. “You’re certain?”

Adam nodded. “Hagrid hinted at trouble, and I’ve seen signs myself. I thought, maybe… you could help.” He lowered his voice further. “I don’t want to worry Mother and Father, so please—don’t let them know this came from me. But with your contacts at the Ministry, you might be able to pull some strings to provide protection for the creatures in the forest. Officially, it would look like a Ministry initiative, and we can keep our family’s involvement quiet.”

Lucien’s eyes gleamed with determination. “Consider it done. The Ministry may be under some influence from our family, but it’ll take careful planning to ensure we don’t attract suspicion. I’ll work discreetly—no one will suspect it’s us.”

“Thank you, Lucien,” Adam said quietly. “I know the Dark Lord is dangerous, but with our family involved, he doesn’t stand a chance. Father’s past clash with him proved that our magic can match his—and there are even stronger wizards in our family, most of them hidden.”

Lucien nodded, offering a reassuring smile. “The Dark Lord may have power, but he is only one dark wizard. Our family has centuries of knowledge and influence on our side.”

As the holiday came to an end, Adam felt a surge of confidence. With his family’s support, he believed they had a fighting chance to hold back the forces of darkness, even if only temporarily. The Dark Lord, though powerful, would not find it easy to cause harm while the Morgan family stood in his way.

Adam’s thoughts turned to Harry and his friends. He knew Harry had now something special—a family heirloom in the form of an invisibility cloak he’d received for Christmas. And if the stories were true, Harry had likely already encountered the Mirror of Erised, perhaps catching a glimpse of what he longed for most.

Adam was careful not to meddle directly in Harry’s path, knowing the consequences could be too great. But he would be ready, watching from the sidelines, prepared to step in if needed. Destiny was already set in motion, and he was determined to be there for his friends whenever they needed him most.