The morning air was crisp as Adam and his sister, Elara, climbed into their family’s enchanted carriage. With a gentle hum of magic, the carriage carried them through the city streets toward King’s Cross Station. As they neared Platform 9 ¾, a small smile played on Adam’s lips, both eager and ready to return to Hogwarts after a festive winter break. Elara seemed just as excited, and as they passed through the barrier, they found themselves in the bustling crowd of students and families, each saying their goodbyes.
Spotting Hermione with her parents nearby, Adam nudged Elara. They made their way over, exchanging greetings. Hermione’s parents looked both amazed and a little nervous to be back in the magical world, but her mother gave Adam and Elara a warm smile.
“This is Elara, my sister,” Adam introduced proudly, watching as Elara politely shook hands with the Grangers, holding herself with a quiet confidence.
After their farewells and introductions, Adam and Hermione found an empty cabin on the train. As they settled in, Hermione pulled out the thoughtful gift Adam had sent her over the break—a leather notebook enchanted to hold far more than its appearance suggested.
“Thank you so much, Adam,” Hermione said, her eyes alight with appreciation. “This will be so helpful for my studies. I can’t believe you managed to find something like this.”
Adam smiled, leaning back in his seat. “I know a few people—and since some workshops and stores are under the Morgan family, it turns out there’s not much that’s impossible to find.” He shrugged modestly. “I thought you’d like it. You’re already ahead in most subjects, so I figured something advanced might be fun for you.” They spent the journey exchanging stories about their holidays, Hermione recounting her family’s Muggle festivities while Adam described the magical traditions celebrated at his family’s estate.
As the train pulled into Hogsmeade Station, Adam marveled at the snow-blanketed landscape. The frost-covered trees sparkled in the evening light, and the quiet stillness of the countryside felt magical. They disembarked, shivering slightly in the crisp air as they waited for the carriages to take them back to the castle. Finally inside the warm walls of Hogwarts, Adam and Hermoine made their way to their respective dormitories. After storing their luggage and taking rest, they reunited in the Gryffindor common room, where they spotted Harry and Ron lounging by the crackling fire.
Eagerly, they joined the two boys, who greeted them with warm smiles and immediately began discussing their holidays. Harry and Ron thanked Adam for their Christmas gifts. Adam had picked out a set of enchanted chess pieces for Ron, which Ron was eager to try out in his next game, and a beautifully polished set of broomstick servicing tools for Harry. The latter would come in handy for Harry's Quidditch practices, and he looked genuinely pleased with the thoughtful gift.
Later, Harry shared an exciting revelation. “I received an Invisibility Cloak over the holidays,” he said in a low voice, his eyes glinting. He went on to describe his visit to the Forbidden Section in the library and his narrow escape from Filch’s cat. “I stumbled across this strange mirror—Dumbledore called it the Mirror of Erised. He told me not to waste my time staring at it, but…it was incredible.”
Adam listened intently, nodding. “Dumbledore’s right. That mirror can show you dreams that might never come true and what you truly desire. It’s best to keep your focus on what’s real.” The evening passed quickly as they shared stories and laughter, surrounded by the comforting warmth of the common room's fire.
The next day, classes resumed, and Adam settled back into his usual routine. However, he had one particular goal he’d been eager to pursue since his first term: meeting the elusive giant squid of the Black Lake. Early each morning, he would head to the lake, hoping to catch a glimpse of the creature. February came and went, and finally, one chilly morning just before summer, Adam spotted a massive tentacle breaking the water’s surface. As he approached the lake’s edge, the squid extended a tentacle toward him, almost as if to shake his hand.
“Nice to finally meet you,” Adam said softly, offering the creature a few rare fish in bucket he had brought along, with the help of Wimble, who could easily Apparate to gather them from distant parts of the world.
The squid accepted the offering with what Adam almost thought was a pleased flick of its tentacle, making the lake’s surface churn briefly. Adam chuckled, watching the squid sink back under the water to savor its treat. He realized this friendship, though simple, was unique. The squid’s gentle presence was like a gentle gaint, and he found himself looking forward to their meetings, even if they were often quiet and wordless.
Over the weekends, Adam’s morning ritual at the lake became a treasured routine. Each interaction deepened his fascination with the creature, sparking a quiet joy. Sometimes he would talk to the squid, telling it about his classes or his friends, not expecting any response but finding comfort in the steady, watchful silence of the creature beneath the lake’s depths.
One morning, during the spring, the squid surprised Adam by breaching its head briefly above the water, its large, unblinking eye observing him intently. The sheer intelligence in that gaze made Adam’s heart race with wonder. “You’re a mystery,” he murmured, crouching at the water’s edge. “But I’m glad we’re friends.”
Soon enough, the Easter holidays arrived, but Adam decided to remain at Hogwarts, his curiosity compelling him to explore the grounds and delve deeper into his studies. During a break, he exchanged letters with his brother, Lucien, sharing their mutual concerns about the Dark Lord’s dark influence lingering in the Forbidden Forest.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Lucien replied with promising news: their family had collaborated with the Ministry to address the shadowed presence within the forest, even enlisting the support of the centaurs—a gesture of goodwill, as the Morgans had aided these creatures in the past. Together, they managed to drive the ominous figure deeper into the forest, shielding the unicorns from any further harm.
For the time being, the centaurs and Ministry officials would continue to guard the unicorns, aware that the Dark Lord would not simply abandon his plans after a minor setback. They remained vigilant, knowing he was unlikely to sit idle for long.
During a lively lunch in the Great Hall, the group found themselves discussing the upcoming final exams. The chatter of students filled the room as the four friends exchanged their thoughts, each one expressing different levels of dread—or in Hermione’s case, anticipation even Adam hate exams.
“Finals aren’t far off, you know,” Hermione said, eyeing Ron pointedly. “We’ll all have to be ready, and don’t forget the professors are going to provide anti-cheating quills.”
Ron groaned, rolling his eyes. “Leave it to Hogwarts to make sure there’s no chance for last-minute luck.”
Adam chuckled, nudging Ron’s shoulder. “Come on, Ron. Studying’s not all bad—if you start early, it’ll be over before you know it.”
Ron shot him a skeptical look but was saved from replying as a sudden commotion across the hall caught their attention. They turned to see Neville, his legs moving in a jerky, exaggerated rhythm, as if he were caught in an invisible dance. His face was flushed as he struggled, trying to stop his feet from bouncing him forward and backward across the floor.
Adam’s eyes narrowed as he noticed Malfoy smirking at the Slytherin table, his wand subtly tucked back into his pocket. Without hesitating, Adam rose from his seat and quickly crossed the hall to Neville’s side. He murmured a counter-curse under his breath, and Neville’s legs immediately stilled, leaving him wobbly but relieved.
“Thanks, Adam,” Neville whispered, looking embarrassed but grateful. Adam gave him an encouraging smile and gently steered him back to the Gryffindor table, while Hermione glared at Malfoy with open disdain.
“That was low, even for him,” Hermione muttered as Adam returned to his seat.
In the evening, the group pored over clues, piecing together fragments of information about Nicholas Flamel in the library. They had found his name referenced in several books. Suddenly, Hermione's face lit up as she held up an ancient-looking tome, showing it to Adam, Harry, and Ron.
“Of course!” she exclaimed in a whisper, excitement glinting in her eyes. “Flamel—he’s the alchemist who created the Philosopher’s Stone!”
Harry leaned in closer, eyes wide. “The Philosopher’s Stone? The one that can turn any metal into gold and grant immortality?”
Hermione nodded, practically glowing with the thrill of discovery. “Exactly! And that must be what Fluffy is guarding. Dumbledore wouldn’t just have a three-headed dog protecting a regular artifact. It has to be something as powerful as the Stone.”
Adam listened intently, hiding his own excitement as Hermione connected the pieces. He could feel the importance of this moment—the Philosopher’s Stone was legendary, a powerful and rare artifact. Dumbledore must have had good reason to keep it at Hogwarts.
There must be some agreement between Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel on the stone and its usage,” Adam said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.
Excited and eager, the trio along with Adam, made their way across the castle grounds under the cover of the Invisibility Cloak, heading to Hagrid’s hut late at night. As they hurried toward the familiar sight of Hagrid’s wooden cabin by the edge of the Forbidden Forest, they could see smoke curling up from the chimney and hear Fang’s deep, welcoming barks echoing from inside.
Hagrid opened the door with a warm, beaming smile and quickly ushered them inside, knowing full well that students weren’t supposed to roam the grounds at night, let alone venture near the Forbidden Forest. The hut was as cozy as ever, filled with the warmth of the fire crackling in the hearth and the mingling scents of earthy stew and woodsmoke. Hagrid, apparently oblivious to their bubbling excitement, was stirring a large pot with his usual hearty hospitality.
Barely able to contain herself, Hermione blurted out the moment they were settled, “We’ve found out who Nicholas Flamel is!”
Hagrid looked taken aback, his bushy eyebrows shooting up. “Have yeh now?” he replied, slightly flustered but curious, casting them an approving smile. As they explained their discovery about Flamel’s legendary Philosopher's Stone, Hagrid’s expression shifted subtly, a hint of something hidden flashing in his eyes. They told him their suspicions about Snape, thinking he might be trying to steal it, though they couldn’t figure out why. Hagrid, however, dismissed their concerns, insisting that Snape wouldn’t do such a thing.
Although Hagrid tried to steer the conversation in a different direction, it was clear he knew more than he was willing to share, and his reluctance only fueled their curiosity. Still, his loyalty to Dumbledore held him back, and he mumbled something about “some things bein’ best left unsaid.”
Eventually, Hagrid changed the subject entirely, bringing out a large, black egg and cradling it proudly. “A dragon egg!” he announced, his voice bursting with excitement. The thrill in his tone was contagious.
Adam’s eyes went wide with awe as he took in the sight. “Can I hold it?” he asked, reaching out. Hagrid nodded and carefully placed the egg in Adam’s hands, where he felt the warmth pulsing through the hard shell. Adam set down the egg, knowing it would soon be emerging. The egg wobbled slightly, and then, with a small crack, it began to hatch. The tiny dragon that emerged let out a faint spark, singeing Hagrid’s beard as he burst into a booming laugh.
Look at him! Isn’t he magnificent?” Hagrid exclaimed, watching the little dragon—Norbert, as he had already decided—flap his tiny wings and let out a squeak. Hagrid knew the dragon would consider him its mother, having seen him first. The group was captivated, drawn in by Norbert’s every move. Ron, who recognized the species immediately, leaned in and whispered, “A Norwegian Ridgeback. Dangerous, but brilliant.
Suddenly, Adam noticed a flash at the window. His heart dropped as he looked up, catching a glimpse of a familiar blonde head ducking out of sight—Malfoy. Realizing Malfoy would waste no time reporting what he’d seen, Adam turned to a worried Hagrid and the trio, who had also seen Malfoy, and tried to reassure them. If it comes to it, I can talk to my family about relocating Norbert to a safe sanctuary. We have one in Wales that might be perfect, and you'd be able to visit him anytime, without anyone sticking their nose in it.