It is Christmas morning, and Adam wakes up early as usual. However, to his mild surprise, a few of his dorm mates are already awake before him, their hushed whispers and rustling movements filling the otherwise quiet dormitory. The excitement of Christmas, coupled with the anticipation of the Hogsmeade weekend trip, has clearly stirred them from sleep even earlier than usual. Stretching and rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Adam sits up, glancing toward the frosted windows that overlook the snowy Hogwarts grounds. The soft glow of dawn reflects off the thick layer of snow outside, making the entire castle appear almost enchanted.

After freshening up, Adam turns his attention to Seraphina, who is perched elegantly on her stand, watching him expectantly. With a small smile, he retrieves a few treats from his pouch and holds them out. Seraphina hoots in appreciation, her amber eyes gleaming as she nibbles at the festive offering. Her feathers ruffle slightly, the soft sound of her contentment filling the space as Adam gently runs a finger over her smooth plumage.

Once Seraphina is satisfied, Adam gathers his things and makes his way to Dumbledore's office. He hasn’t visited Fawkes in weeks, his time consumed by late-night studies and assignments, and he feels a pang of guilt for the prolonged absence. Today, however, he has brought a special Christmas treat for the phoenix—something he specifically requested from the Mip. As he reaches the stone gargoyle guarding the entrance, it springs aside at his familiar presence, allowing him to ascend the spiraling staircase.

As expected, Dumbledore isn’t in his office—Adam assumes the headmaster is taking his usual morning rounds. Fawkes sits on his perch, his crimson and gold feathers shimmering even in the dim morning light. Adam smiles and steps closer, placing the carefully wrapped treat near the magnificent bird. Fawkes gives another musical note, this one laced with unmistakable gratitude.

Turning toward the large collection of portraits adorning the walls, Adam lets his gaze settle on the familiar faces of past headmasters and, most notably, the four founders of Hogwarts. Their presence has become a subject of curiosity among the students, and Adam has overheard several older students sharing stories of their encounters with them. However, whenever anyone attempts to engage the founders in conversation, they are met with silence, which only deepens the mystery surrounding them.

Curious, Adam takes a step closer and focuses on Rowena Ravenclaw. Her sharp, intelligent gaze is fixed elsewhere, as if lost in thought, but she shifts her focus when she notices his attention.

"Founder, may I ask why you all refrain from talking to students?" he inquires, his voice carrying a note of genuine curiosity.

Rowena sighs, a look of mild frustration crossing her otherwise composed features. "Many students ask silly questions, and some even pose dangerous ones. At first, we answered, but it became overwhelming. So, we four decided it best to remain silent."

Adam chuckles, nodding in understanding. "That makes sense," he admits. Given the number of students at Hogwarts, he can only imagine the kind of ridiculous inquiries they must have been subjected to.

After leaving the office, Adam wanders through the corridors, exchanging Christmas greetings with a few professors and students along the way. The castle is alive with festive energy, the crisp winter air seeping through the ancient stone walls, adding to the holiday charm. As he makes his way back to Gryffindor Tower to grab his things for the trip, he can't help but admire the way Hogwarts transforms during Christmas—warm, inviting, and filled with a certain magic that goes beyond spells.

The Great Hall is nothing short of breathtaking. Garlands of holly and ivy adorn the walls, while enchanted snowflakes drift lazily from the enchanted ceiling, which reflects the overcast sky outside. The warm glow of floating candles flickers gently, casting a golden hue over the long tables, enhancing the already grand Christmas decorations. A magnificent fir tree stands tall in the side, its branches laden with shimmering baubles, golden stars, and tiny moving figurines of reindeer and elves. The scent of cinnamon, roasted chestnuts, and spiced pumpkin fills the air, making the Hall feel even more welcoming.

As Adam steps further inside, his eyes land on Ron and Harry, seated at their usual spot. He weaves through the students and slides onto the bench beside them.

"Where's Hermione?" he asks, noticing her absence.

"She already ate and left for Hogsmeade," Ron replies between bites, barely looking up from his overloaded plate.

Adam smirks. That sounds just like Hermione—always punctual, always prepared. He glances at the lavish spread before them, his appetite sharpening at the sight. Breakfast is nothing short of a feast: golden roast turkeys glistening under the candlelight, steaming bowls of boiled potatoes, platters stacked high with plump chipolatas, and tureens of buttered peas. Silver boats brim with thick, rich gravy, their surfaces gleaming, while dishes of tart cranberry sauce add a splash of vibrant red to the table.

He takes his time savoring each bite, letting the flavors settle on his tongue. The warmth of the meal combined with the festive atmosphere makes for a perfect start to Christmas. The lively chatter of students, the occasional bursts of laughter, and the clinking of goblets against plates add to the merriment of the morning.

As he finishes, Adam pushes his plate aside and turns to Harry. He already has a good idea of what his friend is planning today. "I'll see you later, Harry," he says, a knowing smirk playing at his lips.

Harry gives him an innocent look, but Adam isn’t fooled. He knows full well that Harry will attempt to sneak into Hogsmeade using the Invisibility Cloak. And, of course, Adam also knows exactly how that will turn out—Harry will inevitably cross paths with the Weasley twins and receive the Marauder’s Map. The thought amuses him.

The map has always fascinated Adam, not just because of its detailed accuracy but because of the sheer complexity of the enchantments woven into it. The Homonculous Charm alone is an impressive feat of magic, allowing the parchment to track every living being within Hogwarts' walls in real time. And the way the Marauders managed to prevent unwanted users—especially Snape—from unlocking its secrets is nothing short of brilliant.

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In truth, Adam has the knowledge to create something similar if he wants to. The theory behind it is complex but well within his grasp. Still, he sees no need for it at the moment. Hogwarts already holds enough mysteries for him to unravel—no magical map required.

With that thought, he grabs his cloak, adjusts his scarf, and prepares to head out for the much-anticipated Hogsmeade weekend.

As Adam and Ron reach Hogsmeade, the village is alive with festive cheer. The streets are bustling with students and villagers, their breath forming misty clouds in the crisp winter air. Shopfronts are adorned with twinkling fairy lights, and enchanted wreaths hum with soft melodies as they hang from doors.

Street vendors line the cobbled paths in snow, selling everything from charmed snow globes to enchanted scarves that adjust their warmth to the wearer’s needs. The mouthwatering scent of warm, spiced treats—cinnamon-roasted almonds, honeyed mead, and freshly baked mince pies—drifts through the air, making the chilly weather feel far more inviting.

Navigating through the cheerful crowd, Adam and Ron make their way to the Three Broomsticks Inn. The moment they step inside, they are greeted by the comforting warmth of crackling fireplaces and the lively hum of conversation. The inn is packed with students and villagers alike, seeking shelter from the cold while indulging in frothy mugs of butterbeer and snacks.

At their usual corner table, Adam spots Hermione and a few of their friends already gathered. Hermione has a book open in front of her, though it is clear she has abandoned reading in favor of engaging in conversation. Across from her, Seamus and Dean are deep in discussion, occasionally pausing to take a sip of their drinks.

After exchanging greetings, Adam offers a nod to Madam Rosmerta, who returns it with a warm smile before hurrying off to tend to other customers. He also takes a moment to acknowledge a few of his employees working at the inn, ensuring things are running smoothly before settling in with the group. Butterbeer and Christmas-themed snacks—sugar-dusted gingerbread, peppermint-striped biscuits, and steaming pumpkin pasties—are passed around as they laugh and enjoy each other’s company.

After some time, Adam excuses himself, rising from his seat and brushing a few crumbs from his lap. There is still one more place he needs to visit. With a final sip of his butterbeer, he steps out of the inn and makes his way toward the edge of the village, where his organization’s building stands in quiet solitude.

As he pushes open the door, the familiar scent of parchment, ink, and faint traces of magical herbs fills the air. He is greeted by Barry and William, who, along with the few of the employees, have been busy managing the day's affairs.

After a brief discussion, Adam instructs them to provide everyone with extra incentives for the holiday—a well-earned reward for their hard work and dedication throughout the year. The suggestion is met with enthusiasm, and Adam feels a quiet satisfaction in ensuring that those who work for him are properly taken care of.

Then, as he always does, he ventures into the basement, where the magical creatures under his care reside. The space is warm, carefully warded, and enchanted to provide comfort for the creatures.

Almost instantly, the baby Erumpent, Occamy, and Nifflers react to his presence. The Erumpent lets out a soft, pleased rumble, while the Occamy uncoils itself, stretching its iridescent wings with a chirp of recognition. The Nifflers, ever mischievous, scurry toward him, noses twitching in anticipation of treats. Despite the efforts of his employees, these particular creatures have grown so accustomed to Adam that they often refuse to eat properly unless he is there.

With practiced ease, Adam feeds them, ensuring each receives the care and attention they need. The creatures gradually settle, their hunger satiated, and he lingers just long enough to make sure they are comfortable before making his way back to the inn.

By the time he returns, Ron, Hermione, and Neville are still seated, their mugs nearly empty as they chat amongst themselves. The others have gone off to explore the village, likely wandering between Zonko’s and Honeydukes in search of last-minute holiday sweets.

Ron stretches, glancing toward Hermione with a grin. "Want to visit the Shrieking Shack?"

Hermione nods, and they turn to Adam and Neville, who both agree without hesitation. However, just as they are about to leave, Seamus pulls Neville aside, looking somewhat anxious. "Neville, I need your help with something—won’t take long," he insists.

Neville hesitates, glancing between his friends and Seamus before sighing. "Go on without me. I’ll catch up if I can."

With that settled, the three of them continues on their way, stepping out into the crisp winter air. The path leading to the Shrieking Shack is dusted with fresh snow, their boots crunching softly as they walk. Ron and Hermione are deep in conversation, debating the history of the supposedly haunted building.

"I still say it’s the most haunted place in Britain," Ron insists, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "People hear howls coming from inside all the time!"

Hermione scoffs, shaking her head. "Ron, it’s been proven that those noises were just—"

She stops mid-sentence as Adam subtly nudges her, his gaze shifting ahead. Malfoy and his usual lackeys—Crabbe and Goyle—are approaching from the opposite direction. Even from a distance, Adam can see Malfoy’s initial flinch upon spotting him. It is brief, gone in a second, but it is there. To his credit, Malfoy quickly masks the reaction, straightening his posture and smirking as though nothing has happened.

Crabbe and Goyle, however, don’t bother with subtlety. They sneer at Ron and Hermione, their usual smug expressions in place.

"Surprised to see you out, Weasley," Crabbe jeers. "Figured you couldn’t afford a Hogsmeade trip."

Goyle snickers, adding, "Or maybe you begged Granger to buy you something.

Ron’s ears turn red, but before he can retort, a sudden thwack echoes through the air. A perfectly aimed snowball shoots out from seemingly nowhere, hitting Malfoy squarely in the face.

There is a beat of stunned silence. Then—

Thwack!

Another snowball strikes, this time hitting Goyle right in the ear. Crabbe barely has time to react before a third one smacks into his shoulder.

Chaos ensues. Malfoy splutters, wiping the cold, wet snow from his face as more snowballs pelt them from all directions. Their expressions shift from confusion to full-blown panic as they whip their heads around, desperately trying to spot the attacker before finally running.

Adam smirks, arms crossed as he watches the scene unfold. He doesn’t need to guess. He knows exactly what—or rather, who—is behind this.

"Harry," he calls out in an amused tone, "you do realize Thor likes to play too, right? Should I call him?"

For a moment, nothing happens. The snowballs stop mid-air, as if whoever is throwing them is considering the consequences.

Then, the air shimmers slightly, and Harry’s voice rings out in a rushed, "No, don’t! I was just messing around!"

A second later, the Invisibility Cloak slips off, revealing Harry standing there with a sheepish grin, holding a handful of snow.

Ron doubles over laughing, and even Hermione has to cover her mouth to stifle a chuckle.

"That was brilliant," Ron manages between wheezes. "Absolutely brilliant!"

"Messing around, huh?" Hermione raises an eyebrow at Harry, though the corners of her mouth twitch in amusement.

Harry shrugs, tossing the remaining snow aside. "Couldn’t resist."

Still chuckling, they turn back toward the village, the festive cheer of Hogsmeade welcoming them once more.