As Adam and the trio make their way back to Hogsmeade Village, Harry remains concealed under his Invisibility Cloak, his footsteps silent against the freshly fallen snow. The snowfall thickens considerably, turning the entire village into a winter wonderland. Icicles hang from rooftops, shimmering under the lantern lights, while festive wreaths adorn shop doors, their holly berries a bright contrast against the white surroundings. Despite the cold, the warmth of Christmas spirit persists—villagers bustle about, their laughter and chatter filling the air as they enjoy the holiday cheer.

Just as they reach the main road, a sudden commotion catches their attention. Hagrid, his towering form unmistakable, trudges through the snow, accompanied by none other than the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge. The sight alone is enough to raise suspicion, but the tension in the air only thickens when Madam Rosmerta storms out of the Three Broomsticks, her expression one of visible irritation.

She marches straight up to Fudge, her hands on her hips, and demands, "Why in the name of Merlin are you sending Dementors to Hogsmeade? My customers are running scared! Should I call Ariadne Morgan to put an end to your fanatic behavior? She would love to hear if one of her children, either Elara or Adam, encountered a Dementor!"

The Minister, looking rather uneasy at the mention of Adam’s mother, raises his hands in a placating gesture. His face has gone slightly pale, and he stammers, "No, please don’t involve Morgan's. This is due to Sirius Black. He has entered Hogsmeade somehow."

At that revelation, Madam Rosmerta’s annoyance gives way to shock. Her eyebrows shoot up, and she lets out a disbelieving scoff. "What’s that bloke doing here? There’s nothing here for him!" she asks, her voice lower now, laced with concern rather than anger.

Before Fudge can formulate a response, Professor McGonagall arrives, her presence commanding immediate attention. She looks unusually grim, her lips pressed into a tight line. "Because of Harry Potter," she states simply, her tone leaving no room for argument. Without another word, she turns on her heel and gestures for the Minister and Rosmerta to follow her inside the Three Broomsticks, with Hagrid trailing behind.

Ron and Hermione barely have a moment to process McGonagall’s words before they realize something alarming—Harry is gone. They exchange frantic glances, their eyes darting around for any sign of their friend.

"He went inside, didn’t he?" Ron whispers, his voice edged with worry.

Hermione nods, her brow furrowed. "Under the invisibility cloak," she confirms.

As they debate whether they should follow him in, Adam calmly places a hand on Ron’s shoulder, shaking his head. "Let him be," he says quietly. "He needs to know why Black is after him, it will clear his mind."

Ron hesitates, clearly torn, but eventually sighs in resignation. Hermione, though visibly uneasy, nods in reluctant agreement. They will have to wait.

Some time later, Hermione notices footprints forming in the snow, leading toward the forest. Recognizing Harry’s movements, then Adam along with Ron and Hermione immediately follows, quickening their pace as the snowfall thickens around them. The cold air stings their faces, but they press on, determined to reach him.

Once they catch up, Hermione swiftly reaches out and pulls the Invisibility Cloak off Harry, who she believes is crying and somehow angry. His face is tense, a storm of emotions brewing in his eyes—anger, pain, and something deeper, something unresolved. His breaths come in short puffs of white against the icy air.

"Black was my parents’ friend," Harry says, his voice tight with fury. "He betrays them. If he comes near me, I’m going to kill him."

Ron and Hermione exchange uneasy glances, their faces reflecting the weight of his words. There is a moment of silence before they both give small nods, their expressions torn between concern and support.

Adam, standing beside Harry, places a steadying hand on his shoulder. His voice is calm but firm."We’re with you, buddy. Let’s see what happens when he comes, and we’ll deal with him then."

The snowfall grows heavier now, the village lights barely visible in the distance. Realizing the worsening conditions, Adam decides to abandon his plan of visiting the magical creatures in the Forbidden Forest and the lake. With little else to do, they turn back toward the castle, the evening settling in around them as they trudge through the thick snow, their minds heavy with unspoken thoughts.

That evening, the Christmas feast in the Great Hall is nothing short of spectacular. The enchanted ceiling reflects a peaceful winter night, snowflakes drifting lazily in the air without ever touching the tables below. The long tables are laden with an extravagant spread—golden roast turkeys, steaming boiled potatoes, crispy chipolatas, buttered peas glistening under the warm candlelight, and bowls of rich, savory gravy. Jars of cranberry sauce gleam like rubies beside towering stacks of pumpkin pasties, and plates of sticky toffee pudding fill the air with their sweet, buttery aroma. Wizard crackers pop and snap, releasing tiny enchanted fireworks and amusing little trinkets, adding to the festive atmosphere.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Laughter and cheer fill the hall as students indulge in the grand meal, their spirits lifted by the holiday merriment. Even the professors seem more relaxed, sharing drinks and conversation at the staff table. The warmth of the celebration stands in stark contrast to the cold winter outside, making the Great Hall a haven of comfort and joy.

After dinner, Adam quietly slips away from the festivities, heading to the Gryffindor common room. The large Christmas tree stands proudly in the center, its golden and scarlet ornaments twinkling like stars. Taking care not to draw attention, he carefully places the gifts he has prepared for the trio beneath the tree. He has already sent gifts back to his family with the help of Seraphina earlier, as well as one to Elara through one of her friends. The wrapped packages sit among the others, waiting to be discovered in the morning. He knows he will receive presents from his family and a few from friends, but he isn’t overly expectant. With a content sigh, he decides against visiting the Room of Requirement that night. Instead, he climbs into bed early, letting the warmth of his blankets lull him into a peaceful sleep.

The next morning, Adam wakes before most of his dorm mates. The castle is quieter than usual, wrapped in the gentle stillness of the aftermath of Christmas. Slipping out of bed, he makes his way down to the common room, where the large Christmas tree stands surrounded by neatly stacked presents. As expected, he finds more gifts than he anticipates. Most bear familiar handwriting—his family’s, without a doubt—but there are also a few from friends.

Unsurprisingly, a majority of his gifts relate to magical creatures. He unwraps various treats, specialty snacks, and intricately designed pet accessories, each more unique than the last. Some gifts have magical properties—enchanted brushes for grooming creatures, self-warming blankets for cold-weather companions, and even a small enchanted whistle that supposedly calms distressed animals. He smiles, appreciating the thoughtfulness behind each one.

After carefully packing everything into his expanded pouch, Adam decides to pay a visit to Dumbledore’s office. He has reduced his visits to Fawkes to only two or three times a week, but the phoenix still seems to adore his company. The familiar spiral staircase leads him to the grand office, where Fawkes lets out a soft, melodic trill at his arrival. Adam reaches into his pouch and offers a small treat, which the phoenix accepts gratefully, its feathers glowing with a warm radiance.

After spending a few moments with Fawkes, Adam makes a swift exit, careful not to linger too long. He has grown wary of interacting with the Founders' portraits too frequently. He has already noticed glimpses of their images in other portraits around the castle—an eerie reminder that they can observe more than he likes. Keeping his plans regarding the Room of Requirement private is becoming increasingly important, and he isn’t about to risk unnecessary attention. But Adam believes they already know about it, and that, within their power, they will somehow try to stop him from learning more about the three forbidden spells Adam has discovered from them.

Back in his dormitory, Adam dresses in heavy winter clothes, layering up against the biting cold outside. The thick fabric of his cloak provides warmth, while his enchanted gloves ensure his fingers won’t go numb in the frigid air. Satisfied with his preparations, he makes his way to the Great Hall, where he joins the trio for a hearty breakfast. The long tables are still adorned with remnants of Christmas decorations, enchanted candles flickering merrily above. The warmth of the hall provides a pleasant contrast to the cold winds waiting outside, and Adam takes his time enjoying the meal, savoring the rich flavors of eggs, toast, and warm pumpkin juice.

Once breakfast is over, Adam sets out alone for Hogsmeade Village. He knows Harry will be sneaking out again today, using his Invisibility Cloak to move about unseen. Rather than interfering, Adam chooses to let him enjoy the day with Ron and Hermione without interruption. He has his own matters to attend to.

At the far end of the village, Adam arrives at his small headquarters building he has claimed for his personal projects. The familiar scent of parchment and ink fills the room as he settles in to complete his weekly interviews, ensuring that everything regarding his research and magical creature projects remains in order. The basement, specially designed to house magical creatures in a controlled environment, requires his attention as well. He checks on the creatures, making sure they are comfortable, healthy, and well-fed before finishing his work for the day.

Feeling satisfied with his progress, Adam decides to head back to the Three Broomsticks. The warm, bustling inn is the perfect place to unwind. However, upon arrival, he quickly realizes that Ron and Hermione aren’t there. A quick glance around the crowded room confirms his suspicion—they are likely off exploring the village with Harry.

Not minding the solitude, Adam orders two or three Butterbeers, the comforting warmth of the drink spreading through him as he relaxes in a quiet corner. He pairs his drinks with some light snacks, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. The occasional bursts of laughter from nearby tables, the crackling of the fireplace, and the general liveliness of the inn make for a pleasant afternoon.

After finishing his drinks, Adam ventures back into the snow-covered village and makes his way toward the frost salamanders’ resting place. As before, he carefully feeds them their favorite treats, watching as the creatures devour the food eagerly. Unlike his previous visits, he doesn’t encounter any other magical creatures this time, but that doesn’t bother him. The salamanders, content with their meal, curl up in the snow, their icy blue scales glistening under the fading sunlight.

As the late afternoon sets in, Adam returns to the castle grounds, arriving just a few hours before dinner. The Great Hall is mostly empty, save for a few students scattered around, either engaged in quiet conversations or reading by themselves. Adam chooses a seat near the end of the table, pulling out a book and immersing himself in its pages.

To his surprise, he is served with full dishes of food on a tray that appears before him on the table. Adam believes Mip must be behind it, drawing curious glances from nearby students, as food is never served before dinner to others. Adam offers Mip a quiet word of thanks in his mind before digging into the meal, appreciating the thoughtful gesture.

Feeling satisfied, Adam leaves the Great Hall before dinner officially starts and makes his way back to his dormitory. The weight of the day’s activities settles over him, and he decides to take a short nap, knowing that he has extra practice and research to do. Just a few minutes after curfew, he plans to sneak out to the Room of Requirement, intending to arrive earlier than before.