Winter seemed to have settled in for good. Snow covered the gardens of Gaunt Manor like a white, untouchable sheet, the silence broken only by the crackling of branches under the weight of the ice.
Aurelian enjoyed the peaceful routine he had created with Hestia and Flora: long breakfasts in front of the fireplace, reading sessions in the library, short walks in the garden, where they inevitably ended up throwing snowballs at each other, and quiet conversations that lasted longer than expected.
It was unlike anything he had ever experienced before. There was no rush, no chores, no hostile faces around. Just the three of them and the feeling that the mansion was more alive than ever, adapting to its new residents.
But as the days passed and the calendar approached the date marked in red, Aurelian began to think about something he couldn't overlook: gifts.
The twins, as expected, had not hinted at anything they wanted. He knew that, for them, simply spending Christmas there was enough. However, Aurelian wanted to give them something special, something that symbolized how he felt about them and that could not be mistaken for a simple gesture of courtesy.
He also thought about Cedric, the Weasley twins, even the Weasley family itself. He was not a man of festive customs, but he recognized the value of surprising the important people in his life.
While Hestia leafed through a book of ancient potions and Flora practiced spells, Aurelian watched them silently, wondering what he could give them that would be worthy. A gift that would be useful to them.
One afternoon, as snow gently tapped against the library windows, Aurelian looked up from a book and observed Hestia and Flora.
"I want to ask you a question," he said in a calm tone, but serious enough to capture their attention. "What do you want for Christmas?"
The twins exchanged a glance before responding.
"We already have what we want."
Aurelian raised an eyebrow.
"And that would be...?"
Hestia smiled mischievously.
"Spending the holidays with you."
Flora nodded, though her tone was softer.
"We don't need anything else."
He sighed slightly, forming a smile.
"Even so, I'm going to give you something. And I won't take no for an answer."
Two days later, Stinky took them to Diagon Alley, where snow piled up on the roofs and streetlights cast a warm glow on the streets crowded with shoppers. The twins stayed close, observing everything with a mixture of curiosity and amusement.
In a shop specializing in rare and antique texts, Aurelian noticed how they both stopped in front of a pair of volumes bound in dark leather, with titles in silver letters: "Lost Magics of Europe" and "Forbidden Spells and Their History." They made no comment, but the sparkle in their eyes was enough for him to take mental note.
Later, while they were browsing another section of the store, Aurelian spoke quietly to the clerk and purchased both books, making sure they were wrapped in emerald green paper with a silver bow.
For Cedric and the Weasley twins, he entered a magical sports boutique and bought three complete Quidditch uniforms of excellent quality, embroidered with gold details as well as light protection charms and weather-resistant fabrics. He also selected several items of clothing and sweets to send to the Weasley family, knowing that Molly would appreciate them.
They spent the rest of the afternoon browsing the shops, sampling hot chocolate, and admiring the frost-covered storefronts. Although the twins continued to insist they didn't need anything, Aurelian knew those books would bring a smile to their faces, one he wanted to see.
Snow continued to fall softly on Diagon Alley as Aurelian and the twins prepared to walk to the meeting point where Stinky was waiting for them, when a cheerful, somewhat shrill voice reached them from behind.
"Mr. Gaunt! Misses Carrow!"
The three turned to see Professor Flitwick making his way through the crowd, wrapped in a thick scarf and carrying a small shopping bag. His cheeks were flushed from the cold, but his expression was one of genuine surprise.
"Well!" exclaimed the diminutive Charms teacher as he reached them. "I didn't expect to find you here at this time of year. Have you run away from home to get up to some Christmas mischief?"
Aurelian smiled faintly.
"Not exactly, Professor. We're taking advantage of the time to buy some presents."
"Oh, that sounds lovely," replied Flitwick, looking at the twins curiously. "I'm glad to see you get along so well. It's always nice to see students forge such strong friendships."
Hestia and Flora exchanged a quick glance, smiling knowingly, one that the professor probably wouldn't fully understand.
"Yes, professor," Flora replied sweetly. "Spending the holidays together is... special."
"I'm glad to hear it, Miss Carrow," said Flitwick with a nod. "And, Aurelian, don't forget that you still owe me that demonstration of advanced charms we discussed last term."
"I remember, professor. Let's do it after the holidays," Aurelian replied politely.
After a few minutes of light conversation about the cold, the decorations in Diagon Alley, and the festive atmosphere, Flitwick said goodbye with a slight bow of his head.
"Well, I won't keep you any longer. Happy holidays to all three of you!"
"Likewise, happy holidays, professor," they replied in unison before watching him disappear into the crowd.
Aurelian turned to the twins.
"All right, let's go home."
Christmas morning arrived shrouded in an unusual silence. The snow continued to fall, thick and slow, covering the mansion's gardens like a white sea without footprints. Aurelian went downstairs and found the main hall lit by the glow of the fireplace and decorated with green and silver garlands that Stinky had put up the night before.
In the center, a tall, perfectly decorated tree stood guard over a considerable pile of gifts. Hestia and Flora were already there, waiting for him, sitting together on the sofa, their poorly concealed impatience betraying the fact that they had been awake for some time.
"Merry Christmas," said Aurelian, taking a seat next to them.
They began to open the presents. Among the first, Aurelian noticed a small one with unmistakable handwriting: Molly Weasley. Inside was a hand-knitted sweater with the letter A in emerald green, accompanied by a note wishing him a warm holiday season. He couldn't help but smile.
Cedric had sent him a pair of dragon skin gloves, soft and durable, perfect for cold weather. The Weasley twins, for their part, had sent him a huge package of magical sweets: from jelly beans of all flavors to fireballs and long-lasting gum.
When it was the twins' turn, Aurelian handed them the packages wrapped in green and silver. They opened them carefully, and when they saw the books, their expressions changed: first, surprise; then, intense emotion that was reflected in their eyes.
"Lost Magics of Europe," whispered Hestia, caressing the cover as if it were a treasure.
"Forbidden Spells and Their History," added Flora in a soft but meaningful voice.
The two looked at him, and for a moment, the rest of the world seemed to fade away.
"You don't know what this means to us," said Hestia, leaning toward him.
Flora nodded, and without further ado, they both embraced him at the same time, with the strength of those who have no intention of letting go of what is theirs.
Aurelian responded to the embrace calmly, but inside he felt warmth, not only because he had chosen the right gift, but also because he saw that spark in them, the one that only appeared when they were truly happy.
The Hogwarts Express whistled loudly, releasing a cloud of steam that mingled with the frosty air. Aurelian stepped off the train alongside Hestia and Flora, the snow crunching under their boots as they crossed the Hogsmeade platform. The wind blew in sharp gusts, and more than one student huddled inside their scarf.
The carriages waited for them in a line, pulled by thestrals. The creatures flapped their membranous wings, restless from the cold, their empty gaze following every movement. Hestia and Flora, oblivious to their presence, settled down next to Aurelian, making sure no one else sat in their carriage.
The journey was silent, broken only by the pounding of hooves on the hardened snow. Upon arrival, the castle stood imposingly against the gray sky, its windows lit and smoke rising in columns from the chimneys.
Inside, the warmth enveloped them instantly. The Great Dining Room was decorated with golden garlands and pine branches still covered in drops of frost. The enchanted ceilings displayed a starry night sky, and the tables were already set for the homecoming banquet.
Aurelian, as always, took his seat at the Slytherin table with the twins on either side of him. From where he sat, he could see the different tables filling up with lively conversation, reunions, and laughter. The Weasley twins waved at him from the Gryffindor table, while Cedric, in Hufflepuff, raised his hand in greeting.
Soon, the doors to the great hall opened and the teachers entered, led by Dumbledore. The headmaster wore a deep blue and silver robe, his ever-watchful gaze sweeping over the students before taking his seat.
"Welcome back to Hogwarts!" he announced in a voice that rose above the murmur. "I hope the holidays have been a time of rest and, above all, joy. I hope you are ready to resume your studies and, of course, to face the challenges that this new term will bring."
There was general applause, although some others laughed when Dumbledore added:
"For those of you who have made New Year's resolutions... I wish you better luck than I have had with mine."
With a wave of his hands, the plates were instantly filled. Roast turkey, meat pies, freshly baked bread, roasted pumpkin, and bowls of steaming mashed potatoes appeared on the table. The air was filled with the warm aroma of food, and the hubbub increased as everyone began to serve themselves.
Aurelian ate in silence, listening to the conversations around him. The twins, on the other hand, divided their attention between him and their food, occasionally commenting on something that made them smile.
When the banquet ended, Dumbledore stood up once more.
"Off to bed. Tomorrow we resume classes, and I'm afraid no gift will save you from punctuality."
Amid laughter, the students began to leave the Great Hall. Aurelian got up, with Hestia and Flora following close behind, walking together through the corridors toward the Slytherin common room.
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