It was strange. Back at school, it had been snowing relentlessly.
But on Rock's second day back home, the weather actually cleared up a bit. Even the usually grey sky seemed brighter.
Early in the morning, Rock joined Newt in the garden to clear out some overgrown weeds.
"Scourgify!"
Rock waved his wand, and a large patch of weeds in front of him vanished perfectly.
"A very nice Scouring Charm," Newt said softly. "It seems you're doing well at school. How is Ravenclaw?"
"Ravenclaw... it's great. At the very least, I've found some suitable friends there," Rock nodded. "Professor Flitwick is also very nice."
"When Theseus heard you got into Ravenclaw, he thought he misheard," Newt chuckled, recalling Theseus's expression at the time.
Rock chuckled but didn't respond. He naturally knew about this.
"By the way, want to go to London later?" Newt asked, as if suddenly remembering something.
"Really?" Rock looked surprised. Aside from the start of the term, Newt rarely went out.
"Your Grandma Tina needs some new clothes, and you need to get some things for your friends, don't you?" Newt nodded.
Christmas gifts? He had planned for them long before the break. As Newt's grandson, he might lack other things, but he had plenty of leftover materials from magical creatures.
Of course, that was just Rock's opinion. Some of those "leftovers" could sell for astronomical prices in Diagon Alley, if they could be bought at all.
With Newt around, there was no need for Floo Powder. With a single Apparition, the family of three arrived in London.
"Let's go, Grandpa, Grandma. I'll take you to buy clothes at the Muggle shops first."
Rock led Tina and Newt toward a large shopping mall nearby. For clothes, the Muggle world was the way to go.
Wizarding clothes were mostly heavy robes, clearly unsuitable for the two elderly people.
As for money, Muggle currency wasn't hard to obtain. At the very least, he could exchange some with Adam, though he didn't expect to use it so soon.
Newt and Tina followed Rock's lead throughout the shopping trip.
"This child is quite familiar with the Muggle world," Newt chuckled, watching Rock communicate with a shop assistant.
"One of his friends is a young wizard from a Muggle family. That little guy even asked me last night if he could go out," Tina said, her gaze soft.
"Let's go, Grandpa, Grandma."
Rock, having finished paying, walked over. Carrying bags big and small, the three of them left the shop. In an inconspicuous corner, they packed everything into a small suitcase enchanted with an Undetectable Extension Charm before heading toward the Leaky Cauldron.
"Oh! Sir, I didn't expect to see you again," Old Tom at the bar said in surprise as soon as they entered.
Newt greeted Old Tom amiably, then led Tina and Rock toward the small courtyard in the back.
"It feels a lot quieter?" Rock asked, puzzled.
Newt and Tina just smiled and didn't answer.
Upon entering Diagon Alley, Rock understood why. Many shops here were closed, and some even had signs hanging: Open after Christmas holidays.
"As always, but it feels much more relaxed," Newt said softly.
Rock couldn't help but suspect that his grandfather chose this time to come out precisely because there were fewer people.
"By the way, Rock, you often buy other books. Do you want to buy them together this time?" Tina asked, pointing to Flourish and Blotts, which was still open.
Rock's eyes lit up. His study room lacked books to fill it, and he could read them anytime. "Sure, Grandma."
As soon as they walked into the bookstore, the bell hanging outside tinkled gently. A middle-aged man guarding the store stood up immediately upon seeing the family of three. "Welcome. Would you like to buy Christmas cards?"
Rock then noticed various greeting cards displayed on the most prominent shelf. "Thank you, we'll look around first."
Rock turned to look at Newt and Tina, who smiled and gestured for him to go ahead on his own.
The middle-aged owner enthusiastically invited Newt and Tina to sit at a table to the side, even serving tea and some pastries.
Seeing this, Rock didn't hesitate and started browsing the bookstore.
Whenever he saw a book he needed, Rock used a Levitation Charm to send it flying toward the owner.
The owner, who initially thought Rock would buy a few small cards at most, looked increasingly delighted as the pile of books in front of him grew.
A big customer!
Newt, sitting by the window, looked back and was also stunned. "Is he trying to empty the bookstore?"
"As long as little Rock likes it. Have you forgotten the wall of books at home?" Tina didn't think much of it.
After a long while, when Rock felt there were no more books he wanted in the store, he went to the front desk and was also stunned.
He got too absorbed in choosing and didn't expect there to be so many.
"Finished choosing?" Tina asked, coming up to Rock.
"Yes, Grandma," Rock said, a bit embarrassed. "Is it too much?"
"Not at all." Tina smiled slightly, signaling the owner to calculate the bill.
The middle-aged owner nodded repeatedly. after calculating the price, he looked at Tina: "Madam, our store also offers a delivery service. If you leave an address, we can deliver it tonight."
"Thank you, but that won't be necessary," Newt walked over, waving his wand to send the books one by one into his small suitcase.
Tina paid the amount stated by the owner.
"Hope to see you again!"
The middle-aged owner saw Rock and his family out of the store, bowing slightly at the end.
"Rock, let's buy some gifts for others and then go home," Tina suggested. She felt a bit tired after a whole day.
"Okay, Grandma," Rock nodded.
After sweeping through the open shops in Diagon Alley, Rock returned to the manor with Newt and Tina, satisfied.
After putting everything away, Tina looked at Rock and said, "Alright, prepare your gifts well. You know, in the wizarding world, interpersonal relationships are also an important part."
"Yes, Grandma!"
Rock nodded and began preparing the items to be sent in his room.
Just as Grandma Tina said, interpersonal relationships couldn't be ignored, such as Dumbledore and some professors at Hogwarts.
And his partners in the study group.
Until night fell, Rock looked out the window and realized it had started snowing again.
"Indeed, a snowy Christmas feels right."
After Rock left his room, the owls raised by Newt and Tina began their busy night, first delivering gifts to close family members, then to Hogwarts professors and friends.
The heaviest task tonight fell on the owl Rock brought back from Diagon Alley today. The little guy hadn't even had a few good meals before being assigned by Rock to deliver gifts.
When the owl returned, it looked a bit listless. Rock quickly gave the little guy some food and water.
The night passed. When Rock woke up in the morning, Tina urged him to go downstairs quickly.
There were many packages in the hall. Newt sat on the sofa and looked at Rock, "It seems little Rock is very popular at school."
Even Rock didn't expect so many gifts. Sitting among the pile of packages, Rock opened and sorted the gifts one by one.
From Grandma Queenie and Grandpa Jacob, Grandpa Theseus and Bunty, and his partners in the study group, even from Penelope and Robert.
Fortunately, Rock didn't forget these two yesterday.