Christmas

By mid-December, snow began to fall, and Hogwarts was soon blanketed in white.

The weather in the Scottish Highlands had always been so unpredictable, with plenty of rain and snow.

Having grown up in Southampton, a southern port city, Jon was clearly unaccustomed to this freezing weather that required several thick sweaters every day.

Fortunately, the term was about to end, and they would have more than half a month of holiday.

The students practically rushed to reserve seats on the Hogwarts Express, eagerly looking forward to going home for Christmas.

Jon was rather curious about this. Wasn't Christmas a Christian holiday? During the medieval Christian Church's Witch Hunt, who knew how many wizards and witches had been killed? The two sides practically had a blood feud... Yet wizards still commemorated the birth of the Christian Church's holy son?

During the final A History of Magic class, he asked Professor Binns this question:

"Professor, why do wizards celebrate Christmas too?"

Hearing the question, Professor Binns blinked and replied in his dry, wheezing voice:

"Although Christmas is a day even Muggles celebrate extravagantly, we wizards began celebrating it far earlier than they did... As early as the fourteenth century BC, the wizards of Mittani in Asia Minor celebrated the god Mithras on December 25!"

"In ancient languages such as Sanskrit and Avestan, 'mitra-' means 'pact' or 'companion'... Mithras, the God of Pact, was said to have been born on December 25. For us wizards, that is the meaning of Christmas."

"For wizards, the existence of pacts was an important reason why magic made such great strides. Our ancestors forged pacts with elemental spirits, and that was the beginning of our Magical Ability. Wands likewise formed pacts with wizards, allowing them to control their magic effectively. We also made pacts with goblins, Centaurs, and even Muggles, ensuring that we did not have to live in danger..."

As he spoke, Professor Binns broke into a violent coughing fit, sounding as though chalk were snapping.

"It was precisely because pacts were so important to magic... that wizards voluntarily celebrated Mithras's birth every December 25. That was the beginning of 'Christmas'... Muggles celebrate this holiday because of our influence instead. Their holy son was not born on December 25, but in autumn. Their legends became muddled with wizarding history, and the error spread from there."

"However, the wizarding custom of giving presents at Christmas did originate with Muggles. Wizards found it quite interesting, so they gradually adopted the custom as well... Any other questions, Mr. Hart?"

"No, thank you, Professor!"

Jon returned to his seat, while Professor Binns reopened his notes.

"Let us continue with Ulysses the Odd. He was born in the medieval period after 982 and was a famously eccentric wizard..."

With the end of the final Potions class, the Christmas holiday began.

A Hogwarts school year was divided into three terms. The period from the start of term until the Christmas holiday was the first term; from returning after the Christmas holiday until the Easter holiday was the second; and from returning after the Easter holiday until the end of the school year was the third. There was more than half a month of holiday between each term, while each school year was preceded by more than two months of summer vacation.

Jon boarded the Hogwarts Express bound for London, sharing a compartment with Zacharias Smith and Eloise Midgen, then listened to Zacharias brag for several hours.

At dusk, when Jon stepped off the train, the first people he saw were Eric and Judy waiting at King's Cross Station.

"Long time no see, Mum..." he said softly as Judy pulled him into an embrace. "Merry Christmas!"

"Yes... darling... Merry Christmas..."

Christmas at 86 Eastleigh Road was no different from usual.

It was as if there were no wizard in the family at all. In fact, that was more or less true, since Jon could not use magic here now.

Eric had long since bought a pine tree and decorated it beautifully with lights, ornaments, and Christmas stockings. Judy had prepared a lavish feast, including a ten-pound roast turkey, Yule log cake, gingerbread...

Like an ordinary child, Jon ate and drank his fill at home before drifting off to sleep.

When he woke early the next morning, the first thing he saw was a small pile of parcels at the foot of his bed.

Presents, so many presents...

Eric's present was an expensive Cartier watch, with the name "Jon Hart" engraved on its right side.

Judy's present was a black coat, apparently designed by her personally, which fit Jon's build perfectly. It looked quite good on him and was not much different from a wizard's robe.

As for the other presents...

Zacharias had given him a copy of Quidditch: A History, which Jon tossed aside after only a quick glance.

Astoria's present was a box of Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans.

Professor Sprout had actually sent him a Mimbulus Mimbletonia specimen as well.

As for the remaining large parcel, Jon bent down and carefully opened it, discovering an exquisitely made chocolate cake.

It was a Christmas present from the House-elves in the Kitchen.

Jon took a bite. It tasted wonderful.

After putting away the presents one by one, he left his room.

When he arrived in the small yard, he saw Eric shoveling snow.

Jon thought carefully for a moment before walking over.

"What is it, son?" Eric could not help asking when he saw Jon standing there without speaking for so long.

"Um... Eric... Dad..." Jon stammered. "Could you give me some money?"

"Money?" Eric blinked. "Didn't you say our currency can't be used in your world?"

"Yes..." Jon nodded. "But I want to buy something else!"

"All right. How much do you need?"

"Uh!" Jon thought seriously for a moment. "Thirty thousand Pound Sterling should be about right!"