All in all, Harry was fairly clever. He kept the secret of being a Parselmouth tightly guarded; at least when Kayson woke up the next day, he hadn't heard any strange rumors.
And poor Neville—brutal studying had already driven him to Madam Pomfrey for hair-growth potion.
But he really was a Gryffindor. His nerve was anything but ordinary. When he went to get the hair-growth potion, he also swiped a bottle of Draught of Living Death and promptly drugged Ron unconscious in the dormitory.
And so, Neville held Ron's old wand in his left hand and Harry's broomstick in his right as he hurried to the Alchemy classroom.
"Originally, I'd planned to save all their gifts for Christmas, but Harry's glasses had to be given to him early."
"And Ron's always uncomfortable using a wand that doesn't suit him, so I decided to give it to him early too." Standing atop the Enchanting Table, Neville carefully inscribed a loyalty enchantment onto Ron's wand.
"So, what about Hermione? What are you planning to give Hermione?" In the office work area, Kayson was using Arcane Stone Bricks and Arcane Steps made from stone and Magic Crystals to build a magical ritual platform.
"I saw her Christmas card. She wants a pet, and that isn't something alchemy can do... Actually, at first I wanted to make her a mysterious little puppet. The thing every third-year has. But it's so cold, and I don't think Hermione would like it." Neville explained.
"When I have time, I can go to Diagon Alley with you and buy Hermione a gift."
Kayson pointed his wand at the ritual platform he had built. Almost instantly, it began to transform into a massive arcane infusion altar. At its center floated a black cube that shone through the gaps in