Giving Gifts Means Catering to Their Tastes

"By the way, I don't think I saw you packing," Hermione said, looking at Aaron in surprise. "Don't tell me you're not going home for Christmas either?"

Harry and Ron were equally taken aback. The Christmas break was not short, and nearly everyone at the school went home. Only a few professors and students with special circumstances chose to stay behind.

Harry had chosen not to go home because his aunt and uncle's house was too bleak for him. Staying at school was much happier.

Ron was not going home because his parents were going to Romania to visit his brother. There would be no one at home, and even if he went back, it would only be him and his brothers, no different from being at school.

In that case, they might as well stay at school. At least they would not have to worry about food or lodging.

But they had never expected Aaron to stay as well. He did not seem to have any reason to do so!

"Is it that surprising?" Aaron asked calmly.

The three of them nodded in unison.

"I matured early. The Gaius Family generally takes a hands-off approach with its heirs. They believe it better cultivates independence.

"After I turned eight, my parents started traveling. Unless they got tired of it or something major happened at home, they usually didn't come back.

"Over the course of a year, the total time I spent with my parents was less than a month. Usually, my uncle was the one who took care of my daily life."

"But... but it's Christmas!" Hermione said, feeling indignant on Aaron's behalf.

"Don't misunderstand," Aaron said with a shrug. "They do come back for Christmas, but I think staying at school is more interesting, so... I chose to remain here."

That was only part of the reason. More importantly, the Magic Points he got from checking in at Hogwarts were ten times what he could get at home.

Before he possessed enough power, enjoying life and reuniting with family were all fleeting clouds.

"So that's how it is!" Harry said awkwardly.

"What else could it be? My family treats me, their only son, very well."

The day before Christmas.

After lunch, Aaron left the Great Hall with Abei, and the boy and dragon took a stroll through the castle.

The icy, snow-covered world outside had completely captured their interest, especially Abei's. Since its birth, it had only seen snow a few times.

A few days ago, the students had been busy packing, and there were still many people around, so it had managed to restrain its instincts.

But today was different. Everyone who was going home had already left, and less than half the people remained at school. There was much more space now.

It charged recklessly into the snowdrifts and rolled around. Its white body and white clothes blended completely into the snow, and unless one looked carefully, it was impossible to tell there was a white dragon in the snowbank.

If Aaron had not warned it not to reveal its wings, it would probably have been flapping them and flying into the sky to watch the falling snow.

When they reached the grounds, Aaron saw that no one was around and took the expensive Magic Carpet out of the system space. Then he climbed aboard with Abei.

The dark blue Magic Carpet was not as difficult to control as a Flying Broomstick. It obeyed Aaron's commands completely and moved as he wished. It was also large enough to hold three to five people.

Right now, there were only the two of them. If they lay on it and rolled around... they might fall off.

Sitting on the Magic Carpet and admiring Hogwarts in the snow, with a lollipop in each of their mouths, the boy and dragon could not have been more content.

Perhaps because they were flying a little too conspicuously, Professor McGonagall happened to spot them from her office, and her eyes lit up.

"Aaron, Mr. Gaius, could you come here for a moment?" Professor McGonagall called cheerfully from the window, looking like a witch tempting an eleven-year-old boy into crime.

Aaron froze for a moment, then guided the Magic Carpet over. "Um... Professor McGonagall, is something wrong?"

"Uh... Aaron, this flying carpet of yours..." Professor McGonagall's eyes kept flicking toward the Magic Carpet, and she looked a little embarrassed.

After all, as a Hogwarts professor, taking an interest in a student's belongings was embarrassing enough to say aloud. But she truly loved this sort of magical item.

Professor McGonagall herself was an avid Quidditch fan, and when she was younger, she had also enjoyed using a Flying Broomstick to experience the thrill of racing through the wind.

But now that she was older, not only did her body no longer allow her to use a Flying Broomstick, her image did not permit it either.

The Magic Carpet perfectly met her needs—elegant, comfortable, safe, and capable of stable flight. Wasn't it far better than a Flying Broomstick?

"Uh... I found this in my family's warehouse before coming to school," Aaron explained with a straight face. Then he frowned. "Professor, the school doesn't have a rule against using Magic Carpets, does it?"

"Not exactly. There is no such rule in the school regulations," Professor McGonagall said. "But you should still be mindful of the impression it makes, understand?"

"I understand. I'm only playing with it during the Christmas break. I won't take it out during the school term."

"Good." Professor McGonagall nodded, then stared at the Magic Carpet with bright eyes. "Mr. Gaius, I wonder if I could try your carpet."

Aaron was stunned, then turned to look at Abei.

It shook its head solemnly and stepped one foot forward, displaying an inexplicable sense of territoriality.

The light in Professor McGonagall's eyes gradually dimmed. "If it's not possible, then forget it."

"It's possible. Of course it is!" Aaron said immediately. "It would be my honor to have you aboard, Professor."

"But it..."

"It's fine. I know it too well. Two chicken legs and it will surrender. If that's not enough, a few snacks will do the trick."

"Good! I understand." Professor McGonagall smiled excitedly. "Wait for me. I'll be right there."

A few minutes later, Professor McGonagall sat on the Magic Carpet somewhat self-consciously. Before coming over, she had even specially prepared a cushion for herself.

As for Aaron, he stared thoughtfully at Abei, who was cheering with a pile of snacks in its arms. Would this dragon get lured away by a single chicken leg one day?

With a professor sitting beside him, Aaron became a little bolder. He controlled the Magic Carpet and flew a full circle around Hogwarts Castle, while the smile on Professor McGonagall's face grew wider and wider.

After that, the Magic Carpet made a low flight over Black Lake. Aaron would not have dared to do that normally, since no one knew whether the magical creatures beneath the lake might suddenly leap out.

But the lake was now covered in thick ice, and there was an Archmage-level academy professor on the Magic Carpet. Their safety level was completely maxed out, so there was nothing to fear.

However, when Aaron turned back, he flew toward the Forbidden Forest, giving Professor McGonagall quite a fright. She hurriedly said, "Wait, Mr. Gaius, you can't go there."

"Can't go?" Aaron asked regretfully. He had wanted to use the professor's "authority" to enjoy the snowy scenery of the Forbidden Forest.

If he was lucky, he might even see a live Unicorn.

"Of course you can't. Unless you have a special reason, it's best not to enter that forest.

"Many magical creatures live in the Forbidden Forest. Even Dumbledore cannot claim to understand them completely. He can only make agreements with them to keep them in check.

"But you must understand that sometimes, agreements are worth nothing.

"They may face severe punishment for attacking students, perhaps even pay with their lives.

"But what use would that be? The students would already have been hurt, and that cannot be undone."

"I understand, Professor," Aaron said with a nod, then flew back in the direction they had come from.

After landing, Aaron directly rolled up the Magic Carpet and roughly slung it over his shoulder.

He had no choice. There was a professor beside him! He did not want to expose the existence of the system space.

As for the Undetectable Extension Charm, hah! Abei's little pet clothes pocket could hold such a large carpet, but that would be even more conspicuous.

Professor McGonagall looked reluctantly at the Magic Carpet on Aaron's shoulder. She opened her mouth but said nothing.

She was already satisfied with what she had experienced today. If she asked to borrow something again, she would seem a little too greedy, and she could not bring herself to do it.

If he rejected her, that would be even more embarrassing.

Aaron also noticed that Professor McGonagall's gaze was strange. He casually glanced at his Magic Carpet and instantly understood. "Professor, you... don't want my Magic Carpet, do you?"

"No, that's not what I mean," Professor McGonagall said, waving her hands, though her old face had turned a little red.

"I understand." Aaron raised his brows, gave Professor McGonagall a meaningful smile, then headed toward the Slytherin common room.

After returning to his dormitory, Aaron found a large gift box and stuffed the folded Magic Carpet inside.

Tomorrow was Christmas. If he brought this gift, all wrapped up, to Professor McGonagall, she would definitely be happy all day.

Of course, giving it away was impossible.

He had spent a "fortune" buying the Magic Carpet, and he did not know whether he would ever find another one.

But lending it out was possible. From Christmas until the end of term, he had no way to use it anyway. It was too conspicuous. He could lend it to Professor McGonagall for free.

She was the head of Gryffindor and a master of Transfiguration. Leaving a good impression on her would definitely make his future school life much easier.

Social etiquette was unavoidable at any time. Aaron had also prepared gifts for the others, though the amount of thought he put into each one varied.