The Ways of the Magic World

The Ways of the Magic World

The next morning.

Aaron opened his eyes to find more than a dozen parcels of various sizes piled by the foot of his bed. They were probably this year's Christmas presents.

He opened the gift from his Parents first, and the contents were exactly as he expected.

A postcard, showing a sunrise they had seen while sailing at sea.

"Dear son, isn't it beautiful? We had originally planned to take a picture of a sky full of stars for you.

"But then we thought that you would definitely be opening your gifts in the morning, so we sent you a sunrise instead. May you always be full of vigor."

—Vico.

"Honestly, it's always like this." Aaron shook his head and put the postcard away.

A goose feather sent from a thousand miles away—small gift, great sentiment!

His Parents understood his family circumstances better than anyone. They knew he lacked nothing, so they simply sent a gift with commemorative value like this.

The second parcel was from Gaius.

Aaron took a sheet of paper from the gift box, then smiled in satisfaction.

A Butler truly was a Butler. He had directly sent over the profit report for the past few months from the Small Shop Aaron had opened in Diagon Alley.

There was also a dragon encyclopedia, recording the breeds, traits, and habitats of every dragon known to the Magic World. It was probably prepared for Abei. After all, he was a dragon of noble blood, and it was necessary for him to know about his "distant relatives."

The third parcel had been sent by his great-uncle.

Inside was a pure white Unicorn hair, one of the materials used to make Wands.

Apart from these gifts from people close to him, the rest were from assorted relatives. They were strange and varied, but far more practical than the first three.

Some had sent daggers, some clothes, some instruments, and some a funhouse mirror...

Someone had even sent a huge snack package. The moment Aaron took it out, a white figure shoved its face right into it.

Aaron picked Abei up with obvious disdain, then pushed the package in front of him and vigorously rubbed his dragon head several times.

One of the gifts was from Hermione: a dental set containing a cup, toothbrush, and toothpaste.

Aaron did not know whether to laugh or cry. His teeth were definitely quite healthy, but it was better than nothing.

The Great Hall.

The students and professors staying at school had all gathered here for the Christmas feast.

The food for the holiday was exceptionally lavish, and everyone ate with great delight.

Aaron set Abei on the dining table, then carried a gift box over to Professor McGonagall. "Professor, this is for you."

"For me?" Professor McGonagall pointed at herself, pleasantly surprised. "A Christmas present?"

"Something like that!"

Professor McGonagall excitedly opened the box, gave its contents a quick glance, and immediately shut it again.

"Aaron, I admit that I love this gift. I love it very, very much.

"But I truly cannot accept it. It's far too precious."

"You misunderstood, Professor. I never said I was giving it to you.

"I'm only lending it to you. But you have to return it before the holiday ends," Aaron said solemnly.

"Really?" Professor McGonagall was somewhat moved. Then, with astonishing speed, she hugged the box to her chest. "Then I'll accept it. This is the best gift I've received in recent years."

"I'm glad you like it." Aaron smiled.

"Ahem." Snape said coldly, "It seems someone has forgotten that he is a Slytherin student."

"Oh, right. This is for you, Professor Snape." Aaron took a bottle from his pocket. "It contains the bodily fluid of a magical creature. I paid quite a price to get it.

"Of course, it might be useful, or it might be completely useless.

"As for the specifics, that will depend on how you, a Potions Master, handle it."

While Aaron was explaining, Abei, who had been tearing into a turkey on the dining table, suddenly froze. He sniffed the air with his nose.

He turned and glanced at the teachers' table. His cute little face took on a strange expression, and then he went back to eating.

Snape did not bother being discreet. He took the bottle directly from Aaron, held it beneath his nose, and gave it a light sniff. His expression changed slightly. "Aaron, what magical creature is this from?

"This ingredient is... unique. I have indeed never encountered it before.

"Or perhaps I have seen it, but forgotten it.

"Either way, it suggests that this magical creature is exceptionally rare."

"Uh... I'm afraid I can't tell you that." Aaron's expression was serious. Everyone had their secrets. He certainly could not tell Snape that the bottle contained Abei's saliva.

"So mysterious." Snape put the bottle into his pocket.

"Aaron, do you have a gift for me?" Professor Flitwick asked sheepishly. "Of course, if you don't, just pretend I never asked."

"I do have one for you." Aaron took out a brush pen and handed it over.

"This..." Professor Flitwick looked even more embarrassed. "If I'm not mistaken, the material of this tip is Unicorn hair, isn't it?"

"That's right. I hope you like it."

"I love it."

"Mr... Mr. Gaius, perhaps I shouldn't... ask this.

"But do you have... a gift... for me?"

Aaron glanced at Quirrell, who was seated at the teachers' table and spoke haltingly, then offered an awkward yet polite smile. "Sorry, Professor. During the school term, I can't use my family's assets.

"The gifts for Professor Snape and the others were acquired through my own means. With those and the gifts I bought for other friends, I've spent almost all my money, so..."

"It's all right. I understand." Quirrell covered his mouth and spoke with a slightly aggrieved expression.

"I'm terribly sorry, Professor. I failed to consider this properly.

"How about I prepare a gift for you next Christmas?" Aaron comforted him apologetically, though inwardly he thought, You'll be dead by the end of this school year. Next Christmas, burning a few paper offerings for you just for show should be enough.

After leaving the teachers' table, Aaron returned to his seat and began enjoying the feast.

Before long, Harry and Ron came over. They wore sweaters of the same design, matching the ones Percy, Fred, and George wore.

"You really are good friends. You even have the same taste in clothes!" Aaron teased. "They look pretty warm."

Harry smiled awkwardly. This was the second-best gift he had received in his life. The first was a parcel sent by a stranger that morning, containing an heirloom from his father: an Invisibility Cloak.

"Right?" Ron said proudly. "My mum made these herself. Every Christmas, all of us get presents like this, though this year Harry got one too.

"Oh, and Harry also received a special gift. Want to know what it was?"

"Ron!" Harry glared at him.

"Sorry. That gift is rather precious, and he doesn't want too many people knowing about it."

Aaron raised an eyebrow. If Harry had not stopped Ron in time, Aaron suspected the whole school would soon know.

"Um... Aaron, Merry Christmas."

"Mm! Merry Christmas." Aaron looked at Harry. "If you have something to say, hurry up and say it. You're making me anxious for you."

"All right!

"First, thank you for the gift you gave me. I really liked those cards."

"Yeah." Ron immediately cut in. "That was the most practical gift I've ever received in my life: one Gold Galleon, one Silver Sickle, and one Copper Knut.

"But why did you give me money?"

"Because that might have been what you wanted most and what you needed most urgently, while Harry doesn't really lack money."

"That makes sense!" Ron nodded in deep agreement.

"Ahem!" Harry coughed lightly, then discreetly glanced toward the teachers' table. Only after confirming no one was paying attention did he speak. "Then there's something I need to ask you. I want to look for clues about Nicolas Flamel in the Restricted Section, so..."

"Pfft!" Aaron nearly sprayed out the food he had half eaten. He stared at Harry in astonishment. "Seriously? You still haven't given up?

"I'll say it again: I can't help you with this.

"The Restricted Section isn't somewhere first-year students can go."

"But why can you go?" Ron said indignantly. "Harry and I saw you in the library before. Madam Pince let you into the Restricted Section. Are you not a first-year student?"

Aaron turned and gave Ron a meaningful look, then patted him on the shoulder. "Ron, people are different.

"You know our Head of House thinks highly of me. Getting a permission slip is something I can do in minutes."

Harry's mouth twitched, and he gave a bitter smile. "But Aaron, this is really important. I..."

"Stop right there. No matter how important it is, it has nothing to do with me." Aaron said seriously. "I can offer you some help in certain matters, but there are other matters where I absolutely cannot.

"I'll say it again: the Restricted Section is a little too early for you."