Gift

On Christmas morning, Aberforth wished Ariana a Merry Christmas and shared a smile with her portrait before yawning and heading down the creaky wooden stairs, ready to start his day as usual.

However, today, as soon as he opened the door to the Hog's Head Bar, he saw a brown owl flying from the direction of Hogwarts, heading straight for him.

Aberforth immediately ducked behind the door. The owl swooped through the half-open door into the Hog's Head Bar, dropped the package it was carrying onto the counter, and then rushed back out.

Aberforth frowned, looking at the package on the counter with suspicion and caution, then drew his wand and slowly approached.

He didn't think his brother, with whom he didn't have the best relationship, would send him a Christmas gift in this manner. Moreover, for many years—after he had thrown away Dumbledore's Christmas gifts for many years—Dumbledore had stopped giving him Christmas presents. However, he would often give him small snacks when they met, which Aberforth would disdainfully leave on the living room table, only for Dumbledore to eat them later when he visited the Hog's Head Bar again.

When he got closer and saw the wrapping of the package, Aberforth paused, then put away his wand.

He already knew who had sent this gift.

Dark green wrapping paper, with golden decorative ribbons adorned with two small red balls—a gift from Professor Sekri.

In the past, their family used to receive four such packages at Christmas, then two, and then none—ever since he learned from Dumbledore that Mr. Ominis had begun to fall into frequent slumbers.

Aberforth looked at the gift for a few seconds, then took it back behind the counter and ascended the stairs again to Ariana's portrait.

Opening gifts was something that should be done with family, and Ariana had quite liked this professor, whom she had only met a few times, during her lifetime. But for Aberforth, Cyberlina and his brother were the same kind of people—wizards who only cared about those they were interested in, were full of lies and secrets, and were annoyingly elite.

Because Dumbledore had informed him, Aberforth had known Cyberlina was back from the beginning, but it had evoked no other emotion in him besides a brief surprise. After all, he wasn't close to that professor, and had even later berated her for still caring about Grindelwald—his brother didn't know about this, and he had no intention of letting his brother know about that argument where he had just been raging pointlessly.

Therefore, he hadn't expected to see the wrapping of this Christmas gift, unseen for decades, this year.

Aberforth sat on the carpet facing Ariana's portrait, placed the package in front of him, and while quietly complaining about Cyberlina to Ariana, he opened the package—it was a red woolen scarf, with a small white sheep pattern at the end.

He picked up the scarf, but felt something fall out. Looking down, he found a small, hand-sized sheep made of wool, with a few small flowers stuck in its head.

Aberforth picked up the little sheep, remained silent for a while, then got up and placed it on the mantelpiece—in front of Ariana's portrait. Then, as if receiving an instruction, the little sheep ran forward a couple of steps, the flowers on its head fluttering, and then settled back onto its horns as the sheep stopped.

Ariana looked down at the little sheep and smiled with some happiness.

Meanwhile, a similar gift appeared on Dumbledore's desk—a purple woolen scarf with golden candy patterns, and a few small balls of the same color as the scarf at the end.

Dumbledore picked it up with a smile, and then heard a "thud" as a small black box fell onto the green wrapping paper.

He picked it up with curiosity and opened it—the Gaunt ring, without any trace of dark magic, lay quietly inside, its black stone bearing the clear Peverell Family crest.

Dumbledore paused, put down the scarf, and picked up the ring to examine it for a long time. Finally, he put it back in the box, and then placed the box in his desk drawer—his hand rested on the drawer for a few seconds before he opened it again and took out the ring, putting it on his finger.

Then, Dumbledore happily put on the woolen scarf and continued to open the Christmas gifts he had received, the small balls at the end of the scarf swaying back and forth with his movements.

In the Gryffindor dormitory, on the same floor as the Headmaster's office but not in it, Harry had woken up early. After sending Hedwig to deliver Christmas gifts, he began happily opening his own. Apart from the toothpicks from the Dursleys, he liked all the other gifts, and his most favorite was the Firebolt Sirius had sent him. It was a gleaming Firebolt, and Harry's eyes sparkled as brightly as it when he opened it. He touched it lovingly for a long time, even wanting to fly around the school on it right away, but he ultimately restrained himself.

Finally, he opened Sirius's letter. Reading the blessings and expressions of longing, as well as the news that Sirius had already found a house for their future home, Harry laughed so hard he rolled around on the bed. The black diary by his pillow was pushed to the floor. As he lay on his side for the eighth time reading the letter, his peripheral vision suddenly caught sight of an unopened green wrapping bag beneath the discarded wrapping paper on the floor—he sat up abruptly, then bent down and reached for it.

A green package with a Slytherin aura and silver ribbon, a card with an "S" attached to the ribbon. Harry immediately guessed it was from Cyberlina—it couldn't be from Snape.

It was a light box. Upon opening it, he found a silver bracelet with several fine carvings, a small red leather clasp, and very tiny golden runes on the clasp that Harry couldn't understand at all. Beneath it was a card, written in Cyberlina's sharp handwriting—

[Please attach it to your broom—Cyber.]

Harry: "!"

He glanced at the new Firebolt on his bed, then took out the clasp and attached it to the middle of the broom—with a "swish," the broom instantly shrank, hovering like an ornament and attaching itself to the bracelet, the protruding leather clasp fitting snugly against the shrunken broom like a raised red decoration.

Harry's eyes widened as he lifted the silver bracelet and slowly put it on his hand—it fit perfectly!

"Wow!" Harry exclaimed. He could carry his Firebolt with him anytime!

Harry felt that Sirius and Cyberlina must have planned this together!

Beneath Hogwarts, as a renowned Potions Master, Snape naturally received quite a few gifts, mostly books, potions, or potion ingredients—from those who had achieved similar success in potions. His own Christmas gifts were invariably of the same nature.

However, this year, after levitating all those items to his office, Snape noticed a wide, flat package that was clearly not a book or a potion gift box. His first thought was that Lucius had sent another ostentatious, impractical item. Upon seeing the card with an "S" on it, he realized who the sender was and simultaneously understood—he hadn't prepared a gift for Cyberlina.

After a moment of silence, he decided to open the gift first.

It was a black robe, made of expensive fabric, with intricate silver snakes embroidered on the collar. The robe was long, large, and well-tailored, with mysterious magical script on the inside—clearly, it was a piece of magical armor.

Snape had to admit it was a good gift, but his face darkened a notch because this robe was noticeably larger than the ones he usually wore, reminding him of Cyberlina's teasing—that he really looked like an old bat when he walked.

Aside from the wide, flat box, Snape also found a small box with an "S" card. Upon opening it, he discovered a black bow tie with a green gem—Snape looked towards the white cat curled up on Cyberlina's workbench.

That's right, the white cat.

The white cat that Cyberlina had found at the entrance of the Gaunt old house.

She had sent the cat here the afternoon of the next day, with the excuse that she had nowhere to keep it—honestly, Snape thought, that excuse was worse than saying nothing and just handing over the cat!

But the cat was relatively quiet, and Cyberlina had said she would only keep it until the end of the Christmas holiday, and had given him an ancient spellbook.

So, Snape grudgingly accepted.

Sensing Snape's gaze, the white cat looked up and immediately saw the black bow tie in his hand.

And Snape was already looking at the silver chain around the cat's neck, which had nothing on it.

Grind-Cat-Wald: "..."

Grindelwald truly felt he would have been better off not leaving Nurmengard!

That night, he thought Cyberlina meant he would have his own place the next day. He hadn't expected that after removing the curse on the ring the next day, he would be forcibly turned back into a cat! And then sent to this little black brat!

He had wanted to transform back immediately and startle this brat who looked at him with such disgust, only to find he couldn't transform back at all! Cyberlina, sensing his intention, smiled and tugged at the chain around his neck—the same chain she had conjured from his clothes at the time.

Grindelwald instantly realized he had been tricked. But unable to use magic and threatened by Cyberlina, he could only resentfully watch as Cyberlina exchanged a spellbook for his new residence, and was shocked—honestly, Grindelwald felt that Cyberlina just wanted to give this child spellbooks!

As Snape approached with the bow tie, Grindelwald immediately jumped from Cyberlina's console to Snape's. Then, after Snape turned a corner, Grindelwald aimed for his desk and leaped—but didn't succeed, as Snape produced his wand.

To Snape, stopping a non-magical kitten from jumping around was incredibly easy. He effortlessly floated the cat in the air, and despite its struggling limbs, directly placed the bow tie onto the chain.

"Click."

After a crisp sound, the bow tie automatically attached to the chain. The chain also seemed to shorten, no longer swaying as it had before.

"As expected..." Snape smirked triumphantly, waved his wand to return the cat to Cyberlina's console, and then turned back to continue unwrapping the gifts from his academic friends, all while pondering what gift to give Cyberlina in return. After all, she lacked nothing, yet he couldn't not send a gift...

However, the moment Snape turned around, the white cat's sky-blue right eye suddenly turned transparent, then instantly returned to its sky-blue color.

Grindelwald disdainfully pawed at the bow tie beneath its neck, then settled down quietly, narrowing its cat eyes to watch Snape unwrap gifts.

Not many students were staying for the holidays this year, so the Great Hall only had one long table set up for a small Christmas dinner for the students and staff remaining.

But one table didn't detract from the grandeur of the Hall; rather, it made the dozen or so Christmas trees seem even taller. Accompanied by snowflakes drifting down from the magical sky, Harry even felt as if he were about to have dinner in a forest.

Cyberlina was already seated at the long table, with Percy sitting beside her. He seemed to be asking about something important, his expression slightly serious. But as Harry approached, their conversation seemed to be nearing its end; he only heard Cyberlina say—

"...But regardless of which department you eventually join, the prerequisite is to achieve good grades in your N.E.W.Ts—of course, I don't think your grades will be an issue at all, Mr. Weasley."

"Thank you very much, Ms. Sekerei," Percy said earnestly, then looked at Harry. "You're here, Harry."

Cyberlina turned her head and smiled at Harry. "Good evening, Harry. Thank you for the cookies, I really liked them."

Having accidentally overheard McGonagall and Sprout mention that Cyberlina made her own fruit candies, Harry thought she, like Dumbledore, must enjoy sweets. So, he asked Hermione to buy a lot of famous and delicious Muggle snacks to send as Christmas gifts to Cyberlina and Dumbledore.

Harry smiled sheepishly and showed Cyberlina the bracelet he was already wearing on his wrist. "Your gift is super awesome! Senior Cyberlina, did you coordinate with Sirius?"

"What?" Cyberlina tilted her head slightly in confusion.

"Ah, I meant—" Realizing he'd misunderstood, Harry pointed to the Firebolt attached to the bracelet. "Sirius sent me a Firebolt, and you sent me... this."

"Oh, I see," Cyberlina smiled at Harry. "But I didn't communicate with Little Black."

"What a coincidence," Harry exclaimed.

Just then, Dumbledore and McGonagall entered the Great Hall together. Dumbledore was wearing a purple robe and a purple wizard's hat adorned with stars. He wore the scarf Cyberlina had given him and walked to the dining table, saying with a broad smile, "Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas, Professor Dumbledore," Harry said, sensing his good mood.

"Merry Christmas, Headmaster," Percy sat up straighter.

"Merry Christmas, Albus," Cyberlina chuckled as Dumbledore deliberately placed the side with the candy pattern of the scarf facing forward. "I'm so glad you like the scarf."

"Naturally, I haven't received one in many years," Dumbledore stroked the little pom-poms at the end of the scarf. "Minerva was just saying you didn't give her one."

"I never said that, Albus," McGonagall stepped forward and touched her beautiful new wizard's hat. "I just said that compared to the scarf Cyberlina gave you, I prefer the hat Cyberlina gave me."

"Minerva is the most beautiful!" Cyberlina, as always, was generous with her praise.

Dumbledore sat directly beside Cyberlina and pulled Harry, who had been standing, to sit on his other side. "Come, Harry, there are few people today, so let's sit wherever we like."

Harry obediently sat down and then noticed Professor McGonagall sitting on his other side. Realizing he had the Headmaster on both sides, Harry felt immense pressure but, having already sat down, he couldn't very well ask to switch seats.

"Hmm..." Cyberlina surveyed the room and laughed. "It seems I'm surrounded by Gryffindors."

"Oh, and the only four Gryffindors tonight," Dumbledore smoothed his beard to prevent it from getting tangled in the pom-poms. "Rubeus was supposed to come, but a friend of his in the Forbidden Forest had a minor issue, so he couldn't make it."

"Oh, is that so? What a shame," Cyberlina said with a smile.

Dumbledore glanced at her and didn't continue the topic. Instead, he asked, "Cyber, why are you still wearing your school robes on Christmas Day?"

"Since I only have a few more days left," Cyberlina smoothed her collar, a look of regret on her face. "I actually think the current Slytherin robes look quite nice."

"Why only a few more days?" Harry leaned forward, poking his head out from Dumbledore's side to look at Cyberlina.

"That's a secret," Cyberlina leaned forward slightly, winking at Harry over Dumbledore's beard. "You'll know when the holiday ends."

"It's alright, Cyberlina, your Transfiguration is so good—" Dumbledore stretched his voice slightly, smiling at Cyberlina. "You can always transform your clothes into school robes and wear them."

"You flatter me, Albus," Cyberlina straightened up, her eyes curved. "You were even a Transfiguration professor—oh, there are two Transfiguration professors here, and Minerva is an Animagus, now that's impressive."

McGonagall accepted the compliment with a smile and then said, "I think, Cyberlina, you just haven't tried it."

"Spare me, Minerva," Cyberlina shook her head with a wry smile. "The process is too complicated."

Harry immediately asked curiously how complicated it was, and then Percy chimed in to explain it to him. Two Ravenclaw students who entered afterward overheard the topic and sat opposite Percy, joining their conversation. Seeing an opportunity, Harry immediately took the chance to get up and switch seats, sitting on Percy's other side.

Seeing that the topic had completely shifted and wasn't going back, Dumbledore stared at Cyberlina for a few seconds, then dropped the subject and began discussing the snacks Harry had given her.

Sprout entered the Great Hall with two badgers.

Upon seeing the unusual seating arrangement, Sprout naturally sat opposite McGonagall and chatted with her. The two badgers sat on either side of Harry, one on his left and one on his right—at this point, all the students staying for the holidays were seated one-on-one, near the original staff table.

Perhaps fearing the students would go hungry, Dumbledore tapped the table, signaling the house-elves to serve some food.

Flitwick and Filch, who arrived one after the other, were warmly invited by Sprout to join her row—Flitwick sat next to students from his own house, while Filch sat between the two professors, opposite Dumbledore.

"Why don't I see Mrs. Norris?" Cyberlina asked with a smile.

Knowing Mrs. Norris was close to Cyberlina and that Cyberlina often gave her food, Filch smiled at Cyberlina and replied, "She's already eaten... and the Great Hall... she doesn't come often."

Cyberlina realized. "Oh... I see." She then turned to Dumbledore. "Cats aren't allowed in the Great Hall anymore?"

"There's no such rule currently, Cyber," Dumbledore looked at Cyberlina. "You want the cat to attend the dinner?"

"I think it depends on the cat's own wishes," Cyberlina smiled, looking at Dumbledore, and answered sincerely.

Snape, who was late because a certain cat had interfered with him leaving, had a stern expression on his face. McGonagall pulled him into the empty seat between her and Dumbledore.

"You really should control your cat!" Snape said viciously to Cyberlina, leaning back in his seat to get away from Dumbledore.

"Oh! You have a cat too?" Filch's eyes lit up slightly, and his face softened considerably.

"It's not my cat, Mr. Filch," Cyberlina explained. "It's a friend's cat, just staying with me for a few days."

"A few days?" Dumbledore suddenly interjected.

As if she hadn't heard that brief sentence, Cyberlina leaned back and asked Snape, "Did that cat bully you?"

Snape was momentarily speechless at Cyberlina's choice of words, then said coldly, "It wouldn't let me leave."

Cyberlina raised an eyebrow slightly and exchanged a look with Dumbledore.

"Ahem, well, Severus, I imagine you must be hungry. We'll discuss the cat later. For now, the feast should begin."

As Dumbledore spoke, he turned to everyone present and announced the start of this year's Christmas feast.