Merry Christmas

On December 22, 1973, the day before the holiday, Hogwarts was filled with a lazy restlessness.

The light from outside the window had turned yellowish, slanting into the classroom and illuminating the blackboard, half of it lit and half dark.

When the Dismissal Bell, the entire Castle seemed to be switched on.

The Wizards poured out, their robes billowing between chair legs, oblivious to who stepped on whose shoes, creating a massive blockage at the doorway. The Corridor was even more bustling than the classroom.

The young Wizards, carrying their books and parchments, ran and shouted as they hurried back to their Dormitory to pack their belongings, then were completely free to play everywhere. Regulus headed towards the cellars; he didn't need to run, and there was nothing to pack.

Unlike other young wizards, the young master of the Black family didn't need to fold his robes and stuff them into a chest.

The robe he was wearing was self-cleaning and dust-proof; the Rune woven into the fabric would remove dust and wrinkles, keeping it looking brand new even after a semester.

The shoes are made of Hungarian Horntail Young Dragon Hide, lined with cashmere, and have a Waterproof and Damp-proof Charm on the sole, specially designed to combat the autumn and winter weather of the Scottish Highlands. His wardrobe at Grimmauld Place contains his complete set of robes, which he replaces when they become too small; they are custom-made.

He doesn't even need to bring a change of underwear.

After entering the Common Room, Regulus headed towards his Dormitory.

Avery and the others weren't there, Alex was worried, so he insisted on going over the plan with everyone again.

Rababstan chose to act the day before the holidays, probably thinking that even if he messed things up, the professor and Regulus wouldn't have time to investigate. Everyone was eager to go home for Christmas; who would care about such things?

This idea isn't entirely wrong; it just shows he has some brains, but not many.

His every thought and action was thoroughly analyzed, and he even considered himself resourceful, believing he was hiding in the shadows. But he never considered why this particular moment was so opportune for him.

Regulus ignored him; Alex could go through it again if he wanted, since it was the last time anyway.

He walked to his desk and opened the bottom drawer.

Baruk stayed in the drawer for three days, behaving quite well; if you didn't want it to go out, it wouldn't.

There was also a small web inside the drawer, with a few strands running horizontally and vertically. It wasn't a proper spider web; it looked more like a foundation.

Hearing the drawer being pulled open, it stood up from the center of the net, its eight legs spread out, its chelipeds opening and closing with a series of clattering sounds.

It circled the drawer twice, then climbed onto the front row of wooden ridges and looked up at him.

Regulus drew his wand, tapped it, and applied his Transfiguration spell for the day.

Baruk froze for a moment, then resumed his rhythmic clattering.

"Tomorrow one," Regulus said.

Baruk tilted his spider head.

"I'll take you back to my lair."

Baruk's chelicerae spread even wider, and his eight legs wobbled on the wooden edge. He almost lost his footing and quickly used his spider silk to hold himself up.

"The large nest?"

"Bigger than this."

Baruk jumped down from the wooden frame and circled the drawer three times.

"Alright," he said, closing the drawer but leaving a crack for ventilation. "I'll be back to see you later."

Another click came from the drawer.

The Library was quieter than usual today, but it was still packed; there were a few Ravenclaw in the corner who were working on their last day.

Regulus pulled a book, "The History of Medieval Defensive Spells," from the bookshelf and sat down in his usual spot by the window.

He turned to a chapter in the middle, about how 14th-century France witches used reflective spells to ward off being burned at the stake.

Not long after, familiar footsteps approached and stopped on the other side.

"They've arrived." Regulus looked up.

"Hmm." Lily placed a book on Advanced Potion-Making on the table, pulled out a chair, and sat down.

She was wearing a Gryffindor robe today, in gold and red, and her hair was tied in a ponytail, the ends of which swayed over her shoulders.

The two of them were reading their own books.

The Library was quiet.

The sky outside the window darkened completely, and the light from the Magic Lamp fell on the table, making the open pages of the book appear white.

Since we're on holiday tomorrow, neither of us watched TV for very long today.

Lily flipped through a few pages, then closed the book and looked at Regulus, resting her chin on her hand.

Regulus finished reading the last paragraph, closed the book, and looked up.

"Not watching anymore?"

"I'm not watching anymore," Lily sighed. "I'm thinking about something."

"Hmm," Regulus asked with a smile, "What are you thinking about?"

Lily pouted, a hint of resentment in her voice. "I can't practice Magic again during the holidays, it's two weeks!"

The last syllable was drawn out, as if two weeks was some kind of catastrophic disaster.

Regulus looked at her. "You can practice Magic Manipulation; you won't trigger the Trace without using a wand."

Lily's eyes lit up, then she frowned. "Really? You're sure it'll be okay without a wand?"

Regulus explained, "The Trace is attached to the wand. Every time you cast a spell, the Ministry of Magic can read it—what spell, when, and where."

"But"

"The Magic Manipulation doesn't go through the wand," Regulus continued, "And it's not a spell, Trace won't trigger it, and they can't detect anything."

Lily nodded thoughtfully; she believed what Regulus said.

Since that's the case, I'll go home and practice Magic Manipulation without using a wand.

Regulus didn't continue.

Actually, there's another way: get another magic wand.

Even if you don't buy it from Ollivander, as long as the young wizard buys a wand there, the Trace will automatically bind him.

You have to buy a second-hand one; they sell them in Knockturn Alley.

But there's a problem.

There's no concept of a wand choosing a wizard when using a secondhand wand. Compatibility is a major drawback. Ollivander's system requires a new wand that hasn't been bound to a previous owner. Moreover, no one can say for sure what the previous the Master did; it could have been Dark Wizard, or even someone who wasn't a wizard at all.

Whether the core of the staff has been infused with anything, whether there are remnants of curses or memories of Dark Arts, nobody knows.

Furthermore, Lily shouldn't go to Knockturn Alley; proper little wizards shouldn't go to places like that.

But if you really want to find one for Lily, there are plenty of ways.

A wand is an essential item for a wizard. After using it for a long time, it becomes a habit, just like clothes and shoes. You can't forget to bring it when you go out, but it actually has a very deep strategic significance.

goblin are not allowed to use wands, and this was even agreed upon through war.

No Pureblood families wizard has the habit of keeping only one wand.

Wands can break, be confiscated, or be snapped. No one would allow themselves to become useless without their wand.

A Pureblood families that waits until its wand breaks down before looking for a replacement will never become a family.

So you always need to keep a few on hand; they might not fit perfectly, but they'll be useful in an emergency.

Ollivander said that wands choose wizards, which is true, but when you're on the battlefield, nobody cares about that.

Regulus collected his thoughts and remained silent.

"Regulus."

Lily's voice brought him back to reality.

She was looking at him, her lips slightly pursed.

Regulus snapped out of his reverie and coughed lightly, "Lily, what's your wand made of?"

Lily was taken aback; she hadn't expected him to ask that.

Then he sat up straight, took his wand out of his robe pocket, and placed it on the table.

"Willow," she began enthusiastically, "Ten and a quarter inches, with Dragon Heartstring core."

"Mr. Ollivander said then," she blinked, mimicking that tone, "Oh, Miss Willow, Miss Evans."

Willow chooses a wizard with exceptional potential; it will accompany you as you grow, and it is willing to wait.

Dragon Heartstring's staff core is very powerful, but it also needs its the Master to have their own temperament. You two are very compatible, I can feel it.

She chuckled to herself after she finished speaking, a little embarrassed. "That's what he said."

Regulus's lips curled slightly as he listened quietly.

After Lily finished speaking, she looked at Regulus with bright eyes, clearly pleased to share her wand with him.

Then she asked, "And yours?"

"Blackthorn, Dragon Heartstring Staff Core, 12 1/4 inches."

"Ollivander said something then," he mimicked Ollivander's Lily: "Ah, Mr. Black, Blackthorn, Warrior's Wood."

"The Dragon Heartstring, the strongest staff core, you will accomplish great things!"

Blackthorn is well-suited for duels and battles, Dragon Heartstring Staff Core can unleash the most powerful Magic.

These are all correct, but they are not enough.

He bought his wand when he was eleven years old, and the Regulus Black of that time was no longer the same person as the Regulus Black of today.

Lily nodded in complete agreement; she couldn't agree more.

Regulus is capable of great things; Ollivander knows that.

Regulus smiled.

"Why did you ask me about the wand?" Lily suddenly remembered.

He simply said, "Just curious, asking."

Lily looked at him suspiciously, sensing that there might be more to this than met the eye.

Then she leaned back in her chair and sighed, "Okay."

Lily then asked, "Do you know what to do during the holidays?"

Regulus reacted quickly and knew what she was asking.

"I know, write a letter."

Lily nodded in satisfaction, a smile playing on her lips, "That's more like it."

"What are your plans for the holiday?" she asked casually.

"Practice Magic."

Lily's expression fell slightly, looking a little aggrieved.

But she immediately perked up and decided to practice her Magic Manipulation diligently during the holiday so that she could surprise Regulus when she returned.

Her eyes lit up. "Then you practice yours, and I'll practice mine. Don't think I'm improving too fast."

Regulus glanced at her but didn't reply.

Lily laughed first.

The Library was empty; the lights cast long shadows on the bookshelves.

Madam Pince peeked out from behind the bookshelf, holding a feather duster. She didn't come over, but stood a few meters away watching them. Lily stuck out her tongue, shrank her neck, and quickly closed the book, stuffing it into her bag. "Let's go, let's go."

As the two passed by, Lily gave Madam Pince her sweetest smile, "Madam Pince, Merry Christmas!"

Madam Pince didn't speak, but nodded her chin in response.

Regulus nodded and followed Lily out of the Library.

The door closed behind them, and the torches in the Corridor were brighter than those in the Library, making their shadows appear longer.

"Remember to write a letter during the holidays," Lily said.

"Hmm." Regulus nodded.

Lily emphasized again, "Don't forget."

Regulus nodded again. "I won't forget."

Lily wouldn't let him off the hook. "You always say that."

Regulus had no choice but to press again. "Not this time."

Lily snorted, turned, and walked towards the Gryffindor Tower. After taking a couple of steps, she turned back and said, "Merry Christmas, Regulus." Regulus replied gently, "Merry Christmas."

Lily turned around and walked forward, her footsteps echoing in the Corridor before fading into the distance.

Regulus stood there for a moment, then turned and walked towards the Slytherin Dormitory.