Fawkes's Gift

"From this perspective, it can be considered a good thing."

Hearing Ron's words, George blinked. "Maybe you'll even get a great report card at the end of the school year."

"Stop gloating," Ron yawned.

What are you talking about?

Just then, Harry came out of the dormitory, and Fred and George quickly changed the subject.

Ron's jokes were fine, but they wouldn't say them to Harry's face.

Harry went over to Ron and greeted everyone, "Merry Christmas, Fred, George, Kay... Kyle? What are you from?"

He was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected to see Kyle in the Gryffindor common room.

"A few minutes ago," Kyle laughed.

Ron then noticed there was someone else around him. "Sorry, I didn't see you earlier... Thank you for the gift, I really like that Wizard's Chess."

"And the Quidditch ball model they gave me," Harry said. "That's fantastic."

"I'm glad you like it," Kyle said with a smile.

After being taken to the Gryffindor Common Room by Fred and George, Kyle no longer considered going to the Room of Requirement and spent the morning playing Wizard's Chess and Exploding Snap with them.

Ginny and Percy were there too, and everyone welcomed Kyle.

Percy was being a bit too formal, shaking hands with Kyle in a very serious manner, as if he were receiving a Hufflepuff delegation.

Kyle even wondered if his attire was a bit too casual... If he had known this would happen, he should have worn phoenix socks.

In the afternoon, Hermione took Harry and Ron to the library to do their homework, while Kyle, Fred, and George went to Hogsmeade through a secret passage.

Every shop here is beautifully decorated, and they even offer Christmas gifts to customers. Zonko's offers magical fireworks that bloom when exposed to water, Honeydukes offers candy canes...

These gifts are hanging on the Christmas tree by the door; you can reach out and grab them. If you forget, the shop owner will remind you.

The only downside is that they don't offer a "protection service for Hogwarts students from being discovered" service.

Kyle had only taken a few sips of his Butterbeer when, during the Three Broomsticks, the door next to him was suddenly pushed open from the outside.

The next second,

Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, Hagrid... Sinistra of Astronomy... a total of seven or eight professors walked in one after another.

They also spotted Kyle and his two companions.

Professor McGonagall paused for a moment, then calmly walked past them as if she hadn't seen anything.

"Madam Rosmerta, three pints of mead, cherry syrup soda..."

Kyle and his two companions simultaneously sped up their Butterbeer drinking, eager to leave as quickly as possible.

However, just as they were about to pay, the bar owner, Madam Rosmerta, shook her head.

"No need, Minerva has already paid for you. Would you like anything else?"

"No, no need!"

The three men lowered their heads and hurriedly left behind the Three Broomsticks.

Not only did I get caught sneaking out of school, but the professor also treated me to a meal... It was pretty embarrassing, to put it simply.

The three of them lost interest in playing any longer and hurried back to the castle.

"I forgot, today is Christmas."

Emerging from the secret passage, Fred scratched his head and said, "Professors obviously don't stay in their offices grading papers."

"We shouldn't have gone to the Three Broomsticks!"

Fortunately, Professor McGonagall didn't say anything...

Kyle was also a little regretful; if he had known the professor was treating, he should have ordered some more expensive drinks.

For example, the Three Broomsticks sign, Ogden's Old Firewhisky at ten Galleon a cup— Kyle had always wanted to try it.

Everyone enjoyed their Christmas dinner at Hogwarts.

Few people stayed on campus this year, so the auditorium would feel too spacious if everyone sat separately. Therefore, only one table was left in the Great Hall, and students and professors sat together.

Dumbledore led everyone in singing several of his favorite Christmas carols, Hagrid, after downing cup after cup of eggnog, grew louder and louder until finally only his voice could be heard throughout the Great Hall.

Fred sat next to Kyle, pointing at Percy's Prefect Badge and chuckling incessantly. The word on it had somehow changed to "idiot," but Percy didn't notice at all, and kept asking the people around him what they were laughing at.

Malfoy didn't go back this year either, and he was sitting opposite Harry, gruffly mocking his new sweater. Surprisingly, Harry didn't say anything back.

The dinner was sumptuous, especially the Christmas pudding that the House-elf made this year.

Just like Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, you can taste a different flavor in every bite, which is very unique.

After finishing the pudding, Professor McGonagall was the first to leave the table, followed by Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

Kyle wanted to leave as well, but Dumbledore stopped him.

"If you have time, could you come to my office?"

"Of course, Professor." Kyle nodded, though he was a little puzzled.

The two left the Great Hall together, talking as they walked toward the Headmaster's Office.

Kyle couldn't buy the latest edition of "500 Ways to Knit Wool Socks" this year, so he gave Dumbledore a huge bundle of wool instead.

However, Dumbledore seemed quite pleased and even asked Kyle where he had bought those high-quality wools.

"This is wool from Snowy Wool Sheep, Professor," Kyle said. "Mr. Scamander happened to have a bunch in his trunk; I collected some when I went there in August."

"Does Newt have any?" Dumbledore asked with delight. "A lot?"

"About thirty or so."

Dumbledore.

Once they reached the Seventh Floor, the dripping stone beast leaped to the side from a distance, Dumbledore led Kyle into the Headmaster's Office.

The furnishings here were not much different from before, except that there was a large ball of yarn on the table, and several sweaters and half an unfinished scarf were hanging on the Mirror of Erised in the corner.

The headmaster of Hogwarts seems to have really taken to knitting, and it's no longer limited to socks and gloves.

Kyle guessed that the sweater he wore under his robe was probably knitted by himself as well.

"Professor, what can I do for you?" Kyle asked.

"It wasn't me, it was Fawkes." Dumbledore sighed softly. "He really liked the Cloak Grass and eggplant root flowers you gave him."

"Fawkes?" Kyle glanced instinctively at the perch by the door.

There stood a wrinkled little bird on it, its body still covered in newly grown light red stubble... It looked absolutely hideous.

"You've achieved Nirvana?"

Kyle walked over.

Little Fawkes nodded, then picked up a small bottle and placed it in Kyle's hand.

"What is this..." Kyle picked up the bottle and found a small pile of dark powder inside.

"The ashes left after the phoenix's rebirth are also Fawkes ' Christmas gift to you." Dumbledore's voice carried a hint of heartache.

He hadn't expected Fawkes to hold such a grudge... It was just that he hadn't taken it out during the holidays, but it had held a grudge ever since, and hadn't left him a single bit of those Nirvana Ashes.

It would be one thing if Snape took it, but Kyle is only thirteen years old. Could he possibly understand how to use such high-end equipment?

What a waste!

Dumbledore sighed again.