England, Ministry of Magic.
The moment Will stepped out of the fireplace, he felt the chill. England was in the grip of winter around Christmas, and after spending so long in Egypt, he wasn't used to being back in the freezing cold.
Hobert glanced around the Ministry of Magic's Floo Network. It was his first time here. Then he turned to Will. "Want to spend a couple of days at home?"
Home?
Will shook his head. "Term's about to start. I might as well go straight back to Hogwarts with Professor Snape."
There was no point going back just to feel unwelcome for two days. Hobert was the only person in the Howard family he could even talk to.
Hobert ruffled Will's hair, pulled out a wallet, and pressed it into his hand. "Tell me if you need anything, all right? I didn't bring much money, so take this for now. There are a few hundred Galleons in there. Spend them as you need."
The Ministry employee waiting by the fireplace was stunned. Who was this loaded man? Why didn't they recognize him? He didn't look like someone from one of the top Pure-blood wizard families.
Did people really give children hundreds of Galleons at a time?
Will accepted the wallet. Hobert really was generous.
"Thanks, Uncle. We'd better get going. See you over the summer."
"I'll take you to the Winery I just bought in Germany this summer. See you, Will."
With Dumbledore's permission, Will and Snape returned directly to Hogwarts through the Floo Network.
The Castle was much emptier than usual. Only a few students had stayed over Christmas, along with several professors.
The cold stone walls and howling wind stood in sharp contrast to Egypt's scorching desert, yet Will found them comforting.
He had just left