Will turned the page and continued. "According to legend, on one unusually long and dark Christmas Eve, Santa Claus used Joy Beacons scattered across the land to corner Krampus in a barren valley of ice. With nowhere left to run, Krampus revealed his most terrifying demonic form. The book says he looked like a twisted Giant made of shadows, icicles, and dead branches, radiating a dreadful chill."
"But Santa Claus didn't use an offensive spell. According to the account, he brought out a special 'gift' he'd spent many years making—a 'Joy' formed from the purest happy memories, children's laughter and wishes, and hope.
When Krampus lunged at him, Santa Claus 'gave' him that 'Joy' like a present. Its utterly pure light collided violently with the darkness that devoured happiness, and Krampus melted in that joy."
"Melted?" Harry blinked.
"Like sunlight melting solid ice. The powerful Joy Magic neutralized Krampus's pure malice and dispelled the despair he had gathered. According to the account, Krampus wasn't killed. He was 'purified.' His dark demonic form dissolved in the light, while the part of him that existed as a magical phenomenon remained—but he lost the will to do evil.
After that, he became more of a symbol of winter's 'harsh' side. In Muggle legends, Krampus turned into a somewhat frightening figure who lightly swatted naughty children with Birch Twigs but meant them no harm. He even became Santa Claus's 'opposite number.'"
"And because of that great feat of magic and all the joy Santa Claus spread along the way, his deeds were remembered forever. His tradition of delivering gifts every year became a powerful, ongoing Ritual of joyful wishes. It reinforced that victory and ensured darkness like Krampus wouldn't gather so easily again.
That's why Magical Historians and some Ritual Scholars believe Christmas isn't