Christmas Gifts

"Here you go!"

When Grindelwald appeared, Dumbledore opened his desk drawer and handed him a small gift box.

Grindelwald took it, his eyes lighting up. "Is this real? Albus, you actually got me a Christmas present? I'm not dreaming, am I?"

Dumbledore shook his head. "It's not from me. Jerry sent it. He just asked me to pass it on."

Grindelwald sighed. "Well, a gift from Jerry is nice too. But Albus, I'm still looking forward to yours!"

He opened the box and found a beautiful brooch with the symbol of the Deathly Hallows at its center.

Grindelwald picked it up and strode happily to the mirror. After holding it against his clothes and admiring its intricate design, he said, "Look, Albus. Isn't it exquisite?"

"But that little rascal's been up to something!" He handed the brooch to Dumbledore.

"This is... an alchemical creation?"

Grindelwald nodded, beaming. "That's a member of the Grindelwald family for you!"

Dumbledore studied the brooch Jerry had sent. "It's a brooch for communication. What fine craftsmanship!"

"No, no, no, Albus. There's much more to it. Look closely at the Runic Inscriptions on the back. There's a tracking inscription, and... a listening device!"

Dumbledore: "..."

Grindelwald took back the brooch and rubbed his right hand across the inscriptions. A blue flame sprang up and erased every alchemical inscription on the back.

"Gellert, you..."

"Don't worry, Albus. I've never gone back on a promise to you. Besides, Jerry and I will be able to meet soon, won't we?"

Back at the orphanage, Jerry greeted the matron, then hurried to his room. Before he had even unpacked, he pulled out a brooch identical to Grindelwald's and began listening in.

When he heard that Grindelwald was spending Christmas with Dumbledore, his interest flared. Good thing I didn't waste any time. I almost missed the big news!

"...Bzz... bzz..."

He had barely heard a few sentences when the brooch began to buzz. Jerry tapped it, but it still did not work. He understood: the two of them must have discovered it and destroyed the communication inscription!

Jerry sighed in disappointment. The connection had cut out at the crucial moment. Those two old men are sharper than foxes!

The next evening, at the Granger home.

Knock, knock, knock!

Hermione hurried downstairs, darting past the landing like a nimble fawn.

Mrs. Granger heard the noise and came out of the kitchen. Wiping her hands on her apron, she called, "Slow down! You'll fall!"

Mr. Granger came in from the yard and smiled as he watched Hermione search through the pile of presents. He had put a great deal of thought into her gift this year and hoped she would like it.

"Found it!" Hermione cried. She grabbed a gift box and ran back to her room.

Mr. Granger felt a little deflated when she left the present he had prepared so carefully untouched. "Whose gift did she take?" he asked his wife.

Mrs. Granger smiled. "Jerry's."

That only made Mr. Granger more annoyed. The thought of that young upstart brought his dislike rushing back. I was right to dislike that boy!

Back in her room, Hermione unwrapped the box and found a notebook and a card inside.

She picked up the card. On the front, it read, "Thank you, Hermione, for always being there and helping me. May our friendship last forever." The back explained the notebook.

Jerry had made it as an alchemical creation modeled after Voldemort's diary. He had filled it with all his insights into spells, except Avada Kedavra, his insights into Transfiguration, and every volume of the Standard Book of Spells. Whenever Hermione wanted to find a spell, she only had to write its name in the notebook.

Hermione hugged the notebook to her chest. She loved it.

At school, Harry, Ron, and Neville had all received alchemical gifts from Jerry. Even the Weasley Twins had received one.

Jerry's creations were not always reliable—one Alchemical Bracelet had even frightened Neville to tears—but Hermione had never received an alchemical gift from him. She could not help feeling a little left out and hurt.

Now she finally understood why. Jerry had not forgotten her after all!

"Sweetheart, there's a present here with your name on it, but it doesn't say who sent it. Come have a look."

At her mother's call, Hermione gently slipped the notebook under her pillow and went downstairs.

Seeing Hermione's happy face, Mrs. Granger said, "Looks like Jerry gave you a lovely present!"

Hermione ignored her mother's teasing, took the unsigned gift, and unwrapped it.

"Oh my goodness, Felix Felicis! Who sent me this?"

Inside the box was a bottle of potion labeled "Felix Felicis," along with a card and a medicine spoon. The card was covered in detailed instructions for taking the potion.

"That old bat can actually be generous! He gave me a whole bottle of Felix Felicis. Good thing I didn't send him Potter-brand shampoo."

At the orphanage, Jerry was opening his Christmas presents. He had received more this year than in all previous years combined.

Harry and Ron had sent him plenty of snacks. The Weasley Twins had given him the Marauder's Map, while Snape had been the most generous, sending Felix Felicis.

Dumbledore's gift was interesting: a medal engraved with the symbol of the Deathly Hallows.

Jerry turned the medal over in his hands, puzzled. Was this from Dumbledore or Grindelwald? And why did the two of you send just one gift between you?

Hermione's Christmas present was easily the most precious.

When Jerry opened it, he found a scarf in black and gray. He felt the fabric. The stitching was a little rough, nothing like the polished scarves sold in shops.

But he could feel the care behind it. Hermione had knitted it herself.

Jerry wrapped the scarf around his neck and looked in the mirror. It looked pretty good.

"Jerry, are you in your room? There are a few more presents for you here, but none of them have names on them!"