Amelia

"I'm sorry I took so long to come and see you, child." Amelia looked at Su Er gently. "We had no choice. There are still plenty of people out there with malicious intentions."

"Amelia moved here after you left for school, just across the street," Mrs. Ellison said beside him. "Your dad and I knew from the very first day that she was a wizard, just like you."

So that was why Dad had been so happy the day I came home?

Su Er lowered his head without saying a word.

"I only came to see you," Amelia said. "Don't worry, I'm not here to make you leave. Suli has taken very good care of you."

"Of course she has." After a moment of silence, Su Er answered stiffly, "I'm never leaving."

"Of course, of course." Amelia wasn't angry at his attitude. "I came to see you because I have a small request."

"If it's such a small request, why come to me, Madam Bones?" Su Er asked flatly.

"Su Er, you can't behave like that." Mrs. Ellison gave him a pat, a little annoyed.

"Heh... would you like to hear a story?" Amelia chuckled softly and began without waiting for an answer.

"In July, ten years ago, a couple living in Godric's Hollow were overjoyed. They had finally welcomed a child of their own."

"They made all sorts of plans, all centered around that child. They wanted to retire for him, to be there as he grew up. They also gave him a lovely name."

At this point, a trace of sadness flickered in Amelia's eyes.

"But the Dark Lord came. At the end of July, he brought all his followers and attacked the hollow. It was a terribly brutal battle. The couple hurriedly entrusted their child to the family member they trusted most, then drew their wands and charged into battle without hesitation."

"The Dark Lord was determined to wipe out everyone in the hollow..."

"The couple died bravely there. I don't think they would have regretted it, because it was their duty. But their greatest regret and concern must have been their child, who wasn't even a month old."

"Thankfully, that child survived. The family member they trusted most didn't let them down and got the child out of the hollow."

By now, Su Er had realized who the child in Amelia's story was. His throat suddenly felt terribly dry.

He knew very well that the child had actually died in that flash of green light-or rather, had already left this world before then...

"What was the child's name?"

"Su Er Bones. Or Su Er Ellison."

Su Er closed his eyes and remained silent for a long while. "All right. What do you want me to do?"

"Tomorrow is Christmas. I'd like you to come with me to the hollow..." Amelia said softly. "Would you, child?" There was a slight tremor in her voice.

"All right." Su Er nodded in agreement. "But I have to be back here before dinner."

"Of course, child. Naturally." Amelia nodded happily. "Then I'll come and get you tomorrow morning."

"Bwother..."

Su Er looked up toward the voice. Angel stood barefoot at the top of the stairs in her thin pajamas, rubbing her eyes with her little hands.

"Where did you go? Hermione isn't home either."

Su Er didn't want to stay in the living room any longer, so he got up, walked over to the stairs, and scooped the barefoot Angel into his arms.

"Your big brother went to get a Christmas present ready for his little angel..."

"What present?" Angel asked eagerly.

"I can't tell you that. You'll find out tomorrow."

"Tell Angel, bwother. Angel promises to pretend she doesn't know..." Angel wheedled in her sweet little voice.

"Is that so... all right... then I'll tell you... the answer is..."

"Heeheehee... bad bwother, don't tickle Angel... heehee... Angel won't ask anymore..."

In the living room, Amelia and Mrs. Ellison exchanged smiles.

Su Er didn't get a good night's sleep that night. At midnight, a series of tapping sounds woke him.

Imagine it: pitch-black night, utterly silent streets, and more than a dozen pairs of round, green-glowing eyes blinking at you outside the window...

Whoa!

Su Er jumped back several steps in fright. Only after switching on his desk lamp did he see that there were several owls outside the window.

He glanced at the clock on his desk and realized it was past midnight. Christmas had arrived.

Was the wizarding world really this big on ceremony?

Did the venerable owls have to deliver the presents at midnight, not a minute early or late?

After grumbling inwardly, Su Er went over and opened the window.

The owls swooped inside in a flurry and dropped presents all over the floor.

"Hoot, hoot..." After accepting the nuts Su Er offered them, they thanked him one by one and flew away.

Little Ash wasn't home either. Apparently, Hermione had sent him out to deliver presents. As for the gifts Su Er had prepared for his friends staying at school, he had entrusted them to the house-elves in the kitchen before the holidays. He hoped his friends would like them.

Su Er picked up the scattered presents and stacked them neatly on his desk.

"Click..." A faint sound came from the door. Su Er looked over and was left speechless at the sight of a "Santa Claus" sneaking inside, wearing a red Christmas hat with a crooked white beard stuck beside his mouth.

"Dad!" Su Er called helplessly.

Mr. Ellison wasn't embarrassed at being caught. He walked in openly, followed by Mrs. Ellison, who was stifling her laughter.

"Merry Christmas." Smiling, Mr. Ellison took a neatly wrapped present out of his red sack.

"Don't open it until you wake up," he said.

Well, look at that. He'd even brought the full kit.

"Thank you." Su Er accepted the present and placed it with the ones the owls had delivered. "Merry Christmas, Dad, Mum."

"Oh, and these are my presents for you." Su Er took out two boxes wrapped in red paper and handed them to Mr. and Mrs. Ellison. "Don't open them until you wake up."

"Oh, of course." Mr. and Mrs. Ellison happily accepted the boxes and each gave Su Er a hug.

"Thank you, son."

"We've already seen the present you got Angel. She'll be over the moon when she wakes up." A hint of envy flickered in Mrs. Ellison's eyes. "It must be the most coveted present for little girls in all of Britain, without question."

"Haha, I think so too." Mr. Ellison patted Su Er's shoulder with pride. "Good night, son."

"Good night, Dad."

"Good night, Mum."