Chapter 107: Christmas
Chapter 107: Christmas
The Anderson family's original plan to go skiing during the Christmas holiday was canceled, as Luke and Sasha would be joining them for Christmas. No one in the family complained, as they weren't particularly enthusiastic about skiing anyway.
On Christmas Eve, Albert saw Herbert lingering outside Nia's room, seemingly contemplating whether to place the gift on his daughter's bedside table.
"Santa Claus isn't really popular these days," Albert hinted to Herbert, suggesting he put the Christmas gift next to the tree downstairs.
"I already told him that," Daisy said with a resigned look, watching the two of them in the corridor in her pajamas. She shook her head and added, "You should head back to bed too. Don't stay up late; we have to get up early tomorrow to open presents."
The next day, Albert was awakened early in the morning by Nia.
There was no helping it; Tom's cat face was right up in his, instantly dispelling any remaining sleepiness.
"I couldn't find the Christmas gift you gave me," Nia demanded.
"It's right here; I just didn't have a chance to put it by the tree yet," Albert said, pushing Tom's face away with his hand. He got up, drew a neatly wrapped box from his drawer, and handed it to Nia.
"What about mine?" he asked. The siblings had a tradition of exchanging gifts every year.
"It's by the tree downstairs," Nia replied, unwrapping the package and picking up a badge. "It's beautiful. By the way, what kind of bird is this?"
"It's a phoenix. You can also call it a firebird or a phoenix bird. Apparently, Headmaster Dumbledore has one. But I've never actually seen a phoenix myself," Albert said, taking out a packet of cat treats from his drawer and offering them to Tom. "And here's your Christmas treat."
As he spoke, he tore open the packaging and drew out a treat, waving it in front of Tom, easily capturing the cat's attention.
However, as Albert prepared to pop the treat into his own mouth, Tom's face drew closer, and the cat let out an anxious meow.
"This guy is so naughty. Let's not play with him anymore, Tom," Nia said, putting the badge in her pocket. She reached out to pick up the cat and took the bag of treats with her as she headed downstairs, leaving Albert alone with the lone treat in his hand.
"White Christmas!" Albert exclaimed as he got out of bed and walked to the window, pulling aside the curtains to gaze at the falling snow outside.
As he went downstairs, Albert's eyes were drawn to the pile of small packages under the Christmas tree. Nia was already seated at the dining table, unwrapping her gifts, so... all that was left were his?
Albert walked over to the tree and began unwrapping the presents: a few books, some greeting cards, and a Quidditch poster—yes, it was from the Weasley brothers. Although Albert didn't recognize the people in the poster, he planned to bring it back to school and put it up in his dormitory; it was probably the team the twin brothers supported. There was also a small bag of candy from Shana, thanking him for his help at the start of the school year, and a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans from Lee Jordan.
There was also an issue of Transfiguration Today magazine, but it was an older one. Albert checked the sender and was surprised to see that it was from Professor McGonagall.
Albert wondered if Professor McGonagall would send him a Christmas gift.
And then there was a scarf?
"Well?" Nia asked anxiously. "Do you like the color? I picked it out myself."
"It's beautiful," Albert said, wrapping the scarf around his neck. It was quite warm, a grayish-white children's style. Well, he was only twelve, so he was still a child—no room for complaints there.
The rest of the gifts were either candy or books, and Albert wasn't surprised to receive books, as that had been the case since the past.
Breakfast was exceptionally sumptuous, but the Anderson family didn't eat right away. They waited for Luke and Sasha to arrive, and around half-past ten, the family of six finally sat down to enjoy their meal, singing Christmas carols. After they were full, they lounged on the sofa, watching television and chatting about light-hearted topics.
Nia had hoped that Albert would perform some magic, but he declined after considering it.
To be honest, he still didn't fully understand the trace system of the Ministry of Magic. Although he had asked others about it, no one seemed to know the exact principle behind it.
Usually, one would only receive a notice prohibiting the use of magic outside of school right before the summer holidays in the first year.
However, Albert didn't want to take any risks. It would be unwise to try and exploit loopholes in the law without any preparation.
Even without using magic, there were plenty of things to do, like playing Wizard's Chess or chatting about interesting topics.
But when it came to Wizard's Chess, it was clear that no one could beat Albert.
After losing yet another game, Herbert temporarily gave up on playing with his son.
Fortunately, Daisy came to the rescue at that moment, bringing out a large bowl of freshly fried potatoes, giving him a good excuse to end the game.
"Tom, don't go bother Sheila. Be careful, or she'll peck you," Albert said as he went to wash his hands, taking the short-haired cat away from the owl and muttering, "I wonder if I named him wrong. I should have called him Jerry; Tom and Jerry—what a great pair they'd make."
"Sheila is a much nicer name," Nia interjected.
When Albert returned after washing his hands, he heard a pitiful meow. Tom, with his mischievous claws, had finally been pecked by the owl.
Sheila didn't seem inclined to let Tom off the hook, chasing him and pecking at him relentlessly. Tom, in a sorry state, could only retreat under the sofa for safety.
Everyone burst into laughter.
Sasha offered some owl treats to Sheila and then bent down to pick up Tom from under the sofa, comforting his wounded spirit with the cat treats.
"Tom is getting fatter and fatter," Nia said, taking out the birthday gift Albert had given her to show to the others.
"It's nice for a cat to be chubby," Sasha said with a laugh, scratching Tom under the chin. "Don't you think so, Tom?"
"When will it be able to fly?" Nia asked, poking at the eagle-headed lion beast. "And do these creatures really exist in our world?"
"They do, but apparently, they're only found in hidden places unknown to most," Albert replied, popping a ketchup-covered French fry into his mouth.
"Why do people in the magical world always act like mice, hiding away?" Daisy asked, sitting next to Herbert, their shoulders touching.
"Well, there are fewer wizards, and most ordinary people fear powers beyond their understanding," Luke answered.
In truth, many people both feared and envied magic, and for various reasons, they viewed those with magical abilities as monsters, finding reasons to persecute them. Such was the nature of humanity.
Tom was lying on the table, fixated on the toy with spread wings, poking at it with his paw.
"Albert, have you read the book I picked for you?" Daisy asked suddenly.
"Yes, I've finished it. It was a great book," Albert nodded. "It's just a pity that what's in the book is just that—in the book."
(End of Chapter)
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