ch 71 A time of giving

December 25, 1991, Wednesday, 6:13 am, Hogwarts Gryffindor Boy's Dormitory

"Harry, wake up! Come on, Harry, wake up!" Ron yelled out, waking up Harry.

Harry puts on his glasses and runs out of bed. He then looks down at Ron, who greeted him, "Happy Christmas, Harry."

"Happy Christmas, Ron." Harry notices Ron's sweater, "What are you wearing?"

Ron smiled wryly, "Oh. My mum made it. It looks like you've got one too."

"I-I've got presents?" Harry runs down the staircase to see his presents.

Harry sees a note on the present and opens it, reading it out, "Your father left this in my possession before he died. It is time it was returned to you. Use it well."

Ron asked," What is it?"

"It's some kind of cloak." Potter replied. He then wrapped the cloak around his shoulders, making his body invisible, and yelled, "My body's gone!"

"I know what that is." Ron stood up and inspected the cloak, "That's an invisibility cloak! They're really rare. I wonder who gave it to you."

Harry reads the note again, "There was no name. It just said, "Use it well." Do you think it came from Marshall?"

"No.." Ron then took two boxes from the pile of gifts, "Marshall's gifts are these. Here, this one is address to you…"

Harry, still wearing the invisibility cloak, took the box and unwrapped it to see a red-gold leather pouch like the black one Marshall always carry around.

On the pouch, the Hogwarts logo was embroidered and under it, the name Harry Potter can be seen.

"Bloody Hell! Is this what I think it is?!" Ron was inspecting a similar pouch that Harry got with an embroidered 'Ronald Weasley' on it.

They tried to open the pouch, but they couldn't. Harry checked the box again and saw a small note that said, "Trace your name with your index finger and say "Aperta~". (Latin:Open)

The two followed the instructions and were able to open their respective pouches and began inspecting the space inside.

Another note was found in the space, it says,

-Total space of 10 cubic meters,

-Has stasis charm.

- Muggle-Worthy switch, just trace your name with your index finger and say "TEGO" (Latin: hide)

-Can only be open by the person who first opened it.

-Note, in the name of fairness, I gave ALL the Hogwarts Firsties the same gift.

"Merry Christmas Guys!"

Harry and Marshall just looked at each other and can't wrap their head around how much Marshall must have spent to give such a gift to every first year.

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9:16 am, Witcherly Residence

-Marshall's POV-

"£0.00, I'm telling you, It didn't cost me a thing. You don't have to feel burdened…" I said to Adeline who called me ,via phone, early this Christmas Morning.

Wayne, Kevin, Naomi, Justin, and Hannah already called my house to react and thank me for my gift. I've been repeating the same thing for each call.

The others have sent letters through owls.

I sighed, "Yes, yes… I received your gift. Thanks, by the way. Joyeux Noël et à l'année prochaine !" (Fr. Merry Christmas and see you next year!)

After hanging up, Nana laughed, "See Dear, I already told you that your gift will garner such reactions."

Laying down on the living room sofa, I rubbed my face, "Well… I initially thought of buying some automatic watches from Patek Philippe, but I scratched the idea when I saw the prices."

"... I just simply opt to gift them something personally handmade. "

When I visited Gringotts last time, I brought a few yards of dragon leather and Acromantula silks(processed and dyed) in Diagon Alley, and just crafted the pouches in four colors for each Hogwarts house.

Avatar Long expanded the space inside. The added charms were some that I learned from Aunt Penny.

With a chuckle, Nana said, "Dear, you do know that those pouches are worth 20 times more than Patek Philippe watches, right? You sound humble, but you're definitely bragging. Is that what they call a humblebrag?"

Waving a hand, "But as I said, they didn't cost much. They were handmade."

Done with the calls, I now have time to continue opening my presents. I already unwrapped the ones from my friends, both muggles and magical.

At the corner, I have a pile of apparels and sweets from them.

The Weasleys sent me a fossilized dragon tooth, while the Lovegoods gifted me a copy of "One Minute Feasts - It's Magic!"

Nana's granddaughter, Scáthach, sent me a Fender USA Strat Electric Guitar. It seems she coordinated her gift with Francis since he sent an amplifier, cable, strap, and tuner.

Aoife, Nana's other granddaughter, sent me a Hoyt ProForce compound bow and some quivers. Along with her gift, somebody named, Niten, sent me a katana.

Unsheathing the katana from its saya(scabbard), I can't help to be mesmerized by the craftsmanship.

"Oh?! That's a nice sword…" Nana commented and walked up close, inspecting the details. "That's definitely, Niten's work."

I asked, "Who is this Niten, Nana?"

Nana smiled, "His original name is Miyamoto Musashi, Dear. He is Aoife's…uhm… special friend. Hihi."

'Oh!' I just nodded in understanding and continued opening boxes.

The Flamel's sent me the latest high-end globe, maps of the world and separate ones for each continent, and a crystal pendant. "Eh? What did Uncle Nick and Aunt Penny give me?"

Nana looked over and said, "The globe is ordinary, but the pendant has a Scrying Crystal. Just place the pendant over any map or globe and think of a person, and it will point to where they are."

Surprised, I said, "Wow, that's useful." It solves the shortcomings that my Eyes of Siri has when locating someone.

Next, I opened the cylindrical gift sent by Uncle Merlin, wrapped in purple. When I opened it, a black and gold Persian rug unfolded in the living room. I estimate that the area is similar to my double bed.

"A rug?" I was going to ask Nana, but the rug levitated 2ft off the ground. Quickly, I stood up and yelled, "It's a magic carpet!"

Nana traced the patterns on the carpet, "Hmm… It's not fully sentient, but it can follow your commands. Let me modify it a bit…"

She waves her hand and the carpet started to glow and shrink in size until it is just a size of a handkerchief. "Here, Dear, the password is "Tapete" to enlarge, and "Mappa" to make it small."

"Thanks Nana." I started enlarging and shrink the carpet.

But then a sudden realization hit me, "Wait!… I seem to remember that magic carpets are banned in Britain. Right?!"

Nana played innocent, "Are they? Well, If you cast an invisibility field when you use it and just show it to your trusted friends, I think you won't have any problem."

"... And once it's announced that you are Merlin's heir, then I'm sure that even if people knew you have a magic carpet, they will just look the other way."

"Eh…uhm…" I just stayed silent when the topic of becoming Merlin's heir was brought up.

Though I reluctantly agreed, it haven't really sunk in yet. With a sigh, I just let "Future Marshall" deal with what will come my way.

*Ring!~ Ring!~Ring!~

'Ugh! Who is calling this time?' Lazily getting up, I walked to get the phone and answered, "Hello? Witcherly Residence---"

📞"Kid, have Merlin agreed to be your lawyer?" I recognized Uncle Nick's voice.

Taking a moment to prepare my brain a bit, I just blurted, "Eh… Merry Christmas, Uncle Nick. Where's Aunt Penny? How's Paris?"

I have to watch out what I say, as there are certain topics I have to avoid when I talk to the Flamels, like Josh/Marethyu.

📞"Don't play innocent, Kid. Dumbledore wrote us a letter, and what's this you, being a necromancer? When did you learn magic relating to souls?… Ouch!" Nick sounded like she was hit by something.

A while later, a Penny's voice came from the phone. 📞"Hello Dear, Sorry about Nick. I'm guessing that you and Dora have your secrets, and I understand that. We just want to know that you are aware of the possible troubles that you might face being… well… you know, High-profile."

"Yes, Aunt Penny. I'm well aware of the consequences, and Nana is fully aware of everything… even with me being a necromancer. I apologize for not saying anything, it's some of my secrets, I hope you don't feel offended." I explained.

📞"We understand, Dear. Just don't forget to reach out to us if you have problems. Ok, Dear. Oh, but can I ask, did Merlin agree to be your lawyer? Nick won't be able to sleep if you don't answer that." Penny said.

"Oh?" I look to Nana, and she gave a nod, so I told the truth, "Well, Uncle Merlin didn't agree to be my lawyer because he would rather not deal with the current Political situation in Britain…"

📞"Oh? Well, that's for the best, I guess, Dear. It will just be inviting trouble to come your wa..."

Rubbing my face, I continued, "But, Uncle Merlin just decided to name me as his heir… and I accepted."

Silence ~

I waited for their reaction and it never came. A second later, I heard the call had ended…

*duut~ duut~duut~

"Eh?… The call ended…?" I just shrugged my shoulder and put the phone down.

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3:33 pm, Witcherly Residence

"Jolly, you can accompany the four, just feed them dinner later. And remember, I'm with my muggle friends, so you can't teleport near me." I reminded my elf as I put on my scarf and prepare to head out.

Traditionally, Christmas dinner with my friends and their families are always held at my place. But since it snowed last night, we changed the venue to celebrate at Jeanne's farm so that Baby Bruce won't need to come out.

Jolly salutes and said, "Yes, yes, Young Master. I'll take care of the young ones. Jolly won't teleport near your friends… Yes, Jolly Won't…"

The elf then sat on the couch with my pets and watched TV in the training room.

Just in time, I heard the familiar rumble of Uncle Ben's truck, so I quickly left the room and walked to the front door.

*Knock! *Knock!

"Merry Christmas, Uncle Ben!" I greeted the man as I open the door.

Ben brushed the snow off his shoulder, "Merry Christmas to you, Kid. Now, what are the things you need to bring that required my truck?"

Pointing to the side, "I was called back to London last Monday by my uncle, and he allowed me to raid his pantry and cellar. So I just took a few bottles of wine and two kegs of Carling lagers."

"Damn Kid! You brats aren't allowed to drink alcohol yet. Why did you bring so much?" Ben scratched his head, but he was all smile seeing the drinks.

I wave my hand, "Of course, the drinks are not for us. It's for the adults. I intend to give the wines as gifts for each family to take home. The lager,... you can give it to your farm hands."

"*gulp*… Fine, thanks. But what is in the huge Coleman?." He points at the few containers.

Walking to the Coleman, I opened the top and said, "I've been meaning to have the others taste this and so when I happened to encounter some when I visited the Billingsgate fish market, I bought two." 

Uncle Ben leaned in to see two live Alaskan King Crabs along with some other ingredients. He just sighed and stayed quiet.

The two of us started loading the wines, lagers, and the Coleman into the truck. Ben was surprised to see me lift a keg easily.

A moment later, Nana came out and walked to the front door, "Hmmm… You haven't finished?"

"Not yet, Nana." I said.

Ben was surprised, "What? Aren't we done?"

"No… I still have my gifts. Didn't you see the wrapped boxes near the wines?"

Walking in, Ben the check looked at the boxes, "Dora, you really need to teach Marshall on how to handle his money. The kid spends too much."

After putting on her jacket and scarf, Nana smiled, "I already nagged him. He also overspent on his gifts to his new classmates. His Uncle just sent him money since he can't spend time with him."

When the topic of 'my money' comes up, Nana and I always say it came from my 'UNCLE' who 'over compensate' for his 'absence'.

Ben was at a lost for words. He sometimes forgets that my parents passed away and the only one looking out for me is Nana and that distant Uncle I have.

With a change of mood, we loaded the boxes into the truck and drove toward the farm.

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4:51 pm, Jeanne's Farm

"Thanks, Marshall, for the shoes. How did you know our sizes?"asked Kyle as he happily tries out the new football shoes.

While holding Baby Bruce, I just shrugged, "I just know."

"Marshall Dear, here's Bruce's milk bottle." Jeanne's mother handed me the warm milk bottle and I started feeding the baby.

"Arf! Arf!" Turtle, Mei's Shih Tzu, followed me as I sat on the sofa.

Luke picked up the dog and pet it and sat beside me. "Mate, did no one stopped you from spending too much on gifts?"

"Eh?… Not you too… Nana and Uncle Ben already gave me an earful on the way here. Just let me be, mate. I haven't seen you guys for four months. And it's Christmas!" I pleaded to let me off the hook.

Rolling his eyes, Luke said, "Fine. Just don't go overboard next year."

Leaning back, I reassured him, "Okay… okay… Just considered it as me making up for missing your birthdays."

Remembering something, MeiMei look at the new calendar and flip the page towards the month of April 1992. She called me out, "Oh, your birthday falls in Easter Break. Will you be here?"

Shaking my head, "Nope, sorry. I'm going to be busy around that time, so my return will be in June, I think?"

"Too bad, Dude." Kyle moped as he sat and takes off his new shoes.

I then saw the newspaper on the coffee table and read something. Immediately, I point at the newspaper, "Look! A new Disneyland will open around April next year. We can go there during our summer break."

Luke reached for the paper and read the article. He frowned and looked at me, "Mate! Its in France?!"

Silence ~

"So?" I asked with a blank face.

*Slap!*

Jeanne hit the back of my head. "It's in another country! What do you mean 'So!'?"

Rubbing the back of my head, I clarify, "Ehem... I'm asking, do you guys want to go or not?"

Silence~

They know I'm not joking. And from past experiences, they know I meant that I will pay for the trip.

Everyone in our group is looking at each other. We are currently having a 'silent meeting'.

The adults noticed our silence and were familiar with our 'silent meeting'. They know, we're planning to go somewhere again for the summer and are now thinking of ways to get their permission.

Uncle Ben sighed and turned to Nana and asked, "Where are they planning to go now?"

Nana also sighed and said, "Paris."

~end chapter ~

Fun fact! Disneyland Paris opened April 12, 1992

Nxt chapter is on Mar 11