Chapter 56: Christmas Gifts~

Recalling the gifts he had given to the professors, most of them cost less than one Galleon.

Since many of them were handmade by him... they didn't cost anything.

For example, for Professor McGonagall, he used a Transfiguration spell to turn a piece of wood into the shape of a tabby cat. He also incorporated the design of a "maneki-neko" (a beckoning cat), making the tabby cat's paw wave up and down continuously.

"I hope the professors don't look down on my gifts."

Although he didn't spend much money, he had put a lot of thought into preparing them.

Afterward, Dylan stored all the gifts Professor McGonagall had given him into his system panel.

He then turned his attention to the next gift.

Professor Flitwick had given him a notebook filled with experience on spell dueling.

This was extremely valuable—essentially a professor's personal notes. The experience contained within could easily be worth ten thousand Galleons.

"Let's put this away for safekeeping."

Dylan then looked at the gift from Professor Snape.

After unwrapping the box, Dylan took out a small bottle.

"This is..."

Dylan gently shook the potion bottle, observing the amber-colored liquid with tiny magical particles shimmering inside.

"Invigoration Draught?"

Dylan was slightly stunned.

This was a high-level potion that could quickly restore a wizard's magic and stamina. It was incredibly valuable, capable of rejuvenating an exhausted wizard in a very short time.

This potion could work wonders in many situations.

Moreover, brewing this potion was no easy task.

One of the ingredients required was strictly regulated these days.

That ingredient was... dragon heartstring.

Although only a tiny amount was needed, dragon heartstring, as a powerful magical material, was extremely difficult to obtain nowadays.

Dylan pursed his lips and smiled faintly.

"It seems Professor Snape doesn't completely see me as just a little lion who occasionally annoys him."

Even if he wasn't Snape's favorite student, he was definitely near the top of the list!

While feeling touched, Dylan also felt a bit uneasy.

"I only gave Professor Snape a potion I brewed myself. He probably thinks it's rubbish, right?"

Sigh.

When it came to gifts, he really didn't know what to give, so he just went with something simple.

It wasn't like he could give someone an Avada Kedavra, right?

"When I have a lot of money, I'll definitely give the professors something grand!"

As for how much money that would require...

Dylan moved on to the next gift.

"Candy, chocolate... Wait, isn't this the avocado chocolate I transfigured with magic? Oh, it's from Ron."

Dylan chuckled helplessly.

"Magical chess, a charmed football..."

The football was from Seamus and his friend Dean.

According to Seamus, while experimenting with a new spell, he had blasted eight out of nine footballs. This one was the sole survivor of Seamus's magical onslaught.

Seamus had named it the "Lucky Football," hoping it would bring Dylan good fortune.

Dylan liked it. Even though it was just a football and he probably wouldn't use it much, it was the thought that counted—just like the gifts he had prepared.

He felt much more at ease with these gifts.

"Oh, there's even a brand-new set of magical quills... These are quite expensive."

Dylan glanced at the label and saw it was from Harry.

After putting all the gifts away, Dylan felt a wave of gratitude.

He glanced back at Harry and Ron, who were still fast asleep.

With a faint smile, he got out of bed.

"I hope they don't think poorly of the gifts I gave them."

Dylan left the dormitory.

After breakfast, he went to the owlery to check on Luna.

There was no letter from his parents.

"Hmph, it's not like I was expecting anything anyway!"

Instead of heading to the library, he returned to the Gryffindor common room.

Dylan grabbed a few snacks and settled into the soft couch, flipping through the journal Professor McGonagall had given him.

"Huh, this person's understanding of Transfiguration is quite profound."

Dylan quickly became engrossed.

Until he heard a voice calling out to him.

"Good morning! Merry Christmas!"

"Dylan, you're up early!"

Turning his head, he saw Ron and Harry.

Harry's face was beaming with joy—it was his first time spending Christmas with his friends.

He quickly plopped down on the couch next to Dylan, sinking into it and letting out a contented sigh.

Ron also came over, winking at Dylan. "I noticed the gifts on your bed are gone. So, did you try the chocolate I gave you?"

Dylan glanced at him. "The avocado chocolate? Nope, didn't eat it."

Ron's hopeful expression instantly fell. "Oh! Why not? You didn't think it was actually the avocado chocolate you gave me, did you?"

Harry, trying to stifle a laugh, chimed in, "I told you not to wrap it in the same packaging as Dylan's chocolate."

Ron quickly added, "It's not the chocolate you gave me, Dylan! You should try it now!"

Seeing Ron's twinkling eyes and the corners of his mouth twitching as he tried to suppress a grin, Dylan raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "You two didn't turn that chocolate into some kind of prank, did you?"

Ron's grin froze, and his lips twitched downward unnaturally. "Of course not! It's just a regular box of chocolate."

Harry, sitting beside him, blinked and added, "Yeah, he gave me a box too. I already ate some—it's delicious!"

Dylan narrowed his eyes, his gaze shifting between the two of them, who were now avoiding eye contact.

Then, with a gentle smile, he pulled out a handful of candies from his pocket.

"I'll try it later. Here, have some milk candies your brothers gave me. They're pretty good—want to try some?"

Ron immediately grew wary.

But Harry, oblivious to Ron's reaction, leaned forward and took a candy from Dylan's hand.

He unwrapped it and popped it into his mouth.

Ron didn't even have time to stop him.

In an instant, Harry's relaxed smile froze, just like Ron's.

"Whoa!"

As soon as Harry opened his mouth, a colorful stream of ribbons began pouring out uncontrollably.

"Mmmph!"

Harry tried to say something, his hands instinctively reaching up to stop the ribbons, but they kept flowing out, leaving him panicked.

"What... what's going on?"

Harry mumbled incoherently as the ribbons piled up on the couch, showing no signs of stopping.

Suddenly, an excited voice rang out.

"Hahahaha! I didn't expect Dylan to avoid my candy, but Harry ended up eating it!"

Two figures rushed over.

"Dylan's as sharp as ever!"

(End of Chapter)