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Chapter 67: Christmas with Snape
"Alright," Alan Ash nodded solemnly, "I'll join you."
"Very good, Alan," Tethys said, opening her arms slightly. "Welcome to the Freedom Warriors."
A century ago, the goblins who followed Ranrok had called themselves loyal warriors. Tethys clearly had no intention of using that title.
Loyalty… was far too fragile.
Only comrades bound by a shared goal were truly reliable.
"Tethys… what should I do now?"
Tethys placed two items on the table—a belt, and a thin book.
"This belt is forged from goblin metal. It will make your magic easier to control… and stronger. And this—" she tapped the book lightly, "—contains the three Unforgivable Curses."
"The Unforgivable Curses…?"
"Trust me, Alan," Tethys said calmly. "Ancient Magic is far more powerful than any curse. But our enemies may very well be the entire wizarding world. Without sufficient strength, we won't survive long enough to obtain it."
A faint green glow flickered at her fingertips.
"I doubt Hogwarts ever gave you the chance to learn these… don't you want to try?"
She smiled faintly, then let the light fade.
"Don't resist it. I imagine your father is quite skilled in such things… otherwise he wouldn't have survived so comfortably as a smuggler."
Alan hesitated for a moment, then nodded and picked up the book.
"…Alright. So I just need to learn these spells?"
"Of course not."
Tethys leaned forward slightly, her voice soft but firm.
"These are gifts. And gifts… require proof of worth."
Her hand pressed lightly against the table, steadying him.
"It's nothing difficult. We simply need to understand something…"
She smiled.
"You've been classmates with Audrey Astray for months. You must know something about her—her habits, her personality… her preferences."
It had to be said—Tethys was dangerously persuasive.
Despite not even being human, Alan felt as though he were speaking to someone who had known him for years.
It wasn't coincidence.
Tethys was a natural Legilimens.
"I… know her," Alan began slowly. "Everyone says she's greedy."
He frowned slightly.
"But I don't believe she's lazy. Someone lazy couldn't become… like that."
Tethys's smile deepened.
He was telling the truth.
Good.
---
…
…
Harry Potter still became Gryffindor's Seeker.
He desperately wanted to share the news with his idol.
But Audrey hadn't appeared in the Great Hall since the day she came to collect her Nimbus 2000.
After receiving exemption from Potions—and even Herbology—not long after, Audrey had essentially stopped attending most classes altogether.
At this point, with only two subjects left, she hardly resembled a student preparing for O.W.L.s.
Unable to find her, Harry had no choice but to share his excitement with Hagrid.
Because his friends… were done with him.
"Harry," Hermione said flatly, "this is the forty-fifth time you've told me you became Gryffindor's Seeker. The first first-year in Hogwarts history."
She closed Ancient Runes: A Beginner's Guide with a quiet snap.
"But I should remind you—the first newcomer to join a team was Audrey. Even if she was technically in fifth year."
That wasn't what bothered Harry.
Losing to Audrey wasn't embarrassing.
If anything, it made him proud.
We both made it as newcomers.
What really bothered him… was Christmas.
Most students were going home.
He wasn't.
Still, staying at Hogwarts was better than returning to the Dursleys.
And when he heard Ron and his brothers were staying too—
Harry nearly jumped with joy.
This might actually be the best Christmas he'd ever had.
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…
…
Astray Manor.
"Big brother, I'm back!"
Rick burst out from the second floor, leaning over the railing before racing down the stairs.
He lost one slipper halfway down.
Didn't even bother picking it up.
"Audrey!"
He ran barefoot the rest of the way.
"Why didn't you let me pick you up? I really wanted to experience that!"
Audrey laughed.
"You wouldn't understand. I'd never take something as slow and boring as the Hogwarts Express. I Apparated back."
"Hmph."
A cold snort came from behind her.
"That Apparition of yours was crude. Loud enough to startle half the neighborhood. Anyone hearing it would think a house-elf had arrived."
Rick immediately straightened up, smiling brightly.
"Ah! You must be Professor Snape! Audrey mentioned you in her letters—nice to meet you!"
Snape gave a slight nod.
Audrey, meanwhile, pressed her lips together.
'Protecting' me? More like spying.
Why was Snape so focused on her, while the real danger—Quirrell—walked around freely?
Even Dumbledore had allowed it.
Still…
If Snape saw everything clearly, maybe he'd finally stop watching her.
That alone made it worth it.
Just as Audrey began imagining a peaceful holiday—
Peter Waterman appeared at the door.
"Audrey!"
The half-grey-haired man pulled her into a hug.
"How's the Royal Academy of Music? Is Professor Macmillan treating you well?"
Audrey froze for a split second.
Ah.
Dumbledore's cover story.
In the Muggle world, she'd been "studying music."
"Ah—yes, everything's fine."
Waterman waved it off.
"That's good! But listen—you have to appear publicly this Christmas. If you stay hidden any longer, people will forget you!"
Rick immediately cut in.
"Mr. Waterman, my single's been doing great. People haven't forgotten the Astray siblings. Let her rest."
It was true.
Rick's release of Never Gonna Give You Up had made him an overnight sensation.
Waterman clenched his fists.
"But if Audrey performs a ten-day Christmas tour… ticket sales alone could reach fifteen million pounds…"
He glanced at her.
"I only need five hundred thousand. The rest is yours."
"I'll do it."
No hesitation.
Rick sighed, ruffling her hair.
Some habits never changed.
Snape's expression darkened.
Fifteen million pounds…
Even split in half—
That was still over a million Galleons.
Ten days of singing… could buy an entire broom company.
And he'd just bought her a Nimbus 2000.
…
Ridiculous.
---
…
…
Snape stayed for Christmas Eve dinner.
Momo's cooking.
He didn't leave empty-handed, though.
Before bed, he said quietly—
"Leave the window open tonight."
Audrey tilted her head.
"Tomorrow is Christmas," Snape added flatly. "Try using your brain."
Oh.
Right.
That night—
Thousands of owls descended on Astray Manor.
If Snape hadn't warned her, it would've made headlines.
"Mysterious Phenomenon: Thousands of Owls Swarm Famous Singer's Home!"
The next morning—
Audrey woke up buried in presents.
And owl feathers.
A lot of owl feathers.
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